CATLINS RIVER.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 188, 15 February 1878, Page 5

CATLINS RIVER.

PICNIC. A children's picnic in connection with the sabbath schools in the district was held in 'Mr Reay's paddock on Friday last. There was a large muster of children, and a number of parents to witness the feats of the young ones. Unfortunately }, the weather was so unfavourable' that the v games had to be given up before the pro- • gramme was nnisned. Over Li, however, was distributed in prizes for running,, jumping, skipping, vaulting, &c, and a balance of L 3 11s 9d wasjianded over in aid of the sabbath school library. The money thus given away was collected by „ subscriptions, L 5 of which, came from the Big Mill. •A tea meeting in connection with the above was held m the schoolroom during the evening, to which parents and others were invited. After tea and provision*} in abundance were handed round, two hours were pleasantly spent in listening to singing, addresses, and recitations by the pupils of the Owake school. The singing wj>s excellently rendered by a choir got up for the occasion, and assisted by Misses Young and Hogg from Warepa. Addresses were delivered by Messrs Andrew (who presided), Falconer, Macandrew, and Wright, who lias been labouring at Catlins as a minister for the last two mouths, and has taken a great interest in getting up sabbath schools in every corner of the district. A pleasing part of the programme was the competitive recitations, one prize being offered to the. ; best reciter among the girls and one .' among the boys. The piece selected was i " The Orphan's Tale," Miss Jessie JSfeul J carried oft" the girls' prize, and Master j Wilfred ' Sandhurst that of the boys. The -j competition among the boys was very < keen. One noticeable feature in the • whole arrangements was the abundance of good things provided by the settlers in the district. Truly there was enough and to spare, and the quality w ; as unexceptionable. Another feature 1 was the good behaviour or the children, of Avhom over 100 i were present, despite the bad weather i and the dark night. j

PRESENTATION,

A pleasing ceremony took place after the programme of the .evening was finished, namely, the presentation of an illuminated : address by the oddfellows' Lodge to Bro. '[ Francis M'Lean, .P.G.M., for his zeal and ' services hi connection with the Ureter. \ Mr Andre w } in making the presentation, said ;— Ladies and gentlemen, I think the : oddfellows have acted wisely in making this presentation when so many are gathered together. It will be the means " of bringing some of the advantages of the *■ Order before the public. The Lodge has ] been in existence tor three-years in "Jatlins Kiver. At that time thirteen members..] joined the Lodge, and like all other Lodges this one has had ups and downs. At the . present time there are nineteen members on the books, and LI3S 14s 3d lies at its credit in the bank. The main objeot of the Lodge is to relieve and help the sick and the unfortunate, but it aiso t'ostera friendship amongst. members; .themselves,' „ I am not prepared. with statistics, bat I-*-* believe the^ Grand Lodge in the home Acountry paid away during the last year something like four millions sterling in aid i of the sicit and needy.' Fancy the amount A 6f happiness these payments earned into : - many a wretqhed home. Mr M'Lean, I j have now nuioh pleasure ,in presentmg j you with this mark of respect from your y fellows, 1 and trust you; will value it whila A you live-,. , , ■ ,a. y.'AAA '■ .-.-. *l ; 1 Mr M'Lean, in r^isponding, said ; I.hra^jj to; thank, my. brethren '/for*. this]] tokeivplil esteem. ;; Mah^W man*'has]wrqu^ Order for* ye*ars— hay/^r-fiis'lite ahd l h^ffl not attained to this 'district. '"Al value t^a jpreseiit'-mbi*e^thah ]a purse, of Csovereigp^ and "will; -prize |t-wKUfe*;l^ve.;]r-l'''liave.ag*aia^ to'thank you foi"the:hpnpur'thus cqnfejrred-i •upon m&AA u AAA- AA '' AAAyyyyy j man brought the -'V.ei*y']*'.mtVr-escu^|'€r4^^ I pleasihg proceedings to ia blbse, ■-r^'.V,^f-.'i?^ -• ' - -■-■ A y A.A '-'- Ayy ;: yyyAyyg . - ." --- "' - - -A-' ". v aaa A: AAA 7iAyAyymk