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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1050, 1 September 1879, Page 2

We learn by a private telegram that Mr. (.'. A. de Lautour has been re-elected as a mcml*?r of the House for Mount Ma without opposition. We are furnished with the following extract lruni a letter to an Oamaru resident frmn his brother in Edinburgh : —" Business is l*id here in all departments, and with the dismal look out of a very late and poor harvest, people look very glum. The prospect of fanning is woeful at present, and what will be the result no man can predict. The weather day after day is like November —no sun, east wind, fearful rain, and that almost constantly. You cannot see a head of wheat yet (14th July), and everything is very late, first by the late seedtime and second by the uncongenial weather Bince. Hill farmers are also badly off—lambs inferior and few of them and the value of wool small." On Wednesday evening a concert and dance will be given in the Ngapara Schoolhouse, in aid of the funds of the local brass baud, which has lately been formed under the leadership of Major Atkinson. A capital programme will, we are informed, be presented, and there should certainly be a large attendance.

The North Otago Champion Ploughing Match will be held to-morrow in a paddock belonging to Mr. A. M'Master, opposite the race-course. The close proximity to town of the try sting ground and the valuable nature of the prizes should attract a large number of spectators and fine fields of competitors. Last evening's eight o'ciock service was addressed by Messrs. Hicks and Mirams. The attendance was good. During tho preliminary half hour the choir Bang some new sacred songs.

This evening, Mr. Steward will address the electors at the Teaneraki Schoolhouse, at six o'clock, and at the Cave Valley Schoolhouse at eight o'clock. Messrs. Hislop and Shritnski will speak at the Otepopo Athcnium, at half-past seven o'clock. Messrs. Hislop and Shrimski addressed two meetings of the electors on Saturday evening. The first meeting was held at Awamoko at half-past five o'clock, and was attended by about thirty persons. Mr. John Johnston occupied the chair. After candidates had addressed the meeting, a number of questions were put, principally by Mr. Peter Aitchison, with reference to drainage, and whicli did not seem to be answered entirely to the satisfaction of Mr, Aitchison. Mr. Hutchison proposed, and Mr. Jardine seconded, a vote of confidence in the candidates. This was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. At eight o'clock, Messrs. Hislop and Shriinski addressed about thirty-five persons at Papakaio. The chair was filled by Mr. Donald Borrie. At the conclusion cf the addresses, several questions were asked, and Mr. T. Y. Duncan then proposed, and Mr. J. Millington seconded, a vote of thanks to the candidates. Mr. Walker proposed, and Mr. Strachan seconded,; a vote of confidence in Messrs. Hislop and .Siirimski. This was carried almost unanimously.

Mr. W. J. Steward addressed a meeting of electors at Malicno on Friday eveiiin.', when there were about thirty-live persons present; and the chair was occupied by Mr. Teschemaker. The candidate spoke at some length, aud afterwards answered a number of questions. In reply to one question as to whether lie would support a proposition to give grants in aid to denominational schools if they required it, Mr. Steward said he would confine himself to what referred to the Roman Catholics. In answer to a question as to whether he would support the granting of endowments to Boards, Mr. Steward replied that he did not think there was any danger of the subsidies being withdrawn, but he would give the matter his consideration. He promised, in reply to another question, to support the establishment of telegraphic communication between Maheno and Oamaru. A number of other questions having been answered, a vote of confidence in the candidate was, on the motion of Mr. T. Walker, seconded by Mr. J. C.emmell, carried unanimously. Those who love the game of billiards will have an opportunity of witnessing the performance of two eminent players, for Mr. Kett has engaged Mr. Cook and Mr. Kilkenny to play at his hotel this and tomorrow evenings. Particulars appear in our advertising columns.

