Eongotea Notes.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 242, 17 April 1896, Page 2

Eongotea Notes.

(From Our Own Correspondent) . The soiree in connection with the reopening of the Rongotca Mutual Improvement Society was held iv the Temperance Hall last "Wednesday evening. The chair was taken by the President, Mr Carl \ndersou and a very pleasant j evening was spent. Mr Piraui, M.H.R., gave three short addresses during the evening, the gist of which is as follows : He would do away with Party Government and give an Expcuiive Government a trial ; a man should not be bound by party ties. He was in favor of the nbnlition of the Upper Hou^o ; of the Referendum ; of rating on unimproved value ; bnt not in favor of reducing Local Government bodies. He considered that commercial disputes i-hould be settled by courts of Arbitration without lawyers; that Government should take over the control of main roads and bridges, also, the distribution of charitable aid. Mr Pirani believed in Prohibition, but considered that places of recreation should be provided in lieu of hotels. The following programme was rendered during the evening : - Misses Revels, duet ; J. Sanson, recitation ;Mr Knight, song ; Missßevell reading ; Mr Bowater, song ; Mr A'Court reading ; Mr Ransom, song. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to all who took part, including the ladies wbo provided the refreshments. The members of the Excelsior Lodge, I 0.G.T., held their weekly meeting last evening, when one new member was initiated. It was decided to give j!l from the Lodge funds towards the Brunnerton Relief Fund. It was also decided to hold open Lodge meetings every month. A discussion was initialed by Bro. Alderson on the subject " Civilization is a happier state than barbarism," and the voting resulted in favor of civilization. Subscriptions to the Brunnerton Relief Fund are still coming in, the latest ading £5 15s from Mr Bowater, master of the State School, being proceeds of a concert given by the pupils and friends.