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North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 41, 1 December 1864, Page 2

r We beg the attention of our readers to an advertisement in our present issue calling a meeting for the evening of Monday next, in the Northern Hotel, for the purpose of consulting as to the advisability of forming a public company to purchase a small steamer suitable for the requirements of this place. It has already been found that a steamer which only calls here occasionally, and is often nearly loaded up with cargo for other places, does, not provide sufficiently for the accommodation of the district. The new Jetty which will soon be erected, will add greater facilities for export and import; and if, after due consideration of the expense and probable profits, it should be considered that a company can be formed, and the traffic thus kept in the hands of a distiict propi ietary, the advantages of such an arrangement are sufficiently obvious.

The Rev. Charles Connor will proceed this week to visit the stations up the Waitaki. On Sabbath first he will preach twice at Maerewhenua (Messrs Borton ancl M'Master's). On tho following Sabbath he expects to be at Morvern Hills (Mr M'Lean's); and will visit the intermediate stations and preach when desired, on the week-day evenings. Thereafter, in terms of an appointment made by the Presbytery, he will proceed to the Dunstan and Queenstown and hold services at those places, preparing the way for probationers being sent by the Presbytery. people here are fortunate in having the prices of meat kept modeiato, while Dunedin is almost in a state of mutiny on the subject of high pi ices. We refer to an advertisement by Messrs Miller in our present issue, by which it will bo seen that their prices are fully 25 per cent, lower than Dunedin, and greatly below what the pi ices weie in our own market some time since. Mr White follows the same tariff. It is, however, only by consumers acceding to tho condition of monthly payments that prices can be kept so moderate, as we are well-assuied that the excessive rates in Dunedin are caused principally by the butchers giving indiscriminate credit. We expect every day to hear that tho ports have been opened; this step- will do a great deal of haim, while it is very doubtful whether it will diminish the pi ice of meat.

Tho public will learn from a *' Gazette " advertisement, repi inted in our present issue, that a large number of sections—not fewer than forty-five—situated in lots 1 to 45 inclusive, in the township of Oamaru, are to be sold by auction in the Court-house here on Fiiday, 23rd inst., at noon. This sale will combine well with the action of the Building Society, and will affoid one of those opportunities now diminishing in number, for obtaining land for building at prune cost. A number of sections iv the Township of Herbert will also be sold at the Court-house, Oamaru, immediately after the above sale Several enquiries having been made in regard to th c cases in which newspapers lequire to be stamped, we have to state that the i ule is a very simple one. Papers published m the Colony, if posted to any place WITHIN the Colony, at any time seven days after publication, require Id stamp ; those sent out of the Colony require no stamp, but may be sent abroad—that is to say, forth of New Zealand—at any time free.

In terms of the " Licensing Ordinance, 1864," the following districts are proclaimed in the "Gazette" of the 23rd instant, viz. : —Clyde, Queenstown, Oamaru, Waikouaiti. Dunedin, Port Chalmers, Taieri, Tokomairiro, Clutha, Hamilton, and Lawrence. "Tho Oamaru Licensing District shall, for the purposes of tho said Ordinance, comprise all that area bounded on the north by the Clyde Licensing District; on the east by the Province of Canterbury; on the south by tho Ocean ; and on the west by the Horse Range and Kakanui Mountains and the Mount Ida and Dunstan Gold Fields."

r "We learn that Rocky Point Station, Waitaki, the property of H. H. Erskine, Esq., is in the market. It is a run of 31,000 acres, with 8000 sheep and 100 head of cattle upon it. and is expected to bring £15,000.

