DEATH OF AN OLD PUBLIC SERVANT.—Our obituary of to-day records the death of an old public servant in Newton-Stewart—Mr William Harding. Early in life he was a shoemaker, but this being too sedentary an occupation for him, he subsequently became letter-carrier for the northern division of Newton-Stewart and Minnigaff, which situation he held for nearly 20 years. Finding his health failing him, he resigned this post in favour of his eldest son, James, and the Post Office authorities allowed him a small pension, in recognition of his faithful services. In addition to the public duties referred to, he acted as librarian to the Reading Room and Mechanics' Institute. In these situations he was much respected, both for his attention to the duties of his office and for his affability of manners. He was also for many years local correspondent of an Ayr paper; and the past history of Newton-Stewart, and the bygone events which old people so fondly cherish, were spread out in his mind clear as a map. Many an instructive chat have we enjoyed with Mr Harding. On Thursday afternoon his remains were interred in Penninghame churchyard.

GALLOWAY GAZETTE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 1874.

THE CREE

I love to view the raging Cree
When swelled by wint'ry floods;
I love to wander on its banks
When Spring first ope's her buds;
When Summer decks in flow'ry pride
The meadow, glade and lea,
I love a ramble in the woods
That skirt romantic Cree.

More bright to me shines Autumn's sun
When mirror'd in its tide
Than any sparkling gem of earth
Or pearl from ocean wide,
Let others boast of golden sand
Or rapids wild and free,
I would not change for all their claims
The beauties of the Cree.

'Tis there the angler plies the Cree
And curlers heave the stone,
And near repose the silent clay
Of many friends now gone,
Twas there-I proved parental care
Where Cree sweeps rushing by,
There was I born, there happy lived
And there I'd choose to die

WILLIAM HARDING,
Newton Stewart