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Southland Times, Issue 3293, 9 January 1879, Page 2

Inquest.— An inquest will be held at Wallacetown this afternoon on the "body of the man Reddan, who was found dead under circumstances already reported. Athen_3UM. — The usual fortnightly meeting of the Athenaeum Committee was held in the Library Room last Monday evening. There were- present — the President (in the chair), • and Messrs Martin, Jaggers, Pratt, and Searle. It was stated that the use of the Athenasum building might be asked for in order to exhibit the electric light for a short time — say an hour— on the evening of the Railway Demonstration day. Mr Proudfoot had offered the Demonstration ' Committee I the use of his electrical machine. It was j agreed that the permission should be granted, \ providing that any damage occurring, to the building should be made good, and that , only the men employed in exhibiting the light should be allowed on the roof. With I regard to the annual meeting, it was resolved that it should "be held as soon as possible, the ' Committee being able at once to bring up a satisfactory ' report and balance-sheet. The Committee then adjourned. The Labor Market.— The arrival of the Western Monarch at the end of the present or beginning of the ensuing month will again afford employers of labor, more particularly agriculturists and contractors, an opportunity of securing employes. This shipment includes no less than 369 immigrants, full ! particulars regarding whom will be found in another column. Thereare an unusually large proportion of married couples, with and without children, and agriculturists requiring permanent laborers on their farms pr stations -would: perhaps : do well to secure the services of these, in preference to single men, as they are invariably less migratory in their character than the latter class. The large number of single men in the Western Monarch of the laboring class should supply any extreme demand which may exist at present amongst contractors. Those requiring employes would do well to take time by the forelock, and communicate with Mr Lillicrap, the immigration officer, prior to the arrival of the vessel. i The MataubA Election.— ln response to the invitation of Mr Kinross, a moderate number of electors residing, at Long Bush met in the schoolhouse there on Tuesday evening. Mr McPhee was appointed chairman, and after briefly referring to Mr Kinross's services to the district, he expressed a hope that the electors would endeavor to elect a member who would represent the Mataura District in a creditable manner. Mr Kinross referred to past and future legislation, and the manner in which he would assist in carrying out Sir George Grey's policy if he was elected, as contained in the report of his speech at Invercargill. A number of questions were asked as to the working of the Education i Act, the Counties Act, and other public matters ; and the answers given appeared to give satisfaction. It was then moved by Mr Gohl, and seconded hy Mr Angus McKay :' That . Mr Kinross has the full confidence of the meeting, and is a fit and proper person' to represent the -Mataura District." After the resolution had been spoken to, it was put to the meeting by the Chairman and carried unanimously. The.meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding.- Mr ' Kinross then statedthat as there was a great amount of work in attending to so large a District; he hoped his supporters would assist in winning, the election by appointing a local com- - mittee. A committee of eleven was accordingly appointed, of which Mr McPhee was elected chairman. 1.0.G.TJ — On Tuesday evening the District Deputy, accompanied by the W.C.T., Bro. Crombie, and several brothers ' and sisters of I the Southern Gross Lodge, 1.0. G.T., paid a visit to the Star of the South Lodge, at Woodlands, for the purpose" of conferring the second, or degree of Fidelity, upon all eligible members. The party arrived at the Woodlands schoolhouse shortly after eight o'clock,, and were received with the customary honors. Bro. Cheyne took the chair in the subordinate lodge, and conducted the ceremonies during 3 the initiation of one ladylcandidate, but being pressed for time he closed the lodge almost immediately, and re-opened it in the degree which it was intended to con : fer. Bro. Cheyne acted as the Degree Templar, assisted by the visitors in the various other offices. Ten brothers and members of the :. Star : df the South Lodge,; were balloted for, and. elected. as competent' to takethe degree,:" and being introduced were invested ' therewith in an impressive manner.' At the conclusion of the ceremonies connected with this investure a short recess was allowed, during ; which the new members were welcomed to the Temple. The meeting having : been resumed,. Bro. ; Cheyne expressed, for himself and for the officers, the pleasure experienced by them iv being present on such an occasion. He congratulated the Star of the South Lodge on the eminent success which had attended them since the institution of the lodge some two of three 'months - ago, there being now the very respectable number of 47 good on the books.' He stated ' his intention of coming out. to Woodlands again in four weeks time, for the purpose of installing the officers for the ensuing quarter,when he hoped that that number would be largely increased. A vote of thanks to the visitors was carried by acclamation, and the Degree Temple was then closed with the customary ceremonies. Before leaving to return home the party were invited to the residence of Brother and Sister Smith, where they partook of refreshments ' provided most liberally. The way home was enlivened by songs and anecdotes appropriate to the occasion, Invercargill being reached shortly after one o'clock. A call notice from, the Union Fire and Marine Insurance Company* is published elsewhere. Messrs J. Angus and Co. give a suggestive notice to contractors. It is to be regretted that so promising a local industry has received such a check. ■ _ ,- t A' funeral notice relative to the late Mrs John Erasmuson, appears in the usual place. Messrs Cargills, Gibbs and Co., the agents, give notice to consignees of goods per Jessie Readman, to take delivery at the railway shed. Our " wanted " column has received further additions. . '