The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1877

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 369, 29 June 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1877

In summing up the evidence given at the inquest last evening, the Coroner remarked that an article appeared in a local paper calculated to unfairly influence the jury. The reporter seems to have had special means of obtaining information, far he says, in a manner which seems to challenge contradiction that the death of Daniel Quarrie's mother "had thrown a cloud over his young life, and over that, also, of one -vrho hoped ere long to become his bride." "VVe hasten to state, in justice to the North Otago Times, that the remarks referred to did not appear in the Mail. We have not yet a man 011 our literary staff that could, with so much sentimentality, clothed in such beautiful language, indulge in fiction with so much apparent truthfulness. We would not wittingly rob any man of his journalistic laurels. The Coroner's inquiry touching the death of Airs. Quarrie did not come to a close until about 11 o'clock last night, when llie jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Daniel Quarrie. Throughout the day the greatest interest was maintained in the proceedings, the Court-house being thronged with persons of all classes, anxious to know how the sad affair would terminate. Even after the jury were locked-up, a large number of persons remained abont the Courthouse until the decision of the jury was made known.

We have received a letter signed " Veritas," having reference to an advertisement which appeared in our last issue regarding a missing hat. Pressure upon our space compels us to hold _the letter over until tomorrow. We may mention that if the young gentleman who is so greatly exercised about the loss of his hat will call at our office he will receive the much-beloved covering on his cranium. The footballers will assemble for a scratch match to-morrow afternoon at half-past 2 o'clock. Our sensational reporter, with a very melancholy countenance, informs us that there is to be no " butting, hacking, or trip, ping " allowed. The Georgia Minstrels attracted another large audience last night. We have already given our opinions of the company, an<! will merely add that the dancing last night Las never, to our knowledge, been equalled by white men. We would like to see the company in a burlesque opera, which would be a rather good substitution for some of their present comicalities. This evening John Bathgate, Esq., has kindly consented to lecture upon a subject—- " Scottish Poets"—with which it is welj known he is familiar, and one that should prove peculiarly interesting to our community. The lecturer's delivery is facile and his style eminently calculated to enable him to draw from the wells of Scottish lore the brightest gems of the greatest poets of that nationality, and place them before his audience to the best advantage. The lecture will take place at the Volunteer Hall. The doors will be opened at half-past 7 o'clock, and the lecture will commence at S. As the prices charged for admission (2s. and Is.) are ' reasonable, and the subject and object of the - lecture good, we hope that there will be a 1 full attendance. | j

At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day Edward A. Drury, charged with having been drunk and disorderly in Thames-street at an early hour this morning, was discharged with a caution. The remainder of the sitting was devoted to the hearing of a number of civil cases.

At Teaneraki, on Wednesday last, the annual school soir<se took place, when a varied and interesting programme, consisting of vocal and instrumental music and readings and recitations were submitted. The readings and recitations were excellently chosen, and, with one exception, were well given. Several of the performers were visitors from Oamaru, and, in justice to them, it should be said that they contributed very considerably to the enjoyment of the assemblage, although the local talent would, without outside aid, have been quite equal to the occasion. Mr. Piper's readings were choice, as were also Mr. M'Gregor's songs ; and the vocal performances of Mrs. Lees, who seemed both competent and willing to fill up any gap that there happened to occur in the performance, were veiy pleasing. Messrs. Edward and George Booth, whose singing is ever popular, recieved the welcome ever accorded them on similar occasions, and achieved successes in their several performances that were evidently satisfactory to all present. To Mr. Finch, whose assistance is invariably forthcoming at entertainments of the kind of which we are writing, and to whom such entertainments mainly owe their success, presided at the piano, and played the accompaniments with great consideration for the soloists. Mr. Reid, of Elderslie, acted as Chairman, and, although it was unnecessary during any of the proceedings to call even the smallest boy present to order, yet he officiated iu such a manner as to bring general good humour out of those little difficulties that will arise on such occasions. The entertainment was not allowed to close without the usual votes of thanks—to the musicians who had come from a distance ; to the ladies who had provided the substantialities of this life in such an admirable manner ;to the chairman; and to those who had decorated the hall so nicely. The evening's festivity concluded with a dance, in which all more o u less participated.