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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 609, 15 April 1878, Page 2

The Catlin, from Catlin's River, bound for Timaru, sought shelter in our port on Saturday from the boisterous weather that prevailed outside. We learn that she started from Catlin's River with one or two "landlubbers " on board; just such a crew as would be likely to throw up the sponge — and indeed anything else—and become incapable in time of need. Taking advantage of what appeared to be a "slant," the skipper essayed to proceed on his passage yesterday. Mr. Pilot Shand, accompanied by two borrowed men, one from the Defiance and another an employe 1 of Messrs. Miller and Smillie, helped to take her out, with the intention of returning, when they had put her fairly on her way. But the crew was faulty, and the wind strong and unfavorable. The little craft started, but the before mentioned difficulties were too much for her, and she gradually drifted towards the shore. At one time she was less than a stone's throw from the shore, and nearer dissolution than wc have ever seen anything that diil not actually suffer it. At this critical moment the wind playfully vacillated between south-east and south-west, and increased in force. Destruction seemed imminent, and some men would at once have accepteil that which appeared inevitable, but the captain and pilot persevered, and in live minutes after she was struggling in the surf, she was well out of danger. Last night, by the light of the moon she could be seen far away on the horizon, sail being taken in, and the vessel having made been comfortable for the night. No doubt yesterday's lesson will teach the master of the Catlin not to allow the safety of his vessel to rest in the hands of those w};o do not know how to handle one. It is probable that the pilot ] and Messrs. Miller and Smillie's man, will I return by way of Timaru.

.Some one in authority in the railway department is playing the fool with our railways. Lately the employes, who had for some considerable time been compelled to work late and early •without extra pay, received the welcome intelligence that overtime would in future be paid for, livery thing went as " merry as a marriage bell." The men worked well, and performed wonders. The employes were, however, informed at the end of last week that they would no longer be paid overtime, and they very properly struck work. We hear that their places will be taken by a number of men from Christchurch.

The Rev. Henry Pewsbury, the newlyappointed pastor of the Wesleyan Church, entered upon his ministerial duties yesterday, when he preached in Wesley Church at both the morning and evening services. The rev. gentleman created a most favorable impression, and should become a highly popular preacher. His manner in the pulpit is pleasing, while he possesses a voice, which though at times harsh, especially when the preacher indulges in declamation or exhortation, is at other times musical and pleasant. The rev. gentleman does not, like some preachers, confine himself to appealing to the emotional side of human nature, but endeavors to captivate his hearers by strong appeals to their reasoning factdties. This was apparent during the sermon last evening, when for a few minutes he referred to th« efforts which had been made to set aside the authenticity of the Scriptures and destroy faith in it. After remarking on the futility of these efforts, Mr. Dewsbury proceeded to say that long after such men as Huxley, Tyndall, Colenso, and the many others who had striven to destroy faith in Holy Writ, had passed away, the Scriptures would still endure, and remain as all powerful, despite the liery ordeal of fierce criticism which they had undergone.

Wo shall not cease to call attention to the dangerous practice of driving trains at a whizzing pace over th» Thames-street crushing until th;.t practice is abandoned. We freely confess that it is very nice to commence or tini-li a journey v, i:.h a dash, k In modi' "Cabbage-tree N'.-d" or Tom Sears: bur, glorious as it may be to an en-gine-driver to let on full steam —proud as itmay cause him to feel as he rattles over Thames-street between a guard of honor composed of "horse and foot," and however great may be our reluctance to deprive him of such pleasure—we must, in the cause of humanity, protest. Four miles an hour is the regulation speed over such public crossings, and not ten, which is well nigh "full speed "on our lines. We call the attention of those responsible to the necessity for curbing the festive natures of their euginedrivers.

A couple of civil cases comprised the whole of the business down for hearing at the Resident Court this morning.

A meeting of the Oamaru Cricket Club was held at the Royal Hotel on Saturday evening for the purpose of deciding what steps should be taken to improve the ground. It was determined to proceed at once with the work of improving the ground, more especially the pitch, and full power was given to Messrs Barton and Sumpter, with the Secretary of the Club, to act as they may deem advisable in the matter.

The Rev. Henry Dewsbury officiated yesterday at the anniversary services of Wesley Church. The audiences both morning and evening were large. The rev. gentleman selected his texts in the morning from the 4th chapter of Matthew, and in the evening from Romans i., 16. The annual soiree of the Church will be held to-morrow evening at the Volunteer Hall, on which occasion several gentlemen will deliver addresses, The representative of the New Zealand Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. notifies in another column that it will be necessary for farmers who desire to secure M'Cormick's reaping and binding machines to send in their orders to him not later than this week, in order to secure them in time I for the next harvest.

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company's steamer City of New York, with her popular Captain Cobb, is one of the pet ships of the line running between Auckland and San Francisco. Her accommodation is simply superb, and the living capital, and she is one of the fastest and most reliable of the Company's vessels. Messrs. Williams, Blanchard, and Co., the California agents, deserve great credit for thei- splendid management, and for the great interest they take in all matters relating to New Zealand, and for the perpetuity of the line between tlio tjyp countries, |

A meeting of the Committee of the Oamaru Hospital will be held to-morrow-evening, at 8 o'clock, at the office of the Secretary. Business : General. They are having some " Promenade Ballad Concerts" in Wellington at the Athenasum, in which that charming singer and pianiste, Madame Marie M oiler, and her daughter, Miss Annie, are the bright particular " stars." They think somewhat of making a trip to Dunedin, when of course they will take Oamaru in their way, where we are sure they will meet with a cordial reception.

Signor Carmini Morley, the Italian teacher of music at Dunedin, is thinking of returning to the fields of his former triumphs in San Francisco

Sir John Cracroft Wilson, at his late speech, in which he remarked that if "elected" he would do nothing "dirty," had an audience of twelve to listen to him ; and one of the late comers called out, somewhat " sarkastikally" as poor Artemus Ward, would remark—"l say, old feller; why didn't you bring your " flute ? " Mr. Thomas Gardiner, themew proprietor of the Wellington Argus or Chronicle, was one of the four proprietors of the Sacramento Union, the most reliable, and one of the best papers in California. Mr. Gardiner retired with an ample fortune, and left San Francisco for a brief trip to New Zealand, intending to return in three months, but he is so impressed with the beauties of these Colonies, and so satisfied with the great and wonderful future that there is for Wellington, that he has determined to make it his permanent residence, and will devote his talents and industry to the interests of that fast-growing city.

The " Salisbury Troubadors " had a brilliant time of it in Auckland. Blanche Corell*", with her charming vocalisation, was quite a pet in society, and the vivacious Nelly M'Henry's song, "Pretty as a picture" was in everybody's mouth. Mrs. Theresa Corlett, once upon a time resident of Wellington, has received an autograph letter from Queen Victoria, thanking her for a poem, compqsed by Mrs. Corlett in honor of the Queen's birthday. From late returns it appears that San Francisco contains 300 000 inhabitants.