Country News

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 21, 18 August 1894, Page 5

Country News

mataura notes. All who took part in the working up of the late bazaar must be more than gratified at the net results of their labours, as after all expenses are paid there will be the handsome sum of £7O to augment the church funds with. This, with a £ for £■ grant from the Synod, should put the Presbyterian Church in a thorough state of repair—which, by the way, is very much needed. The credit of bringing* it to a successful issue rests with the ladies of the congregation, who some months ago formed a Guild in connection with the church, and have since been busy making up articles useful as well as ornamental. They also sent out collectors, and that they were successful goes without saying, as the quantity and quality of the articles proved. The stalls for the sale of work were attended to by the Misses Hastie (2), Shanks, McJDiarmid, and Lowden, and by the way they disposed of the different articles they fully understood their business, and the value of a sweet smile, especially if it happened to be a young man whom they were endeavouring to entice into buying their wares. The Misses Macandrew und Mac Gibbon had charge of the refreshment stall, and appeared to be doing steady business judging from the continual move in that direction. No doubt the young gentlemen enjoyed sipping a cup of tea or coffee, as the case might be, when waited on by two of the fair damsels in charge. The Xmas tree, which was looked after by the Misses P. Macandrew, P. Clark, and M. MacGibbon, was, as I stated last week, a great source of enjoyment to the young people, and not a few of the old ones; and from the crowd congregated around it these young ladies must have had their hands full. The shooting gallery was a great attraction for all, a few of the ladies even trying their hand. They showed themselves capable of becoming just as good shots as the “ lords of creation.” Messrs Stewart, Mac Gibbon, Lowden, Shanks, and Dr Hendry had charge of this department, and were kept at it “ hammer and tongs ” by those desirous of securing honour and glory or prizes. During each evening* tableau x were given. These appeared to be very much appreciated by those present. Miss Cameron, who had the management, deserves great prxise for the excellent programme provi led. Mr A. A. Mac Gibbon, auctioneer, who gave his services, deserves a word of praise for the manner in which he disposed of the heavier goods, all bringing satisfactory prices. Mrs Hastie, who was constituted manageress-in-chief, deserves special mention for the very able manner in which she conducted the whole affair, as also for the amount of energy displayed. She appeared to be here, thei*e, and everywhere. No doubt she, like everyone else who assisted, feels gratified at the result, and is rewarded by the sense of having done her best. The hon. G. P. Richardson stopped a night in our township on his way through to Portrose. Next Monday evening we are to get a few of his views on the political questions of the day, when, no doubt, a large number will put in an appearance to hear what he has to say. General regret is felt at Mr Scobie McKenzie being unable to be present. Our paper mills are going in for extending the two-storeyed building out the length of the main building, which means a structure about 90 feet in length. This is to make room for more new machinery required for the manufacture of printing paper. Influenza is still to the fore, and numbers of our townspeople suffering a recovery. At a meeting of the Mataura Rifle Club held on Wednesday evening it was decided to call tenders for a drain for a distance of 700 yards along the range. The club gained permission from the N. Z. and L. A. Co.’s manager (on whose ground our range is situated), Thos. Brydone, Esq., who is

also President of the club, and who at the same time gave a donation of £2 2s towards the desired improvement, for which he received the best thanks of the club.