MAEREWHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 417, 5 April 1877, Page 3

MAEREWHENUA.

(From our own correspondent.)

A concert was held here on the 26th ultimo, in aid of the school. It was quite a success. Between GO and 70 were present, with a fair proportion of the fair sex. Mr. W. Sutherland, M.C.C., occupied the Chair, and briefly opened the proceedings by saying that the gentlemen who had kindly consented to sing and read were amateurs, and he hoped the 'audience would give them their kind indulgence. He would call on Mr. Neale, who recited " Bismarck and his Little Dog." It was quite a treat, and would have brought down thundering applause in any house. It shewed him to be possessed of rare powers of memory, comj bined with large imitation. Later in the evening he gave several readings and recitations, which were admirable. He also sung several songs very nicely. Mr. Alex. Woolf next gave a recitation in capital style. It was on " Life in General," and was highly applauded. Mr. Osterberg next sung a song in splendid "voice, and was highly applauded, having to accommodate again. Mr. Gallagher sung several songs. His style in singing the " Bold Soldier Boy" was highly applauded. Mr. Carling gave a song, which met with hearty applause. There were several amateurs from the farms on the Tables who sung several songs in very good style. I did not catch their names, but one known as Black Bill, was a very good singer, butin one of his songs could not get tho proper air, which caused some fun. Ho at last said he would make a break down, which the people and his mates were unwilling to accept. A young man from The Tables sung several, songs, which showed he was no amateur. He sung " In the Zoo" with a style and gesthat was quite refreshing. After the singing was over dancing commenced, and was kept up until near daylight. Mr. Conlin, from The Tables, played on the violin, and gave a host : ofii.well-played tunes , as did Messrs. J. and A. Sutherland.

Harvesting operations are over here some time ago. Threshing is the order of the. with the farmers, and some, are busy ploughing for next season's crop. The crops on The .Tables are .turning out splendid. Some will go 50 bushels to the acre,' but an average from 40 to 45 is exEected. -There is a threshing machine usy at work within If miles of the township of Livingstone, turning out 1500 bags of grain per week. It is calculated lfc will take between three and four moritiis to thresh what is .here this .season. Mining matters are moving on very quietly and steadily. I believe all the claims that have water are getting payable gold. "We have no schoolmaster here at present. It is to be hoped the Education Board will make an appointment with as littie delay as possible. There are over thirty children fit for school, and the best thing the Board can do is to make an appointment, or they will be. greatly ,to blame, ais the children are growing up-in ignorance. If this is a sample of our new Government, God help the! rising generation ! I believe economy is the order of the day. If they think they are going to hold their position by the skin of their teeth on educational matters_it..is a grand mistake, and will never find favor in Otago. The School Committee are to blame for not urging on tho Education Board the necessity of an appointment of a schoolmaster, or insisting that the Inspector should visit this place, and ascertain, what progress the children have made under the late master.