WAIMEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 39

WAIMEA.

August 14. — The weather is still in a ' "very good mood, and no complaints are forthcoming. Spring Minds are once more ■on tliedr annual visit, and have put the ground in excellent condition for wheat , vowing. Valedictory Social. — There was a large j -gathering in the Pyramid School on Tue^- i day evening in order to bid farewell to •Mr and Mrs Rae. Mr Rae has been pro- ' prietor of the local cheese factory for the last three years, but has cold out and goes to manage a cheese factory in Wood.ville. Mr G. L. Heenan occupied the -chair, and songs and recitations were given ■by the following ladies and gentlemen: — Mesdames Heonan and M'Alister, Misses , <3rr, Williams, Stephens, M'Alister, and •Messrs Rae, C. Heenan, J. Maslin, D. • M'Alister, Anderson, N. Stephens, and flfauster W. Williams. A pleasant break in the proceedings was made when Mrs 'Anderson, on behalf of the ladies of the jdistriot, presented Mrs Rae with a silver teapot and a eilver-mounted biscuit barrel. Mr M'Alister then presented Mr Rae with 4 handsome travelling rug and a brief bag and in a few suitable remarks wished Lim j «rery future success. Mr Rae responded

* on behalf of himself and Mrs Rae,' and feelingly thanked the donors for their presents and good wishes. Refreshments were handed round, and a very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of " He's a Jolly Good Fellow " and " Auld Lang Syne." Debating Society. — The extended fortnightly meeting of this society was held on Wednesday evening last, when the Oddfellows' Hall was crowded. The president (Mr J. Smaill) occupied the chair. An excellent paper on " Charles Dickens " was read by the secretary, Mr F. Sutherland, which was interspersed with readings and songs. The duet " What are the Wild Waves Saying?" wae given by Misses i Smaill and M'lnnes, and " The Death of j Little Nell " by Miss M. Templeton. J Messrc M'Cuteheon and G. Green also ' sang songs not bearing on che «eading, and were heartily encored. Suitable readings were given by the following: — "Bumble's Domestic Troubles," Miss Clearwater ; " The Fat Boy," Miss Stephens ; '• Bumble's Proposal," Miss M. Templeton; " Chuzzlewit's Levee," Mr G. Green; and " Pickwick at the Election," Mr G. L. Heenan. Refreshments were served by th-3 lady members of the society. The next night will be devoted to a debate on 'f The Pen versus The Sword." Mr G. L. Heenan pleads for the sword and Dr Watt for the pen. Mr Heenan's supporters are Misses Clearwater and Stephens and Messrt Clarkson and J. R. Robertson, whilst Dr Walt will be backed by Miss Barber, Messrs D. M'Alister N. Stephens, and D. Murdoch.