OUR REEFTON LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1903, Page 4

OUR REEFTON LETTER.

(OUB OWK CORRESPONDENT.) PATRIOTIC FUND. A publio meeting was held last evening In the Council Chambero, to decide upon the disposal of the funds, which had been collected some considerable time ago towards the Patriotic Fund, a large number of subscribers being present, Mr W. Irving being in the chair. The Secretary, (Mr J. Steele) read a letter from the Patriotic Secretary to the Governor, setting forth the objects of the proposed Veteran's Home, also from the President of the Ladies' Benevolent Society. Mr Connolly stated that in one of the local newspapers, there were some remarks with regard to a certain apparatus for the cure of rhenmaiisrn etc., and he would be glad to hear a fuller applanation, to which Mr Cohen and Mr Steale replied to. The first resolution was moved by Mr Fergu3on, that the whole of the money in hand (about £208) be voted to the Veterans Heme, seconded by Mr Mori is. An amendment was moved by Mr Connolly, that the money be divided as follows:—JE7s to the Hospital for the purchase of apparatus for the Tallerman treatment, £3O to the Benevolent Society and the balance to the Veterans Home, seconded by Mr Dunn,

The Bev Mr Grigg stated he had been expecting to hear that some provision would be made for any returned disabled troopers from our own district. He was in a position to say that there was one at least, who had been unable to do any work since his return, and in coversation with Dr Scott that gentleman had informed him it would be some considerable time before the trooper would be able to work.

Mr Scantlebury uooved%s a further amendment, that the jßtinit'6f £4O be first voted to ; T'OOpef J.: Anderson who had returned home invalided, whereupon the mover of the resolution asked permission to amend his resolution By inserting £4O to Trooper Anderson on production of the necessary medical evidence, and the balance to ili9 Veteran's Home, and the mover of the amendment (Mr Connolly) asked leave to reduce the £75 to £SO for the Tallerman Treatment and substitute £25 to Trooper Anderson. Mr Soantlethen withdrew hie amendment on seeing that these gentlemen had made the provision be asked for. A large number of further amendments were made, and considerable discussion took place on their respective merits. On a show of hands being called for, aU the amendment! were declared lost, and the original resolution carried. MiPONIC INSTALLATION. The installation of the W. M. of the Eobert Burns Lodge, No. 50, took place last evening in the Burns Hall, fully eighty brethren being present, including a large number ff Tijiitors from Grey, mouth Jand Hokittka. The installation ceremony wm Mifprmed by Bro. Wood the retiring W. M. in a most able manner assisted by seveni-of the past misters. The following brethren were installed Bro Wilby, W. M. Bro. Bathbon, 8. W. Bro. Eddy, J. W. Bro. Banks 8. D. Bro. Smith, J. Dißro. Bdjfcar, I. G. Bro. P*nkkurst, Tyler md Bro. P. M. Austin, Secretary. At the close of the ceremony a banquet was held, provided by Bro, P. M. Wicken, to which full justice was done. NEW ORGAN. Our Wesleyan friends have lately added to the attraction of their church by the purchase jirom Sayer, maker, Leeds, EngVd. of a reed organ, of which the following is a description : Bai't on the suction principle and fitted wi"h ex'ended reeds in specially constructed sounding chambers, 0.0. scale, five octave 3 , 61 notes, 9 stops, all speaking onaa, one row, Oaks'e, treble, dulciana, bass, 8 feet pitch, voiced soft for accompaniment ; one row Clarabella, treble and bass 8 feet, pitch voiced loud for choruses ; one row flute, treble, wald flute, bass 4 feet pitch, voiced for brilliancy ; one row Cornopean treble and bass 1G feet pitch, voiced for giving Indy to the music, total number of reeds 214. Two knex swells, right for swell organ, left for full organ. Powerful bellows blown by the player, vacuum chamber contains five strong V springs. Case solid walnut polished, severely plain, with low flat top. The tone is mellow rather than loud, has good carrying quality, and is near like a pipe organ tone, as can be produced from a reed instrument;. The organ will be "opened" by a Eecitil on Thursday, when our various local performers will render pieces which will exhibit the vanity and power of the instrument. Half a dozsn vocal and initrumenUl items will also be rendered gad a real musical treat provided. A

collection will be made.in aid of 'ihe Organ Fund. The instrument: was procured through Mr J. P. Hayes, of Wellington, tho N.Z. agent for the maker.