GORE.

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

GORE.

Returning to the “ bridge ” question, Mr Anderson in a letter to the Standard refuses to accept Mr Beattie’s challenge, it being his intention to deal only, with “ Editor, or “ Ratepayer.” In retiring from the fight—Mr A. predicts that should the upper site be chosen, it will be regretted for life, and will prove what muttonheads the men of our day are to dream of such a mad scheme as putting a bridge in Medway street. A very cowardly assault was committed on one of our quiet unassuming townsmen, Mr Staples, whose avocation called him out at mid-night, when he was attacked by a man and very severely treated, receiving a fearful cut above the eye, from a stone, exposing the bone. Mr Thos. Redding, who was roused by hearing cries of “ Murder,” rushed outside, and on going in the direction of the sound heard someone running' away. He found Staples in a fearful state,, and took him to Dr. Copland, who attended to his wounds. A young man named John Greig, has since been fined £5 and £3 Is costs, fertile assault. At the last meeting’ of the Bpxough Council a complain^.:wasvhanded in by the Rev. Mr Stanley as to the want of sufficient accommodation on the stage of the Town Hall, and suggesting certain alterations, which' would not cost more than 455. I think the request a very modest one, as anyone having occasion to use the hall can bear me out in saying that a more wretched stage is not to be found in Southland, and I think it high time our City Fathers did more than spend a paltry £lO, the sum they voted. A very long’ discussion took place re the traffic bridge; Mr Wallis being of opinion, that if a vote were taken at once, the ratepayers would not be in favour of a loan, and before doing so he thought an expression of' opinion from the settlers should be taken as to whether they would be favourable to being rated. At the evening service in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday the preacher, the Rev. J. A. Asher, in a sermon to “ Women,” took occasion to remark that from the report of the ball held during the week, dancing' had been kept up from 9 p.m. till 5 a.m. next morning eight hours. This he denounced as indecent and improper. Speaking to them some time ago on the subject of amusement; he had said that whenever it was carried to the extent of unfitting one for the next day’s work instead of re* freshment, weariness was the result —it ceased to be legitimate, was wrong, and became a sin. If there were any present who had taken part in the dance for the hours named, he ■was sure they felt wearied and unfit for work next day, It might be said why did he not blame the committee or secretary. Ho! They were not to blame. He blamed the ladies. They were the queens, and had only to say no —and the dance would be bi'ought to a close at a decent hour. He was not passing an opinion on the subject of dancing, but on the evil of continuing it to such an hour, which was decidedly wrong. At the fortnightly sheep sale there ■were a good number forward, and & fair attendance of buyei's. There were sevex'al lots passed in, but good prices were obtained for all sold, the gx-eater portion going to the freezing wox'ks. I notice a great improvement in the yards ; the council have placed a good coat of gravel in the pens and x’uns, and more comfort was experienced on Tuesday than has been the case for a vex*y long time. A re-union in conxxection with the Presbyterian Debating- Society was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday evening’, when there was a large attendance of members and their friends. A capital px-ogx'amme was provided, audit was pleasing to notice that members of the various chuxohes contributed items, showing that it was a x-e-unioxr indeed. The ladies of -the society were to the fore, and provided-tea and cake in abundance.