COUNTRY. WOODDSIDE. MERTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 48

COUNTRY.

WOODDSIDE.

MERTON.

(Continued "from page 36.)

W4IKOI7AITI.

May 22. — The Rev. Mr Jamieson preached at the Presbyterian Church last night, and at the after-meeting gave a very interesting account of the young men's and young women's movements in connection with the church in the colony.

Prolific. — Mr W. Hallum informs me that he planted ilb of Northern Star potatoes last season in a piece of biish land near his homestead. He made seven sets out of the Jib, and from these he has dug up 46Jlb of good potatoes — a result he is very pleased with.

Wedding Bells. — Another marriage, which caused a stir in the place, came off on Wednesday, 17th inst., »t the Presbyterian Church, the contracting parties being Mr Richard H. Williams, of the Railway Telegraph Department, Dunedin, aaid Miss Jessie Bates, only daughter of Mr Joseph Bates, a well-known, old identity of this district. The Rev. J. J. Caimey was assisted by Rev. J. Christie at the marriage ceremony, ajid the bride was given away by her eldest brother, Mr Wm. Bates. About 60 persons sat down at the wedding breakfast which followed in the Public Hall, Mr R. Templeton being chairman, and at night a large number of guest-si met at a very enjoyable dance in the hall, which had been gaily decorated, supper being; laid in the council chambers adjoining. The happy couple left for Dunedin at night, and from there proceeded to Timaru for the honeymoon.

Jocular. — While the contracting j^arties were signing the register the Rev.' Mr Christie advanced to the front of the platform and laughingly called out, "Now, are there any more couples -who would like to take advantage of the opportunity to come up and be spliced?" Although several young folk looked hard at each other, none, however, had the hardihood to come forward. Afterwards, in th« hall, observing how merry -the guests were, the rev. gentleman remarked that it brought to his mind how the old Scotch elder reproved his daughter for being so light-minded at a, wedding feast, saying to her, "It is a vera. solemn thing to get married." She replied, "Aye, father, but it is a much more- solemn thing not to get married." Domain Board. — At the public meeting held last night to nominate a person, to si|pan the board, it was resolved to recommend that two additional members be appointed, making seven in all. Messrs R. Templeton and A. Heckler were the only two persons nominated.

Dairy Note. — Our old factory manager, Mr W. Graham, has sent me two leaflets, -published by the Agricultural Department of New South Wales, in which is given information on cheese grading in New Zealand, and cheddar cheese as it is made in the Waikouaiti factory. Mr Graham has some hard work ahead of him over there, but he will be able to givo a good account of himself as time goes on. Legal. — There was quite a field day at th« courthouse on Friday last, Major Keddell presiding. A number of rate cases w«re taken ; also one for putting sheep affected with lice into a public saleyard, -with fine of 10s and costs, 28s ; three cases for failing to cut noxious weeds at the proper season, one i>erson being fined 10s and costs, 28s; while the other two (who were Maoris) were dismissed — one getting a guinea costs against the Stock Department. Another case of disputed ownership of a cow was partly heard, and adjourned till Friday next, on which day a large number of old-pge pensioners will anpea.r at the couit for renew9l of their DensionsL

Old-age Pensions. — I notice Constable Burrowes has been appointed deputy-registrar of old-age pensions for the newly-created district of Waikouaiti, which consists of the Merton and Hawksbnry Ridings. These were formerly a portion of the defunct Port ChaJmera district — the other portions of which district now go to the Dunedin deputy-registrar (Mr P. Keddell). Presentation. — A meeting was held on Saturday night to make arrangements for the presentation to Mr John Duncan, at Corner Bush, next Wednesday afternoon, 24th inst. The illuminated address was exhibited in Mr D&vis's shop window, and attracted much attention, as it is a very fine work of art. There are numerous small water-colour views of local scenes and others depicting the various occupations Mr Duncan has engaged in during hia long span of life, such as lightering, bushfelling, farming, dairying, etc.; while at th« bottom ie a beautiful moonlight view of tn« good ship John "Wickliffe, on which he arrived in the colony. The address reads :— "We, the undersigned residents of Waikouaiti, on this the occasion of your retirement from, public life, desire to place on record our sincere and heartfelt admiration for the nobla life you have led, and also for the example that life has been to those to whose lot haa fallen the responsibiliiar of continuina the eoo3

■work so well begun by you and other earl pioneers. As a public man your actions hcv always made for the public good. As private gentleman your advice, sympathy, an< aid have ever been available, and generousl; given to those in need. Your life, which ha been contemporary with the' history of thi province, has been full of activity and varietj You are still in the full vigour of your ma tured manhood, and have, we trust, yet man' years of usefulness in store. May we, ii conclusion, express the hope that many year may come and go ere we be deprived of th genial presence and kindly handshake of Joh] Duncan." The signatures of 68 gentlemai follow. Altogether, th© workmanship of th address reflects much credit on the designers Messrs Ferguson and Mitchell, of Dunedin.

