WOODSIDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 11

WOODSIDE.

The residents of Wood«ide celebrated the Corouation by a pot is.il gathering and enter tainment on Friday evening. The first part was devoted to lantern liews, the lantern being manipulated by Mr T. A. Finlay, the teacher. A picture of the King at Westminster, /mated ag o.UtbuAAt pi

patriotism, culminating in the singing of the National Anthem. When "Britannia was represented on the screen Mr Finlay "Rule Britannia" in excellent style, and was heartily applauded. When views of Ivillarney were shown Mrs F. M'Diarmid sang "Killarney." Tea and cakes were handed round, after which Mr T. A,- Finlay took the chair, and delivered a patriotic speech, concluding with a special reference to Lance-corporal Welch and his gallantry at Bothasberg, and then, on behalf of the residents, presented Lance-corporal Welch with a handsome silver watch and chain, suitably inscribed, and a set of gold sleeve, links. The Rev. Mr Fairmaid responded for Lance-corporal Welch, who is evidently more afraid of public speaking than he is of Mauser bullets. Mr J. J. Ramsay, who followed, congratulated the people of Wood-s-ide on the happy blending of their Coronation celebrations and their welcome home to Lance-corporal Welch, whom he congratulated on the- manner in which he had fought for the fla.g and the Empire. Addresses were given- by the Rev. Mr Fairmaid and Mr A. Chisholm. Songs tfere given by Mrs Fairmaid, Mrs Burns, and Mi«B J K»ropbhe!l. Recitations were given by Miss Tra-iuor • and Mr J. J. Ramsay. A vote of thanks to the singers was followed by the National Anthem, and fhree che,ers for Lance-corporal Welch brought to a close an enjoyable gathering.

The residents of Clyde\ale and surrounding diftrift-. celebrated the King's Coronation on Saturday afternoon by abfcmbhng at the Schoolhou^e and hoisting the Union Jack, present id by the Education Board. Very inclement weather, cold and cheerless prevailed, but this did not in any way affect the enthusiasm of the email but loyal gatherirg. Mr ScoU. chairman of tho School Committee, presided, and in a few words reminded the people of the great occa sion which was being celebrated with fo much joy and thankfulness throughout the British dominion* The residents of the district wished to mark tho occa>ion in a small but fitting way, and he called upon Miss Walton, the fctlioolnuetreiM, to hoist the flag. 'I his was done with the assistance of four httle children, and as the bunting mounted tho flagstaff the people cheered lustily, and hnally broko out into MUging the National Anthem. Before di-perMii^ tlir- ladie= of tho district tlioughfully pro\ulcd oltcinoon tea, which was greatly enjoyed and ai predated.

At All Saints' Church on Sunday evening Dpan Fitchett paid that the British monarchical <,ygtpm a-> no- now had it. a system under which the administration of laws made by the people was centred, 111 an hereditary Sovereign, had come to us as tho product of a thousand years of continuous development, and was the highest form of national organisation yet attained amongst men. The republican form, in. which the administrative rjead ie elective, so far from representing a step in advance, was a reversion to an oldworld type, the failure of which had been writ large in the fate of Greece and Rome. Jn an ideally perfect democracy tho pupremo executive power should bo vested in 0 Sovereign who is of no party, haa no politics, and who never die*. This is our British heritage, and in comparison with fo tho republican systems, which every year or every M>UIU. {ear jjuj. up aj, auction chjej

office in the State and assign it to the highest political bidder, have nothing to off r r that can attract us. Not; only are tb^y «. belated re-vival of political ideals lon^ t'go outworn, but experience has shown them to be dangerously unstable.

The residents of Pukepito, a growing district inland from. Ba'clutha, celebrated the Coronation in a loyal and befitting manner on Saturday last. A pleasant little function wa9 held at the schoolhouse, where the residents assembled for the double purpose of honouring the King and of hoisting for tho first time the flag presented by the Education Board. Mr John M^Begg, chairman of the school commi£tee, presided, and, after the Royal Ensign had been run up and three hearty cheers given, ho briefly addreseed those present, referring to tho profound thankfulness that \va9 felt throughout tho Empire at his Majesty's recovery. He also drew attention to the uses of the various prominent flags, giving a most interesting; account of them. In conclusion, he said that the flag they had unfurled that day was the -ensign of the United Kingdom of Great; Britain aud Ireland. It had the crosses of St. George. St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, and was the emblem of the greatest ant) mightiest nation of the world. Whereverthat flag waved it meant liberty, happiness, and good government. They were part ol the British nation, and were showing their loyalty by hoistintj the flatr. The ladies of the district, headed by Miss Simson, tha pfhool teachor, provided afternoon tea, an<? the children were regaled with lollies an<! other daintie". A short programme of musi« and song concluded a, pleasant day's enjnymer.t. The flagstaff was presented tn the school by Mr James Bishop, of Hillem 1 .

For towing the disabled transport Boreric Into Fremantle, West Australia, the 6teamer Narung'e salvage is expected to eicead £12,000.

Captain F. S. G. Rich, Commander of P. M.S. Ringarooma, has accepted the invitation of the Mayor to be present at the Timaru Citizens' Coronation ball ou th.c £Bth iasL

So crowded were the ""beeu c c- running to the football match at Alexandra Park, Auckland, on Saturday (Coronation Day) that no less than five of them broke down.

A report on the crops in the L T mted States for 1801 shows that in Indiana and Marylaud combined 2.159,000 caees of canned tomatoes were put up, th& of which tg the farmer alone waa almut £snn.nria.