Untitled

Western Star, Issue 454, 18 June 1881, Page 2

A meeting of the Committee of the W. D. A. and P. Association was held after the grain show on Thursday. The members present were—M. Instone, E«q., President (in the chair), Messrs Featherstone, W. K. Hazlett, Turnbull, B. Hiizlett, Baird, T. Sutlon, Collie, Fullerton, R. Robertson, IToperoft, Younger Lindsay, and W. Walker. The Secretary reported that according to instructions, ho bad drawn upon Mr McCau ban for the sum of £5, the amount promised by him, but he refused to acknowledge the draft, and said he had given no authority to any one to take such a liberty with his name as to put him down for £5. Mr Fullarton said it was at Mr McCnughan’s own request that ho had bean made a life member, and the fee for such was £5. The Secretary was again instructed to write to that effect. Mr Hopcroft, on bshalf of the sub-committee, recommended that Mr R. Miller’s paddock, Groper’s Bush, be selected as the site of the ploughing match. Mr Miller was quite willing to clear the ground of tussooksj and if it was decided to have a dinner, he would also give the use of his bouse and barn for that purpose. The report was adopted. The conditions re ploughing match were discussed at considerable length, the result will be found in the advertisement when published. Messrs IToperoft, R. Uazlett, Lindsaj, Younger, and Turnbull were appointed a committee to draw up programme. The President an I Secretary were authorised to make arrangements for selling booths, and call for tenders for dinner on evening of match (14th July). It was resolved to ask the following gentlemen to act as judges: —Messrs Drysdale, J. Sutton, Fleming, Morton, and Christie.

In ou>* last issue we stated that several of the windows of the Roman Catholic Chapel had been maliciously broken with stones by some evil disposed person. It now transpires that the »ct was an accidental one, and was perpetrated by an individual recklessly firing a gun in the vicinity. The person in question has acknowledged the act, and agreed to pay whatever damage ha occasioned. While glad *o find that the injury to the building was not the result of “ malice prepense,” such a reckless discharge of firearms is nevertheless

Atn well attended public meeting held at, Otaut.au on the evening of Tuesday, 11th inst., with reference to initiating a district ploughing .natch, Mr VV. Walker was unanimously voted to the chair. The chairman having made some introductory remarks on the resources and capabilities of the district fot successfully carrying through such a meeting, Mr A. T. Anderson (Strathmore) observed that he had nlre idv received promises of support from more than one business firm ; and Mr W. Walker made an offer of ground for the occasion, should the same he subsequently approved of by the Ground Committee.. It was considered by Mr Jus. Henderson that a , sum of from £4O to £SO would bo necessary to start the affair, and that no difficulty would be experienced in collecting that amount as a minimum. Seeing the extent of.the.district which would have to be canvassed, it was considered advisable to appoint a rather large General Committee, from among whom Select Committees could be chosen to carry out the more minute details of future arrangements. On a show of hands being taken, the first resolution (to the effect that a ploughing march be held; in the district) was carried nem. con. A General Committee of some 30 members was.then chosen, and'to those among them who wore not present the Secretary was instructed to write requesting their cooperation jn the matter of collecting funds in a>d, and asking them to forward to him any amounts so collected by the third, day before the ploughing match, the date of whichi'would be advertised.as soon as the locality for holding the match was. decided on. The appointment of a Working Committee was then proceeded with, and resulted in the selection of the following gentlemen : —J, Quinn, G. Gilchrist, A. Carmichael, J. Smith, W. Walker, J. Henderson, A. T, Anderson, W. McEwan and Donald Mackintosh, of whom the four last-mentioned were fold off to pick out and prepare a ground (which, at a later hour in the evening, they agreed to do on Friday, 17th inst'.) After a cordial vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting dispersed.

The Athenaeum* Committee are requested to meet at seven o’clock sharp this evening.: ,

