OTAMA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 33

OTAMA.

September 5. — -For the last month or so we have been favoured with fine diy weather, accompanied by a cold east wind, and occasional frosiy mornings, and although it has looked threatening all round, still it always kept dry. Sowing is well advanced, and lambs are to bo seen everywhere. Stock are looking well, but fat stock are scarce, and anything in the shape of a cow commands a good price. In fact, at present, prices are very good for everything. Obituary. — I have to record the death of Mrs Argyle, which took place at her residence in Otama, aged 67. She was one of' the oldest settlers in this district, and leaves a grown-up family to mourn their loss.

Volunteers. — Our Mounted Riflemen have now got their uniforms, in which they look a little more like " soldiers of the Queen " than they did without them. They generally drill every Monday night in the hall, and on Wednesday last they had a mounted parade at Otamita, when Major Hawkins inspected the whole of the Mataura corps, and put them through some manoeuvres up on the Hokonuis.

No Encouragement. — Mr Morison's Orchestral Society, from Gore, came here on Tuesday night to give a concert m the hall, but as only a very few turned out to hear them the performance was not given.

Signs of Progress. — We are still advancing in Otama, as I hear we arc likely to have the telephone laid on here. It will prove of great benefit, as at present we are too far from one, about six miles, and some farther. — Mr M'Meekin, our local blacksmith, haa found it necessary to erect another fire in his smithy owing to increase of work. — On the other hand, I am sorry to say we have lost the services of our pupil teacher, as the school attendance is falling oJI. Tenigeraace.*-A ijEeeting of those, interested

in the re-organisation of a Band of Hope in this district was held in the churcn here on tho 15th ult. Mi R. Dodds, who acted as chairman, explained the leason for calling the meeting together, and said that as they had got Mr Forbes, of Gere, to advise them as to the best methods of carrying on a temperance society, he would leave him to do the rest of the speaking. Mr Forbes urged all present to no what they could in aid of temperance, as drink was said by the late W. E. Gladstone to destroy more human life than war or pestilence. Duimg the evening Mr Forbes gave some airs on the gramaphone ; Mr N. Boyd, a lecitation : Mis W. D. Stewart contributed a solo; and Mt and Misses Dunne a trio. It was also resolved by the meeting that a i^etition be sent to the powers that be in the House against any alteration in the licensing laws, as they at present exist. Rev. Sir Ramsay was elected president, Messrs Dunne and Dodds vice-presi-dents, and Miss Lizzie Dunne Fecretary. Christian Endeavour. — The Christian Endeavour Society here gave a social in the church on Wednesday last. There was a very fair muster of the various societies in the vicinity. The meeting was opened by Mr Eodgers, who acted as chairman during the evening. Rev. Mr Begg, of Gore, gave an address, as did also Mr Smith, who bore a greeting from the Invercargill society, and spoke on the subject with enthusiasm. Mr Styles, Wcndon, also briefly addressed the meeting. Mr and Miss Marshall an<? Mr and Miss Irvine rendered a quartette, as did also the Mi and Misses Dunne. Refreshments were provided for all and sundry by the rccmbeis of the society. The remainder of the evening was occupied in heating testimonies and receiving greetings from tho various delegates. At the close of the mpeting votes of {hanks were called for on behalf of the speakers and the singers, which were very heartily responded to.