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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 829, 10 December 1878, Page 2

We are pleased to observe that our article of last evening has had the effect of directing attention to the need for something being done to obtain funds' for the Oamaru Hospital in a quarter from whence great assistance may be obtained. The matter was taken up heartily at the meeting of the Directors of the Oamaru Caledonian Society last evening, and it was decided to get up a concert in aid of the funds of the Hospital, to be given on New Year's Night. A strong Committee was formed to take the necessary steps, and we have no doubt that the proposed concert will do honor to its promoters, and be the means of doing a great amount of good for an institution which above all others is deserving of support. Considerable amusement was created in the District Court this morning by the manner in which a witness named Daniel Lynch, better known as " Dan the Groom," answered the preliminary questions put to him by Mr. Hamersley. " What are you ?" inquired the solicitor for the j>laintiff. "An Irishman," said Dan. "But how do you live ?" queried the solicitor, anxious to rind out the witness' avocation. "I work for my living," again replied the imperturbable Dan. "But what do you work at?" asked Mr. Hamersley. "I'm not at work now; I'm out of a job," said Dan. "Where were you working last ?" again queried Mr. Hamersley, bent upon giving the witness some definite class of employment. " I was working for Connell and Clowes," said Dan. " Then you are a laborer," said Mr. Hamersley, in a state of glee at having at last found out what the witness was. "I am," said Dan, smiling complacently. Everyone seemed pleased that a direct and sensible reply had been obtained at last, and the examination was proceeded with in the usual way. The free heartedness of brewers is proverbial. Why they are celebrated for liberality we know not, but so it is. Their generosity may be produced by the aroma emitted by the strong decoctions of malt and hops, which some people say is the basis of the beverage called colonial beer. If this be the cause, our surprise is that some brewers are not the reverse of liberal. But our object in writing is not to sift the reason for tlie liberality of brewers, which, if to be accounted for by the stuff of which the beer is composed, would impose upon us a task of no mean degree in order to arrive at the truth of the matter. We merely wish to announce that Messrs. James Marshall and Co., the brewers of brewers, 'who will shortly complete large additions to their brewery, are going to celebrate the completion of such additions by inviting their f liends to partake of their hospitality. Their intention is to improve the event by asking to be present on that occasion Mr. Fox, the celebrated temperance lecturer, and Mr. Stout, the Attorney-General of the Colony. Stringent rules have been laid down for the conduct of the festivity, in order to ensure that all those invited shall be able to walk straight to bed, even although they should "not go home till morning." Considering the efforts that have been put forth by Mr. Fox and the Attorney-General to damage the brewing business, we think that Messrs. Marshall and Co. will display a very considerable amount of Christian forgiveness by allowing Messrs Fox and Stout to enter their cellar ; and we would impress upon Messrs. Marshall and Co. the necessity that exists for exercising fatherly care over the two notable gentleman who profess to be abstemious, as the character of the Parliament of the country will be at stake. We think, with all due appreciation of the Christian-like forgiveneess of Messrs. Marshall and Co. that they are acting injudiciously in placing temptation in the way of Messrs. Fox and Stout, for it is well known that the greatest admirers of the inebriating cup aud those most likely to be caught tripping are those to whom it is a novelty. It is intended to confer an honor upon the distinguished guests by introducing two new brands—Attorney-General Stout and Reynard Ale.