The Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 782, 14 October 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1878.

The Mayor of Oamaru has very thoughtfully called a meeting of citizens to consider what steps should be taken to assist the sufferers in the flood-stricken districts of Otago. Scarcely had the waters commenced to subside, when the snow from the ranges, melted by the nor'-west winds, caused them to again rise, and on Saturday the distressed were threatened with a second visitation worse than the first. It is our duty to help, and we believe that whatever steps may be adopted to relieve many of those who have lost their all, will meet with the hearty response that characterised the Indian Famine Relief Fund. In order not to clash with the sale at Whitstone to-morrow, and other meetings, the Mayor has fixed the meeting of " those who may be wiling to assist in raising a subscription" for the above-men-tioned purpose for Wednesday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, .at the Mechanics' Institute. The N. Z, S. Company's Waikato has arrived t in London after a protracted passage. According to the report presented by the Ground Committee at the annual meeting of members on Saturday evening, it appeal's that the Oamaru Cricket Club will not be able to commence practice on its ground for some time, some cricketers who have visited the ground stating that fully a month must elapse before it will be in condition fit for playing upon. The Committee was taken to task rather severely by some members for the delay which had occurred in carrying out improvements, but it was, satisfactorily we think, explained that the delay had been occasioned in the first place by the prolonged dry weather preventing the ground being worked, and afterwards by the long series of heavy frosts having rendered it advisable to delay sowing grass seed until a much later period than would otherwise have been the case. Although Mr. Borton, with his usual consideration, has placed one of his paddocks at the disposal of the Club, for practice in the meantime, it is extremely probable that nothing in the shape of regular practice will be indulged in for a few weeks ; and that, for this reason, requests which have been received from the Timaru and Palmerston Clubs to play matches during next month will not be acceded to by the Oamaru Club. The delay in commencing operations will no doubt prove annoying to many members who are anxious to try once more their skill at | the game, but they must perforce seek consolation in the reflection that when they do enter upon the enjoyments of the game they ! will do so on a ground much benefited by the delay. The last of the series of special services at [ the Volunteer Hall, under the auspices of the Oamaru Young Men's Association, was held last evening, and was again well attended. Excellent addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr. Barley and Mr. Jeffreys. Aa usual, the Association's choir sang several choice hymns from the " Sankey" collection in capital style We would remind members of the Committee of the North Otago Turf Club that a special meeting will be held this evening, at 8 o'clock, at the Empire Hotel. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning Elizabeth Horn, charged with vagrancy, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment with hard labor. Charges against John and Jacob Borham for trespassing on the land of Frederick Neiss, at the Papakaio, was dismissed. Mr. A. H. Maude will to-morrow offer for sale at Whitstone the whole of the Hon. R. Campbell's Clydesdale mares, cattle, implements, &c, in use on the Whitstone estate. The catalogue includes several Tasmanian and Taieri bred draught horses, the whole of which have been selected with great care. The sale has been rendered necessary, owing to the estate having been disposed of in small lots. A special train will leave the Oamaru station for Whitstone at 11 o'clock, and the afternoon Ngapara train will stop at Whitstone to take up passengers at 6.40,

A child named William Alfred Cousins, aged 14 months, died suddenly at the Awamoko yesterday morning. An inquest was held at the Court-house this afternoon, before T. W. Parker, Esq. A verdict of " Died from natural causes" was returned.

The Rev. Mr. Fee, of Waimate, preached eloquent sermons at Wesley Church yesterday morning and evening on behalf of the Home Mission and Church Extension Association. The rev. gentleman spoke of the necessity for extending the sphere of operations of the church, and the ease with which the Gospel might be carried to all quarters were people to give a small amount regularly in aid of the object. The Conference had not met with nearly so large an amount of support as they were entitled to receive and might reasonably expect. He hoped that the congregation in Oamaru would do better jn this matter than it had done in the past. Collections were made at both services in aid of the Mission and Church Extension | Fund. This evening a public meeting in ■ furtherance of the same object will be held in the church, when addresses will be delivered by the Revs. J. Crump, A. R. Fitchett. and T. Fee.