The Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPT. 12, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 756, 12 September 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPT. 12, 1878.

A deputation consisting of the Mayor, the Chairman of the Harbour Board, and Mr. Procter, asked the County Council to-day to bear a share of the expense incurred through the late celebration. A motion by Mr. Murcott to grant £SO was lost. A petition from residents of Kakanui was read at the County Council meeting to-day, praying the Council to recommend the Government not to take any_ action in the matter of the proposed Livingstone railway until a survey has been made and report prepared on the routo via valley of the Kakanui. A motion embodying the views of the petitioners was proposed by Mr. Thomson and seconded by Mr. Morton and carried. The N. O. Rifle Association held a special general meeting last night at the Royal Hotel, to confirm the rules and to consider what steps it would be advisable to adopt in reference to the proposed New Zealand Rifle Association. Dr. De Lautour occupied the chair. The draft rules were read and, after slight alterations, were adopted. The President read a circular forwarded to Major Steward by Mr. F. Stevens, Secretary of the proposed New Zealand Association, requesting certain information as to the amount of support that might be relied uuon for the Oamaru district. Moved by Mr. L. Morton, and carried—" That the Secretary be requested to intimate to Mr. Stevens, per Major Steward, the Association's approval of the scheme for forming a New Zealand Association, and its desire to assist in carrying out the same to a successful issue. The Association further suggests that the commanding officer be requested to bring the matter before the Volunteers at the Government inspection parade on Friday next, and to inform them that two delegates from the Association will confer with them on the subject." Dr. De Lautour and Mr. Otterson were appointed delegates. A Committee meeting was subsequently held, at which it was decided to hold the first match of the season on Saturday, the 21st inst., commencing at 6 a.m. Entries to be lodged on or before the previous Monday.

A meeting of the Oamaru Christys will be held to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock, at Mr. Earle's dining-rooms.

In consequence of the smallness of attendance at the Chess Club meeting announced for last night, there was no business done. The annual meeting of the Oamaru Branch of the Otago Railway Employes Benefit Society, for the election of officers, etc., will be held at eight o'clock to-morrow evening, in the goods shed. A lecture on Spiritualism is announced to be delivered in the Cave Valley Schoolhouse, on Friday (to-morrow evening), by Mr. F. Joseph, commencing at seven o'clock. At the close of the lecture a collection will be made in aid of the Sabbath-school library. The Waiareka Road Board notifies that it is the intention of the Board to levy a general rate of one shilling in the pound on the rateable value of all properties. The rate-book is now open for inspection at the office of the Board, Tyne-street.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before Jas. Udall and A. Clowes ; Esqs., J.P.'s, John and Jacob Borham were fined 10s. each and costs, 95., for unlawfully throwing stones, to the danger of one Frederick Neiss.— The same parties were also charged with trespassing on the property of Frederick Neiss, at Papakaio, and refusing to quit the same after having been duly warned. Fined ss. and costs, 13s.— James Hartly was charged with unlawfully driving a licensed carriage without having a license authorising him to do so. Cautioned and discharged. The fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board will bo held at the usual time tomorrow morning.

This evening the third annual Conversazione in connection with the St. Paul's Young Men's Association takes place in the Volunteer Hall. In addition to a very excellent programme for the Concert portion of the entertainment, in which a large number of the best of our local amateurs will take part, a large collection of curiosities will be on view, and there will be some interesting experiments with the telephone, wires having been placed between the High School and the Volunteer Hall. Altogether a very pleasant evening's amusement is promised, and we have no doubt there will be a large attendance. The half-yearly meeting of the North Otago Turf Club was held last evening at the Empire Hotel. There were presentMessrs. Lumaden [(in the chair), Sherwin, Steward, Richardson, Paterson, Greenfield, Lippert, and Grant (Hon. Sec). After the minutes of the last half-yearly meeting had been read and confirmed, Mr. Sherwin (for the Treasurer) read the half-yearly balancesheet, showing that the receipts had been LlO3l lis 9d, and the expenditure LlOl6 18s 6d, leaving a balance of Ll4 13s 3d. A discussion then took place as to the advisability of altering the date of the race meeting. Mr. Sherwin said that he had brought, the question up at the settling in connection with the last race, when the whole of the owners of horses were present, and the general opinion was that the month of De-

qeinbsr would be mora convenient than the present time of the meeting in March. He argued that there would be larger fields if the date of the races was altered, and the meeting to take place shortly after the Ghristchurch Spring races. If December were chosen as the time for the races, there would be no probability of their clashing with any others, the Auckland meeting being in January and that of Welling bon in February. Mr. Steward suggested that a special meeting should be held to consider the question. After some little discussion it was decided to hold a special meeting on the 25th inst., at 8 p.m., and Mr. Sherwin gave notice that he would then move that the annual race meeting should be held during the first week in December. On the motion of Mr. Sherwin, seconded by Mr. Eichardson, Messrs. Grant, Lumsden, and Sherwin were appointed a Committee to draw (up a programme for the approval of the special meeting, in the event of it being decided to change the date. In reply to a question, the Hon. Secretary stated that no answer had as yet been received from the Racecourse Trust to .the Club's application for the transfer of the lease of the course from Messrs. Paterson and Shalders to the Club. He thought the Trust was treating the Club with scant courtesy in not having given a reply before then to the Club's request, seeing that they had had some weeks to consider the matter. Mr. Paterson stated that unless he received a direct reply from the Club one way or the other within a week he would withdraw his offer to transfer his lease of the course. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.