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Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 337, 23 May 1877, Page 2

A lenghty telegraphic report of some peculiar circumstances connected with the wreck of the Ocean Mail at the Chatham Islands will be found on the fourth page of this issue. To-morrow being the Queen's Birthday, and one of the very few holidays accorded to the post-office officials, mails for Dunedin and intermediate offices, and also for Christchurch, Timaru, and Waimate, will close at 6 a.m. Anyone, therefore, wishing to have th Q ir letters transmitted from Oamaru tomorrow will do well to post them this even-

I There will be no lack of amusements and demonstrations to-morrow, the anniversary of the birth of her Majesty the Queen. In the morning the Volunteers will parade at 9 o'clock, and fire the usual feu dejoie on the Esplanade at 10. Then there will be the annual Steeplechases of the Oamaru Steeplechase Club on the Race-course during the day ; while a scratch match will be played by members of the Football Club on the Cricket Ground, commencing at half-past 2 o'clock. There will also be the inducement for persons to take a day's outing afforded by the running of trains at single fares. In the evening, the Calcined Corkonians will give their entertainment in aid of the Oamaru Mechanics' Institute, and in connection with which a capital programme has been arranged. A ball will also take place at the Volunteer Hall, the arrangements in connection with which are of a very satisfactory nature. Here, then, is presented a very complete programme of events for the celebration of her Majesty's birthday, containing enough in variety to satisfy the different tastes of the people of the town.

A meeting of the Oamaru Race-course Trust was held at the Empire Hotel this afternoon. Present —Messrs. Steward (in the chair), Maude, O'Meagher, and Clowes (hon. sec). A considerable amount of business was done, but owing to pressure on our space we are unable to give a full report, and as there is likely to be equally as great a pressure to-morrow, we do not consider it advisable to hold over the report till then. We will therefore content ourselves with briefly stating the business done. The

minutes of the last meeting having been react" and confirmed, a deputation from the North Otago Turf Club, consisting of Messrs. Grant, Lintott, and Greenfield, waited upon the Board, _ and stated that the Club had appointed them to wait upon the Trust and ask for some further grant towards the cost of the permanent improvements recently carried out, consisting of the laying out of a new course, the erection of a saddling paddock, &c. In consequence of the expenditure which had been gone to over these works, amounting to upwards of LSOO, the Club was in . arrears to the extent of about L4O, and they would be glad if the Trust would contribute L2OO, so as to enable them to meet their engagements and place, say Ll5O, to a fund for the erection of a permanent grand stand.—The Chairman suggested that it would be advisable for the deputation to divide their application into two, letting the request for a further contribution towards the permanent improvements already effected stand on a separate footing to that in aid of contemplated improvements.—After some conversation, the doputawithdrew, and it was resolved that L7O should be granted by the Trust, in addition to the LSO already given in aid of the permanent improvements to the course. It was decided to instruct Mr. Balmer to have the lease of the course executed. It was also resolved to ask the Hon. Robert Campbell to accept the vacancy on the Trust. It was decided to write to the Colonial Secretary, requesting that the necessary steps should be taken to vest the Racecourse Reserve direct in the Trust and their successors. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs. T. H. Brown and Peach for auditing the accounts of the Trust.—The Chairman mentioned that in his capacity as the officer commanding the Militia and Volunteer district he had written to head-quarters with regard to the proposed central colonial rifle range, asking that the suitability of Oamaru should not be overlooked. He suggested that the racecourse paddock Avould be an admirable site, and Avould be glad of an expression of opinion on the matter.— The members present thought the Trust should facilitate the proposal, and that the lessee (Mr. Patterson) should be consulted on the subject.—The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business.