MORVEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 35

MORVEN.

August 23. — The weather during these lasS two months has been wonderful. Instead cf our usual hard frosts and very inclement weather, we have been granted very niilct weather — ?o mild, in fact, and with such a mellow, balmy feeling in the air that one might almost cla&s it as spring weather. Tho farmers avo well ahead with their work, as they have not been hindered in their ploughing operations by heavy frosts. Amusements. — We cannot ooinplain her© just now about any dearth of amusementc^ Our new hall, since its opening ceremony! about a month ago, has been constantly in£ requisition. Concerts and socials seem to to--'' low one another in quick succession, and each, is largely attended. The Hall Committee heldj a very siiccessful concert and dance last wesk^ The chair was taken by Mr W. Milner, nmJj the following rendered items ■ — Mrs Hendei- f son, Misse= Smith and Goodall. and Messrs Kelson, Milnu\ "Millar, and Thomas: M-cum;

claines Milner and Thomas played ihe accompaniments. At the conclusion of the conceit the room was cleared for dancing, which was kept up to an early hour to the music of J.'essn^M'AJeer and Hendy. The catering was in the hands of Mr Nicoll, and was up to his usual high standard. The committee will uts a very respectable sum from this concert, and *if the money keeps rolling in as at present those friends of the movement,' who kindly bought debentures in order to obtain the hall, ehould soon receive their money again. Volunteers. — The Morven section are stiJl drilling away. A special impetus has been given to volunteering by the erection of the Jiall, , for now at last the section is able to drill during the winter time within walis, .whereas formerly the parades were held by torchlight. Shooting should soon commence ■gain. Indeed. I understand a challenge, - which is likely to be accepted, has been received from the G-lenayy Bifle Club. The are talking seriously of practice *his I'ear, in order that, the Ladies' Cup, won last fear by Lance-corporal Pike, may not become the property of this enthusiastic shot. School.— The School Committee held theii monthly meeting last week, Mr Hart in the \ chair, and all the members being present. It 'was decided" to grant the schoolmaster £2 10s to spend on a cricket set for the boys. The chairman- was Teqxiested to ask .the board tj grant" a, subsidy towards' a museum case, fcr -which "the School Committee was prepared to allow £i. During- the month a portion of tho schoolground has been dug up for a garden, •which 1 should certainly "add to the beauty ct ■ an already picturesque school, and shou!:l - *Jso prove a source of. interest to , the, pupils and their teachers. ■ "'\ ' Politics.— The air just now is fife with 'political matters.. The papers are being read ■wi^h eagerness, and I don ! t remember an election which has aroused such interest in this ' district as the forthcoming one-is doing. Wo ' «ire going to have no, less ,than four candidates —Sir W. Steward (our present-member) and Messrs Dash, Walker, and Meredith. Of thosa Mr G-. Dash is" the well-known temperance reformer, and is stated to be one of Mr Taylor's New Liberals. The others are all Government candidates. The no-license question is also receiving its full share of attention. Mr "Woolley, the, American orator, addressed a largo audience in -the hall on August 15. His ■witty and discursive remarks- were listened to -with attention, arid hs received a- hearty veto af thanks at the termination of the meeting.