DUNTROON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1038, 18 August 1879, Page 2

DUNTROON.

♦ (from our own correspondent.) August 18. Since I last wrote things have gone on in their usual old quiet style. Even the coming elections do not seem to stir our good folks much. I suppose the cause may be found in the extreme dulness of trade. "Writing of trade reminds me that we have now a co-operative company's store here, conducted by a manager. They advertise to sell everything at the cheapest rate for cash only. They have taken the store lately occupied by Mr. Snow. So I suppose we shall be able to live cheaply these dull times. We had some fine genial week, which set our gardeners in full work putting in seeds, planting, &c., and everyone was cohgratulating their neighbors that spring had really come at last. How soon their hopes were blighted. Old Father Winter, with King Erosfc, again visited us, and now the ranges as far as Station Peak are covered with snow, which I trust will be the last time for the season. I was present at a very pleasing cereraoiij' on Saturday. The occasion was the presentation to Mr. E. G. Smith of a handsome silver cup, beautifully engraved, and bearing the following inscription : "Presented to Mr E. C. Smith by his friends as a token of their esteem.— Duntroon, August, 1879." Mr. Sutherland, in presenting the cup to Mr. Smith, said the gift was from friends in Duntroon who wished to show their appreciation of the

kindness and affability shown by Sir. Smith while he had fullilled the duties of Postmaster at Duntroon. Mr. Odbert also spoke expressing many good wishes for Mr. Smith' 3 welfare. Mr. Smith, in thanking the gentlemen for their very handsome present, said he was more pleased and proud of their good feeling towards him than he could express. In the matter of the Post Office, lie had, in settling at Duntroon, applied to the Chief Postmaster for a Post Office for Duntroon, and had received a warrant from Sir Julius Yogel to open an office. This was about three years ago. At lirst they were contented with two mails per week, but as the population increased, so had the Post Office authorities kept up with their requirements, and for some time past they had been getting two mails in and two out per day, till at last they had arrived at the dignity of a Post and Telegraph Office, with a money order, savings bank, and insurance agency. 111 giving up his duties as Postmaster to Mr. Sunley, he felt sure that those duties wero in the hands of a young man whom tl "y all highly esteemed. ( "S The meeting, as advertised, in reference " to the sheep dog trial was well attended. Mr. J. Nicolls occupied the chair. Mr. E. C. Smith read a statement and the balance sheet of last year's meeting, which showed that the sum of L 53 17s 6d had been received from all sources, of which amount L 52 19s Gd was paid away in prizes, advertising, labor and sundries, leaving a balance in hand of 18s. The report and balance sheet wero unanimously adopted. Letters were then read from Mr. D. Sutherland (Omarama), and Mr. Thomas Middletou (Benmore), offering suggestions as to certain trials that the dogs were to be put to. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved to follow the same rule as last year, with the exception of the number of points scored—viz., heading, 9 points; bringing back, 7 points; yarding, 3 points; under command, 5 points. It was resolved that the trial should be held the day preceding the Duntroon Races, and on the same ground as last year. A committee was then elected as follows :—The Hon. R. Campbell, President ; Mr. J. Borton, VicePresident ; Mr. E. C. Smith, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer? and Messrs. J. Nicolls, Thomas Middleton, M. M'Kellar, W. Sutherland, A. H. Chapman, R. P. Odbert, H. Stoddart, M'Pherson Miller, D. Sutherland, L. E. Macpherson, R. R.. Orr, Wm. Gardiner, A. M'Master, John M'Pherson (Totara), A. M'Phail, Riddell (Moeraki), Jameson, and Hecla. The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Little, Ngapara ; Mr. M'Donald, Corriedale ; and Mr. Angus M'Donald, Awamoko, asking those gentlemen to act as judges. It was also resolved that the secretary be requested to have lists printed, and to see to advertising and carrying out all necessary preliminary arrangements. A well-attended meeting of-the Library Committee was held in the schoolroom on Saturday evening, Mr. J. Nicolls being in the chair. A large parcel of really useful and well-bound books was opened and duly checked with the account sent with them from the Education Office. Some discussion then arose as to allowing members residing at a distance to take more than one book at a time. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Odbert, that any member residing ten miles or more from Duntroon be allowed to take three books at a time, such books to be returned within thirty days, provided always that such member be an annual subscriber. As there were more books to be selected, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. E. C. Smith, that each member of Committee be requested to furnish a list of the books he would like to see added to the library up to the amount of money voted, the lists to be handed in to a subcommittee within a week. It was resolved to hold an entertainment in aid of the funds of the library. The secretary was instructed to advertise same and get cards printed. After a vote of thanks to the chair the meeting closed. I wrote you some time since about the dangerous cutting near the post office, surely the Council might aford a bit of fence. If it remains much longer in I present state 1 much fear we shall have h bad accident. There have already some narrow escapes. In one a with three occupants went over, and the buggy was smashed to pieces, but tliQ men escaped with a few bruises.