MATAURA.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 13, 24 June 1893, Page 5

MATAURA.

Our annual licensing meeting was held last week. The constable’s report was very favourable. He pointed out that the population was on the increase, and drunkenness vice versa , and he dwelt particularly on the fact that we don’t play yankee-grah here —no dice are to he found in our hotels. The Bench complimented Constable Keaney on the manner in which our hotels have been conducted during the past year. On Saturday a football match took place between teams representing Mataura and Gore. Smith captained Mataura and Boyds the visitors, who kicked off from the south end. The first spell was a series of scrums and rushes, the ball being too greasy to handle. Towards the end of the spell Pox scored for Gore. Gibson failed with the kick. On changing ends, Mataura warmed up, and after a magnificent passing- x-ush among the forwards, Camei-on scored. Arnett failed with the kick. Shortly after Burnside scored for Mataura, thus leaving Mataura winners by 4 to 2. The Gore forwards, led by Fox, played a hai-d game, but were out-classed in the finer points of the game by the Mataura forwards, prominent among whom were Catherill and McDonald. Both halves played well for Goi-e, but the three-quarters gave a very poor exhibition of football. The Mataura backs had very little to do, but one and all played safe. Mr H. Dolamore acted as referee vexy impartially, but he had not a very firm grasp of the game as played now-a-days. The victory was a very popular one with the spectator's. The Mataura Mutual Improvement Society held'its usual meeting on Tuesday night. The principal attraction was a paper on “ Gambling,” by Mr James Brugh (editor of the magazine) whose views were supported by Messrs Macandrew and Lowden, while the paper was criticised adversely by Messrs Hamilton, Maw, and Shanks. Songs were given by Miss Yule and Mr Clark, and readings by Messrs Dickie and Shanks. The secretary was instructed to ask Mr Hamilton and Mr Mac Gibbon (Gore) to give papers. The Mataura Band played eight selections in the square on Satrrrday night. A large crowd congregated to hear them, and much pleasure was expressed at the progress the band had made.

Mr Dempster, of Dunedin, has determined to start business among us as a coachbuilder. One in that line should do very well in Mataura. Mrs Baehop is erecting a shop for Mrs Goldsby in Bridge street, which is to be usedas refreshment rooms.