STIRLING

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 36

STIRLING

May 22. — The farmers of this locality have At. last agreed to a drainage scheme. This matter was much needed, and though the benre£ts to each may not be equal, it should have "been agreed to long ago, as the water has done aerious damage for some years past. It is to lie hoped that the scheme projected -wii^ ba adequate to the necessity. Agricultural.— Threshing is still going on, but is getting near an end. On the whole, the .grain has been secured in better condition than 'it was the last two seasons. The supply of milk to the factory has kept up satisfactorily, ' *nd' dairying farmers should have done we'll. Cattle and turnips, however, are not Jikely to realise the prices of the past few years, and this is a leading line with some farmers. Gift Auction.— The Presbytariana he.d a successful Bruce auction on Thursday last to defray the debt on their hall. They realised John Knox. — The fourth centenary of John 3£nox was held on Sunday last. It was communion Eervice in the morning, but the- Rev. 3?. Ramsay said that the centenary oould fit in - -with that service, since it was around the Sacrament that the difficulties of the Reformation lay. The Mass had been offered for 400 vear3 in Scotland, and John Knox regarded it as the key to the Romish position, and the main factor in. maintaining s\iperstition sunongst fhe people. Ajgainst this Knox hurled «H -the force of his fervid eloquence, and finally «Terthrew it, so that- Scotland had celebrated 4he Sacrament as they were accustomed to it tot 400 years. The Moss and the Supper and -the religious principles they represented had l»een tried for equal periods of time in Scotland; and Scotsmen were in 'a. position now to say -which system had done most good. In the evening the preacher dealt at great length with -the reforming work that Knox had carried out in religion, education, and politics. Trip Home. — Since "last writing no less than five of our small commamity have left on a trip to the Old Country. Messrs Robt M'Kinlay and James Parker, after some 30 years in this neighbourhood, hove been able to take a xun home to- see their relatives. They both deserve the pleasure, as they have been thrifty »tnd hard- working colonists. About two weeks late Mr P. M'Skimming, of Benhar Works, ■with his eldest daughter and son_-m-law (Mr -"Parker M'Kinlay), left on the same trip. Thia is" undertaken more fer business than pleasure, Vut it is to be hoped that both may be successfully combined. Bowlings — The green is closed for the seaeon after a good deal of delightful recreation to the members. So fascinated are they with ■the game, that many of them seem to I>e asking for the" first time, Why "can't w© always liave summer? Members' wives, I hear, are now renewing acquaintance with their husliands, aft9r being -strangera fat six months.