Makaraka Notes.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 608, 16 May 1891, Page 2

Makaraka Notes.

(FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tux usual fortnightly meeting of the Matawhero Literary and Debating Society camo off on Wednesday evening last. The President (Mr Birrell) took the chair at a few minutes to 8 o’clock, and called upon the Secretary (Mr J. Cameron) to read the minutes of the last meeting, which were then duly confirmed. The subject tor the evening's discussion was, '• Should Women have the Franchise 5” Mrs Caldwell led in the affirmative, and in a very pleasing and withal able manner advocated the right ot her sex to exercise the franchise. Mrs Caldwell affirmed that women had equal intelligence with men, had a keener preoeption of right from wrong, and a deeper insight into character. The franchise being once secured a seat in Parliament would probably follow—there at least her presence would exercise a benign influence in softening the asperities of debate, Mr Harris, for the negative di'the proposition, after congratulating his fair opponent on her able advocacy, demonstrated by the records of history that woman's proper sphere ot work was in deeds of love and mercy, that her physical temperament, delicacy of feeling, and acute sensibility, unfitted her to contend in politics—where only men of coarie fibre snceeeded. Mrs W- H. Wright, Messrs Gray, A. Cameron, and J. Cameron severally addresseq the meeting, and after 0 tew remarks from the President the question was put to the vote, and by a narrow majority the negative Of the proposition was carried. Ou Tuesday evening at the schoolhouse, the Bev. Mr Bobjohns lectured on the Bible. The Bev. Mr Byburn was in the chair, and in the course of a tew introductory remarks glerveS to the groat work being cone by the ible Society, Mr Bobjohn’e then followed, and kept his audience deeply interested tor the whole time of his lecture. A judicious blending of humor, sentiment, and business, illustrative of the scope and aims of the great Bible Society, told in tho rev. gentleman’s well known happy manner, was to all an enjoyable experience. There is in process of erection a public hail near the Roseland corner, llakaraka. It promise's to be a suitably sized building adapted tor public mootings, entertainments, and balls, We wish tha enterprising builder:! Mr P. Sorry, every success with his new venture.