The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY). SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1880.

Western Star, Issue 374, 21 August 1880, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY). SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1880.

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, will be held in the Town Hall this evening, " to consider the action of the Government in not providing for the completion of the Orepuki railway.” A strong feeling of indignation has been evoked at the action of the Government with regard lo this line, and their vacillating and inconsistent policy with regard thereto lias shaken the belief that existed throughout the district in the integrity of the present administration. It is doubtful if the meeting this evening will result in inducing the Government to reconsider their decision; it will, however? demonstrate that the district is alive to the injustice of the conduct of the Government.

A meeting of the School Committee was held last evening, Messrs Reid (Chairman), Woodward, Dicldnson. Robinson, Tall, and Cassels being present. A letter was read from the Secretary to B ard enclosing reply from Minister of Education to the application to appoint the Riverton School a District High School, stating that the proposal is premature, and that the average attendance at the school and, the population of the district do not svarrant it.” The Secretary to the Board expressed his regret “that the Minister of Education has not se«n his way fo necede to the expressed wish of vour Committee and the Board." The members present unanimously expressed dissatisfaction at the reply of the Minister of Education, and it was determined to make an effort to induce a re consideration of the matter. With that object the Chairman was requested to urge unon the Board to again communicate with the Minister upon the subject, and also to write to Messrs McCaughan and Hirst, asking 'hem to represent the desire of the Committee, pointing out that the conversion of the school into n high school would not entail any additional cost to the department, nr the Board. The- Chairman mentioned that there was now an average attendance of 280, the number on the roll being 334, and 35 pupils at present availei themselves of extra subjects, thus showing the necessity for a high 'school in the town. Some other routine business having been transacted, the meeting adjourned.

If. was stated at the 'Education Board meeting yesterday, says the “ News.” that Dr Menzies and Mr Shanks had interviewed the Minister of Lands with the view of securine an endowment for Riverton school as n High. Sehnnl. The Minister intimated that the elnims of Riverton would be kept in view when the reserves were being dealt with. We again remind our reader* of the social meeting at Limestone Plains’ School-house on Tuesday, in aid of the school funds, to commence 6-30. A rumor having gained currency throughout the district that Messrs Price and Bulloid, drapers, intended to close the Riverton branch of their hnsiopas. we have been requested by that firm to intimate that there is no truth whatever in t.h« report, they having leased for-a number of years the premises in which they now conduct their business. The quarterly summons meeting of the Fechahite AparimaTent No. 36, was held on Thursday evening for the purpose of fixing the levies of tent. There was a good attendance, snd two new members initiated. The Secretary. Bro. M'Carthy, intimated that it was his intention to send in his resignation on account of his leaving here for the home country. The members expressed their regret at losing the services of so energetic an ofllcer, and it. was arranged fo hold a banquet to bid farewell, and express their good wishes to him before leaving. At a meeting of the Temperance Hall Committee held on Wednesday last Mr R. M. Cameron was authorised to write to Murihiku Tent, No. 27, 1.0. R., Invercargill, ap plyfnff for a loan of £2BO, viz., £2OO to be spent on hui ding the Temperance Hall, and the remainder to go towards the purchase of the ground. It was decided to proceed with the erection of the building, os soon as possible, so that the hall could be utilized for holding the bazaar in November.

The entertainment on Thursday evening in aid of J. Pratt, who recently met with an accident, was moderately successful. Doubtless the uninviting appearance of t.ie evening deterred many from attending. The utmost credit is duo the performers for their prompt response to the appeal for assist unee in miligatirg the suffering of a deserving resident Before a performance can bo placed before an audience, the expenditure of considerable lime and trouble is entailed upon the promoters, and it is doubtful if such services are always valued as they ought, to be. The first port »-f the entertainment, was introduced by an orchestra, fantasia, “ Old Friend*,” (arranged by Mr S. G. Instone), The., music Was skilfully arranged, and received justice at the hands of the eight instrumentalist* comprising the orchestra. Then followed " Lfttle footsteps ” by Mr Hunter; “ Dead in the sfreei,” Miss K. Hogg;, the motto song, “Second thoughts' often are best,” by Mr Myers. This gentleman is well known as one of our best amateur dramatic performers, and judging from his first appearance before a Riverton audience ns a vocalist, he will bo equally successful in that, department. Mr Hunter followed with “ The Mountebank,” and although apparently suffering from a cold, he rendered this piece with his usual taste and expression. Mrs Doar sang “ Won’t you tell me why, Robin which was well received. A pleasing character of thia lady’* singing is that her word* are distiaetly pro-

