NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 53

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Arrangements are being made between the Auckland and Wellington Choral Societies for exchanging visits. The idea is that each society shall give one performance and then unite in a third at each festival to bo held in tluo two cities. A motion is to come before the Christchureh City Uouncil to increase tho wages of corporation manual labourers to 9s a day. On the occasion of his retirement from the service, Mr W. St. G. Douglas, chief postmaster at Dunedin, was presented' by "the staff with a purse of sovereigns as a mark of respect and esteem. The presentation was made by Mr O. H. Burton, assistant- postn>aster. Advantage was taken of the gathering to introduce to the staff Mr M'Hutcheson, who succeeds Mr Douglas When the Volunteer system came to an end the Green Island Borough Council purchased tho Volunteer if ;11 for £SOO, and spent a good deal of monioy on converting it into a public hall for the benefit of the residents. The hall was opened on Friday evening with a concert, the proceeds of which are to «o to the band. The Mayor (Mr J. Lindsay) presided, and gave a brief account of the history of tho hall, incidentally mentioning that tfre band required new uniforms and instruments, to provide which a bazaar would be held later on. The concert proved enjoyable. Tho band played some selections and songs, and recitations were given by Misses Loudon and Ford and Messrs Fi.nlayson, J. M'Lean, S. H. Osborn, Duff, Roach, Broomo, Burt, Rawlinson, and Waters. The accompaniments were played l by Misses Brown and Drumm, The Rev. N. H. Marshall, who has had pastoral charge o the Mosgiel Methodist Oliuroh for the past year, was given a farowell social on Friday i veiling, as he is leaving for the Wesleyan College, Auckland. Mr G. S. Tonkinson, circuit steward, presided; and referred to the progress made by tho church during their guest's pastorate, the attendance having doubled. Tho Rev. Jas. Aitken (Presbyterian), in tho course of his address, said the time would come —perhaps very shortly—when the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches would be one. Mr Kenworthy, on behalf of tho congregations at Mosgiel and Momona, presented Air Marshall with a purse of sovereigns, and that gentleman returned thanks feelingly. During the evening tho choir rendered several anthems and a quartet, and items vpw> given by Misses Harris, Hicks, Kirk, and Broadley, and Messrs Marshall, Haigh, and Broadey. About 30 members of the Master Printers' Association met on th« Ist inst. to make a presentation to Mr John Mitchell, of the firm of Fergusison and Mitchell, to commemorate his jubilee as a master printer in Dunedin. Mr A. J. Sinclair (president) was in the chair, and after a eulogistic reference to Mr Mitchell, called upon Mr George Fonwick to make the presentation. Mr Fenwick spoke of Dunedin 50 years ago, when Mr Mitchlell first arrived rom Melbourne, and briefly glanced at the changes whioh had taken placo._ He then went on to say that Mr Mitchell was a gentleman whom every one of them honoured and respected. He had performed his part as a prominent citizen. He concluded by handing ovor to Mr Mitchell a very handsomelyframed and illuminated address from the master printers. Mr S. N. Brown invited those nresent to drink Mr Mitchell's health, and, this tonst 'having been fittingly honoured. Mr Mitchell suitably acknowledged the handsome presentation and the kind remarks of the speakers.