THE EVENING MAIL. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 356, 14 June 1877, Page 2

THE EVENING MAIL. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1877.

We have been, we fear, a little too hard on the boys of this township, when commenting on the depredations that are occasionally committed by "person or persons unknown." We are in receipt of information of a most reliable character that would point to certain hobbledehoys as the culprits. These gentry perambulate the streets at night, and, under the cover of darkness, they thrust their delieate walking-canes into an occasional window, tear down Post Office and other public announcements, and otherwise amuse themselves at the expense of the inhabitants of this township. Now, it being about time to put a stop to this tomfooled we beg to notify those for whom this is intended that we know their names and addresses, and who their employers are, and that we shall take upon ourselves the responsibility of publishing their names in the Mail should they not mend their ways. They are seen when they little expect it, and there will be no trouble experienced in arraigning them before the proper authorities. A good whipping through the streets at the tail of a cart would be the most appropriate punishment for these gay youths, and we think the respectable appearance of their dress would contrast unpleasantly with the occasion. We would direct the attention of our readers to the very full reporb that appears in another column of the inquiry into the stranding of the William Gifford on the Tois-Tois beach. It was our desire to place our readers in possession of this information a week ago, but the Customs authorities at Invercargill were obstructive, and our correspondent was compelled to bide their time. It is to be regretted that Government officials should occasionally put on airs and delay the business it is their duty to facilitate in the interest of the public. As a rule, in this colony they are swaddled up to their eyebrows in red tape, themselves a liIUgULUg-SIUCK. TO ail OUaci . =»-«. 1»j- *•!-« «+« tudes of superiority to common humanity they too frequently assume, and the self-im-portance they endeavour to infuse into their peddling peppercorn positions. Two fatal accidents, arising from indulgence in football, have been recorded in our columns during this week. One of these occurred on Saturday last, in Auckland, where a fine, manly young fellow has met with an untimely end through injuries received during a game of football. The second case is reported from Adelaide. These accidents bring forcibly to mind the absolute necessity for something being done to render the game less dangerous. As football is at present played it is really astomshing that accidents are not of more frequent occurrence. At the best, the game is a rough-and-tumble one; but as generally played at present, it is exceedingly dangerous, a player being liable to receive serious injuries at any moment. Either footballers must be compelled to somewhat cool their ardour while playing the game, or footballing should be put down altogether. If players cannot be brought to pursue the game in a manner more in accordance with common sense and common security to life and limb, and less like a set of wild animals, the law should step in and put a stop -to so dangerous a pastime. Football may be an invigorating game, and one calculated to strengthen the muscle of young men; but we fail to see any advantage gained from it when r- ne player is allowed to enjoy a little exercise and strengthen his muscle at the expense of, perhaps, another player's life.

• We have received information from the Telegraph Department that communication on the Port Darwin line has now been restored. A special meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held at half-past 11 o'clock this morning, for the purpose of considering byelaws. A number of bye-laws were passed, and will shortly be published. At the meeting of the County Council today, it was agreed to vote LIOO towards the expenses of surveying the proposed line of railway from Oamaru to Naseby. This was done in reply to a deputation, from the Railway Committee which waited upon the Council.- Every member of the Council spoke in favour of voting a sum «f money, and expressed the belief that the railway would be of great benefit to the town and district.

There -was no sitting of the Resident Ma- j gistrate's Court this morning. The whole of the district prizes were, we believe, paid over to-day to the lucky winners amongst the Oamaru battalion of Volunteers. We have again to apologise to a large number of our subscribers for the non-de-livery of the Mail. Two of our runner boys have taken to the stage, and made their d&bU at Mr. J. L. Hall's entertainment last night. We have no objection to their abandoning the halls of learning for Hall's pantomime, but we have a most decided objection to being left at the last moment without knowing their intention. The disappointment of 200 subscribers is not the only thing to be deplored ; but as we particularly request that subscribers will be good enough to complain of any neglect on the part of the runners, we are expecting a shower of communications from them this morning, and have made arrangements accordingly. It is encouraging to know that the Mail has become so popular that the public will not dispense with it at their tea-tables without remonstrance, and reliance may be placed in our assurance that no stone will be left unturned to gratify their very proper appreciation of what we think we may term legitimate literature without fear of being charged with egotism. Anyone who has the slightest acquaintance with journalistic enterprise will be aware of the fact that runner-boys, as a rule, are the impersonation of all that is wicked, and engender anything but Christian-like feelings within those who have the misfortune to be charged with their management. We again ask that the 200 subscribers residing in the two runs neglected last night will deal as kindly as possible with us under the circumstances. The Waitaki County Council met in the new Chambers of the Council for the first time to-day. The Chambers are most complete in every respect, the meeting-room being very well lighted, and fitted up in a manner calculated to promote the comfort and convenience of members; while the offices for the Clerk are also most suitable for the conduct of the business, having a convenient strong-room for the preservance of the Council's documents. The whole of the furniture is of an elegant, but at the same time substantial, nature. We are also pleased to notice that special arrangements have been made for the convent"" +hf representatives of the Press. Hitherto the reporters have had to put up with considerable inconveniences when attending meetings of the Council. Altogether, the Chambers are in every way well adapted for the purpose. The Masonic Hall last night was the scene of much merriment. The audience was considerably larger than that of the previous evening, and they were apparently thoroughly gratified with the performance. The entertainment opened with the extravaganza "Cinderella." Every performer was well acquainted with his or her part, and the piece was gone through without a hitch of any kind. Miss Wiseman's singing is far above the average of the singing of stage ladies, and she sang " Is my darling true to me," with really very nice effect. But the pantomime was evidently looked forward to with anticipations of more than ordinary delight. A pantomine is a novelty in Oamaru, and the manner in which it was put upon the boards must have created no little surprise. We would not imply by this that the performance was without fault, for it would be indeed difficult to produce a pantomime with every scenic effect to perfection within the limited space at Mr. Hall's disposal. We are, of course, quite aware that the blooming stage lass is but an ordinary girl, but one does not usually care about seeing Avhere the white leaves off, and the red comi. t ~o much, indeed it rather heightens the ludicrous effect so much sought after. Mr. John Hall is an immensely good clown, and has the happy knack of retaining the interest of the audience throughout. The other characters, too, were exceedingly good in their several parts. The scenery at the conclusion, and the manner in which in which it was manipulated did infinite credit to the stage manager. After the conclusion of the performance, Mr. Hall came before the curtain, and in a few well chosen remarks thanked the audience for their patronage, and announced the Saturday afternoon's treat for the children.