BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 72, 26 June 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From ow Own Correspondent.) The Mutual Improvement Society met in the School on Monday evening. I regret to say that things don't look at all promising as regards this excellent society : some say it has too dry a base ; that mere intellectual societies are, as a general rule, failures. There was a very small attendance on the first evening, but there were several detracting influences to render it almost a failure: first, it should be mentioned, .the fatal accident which befell poor" Marriott took away a portion of our best members, to attend the funeral of their lamented brother, he being connected with the order of Oddfellowship. As I have hinted, the operations of this and kindred institutions are too good for some and nc-t

good enough for others. It is a matter to be regretted that some good men stand aloof in movements of this nature. It is vain to think the world will come to them ; it has never done so yet, nor will it until the dawn of the world's millenium. It should be the desire, as it is the duty, of Christian men to mix with the world, and by a well-timed application of a little leaven, do more good than presenting to it the cold shoulder. Verily there are sceptics in the professedly Christian Church. There was One who was made all things to all men ; would that we copied his bright example! After considerable delay, and by a little drumming up, the Society succeeded in putting in an appearance. Mr. John Cormack occupied the chair, and put in a few remarks upon the cold appearance of things, He called upon Mr. John Carey for the first reading, who gave the " Smoky Chimney " from Old Humphrey. Next, Mr. Christie gave " Tarn O'Shanter ; " after which the President, Mr. M'Lelland, delivered his essay on " What's in a Name ? " to a small but appreciative audience, At the close of the essay the President received a cordial vote of thanks. The debate for next Monday is — "Are Imperial troops necessary to quell the Maori rebellion ? " Mr. M'Lelland to sustain the affirmative and Mr. W. D. Morrison the negative. Mr. John Carey was appointed to take the chair at next meeting. At the close of the proceedings several new members were enrolled. The usual vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Cormack for presiding. The Church Committee met in the School on Wednesday evening, the members present were, Messrs. S. Erench, John Cormack, S. White, A. Brydie, J. M'Laren, G. Ealston, and W. M'Lelland, Secretary, who occupied the chair. # After the prayer the minutes of former meetings were read and confirmed. A platform to raise the minister four or five inches, was ordered to be procured. The Secretary noted a little falling off in the sustentation fund for the last quarter. Mr. White could answer for his district (Munroe's) that it would be better this quarter. The Secretary reported the subscription of the first quarter to the missionary fund to amount to £4< ss. 6d. The Secretary to the Library (Mr. M'Lelland) reports for the information of members, that he has received Nos. one and two of the New Zealand " Hansard," also the departmental reports of the New Zealand Government and House of Assembly papers, all of which can be seen at the Library any evening when the room is not otherwise engaged.