District News.

Southern Cross, Volume 17, Issue 16, 31 July 1909, Page 6

District News.

CONCERT AT WAIKIWL A most successful concert was held in the Waikiwi Presbyterian Church on the evening' of Friday last, 23rd inst., in connection with the Sunday school and library fund, the whole arrangements being in the capable hands of Mr S. Wallace, Invercargill, who left nothing undone to make it a magnificent success. When the time arrived nine talented Invercargill singers, players, and reciters, graced the platform, viz.. Rev. A. Mitchell, Mrs Mitchell, Miss King, Miss M. King, 'Mrs Earsman (jnr.), Miss Earsman, Mr J. D. Gilmour, Mr N. Churton and Mr A. S. Wallace. The Rev. J. Gumming occupied the chair, and discharged his duties in his usual happy manner, and with music, song, duet, and recitation all went merry as a marriage bell, the several items being received with applause, and nearly all being ehcored. Not the least important part of the evening’s proceedings was a presentation to an esteemed resident, Mr John Lennie, who for 15 years has been superintendent' of the Sunday school and taken an active and leading part in all matters pertaining to church or Sunday school. Mr Greig, in a comprehensive and eloquent speech, , referred to the work done by Mr Lennie during that time, and in the name of the parents of children attending Sunday school and others interested, presented him with a purse of sovereigns. Mr Lennie, who seemed greatly taken by surprise, feelingly replied, and thanked all for this appreciable token of goodwill. The church was filled to excess, largely by the fair sex, who do not object to a little squeezing, otherwise there might have been evidence of great discontent. The result of the entertainment has been a handsome amount which will assist considerably towards getting new books for the library and otherwise aid Sunday school matters, for which we feel deeply indebted to our benefactors. —Correspondent.

■ROSLYN BUSH. Winter is rapidly passing- away, and everyone is hoping that there will he no snow. Should it come next month the effects will be more disastrous to the farmers than it would have been had it come earlier io the winter, as there will probably be some little lambs next month, and a fall of snow would kill a great many of them. Ploughing is well through, and Borne of the farmers are busy working np their land preparatory to sowing their oats next month, should the weather continue favourable.. Several meetings have been held at Roslyn this winter by those interested in dairying to discuss the suitability of a site for a dairy factory to be erected, but as a mutual understanding could not be arrived at the project has fallen through. I hear that in all probability a . dairy factory will be built on the Beaconsfield property at the junction of the North and Da'cre Roads. Our little village has been, quite lively this winter. The draughts club has been opened again, under the title of the Draughts, Euchre, and ’ Cribbage Club, the members of which meet every Wednesday evening for practice, and once a month hold a social, to which they invite their friends, who can amuse themselves dancing, -playing cards or draughts, " g thoir fancir takes them . whilst

some of the ladies provide a dainty supper. Rumours are afloat that the fD.E. and C. Club at Kennington have challenged tne Roslyn club to a friendly battle at cards and draughts, which is to come off on the 4th of August. At Myross Bush the young people, with the aid of the Rev. Mr Gumming, have organised a mutual improvement society. They meet on Monday evenings, wheo some very amusing subjects are discussed, such as “Should Bachelors be Taxed ?’’ etc. RYAL BUSH. The bachelors of Ryal Bush held a plain and fancy dress ball in the public hall on Wednesday evening, 21st July. About sixty couples took part in the grand march 1 to excellent music discoursed by Mr Gilchrist (violin), Mr King (piccolo), and Miss Peters (piano), assisted at intervals by Mr H- Gilmour on the bagpipes. Mr R. L. Gilmour acted as M.C., assisted by Mr J. S. Jenkins. Songs were contributed by Mrs H, Gilmour and Messrs G.. King and W. Hamilton. A sheauntreus was given in good style by Miss Agnes Blakie. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr R. Graham. The secretary (Mr W. Murray) did his work well, and the ball was kept going till about 4 a.m., ■ when everybody went home well satisfied that the gathering was one of the best held in the Ryal Bush district for a long time. Some of the fancy dresses worn were as follows ; Miss Livingstone, Spanish Princess ; Miss Ross, LTighland Lassie ; Mrs Creedon, Frost ; Miss Murray, Japanese ; Mr A. Brenner, Sundowner, and afterwards Fire Brigade Officer ; Mr J. Ross, American Cowboy ; Mr H. Blakie, Clown ; Mr A- Ross, Gaiety ; Mr W. Murray, Cameron Highlander ; Mr E. King, Gentleman ; Mr G. W. Murray, Hussar ; Mr J. Jenkins, Jockey ; Mr J. Williamson, Clown ; Mr E.. Gill, Volunteer ; Messrs G. King, Baldey, Pettigrew, ahd R. Gilmour, Bandsmen. TISBURY. The bachelors of Tisbury gave a return ball to the young ladies on Friday, 9th July. The night was fine and the attendance good. The committee worked hard to make the affair a success. The hall was nicely decorated with evergreens and ferns, and the couples in the grand march looked well gliding in and out amongst the decorations. The music was supplied by Mr Lange, senr., (piccilo). Mi Lange, jnr. (violin), and Miss Lange tpiano), and was much appreciated by the company. The catering was done, and well done, by Messrs Buchanan Bros., of Invercargill. Mr McCbesney acted as secretary and M. C., and like everything else he takes in hand, his duties were carried out in the best of style. Dancing was kept going till about 4 a.m., when everyone went home, one and all remarking "“What a good time we had ! ”