GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2056, 26 April 1881, Page 3

GERALDINE.

(FROM OUR OWN COimESrONDENT.) There has been but little nowa of importance to ehroniclo from this district lutely. Geraldirte, like many other places, has been unusually quiet j some peoplo would term it dull. Tho Primitive Methodist Sunday Bchool anniversary services wcro bettor uttended and moro successful than usual this year. Not only the Sunday services, but those held throughout the following week were very well attended. The preacher was v ludy — a Mrs Holder, from Christchuroh — whoso eurnest and impressive manner thoroughly enlisted tho attention and interest of the large congregations which nightly assembled to hear her preach. The tea and public meeting m connection with the above passed off moat successfully. The Rev. T. Sadler, who for some eighteen months hns been re.'ident minister to the Primitive Methodist congr.gution here, has removed to the Manawntu district. He is succeeded by the Rev. Mr Luke, who entered upon his duties on Sunday lust. On Thursday, the 14th inst., the Bithop of •he Diocese held a onfirmation service m St. Mary's Church, when about, fifteen candidates were presented for tho Bolemn rite. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. J. Preston, the incumbent, after which tho Bishop administered the rito of confirmation to the assembled candidates. As usuil, the address delivered by the Bishop was moßt impresaivo and practical. Tho church was very well filled, and the service seemed most hearty. On the following Hay, Good Friday, services were held m the church, morning and evening. The former waß conducted by the incumbent, the latter' service by the Bishop. On br th occasions tho church wbb well filled. The interior of the church presented a very pretty oppearanos on Easter Day, the decorations being very profuse und effective. The bush being co near at hand a plentiful supply of benutiful evergreens are reiirlily obtainable, and tho fullest Rdvantngo was taken of this circumslanco to beautify tho church. Flowers, too, seemed abundant this year, and were largely used iv tho decoratiuns, whilst a collection of fino fruit was placed on the Communion table. Tho morning and evening services wree well attended. On Thursday lust the members of the Church of England Choir held a pic-nic. Tho site selected was a small piece of bush near tho residonco of Mr W. U. Slack, which was kindly placed at their disposal for that purpose. A three-horse coach was hired to convey them to " WoodsMe," tho drive being not the least enjoyable part of the programme Shortly after 11 o'clock the members of tho choir," with tho Rev. J. Proston, Mrs and Misses Preston, Dr Fish and Miss Fish, Mr Totton and Mrs Huwko assembled at tho above-mentioned place, thun which a bolter or prettier spot could not have been selected, and thia, with tho magnificent weather, tended to make tho pic-nio a most enjoyable one. About ono o'clock tho wholo pnrly, numbering about thirty, eat down to an excellent luncheon, after whioh . various gamed wcro indulged m by tho younger members, whilst their elders enjoyed a stroll through the bu«h, or climbed to the top of tho neighboring " downs " whonco on excellent view of the surrounding country was obtained. About five o'clock the parly started for homo iiftcr giving threo hfarty cheera for Mr and Mrs yinek for thoir kindness. Everything passed off successfully, and everyone scorned to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Tho members of tho choir desire to cxproßS their t hanks to those Indies and gcntloinon and adult members of I ho choir who contributed towards tho success of tho day's recreation. Tho Rangitata Bridge just now exoitos a good deal of interest m tho Goraldinu dial net, and will probably continue to. do so for some time to eomo. At a public meeting of ratopayors recently held at Goraldine, the opinion seemed prevalent that tho Geraldine Counly Council had been cajoled into an admission that thoy wouid bo liable for half tho cost of the iron piles orHoi'ed from {Tome by tho Aahburton County Council, and from recent discloßures, tho surmise would seem to bo correct. At any rate tho last named bndy thought the thing as good us done, ami no doubt congratulated themselves on getting a good partner iv a very doubt ful investment. Sinco then, however, tho Geraldino Counly Council Ims attempted to disclaim any dcßiro to a partnership m. tho pile*, or tbo plan by which the bridge is to bo extended with piles. Tho feeling of tho ratepayers m this part of the district is decidedly against any admission of liability for half cot of tho piles, or for tho extension of tbo bridge on Iho pile sylom. The weather for s >mo time past has boon most favorable for farm work. Focd, owing to the a'moet entire absence of frost, bus sprung up wonderfiil'y woll, which will prove a great boon to fanners. A new school has lately boen opened at Shaw's road, called tho Gcraldinn Flit, school, and one will shortly bo opened at Orari Bridge The former has an average attondanco whioh will at once placo it beyond the pale of an aided sohool, but tho latter will scarcely have sufficient attendants for some time to oorao to bring about tho same result. Tho members of the Prosbjfcorian congregation throughout 'ho Geraldine parish intend to hold their annual parish gathering at an early date. Laßt year's " gathering " wa3 a great success m overy way, and efforts are being mado to make this proposed ono still moro eucccsaful. Tho cricket season just closed has been, on the whole, a successful ono for tbo local Club. It is Iruo that few matches havo beon won, but I think I ho ilofeits huvodonn a qoo:l deal of good, ina*iuuch us they have led to more regular praclxo. Great improvements have been inudo m tho ground, which should amply repny tho cost m futura years. Tho principal of theso aro tho druinaijo nf Iho ground, tbo erection of a pavilion, the Binking i ( of a well and fixing pump. It is rumored that an attempt will bo modo i to establish a foothill club this winter. It i» i to bo hoped tho effort will bo successful, i There have boen a few improvements iv i tho township lately. Sotuo of theso aro tho

erection of several noat dwelling houses m brick, tho comple^iun of Mesers Mundell and Co. 's now auction rooms, and laat, but not least, repairs to tho immigration cottages at tho lower end of the township. These cottngeß have been taken over by the Koad Board, and have been for some time past anything but an ornament to that part of the township m which they ara situated. Hopes were entertained a short time ago that tho reserves and sections m the township opposite the Police Court and Post-ofilce would soon be open to bo let or sold, but nothing definite has been heard about them. If etcps were taken to open up this part of the township they oould not fail to do good.