The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 20 August 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1880.

Even those who sneer at tiie daily weather forecasts of Captain Edwin should have been more than satisfied with the correctness of the prognostication he sent by telegraph yes? terday of an approaching gale. Last night and to-day the wind has blown a perfect , hurricane, and the consequence has been some damage to property in various localities. In Thames-3treet, the verandah in front of Messrs. Farr's confectionery shop was completely demolished and the front of the building also damaged, while the chimney of tfae bakehouse and the chimneys of the Swan Hotel, next door, have suffered somewhat. In many other parfs of the town the chimneys succumbed to a greater pi' Jesser

extent before the force of the gale, while many large window panes were blown to afcopis. On the hill the full force of the gale was fejt, and its effectiveness is apparent in heaps of wrecked fences, &c. The house of a member of onr staff had a lively time, and few would have given that gentleman credit for the possession of so much agility as he displayed about three o'clock this morning, when aroused from the sleep of the just to hosxd up shattered windows, &c. Few would jalgo have given him credit for the possession of the Christian-like meekness with which he witnessed the bodily removal by rude Boreas of a large wftsijrhouse from his own to his neighbor's section, where ijfc was safely deposited in a decidedly comical jjjanner never contemplated by the talented architect who gave to the structure a roof and a floor placed according to the accepted order of things, »ijiah order the god of wind entirely reversed. Amidst all this tempestuous torrent the numerous vessels in the &arbor rode out safely and securely, no ,damage to any of them being recorded. ; The gale appears to have been felt up north, : for we learn from the officer in charge of the : Telegraph Office that the north line is down : and communication stopped. Since writing

the above, we learn that several of the telegraph poles just outside the North Town Boundary - have been broken off .by the wind. ' .

Another instance of the manner in which the late Municipal Engineer over-rided the Council's authority was mentioned at last night's meeting by Councillor Roberts. This latest instance of the kind was 5 shown in regard to Mr. Flaherty's tender, for L 876 12s, for cleaning out the race, which had beeri expressly accepted " subject-to his' signing the bond as per the terms of the specifications, except that he shall not be responsible .for any damage caused by floods, unless the same be caused by his own default." Councillor Roberts showed that the original tender had been altered in the office of the Council's Solicitors by the advice of the late Engineer. He argued that those alterations nullified the Council's instructions and were most unjust to the ratepayers and to the tenderers whose tenders had not been accepted. He pointed out that already the amount of the contract had by extras been increased to LI4OO. Some discussion took pla.ee upon the matters. Councillors freely and forcibly expressing their surprise and indignation at the action of the late Engineer. It was ultimately agreed to refer the matter to a special Committee for consideration and repQi't. Messrs. J. and T. Meek, of the Crown Mill, Oamaru, to aid the Benevolent Society in its efforts to relieve the distress now existing in the town, have placed at the Society's disposal eight 501b bags of flour and eight 2Sib bags of oatmeal. They have intimated tjieir intention to do the same monthly for the next three months. This truly is judicious charity, and the example of Messrs. Meek might well be followed by others.

The express train from the nortli was twenty minutes late in arrival tq-day owing to the heavy gale blowing across the Canterbury Plains. As a means of reminding ratepayers in arrears with their rates, Mr. Roberts suggested at last night's Council meeting that post cards might be used for this purpose. He stated that this plan would save legal expenses, and might prove effective, as ratepayers would not like receiving such open reminders.

It is scarcely necessary to remind our readers that the Oamaru Caledonian Society's entertainment in aid of the funds of the Hospital and Benevolent Society takes place in the Volunteer Hall this evening. As a very large number of tickets ha/ve beei} deposed of, ,the doors will be open at 7.15 to those only who have provided themselves with tickets, while those who have not taken this precaution will not be admitted till a quarter to 8.

A soiree and concert in connection with the Church of England will take place at Kakanui this evening. A number of capital vocalists have promised their assistance, and the concert promises to be a grand success. It is advertised that tea will be on the table at halfrpast 6 o'clock. At the close of the Volunteer parade last evening, a meeting of the Rifles' Band was held in the Hall. The resignation of Sergeant Ketfc, who js about to leave the town, was notified. Corporal Mitchell was eleeted sergeant, and Bandsman Gibbs was elected corporal. Bandmaster Pheloung, Sergeant Mitchell, and Corporal Gibbs were appointed a Committee to confer with the officers and Comijiittec of the Company in reference to a further supply of uniforms. At the Municipal Council meeting last evening, Mr. Humphrey suggested that a suitable hose should be provided for the purpose of watering the streets when dust was prevalent. We heartily concur with the suggestion, and now that the summer weather is approaching, we are sure the shopkeepers will hail this boon with satisfaction.

