Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 793, 26 October 1878, Page 2

Mr. D. Sutherland, of Omarama, has sent us a letter, which appears in another column, on the Livingstone polling place grievance. The matter it contains will probably be the means of satisfying those who were aggrieved. Mr. Sutherland says that if " they deem it proper to have a polling place at Livingstone it shall be done." This is just what we expected would result when the grievance became known to those who have the regulation of these matters. But our object in referring to Mr. Sutherland's letter is more particularly to point out that there is one passage which admits of an interpretation unfavorable to us. Mr. Sutherland says it is insinuated that Mr. Campbell had something or everything, to do with the new arrangement tliat caused displeasure to the Livingstone people. Now, lest it should be thought that this remark is intended for us—and some people might think so from the position which it occupies in the letter —we explain that Mr. Sutherland cannot refer to us. In our article on the subject we stated the improbability that a man like Mr. Campbell would interfere in such affairs. The writer of the letter signed " Elector" seemed to be impressed with an idea that Mr. Campbell, was implicated in the mattar ; and we wrote with a desire to disabusing his mind and the minds of others who may have held a similar opinion, of what we believe to be a false and unjust impression. Mr. Sutherland's letter bears out our impression. A general meeting of the Committee of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association Anil be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday next. |J .

We are requested by the editor to intimate that as "The New Zealand Agriculturist" will be published on Friday next, all matter intended for insertion should be forwarded without delay, and that he would be grateful to the settlers for any literary assistance which they may be able to give in order that the paper may be made as useful as the organ of the North Otago Agricultural Society as possible. Through the courtesy of Mr. Connell, the Hon. Secretary of the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society, wc had the pleasure of viewing in that gentleman's office to-day 300 salmon trout which have been brought from Palmerston for Mr. Menlove. They are as lively as it is possible for them to be, and appear in every respect to be vigorous fish. Everybody will be glad to learn that Mr. Young has succeeded in hatching out 12,000 young trout for the Society, which are now ready for distribution. In the House of Representatives last night, the Premier announced the receipt of a telegram from Sir Julius Vogel, stating that Mr. Broomhall, of Te Aroha land notoriety, renounces his claim to that block on receipt of L 3500. The amount is large ; but if it can be justly claimed it should be paid, and this block of magnificent land, which has been so long locked up, sold by public auction ; that is, if the matter is not already settled. The vague language of the telegram leaves us in doubt. A lecture will be delivered by the Rev. D. Roseby on Monday next at the Volunteer Hall. Subject: "Constantinople." His Worship the Mayor will occupy the chair. A few of the friends of Mr. Michael Hickey, who is about to leave Oamaru for Wellington, have invited him to a farewell supper to take place at the Criterion Hotel on Tuesday evening next, at 9 o'clock. A meeting of volunteers and others interested in the New Zealand Rifle Association will be held on Monday evening, at S o'clock, to hear the rules and elect a local committee. We are informed by a memo, from the Telegraph Department that communication with°Port Darwin has been restored. A special meeting of the Council of the North Otago Rifle Association took place last nio-ht in the Volunteer Hall, Mr. R. Peattie, Vice-President, in the chair. There were also present—Messrs. J. King, T. Morris, R, L. Rule. A. Headland, and E. A. Atkinson (hon. Secretary). A letter was read from one of the Otepopo members with regard to the deciding of ties for the prizes in the last match. It was urged by the writer of the letter that as Lieutenant Headland had received one point in the handicap (which, with his score of 45, made a total of 46) he should follow those who had made 40 w!>' - out the addition of points. After discussion, it was resolved that the writer of the letter be informed that the ties had been dj _..:_: : in accordance with the rules of the Association. It was also resolved to send a challenge to the Otago Rifle Association for a match of twelve men aside, to take place in Oamaru on the 40th November next, A match has been arranged(to take place at Hampden on Tuesday, the 29th, between Mr. H. T. Murcott's chestnut gelding Billy and Mr. J. R. Couper's Boomerang for L 23 a side, one mile, catch weights. A meeting of employers of labor was held last evening at the Criterion Hotel. It was decided to send circulars to the various firms and their employes asking their opinion upon the matter. Another meeting is to be held on Friday evening next to further consider the question of the Saturday halfholiday. The unpleasant dispute between the Oamaru Steeplechase Club and Mr. G. Osborne, arising out of the fact of Silverstream, the winner of the Maiden Steeplechase at the last meeting having run under the wrong age has been settled, by Mr. Osborne returning the amount of the stake and paving expenses. At a meeting of the Committee last evening a resolution accepting Mr. Osborne's explanation as satisfactory was passed : and so the matter ends as far as Mr. Osborne is concerned, and we are glad to be able to record the fact that the unpleasantness has been satisfactorily settled. The complaint against Hankins, who entered the protest, of having attempted to hush the matter up if he received half the stakes, will be investigated at a future meeting. In connection with this matter a letter was read at the meeting last evening from Mr. Osborne, in which he urged that as Mr. Hankins entered the horse Billy Button, he should be deemed the owner of the horse. The Secretary of the N. O. A. and P. Association requests us to intimate to intending exhibitors of sheep that in the published pamphlet prize-list, section SI, class J., Lincoln, should read two-tooth or yearlings, and not two-tooth and upwards. The adjourned coroner's inquest on the body of the child which is supposed to have died through neglect in Chelmer-street about a fortnight ago, will be held at the Courthouse at 10 a.m. on Monday. An Evangelistic Service will be held tomorrr- •■.- at "the new Tees-street Hall, common' >g at S p.m., instead of 7 p.m. as heretofore. The choir will sing a number of Moody and Sankey's Sacred Songs for half an hour prior to the commencement of the service. All are cordially invited to be present. There was a capital muster of the Volunteer Companies at the parade last evening, the Cadets especially turning out in large numbers. After going through about an hour and a half's drill in Thames-street, the Companies were marched back to the drill shed, where a meeting was held in reference to the proposed review in Dunediu on the Prince of Wales' Birthday. It was arranged that Major Steward should proceed to Dunedin on Tuesday, to make arrangements with Colonel Stavely, and that special instruction parades should be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at S o'clock. The settlers in and around Uxbridge are greatly delighted in consequence of the erection of a platform and small passenger station at that place. It will lie remembered that about two months ago the settlers in the locality above mentioned petitioned the Government to provide them with those very necessary conveniences, and, considering the routine which is generally observed in such matters, it is surprising that the work has already been carried out. The first half-yearly meeting of members of the Early Closing Association was held last evening at Mr. Gordon's rooms. There was a fair attendance, and Mr. Roulston (Vice-President) occupied the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Secretary's report was read and adopted. The report reviewed the proceedings during the last six months, and showed that although very little of a practical nature had been achieved, a large amount of real head work had been performed by the Society, Congratulations were offered to members on the fact that several of the leading hrerchants and employers had agreed to make a half holiday on Saturday, thus giving their employes an opportunity of shopping early in the afternoon. It was also stated that at present there were 26 members good on the books of the Association. The balance-sheet disclosed the fact that the Association had during the half-year expended L4O, and that there was a balance of L 4 in hand. The election of officers took place, with the following result: President, His Worship the Mayor (reelected) ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Rodgers and Macdonald ; Secretary, Mr. G. Parker ; Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Roulston ; Committee, Messrs. Urquhart, Bain, Smith, Glass, and Hilliker, The Committee were instructed

