Swfche 10th instant, a party of gentlemen —-ewmpriaing Messrs Williams, Cook, John ston and Hickson—proceeded to Taien Lake for the purpose of having a day's skating. On arriving at the Lake it was found that the ice, though very thick, was rather soft, with a little wa'er on the surface in places. However, being bent on pleasure, the party were determined that this should not deter them, so they buckled on their skates and '' skimmed " across to Mr Laugh'oil's, where they were hospitably entertained. About three hour's skating was indulged in, and then the party were about played out. Before leaving for home it was resolved that a piece of ice should be taken from the centre of the Lake and brought into Naseby for the purpose of convincing sceptics it was possible to skate across from one side to Ihe other. This was accordingly done, aud a piece of ice, weighing about 10 pounds, was brought to the office of this journal, and on measurement it proved to he a thickness of seven inches. This gives one a good idea as to the severity of the weather which has been experienced throughout the district during the past month. The Naseby Mutual Improvement Asso ciation held its ordinary weekly meeting last Thursday evening in the Session-house of the Presbyterian Church, when Mr S. E. M'Carthy read a paper on " The Petition of Right." The essayist traced the gradual development of the cardinal principles of the English Constitution, and pointed out the manner of their violation by Clvu-les I, giving a short historical account of the agitation which arose for the purpose of pro tecting the national libities, which resulted in the passing of the Petition of A vote of thanks to the essayist terminated ■the proceedings. A concert and dance in aid of the funds of the Catholic School will be held at the Town Hall, Naseby, on Friday evening next, August 29. A liberal programme has been prepared, which comprises the names of nearly all our leading amateurs. His Worship the Mayor will take the chair. As the Catholic scholastic institutions are self supporting—not being in the receipt of State aid—we would fain hope that a bum per house wilt reward the efforts of the Committee who have taken the affair in hand. 