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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 871, 30 January 1879, Page 2

The strong wind during to-day lias done some amount of damage. Sheets of iron roofing have I>ecii blown off in several direci trotis. and other slight injuries have been I occasioned. The most serious mishap that ■ we have heard of. and one very nearly j having a fatal resnl', occurred at Mr. I O'Meaghers residence. A long sheet-iron I pipe was fitted to one of the chimneys. This [ apparently eansht the wind, and caused the ! ..vinmney to be blown down with such force ! as to crush through the iron roof and fall on to the floor ©f the house. Mrs. O'Mcaghcr, I two servants, and three little children, had i btit two seconds previously left the apart- : rnent. Mrs. O'Mcaghcr Iteiug last. Had thev remained, there is every reason to believe that not one of them could have escaped serious iujuty or death, as the floor i.strewri %vith large blocks of stone. We have received a complaint from Uxbridge. It appears that the postal arrangements of that district are capable of very considerable improvement. At present the schoolhousc is the post oftice, and some settlers have to travel three miles for their tetter ■ and papers. The settlers think that as t'i,'-re are thirty farmers within a radius of t'..v> miles, they are entitled to a post office. We commend the matter to the consideration of the Chief-Postmaster for this district. At all events, some arrangement better than that which at present exists might be made. We have scarcely finished waving adieux to our estimable friend Sub-Inspector Smith, when we are cal'ed upon to part with one of the ©blast residents and best men that have ever sojonrncd In this district. Everybody will know that we arc referring to the announced withdrawal by the Government from our midst of our chief Customs officer, Mr. ItoWt Thompson, who has now resided in this community for 14 years. There is but one ingredient that will tend to sweeten the bitterness of the cup of which Mr. Thompson's friends must shortly partake—Mr. Thompson is to l>c removed from here in order to receive promotion, which he has well earned during his official career. His future sphere of labor is at Taranaki, which, it appears, is considered a port of more importance than Oamarn. Wo believe that Mr. Thompson will he robacd by all who have been in the

habit of associating with him as a friend, or have been brought into contact with him as public officer. Whilst his conduct of his department gives one: the idea that ;ho has has been exceedingly careful to perform ■ his duties with.that strictness which is so desirable because necessaryinhere efficiency is aimed at, yet his nature is such that he has always aaoqeeded in totaudag the good, foeling of all. We arc snrp that Mr. Eujmpsos's depwetare will be signalised by something more than regrets—he will carry with him a universal wish that he and his family may long be sparedin health, and that they may find in Taranaki as many warm-hea ted friends as they have found here. The fortnightly meeting of the Municipal Council will be held this evening. The following players will represent the Oamaru Cricket Club in the match against the Palmerston Club on Saturday :—Messrs. Cooke, Creagh, Be Lautour, F. Fenwick, Howorth, Lowe, Nicolls, Snow, Sumpter, Tempest, and Walls.

In consequence of the unfavorable weather yesterday afternoon, the Hampden Rifles were unable to commence their firing for the district prizes, and it was decided that the second squad should fire on Wednesday, sth February. Wc arc informed that the trial of reapers and binders, which was to have been held at Palmerston to-morrow, has been postponed indefinitely.

It is announced in another column that a trial of a Gammon and Deering reaper and hinder will take place at Mr. Donaldson's farm, near Awamoa, on Satin-day next. As it is of the utmost importance that agriculturists should become as fully acquainted as possible with each of the machines in the market, there should be a large attendance on this occasion. The trial will be personally superintended by a practical man from the works of the manufacturers, Chicago.

At the monthly meeting of the Lodge Unanimity, F. and A.M., Lytetlton, on Thursday night last, a beautiful Masonic jewel was presented to Past Master P. Cunningham, as a mark of appreciation of his services as W.M. The newly-installed W.M., liro. Rich, officiated, the R.W.D.G.M., Bro. \V. Donald, being unable to be present. As a specimen of excellent workmanship tiie ornament presented is highly creditable to the manufacturers, Messrs. P. Coates and Co. The following is a description of it :—A heavy gold square, at the angle of which is suspended an emblem of the 47th problem of the first book of Euclid ; the edges in both instances are raised, and the space between them filled in with open scroll work of an elegant pattern. The jewel is hung upon a wide blue ribbon, upon which are two bars and a buckle of gold. On the buckle, inscribed in letters formed of blue enamel, is the name of the lodge, " Unanimity." A gold appendage from this has the number and description of the lodge, " (KM, K.C.," upon it, in raised burnished lettering. Over the buckle, upon a shield of crimson enamel, is the recipient's monogram, " P.C.," in raised gold letters, and directly a!)ovc it the figures " IS7S-1579," the dates of the term of office for which the jireseutation was made. Bro. Cunningham's private emblem or device, a hand holding a lozenge, completes the jewel (it being below the buckle and of burnished gold). The presentation was accompanied by a few well-chosen remarks, followed by a very graceful acknowledgment by the brother.—Press. The Press states that at the Rangiora Magistrate's Court a case of considerable importance was heard, in which the Bench held that, although in all ordinary cases cliim-i against the Railway Department must ba made against the Minister for Public Work:- in terms of the Public Works Act. yet where an employe exceeded his [ powers in canting unnecessary delay in the delivery of packages, he is liable for damages. A verdict was consequently obtained by the plaintiff. The gist of the defence for the non-delivery of certain goods on the part of the station-master at the Cust to a local storekeeper, was that the latter was alleged to be in a "towering passion." The Court did not think so, and gave a judgment which everyone presen, except tindefendant, appear, d to think a just one.

Hassell, Son, and Co. are agents for the .-clehrateil Marsh Harvester and Automatic (Yanc Kinder.—[Auvt.] Money Saved and no time lost by using :'u« M:ir.-h Harvester.—[Advt.] To save trouble, annoyance, and a last- !!•_' rcarct. you should see and thoroughh •xamine the Marsh Harvester and Binder •jefore purchasing elsewhere.—[Advt.] What the Fakmers Say.—The Marsh Harvester and Crane Binder is the simplest .v.iil bast machine ever brought to the colonics. —(Advt.] Tables for hand binding with even- Marsh Harvester or Harvester King sold.— [Advt.] f Jbais Haiiveting made easy by using the Marsh Binder.—[Advt.] i;Bi