On tho afternoon of Sabbath last, in terms of intimation, the Rev. Mr Flamank, Wesleyan minister, preached in the open air in Tyne street, to aiespectable congregation. Ho took his text from Joshua xxiv, 15. At tho conclusion of the discourse, he stated that his object for holding an open-air service, was the expectation of atti acting the attention of some who did not attend any Church. As there were three places of woiship in town he exhorted all to attend divine service at one or other of them. He said it was unnecessaiy to continue to hold sei vices in the open air, as there wa_ sufficient accommodation for the people of the place ; but if, by holding the present soivice, even a single individual should be induced to attend divine worship who had not done so before, the object in view would have been gained. The only case from this neighborhood wliieh comes before the criminal court sittings, commencing to-day at Dunedin, is that of James Duke, who recently *tole ahorse at Palmeiston, and was committed for a large number of ofiences besides, having apparently been a professional cattle "* lifter." Tho following Licenses have been issued since the 2nd September, 1864 ;—Bush License-John Baraclough, Taipo Accommodation House, Kakanui. Wine and Beer Licenses —James Kitchen, Star Hotel, Palmerston * Wm. Biodie Palmer, Kilmug Hotel, Waikouaiti. Bottle Licenses—Daniel M'Leod, Oamaru; James Scott, Thames-street, Oamaru ; Henry France, Oamaru j Samuel Gibbs, Oamaru. Wholesale Licenses —James Rattray, Tyne-street, Oamaru; Edward Bowes Caigill, Tyne-street, Oamaru.

A new publication is to appear on the 31st inst. —a monthly periodical, to be called "The Dunedin Magazine," the first of the kind which has been originated in the Province.

The elections for the Provincial Council of Southland are concluded, and the following is a list of the memberreturned :—Riverton, Dr Hodgkinson, J. Crerar; Otelamika, M. Holmes; Longwood, E> Gillow j Waikivi, W. Stuart; Apaiima, J. Howell, W. H. Nurse; New River, H. Armstrong ; Campbelltown, A. M'Nab • Roslin, W. Johnston, T. Swale; Waianiwa, J. F. Collins ; Waihopai, J. Hay, J. WUson; Waiau, Mr Cuthbertson; Oreti, Mi- M "Kellar; Invercargill, Dr Menzies T. M. -"'Don. Id, W. H. Odder, J. R. Davies. The Council ia to meet for the despatch of business this day.

//The operation of levelling- Tees street was commenced on Monday last, *nd goes forward with vigor. Tkis street is likely to become an important one, and wh<_n levelled and formed will probably fill up fast. Wei expect next to see a movement for forming "Wansbeok street, which is an important roadway, giving access to the town from the south, and leading to the Landing, place.

The next meeting of the Oamaru Building Society is to be held on Saturday first, for the purpose principally of receiving the first month's subscription of ss. per share. As the whole number of 750 shares has beon taken up, the practical part of the business of the Society now commences. On the next occasion, in January, in addition to receiving subscriptions, there will be the first sale of money; and then the routine of business being fairly begun, the objects of the Society will commence to be carried out. "Wewould adviseallcon. cerned to attend to their business punctually at the several monthly meetings, to avoid fines and other _aconvenient consequences.

There have been many jokes against newspapers about monster cabbages, raised in periods when there wa* a scarcity of news, but yesterday evening we saw a monster mushroom, brought from Palmerston, which will compete with any specimen of vegetable growth ret produced. "We vouch for the following dimensions and weight .-—Length and breadth, 10_ in. by 8 in.; weight, 1 lb. 14 oz It was found in the neighborhood of the Devil's Bridge.

Mr Justice Johnston haß at length issued a book upon which he had been engaged for several years—nng which is much required—called "The New Zealend Justice of the Peace," being a practical guide to the law! of the colony and the administration of justice in! Magistrates' Courts, the law of evidence, &c, and c.n- 1 taining an appendix of acts and forms, There is great; difficulty in this country in ascertaining what the law is—either General or Provincial, and a guide which opens up a path will be gladly received. The price of the book is £2 ss.

