BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 79, 14 August 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Friday, August 6th.

A meeting of the Library- Committee was held on Monday evening in tho School. Mr. John Carey in the chair. Minutes of public meeting were read and approved of. Mr. John Carey was appointed chairman for the current year ; Mr. W. D. Morrison Treasurer, and Mr. W. M'Lelland Secretary and Librarian.

At the close of the above meeting, the usual weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society was held; "there was a full attendance. Mr. W. ;Osborne was called to take the chair. Mr. T. P. Morris delivered an essay on " Matrimonial Snarls " in his own racy style. The subject of the essayist got a very free handling j -some of the members were of opinion that it was one-sided, and appeared- to be a tirade against woman. It xfaa hinted at that with the essayist's experience, he ought to have given both sides of the house, and traced the cause to tho tried scource, viz., coming home two or three times a week half seas over, and probably having lost heavily at billiards. We need not wonder that the domestic atmosphere is thick with, snarls j it -was said that in ninety -nine cases out of a hundred that the men were at fault. One of the speakers remarked that if there was a little more generous giving and taking, and studying each other's good, there would be fewer snarls between man and wife. At the close, a vote of thanks was given to Mr. Morris for his essay. The adjourned debate on female suffrage took place; the principal speakers were Messrs. Husband, Bloxham, Abernethy, aud Manuel. The decision resulted in a vci'dicfc against female suffrage; so as far as we are concerned, the ladies will have to mind their cups and saucers for some time to come.

The debate on next Monday evening, is to be Centralism versus Provincialism. Mr. Manuel to advocate the former and Mr. M'Lelland the latter form of government, The chair is to bo taken by Mr. ~F. Trayes. The next essay is to be given by Mr. A. B. Matthews ; I beliove the subject is to bo " Charity,"

August 11. The usual weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society took place in the School, on Monday evening. Owing to the inclemency of tho weather, and there being no moon, there was but a thin attendance. Mr. Fred Trayes . occupied the chair. Readings were given by Messrs. "W". Abernethy and T. F. Morris ; after which a debate took place on " Centralism v. Provincialism. Mr. Manuel sustained tho former and Mr. M'Lelland the latter. Tho other speakers were Messrs. J. Cormaek, "W. 3J. Morrison, and W. Abernethy, on behalf of Provincialism ; and Messrs. Husband, T. F. Morris, and John Hall, in support of Centralism. On a division, the result was a majority of two in favor of Centralism. The subject for debate next Monday is this: "Are alcoholic drinks beneficial to mankind, or otherwise." Mr. "W. Abernethy is appointed to take the chair.

The Committee, at their last meeting, ordered the School to be firmly stayed, which has been dono by Mr. W. Hay, carpenter ; and the teacher and children are safe for the present. The School is now quite stiff, and I have no doubt but that " Boreaa " will soon test its strength.

An Ambassador Plagued. — A Paris correspondent of the " Independence Belgo." relates an amusing incident which occurred at the Princess Mathilde's soiree on Sunday week, the Emperor Napoleon beine; present. An actress from the Odeon Theatre recited Victor Hugo's Ode to i^apoleon 1.. which is little else than a long invective against England. It so happened that our ambassador, Lord Lyons, was right in front of the actress, and it was to him, in utter ignorance of his name and position, that she seemed to address the poet's verses. The confusion of the rest of the company may be imagined. That nothing might be wanting to increase the embarrassment of the ambassador, the Emperor had to lead off the applause.