LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 41, 8 June 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Queen's Star Variety Company appeared at the Masonic Hall last night to a fair house. Miss Nellie Martin sang some pleasing ballads, and Mr. O'Brien in his character songs came in for a good round of applause. A change of programme will be submitted this evening, and on Friday the Company will give a benefit performance in aid of the Waiareka Relief Fund, when we hope to see a bumper house. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, the following persons were fined for cattle trespass : Walter Swanson, 10s.; Edward O'Donnell, 7s. Robert Crawford was charged with trespassing 011 the Break, water line of railway at Oamaru, on the 7th iixst. Sub-Inspector M'Cluskey prosecuted. The defendant admitted the charge, but stated he was not aware that he was committing a breach of the Railway Regulations. The Sub-Inspector stated that Mi'. Smith, the Traffic Manager, wished to press the case, as a caution to others, and the Bench, administering a well-merited rebuke, fined the defendant 20s. Mr. T. W. Parker, R.M., presided. The latest noA'elty in the newspaper line came under our notice yesterday. A man in business in this town, who deals in everything, from matches to wax-dolls, and also endeavours to elevate the minds of his customers by placing a " free reading-room " at their disposal, called upon us and wished an advertisement inserted. Of course we were agreeable, and as the transaction was nearly completed, the advertiser informed the editor that if he would just oblige him with a short local calling attention to the advertisement, he would bring hifii dofvn two plugs of tobacco. It is add that the bribe was not accepted, but what high value our Hibernian friend must put on. an editor's conscience.; ; Alas ! only two plugs

of tobacco. Ye Gods ! a two-line local for a fig of Barrett's Twist. • The '' sun-downer," an individual dear to the heart of the Australian squatter, is not unknown in ISTew Zealand, and even ill this Province (says the "Bruce Herald ") he can manage to enjoy life " on the wallaby " without soiling his hands with work. The manager of a certain station in a neighbouring district kept a record of the demands made nijon him during the nine weeks before the last shearing commenced, and found that during that period he had fed and accommodated eleven men each night. When sheepwashing commenced, and he wanted men, the " sun-downers ceased to trouble him for meals and beds.

The following important information respecting the wool market has been received by Cargills, Gibbs, and Co., by telegram, from Helmuth, Schwartze, and Co., via Galle, under date London, 10th May : —"'The sales closed dull, with a downward tendency; only prices for super fleece and grease are well maintained. The bulk of the supplies sent sells rather easier, particularly scoured, and faulty and inferior grease. General state of trade is unsatisfactory. For next series, 350,000 bales are expected. Prices are expected to be rather lower next series. Next series but one will commence probably 31st October.

The "Evening Post," referring to Chief Justice Prendevgast's novel doctrine on the subject of hearsay evidence, expresses the opinion that the prisoner liills did not get a heavier sentence than he deserved for the special offence of which he was convicted, and, so far, substantial justice was done in the matter. Nevertheless (the " Post" continues) the system of listening to statements not sworn to in Court is a radically had and unfair one, through which great injustice might arise. It is entirely contrary to the English sense of fair play, and it is therefore well that a vigorous and outspoken protest .should have been made against it. Rear-Admiral Drury, who in 1852-3 commanded the man-of-war surveying schooner Pandora, when engaged. 011 the New Zealand

coast, has written tlie following letter to Mr. Robert Graham, the proprietor of the Wai-' wera Hot Springs, near Auckland : —"Nice, France, February 2Gth, 1870.- —Dear Sir, — Your pamphlet on the ' Waiwera' springs been forwarded to me from Cheltenham. I am much obliged to you, for anything connected with the 2>rosperity of Auckland or ISew Zealand in general affords me pleasure. the locality, in 1852-3, it did Jiio't require much prescience to forsee the importance of these springs as the colony advanced, and I congratulate you in having developed their resources. In all our English spas medical supervision is considered necessary, and, I hope it will soon be so with you. Your name is very familiar to me.—l remain, yours truly, Byeox Drttry, Rear-Admiral." The "Hawke's Bay Advertiser" says:— " The Harbours Boards of New Zealand owe a debt of gratitude to that of Auckland for exposing the usclessness of Australian wood, and bringing to light the value of that grown in this Colony."

One pound a week is offered to men in the Wairarapa district, Wellington, to shoot rabbits.

The hint contained in the following extract from the £ ' World " might be acted upon with advantage to themselves and their hearers by two distinct classes of men—members of the Assembly and clergymen :—" Mr. Disraeli is admittedly one of the most effective speakers of the two last generations ; ,and I will venture to assert that if his speeches were timed it would be found that by far the larger proportion of them, including many of the more brilliant, have not exceeded twenty minutes duration."

She was at a party. He had not yet arrived, hut she was momentarily expecting him. The hum of conversation through the room had no significance for her. All her facilities were bent on the front door. Every time it opened, at every step in the hall, she would start, while her face would flush, and her eyes light up with feverish expectation. Then the colour would go back from her cheeks, her eyes would become dull, and her heart sink, when another than he came into the room. Finally, he arrived, and took a seat by her, and she leaned over his shoulder and joyously murmured, "My darling—my darling !" She was too happy to say aught more. Ten years later, and she again waits. It is in their own home now. His stej> is on the sill; he opens the door. She springs quickly to the hall. " Wipe your boots on the mat !" she screams. Ten years ago they were not married. ISTow they are. iEgles in the " Australasian" says:— " Some of the city firms are splendid station managers. They know all about it. They can give their overseer-s an acute hint now. and again. During the late dry weaker one of these far-seeing gentlemen wrote to the station suggesting that ' lambing be deferred for a few weeks —for the chance of The Wanganui " Herald " states tlia£ ;t wo of the settlers there are goiujz extensively into vine cultivation this yofljjf It is'-also suggested that a vine-growing company should be formed with a capital of £2,000, to try the experiment fairly, with 150 acres of land especially suitable for vine cultivation. Some time ago it was stated that the Agent-General proposed to obtain a number of skilled vignerons to send out to the Colony. If wine growing and wine making'were, once established at Wanganui, the industry would

soon be in otlier parts of the North Island, wheims "tlie soil and climate are admirably purpose. The Wellington cOTiqfp&ndent of the " Southern Argus " stateafjliat "a gentleman, whose mansion is on the-bank of the Murray, lately engaged a ' servant gal,' who either did not like the place or the people, so she got very uncomfortable. Amongst other investigations that she* made was, critically examining the place where the water is dipped out for the use of the establishment. There are some willows planted there for shade, and their fine roots iioat in the water, some of which came up when the c gal' dipped her bucket. Taking into her head that the fine roots were human hair, and that a dead body would shortly come up, she dropped the bucket and fled to the township. Next day she mustered courage to approach the place from the landward side, and succeeded in getting her clothes from the mistress of the establishment, after which she became more collected."

It is notified that tlie usual monthly inspection parade of No. 3 Battalion, 0.K.Y., is postponed until Friday, the 16th inst. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Municipal Council will take place this evening, at 7.15.