MATAURA NEWS.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 34, 18 November 1893, Page 12

MATAURA NEWS.

The Rifle Club will be ready for action shortly, a supply of ammunition having been ordered. A ball was held in aid of the funds in Humphries Hall on the evening of the Prince of Wales Birthday, and was attended by fully forty couples. Mr W. H. G. Hay (of the freezing works) who recently became a benedict, taking as his better half Miss G. Watson, of Orepuki, entertained a number of his friends, including the employees of the freezing works, at a house-warming last week. The young couple, who have gone into occupation of their newlyerected house, received many good wishes, and a large number of valuable presents. On the 9th and 10th inst. the waters of the Waimuum flooded a number of cottages in the low-lying portion of the township, to the great inconvenience of the occupants, who, in some instances, had to wade out knee deep to meet their butcher and baker. The freezing Company’s race was silted up with shingle, which will have to be removed before the works start again. It is reported that Mr H. Cameron, after thirty years proprietorship of the Malaura hotel, intending to settle on his farm, has leased the hotel to Sergeant-Major Blackmore, volunteer drill instructor of Invercargill, who expects to take possession early next month. His arrival will no doubt be looked upon as an acquisition to Mataura by the loluntecrs and shootists of the district. Our local brass hand, under the conductorship of Mr Bailey, marched out for the first time on Monday evening, playing several quicksteps in a very creditable manner. The secretary (Mr H. W. Stewart) has just handed over the large sum of £3B 10s, realised at the bazaar held last month in aid of the band funds.

The levelling and asphalting of Kana street is bciig rapidly pushed on, and will greatly improve that portion of the township. Three new shops have been opened in Bridge street by Messrs H. Wright (cabinetmaker), Alex. Mutch (tinsmith), and George Xawson (bootmaker) respectively. Our school, which was partly examined last week, was again visited by Mr Hendry on Monday for the purpose of completing the examination. The general opinion is that the school will pass well, as the attendance has been good and very regular.