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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 809, 15 November 1878, Page 2

11l our last evening's issue it was stated in a cablegram that the Russians were advancing" towards the Balkans., On reading the telegram, wo did not exactly see what business the Russians had in the locality indicated in the cablegram ; but, the limited time at our disposal between the receipt of the telegram and the hour at which the paper had to be published did not admit of aiiv enquiry being made at the Telegraph Otiieu to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the statement. In fact, if we were to refer to all doubtful sentences and words that occur in our messages back to the Telegraph Office for verification, our publication would degenerate so much as to at length become a morning instead of an evening paper. The word " Balkans" should have been printed "Balkh," Balkh (the Bactra of antiquity)—formerly the capital of an independent Kahanat—lies in a fertile plain to the southward of the Upper Oxus. The modern town, which is littlo more than a village in point of size, is surrounded by a mud wall; but the remains of the older city spread over a vastly large area, upwards ol gO miles in circuit. Wo learn that a petition to the Harbor Board, asking that greater provision should lie made for supplying vessels fit the Breakwater with the necessary fresh water, is being very numerously signed. It is urged that'thcro are several tanks formerly-used at the northern railway which could be utilised for the purpose, and that water could, witn a small amount of trouble, be brougnt from the "vVitiiujf.i three times a day. The matter is one of considerable importance, and it is to bo hoped, that the Board wilj devise some means of obtaining a good supply of fresh water for the shipping. A special meeting of the Committee of t-Jje North Otago Turf Club is called for tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock.

The gale of to-day seems to have been pretty general, and was felt with great severity on the Canterbury plains. The progress of the trains was inpeded, and it was considered risky crossing over the several bridges en route, which were traversed with exceeding carefulness. Nearly all of the immigrants, ex Timaru, who arrived in Oamaru last Saturday, and were open for engagement on Monday, have already found good employment. There are now only two families and four single men in the barracks, and it is anticipated that these will find immediate engagements, the "applications from the country for all classes of servants having been v- ry numerous. The rates of wage's obtained were—Single girls, general servants, L3O to L 35 per annum ; married couples, LCS ; single men, farm servants, L 52 a year and harvest wages, and handy men, L 52 per annum ; carpenters, 12s per day. This clearly proves the correctness of our statement that as a field for the employment of foreign labor, Oamaru and its districts rank second to none in the Colony, and provides another strong argument in favor of immigrants being sent direct to Oamaru, more especially when we notice the very slow manner in which engagements are found for new arrivals in Dimedin, where a lesser number of both married couples and single men obtained employment. A biu'gy accident of a very serious nature occurred yesterday. The Kev. Sir. Sidey, of' Napier, was driving with Sirs. Todd along the Teaneraki road, when the horse, from l sonic cause, shied. 15oth the occupants were thrown heavily to the ground, and, though no bones were broken, both lady and gentleman received such a severe shaking as to necessitate their keeping their beds to-day. A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday, the members present being Mr. G. Sumpter (Chairman), the Hon. H. .1. Miller, and .Messrs. Reid, Meek, and Lemon. The only business brought forward was the consideration of the Board's finance. It was decided to write to the bank, enquiring on what terms an advance could be granted, pending the iloating of the loan authorised last session. All accounts against the Waitaki Amateur .Athletic Club in connection with the sports must bo rendered to the Secretary during the current month.

A meeting of the Mechanics' Institute Committee was held last evening, when there were present —Messrs. Sumpter (in the chair), Filleul. Spratt, Kidd, M'Combe, and Davis (Secretary). The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr. Spratt, seconded by Mr. Kidd, a vote of thanks was accorded to those wlm had already given books, and to those who had promised contributions, and the librarian was requested to call for same. lr> was resolved that the librarian lie authorised to obtain the paper mentioned in his letter of the 14th hist., gratuitously if possible, and also to request the proprietor.of the Oaiuaru papers to obtain copies from '.hose papers to whom they send copies. On the motion of Mr. Filleul, seconded by .Mr. Spratt, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Hislop for having taken charge and obtaining the passing of the Oamaru Aihenautm and Mechanics" Institute Rill, and also to Mr. Shrimski for his assistance: and a copy of the resolution was ordered to be forwarded to each of those gentlemen. U was resolved that, pending the arrival of hooks from .Home, Messrs. Sumptcr ami Filleul be authorised to buy books to tinvalue of not exceeding LlO. A number o: accounts having been passed, a vote 01 thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. A Committee meeting of the Xorth Of ago I'.ille Association was" held at the Rova! Hotel last night, the Yice-lYesid ut (Mr. Otterson) in the chair. Present:--Messrs. Rule, King, Morrison, Headland, and Atkinson (Hon. See.). Tin; minutes of the previous meeting were read ami adopted, rkifries for the November competition were received as follows : —Oamarn, 120 : Olepopo, :l ; Hampden, 4. Handicapping then lock place, and at this stage of the proceeding.the President (Dr. He Lautourj entered and took the chair. Tt was proposed by Mr. Ilule. "That the Secretary request the Otcpopo members to forward their entries before 8 p.m. on the Thursday previous to the monthly meeting. The following members were selected to practice for the match •.eainst the Ota<_'o Association :—Captains Morton, Diohl, "ami M't'orkiiuiale, .Lieut. Headland. Sub-Lieut. Morris. Sercts. Kins.'. T. YV. Paterson. and Ross. Cornls. Atkinson, billies, and R. Frame. Vols. Clark. Russell. !; bodes, A. Hard v. Cuuner Little, and Me.-srs. Rule and Harbridev. It was proH.sed bv Mr. Pule. " That the Secretary write to"Hie Secretary of the Ohigo Association for certain information in eonuection ■.vith the forthcoming mateh." It was then resolve.!. "That, the folK-wi.*- maiiliers be ,;•{,. ihitod a Sub-Committee to meet the visiting team at the station and make a'.i

Ike necessary arrangement.* : I':'. lie Lau■our (President!. Messrs. OUor--on and i;. Peattie (Vice-Presidents.!, and E. A. Atkin~oii (Secretary).'" The met-iing then adjourned until Tut-.-.i1.-iy, tin; )K)i in>i.. when the linal selection will he mane. It is specially requested tli.it the members selected will go in i'oi' practice, as it is the intention of the Piuic-dinitcs to semi up a strong ivam. V.'c learn villi pleasure that iho Chcever.s, Kennedy, and "Kent Minstrels intend paying O.'unai'u another visit, anil will give one. en-ii/i-t;iiiiiiient in the Volunteer Hall on Tucs.lay, the iiiitli instant.

At tlio Resilient Magistrate's Court, this morning, before T. W.'Parker, Esq., R.M.. PJi Cooli'U »v:ii> brought; nil on remand charged with having broken into the house if" James Young, at Oiepcpo, and. .stealing therefrom two watches, one albert ;'nard. one loeket, a ill-note, and about; Pis. in silver—in all, to the value of £l4. Sub-ln-pcetor Smith prosecuted, and, after hearing ilia evidence of Mr. Young and Constable '. Preen, the prisoner vas committed to lake '.lis trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Jhmeilin. Joseph James vas lined ,'s. bd. for beina drunk and disorderly yesterday. ■

We beg to remind our readers that the conversazione takes place to-night in the fees-street Hall—(J..lo to 7.50, promenade tea; 7-->0 to 8.30, conversazione and exhibits ; 5.30 to 10, addresses and music. The London correspondent of the Lyttclton Times says that Emiuott and LTlyett get L2OO a-piece, and all expenses paid., with Lord Harris's team of cricketers. Morley was asked to go. but had to refuse in consequence of sickness in his family, and Emmett was then given a chance.