FORTROSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 29

FORTROSE.

I July 21.— The annual meeting of the paiish- ! oners of the Anglican Church here was held on "Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m., the Rev. A. Wingfield in the chair. The balance sheet was read and adopted. It disclosed a very healthy finance, and it was decided that an additional sum of ruoney be added to the sum already at fixed deposit. Mr J. Anderson was re-elected church officer, Mr H. J. Middleton secretary and treasurer, and Messrs Preston, Millard, Thomas, M'lntosh, Rich, and J. M'lntosh, jun., are the church committee for the ensuing year. Mr Wingfield, the clergyman, has only been in the parish about a fortnight, and as he has not yet seen the extent of his district, he has not decided where his headquarters will be. There is no question as to the most central place, but whatever his decision is, church members all over the district should work together for the good of the church. Agricultural. — The winter has been a very open one, and so -the farmers are getting on well with their ploughing. In consequence of the -mild winter the paddocks about here still look green, and as the turnip crop was a generous one, winter feed will not be scarce. Railway Communication. — The opening of the I Seaward Bush railway to the Waimahaka has has the effect of bursting up the long-estab-lished Eailway Committee here; but another committee has been set up at Tokonui Gorge with delegates at Fortrose, Otara, Haldane, and Waikawa, with the object of getting or agitating for a further extension to the Gorge, which would bring the railway practically within reach of the Government settlements along the coast, and would also open up extensive tracts of forest country. Consequent on the opening of the railway, we are to have a daily mail, and I believe the contract has been secured by Mr John Templeton, some time previously a wellknown Wyndham business man. The station buildings are not yet finished, but good progress is being made. Ploughing Match. — The 18th annual ploughing match was held on the 19th inst. in a paddock kindly lent for the occasion by Mrs R. Smith, of Flag Hill. The day was fine, the turnout good, but the paddock was not firstclass ploughing ground. All comers were most hospitably treated by Mrs Smith and her stalwart sons. The judging was in the capable hands of Messrs W. L. Mitchell and C. Holms. The annual dinner was held in host Milne's hotel in the evening, and was most successful. The following shows the result: — j Class A. — Four ntries. F.M. Owner. Maker. 1. R. Smith self Reid & Gray. 2. C. Christie A. Christie Reid & Gray. 3.* W. C. Ladbrook self Gardiner. B«st break — R. Smith. - Best finish — C. Christie. Class B. — Five entries. \ F.M. Owner. .Maker. 1. A. M'lntosh J. R. Kidd Reid & Gray. 2. T. Golden R. M'Kay Reid & Gray. 3. T. M'Kenzie K. G. M'Kenzie Reid & Gray. Best break — A. M'lntosh. Best finish — A. M'lntosh. Class C— Three entries. F.M. Owner. Maker1. G. W. Clark S. Clark Reid & Gray. 2. N. M'Ewan, jr., N. M'Ewan Reid & Gray. 3. J. Gregory W. Gregory Reid & Gray. Best break — N. M'Ewan. Best finish— G. W. Clark. There was also a liberal special prize list. It is worthy of remark that Mr R. Smith has competed every year in the Champion Class, and out of the 18 times ha has been first on 13 occasions, second three times, third once and once not placed — a splendid record.