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Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 784, 16 October 1878, Page 2

It is rumored that, in view of settling one of the present Oamaru Post Office difficulties, instructions have been received from headquarters to permit every man to sort his own letters. This would obviate the necessity of employing an extra clerk, to whom would have to be paid at least LSO per annum, and prevent embarrassment to the Government.

At the meeting held this afternoon to consider what steps should be taken to obtain subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers by the late floods in Otago, there were seven gentlemen present, the Mayor in the chair. Those present were supplied with subscription lists, and Mr. W. J. Smith was appointed Treasurer. A list will be left at Messrs. Ronayne and Cottcrell's, for the convenience of farmers and others. It was resolved that the subscriptions should be limited to LIOO, and that the lists should close on the 23rd inst. Upwards of Lls were collected at the meeting. Neil Cameron, who was employed on Mr. John M"Lean's Redcastle Estate, and who has been missing since last Sunday week, has not yet been heard of. It appears that, being slightly demented, he wandered away from home unobserved, except by one of the men. who, finding that he did not return, .';u'o the alarm. The station hands have scoured the country around several times, }>".t without success. It is feared that he will starve to death, if he has not already done so. He was formerly a shepherd at Morvern Hills, and is a stout-built man, with dark whiskers. He was last seen passing the tents at the reservoir on the day on which he left home. If any person coming into contact with poor Cameron would report him, he would perform an act of charity. The Secretary of the Loyal Alfred Lodge, 1.0.0. F., notifies that in future meetings of the Lodge will be held at the Oddfellows' Hail, C'oquet-street. The meeting this evening will be held there at S o'clock. Firing at the headquarters range is stopped. by order of the officer commanding the district, pending the completion of repairs to the butts, till the 19th inst. Tenders are invited by the Municipal Council for watering the principal streets of Oamaru during the summer. We are becoming civilised. The second monthly competition of the North Otago Rifle Association is appointed to take place on Saturday, the 19th inst., at the Oamaru, Otepopo, and Hampden ranges. Morning squad at 6 : afternoon at 3 ; ranges —3OO and 500 yards. Entries close with the Secretary on Thursday, the 17th inst., at S p.m. We learn from our morning contemporary that a special meeting of the Municipal Council took place yesterday at twelve o'clock. A telegram from Mr. Shrimski, M.H.R., re proposed exchange of land with Messrs. Lees and Moore for land taken for railway purposes, considered, and a reply directed to be sent. The proceedings were in Committee. Our readers will naturally-ask why we did not insert this information in last evening's issue. Our reply is that no notice of the meeting was forwarded to us.

Sergeant William Beatty is gazetted Inspector of Weights and Measures for the division of Hawkesbuiy (which includes Oamaru) vice Sergeant Bullen transferred. We would respectfully inform shopkeepers that Sergeant Beatty will commence his new duties as soon as the necessary test weights and measures arrive, which are expected daily. While absorbed in deep meditation to-day we were aroused by a smash in the direction of the Bank of New Zealand. It turned out, however, to be nothing more than the breakage of the axle-tree of a hansom cab. When we saw the handsome piece of mechanism it had a list to the starboard. The driver escaped unhurt. Oue of the largest transactions ever recorded in brandy has just been concluded between La Grande Marque, of Cognac, and Messrs. W. and A. Gilbey, resulting in a purchase of 2500 hogsheads of 1805 brandy landed in 1870. This contract amounts to nearly LSo,ooo.—Standard.