MATAURA NOTES.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 18, 29 July 1893, Page 5

MATAURA NOTES.

We are having very unsettled weather just now, and are being subjected to violent and sudden showers of rain which materially interfere with outdoor work. The contractor has made some progress with the asphalt in Kana street. It is very desirable that it should be completed as the kerbing, being higher than the footpath, causes the water to lie on the path. The meeting of the Debating Society was held on Tuesday night, and was under the control of the ladies, Miss B. Shanks being in the chair, while Miss Maoandrew acted as secretary. The programme consisted of songs by Misses M‘. Cameron, McLeod, Palmer, and M. MacGKbbon ; recitations by Misses P. Macandrew and B. McLeod papers, an extract from the Anglo-American Times on “ True Happiness,” read by Miss Macandrew ; “ Dancing,” by Mrs Cameron, which was spokeiP to by Misses M. and C. Mac Grib bon, Mrs Lowden, Misses Arnett and Kirkton ; and “The social position of young women in New Zealand,” by Miss LbWden, spoken to by Misses Shanks, Lowden and Kirkton. A hearty Vote of thanks was accorded the ladies by the gentlemen for the enjoyable evening spent. The young folk of Mataura have established a dancing club to while away the time in the winter. Several married ladies have consented to act as chaperones. The music was rendered in capital style by Misses Cameron, Bond, and Williams,’ and Mr Gr, Cameron (piano), and Messrs Dempster, Black, and Gr. Cameron (violins). Mr Arnett officiated as M.C. The club has been designated the “ Ivy Dancing Clubv’ : On* Wednesday evening the first dance was held, beginning at eight and' stopping punctually at eleven. By the bye, Mr Editor, can you tell me the meaning of “Ivy” in flower language ? A young lady says

it means matrimony. If so, tlxe committee of the club perhaps had that end in view when naming the club. [The young lady is right. We will publish Charles Dickens’s poem, “Ivy Green,” next w*eek.— Ed.] A service of song entitled “Eva” will be given by the choir of the Presbyterian Church in Humphries 1 Hall on the evening of Friday, 4th August. The piece has been well practised, and the choir may be expected to give a good account of themselves. The Mataura Draughts Club have decided to invite Mr D. Brodie, the champion player of Otago, to pay them a visit if terms can be arranged. Mr Brodie indends making a tour through Otago and Southland, on similar lines to those of the Herd Laddie. To show his great skill and knowledge of the game, he will play simultaneously against twenty individuals, each of them playing a different game. Visitors to our township all notice the peculiar metalic sound which continually fills the air while the large turbine wheel revolves night and day at the freezing works. When an easterly wind is blowing, the rattling of the cogs is very distinctly heard above the roar of the falls throughout the whole town. When the machinery is stopped, as it is occasionally during the night, not a few of the townspeople awake and wonder what has aroused them. Telephonic communication was opened here last Tuesday, and several of the local places of business have a connection. The gravelly nature of the ground heie, as at Gore, is not nearly so conducive to a brisk electric current as in places where the ground wire can be run into clayey soil, and therefore the sound is not conducted so well. The Mataura hotel, which has lately been enlarged, is now finished throughout, and Host Cameron has spared nothing in fitting and furnishing the house on the most modern lines, so that it is now one of the best country hotels in Southland. Mr Wright (late of Milton) who recently opened a furniture warehouse here, has made a very creditable job of the internal furnishings. While referring to new-comers it may be mentioned that Mr Shepherd (late of Timaru) recently opened a shop in Bridge street, where he has a splendid show of saddlery. Mr H. W. Stewart and others have also gone into occupation of, new premises.