The Committee entrusted with the establishment of a coffee room in Oamaru having perfected all their arrangements, will formally open the room this evening at six o'clock. As we have alrrady stated, the Committee have secured those very comfortable rooms above Messrs. Ronaync and Cottrcll's, and linvp fitted them up with due regard to ti.e comfort of their patrons. There is a bar, a room for general customers, and a ladies' room, and, in addition to supplying coffee, tea, and light edibles at a moderate figure, the Committee announce that the daily papers and other current literature will be placed at the disposal of their patrons. The rooms will be open daily from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. It will be interesting to note with what degree of success the undertaking is attended, and we shall then be able to form some idea as to the practicability of establishing a coffee palace on a grander scale. The object the promoters have in view is a very laudable one, and if they arc successful they will not only have conferred a benefit upon society, but will have paved the way for an establishment of a more pretentious nature. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before James Ilasscll and W. H. S. Roberts, Esqrs., J.l'.s, John Kelly, on remand, was charged with carrying a revolver, contrary to the law. Inspector Thompson stated that he did not wish to press the charge, as he was perfectly certain that the prisoner had no evil intention. The Bench also taking this view, prisoner was discharged. Henry Robertson, lately a reporter on the Morning Herald, was charged with obtaining L 3 by means of a valueless cheque. He was remanded to Ashburton, where the offence was committed. Martha Watson was charged by the police with having sold to one Wm. Cook one glass of beer and one glass of whisky, contrary, &c. Inspector Thompson briefly related the circumstances, and the Bench considering the charge fully proved, inflicted a penalty of L 25, to be recovered summarily. A charge against George Watson, husband of the last defendant, for permitting liquor to be sold was, on the application of Inspector Thompson, withdrawn.

Daring the month of August there were 35 births, 13 deaths, and 8 marriage certificates registered in Oamaru. The anniversary of the Star of Otepopo Lodge, No. 9f>, 1.0. G.T., was celebrated in the Athenaeum on Friday evening by a soiree and concert. The evening was fine, and the attendance very large. Mr. Livingstone, of Reiilston, catered, and had a Bplendid spread. When the claims of the "inner man" had been fully satisfied, th© tables were cleared out and arrangements made for the concert, over which Mr. Beckingsale presided, and in his openincr remarks said the meeting had been partly got together under false pretences, for lie regretted to say that Mr. Jago was unable to attend, as was alsu the Rev. Mr. Christie, so they would have to fall back on local talent. He then called on the choir, who gave the glee "Hark the lark." Miss L. Robertson played the accompaniment on the organ. Mr. Rankin sang " Our cause is marching on." Mr. Fincher followed, and played the " Highland Maid" on a tin whistle; this seemed to take amazingly, for he was vociferously encored, and in response imitated the bag-pipes on the whistle. The choir then gavo " See our oars with feathered spray." The duet, " The gipsy maid," was then rendered by Miss Smith and Mr. Boise, who, in reply to an encore, sang " Hunting Tower." Both pieces were dramatically performed. The choir next sang "Annie Lawrie," which was succeeded by Mr. Boise singing " Hurrah, the Kiltie lads. Mr. Mansfield then performed on the accordcon. Mr. Ryley next delivered an address on intemperance, in the course of which he said the present opportunity was a very favorable one for making their voices heard, for two gentlemen wishing to represent them in Parliament would address them on Monday, and there were two points in particular regarding which they should endeavour to get pledges of support from the members returned ; he referred to the reading of the Bible in schools and the Local Option Bill. If the Bible be kept out of day schools a generation of sceptics would arise ; and if they got the Local Option Bill pa=sed they would have the power of saying whether they would have hotels or not. Miss Campbell next sang "Mother, kiss me in my dreams," and was succeeded by the choir singing the "Men of Harlech." Mr. Baker sang "Nil desperandum," and was succeeded by Mr. Hobson, who gave an address in which he recounted his travels and experiences, and gave some statistics showing the excess of last year's drinking over its predecessors, except in Ireland, where the priests had put their ban on it and caused a diminution; and if all the clergymen in New Zealand were as bold as Mr. Ryley and these priests, drinking would be stamped out. Miss Robertson then sang, " Under the willow she's sleeping," and the choir followed with "The bonnie woods o' Cragielee." Mr. Cooper came next, with a parody on " Scots wha hac." Mr. Anderson sang "England, home, and glory," which was followed by the National Anthem. Votes of thanks to the performers and the chairman were proposed and unanimously passed. Judging from appearances, this must have been a most .successful concert financially, as it undoubtedly was numerically. Great credit ia due to Mr. Thomas Anderson and his choir for the willing manner in which they came forward with their valuable assistance on this and kindred occasions, and en Friday evening they seemed to be singularly happy in their selections, if the appreciation of the audience is any criterion. The larrikin eleine:.t w.is well represented, and notwithstanding several richly deserved rebukes from the chairman, persisted in keeping time with their feet during the singing, and at the close of each piece stamped, whistled, and yelled in a most deafening manner. If one or two of the ringleaders had been summarily ejected it might have had a salutary effect on the others.