GORE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 39

GORE.

February 26. — At present we are enjoying very seasonable weather, which will soon ripen the crops throughout the district. Cutting has already started in some parts, and in a very short time "harvest will be general. Fourth Contingent.— On the evening of Friday, 16th inst., a social was held in Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s large bazaar, as a farewell to the 15 men who form the Mata'ura Valley troop. The place has been de- - corated for the occasion with flags, patriotic emblems, etc., and seating accommodation '- provided for about 700 people. Fully 800 must have been present, from all part's -of the districts The meeting was presided over by the mayor (Mr J. Ballintine), and speeches were given by Messrs R. M'Nab, M.H.R."(who was most enthusiastically received), ana Thomas Green, Captain Boyne (Gore Rifles), Dr .Tames Copland, and Mr Poppelwell. Songs and tableaux were also given. During the course of his speech Captain Boyne presented Private G. V, Day -with a puree of sovereigns, aubscibed

by the Gore Rifles. On behalf of the troop, Trooper J. Maloney thanked the people of Gore and district for the magnificent send-off they had tendered them that evening. A very largely-attended dance was afterwards held in the Town Hall, for which refreshments were provided by the ladies of the town and district. On Saturday morning ( Trooper J. Maloney was presented with a purse , of sovereigns by a few local friends, speeches being delivered by Messrs Pope, P. Wallis, and others. At noon on Saturday an enorI tnous crowd assembled in the vicinity of the ■ railway station to witness the departure of the local contingent by the express for the , north. At about 12 o'clock the troope,% ' rnached to the station, escorted by the Gore ■ Brass Band and the local volunteer corps, i The men were briefly addressed by the Mayor, , and by Messrs R. M'Nab and Bowler. Then the public had an opportunity of filing past, and giving each a hearty good-bye handshake — a 'most trying ordeal for the departing troopers. Finally the train moved slowly out, amid the noise of cheering, steam whistles, railway dei tonators, and tho music of the band. Both J of our local photographers siicceeded in getting very good views of the scene. j Flower Show.— The Gore Horticultuial and ■ Industrial Exhibit Society held its annual show on Wednesday and Thursday last in Messrs Fleming and Gilkison's large grain ptore, which ! had been kindly lent for the occasion. Large a<3 the building was, it proved alJ most inadequate for the accomrnodaI tion of the , large number of ex- ; hibits sent forward, these being in excess of : any previous occasion. Great credit is due ! to the committee for the excellent way in which ! all the exhibits were staged, everything being ' displayed to the very best advantage. On ; every hand could be heard expressions of ad- , miration of the beauty of the exhibits, and i particularly of the pot plants and cut flowers, i , which, considering the severity of last winj ter and the unseasonable summer weather we j have had, were extremoly creditable. One of the judges, indeed, remarked that the exhibits in these classes were the best he had seen this season south of Dunedin. The attendance was good on both evenings, but especially so on Thursday, when I a table decoration competition proved a source !of attraction. The Gore Orchestral Society on both evenings contributed various musical selections, and the Gore Brass Band played oi>tside from 7 till 8 p.m.

Pressure on our space compels us to hold over a number of country letters.