MOUNT SOMERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1945, 15 September 1888, Page 3

MOUNT SOMERS.

(Fkom ocr own Co-respondent.) The annual festival of the 1.0.0.F , Manchester Unity, took plaoe on Friday night, at Sprlngbnrn. A moderate number of people attended the concert, which was really worth a muoh better attendance. The Master for the year opened the proceedings with a few well-chosen remarks; A select programme was gone through without a hitch. The overture, " Estndiantloa," violin and piano, was well rendered, and equally well received. So were the following songn — " When shall I send the oradle." by Mr J. Price ; " Too late," by Mr D. Olark ; « Liberty," by Mr A. Brough ; a song by Mr J. Whaley. A recitation, " M*ry, Queen <J SootB," by Mr Brown, was very weli given. Here a break was made m the entertainment, and a presentation of a, handsome bisoalt holder was made by the members of the Order to Mrs Tomlinson, for her many aots of kindness to them, and for her assistance m promoting the interests of the Oddfellows generally. Mr MoNell made a^well sat speech at thiß point, which was ably and wittily replied to by Mr Tomlinson, The second psit of the programme was opened with a duet, '• The Brooklet," by Owen and Walter Bueohler, two Mount Somers tchoolboys, who rendered it very nicely, and were heartily applauded. Of the remaining Itenn the following are most desorvlng: — "The old Brigade," song, by Mr J»go (enoored) ; •' The Shippers' Flag," song, by Mr A. Baeohler ; a comic reading by Mr J, Price ; '' Just h« you are for sixpence," eong, by Mr J. Price (heartily enoored) ; and " The Martyr," eong, by Miss A. Price ; and two excellent reoltatlons by Miss Purvle, both loudly enoored. Another presentation of a handsomely framed picture was njnde by the officers of the Lodge to the Past Master, Mr Jos. Prioe, Mr Cooper acting as spokesman. The recipient of the present returned thanks m an interesting speeob, referring to the " Oddfellows" In the reign of Hero, 55 8.0., and the first establishment cf the Order la the island of Monp, 500 A. D. He expressed a hope that soon, fortnightly meetings during summer would be established to enable two elections to bo made to the chair m each year, thirteen meetings at least balng needed to validate a new election for offices; He considered a year's interval for that purpose as far too long. His remarks were heartily approved of. At about 11 o'clock a ball was organised, and a great number of additional vhitors made their appearance. The number of ladies and gentlemen being about equal, danoing was commencad with ouch iVlgor that your correspondent may safely prediot a long night's entertainment , During the evening excellent refresh, menta were unstintlngly supplied by the Order's caterers. Driving home, I noticed the road this side of Taylor's Stream to be quite uefit for traffic. The gentleman who was with me expressed the opinion tbat some mlahap wonld occur there on a dark night, unless the Mount Somers Road, Board looked to the matter m time. Agricultural operations are prosecuted with muoh vigor during the present tpe>ll of good weather. On Monday last we had splendid spring weather, but on Tuesday a good deal ot snow fell. However, the warm sun soon melted it away.

I hear of numerous complaints about sheep worrying. Many farmers have lost valuable eweß and lambs through worthless curs that ought to be chained up, instead of being allowed to run amuck among the {looks. One or two graziers have exeouted lynoh-iaw on their oanlna tormentors, j cannot blame them.