ST. BATHANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 25

ST. BATHANS.

June 29. —Owing to the open wintor mining operations and faviu work have been carried on continuously so far. It does not happen often that we can see all outdoor work in full .swing at the end of June ' It is quite a pleasant contrast to the Juno of 1895.

Social.— The St. Bathans Literary and Debating Club, after a short but uaeful career of two years, has died a natural death. .One of the leading lights of the now defuuet club has informed me that the demiss of the club Cm be accounted j for by sheer want of animation iv the young men, i who in his estimation would rather lounge about ! the publi chouse doors than give 5s a year to I keep the club in existence to assist in j developing their mental ani moral abilities. I may add there is truth in the estimation. Girls' Club.— The young ladies— who, by the way, were regular attendants at the meetings of the late slub and participators iv the benefits that, aro:e from the debates and essays— were, to their credit be it said, not to 'oe deprived of their social gathering through the demise of the club, so they took upon themselvrtM to form what they have designated the ' St. Bathans Youiig Ladies' Club." The syllabus of the' ladies' club differs but little from ihat of its predecessor. Membership, is exclusively for ladies, however, and none but' members are adrnittedto their meetings, so under the Circumstances no retort can be given of their doings, when assembled under the rules of tne club. ,

Tub Ward Disclosures.— The topic of the past week has been the judgment giveu by Mr Justice Williams- in fiot>nection with the 3. G. Ward Association. The action of Judge Williams in the matter is highly approved of, aud the bluffing attitude of the Lit* Treasurer is as strongly condemned.' What astouiphos us country folk ia j the reception given to the "Wizard of Finance" by a section of the city of Duueoin. I may say that the feeling of tbe veople here.is strongly in favour of deposing Mr Vipers. Political.— Our mrnibar, when addressing us lately, said : " The pol'cy of the Government is to make the rich man poor and the poor nianjich" ; bubythe way things are panning off tbe expres-ion j should have been "to make the rich man poor and the poor man poorer"— to wit, uiir rich Colonial Treasurer, who cau pay 8d in the pound, in.contrast of whom may be mentioned the poor Colonial Bank shareholders, who stand a good show of not only losing the d£2 per share invested in Colonial Bank sharas, but also have the prospect of being called upon to what extent goo Jnes3 only knows.