The Oamaru Mail. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11. 1879.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1112, 11 November 1879, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11. 1879.

Hark times in the Old" Country' arc working startling changes. The British farmer's occupation is gone, unless he j chooses to grow wheat for old acquaintance kike, and sell it for the love of doing business rather than with any intention of sccuringbrcad andbutier for himself and family. The British farmer is too matter-of-fact to indulge in such fads, for if they were not previously matter-of-fact, the) have lately been brought face to face with difficulties serious enough to make them so. High rents, bad crop 3, and competition from without that is daily growing stronger, hare left him with no other resource than to speed from the scene of his disasters, unless he choo3CS the alternative of seeking an asylum for himself and family in some p«.or-house. Better by far to cast in his lot with us. His present disadvantages are not temporary. If the dismal outlook changes at all it will get still blacker, although that would appear to be scarcely possible. His. thousand and one competitors arc operating upon virgin soil, that only needs comparatively rough cultivation to produce results far superior to those he can produce by high and expenaivo cultivation on the used-up soil of the Old Country. He can equal bis competitors neither in point of quality nor quantity, aud, as fo prices, he is obliged to demand those that so seriously handicap him that he is left far behind in the race- His only chance is' to accept the position and advantages that have contributed to produce hi 3 downfall. The Colonies are waiting with open arms to receive him, if he can only bring able and willing hands, and a little capital, to cooperate with us in transforming our fertile wastes into fields of waving corn. Oppressed by rents - that may be quite low enough for the landlords but which are too high for him, the fact is beginning to dawn upon his mind that he must emigrate, ITie following extract shows that British agriculturists are on the alert; — "Mr. William Wilson, of Whenuakura, lately returned from England, writes to the Wanganui Herald stating that the tenant farmer* of Linfolnshire are taking a keen interest in New Zealand matters. These men nearly all have more or less capital, and would make a highly desirable class of settlers. Many of them have determined to emigrate, but before taking the decisive step are naturally anxious to have the advice of their own class as to the advantages in New Zealand. With this object in view, two of them, Messrs. Grant and Roster, is response to a numerously-signed requisition, have determined to visit the Colony, examine it thoroughly from a farmer's standpoint, and then report to the reqnisitionists. Communication having been opened up with the Agent-General, the two delegates were offered free passages to and from the Colony and every assistance profered to them in the Colony itself to prosecute their inquiries. The delegates were to have accompanied Mr. Wil.-ton. but could not g«*t away in time. Titev will, however, leave England thi« nmnth. probably landing at the Blutf. and making the tour of the Colony from that port." We have no doubt that these ar« the men \ that this Colony wants. But they must ! he ntFen-d inducements superior to those offered in • :har C»l>»nios or they will not settle here. We havo a climue and soil that surpass those uf any other Colony. Alt that remains for us to do is to remove every difficulty that attends the acquirement of land at prices that will enable those desiring to emigrate from the Old Country t" obtain » footing, whttst the owners, whether pnblic or private, will gain something : in the first place by obtaining fair returns for their outlay, and indirectly by the expenditure of foreign capital, and by the increased area under cultivation. We think that Messrs. Grant and Roster should Ve invited to visit this district. These landowners who are desirous of cutting up their estates wontd «!o well t > endeavor to negotiate with them to settle some of those whom they represent upon their lands.

The injuries received by the man James O'Brien, who met with a severe accident while cleaning out a well, are of a more serious natctre than was at first hoped. About six o'clock he was removed to the Hospital, where an examination was held by Pre. Wait, Pe Laatotir. and Garland. It was found that the poor fellows skull had been fractured severely. Everything was done that was possible under the circumstances, aai Drs. Wait and De Lautour were in almost constant attendance upon him until four o'clock this morning. Up to 11 o'clock to-day he had not recovered consciousness, and little holies entertained of hts recovery. O'Brirn is a married man with a small family, aiid bear* the character of being* an excellent workman and a steady man. He Las been in the employ of Mr. M 'Combe for upwards of two years. Alt»the above was in type wc learned tlut th: nnfortunale'nwn died at noon' to-day. Mr. M'Combo, knowing the condition in which O'Brien leaves his wife and children (two), b canvassing for subscriptions in their behalf, lie. headed the list himself with L2O, and has already obtained about HO.