The opening of the Groper’s Bush library was celebrate.l on Wednesday evening at the School house by a soiree and concert, which came off in a thoroughly successful manner, and the Wallace and Fiord Hospital, to which the proceeds are to be devoted, should receive a substantial addition to its funds thereby. The soiree was held in the old schoolroom, which was not large enough to accommodate half the number of those as sembled, and a relay had consequently to be made. Dr Hodgkineoa; occupied the chair, and Misses Hodgkinson, Mitchell, Ireland, Officer, Borland, and Gumming presided a' the differed! tables,_laden with a great abundance of every mentionable product of the pastrycook’s art, supplied,' we under stand, by the ladies of the; district. The appetites of one and all having been appeased, the company adjourned to the new building, where the concert was held, Dr Hodgkinson again presiding. Ho opened the proceedings by mak-ng brief reference to the double object which brought-I hem together, the opening of their library and aiding the Hospital. Ho congratulated the subscribers of the library on the very judicious selection of books made by the committee. The works were principally of a moral and instructive character, and. there were few of the sensational, trashy, and positively bad kind which oconpied a prominent pesition on.the shelves of some of the libraries in the colony, and exercised a very demoralising influence on the minds of the young. It was equally indispensable that good food should be provided for the mind as well as the bedy ; and a well selected library was a powerful assistant to the schoolmaster, the, clergyman, and the daily and weekly press in the education of the people. Ha trusted the working men of the district would avail themselves largely of it, and also contribute liberally to the funds of the Hospital, which was principally'instituted for their benefit. Before sitting down the Doctor, on behalf of tbo pupils of the singing class, presented a handsome gold albert chain and greenstone pendant to Mr Robert Officer as a recognition of bis valuable and gratuitous services as teacher of the class since its formation. In making the pre. sentation, the Chairman referred in flattering terms to the recipient’s efforts. Mr Officer suitably replied. The vocal portion of“the programme was then proceeded with, when comic and sentimental- songs, readings, and recitations, enlivened .by accordeon and flute solos, were the order of -the day, the concert closing with the singing .of the National Anthem by the whole company. Amongst those who took part were Messrs Munro, Atkinson, Jolly, C., and J. Ward, W. Walker, Noble, Macdonald, and others whose names wo did not ascertain. Moat of the party made another adjournment to the old building, whore dancing was indulged in till early morn to the inspiriting strains of two violins and an accordeon. Mr Munro acted as M.C., and made a most efficient one. We must not omit to menlion that Mr and Mrs Jolly placed their residence at the disposal of the ladies, and were indefatigable in their efforts for the comfort of those present. The business management was left to Mr Henry Ward, and that he performed his work well was evident from the universal satisfaction expressed by the visitors at the carrying out of the arrangements. Members of the Riverton Draught and Chess Club are notified that practice will be resumed in the Athenamm on Tuesday evening. Persons wishing to become members will then have an opportunity of doing so. The concert last evening for the benefit of Widow Saunders, was despite the chilling influence of exceedingly disagreeable weather well attended, the hall being filled in every part. This proves that when the occasion arises the inhabitants of Riverton can perform a graceful act. The result is, a very handsome sura will be available for handing over to “ granny.” The success of the entertainment is in a large measure due to Mrs Locke, who besides assisting in carrying out the programme, was most active in organising the entertainment. The following are the names of the ladies and gentlemen who assisted at the entertainment; Mesdames Locke and Hunter, Misses M. Taylor and Katie Hogg, Messrs J. Slack, Bafeman, Buck and A Daniel. Mr Webb delivered what was in-; tended as a prologue, but the fact that it was not read till near the end of the first part of the programme, robbed it of that name. The reading was Mr Webb’s own composition, and was appropriate to the occasion. The Riverton Band under the leadership of Mr 3. Black, played several pieces very effectively during the evening. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Hunter and Mr Fish. At the con- i elusion of the concert a dance took place, in |

Tho township of Otaatau continues to evince signs of prosperity and improvement in the erection of several new buildings which, ia proceeding apace, —evidencing confidence in the future importance of the town and district. Mr B. Kcllehor’s handsome new store and dwelling-house is nearing completion, and already effect s a great improvement in that portion of tho township. Messrs M'Millan and Bates’ Hew blacksmith shop and Lawson’s bakery also form important additions to the township. Messrs Robertson Bros., of Riverton, have commenced to build a branch drapery establishment opposite Smith’s Railway Hotel, at'corner'of street leading to railway station. While the residents themselves aro keeping pacer with tho times, however, tho County Council, under whose control the streets are, does not provide that accommodation for safe and easy transit which tho importance of the place demands. A footpath is very much needed in several portions of the township, and could be constructed at a moderate..cost. Dan-, gerons water holes and mud ankle deep on street lines render travelling, especially in the dai’k, a mar.ter of some difficulty, and nob altogether unattended with danger.- How that the riding is in a good financial position, there is no excuse for not attending to this matter, and the representative of- this riding could not at the present time ask for a- vote for a more pressing purpose. /. , .

The census returns for 1881 for the Aparima Riding are as follows Males, 687; females, 4G3; total, 1150,. .Of this number 47 are half-castes and 59 Chitieie.. Inhabited houses, 204; uninhabited, 33 ; -building, 2 Since 1878, when the census.!was last taken the boundaries of the Riding havs been altered, and the returns at that data for the portion of county how given were—males, 553; females, 427.; total, 980. Included in this number are 45 half-castes; Chinese nine. Inhabited, houses, 182 ; uninhabited, SO; building, none. Wo again draw attention to tho public meeting to be held this evening in the Town Hall, at 8.30 o’clock, to urge upon the Government the necessity of pushing on’-the Orepuki railway. Tho importance of tho subject Should induce a large attendance. Mr.Whitalter has now got fairly to work on »he Nightcap railway plat claying contract, and about’a mile of rails are already laid. It ia expected tho work will be finished in about three months. " ~ - ' r

*• Barney’s Telegrams” and ah article {on Mre Sampson’s mission have been held ozer.