MIDDLE MARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 45

MIDDLE MARCH.

August 25. — The annual soireo in connection •Kith the Presbyterian Church was held on Thursday night. The church was very tastefully decorated for tho occasion. The night being delightfully fir.o, there was a record attendance. As usual, the ladies of the congregation provided abundance of good things, and tea was partaken of by a largo company, the ladies being indefatigable in attending on those present. After the chair was taken by the •uastor (Rev. J. C. Jamieson), the choir rendered several pieces, which were much appreciated, while there were also eolos by Messrs Wilson, Robertson, Geddens, and the Key. J. Gibb; a recitation by Mr Jeffreys, and a solo by Mrs N. Thompfon, "Consider the lilies," the latter being really the treat of the evening. Tho address of the evening was given by the Right Rev. the Moderator, Mr Gibb. I may say many of us were disappointed with the address, as instead of the old-time soiree talk and funny sayings that we have heard over and over again at these gatherings, some of us were looking forward ■to hear a little about Mr Gibb's late travels. from the various committees in connection with the church were read, and were ell most encouraging and satisfactory. At the conclusion of the programme advantage was taken of the occasion to present Misb MAdam ■with an address, a Bible, and several books. Miss MAdam feelingly replied, thanking the office-bearers and congregation for their goodness to her. As a full account of the presentation appeared in Saturday's Daily Times there is no occasion to go over it again. The usual votes of thanks were passed to all those who so kindly helped to make the soiree tho unquestionable success it proved. The singing of the last item by the choir brought a pleasant and most successful gathering to a close, Mr Jamieson pronouncing the benediction. The following evening the Sabbath School children were entertained at tea in the church by their teachers, and were treated to a magic lantern •ntertainment for an hour or so, which the little ones seemed to thoroughly enjoy. FVirmere' Union. — A, meeting of the Middle•taioh bimc-h. of tta FtSSKIi' Union. Rift held

on the 9th, at which Mr T. M*Lay presided. A circular from Mr J. J. Ramsay, secretary of the Provincial Executive, re "The Accident Compensation Act, 1900," was read, and after a lengthy discussion it was decided to take no action in the matter.— The small bird pest was the next subject which came up for consideration, but after considerable time had been taken up in discussing the vaiious ways and means of destroying the pest nothing definite was arrived at. One thing all present seemed to be agreed upon, however, was that poison was a failure. Mr John Elliot informed the meeting that Mr Bills, Dunedin, was expected jp at Gladbrook in a few days to see what could be done in the way of netting the birds. The meeting decided to adjourn for a fortnight to hear the result. — The adjourned meeting was held on Saturday night, when Mr Elliot informed the meeting that the netting was a complete failure, the birds evidently being too wary to be enticed into the nets. The meeting then decided to canvaa3 the district to gather what money they coxild, and with the County Council's subsidy of £ for £ go back to the'old way of paying for heads and eggs. School Matters. — A -meeting of the School Committee was held on Saturday night for the purpose of selecting a. mistress. Miss Cameron, Wethersfo.ies, was chosen to fill the vacancy. ThexQ were ou'y seven applicants for tho vacancy. Four or five years back there would have been three times this number. Weather.— For tho past fortnight we have been enjoying the most delightful spring weather — occasional sharp frosts at night, followed by warm, bright days; indeed, I m/y cay the sunniest of August's- moods A change set vi yesterday, -when a cold snap prevailed all dny, but to-day it is fine again.