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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 569, 27 February 1878, Page 2

We arc informed th:it tin; whole of the census papers for the town have now been delivered, ami it has been ascertained that there are iiSO inhabited buildings iu Oamavu. It is estimated that the total population of Oamaru will reach GOOD, but the real number, of cour.se. cannot be ascertained until after the returns have been completed, an operation which is likely to take some weeks to perform. In connection with this subject, we might remind heads of households that census papers are to be filled up and signed on Monday next, and it will greatly assist the sub-enumerators if tiie papers are handed over when called for. There should be i=o difficulty in filling' up the forms, for they are so full of instructions "that a wayfaring man, though a fool, cannot err therein."' We might also remind those interested that they are liable to a heavy penalty if they fail to comply with the order to properly iill up and deliver the papers. Sub-Inspector Smith seems to have his hands pretty full just at present, for in addition to having to compile the ordinary census returns for the Town of Oamaru and the Counties of Waitaki and Waikouaiti, he has to prepare a host of other information perfectly bewildering to any but an exceedinirlv clear-headed man. He has to obtain returns for the town and two counties as to the number of churches, their nature, seating accommodation, and congregations ; of atheiueums, their members, number of volume?, and nature of buildings ; of building societies, the number of shareholders

therein, &e.; of manufactories, the number employed in them and a list of the articles manufactured ; of breweries, the number of brewers, and the number of gallons of beer manufactured ; besides the collecting of the ordinary agricultural statistics, which in itself is likely to prove a long and tedious work in such large grain-producing districts as those under his charge. It is therefore to be hoped that those interested will freely give him every assistance in their power. In all we believe 17 sub-enumerators are engaged performing the work of delivering and collecting the census papers in the districts under Sub-Inspector Smith's official care. Of these four are employed in Oamaru, seven in Waitaki County, and six iu Waikouaiti County. Mr. S. E. Shrimski, J.IV, took his seat on the Bench this morning for the first time since his enrolment on the list of Justices of the Peace for the Colony. The business brought before him, however, was not of a very lengthy or important nature. A married woman named Susannah Htitchens was charged, on remand from Diniedin, by Elizabeth Turnbull with unlawfully and wilfully leaving her infant child without adecmate means of support, at Oamaru, on or about the 13th December, 1577. The accused said she had paid the informant 305., being three weeks' maintenance money,

before leaving Oamaru. She had written to the. complainant, saying that she was iu a situation, and would forward her the money due to her directly she drew her money. She was willing to take her children to Dunedin with her, and if she was then unable to maintain them, she would get them into the Benevolent Asylum. The accused asked if the father of the children could not be compelled to contribute something towards the support of the children, as she had maintained them herself long enough. SubInspector Smith said that a warrant had been issued for the father, but lie was not to be found. The case was adjourned until to-morrow, the Bench holding that the case could only be adjudicated upon by a Resident Magistrate. The accused was admitted to bail on her own recognisance on the condition that she at once took charge of the child, which she did, and left the Court vowing that she would take out another warrant for the arrest of her long-neglectful husband.

A meeting of the Provisional Directors of the Oamaru Stone Quarrying and Export Company was held this afternoon at Mr. Sumpter's office. There were present — Mr. Steward (in the chair), Dr. Garland, Messrs. Allen, Balmer, Sunipter, Procter, Humphrey, Spcnce, Hardy, Mitchell, and Booth (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Secretary reported that he had obtained the signatures of intending shareholders representingSlfishares outof the lOilO to be allotted. He also stated that hereceived an olfcr from a firm in Christhurch to subscribe for 100 shares if they were given the a ,r ency. It was decided to take the necessary preliminary steps towards registering the" company. Messrs. Humphrey, Sunipter, and Allen, with the secretary were appointed to consult with the solicitor with reference to the preparation of the Articles of Association. It having been decided to hold a meeting of shareholders on the J sth March, for the purpose of receiving and adopting the Articles of Association, the meeting adjourned. Shortly before 3 o'clock this afternoon, a lire burst out in a two-roomed house in Tync-street, occupied by Mrs. Mantell, laundress, and owned bv Mr. Norman Campbell. Mrs. Mantell states that she had been absent from the house for some lialfhoiir, and had left a girl, in charge. On her return home, she found the place on lire. According to Mrs. Mantell's statements, it appears that the tire originated near the boiler. It quickly found its way through the back wad, catching some gum tree boughs, a pile of which were lying dose to the building. In a very short time the whole place was in flames, the building, which appears to have been nearly twenty vears old, being entirely destroyed. The lire spread to the adjoining house, which was also a dilapidated-looking two-roomed shanty, but the mud wall inside the outer board's prevented its destruction. The whole or nearly so of Mrs. Mantell's furniture was saved through the exertions of a number of willing workers. The buildings were not insured.