* it'is rmnored that " Cabbage-tree Ned"— now Edward Devinc, Esq.—has hud the good J fortune to become a very rich man through j tha_dcath, of a relation in Queensland. I " Ned" was always a particular friend of oars, and. next to ourselves, we know of no one that we should better like to sec occupy the position of a millionaire. He has for very many years " roughed it"* in the coloBtad, and in his old ape we think it appropriate that he should attain a position of competence, for he has well earned it. Wc are sure that Mr. Bterjac's numerous friends will join with us in our expressions of satisfaction the good luck that jfiu befallen him, and oar wish that he may live long *J) enjoy the new yaahion that has been so suddenly thrast upon kin>.

The usual weekly drill of No. 1 Company will be held this evening.

Kichard M'Carthy, charged with vagrancy was again remanded at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, this time until Thursday next.

A report was current this morning to the' efTect that a man hud shot himself at the butts yesterday, but though v.ei-have made every possible inquiry i« ti»vc been unable to ascertain anything to gnce eventhe semblance of truth. > • '

We arc informed that an accident, fortunately unattended with serious results, yesterday afternoon at the_ hotel in. course " of construction.' in • Thairfesstreet. A portion of the scaffolding gave ""way; precipitating four men - ' to "the ground, who received no further injury thap.a shaking, though one of them had a narrow escape,"a large block of stone falling close tohim;" - . '

As Mr. William Harr, jun., of Wairoa, and Mr. Wylie, of Malieno, were taking a drive along the beach in the .vicinity of Kakanui Mouth yesterday, they discovered a seal at the water's edge. It was over 7ft. long, and a - somewhat formidable looking animal, aud on being attacked'with pieces of timber that were picked off the beaohf, it proved that it was as formidable as it looked. It in return attacked the weapons with which it was being beaten, but at length succumbed. Its head and skin were earned away as a trophy by the victors.

The new omnibus is quite an attractive affair, and adds greatly to the appearance of the town, both architecturally and commercially. It is also well equipped and well manned, and appears to us to be rather more inclined to be übiquitous than most cabs. One is, indeed, led to believe, even whilst quite contpo-i mentis, that 'there arc half a dozen yellow 'busses. It is a capital institution, and is one of those evidences of advancing commercial progress and civilisation that we are glad to welcome. During the summer months, when the weary workers in the city are jaded with the turmoil of business, and when the winter's storms rage around us, and the ground is decidedly moist with the dews of heaven, a ride home for sixpence, or less in the case of holders of weekly tickets, will bo salutary. But Pitman is not unknown to the artist that painted the lettering on the vehicle, who has saved his color by omitting the " a" that is usually inserted in the word boundary. /

As the Toluntcer Hall will not be required by the Philharmonic Society, the weekly practice having been postponed until Tuesday evening, the members of No. 1 Company's Band will meet to-morrow evening. The new instruments have been received, and will be handed out to members.

Lyster's Italian and English Opera Company will opcu the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, lor a season of 24 nights on the 6th of December nest.

Nearly 10,000 passengers travelled on the Dnnedin tram-cars yesterday. The Counties' Act Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr. M'Caughan, gives power to the County Councils to construct tramways on roads, streets, &c., or authorise a company or persons to construct, but the Act is not to abridge public rights. Road districts included in two or more counties may merge in such counties, and County Councils may agree as to the division of property and apportion the liabilities, if no agreement is made. Actions, contracts, &c., may be enforced against either of such counties. Public pounds heretofore established in.fy be brought under the Counties' Act.

Writing of the state of the English money market, "Anglo-Australian," in the Eurojttan Mail, nays " With regard to the proposed now loan- of L 5,000,000, it is not so very long since New Zealand was in the market ad a borrower, but notwithstanding the forebodings of pessimists, if she can show that the money is likely to prove reproductive, there can be no doubt of her getting it—at about 4 A per cunt."'

