PORT ALBERT.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 219, 13 October 1893, Page 8

PORT ALBERT.

(From our own Correspondent). A public meeting 1 wns held last Wednesday night to discuss the different aspects of the coming election, which is to be a hotly contested one between Messrs Monk and Palmer, when several questions of importance were introduced and discussed, after which a number enrolled themselves as a Committee to secure the return of Mr Monk, and judging from what I hear he will also get the bulk of the lady votei’S in this part of the district The Mutual Improvement Class met as usual on Saturday and held their weekly meeting and a choice bill of fare was presented and enjoyed by the large assembly present. I see the gumdiggers intend to try and make themselves heard and their influence felt at the coming elections, as they have selected the candidate we are to vote for, and only one out of the three chesen has any claim from settlers in regard to the genuine interest shown and that one is Mr R. Thompson (Marsden) who has proved himself a good member while in the House. We are enjoying the delights of a week’s fine sunshine which is the best antidote that could be prescribed for the measles which is graduallv leaving our district, as it has left the town and gone into the suburbs. All through the complaint has been of a mild type among the juvenile portion of the community, but the elder portion have not come off so well, but fortunately there have been no deaths for which we ought to be thankful (and we are). I am sorry to report that the pear trees round here are likely to prove a failure through either blight or else there has been too much rain which means a great loss to our orchards. One gentleman informed me that it meant £lO or £l2 out of his pocket which is to be regretted. Perhaps some of your readers might he able to throw some light on the subject ; the buds dry up just as if they had been burnt and have a sort of shrivelled up appearance, while the apples look the picture of health and promise a good harvest. The quarterly tea in connection with the Wesleyan Churoh took place on Monday, October 2nd, when close on a hundred sat down to tea which was good and abundant. After a short interval, to allow of the tables and other things to he put out of the way, a start was made with the after meeting which was a long and good one. Rev. .Mr Law was called to the chair. Hymn 608 was sung and prayer was offered, after w! ' Mr and Mrs D. Beecroft and Mr Paine opened the programme by Instrumental music, ‘ Glory from the Twelveth Mass,’ then followed a speech from the Chairman, after which Mrs Reid gave one of her popular musical recitations assisted by some friends. The chief part of the business was then introduced by the Circuit Steward, Mr Neal, which was not very encouraging as it showed this part of the Circuit to be in anything but a healthy position financially, but as the the weather improves so will the collections. Hymn ‘ Where is my Wandering Boy To-night,’ Mrs Goodson; speech, Mr French ; hymn, • Jesus, Lover of my Soul,’ Mr and Mrs D, Beecroft, Mr Goodson and Misses Beecroft; speech, Mr Boon ; instrumental music, Miss Hartnell and Mr Paine ; song, ‘ The Good Shepherd,’ Mr A. Worker ; speech, Mr J. Legge; Instrumental music, Misses Hartnell and Gubb ; song, Mr C. Hefford. This part of the programme being finished a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to one and all who had assisted at the tea and concert. This brought a very pleasant meeting to a close.