Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Monday 18 May 1908, page 9


THE COUNTRY.

DEATH OF AN OLD PIONEER.

MOUNT GAMBIER, May 15 Mr. Andrew Attiwill, who died last night at his son's residence. Glenburnie, was born at Bristol, England, in 1841 and was therefore 96 years and 3 months old. In the early part of his life the deceased was a seaman. He arrived in Port Adelaide in 1849, and for a short time resided near the Reedbeds, where he carried on the business of a sawyer, and later on shifted to Macclesfield South. He came to Mount Gambier with his wife and family of four sons and two daughters in 1858. and took up a farm at Glenburnie. With his sons he carried on that farm for over 30 years, but 17 years ago, on the death of Mrs. Attiwill, he retired from it. The deceased was one of the members of the first Mount Gambier District Council, before the district was divided. He was also a pioneer of Methodism. During the 50 years that have passed since Mr. Attiwill came to Mount Gambier two of his sons and one of his daughters, died. There are new 18 grand-children and 30 great-grandchildren. Up till the last the deceased was wonderfully healthy and active. For some years after he had reached his 90th birthday it was his custom to walk to the top of the mount and back two or three times, a week. His intellect and memory were remarkably clear, and he could tell interesting stories of events away back in his life 50, 60, and 70 years. He attributed much of his uniform good health to abstinence. He learned to smoke when about 16 years of I age. but about middle life he gave up the

habit.

BLACKWOOD. May 16 On Friday evening the literary society of the Blackwood, Coromandel, and Belair club held its meeting, presided over by Mr. T. C. A. Magarey. The programme was after-dinner speeches. The toast-list was "The King," proposed by the chairman: "Parliament," proposed by Mr. W. H. Wickens, responded to by Mr. A. W. Love; "Town and district, proposed by Mr. R. H. Hewett, responded to by Mr. G. F. Francis; "Our club, proposed by Mr. E. A. Ashby, responded to by Mr. J. S. Treloar; "sport," proposed by Mr. F. Baker, responded to by Mr. A. Magarey; "The ladies," proposed by Mr. A. E. Hewett, responded to by Mr. C. V. Wickens; "Kindred societies," proposed by Mr. Allen Magarey, responded to by Mr. Walter Summers, from the Coromandel Society.

CURRAMULKA, May 11 Curramulka is one of the largest grain and wool centres on Yorke Peninsula, but it has not yet a bank. The absence of such an establishment

causes great inconvenience, and" the once-a-week Minlaton agency does not give entire satisfaction. Another long-felt want is a resident medical practitioner. Tilling operations are now in full swing.

EUDUNDA, May 14 diversity of opinion has existed as regards the method of construction of, the new drain leading into the railway dam. ' About 50 yards from the dam-the drain takes a turn at nearly right angles, and continues into the dam at a fairy steep gradient. From this corner a con-creted channel, very much smaller than the drain, has been made to take the water, it being thought that on a account of the gradient the water would flow down quickly enough to prevent the channel from overflowing. This theory has been dispelled by Wednesday's rain. A heavy shower lasted about ten minutes. The new drain was

about half full and this, within 2 in. filled

the channel. Had the rain Listed twice as long the drain would have come down a banker, and consequently the-channel would have been damaged.

MANNUM, May 16 The Lynch Family of Bellringers performed at the Institute last evening to a crowded audience, and many people were unable to gain admission.

MILLICENT, May 15-The annual so-!

trial in connection with the Millicent Ladies' Household Parliament was held on Wednesday afternoon and evening in the institute. In the afternoon there was a good display of flowers, and also a lot of a kitchen handiwork, such as preserves, i jams, sauces, pickles, chutneys, &c.; also the usual varieties of cakes, the whole re-flecting credit on the members responsible for their production. Prizes were offered for the best in each department, Mesdames Martin and Waters accepting the position of judges. The attendance at night was much better than in the afternoon. After supper dancing became the order of ' the, evening; and the party wound up at about midnight well pleased with the 1908 social. -The ' Millicent Co-operative Society has advanced another step, having purchased the stock-in-trade and business as a going concern from Mr. G. R. Skeer.

