Makaraka Notes.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 478, 10 July 1890, Page 3

Makaraka Notes.

[I’BOM OVB OWN COBRESPONDENT. |

The meeting to inaugurate tha proposed Literary and Debating Society cams off on Friday evening, and despite adverse circumstances in the shape of mud and bid weather, was very well attended, the ladies, much to their credit, turning out io strong force. Mr Birrell was voted to the chair, aud in a well-thought-out address explained ths objects of the Society, which, he said, were manifold. The cardiual point of all such Societies should be to promote the intellectual statue of ths young people, who, having outgrown school, were in country districts especially cut off from chances of further mental development. At meetings ot Literary Societies all were on an equality, and though in the fitness of things differences of opinion must necessarily arise—else, alas 1 for the chances of improvement—yet where all agreed to differ, these very differences might be made conducive to good feeling and harmony. Something more was required ot us than the mere essentials of our sublunary condition. There existed too great a tendenoy in young communities for the units to live within themselves. Mr Birrell hailed it as a happy omen that so many ladies were present, their influence would be em ployed in softening the asperities of debate. (Cheers.) The following resolutions were affirmed : “ That a Literary and Debating Society, to be called the Matawhero Literary Debating Society, be formed. That tho usual meeting shall be held on each alternate Friday night, at 7.30, the first meeting to consider rales, <fco., to be held on Friday, 11th July, at 7.30 p.m.” Tho meeting then proceeded to elect, by ballot, tha oflicere of the Sooiety, The results were : President, MrW. H. Hanis; Vice Presidents, Miss Mackie and Mr J. W. Bright; Hon. Sec, and Treasurer, Mr G. J. Johnstons; Committee, Misses Johnstone, J. Johnstone, and Wright, Messrs Birrell and A. Cameron.

In this suburban district there exists quite a dearth of suitable houses for purposes of rental. Married men whose work lies in tho country cannot ’find suitable household accommodation for their families. In this case the supply does not equal the demand. We have, at last, had two or three days’ fine weather. What a luxury it has been after so much wet.

A number of country people have attended Mr Miin’s Shakespearian impersonations with very profitable results to themselves. Ono noticed how many of the young people attended and seemed interested all through. It was quite unusual in our boyish days to like such things. We much prefered Ast'ey’s, but mirabile dictu one of the local young shavers was heard to remark, “Mr Miln’e Sbylock seemed too vigorous Ac., &o,” the young critic’s father taking it all in in a blandly, smiling mood. Hamlet for Thursday 1 We would suggest that tbe local ooaeh people fetch un tho brake,. r •