The latest news from the North, although not embrt. cinq the opening of the Assembly, affords some in:*or. mat'on in legard to political matte.-. It appears that the Ministry were not to retain office until the Ass a mbly met, but to take their places as independent m w< bers. It was also said that it was probable that Dr Featherstone, Superintendent of Wellington, would bs called on to form a new Ministry. General Cameron had arrived at Taranaki, and the attitude of the nat.vein the Taranaki and southern districts was by no ni.ani assuring. It appears not improbable that war will follow the late proclamation.

Our readers will peruse with astonishment an abstract which we give from _a Calcutta newspaper of the enormous destruction caused iv a few hours by the eye one which was mentioned shortly in the telegram received by the English mail. The loss and damage to shipping appears quite unparalleled. Some of the stranded vessels are described as lying in the most extraordinary places, showing the great rise and force of the tide. " In the rice fields, below the Botanical Gardens," indicates a spot a long way from the riyer ; and "on the top of the railway pier," is a great height abovo the ordinary watei level. When we read of 89,412 small native houses destroyed, it must be kept in mind that they are generally of a very frail and inexpensive construction, composed of mud or bamboos, and thatched with leaves; but when the European houses are mentioned, it must be remembered that they are those large, lofty, and imposing structures which give to Calcutta the appearance of a ** City of Palaces. _

The following from tho •• Daily Times " is import uit

—" We are permitted to state that by the last mail from England, the Provincial Government have received overtures for the formation in England of a company for the constructiou of a railway fiom Dunedin to Port Chalmers. Part of the information required by thi projectors of the company was forwarded by the Superintendent by the mail which left here on the 18th. and the remainder, including plans of the line, &c., will follow by the December mail. There is a strong pi obability that the company will be formed, and the works commenced within a few months. It is also satisfactory to learn that a plan is being matured by the Government for the construction of the Dunedin and Clutha Railway,

The " Daily Times " says—" We would hint to intending exhibitors that the building is ready, and that the Royal Commissioners and their officers are waiting to receive exhibits; and that the time now left for arranging a large and varied Exhibition is so «hort, that there should be not an hour's delay on the part of any who desire the successful opening of the first Indu .trial and Art Exhibition in New Zealand. If exhibitor, wili not realise these facts, the efforts of the district committees which together make up the Local Committee in each Province, cannot result in getting togethe.- the exhibits ; but with hearty co-operation, we are suie that the Commissioners might very speedily be at hard and constant work in arranging the different products within the building according to the settled plan of class-ifica-tion." The " Times " also gives an account of th. full tests which have been applied to the building, and have resulted in a satisfactory proof of its perfect stal ility. The large Indian collection now on its way is fully described in the same paper, and will form no ordinary attraction.

It is notified in the " Gazette" that tenders from parties wishing to lease the Government Shed tt the Oamaru Beach, during the year 1865, will be received it the office of the Provincial Secretary, till noon on Monday, 11th December. Particulars to be learnt by applying to the Beach Master, Oamaru; or to the Harbor Master, Port Chalmers. The offers will be sent in to Government, and the charges allowed will be as formerly —the first two days clear, and 6d per ton for every subsequent day.

The " Daily Times '* states that a manufactory of flax from the phormium tenax, the New Zealand native plant, is now in full operation at the Water of "Leith, and a lengthened description is given of the proce«_. It is understood that specimens of manufacture fiom this plant will be seen at the Exhibition from Soutliland, from Australia, and from this Province. We believe that it was never doubted but that excellent strong hemp could be produced; the difficulty lies ii the expense of the operation. If this should be overcome, a valuable branch of native manufacture will be introduced, since the country is full of the raw material.

The"Wakatip Mail" reports—•• The mining -aimboth at Arthur's Point and the Big Beach, are commencing to reap tho fruits arising from energy, persev. ranee and the advantages of a co-operative system. This and tho next month, 3hould the weather prove fine, will bear testimony to the many statements our columns have contained regarding the soundness of the district and its ultimate prosperity. Money is likely to bacomt more plentiful, and throughout the district both mining and other pursuits are of a very remunerative and more permanent nature.