NAIRNE, May 16-Mr. Alfred A. Timmins,

eldest son of Mr. H. Timmins of this town, was born here nearly fifty years ago. He was educated at Hahndorf College, after leaving which he learned the trade of saddler. He spent most of his manhood in the far northern parts of this State, but some time ago he went into business with his brothers in the city in the butchering trade. The confinement of office life did not agree with him, and, retiring from business, he went north in search of health, but he had to return to the city, where he died. He was a man with many friends, and was widely known and highly respected. Last night the combined choirs of the Sunday-school and church gave. Root's cantata, "Cloud and Sunshine," in the Oddfellows' Hall.- The attendance was good. The presentation of the cantata was very creditable. Praise is due to those who, took part for their meritorious effort. The principals were Sopranos, Mrs. W. Chapman, Misses Vaughton and Stewart; contraltos. Misses Parsons and Pryor; tenor, Mr. W. G. Ross; bass, Mr. R. Chapman. The accompanist was Miss R. Chapman. The Nairne Orchestra lent valuable aid, and Mr. Sandercock, the conductor, is to be complimented.

SUMMERTOWN, May 14 The Literary Society started its ninth year on Monday evening last. The election of officers re-sulted: President. Mr. W. Wade; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Rowe and H. Schultz; secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. Caust committee, Messrs. A. J. Gore, G. A. Dunn, J. Snell, E. Percival, and T. Oliver. Mr. J. Snell gave a paper on voice training A welcome social was tendered in the Methodist Church, Summertown, on Tuesday evening to the Rev. H. Holmes and family. The circuit was well represented. Mr. A. J. Gore spoke for the Summertown Church, Mr. H. Curtis? for Piccadilly, Mr. E. Hawkes for Uraidla, Mr. J. Cook for Forest-road, and Mr. C. Bishop, sen., for Basket Range. Anthems were rendered by the Basket Range and local choirs. Mr. S. E. Wilsmore presided. v

UCOLTA, May 15. After a residence of 30 years in the district of Gumbowie, Mr. H. Rasmus, sen., has retired from farming, and as an evidence of the esteem in which both Mr. and Mrs. Rasmus are held a dinner was tendered them. Mr. R. Perkins occupied the chair, and about 150 were present. The chairman referred to the sterling qualities and honorable character of Mr. Rasmus, who proposed the health of their guests. This was supported by Messrs. D. McAsBiil, P. Dollard, and T. A. Phillips. A social followed, Mrs'. E. A. Clapp, jun.. and Miss V. Henmg presiding at the piano. Recitations, 'songs--, and duets were rendered by the Misses Hennigs (4), M. Dollard, D. McAskill, Messrs. G. Merrett, F. Peters, G. Miller, and T. A Phillips. The chairman pre i sented Mr. Rasmus on behalf of the rest [ dents with a silver-mounted walking-stick, and Mrs. Rasmus with a silver butter dish.

WILLUNGA, May 16 The quarterly rally of the Southern District Sunday school Teachers' Union was held on Friday evening in the Methodist School-room. Mr. J. N. Crisp (president) in the chair. The Rev. W. H. Robinson delivered an address on "The Sunday-school Teachers' Book-shelf." A discussion followed. Arrangements were made for holding the annual meeting in August at McLaren Vale. The visiting teachers were entertained at sunset by the local teachers -In the hills rabbits have been exceedingly numerous. Last week several landowners attacked the pest with poison, and the day after the poison

was laid one man toHected 640 dead rabbits, while another tallied 800.

YARCOWIE, May 15-9 debate in connection with the North-Eastern Literary Societies was held on Friday evening. There was a good attendance. Subject Is it in the best interests of the British Empire that her colonies should have the power of excluding British subjects of other lands?" Yarcowie, represented by Messrs. Pearce, Jenkins, and Harford, took the formative, and Canowie Belt, represented by Messrs. Jamieson, Dempsey, and Daly, the negative. A good discussion took place, resulting in a win for Canowie Belt by 253 points to 250. The Hon. T. Pascoe, M.L.C., acted as judge.