Thomas C'ookc and f-'oii, the tonrist managers, have iiu'iuded }*ew Zealand and Australia in the pl;ie< s to be visited by their excursionists. Day by day we at the antipodes are being drawn nearer and nearer to the Old World.

The Municipal Corporations Act Atijcud: ment Bill contains twenty-eight clauses. It provides for the severance of wards from boroughs, the appointment and duties of Inspcctora of Nuisances; gives power to Councils to declare private streets public ; to abate nuisances on private lands and recover tiie cost; the Council may require private lands to be levelled to the permanent level of the stieet, and may control the construction of cellars on private lands ; the Council is not liable for forming streets according to the levels fixed ; may amend the ratebook ;may lease lands by public tymler ; may make bylaws regarding the sale of meat, for provontr ing the growth of dangerous hedges; may recover from all adjacent local bodies for work done on contract. The Town Clerk may represent the Council in Magistrates' Courts.

A lady writing in the Melbourne Argus of the dresses to be seen on the lawn on the Cup day, says:—"lt would seem that fashion, like history, is wont to repeat itself, and so many of our leading belles were to be seen in thepokc bonnet of our grandmothers. A short time ago, any young lady would have S4i'd .they were 'awfully ugly,' and would have been disposed to pity their grandmothers for having had to wear them. Now they are described as delightfully quaint, and altogether charming, an ppinion in which most people will heartily concur, especially if they chanced to sec a dainty little lady in one yesterday. She was dressed in a short costume of crcam-colored cashmere and pompadour silk, while her poke lmnnet, trimmed with silk and feathers to match, made a most becoming framework to a face which brought to my mind Austin Dobaon's lines: —

" itazd eyes that wickedly. peep, Fi.i_.li. aKv«h, ami stMAeiily sleep v L'rMler the li;li dm - *u iu; Ripl'le - f liair li:al rinti.'tli out, Mouth with n Iblf-ix.rn wiilc and a pout, And a bal'y breadth of chin. Al)Out the most startling costume on the lawn was one of yellow silk, with bonnet, gloves, parasol, shoos, and even the'necktie anil gloves of-the lady's escort to match. A well-known leader of fashion in Melbourne wore a magnificent cream-colored silfc dress, with a court train of dark brown velvet, and another lady was resplendent in a beautifullyombroiderdd" silk drc33 of a peiniliar shade of green. Thcrc.wcre two of those remarkable handkerchief costumes, which it is to be hoped will not become popular, and among the other dresses were two very simple dainty ones, which with their wearers were much admired. One'was'a white dress embroidered with sprays of rosea, and the other, ecru Indian muslin, trimmed with Breton lacc. A short time ago trains were indispensable appendages to race dresses, but this year the number of short and grained costume? fens about equal."

The following items are taken from the Otago Daily Times' own Scotch correspondent :—" Old Edinburgh residents will be interested to know that the well-known Princes-street firm of booksellers, Messrs. Edinonston and Co., have been obliged to v tEeir creditors. . A'c,cording to a circulahissued/by .their assets ejrgefed liabilities fbj conse^jjaceSjjf 1 preijljire tfye,a. prijjjiffitl JS&ditor 'ijjfey opßged to.^laca^jiheir ttnder" trast. The trustee selected is Sir. T. 1 Whitson, C.A., of the firm of Lindsay, Jamieson, and Haldane. The firm of Edmonston and Co., ■was constituted. .years ago, oiijhe dissolution fiim' of Edmonston and Douglas, known to every Edinburgh "mSft, and occupied "the' premises imvhiph .the latter firm long carried on their business.—The personalty of the' late 3Tr. AVexari'der*"' VV hitelaw" "of" Gartsherrlej and ;M.P; for GHasgow,h ad been sworn under L092:307,-while -his real estate is valued at L 300,000. Mrs. Whitelaw receives LSOOO a year out of the property, and of the nine children of the deceased, the four sons get about LIOO,OOO each, and the five daughters about L 50,000 each. The landed estates go to the eldest son."