The Oamaru Mail. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1879.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1056, 8 September 1879, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1879.

Ttrr N.Z.L. & M.A. Company (Limited), received advices from their London otlice by last ntail of the sale, on account of Messrs. It- M"Ki:n>*.v and Co.. South ilakaia, of a parcel <.>f " Hunter s White wheat, grv»wit at Methveu, Kakaia, at the extremely satisfactory price of ;>.»s per quarter. At the same time it v.as stated that a small amount i>f Tuscan, <>: exceptional •psality, realised per «|warscr. The expense of shipping Home, including all charges, is Is lU.i per bus.tel. This leaves a net price of about 5s to the growen. Some people are somewhat surprised that New Zealand wheat should

have risen so rapidly and appreciably in favor in the Home market. But it should be remembered that farmers have been in the habit of shipping Home inferior wheat, because they found a ready market for their beat nearer home, and that, last season, they were compelled to ship their best in order to realise something to keep their heads above water. Formerly, they had mainly depended upon their sales in the Colony—last year they had to depend upon the English market. It is, therefore, the best qualities that have realise' 1 . micU satisf:ic;f>ry prio.-s-—qualities thar arc so nearly allied Knglish wheat that millers are making up their deficient supplies by procuring them. This news is encouraging, more especially to those farmers who aim at the maintenance and improvement of the qualities of wheat by careful selection of seed and cultivation. It appears to us that the policy of our fannere should now be to excel in quality as they excel in quantity per acre almost every other part of the world.

Mr. George M'Lean has beaten Mr. Arkle. But the Palmerston storekeeper has no reason to be disappointed with the result of the polling. At Palmerston, where he is known, and amongst the farmers, where the political merits of the two candidates were allowed to weigh with the electors, Mr. Arkle shot ahead of his opponent in an extraordinary fashion. But it was Waikouati that swamped Mr. Arkle's chance. In judsrfnc of the exact position of the matter it should be remembered that from W aikouaiti to Blueskin is Mr. M 'Lean's pocket borough, that he is known there and appreciated for hi 3 good nature; that jcalousy cxist3 between Waikouaiti and Palmerston ; and that a large number of voters from Dunedin registered their votes at Waikouaiti. The election has not been decided upon the basis of the fittest candidate. Mr. M'Lean's influence and tact have done it. He occupies a good position, but he is a firm believer in the principle that politics level all ranks. Much concern for the welfare of electors' families has been exhibited by candidates during the various contests throughout the Colony. Babies, regardless of the condition of their faces, have been kissed, and mothers flattered. There was no other course open by which to make up for political defects, and the expedient has proved availing. Mr. M 'Lean's victory is not an evidence of the unpopularity of the Liberal party, but of the gullibility or political apathy of a section of the electors of his district. However, few even of the Ministerialists will regret that Mr. George M'Lean has succedcd in his candidature. We must have a healthy Opposition, and wc know of no man who is so capable of adorning Her Majesty's Opposition as Mr. M'Lean. Besides, we can afford to be liberal in this matter as well as in other thiiig3, seeing that the elections have gone so much in our favor. It is to-day our duty to record the painfully sudden death of Miss Jane Elison Thomas, one of the mistresses of the Oamaru High School, which occurred early thi3 morning at her father's residence, Waiareka Junction. The deceased younglady attended aa usual at the school on Friday, and after completing her dutie3, she remained for some time to make up some returns. On reaching her home, we believe, she fell exhausted at the door, but though it was evident that -Miss Thomas was unwell, her indis[>o3ition was not looked upon as likely to have a serions ending. Mias Thomas was well known and highly respected in Oamaru, having grown up from childhood into womanhood in the district. She was loved for her many good qualities, and her large circle of friends will regret to leatn of her very sudden death.

We must certainly compliment the police upon the expeditious m.inner in which they succeeded in bringing into town the election returns from the country districts. Many of the {Killing places were situated a considerable distance from the various railways, notably that at Livingstone, but by promptly riding off to catch the trains they managed to reach town the same evening, and enabled the result to be made known within a few hours after the closing of the poll. We are glad to learn that our late respected townsman, Mr. -T. K. Drown, will be located in Oauiaru for ai>oiit a month, in the capacity of Government Life Assurance Agent, his head-quarters being the Star and Garter Hotel. Wc have no doubt that he will succeed m ell in his mission. Mr. Brown will, we believe, deliver a lecture on life assurance as soon as he can perfect arrangements. We regret to learn that an accident of a rather serious nature occurred last Friday evening to Mr. Beattie, head shepherd at Mr. Gisborne's station, Upper Waitangi. It appears that while breaking in a young horse, he received a serious kick on his face, completely driving in the bridge of his nose and inflicting other injuries. Medical assistance was obtained next day and Mr. Beattie was brought to Oamaru yesterday, lie is now progressing favorably. The total amount collected at the Customs last week was LISS Ss 3d. The usual monthly meeting of theWaitaki Road Board will be held to-morrow forenoon at 11.30. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M., Thomas Fox, charged with having been drunk and disorderly, was discharged with a caution, and Patrick Cairns, for similar misbehaviour, was fined 103. The Managers of St. Paul's Church will attend at the church this evening, between half-past 7 and 9 o'clock, for the purpose of letting scats to present seat-holdera. The S o'clock evangelistic service was well attended last evening. The Rev. Mr. Staples delivered an address on " Zaccheus." Mr. Mirain3 also spoke on "Christ, our Hope." The choir gave for the first time "The Hebrew Captive," a very pretty sacred sonir.

The annua! ineetinj the Excelsior Cricket Club was held on Saturday evening at the Royal Hotel. There v.-ns a very good attendance of members, and the captain (Mr G. Fenwiek) occupied the chair. 'I lie following otncc-bcarcrs tor the ensuing year were elected :—President, Mr. A. H. Maude; vice-president, Mr. J. Q'Mcaghcr ; captain, George Fenwick; deputy-captain, C. W. Cooke ; secretary and treasurer, W. Bannerman : committee, Messrs. H. T. Thompson ; F. T. Little.. J. Walls, A. E. Ilardy, au.l W. W. Ccok ; match committee, 11. .>now, A. Hart Ivy, and Taiawliili, with the captain and deputy-captain as t/ ojpdo members. A vote of thanks v.as unanimously passed to Mr. 11. G. Filkul, the retiring secretary and treasurer, for his services. It was decided that the Club's colors unrl the subscription should be the same as last year, and that the opening match of the season should be played on Saturday, the 20th inst., between sides to be chosen by the captain

and deputy-captain. It was also resolved to give two bats for competition during the season, one for the highest batting average and the other for the best bowling average. Several new members were elected, and the meeting terminated.