BALCLUTHA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 116, 28 April 1870, Page 5

BALCLUTHA.

(From ov.r own Correspondent.) The Presbyterian congregation held a soiree in the Church on Tuesday, the 19fch ; the Rev. Mr. Arnot, their recently inducted pastor, presided at the meeting. The attendance was very largo, an.l the whole arrangements, with one exception — the lighting of the Church. — wore highly satisfactory. In addition to the chairman's remarks, addresses on " 'I he C >ngregation," "The Family." "The Visi ble Church," "Unity," "Soirees," and " The Fireside," were given respectively by the Revs. Messrs. Ua-nnerman, Kirkland, Waters, and Gilbert, and by Messrs. Adam and Ross. The Tokomairiro Choir, led by Mr. A<"T-un, discoursed excellent music during the evening. It is not often we have such kind and generous actions to record, as a choir of live ladies, with an e<jual number of gentlemen, driving thirty-six miles to accommodate a congregation, without fee in reward. On Thursday last, John Kane wa3 committed to stand his trial at the Supreme Court for wilful fire-raising. It is the general impression here that our worthy Magistrate might have settled the case himself, and save tho district from a shamefully scandalous report. There is t no doubt but the unfortunate man was driven to the act, not through sceptical or fancied infidelity, but by bare-faced adultery. The foundation stone of the Bnlclutha Wesleyan Church was laid on Friday last with full Masonic laurels Fn the evening there was a soiree, presided over by the hon. Major Richardson, and at which the Rev. Messrs. Fitchut, Keall, Gilbert, Arnot, and Kirkland, delivered .suitable nddvssses. On Sabbath tho Rev. Mr. Fitchet preached in Mr. Barr's Hall to a crowded house, many of whom we noticed belonged to the congregations. A public meeting was held on Monday evenining for the purpose of forming a local municipality, and the requisite prelininaries are now adjusted. I regret to have to report that we are about to lose one of our oldest citizens. Mr. John iJarr leaves the Crown Hotel on the 4th prox. Mr. William Battrick again takes possession there, together with hi 3 brother, George.