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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1177, 24 January 1880, Page 2

The Premier and the Minister for Public Works have incurred the displeasure of tlie Wellington Post—a paper that, until the 19th inst, saw good in everything that the Hall Ministry did. Mr. Levin and Mr. Buchanan, members of "a deputation that waited upon the hon. gentlemen t0 urge upon them the claims of Wellington to a new R.M. Court and Police Station, and an addition to the Mount View Lunatic Asylum, performed their task with great ability; but so did the two Ministers. "We will do. our best," said Mr. Hall; "Yes, we will do our best," said Mr. Oliver. Again, it was Mr. Hall's turn to speak. "There is not the least disposition to delay affording the necessary accommodation," said he, and Mr. Oliver followed with " The matters will be dealt with to the best of our ability—as occasion serves." The deputation felt that they had only wasted their time, and the Hall Ministry went down to zero in their estimation. Let those who will form the deputation to wait upon Mr. Oliver when he visits Oamaru be prepared with irresistible arguments in favor of what they intend to ask for, and to probe every Ministerial reply so as to elicit compliance or refusal. Messrs. Grant and Foster, the representatives of the Lincolnshire Farmers' Association, will pay us a visit within a few days, and in view of the importance of their mission and the many advantages that might How from these delegates being afforded fair opportunities for forming a proper estimate of the nature of the land in this district, might we suggest that some steps should be taken to give them a fitting reception and every assistance in their work of inspection. Whether this should be done by the Chamber of Commerce or the Agricultural and Pastoral Association we will not say, but we certainly think that both bodies might well unite in a work of great importance to the town and district. Elsewhere Messrs. Grant and Foster have received every encouragement and ass stance, and we can scarcely think that North Otago, the finest agricultural portion of the Colony, would be content to allow the representatives of the Lincolnshire fanners to come and go as they please, without one word of welcome or any signs of a desire to see this part of New Zealand selected as the future home of a number of practical English farmers. Mr. John Reid, gf Elderslie, has, we are informed, expressed his willingness to entertain Messrs. Grant and Foster and assist them to prosecute their mission ; but something man than this should be done, and the delegates from an important society given a hearty welcome to the district.

Although no organised canvass for subHcriptions has yet been made, over LI 00 has been subscribed towards the Irish Famine Relief Fund. To-day sevoral members of the Committee in turns took up their positions at a table near the Colonial Bank, in 1 hames-street, and, with subscription list and various forms of appeal posted around them, " bailed up " pedestrians for donations with considerable success, the sum of L 25 having been obtained up to four o'clock. A systematic canvass for subscriptions will be made on Tuesday next, and we need scarcely commend the mission of the collectors to the public, for all whose hearts can feel for the distressed and starving multitudes of the Green Isle need nothing to commend the cause to their favorable consideration. Telegram? published by us in another column unfortunately more than bear out the necessity for prompt and substantial relief, for it would appear that the distress in Ireland is greatly on the increase. The whole of the immigrants per Marlborough who came to Oamaru yesterday went direct to their friends, having been nominated. The total number was 18, but of these there were only two single females. It is a very extraordinary thing that notwithstanding the demand for domestic servants, especially in the country, that so few immigrants of this class are sent to Oamaru. A meeting of the Commiitee of the late North Otago Turf Club was held last evening, but the business transacted was of an unimportant nature. The Rev. E. Best, from Dublin, is announced to preach in the Wesley Church tomorrow—morning and evening. It is scarcely necessary to remind those who have already purchased tickets that the Caledonian Society's ball will be held on Monday evening. It has been decided, in order to ensure a pleasant night's dancing, to limit the number of tickets, and those who have not already obtained cards of admission should do so at once to avoid disappointment and annoyance. The very best arrangements have been made, and we are assured that the ball will be one of the most successful ever held ur.der tho auspices of the Society. We have been requested to remind officers of Volunteer companies in North Otago that a meeting will be held at Mr. Sumpters office at 11 o'clock on Tuesday next, for the purpose of apportioning the district prize firing money allocated to this district. A full muster is desired.

We have been favored with a perusal of a letter received by the local Secretary from the General Secretary to the New Zealand Rifle Association, with reference to the forthcoming meeting, in which the writer states that it has been decided that the winner of a bronze medal for ISSO shall be exempt from the payment of entrance fees for matches one and nine. The necessity is urged for entrances being made without delay, and intending competitors should give in their names and entrance pay fees in time for the entries to reach Wellington not later than the 14th of February. A supply of entry forms have been received, and can now be obtained from Mr. Morris.

We learn that our townsman Mr. George Brownlee has been elected President for the present year of the New Zealand Tonic SolFa Association. There were three nominees for the office, the Rev. John Crump and Mr, Austing, of Dunedin, and Mr. Brownlee, who, as stated, was selected. The whole of the public schools in Oamaru will be re-opened on Monday next. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Pukeuri Library will be held in schoolroom on Monday evening, when office bearers for the year will be elected aud general business transacted.

A trial of Gammon and Deering's reaper and binder will be held at Mr. Nicholson's farm, PapakaioJ at 12 o'clock on Monday next. Fanners will then be afforded an op? portunity for witnessing the working of the machine with the pew r»ck aud bridle and attachments.

The annual meetings of householders in the several school districts for the purpose of electing Committees for the ensuing year, will be held on Monday evening, at the various schoolhouses. That for Oamaru will he held in the High School, at half-past 7 o'clock, qnd we hope parents and all interested in education will be present in order to manifest their satisfaction at the manner in which the present Committee have, despite the heavy liabilities left as a legacy to thpm by the previous Committee, succeeded in so successfully managing their affairs as to almost entirely free the schools from debt.