LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 123, 12 September 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We have been informed that the proceeds of the concert given by the Good Templars in aid of the Harrison Relief Fund, after defraying all expenses, amounts to the very respectable sum of £l3 Is. The members of Star of Hope Lodge are entitled to much credit for their efforts in the cause of suffering, and the manner in which their labors are seconded by public patronage, is sufficient proof that they are appreciated. It was with regret we learned that Mr. Weir, one of its members who took a prominent part in la3t Wednesday's entertainment, has himself since met with an accident'which will debar him from working for some time. All those who know him, however, will be pljased to learn that, though severely injured, be is now on the high road to convalescence. Jt will be seen by our advertising columns that Mr. G. W. Collier, Shakesperian actor, intends giving a series of descriptive entertainments, commencing on next Friday evening. Mr. Collier, beside his imitations of celebrated actors, will he assisted by several other artists.

Mrs. White, storekeeper, does not appear to hold a very favorable opinion regarding the desirability of single men running up grocery scores. She stated in Court this morning that she would not trust single men, as she had been " let in " too much by them lately. This is a serious charge to make against our single young men in Oamaru, but married men, we presume, would have a chance of obtaining unlimited "tick." ■Single men should accept this hint, and " get spliced " at once. The Oamaru correspondent of the Guardian, in te'egrapliing the report of t-lie Morrison case, informs that paper that the perpeti-ator made a wound in his throat i»:o inches deep, but it is not of a serious character. Morrison must have an extraordinary throat, that will permit of a wound being made in it two inches deep without very serious consequencs following. We feel sure the correspondent will pardon us when we inform him that the i wound was not an eighth of an inch deep.

At the E.M. Court this morning. John Morrison was brought up on remand on two charges. The first one was for burglariously entering the Hospital and stealing therefrom

a blanket. The second charge—the more seiious one—was that the prisoner hail dir.iWM kerosene oil on Isabella Campbell. Owing to the dangerous state in which Campbell was now lying, Sub-Inspector M'Cluskey asked for a remand., as he could not under the circumstances proceed with che case to-day. The Bench granted a remand till Thur day. A civil cas •, White v. Hook, came to a very abrupt conclusion this morning, at the .Resident Magistrate's Court. The action was brought to recover the sum of £9 135., the value of certain groceries. Mr.

O'Meaglier appeared for the plaintiff, and .Mr. Bulmer for the defendant. When Mrs. White was put in the box, she was questioned by her counsel as to the arrangement made about supplying the groceries, but before she had proceeded far, her counsel im. mediately exclaimed, "That will do, your Worship ; I accept a non-suit." It appears that the witness's evidence was in direct opposition to the instructions she had given her counsel, and, as a consequence, the plaintiff was non-suited. The sudden manner in Mr. O'Meagher cried peccati, caused some merriment in Court.

Bather a novel spectacle (writes theNeivs) was witnessed in Ma terton the other day. A whole rank and file of the local bar was seen staggering along the main thoroughfare under the weight of some half-dozen canebottom chairs. Burglary was the fi st idea that struck the spectators, but the wellknown respectability of the gentlemen concerned soon dispelled that illusion. The local temple of justice, it seems, is so destitute of furniture and fittings that the practising counsel have to carry their seats along with their green bags. We question very much if all the thousand and one examj>le3 afforded of the penny wise and pound foolish procedure of Government will compare with this one.

Mr. Bonar is probably the only Superintendent who has a Poet Laureate. He has one named John Cross, who, as in duty bound, has penned an ode, said to be impromptu, on the occasion of a son and heir being born to his Honor of Westland. We give the first verse as a sample : " Thrice welcome ! little stranger, To Westland's genial clime, May angel wings protect thee In youth and manhood's prime. And like thy sire—in Freedom's cause The noblest aims pursue, In health, and wealth, and calm content, Whilst loyal, just, and true." From official returns it appears that the total number of mortgages on land effected in 1875 was 5,651, representing the amount of £3,666,695 15s. 3d. ; the releases were 2,298, representing the amount of £1,2"0,131 13s. Bd.; the excess of mortgages over releases amounting to £2,436,564 Is 7d. Of the mortgages, 2,308, representing the amount of £1,637,3u8 14s. lid., were effected under the Land Transfer Act, and 3,313, representing the amount of £*2,029,387 03. 4J, under the previous deeds registration system.

A Maori (remarks a Wellington contemporary) has recently made a novel application to the House of Representatives. It seems a.grand war canoe had been taken from his ancestors at the time of the war. The canoe was kept in Auckland for some time, and there repaired at considerable expense at the cost of some gentlemen, and at a regatta the canoe was exhibited. It was then handed over to another Maori for safe keeping, but subsequently the warrior from whom it was taken had it offered to him. His dignity, however, would not allow him to accept the canoe alone ; but he expressed willingness to take it back if a lump sum accompanied it as compensation, and a pension of some few pounds a year was granted to soothe the disagreeable feelings its presence would give rise to. As the Government declined to do more than promise be should have the canoe if he sent for it, he petitioned Parliament, aud the Native Affairs Com. mittee has just recommended the Government to be a little more liberal, and return the canoe to the place from which it was taken. The usual monthly meeting of the Oamaru Mutual Benefit Building Society will take place this evening between the hours of seven and half-past eight.