LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1656, 7 September 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mortimer's Troubadours and Ministrel Company will open for a short season m Ashburton on Saturday. A meeting of the friends and supporters of Mr Walker will be held at Lauriaton Sohoolroom on Friday evening. A similar meeting on behalf of Mr Pnrnell is oallad for Tuesday evening. Mr Palmer, one of the candidates for Rangitata, will address the oleotors at the Odd. fellows' Hal!, Ashburton, this evening. A meeting of the friends and Bupportora of Mr Furnell is called for Tuesday next, 13th inst, at 8 p.m., m the Sohoolhouse, Lauriston, for the purpon of forming a Committee to secure bis return. A novel proposal is on fo»t amemgat the Masons of Palmerston North to form a epaoial settlement of Masons on 6000 aores on the Main Trnnk railway. The idea has besn, taken up enthusiastioally, and m on* day no less than 41 names were received of Masons willing to take up land. The town will be laid with Btreets all baaring masonio names, and the place itself will be called Kilwining. A meeting of delegates from the Methven, Alford Forest, Mount Soniera, and Bangitata districts, waa held m the Presbyterian Churoh on Tuesday morning, when the following gen* tlemen were present, viz. ; — Rev A. M. Beattie m the obair, and Messrs D. Cameron, D. Anderson, A. M'Farlano, John Hood, W. Morrow, J. Goskerie, and Elmslie, junr., as representing the Presbyterian residents m the above distriotß. It was cordially and unanimously agreed that the Bey Mr West, of Southbridge, should receive a call to the Hills distriots, and that a manse should be built for his residence at Springburn, on the land now held there for this purpose, this locality being considered the most central and suitable under all the ciroumstanoes. It ia sinoersly hoped that the ovtcome of this meeting will be the stationing amongst the scattered paople of the upper oprtiona of this county, of a very worthy and hardworking Presbyterian olergyman, and one who will Bucoeed m very muoh improving the position of affairs there, both from a religious and sooial point of view. Ratepayers are reminded that an election takes plaoe tomorrow to fill three vacanoies on the Borough Council. The vaoancies are caused by the retirement by rotation of Cro. A. Harrison, Hugo Friedlander, and W» Sparrow. Burgesses will be pleased to note that Messrs Harrison and Friedlander both seek re-election. These gentlemen have m tne past rendered such valuable eervioea to the Borough that their return to the Counoil ought not to be m doubt, and we oxpeot to see them at the head of the poll to-morrow evening. It would, indeed, be a great' pity if by any chance either of them were left out, &r their past record as Councillors is characterised by usefulness, straightforwardness, and a conscientious desire to faithfully work m the best interest of the burgesses as a whole. The other three candidates, Messrs Q. F. Scott, E. J. Paul, and O. Catoo are m the happy position of having no political history —either good, bad, or indifferent. Thcj are, turnover, gentlemen well known and respeoted, and we have no doubt the burgesnos will return the candidate they believe will best serve their interest!. An extra "Ingleside" meeting will be held m the Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow evening. It ia unnecessary for us to do more than draw the attention of our readorg to the date, for the enjoyable nature of these gatherings is too well known to need any recommendation. The Ashburton Guards will give a sooial gathering m the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday evening. The Company has previously given two or throe of these gatherings, and m eaoh case they were an unqualified soocesß, and there is little doubt that that fixed for Friday will be no exoeption. A «ooial gathering of a very pleasant nature took place m the Baptist Church, Peter street, Ust evening. There was a large attendance, and justice was done to the good things provided by the ladies of the ohurch and congregation. After the tea the usual publio meeting was held, Mr Sawle, the pastor of the ohuroh, presiding. The following programme was then gone through :— Duett, Mr and Mrs Flower; reading, Mr J. B. Colyar; chorus, Mrs Wheoler. Miss Hayman, Messrs Wheeler (2), and.Osborne (8), this was excellently given, and by request was subsequently repeated ; song, Mr H. G. Flower ; song, Mrs W. Norrish ; ohorus, Mr Wheeler and friends ; duet, Mr and Mrs Flower; recitation, Miss E. Joneß ; song, Mrs W. Norrish ; ohorus, Mr Wheeler and friends. Eaoh item was given m first rato ptylo. After tho Seoretary had drawn the attention of those present to a testimonial he was, by request, about to band to Mr Sawle, Mr Jones, on behalf of the Church and congregation, presented Mr Sawle with a purse of Bovoreigns, and m a few words expressed the pleasure it gave him m doing co, and trusted Mr Sawle would long be spared to minister to them. The purse, whiob was very handsomely worked, was presented by Mrs Clayton. Mr Sawlo m returning thanks, said he oould hardly find words to express his feelings, but would feel greatly encouraged m his work by their kind appro oiation of his Bervicea. The meeting through' out was of a most enjoyable oharaoter, and after a vote of thanks had been passed to the ladies who had provided the tables, concluded with prayer. The usual monthly meeting of tbo Ashton Sohool Committee was held on Monday, tho sth inst. Present — Messrs G. Gilmour (chairman), J. Brown, J. Croy, J, Ashton, D. Byan> T. Magee, and W. Croy. The Master's roport was read. It showed the attendance to have inereasod during the past month. Mesßrs ABbton and Magee staled they had inspected the school grounds, and suggested that the hollow places! m the play ground be made up. The gorso m the plantation required to be grubbed op, and the feuoes needed trimming. It was resolved that Messrs Ashton and Brown eeo Mr It. Stephens and arrange with him to do the work. The Chairman was empowered to secure tbo sohool requisites applied for by the Master, Th« usual monthly acoounta wore passod for payment, after whioh tho meeting adjourned. A concert and ball m aid of tho Library Fund are announced to take plaoe m the Chertscy Schoolroom on Friday next, 9th inst. An English exohango says:— The most wonderful sight of the wholo Jubilee was the Queen of Hawaii trying to set her watch by the automatic weighing machine m a London railway station. " Rooaa on Itch." — " Rough on Itoh euros skin humors, eruptions, ring worm 1 tettor, salt rheum, froeted feet, chilblains' Hob, ivy poiion barber's itch.. 3