A new Band of Hope was formed last evening in connection with the Wesleyan Church. There were about 150 persons present, and in the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Mr. Crump, the chair was occupied by Mr. J. Oliver. Several recitations were creditably given by Mr. Wm. Ferrier and the children, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Foster and Barley and Messrs. J. Ivl'Farlane and T. M. Cunninghame. The choir was formed of Ghildren, and Miss Wansbrough presided at the harmonium. Between 40 and 50 adults and children were enrolled as members, and the singing of the hymn "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing," brought the meeting to a close. The church was tastefully decorated \yith evergreens and flags, and on the north wall were some capital mottoes. As the Volunteer Hall ig required tomorrow evening for the purpose of fitting up the diorama, the usual weekly promenade concert of the Rifles' Band cannot be given in the Hall. The Band have, however, determined to give a free open-air promenade concert, and this will take place on the vacant piece of ground adjoining the Council Chambers, Thames-street, commencing at half.-past seven o'clock. The following programme will be performed Grand march, "Ameers;" quadrille, "invincible;" waltz, "Mountain Daisy;" quadrille, May's " Promenade " (introducing operatic and other well-known melodies); sehottische, "Bank Holiday;" waltz, "Porinda;" quadrille, "Pierrot;" waltz, "Irresistible;" galop, "Far and Near"God Save the Queen,"

The football match between the Timaru and Oamaru Football Clubs will take place to-morrow afternoon on the old Cricket Ground. Play will commence at 1 p.m. sharp. Members of the Oamaru team are requested to be punctual. The fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board was held to-day, when there were present Messrs. Sumpter (Chairman), Aitken, Borne, Pnncan, Gibbs, Gilchrist, Hassell, Menlove, and Reid. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. Mr. Herdman wrote stating that in order to obtain a stock exchange quotation for the loan it was necessary to give a formal assurance not to borrow for four years from the date of the negotiation of the last loan. It was resolved, "That a formal reply be sent to Mr. Herdman's letter, stating that the Board will agree not to go into the market with a further loan on the present security for four years, it being understood by the Board that this means to be computed from the date of the commencement; of interest.'-' It was decided to ask Mr. Balmer to request Mr. A. H. Maude to act as arbitrator in the matter in dispute between the Board and Messrs. J. and T. Meek. Two tenders for making a mooring buoy were opened, and that of Messrs. Steel and Hendry (L 43 ss) s7ag accepted. The Board then went into Committee to consult with the Engineer upon the question of a cjredge, On resuming, a resolution was reported authorising the Engineer to obtain further particulars. The next ordinary meeting was

ordered to stand . adjourned until tlie 10th September. Accounts to the amount of L 52 werfe passed for payment, and the Board rose; The monthly commanding officer's inspection of headquarters companies of * Volunteers was,held:by Acting-Major Sumpter at the "Volunteer Hall last evening. The parade state was as follows Staff:—l major, 1 drill-instructor, 1 quarter-master sergeant; Band : —1 bandmaster, 1 sergeant, 19 bandsr yl captain, 1 lieut., 1 sergeant-major, 4 sergeants, 3 corporals, 22 gunners. Rifles : —1 lieut., 1 sub-lieut., 5 sergeants, 29 rank and file. Citizen Cadets :—1 captain, 1 lieut., 1 sub-lieut., 3 sergeants, 24 rank and file. After inspection the corps had a short march out headed by No. 1 Company's Band, 21 strong. The corps were then drilled for some time in Thames-street by Major Sumpter, who put the men through a number of battalion movements, which were performed in a highly creditable manner. In the meantime the Band returned to the Hall ?<sd played a couple of pieces of music apparently to the satisfaction of the large audience, including many ladies. On the main body of Volunteers returning to the Hall, No. 1 Company, under Lieut. Headland, went through the bayonet exercise in a manner that drew forth loud applause. The corps were formed into a hollow square, and Major Sumpter, with a few congratulating remarks, presented commissions to Lieut. Oreagli, Artillery ; Lieut. Spence, Citizen Cadets, and Sub-Lieut. Wilson, Citizen Cadets. A consultation then took place amongst the officers with reference to a suggested church, parade, and a decision was come to to have two such parades, the first to the Presbyterian Church and the second to the Episcopalian Church, due notice of each to be given. The announcement was received with loud applause. The first church parade will probably .he. held on the second Sunday in September. The model of a monster floating railway station has just been made by Messrs. Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow, from the plans of one of their draughtsmen. The idea consists in connecting England with the French capital by railway, the floating station being so constructed as to carry trains across the channel at the y,lte of 14 knots per hour, thus minimising sea-sickness,' and obviating the necessity of unloading goods. Each train would provide accommodation for 2000 passengers. The model has been forwarded to London for the purpose of being thoroughly examined, by the Amiralty officials,,