The Committee of the North Otago Riile Association have determined to hold the usual monthly competition next month, in addition to the annual rifle meeting. The monthly competition will take place on the Kith March, the ranges chosen being 300, 500. and (it)o yards, live shots as each in any position, and Wimbledon targets. Entries will close on tho- 12th, and v.'e would strongly advise members to enter the contest, as the ranges and conditions arc almost precisely the same as those for the ladies' prize iu the annual compition.

A break will leave Mr. Paterson's Empire Hotel at 12 o'clock to-morrow, in order to convey those who desire it to the trial of reaping and binding machines at Mr. Orr's farm. Keturn fare, ss.

The Philharmonic Society's rehearsal will take place this evening, at the usual place and hour. The Committee will meet at 7.

The trial of reapers and binders, under the auspices of the Northern Pastoral and Agricultural Association, will tike place tomorrow, at 1 p.m., in a paddock belonging to Mr. Orr, at Springfield. There are only three entries—Wood's, M'Cormack's, and Ileid and (tray's, not one of Osborne's machines being procurable in the district. This is a pity, as of course, the farmers would like to have seen all tho machines that have been advertised for sale get a la'r trial. J'eid and I fray's machine has arrived, and looks as though it would take some beating. Those interested will be good enough to note that the trial commences at 1 o'clock, and not at 10 o'clock as stated in error by us in a former issue.

About -~i members of tlio Oamaru Artillery Volunteers assembled last evening at the Empire Hotel for the purpose of presenting Lieut, George Greenfield with an address and a gold eliain, upon his giving up the command of the battery to the newlyelected Captain. The address had been neatly engrossed on parchment by a member of the battery, and was handed to Lieut. Greenfield by Capt. Morton, who spoke in terms of praise of the rocip : cnt"s qualities as ;i volunteer, and of what he had done for the battery, 'file health of Lieut. Greenfield was received and done justice to with musical lienor?, and a very pleasant evening was spent by those present. The Oamaru battery has determined to send a challenge to the Timaru battery for a friendly match at standing gun-drill, and firing. The date will probably lie fixed by the challenged Company.

The nsn.il monthly mooting of the Waiareka Itciail Heard •was held in the Board office, Tyne-street, tliis forenoon. There •were present---Messrs. John .lleid (in the chair), Meek, Gilchrist, J. T. Kvans, Major Evans, and Oliver (Engineer). 'Die minutes of the last meeting were read and conlirmed, and outward correspondence read and approved. Air. P. Oakdcn, Tapauui Down-, wrote stating that as he had told out his property he would have to resign his seat on the Board. Resolved, "That Mr. Oakdeu's resignation he accepted, and that Dr. Webster be elected to fill the vacant soat;" who, receiving intimation of his election, took his seat. Mr. T Thompson, of Columella, wrote, offering L2 IDs. for timber taken from the old bridge, Todd's. The Board declined to accept the offer. Mr. J. W. Evans wrote, drawing attention to the road leading to his new house on Section 27, Block IV., Oaniaru district. The letter was referred to the Engineer. A letter was read from the Town Clerk ; also, from the Municipal Engineer, with reference to the proposed road at East Teaneralvi. The Clerk was instructed to forward this correspondence to Mr. "Win. Fenwick, and ask on what terms he is willing to give the necessary land. A circular was read from the Under-Secretary, with copies of fencing and sheep bills, which it is proposed to introduce next session, and asking for suggestions on the same ; it was ordered that they lie on the table until next meeting. The engineer's and inspector's reports on the works in progress were read. It was ordered that the engineer inspect and report on the roads in the Tapui subdivision,

aud that the inspector's attention be called to the necessity of having the boulders in road lines removed ; also, that the inspector purchase a new dray. Mr. Meek gave notice that at next meeting he -would move, " That the resolution passed on 9th January re exchange of road lines at Whitstone be rescinded," as in his opinion it ■was passed contrary to law, and in direct ojjposition to a large majority of the ratepayers. Accounts to the amount of L3SS lis lOd were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.