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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 526, 8 January 1878, Page 2

We regret to learn that the caterpillars have again made their appearance amongst I the oats in the Papakaio district. They are not yet very numerous, as they have only just commenced their ravages ; ami it 1•• hoped that they will not ali'eet the oat crops as they did last year. .Sparrows are numerous, but they are very slow in their work of diminishing the pests ; indeed, it is (juostionable whether they clo not do more mischief than good, as they ar<s partieularly partial to the oats themselves. A special meeting of the Directors of the Caledonian Society was held last evening at the Criterion Hotel. There were present— Messrs. Sinclair (in the chair), Fleming, W. Bee, Martin, Galbraith, Dooley, Chrystal, Hook, JMiilcr, Smillie, Mainland, Liddie, Headland, Taylor, Rowland, and W. Aitken (secretary). A letter having been read from Mr. E. Kiehardson, asking why the Society had decided to change its place of meeting, the Secretary was instructed to reply that the Directors had no fault to find, but had decided to alter the place of meeting for reasons affecting tlio Society. The previous motion with regard to holding the meeting at the P. oval Hotel was rescinded, and it was decided the meeting should be held at the Criterion Hotel for the remainder of the year. A number of accounts were considered and referred to the various Sub-Committees to deal with. The President, Vice-Presi-dent, and Mr. Headland were appointed a Sub-Committee to wait upon the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association with reference to the erection of a permanent grand-stand, and the mutual support of the baud. At the request of Mr. Morton a Subcommittee, consisting of Messrs. Headland aud Taylor, was appointed to examine theaccounts in connection with the booth. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Morton for the trouble he had taken in making arrangements with regard to the booth, aud for the manner in which he had carried on those arrangements. A similar compliment was also accorded to Mr. "W. .Sutherland, the Society's piper, for his services at the sports, On the morion of Mr. Fleming, seconded by Mr. Headland, the meeting adjourned until Monday evening, 21st inst., in order to allow the Secretary time to prepare a statement of the Society's affairs. The meeting closed with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman,

The regular monthly meeting of the Committee of the Benevolent Soeiety was held last evening, at the Mechanics' Institute. There were |)resent —Messrs. Fleming (in the chair), Greenfield, Kerr, Allen, Ronayne, Steward, Milligan, Falconer, and Richmond (secretary). The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, a letter was read from Mr. Stodder, asking to have his children sent to him at Wellington, and the President and Secretary were appointed to carry out the arrangements for conyp'iying with the request. A report fyovu the BarrackMaster (Mr. A, was read, stating that during the month thevo wore eight ' : children in the Barracks ; that eight domes-1 tie servants had been received into the Home | during the month, one only of whoill still remained there, the others having obtained situations j and that titty-three Government immigrants had been received during the month, all of whom had mot with ready employment. The Visiting Committee's report was read and dealt with. Messrs. Falconer and Greenfield were appointed a \ Siting Committee for the current month. A number of accounts were passed for payment. Messrs. Allen and Steward were appointed a .Sub-Committee tu bring up a report at the next meeting as to the best, method of examining and certifying to the accounts. The Visiting Committee, with Mr. Allen, were appointed to make inquiries with regard to the advisability of obtaining permission t* have ,1 book-slate at the railway station for MY. UiUish. The President (Mr. Fleming), and Messrs. Steward and Allen were appointed a Sub-Committee to superintend the printing of the rules and annual report, The usual vote of thanks having been accorded to the chairman, the meeting terminated.

The meeting of the Committee of the Horticultural Society called for last evening was adjourned until Monday evening next. A meeting of the Committee of the North Otago Turf Club will be held this evening at the Empire Hotel at half-past seven o'clock, preparatory to the meeting of members to take place at 8 o'clock. We were prepared for something novel when we attended the Alleen Troupe lierformance last night ; but our expectations in this respect were greatly exceeded. We scarcely expected ever to see a "human" man tie himself into knots like so much rope, and yet this wonderful feat w-as effected by Do Dries, the contortionist and india-rubber man : nor wire wo aware that there was any child in this hemisphere half so clever as a dancer and delineator of negro character as -Master Eider the younger, who was assisted by an elder brother, who is also clever. What wo admire about the entertainment is that the company is not only clover, but presents a varied programme. The one-k-g-od g.> muast (Elder) and his colleague,-., 3h.--,.-rs. Laural and I.amout —but more especially the iirsfcnamed—performed some miraculous feats : but the graceful living leaps and evolutions of Alleen J.aural were delightful, and proved j her to be the hh.-c eceoiiiphshed lady gymnast that has c\-'„r vi.-itcd this Colony. Mr. .Marshall, wbos. voice Ins greatly improved, I sang during the evening, the favourite song, j" .My old friend, John," being his best [ en'o-t. It would have been much move enjoyable, however, had ic not been for the defectiveness of the accompaniment, which was played out of time, too loudly, and inaccurately. In other respects the pianist ! performs his duties: wolJ, and it is a pity ■that, for ihc sake of a little extra care, he should not only spoil a good piece of vocalisation, but that he should leave an impression upon the minds of his audience that he is unable to play upon his instrument. •■'The Mischievous Monkey," a most laughable farce, concluded the t ntertaininent. The company will, wo have no doubt, draw l:u - !_'e hoiis-s now that their entertainment is known to bo a good one.