OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 20

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.

Mr Donald Reid conducted a most successful sale by auction at Mr A. Gordon Smith's store, Mcsgiel, on Thursday last, of contrbutions by farmers and others in the Taien to assist the rapidly accumulating fund for building an Early Settlers' Hall in Dunedin. Jlhe district had been divided, and enthusiastic collectors undertook the duty of calling for offerings, Mid were highly pleased with the result of their self-imposed labours, as not a single refusal had been met with ; consequently there was a large and varied assortment to be dealt with, amongst which may be mentioned . Parrot and cage, bags of potatoes, oil paintings, bags of wheat and oats, pictures, bags of chaff, cheese, honey, turnips (in loads), home-made baskets, fowls, ducks, geese, firewood (in loads), fencing

posts, coals (in tons), etc. Every article was sold at a most satisfactory price, fn some cases fetching higher value than the local selling price. Every article was cleared out of the store, and some of the bulkier class of goods, such as tons of coals and loads of turnips, were to be delivered by the donor, and in a few cases delivery was to be taken from the farm or at the mouth of the pit. One patron is to give a day's chaffcutting with his machine. The total is a large addition to the building fund. The members of the association must feel highly gratified at the sympathy and practical assistance they are receiving on all sides towards the accomplishment of their cherished object.

A conoert, also for the benefit of the fund', took place .in the local Volunteer Hall in tha evening, and was most successful. The district is to be congratulated on its nstive talent, as, with the excepton of Mr David Cooke, of Dunedm (whose tasteful items were highly appreciated), those taking part were all residents in or about Kosgiel. The programme consisted of solos (male and female), dueta (vocal and instrumental), and selections by iha Taieri Burns Club Choir, under the leadership of Mr T. Neil. This choir s rapidly attaining great excellence, and the Dunedin club will have -to look to their laurels. Every item of the programme wa« faultlessly rendered. Tha veteran Mr G. B. Anderson proved that age had in no way impaired his powers. Tha entertainment concluded with a series of limelight views, the operator being Mr South, of the Bible and Tract Depot. They were explained by Mr Walter Bkckie. in his own inimitable way. Some of the viewß, "Faces" and " Places," are the property of the associa<tion; and " Faces," being representations of early public and local men, were received withi great favour. Other views were those taken by Mr Blackie during his trip Home. Mr Donald Eeid (president of the associaton) -,waa in the chair, and was supported by the Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr Thomas Aitken), Mr G. B Anderson (North Taieri), and Mr L. Langlands (secretary). A short dance brought a noteworthy day for the association to a close.