nounced ; but. for this feature, the effect of the song would have been greatly marred. Mr Myers was again successful in “If you only knew how it was done Mrs Crockett was in good voice and gave “ Come back to Erin ’’ in a manner excelling her ordinary efforts. “ Little sisl er. gone to sleep,” by Miss Taylor was applauded. Mr Wilkinson gave « M'Sorley’s Twins,” and an encore being demanded gave “ The leader of the German band." In both effort* he was successful. Mesdames Hunter, Crockett Myers, and Miss Pattiscn played the accompaniments. Mr S. G. Histone, at the conclusion of the first part of the programme, returned (hanks to the audience and (he performers, on behalf of Mr Pratt. After a short interval the orchestra played “ Knight of St. Patrick ” quadrilles. The curtain then rose to the amusing fare* of “M j Son Diana.” It is no exaggeration to say that this sai the best performed piece attempted by local amateurs for some years back, a id would well stand repetition on some future occasion, The caste was as follows : Diana, Mrs Locke ; Louisa, Mrs Murdoch; Mr Culpepper, Mr Bridge ; Mr Smith, Mr Wilkinson; John, 1 Mr Myers. The acting of Mrs Locke and Mr Wilkinson was a most racy piece of work, they being ably supported by Mis Murdoch, Messrs Bri Igo, and Myers—the latter making a decided hit, as Diana’s lady’s maid. It is gratifying to report that the audience was a most orderly, one.

The balance of an order for books forwarded by the Atheneeitm Committee over a twelvemonth ago, cams to hand on Friday, there are between thirty and forty volumes of verr interesting works, as the list will show . —“ Carlyle’s Life and Letters of Cromwell,” “ Guthrie’s Autobiography and Memoir," “ Kingsley’s (Canon) Letters and Memoirs,” “Macaulay’s Life and Letters,’ “ Wilberforce’s Life,” by his son, “Fronde’s History of England,” “Gallon’s Hereditary Genius,” Huxley’s Critiques and Addresses,’’ “ Tyndall’s Fragments of Science,’’ “ Moon’s Dean’s English,” Farjeon’s “ Jessie Trim,” “ Griff,” and “ Silver Flagon,” Mrs Wood’s “ The'" Channinga,” and “ Mrs Haliburton’s Troubles,” Artemus Ward’s, Hood’s, and Mark T wain’s choice works, &e.

At the Waste Land Board meeting on Thursday, Mr Jas. Mackintosh, sen., applied to have a reserve at the Otautau vested in the Wallace County Council for, among other purposes, a pound. The application had been already refused the Council on the ground that it was a recreation reserve. Mr Lumsden was in favour of renting a small portion for a pound, and this was agreed to, the Council to select an acre out of another block. A long list of deferred payment defaulters was submitted to the Board, and ordered to be published.—-A number of letters and telegrams in reference to Mr Hirst’s application for section 15 to 18. block 3, Longwood district, were read. Ho objection was ma le to the method of application (at Wellington), but the fact that Mr Hirst was already a sufficient holder under the Act was hold insuperable, if it was made. No application had yet been formally made to the Boord.

On Tuesday the following applications were received at Oropuki for deferred payment sections in Block 2, Longwood district:— J. Forbes, section 18 ; J. Turnbull, sees. 15 and 16 j J. Kirkton, section 17.

On Tuesday evening the members of the late Volunteer Band presented the following tesimonial to Mr S. G. Tnstone’:—“ To Mr S. Gt. Instone, Kiverton. —Dear Sir, —The members ef the Riverton Volunteer Band whoso names are subscribe 1 hereto, beg your acceptance of the accnnpanying baton, as a mark of our appreciation of (he valued services rendered by you while acting as our conductor, Although the baton is not of great intrinsic value, we wish you to prize it as a reminder ef, the many happy hours we have spent together with so much pleasure and profit to ourselves. We also hope Hat you will give itapromient place in your homo, so that your children growing up will be constantly reminded of the art in which their father was so proficient, and that, it "ill be an incentive to them to persevere and equal, if not excel, the one to whoso exertions we are indebted for the present efficient state of the band. In conclusion, we express the wish that you may bo long spared to wield the baton in the same masterly manner in which you have hitherto done.—-B. Haybitlle, leader; J. . Blacky prime cornet ; B. Hancock, repieno cornet; F. Gilchrist, second cornet; G. McLachlan, tenor saxe horn ; M. Lyon, second saxo horn ; D. McKillop, solo baritone; E. McKillop, second solo baritone ; D. Black, euphonium ; C. Goode, bass; G. Parry, drum.—Mr D. McKillop, in making the presentation, ex plained that the address was intended to have accompanied the baton reeently given by the members of the band to Mr Instone, but a delay had occurred in its preparation that prevented this being done. Mr Instone briefly and appropriately acknowledged the compliment. The address was printed at the office of this journal, ou white satin, and prior to being presented was enclosed in a handsome frame.

Mr Wright, in Iris able .speech upon the Railway Commission Report, caused much amusement by blaming Mr Pyke for starring Vincent County with a' prima donna, a publican, and a glazier—instead of attending (he Commissioners. Mr Pyke took the opportunity to exploin. “I did not,” taid he, take the publican and glazier—l was not such a fool as that—but I did take the prima donna. The object was to relieve the charitable institutions of the district; the institutions Were relieved from debt, the public was much pleased, the wife of my bosom was satisfied, and I was supremely happy. The tour was over a fortnight before the Commisioners came into the district. Mr Wright’s case against the Otago Central was based upon Mr Maitland’s and Mr Arthur’s evidence given before the Commissioners. He ignored Mr M'Kerrow’s and Mr Thomson’s evidence given before the Legislative Council Evening Star.”