WOODLANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2250, 15 April 1897, Page 25

WOODLANDS.

April 13. — A meeting of the Wooilands Literary and Debating Society was held in the local hall on Monday, 22t,d ult., about 20 members being present. The annual report and balance sheet were read and adopted. The following are the officers for the ensuing year : — President, Mr M. J. Forde ; vice-president, Mr James Robertson ; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr Jas. Alexander; committee — Misses Gobi and P. rrin, Messrs Forde, Robertson, Alexander, Laiiilaw, and Lawson. A vote of thanks to the retiring officers brought the meeting to a clo&e. The session was opened on Tuesday, the 6th inst., with a social. The following members contributed items :— Misses A. M'Kiy, Taylor, and Alexander, and Messrs J. Alexander, Liidlaw, Forde, Hiddleston, Cairns, and I'obcrtson. Dancing was indulged in up to 11 o'clock, when the gathering broke up. o1o 1 c and all seeming quite satisfied with the evening's amusen'cnt The next meeting will he held on Thuridav, the 15^1 inst , when the question, " .Should horse-racing as a sport be prohibited?" will be debated. The society ha>» every prospect of a successful session, but all tbe members should contribute their " miteß," and not leave all the work on the shoulders of a few.

Weddtng.— On Wednesday, the 24th ult., Miss Annie Brown and Mr Thomas Gilhertsiou were joined in the bonds of matrimony. In the evening Mrs Brown, mother of the bride, gave a social iv honour of the e-ent. A large number of guests were present, and &I1 seemed to enjoy themselves. I am sure the young couple deserve all the wishes that were given for their welfare and happiness.

Kootdall.— On Friday, the 28th ult., the football club's annual meeting was held, a large number of members attending. The election of officers resulted iiigJlr W. E Tait being elected president; vice-presidents — Messrs Hiddleston, Taylor, Ilannan, Wyeth. W. Kerr, Leith, and Berry ; captain, M. J. For*e ; vice-captain, W. Svrale ; secretary and treasurer, James Alexander ; general committee— Messrs Forde, Alexander, Swale, Edwards, Gardiner, J. TufHey, and Cossgrove ; maich committee— Met srs Forde, Swale, and J. TufHey. It was decided to affiliate with the Southland Rugby Union, Messrs Forde and Alexander being appointed delegate". Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officprs, to Mr Hannan for services rendered, and to Mr Tait for the u^e of his paddock to play in. The president made the present of a match ball to the club, and the captain promised a silver medal to the forward showing the most consistent form in matches throughout the season. The club have taken the ball for practising in, and the players seem confident that they will render a good account of themselves during the comiDg season. They will, however, require to practise atsirtuous<ly, as som > of them are vory raw, and more knowledge of the finer i oints of the game is necestaiy before they can expect to hold their own with the town clubs.

Draughts.— The draughts clubhasalso got under way, but the practices are very poorly attended. It is a pity that more interest is not taken in this intellectual game.

Death. — It is with regret that I have to chronicle the death of Mr James M'Kay, jun., of Bushy Paik, Loagbush, after a. long und painful illness At the tune of his death deceased was staying at Queenstown, where he had been residing for some considerable time on account of bad health. His faniily has the sympathy of all the resident' in this district, they being well and favourably known here. The funeral, which was the largest ever seen here, took place on Sunday last

Railway Matters —There has been a great amount of grumbling iv matters concerning the Railway depaitment lately, and certainly in some cases there seems to be sufficient cause. One thing is the late supposed concession in parcel rates. Under this new table a parcel formerly carried for 9d from Invercargill to Woodlands now costs Is 6d ; a bicycle costs Is lid— previous parcel rate, lid. The great shortage in trucks has also caused a lot of complaining, but I suppose the department doo< its best.

Weather.— The weather of late has been simply dreadful, and it is deplorable to see the amount of crop that is still in fctook, and which is, now good for nothing else but pigs' feed. Farmers wiil be heavy losers this year through the bad harvest weather we have experienced.