The Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 476, 7 November 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1877.

The Oamaru Reserves Bill has been thrown out in the Legislative Council, not because it was an unfair measure, but because Mr. Holmes, for some paltry reason was opposed to those whom it would benefit. Mr. Holmes' method of attaining his object was extremely undignified. He represented —or rather misrepresented that if the bill was passed, it would be necessary to remove the Courthouse to an inconvenient distance from town. No one ever dreamt of bringing this about; and this impression must be either the result of Mr. Holmes' thick head, or of his spirit of opposition to the welfare of the people of this town. When a man who has been made a gentleman by the unaccountable gymnastics of the "god Mammon, and is expected to be a gentleman in his conduct, makes bold assertions in the presence of the Legislative Council of this Colony, he is believed, unless there is some one present who knows that he is telling an untruth. Unfortunately for Oamaru it had no champion to combat the specious arguments of Mr. Holmes, either inside the Chamber or out, and the result is that he has had it all his own way. But he had better enjoy his victory whilst it lasts ; for, as the request of the Oamaru people was fair and made in the interests of the town, it is bound to be acceeded to sooner or later, and then Mr. Holmes' merry-making will be turned into mourning. It is pitiable that a man whose wealth has raised him. so high in the social scale should exhibit so much meanness as to attempt to thwart the business people of Oamaru, who are endeavouring to earn an honest livelihood as he once did in the town of Geelong in days gone by. Mr. Holmes should be accorded a reception on his return from Wellington befitting the occasion. Every man, woman, and child should turn out to chaperone him from the Breakwater to the town. Some such means ought to be adopted to show how much we appreciate the conduct of this gentleman. But perhaps he will prefer to take the coach from Dunedin and slink home through by-ways as he did on a previous occasion.

Mr. Macandrew resumed his place in the House yesterday, having recovered from a severe attack of quinsey, and was accorded a hearty reception. The Oamaru Waterworks are advancing apace. At the inlet at the Waitaki river, the water is already on its way to Oamaru, having been let through the first section. Between this point and Papakaio the open race is being pushed ahead vigorously. The long tunnels (five in number) have been pierced about 30 chains out of a total of 100, and will take about 10 months to complete. The open race, cutting through rock connecting the tunnels, is also progressing very favourably. There is only about a mile of this heavy work to do, and at the rate it is now being done, it will not take more than about seven months to complete. It is, we believe, the intention of the contractor to immediately commence the construction of the _ large reservoir near the town. This portion of the works will employ 100 men for upwards of six months. The object of carrying on these large works simultaneously is, we understand, to have everything ready by the time the tunnels are completed. It may, therefore, be expected that the water will be in Oamaru within twelve months, provided that the necessary pipes and material for pipe-laying are to hand in good time. The necessity for a water supply for Oamaru, and that soon, must be palpable to everyone, and we trust that no time will be lost in pushing forward the work by every possible means.

The members of St. Paul's Young Men's Association met on Monday evening last, and Were much entertained by the debate on the "Expediency of Early Marriages," between Messrs. Fidler and Young. There was a large attendance, and an animated discussion ensued, after which Mr. Fidler replied to the various objections made to his view of the expediency of early marriage. On the taking of votes he had considerably the greater number of sympathisers, which he earned by. the reaaonableneßa gained by considerable reading «ad experience o'f his arguments.

The Committee of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association will meet at 11 a. m. to-morrow. Business—Urgent.

The following entries have been made for the forthcoming Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Show :—Horses, 260 ; cattle, 145;, sheep, ,213; pigs, 2 ; poultry, 36 ; dairy produce, 123 ; tinned meats, 26 ; agricultural implements, 16; buggies and harness, 9; bread, 15; flour, grain, and seeds, 105; wool, 4; sheep dogs, 10 ; extra private prizes, 4; making a total of 968, > against a total of 717 last year.

It is notified in another column that a special train will be run to Hampden on the Prince of Wales' Birthday, in order to enable the public to attend the Volunteer Review. It will leave Oamaru at 9.30 a.m., and return from Moeraki Port at 5 p.m., arriving in Oamaru shortly before 7. This will allow ample time to attend the concert to take place in the evening. Trains will run as on other days, in addition to the special. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, today, before W. J. Steward, Esq., Henry Pearson, for being drunk and disorderly at an early hour this morning in Thames-street, was sent to gaol for fourteen days, with hard labor. —Arthur Sterick, charged with having bepn drunk and disorderly, and making use of profane language in Thames-street early this morning, was fined 205., with the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment.