LUMSDEN. '

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 35

LUMSDEN. '

May 22.—The mountain-tops are now covered with -a heavy coat of snow down to the usual winter level, but on the lower country we are having heavy, cold showers and frosty nights alternately, but no snow so far. L.M.I.S.—On May 2 the Rev. Jas. Lymi burn gave his, lecture, "Traits of Character," at the ordinary fortnightly meeting. The ' lecturer kept the audience in a state of good humour right throughout, his remarks bristling with amusing and pithy anecdotes, combined with instructive passages applicable to everyday life. This lecture was the gem of -the_ season so far. On May 16 the ' "Question Box" was the 'fixture for the evening. A large and varied number of questions were handed in, and answered apaprently to the entire satisfaction of the querists. j These were interspersed with musical items, , readings, and recitations. .' Departure.—Mr W. MB. M-unio, who ha« been in -charge of the stock district for aba. * seven years, is being transferred to the Queenstown district, and his friends will be pleased to learn that this means well-merited promotion. Mr Munro, as a public servant, seemed to have the knack of performing a very hard task in such a manner as to please all and sundry with whom he came in contact, at the same time giving full and entire satisfaction to the chjgf of his department. In his private life ne is a worthy citizen, amd always ready to lend a willing hand in aid of anything that tended ,to the prosperity and we.fare of the town and district. He has been closely connected with the work of the various institutions of our 1 town, and his assistance and advice in comnection with church and school work will be much missed. We all wish Mr Munro and his family much happiness, and everyone is pleased at his advance in the service. Captain .Harry Heckler, of North Otago, who served in the Boer wax, is Mr Munro's successor. Farewell Social.—Mr and Mrs Andrew Small, on the eve of their departure on a holiday trip to the Old Country, were tendereti a social on Friday evening last in the Public Hall. Dr Todd occupied the chair. The Organising Committee, headed by Dmr Todd, left nothing undone to bring everything up to date. The tables, accommodating about 143 sitters, were beautifully decorated with seasonable «nd artificial flowers, and the comestibles were all that could be desired. An excellent ~wrimnn« was prepared by the doctor and his assistants, and duly carried out without « .hitch. -. Appropriate and short speeches -were delivered by the chair--man and Messrs Lymbura, Clark. Johnson, a-nd Eraser, all testifying to Mr Small's characteristics as a man, a citizen, a neighinjur, and a friend^ also to Mrs Small as a | helpmate in the true sense of the term. "A few features of the evening's entertainment were the discovery of some hitherto latent 1 oratorical and musical talent. Mr Jas. Martin J presented the guest of the evening with a handsome and valuable jewel on behalf of the members of the Oddfellows' Lodge as a ? token of esteem for a worthy brother hold- * ing the highest ramk in the Order that can J be attained in New Zealand. The Rev. Mr Lymburn, on behaJf of the Lumsden Presby- T I terians. presented Mr Small with a hand- ? \some travelling rug. and Mrs Small with an I artistically-mounted umbrella. Mr Lyniburn made the presentation in a humorous speech, at which the audience -were iminenseJv do- i lighted. Mr W. H. Clark brought down the I , hcuse in his rendering of the popular song, c "Off to Philadelphia in the morning." Mr i Small stud Mrs M'Fetridge gave the ever- f green duet, "Hunting tower," in a highly c creditable manner, the audience showing their g appreciation with rounds of applause. There a were many other contributions to the night's programme, to the great enjoyment of all * present. Mr Small, on behalf of himself and I Mrs Small, thanked a-11 present for their kind I attendance and evidences of good fellowship, •: and he specially thanked the speakers for v the nuuny kind things they had said of Mrs Small and iiimself. He hoped that at the r expiry ot six months they would return to i Lumsden to take up the various public and a private duties which they are temporarily re- 1 linquishing, with renewed energy, and that, as 1 ' one <rf the speakers said, they may feel 10 years younger on returning from their well- o earned holiday. A verse of "For he's a jolly x good fellow." ' .culd long syne/ and the h Natic<n*l Anthem having been sung by the I audience, this brought to an end the most t successful function of the kind ever held- d here. Mr Small shook hands with all present i as they emerged from the building. Mr and Mrs Small sail from the Bluff, via Melbourne, on Monday, the 22nd. We all wish them a pleasant voyage, and a- welcome return at the end of their well-earned holiday. d 35co]es*a«tdcal.—The new Roman Catholic o Church is now out of the contractors' hands, c and the workmanship and finish redounds to t the credit of the builders, Messrs T. E. h Sapwell and Sons. This beautiful structure t is a handsome addition to the public build- h ings of our town. I hear the opening cere- w mony is to take place on Sunday, May 28, a. a.nd the service will be conducted by the p Right Rev. Bishop Verdon,, of Dunedin, when, n if the elements are favourable, a very large acongregation may be expected. n