DUNBACK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 26

DUNBACK.

Juke 27.— The chief topic of converiation here . at present is the Bale of the Mskareao estate— the name given to that part of Mr Kitchener's Grange estate bought by the Government. On Wednesday Messrs R. Erring, J. X Robertson (Palmerftton), and P. M'JLeod (Green Valley) attended in Dunback in their capacity of J.P.s to witness the signatures of intending applicants to the application forms. The township presented a very lively, appearaoce. owing to the number coming to,' avail themselves of the opportunity of getting their forms filled up. The J.P.s had a 1 busy time until a late hour. Monday will be a lively day in Palmerston, when the balloting comes off. There ara two photographs in the pamphlets issued purporting to be of Sweetwater block and the Big Blue Mountain. I have not seen one person yet who % was able to recognise either place. The one of Sweetwater beai-s a slight resemblance to. the place, but the other is certainly not one of the Big Blue Mountain, nor has it any resemblance to it. Evidently there has been a mistake somewhere. School Matters.— Tho school committee election is another matter that has caused some talk. Mr Duncan* petitioned the board to upset the election, as Mr Battersby was not a householder, and also objecting to so many bachelors being on the committee (there being four), as it tended to keep parents from getting a seat. The parents ilirtiisflves are to bhme for this, as they apparently do not take auy interest in the elections. There are, I think, 17 families represented in the school ", and, giving e*ch family one vote, this, of course, meanß 17- votes. Of these 17 householders only four were nominated at the annual election,- and two elected. Of 16 votes recorded Bix -were by bachelors,' and two, I think, by persons whose families were 1 not, of school age. These figures, speak for themselves. The board, not wishing to upset the election, decided to ask Mr Battersby to resign, and, in the event of his not doing so, to order a fresh election. At a meeting of the committee called to consider the situation, Mr Battersby declined to resign. It is a certainty that more interest will bs taken in the next election. Oddpellows.— The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Dunback Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was held on tfte IStb. There was a good attendance, it being the night for election of officers for the ensuing term. The following were elected':— G.M , Bro. D. Philip ; N.G., Bro» F. Glover ; V.TJ~ Bro. F. Derm; E,5.,8r0. John Sim; warden, P.G. Bro. John Murray : guardian, P.G. Bio. A. Weaver; R.B. to N.G., P.G. Bro. A. Battemby ; L.S.N.G., Bro. J. Rice ; R.S. to V.G., P.G. Bro. A. Baggott ; L.S. to 0.G., Bro. W. Ross. The socials under the auspices of the lodge are well. attended. At these affairs the evening ia spent iv singing and danciug, <fee. Amusements.— Tbe bachelors of Dunback are to hold their annual ball in Glover's Hall on July 17. There are, I believe, nearly 50 bachelors in the Dunback district.— The annual social in aid of the Presbyterian manse and glebe fund was held in the schoolhouse on Wednesday evening' last. The day was very wet and the roads were very bad, but notwithstanding this the school was filled at 8 o'clock. The eatables, which were plenty aud good, were supplied by the ladies. The dispensing of the. good things was carried out by Mesdamei Duncan, Baggott, and Rendall, and Misses Murray, Campbell," Sim, Connell, and Drummond. . After, tea the chair was taken by the Rev. J. Clarke (Palmeraton), and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr Thomson (Otepopo), Rev. Mr Nicol (Hampden), and Mr P. B. Frasor. The addresses were lfstenod to very attentively, and were much appreciated. Mr Duncan read a statement of the accounts of the funds. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies and th« reverend gentlemen, the former proposed by Mr Ritchie and the latter by Mr P. B. Fraser.