May 18.—A very successful entertainment ii •id of the West Taieri School Prize Turn was held in the old school on ths evening o Friday, 12th inst. It took the form of a lee ture trip among the rivers of England, illus trated by magic lantern views. Beginnini fct the Thames Bridge, the series of viewi followed the South of England till Cornwal was reached. Then the audience was takei northwards by way of such rivers as the Avon Severn,, and Trent," till th© interesting spoti of Western Yorkshire and Westmoreland wen reached. Some pretty spote in Kent com pleted the pictures, many of which were gems of. beauty well worth going to see. A num ber of musical items helped to enliven tin proceedings, and were contributed by loca singers and visitors from Mosgiel. Miss J and Mr W. Bathgate sang the duet "Th< Gipsy Countess," illustrated with viewß; Mi A.. F. Cheyne sang "Mona," and VFathei O'Flynn," both of which also were illustrated; Mrs Algie gave "Annie Laurie" and "O sing tae me the auld Scotch sangs"; while Mi Algie contributed "A Highlandman's toast.' All of these items were well rendered, anc much appreciated. Another interesting- set o: views illustrated, the recitation, "How Jan< Conquest Rang the Bell," a poem which gav< evident satisfaction to those who listened t< it. A comic set entitled "Rats" created mucl merriment, and completed the programme During the evening. Miss F. Chisholm ver] kindly "officiated at the organ. Mr MacPher son, the chairman of the School Committee presided, and at the close proposed heart: votes of thanks to the performers aricFto thos who had helped to make the entertainmen a pleasant one. The proposition was re sponded to right heartily, an evidence of th interest and -pleasure felt by the gatherinj present.

Church Social. — The annual social of the "West Taieri Presbyterian Church was fixed to take place on the evening of Tuesday, the 16th inst. Preparations had been made for a very pleasant and interesting gathering, the feature of the evening being "A Trip to the Holy Land," with lantern views> by the Rev. A. W. Xinmont, MA., of East Taieri." Unfortunately the evening turned out exceedingly wet — so wet, in fact, that at the hour announced for commencing proceedings, the doorkeepess were the only occupants of the church. By the time an hour had passed, a, few had rolled up, and the question of what •was to be done had to be faced. On a show of hands being called for, the majority of those present decided to go on with the social. The Rev. R. Fairmaid, presiding, discarded the original programme, and at once called on Mr Kinmont to give his lecture. The- small audience in no way disturbed his enthusiasm, ,' and he treated his hearers to a moat interest- ' ing account of a personal trip to Palestine. The pictures illustrated most of the tourist resorts "of that wonderful land, much of the. interest,/ of course, centring around such* places _as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth. Mr Kinmont concluded his lecture with an-, exhibition of quite a number of curios __secured on the journey. Among them were "some typical dresses, which the lecturer placed on a little girl, to the evident amusement of all present. T-ea and refreshments ■were then handed round, and done full justice to. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr Kinmont for his admirable lecture, to the ladies who had provided the good things, and to all •who had in any way contributed to the arrangements of the evening. Much sympathy was felt for the choir, who, under Miss Chisholm, had been hard at work for weeks preparing the musical programme. They were unable to render any of the items, and the good things they had ready are still in store for some future occasion. The meeting was concluded with a verse of the National Anthem and the benediction.

The annual social of the Merton Presbyterian Church was held on the evening of "Wednesday last. The night unfortunately turned out rather wet, but the attendance was very good considering the inclement nature ©f tho w«ather. The church was tastefully • decorated by a few of tlys ladies of the con- I gregation, and the display of flowers and evergreens was very effective, and reflected. the greatest credit on those who carried out the work of decoration. The Rev. A. M. j Finlayson occupied the chair, and was sup- i ported on the platform by the Rev Thomas ! Coatswoxth^ (Methodist),- of Waikouaiti. The tea. tables were beautifully arranged, and were laden with good things. The following ladies looked after the wants of those at the tables: Mrs White, Misses SJ'Leod (2), Hammond (2), A-ader3on, Ritchie, Allan, Dodds, and Pullar ' {2). After all present had partaken of the things «o bountifully provided, the second part of the programme was proceeded with, consisting of suitable addresses by Mr Finlayson and Mr Coateworth ; a recitation (which ■was much appreciated) by Miss A. M'Leod; and several items by the choir; the soloists being Mrs M'G-illivray, Miss Pullar, Miss West, Mr Blackwell, and Mr Evans. The choir was a strong one, the alto, tenor, and bass being especially con.«T>icuous Everything passed off well cons-iifering there is no conductor. The choir, under the baton of a good conduotor, could be made one of the beat country choirs in the provincial district, as the material is undoubtedly there. Votes of thanks, moved by Messrs Ward, Bpscoe, "Sates, and Donald, and the pronouncing ot the benediction by Mr Firilayson brought a tnost enjoyable and profitable meeting to a dose. — Correspondent. |