to urge the necessity for the deputation appointed to canvass the employers doing so as early as possible. It was decided that the Committee should at the next meeting bring up a list of all the holidays in the year. The meeting terminated with the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman. The late rains' have caused considerable damage to many of the water races at Livingstone. The damage ..having been now repaired, the claims are again in full working order. The following are the names of those who were present at the Committee meeting of the Oamaru Cricket Chub, at which Mr. Snow was blackballed and Mr. Cooke was admitted by the bare majority of one vote : Messrs. Sumpter (President), Borton (VicePresident), M'Donald (Secretary), Tempest (Treasurer), Walls (scrutineer), Fenwick, Low, Millington, Nichols. Explanation as to how the above results were brought about is unnecessary. While on this subject we would urge upon the Committee the necessity for adopting prompt measures for arriving at an understanding as to the future management of the Club. Instead of leading cricketing matters here it is fast drifting into a. condition of incompetence and subserviency to other Clubs possessing less advantages, but better managed. Were it not for the insane notions which some people have of their superiority over everybody else there would be in Oamaru a cricket club that would be able to compete Math all comers. We have not forgotten the match played by the Club with the Australian Eleven. On that occasion the gentlemen of the Oamaru Cricket Club did not show any particular superiority over the common men in the field, nor did they, after it was all over, evidence their gentlemanliness by recouping Mr. Sumpter the amount that he so liberally advanced in order to give them an opportunity of learning from Australians who are not '' gentlemen" how to play. It is to be hoped that our most noble national game will not be permitted to suffer to retrograde through the conduct of a few Committeemen, who place more value upon the maintenance inviolate of their Brummagem superiority than they do upon the game that they have been encouraged by public subscription to foster. We have received from the auctioneers (Messrs. Manchester Bros, and Goldsmith) a large and useful plan of the " Extension of Waimate Township," showing the property of M. Studholme, Esq., which has been cut up and nicely arranged in order to make a very necessary extension of the town—for by its rapid growth Waimate has lately shaken oil' all appearance of a township, ' ..a* become substantial in appearance, and iis entitled to a more important title. The pl-vi of the new town, which will be sold by , (jublic auction on the 2nd November next, may be seen at our office.