The Evening Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 843, 27 December 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878.

We in/this district ought to be grateful that we enjoy an; immunity from very severe ribr'-westers. "For several days past a devastating nor'-westerly wind Has been raging on the Canterbury Plains, the snow has melted on the ranges, and the rivers are once more greatly swollen. At Kaiapoi considerable damage has been done to the railway works by floods. The Rangitata Bridge has again given way, and caused the detention of the express train' from Christchurch, which did not arrive in Oamaru till 4.30 o'clock.

On Christmas Day the Primitive Methodists of Oamaru held their Sunday School Anniversary, which, considering that it was the first, was most certainly a success. Their newly-appointed minister, the Rev. C. E. Barley, was the preacher, and he selected for his subject in the morning " The benevolent object of Christ's mission to our world," viz., to " give life." The manner of Christ's mission" was briefly referred to, but the principal point brought out and dwelt upon was the object of that mission. The evening subject was "Christ meeting the needs of the world." The recitations which were given by the scholars were rendered with very good effect, some of them being really first-class. The singing of the hymns, which were from Sankey's collection, was an the hearty Primitive Methodist style. There was a fair attendance, and all who were present seemed well pleased with the services.

The warder of the Oamaru Hospital requests us to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of two sides of lamb and a quantity of fruit, from Mr. James Patersou, and an eighteen gallon keg of beer from Messrs. Lintott and Ottorson, as gifts to the patients for the Christmas holidays. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M., Catherine Moore was fined 20s, with the option of going to gaol for three days, for appearing in the Resident Magistrate's Courthouse oil the 24th instant in a state of insobriety. The same person was also fined LI, with the alternative of six days' imprisonment, for having on the 22nd instant assaulted and beaten Jane Kenny, a daughter of Mr. Michael Kenny. Alexander Johnston was lined 10s for being drunk and disorderly at the railway station on Christmas Day. John Dixon, charged with being of unsound mind, was remanded for medical examination. I'olly Sullivan was charged with having on the 2(>th instant wilfully broken a pane of glass in the window of the house of Mr. Joyce, and was fined Is and ordered to pay 10s for the damage done, or go to gaol for three days. Wo regret to intimate that the meeting of the Sub-Committee appointed at last meeting of the General Committee of the N.O. A. and P. Association to arrange conditions for the trial of reapers and binders had to be postponed until Friday, 3rd January, in consequence of a meagre attendance. As it is important arrangements should be made without delay, it is to Vie hoped there will bo a full attendance on that day. For the benefit of those who are anxious to receive timely information regarding the acceptances for the Waimate races, wo regret to state that they are not yet compiled, through the indisposition of the Secretary. We wired to Waimate regarding the acceptances to-day, and received this information.

Tlie well-known firm of Messrs. D. and L. Maclean, auctioneers and land, stock, and station agents, Tiniaru, has lately suffered a change. Mr. Lachlan Maclean has retired frointhe business, and Mr. Robert Stewart, for many years accountant for the N.Z. and A. Laud Company in Dunedin, lias been admitted into the business, which will in future be carried on under the style of Maclean and Stewart,