Country News.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 45, 12 February 1898, Page 12

Country News.

MATAURA.

On Friday evening last ac a meeting of members of the Mataura Athletic Society, the secretary, Mr Ohas. S. Shanks, was presented with a gold maltese cross and a cheque for £2 2s for rendered in connection with the last gathering. The cross was suitably engraved, and bears the following inscription : Presented to Chas. S. Shanks by the Mataura Athletic Society, for valuable services rendered season 1897-98. The presentation was made by Mr A. Griersonina happy speech, Mr Shanks responding. Other speakers testified to the services rendered by the secretary. The meeting closed with the singing of ‘ For he’s a jolly good fellow.’

The band played several selections on Saturday evening in the bridge square in a creditable manner. Although the membership could very well afford to be larger, still those that are in the band are making good progress, and their leader is to congratulated. A meeting re woollen mills was held on Wednesday evening, a fair number being in attendance. It unfortunately clashed with the congregational meeting of the presbyterian church. Messrs Sinclair and Goldie, of your town, gave addresses, and answered a number of questions. However, nothing definite was done, and the meeting broke up with a vote of thanks to Messrs Sinclair and Goldie and the Mayor (Mr H. Cameron) in the chair.

The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church was held the same evening. The Rev. J. M. Davidson presided. Reports were read as follows : Session report by Mr Lowden ; financial report by Mr Park ; Sunday School report by Mr Mac Gibbon. To break the monotony the choir sang anthems at intervals during the evening. Solos were also given by Mr Stewart and Dr. Hendry and a duet by Mrs Hendry and Miss L. White, After the business part was completed tea and cakes were served by the ladies of the congregation assisted by a number of young men of the congregation. Votes of thanks were tendered to the ladies, choir, and chairman, after which the Benediction was pronounced, closing one of the most enjoyable meetings held in the church for a long time.