COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19311, 1 August 1924, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS

MATAURA. SCHOOL BAZAAR. (Fromn own Correspondent). A w’ell attended meeting of the Mataura School Bazaar Committee was held in the new school on Tuesday, Mr J. W. Aitken presiding. Mr G. Butel, proprietor of the Palace Pictures, applied for permission to run his serial picture on the Saturday night of the bazaar. As the picture will only occupy about half an hour permission was granted to show the serial. The following door-keepers and ticket-sellers were appointed: —Messrs E. Downes, P. Tait, W. Stewart, D. Russell, J. S. «Corbet, J. Buchanan, J. Park, P. Curtin, F. W. Brown, W. Clearwater, A. N. Mac Gibbon, C. D. McConnell, W. Buchanan, F. F. Whiteley, Coombes, J. Reid, D. Daley, J. Clark, W. Nixon, J. Breen, W. L. Martin, C. Henry and W. Robertson. It was resolved that an account be opened in the Bank of New Zealand and the secretary and Mrs Corbet were appointed to operate the account. Other business of a routine nature was transacted.

TOKANUI. DEBATING SOCIETY. On Wednesday the Tokanui Debating Society held its usual fortnightly meeting, there being about 80 present. The subject for debate was: “Has the invention of modern machinery been of more benefit to the capitalist than the Worker.” Leaders for the affirmative were Messrs Henderson and H. Wilks and for the negative A. Boniface and H. Brown. The voting resulted in favour of the negative by a large majority. Mr G. Earwaker occupied the chair. After the debate the evening was carried on merrily under the M.C., Mr W. Hagen. Cards were also provided for the non-dancers. Supper was handed round by willing workers and the music was supplied by the local band, Mrs Donnelly. Mr S. Thompson (secretary) had things in excellent order, and at 2 a.m. the happy gathering broke up with the feeling of a good night well spent.

RIVERTON. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The annual general meeting of the Riverton Horticultural Society was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, when there was a good attendance of members, over whom Mr W. Scobie presided. The balance-sheet, as submitted by the treasurer, showed a credit balance of £5O and assets valued at over £5O. The last show produced a profit of £2 3/-. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the balance-sheet, complimented the Society on its sound position. Great credit was due to the secretary and treasurer for the careful way they had conducted the business of the Society. The lady canvassers, too, were deserving of mention, for it was chiefly due to their able efforts that the Society decided to carry on the show last year. He was confident that the show this year would be a success and he congratulated all on their good position. He moved the adoption of the balance-sheet. This was seconded by Mr F. Ashley and carried. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. Stevens; vice-Presidents, Hiss Hunt and Mr W. F. Scobie; secretary, Mr T.R. Winton; treasurer, Mr J. Robertson; auditor, Mr G. Swift; committee, Mesdames W. Baxter, Johnstone, Gilchrist, Mooney, Messrs W. A. Ashley, R. N. Wilson, D. C. Robertson, John Geary, R. Younger and F. Ashley.

It was decided to hold the next show on February 24 and 25, 1925. RADIUM APPEAL. On Tuesday evening a committee meeting, composed of the Progressive League and members of the W.C.T.U., was held in the Town Hall for the purpose of collecting funds for the Radium Appeal. There was a good attendance and after some discussion it was decided to adopt the silent appeal, per medium of the envelope system. These envelopes are now being distributed to every house in the town and district and will be called for in a few days’ time. It is to be hoped that a liberal response will be given to the appeal FIRST AID CLASS. The weekly meeting of the First Aid to the Injured Class was held in More’s Hall last Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance of members, to whom Dr. Kingston lectured on “Poisoning.” The latter part of the evening’s instruction was given over to practical work and instruction in bandaging. Next Tuesday evening Dr. Kingston will lecture on the X-ray and practical demonstrations of the use and value of the X-ray apparatus will be given by Mr Bell, of Invercargill. The lecture will be open to the public and it is to be hoped that a large number of the public will take this opportunity of hearing this lecture and seeing the practical demonstration. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

The weekly meeting of the Riverton Literary and Debating Society was held on Monday evening in More’s Committee Rooms. There was a large attendance of members to listen to Dr. Kingston's lecture on “Oliver Wendell Holmes.”

The doctor commenced his lecture with, a short sketch of the life of Holmes, in which he gave a short description of his character, occupation and outlook on life. He then pointed out how these effected his works and gave extracts, poetical, humorous serious and pathetic illustrating this effect. Extracts from Holmes’ works were also read by Miss Price, Mr Leete and Mr Price. Mr Price’s extract was very humorous and gave the finishing touch to a delightful evening that was fully appreciated by all the audience. An enthusiastic vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated a very successful and enjoyable evening. OLD IDENTITIES’ RE UNION.

On Monday afternoon a meeting of those interested in the Old Identities’ Association was held in the Town Hall, Mr E. J. Stevens presiding. Mr Stevens (Chairman) stated that since their last meeting he had been approached by many in the country who were quite in sympathy with the movement and who would assist the movement in every way. What was needed was good energetic canvassers in each district who would be willing to collect the names for membership, and also all records available; he himself was quite sure the movement was going to be a great success. It was decided to ask the following gentlemen to assist in their respective districts: Messrs Stormouth (Otautau), J. McKay (Gummies Bush), L. McNeil (Thornbury), F. H. Wilson (Orepuki), D. McFarlane (Gropers), Wm. Strang (Waimatuku), J. Borland (Riverton), W. Hart (Round Hill), H. Watson (Pahia), C. Gardner (Clifton) and-W. Scobie (Eastern Bush).