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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 14 August 1880, Page 2

There is good news for farmers who still hold wheat. A few days ago we mentioned that wheat had shown a tendency to rise in value, and we are pleased to learn that the anticipated rise has been realised. We have heard of two large parcels having changed hands at previous figures. In one case the price given was 4s 3d per bushel, delivered in the railway trucks at Maheno. or equal to 4s 4 : } d per bushel delivered in Oamaru. The other parcel consisted of 12,000 bushels sold at Waimate for delivery in Dunedin at 4s 6 t per bushel, or equal to 4s l £d at Waimate. A statement of a very peculiar nature has been given currency. It is to the effect- that first-class free passes 011 the railways will in future be available only to heads <;f departments and chief clerks, while all other officials will be forced to travel second-class, v -'!: at the reason for adopting this course is it would be diiiiculb to divine. If it ss necessary for an understrapper to travel by a railway at- the cost of the Government what possible difference can it make whether he travels in a first or a second-class carriage ! The train must run all the same, and there must be first as well as second-class carriages, and the cost of hauling a first-class passenger cannot by any of the four rules of arithmetic be made io appear larger than that for a seeombciass passengf r, unless, indeed, it is shown that the first-class passenger's pockets are mora heavily laden, and in this case such an argument would not hold good, We are forced to the conclusion that this is another of our ignorant and aristocratic Minister for Public Works' attempts to create class distinctions, and gives fresh evidence of the siiialhiess of his mind. We have yet to learn that because an official may have sufficient influence at Goiufc to secure for him promotion over the scores of better and more worthy men that he is entitled to enjoy greater privileges in regard to railway travelling.

During the discussion of the Thames Waterworks Bill, oiie of those of Ttrrns which help to break the dull monotony of Parliamentary life occurred between Mr. Seddon (the formidable member of the West Coast) and Mr. Hur-t (of Auckland ratting fame). Said Mr. Hurst, in bis usual grandiose manner, "The Government is committed to a principle in this Bid, which the House is asked to ratify." The hon. '•enileman sat down amidst loud applause from himself. The discussion had hitherto been acrimonious, ancl there was some hard hitting on all sides, the West Coast g ant defending himself against the shafts of a considerable Auckland phalanx. But the hon. member for Auckland thought that his last sally had giv-.n his opponent his ouietus. The irrepressible West Coast member, however, rose and delivered himself of the following unpleasant rejoinder "The hon. member (Mr. ijursr) s:ys 'ratify.' That is an operation to which he j s accustomed from experience, f There y hangs a " Mails for Australia, India, gild China, per Wakatipu, close at Wellington at 11 a.iji. on Mpnday, 16'tl; inst. A memo, from the Telegraph Department informs us that Waitata, given as Blueskin on the telegraph list, being a railway station, the Hon. the Telegraph Commissioner has directed the extra sixpence on telegrams to and from thai stadon shall not be charged. There are evidently some very questionable characters aboi}t towp jus'. i<q\y, whp, though not of the trained !>urglar' class, would evidently like to turn their attention to that means of acquiring a living, if sufficient inducement offered itself, Our attention was this morning called to the premises of Messrs. Anderson and Co., in Harborstreet, where, during last night, someone had been looking for what he or they could get in the shape of cash, because anything else, such as stamps, bill forms &e.. did not seem to bp good enough as they were passed over. The window smashed as if by a sharp rap with a stick although toere were signs of a diamond having been used and then unfast* ened ; the sash had been pushed up and through the opening thus efi'ected the thief ior thieves climbed in over the desk. They rilled a drawer which was locked and contained stamps and about one shilling and threepence in money. This small amount appears to be all that was taken. The safe seems to have been sfct'lick with some rude kind of instrument, but with the exception of the loss of a little paint it sustained no damage. The police have, of course, been communicated with, and are on the look-out for any information as to the perpetrators. There is every reason to believe that the burglars have a knowledge of the premises, and it is hoped that some further discovery may b,e made which will lead to their punishment, "East Lynne" was presented to a moderate house last evening, but tho drama could scarcely be designated a success, as apart from the want of scenery to properly illustrate it, the acting, taken as a whole, was not jap to the mark. Miss Stephenson's impersonation of the erring Lady Isabel was very good in some respects, but it was deficient in others. MissLizzicMorgan gaye a capital rendering of the part of Barbara Hare, and was deservedly applauded for.her singing of " You'll remember me." Of the rest, to bo silent is to be gcucrous,

The visit to Oamaru of Thompson's Confederate Diorama has been postponed until the return of the company from the north. This course has b.een adopted in consequence of the inability to secure the hall for more than two nights. The proprietor is desirous of remaining in Oamaru for about a week, and therefore prefers deferring his visit until such time as this can be done. The panorama and its surroundings are big affairs, and it would scarcely pay to remain two nights only in a town like Oamaru. The panorama will i e exhibited at Palrncrston to-night and on Monday night. About 150 children and a large number of adults attended at St. James' Hall last evening, to witness the second of a series of lime-light exhibitions. The first portion consisted of a diorama illustrative of " The Pilgrim's Progress," short explanations of each being read, by Mr. C. G. Moore." After this, "Bach's Meditation," a difficult but delightful piece of music, was admirably rendered as a trio by Mrs. Moore (organ), Miss .Bicknell (pianoforte), and Mr. Rock (English concertina). Then followed the exhibition of a number of views illustrative of the adventures of " Robinson Crusoe," and the entertainment concluded with the wonderful " Wheel of Life." Mrs. Moore throughtout the exhibition accompanied the views with suitable music. At the close of the entertainment Mr. Moore announced that in about a fortnight he would present something new.