The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 25 August 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1880.

It is stated that Parliament will probably be prorogued on Monday or Tuesday next. Up to the time of our going to press tjie breakage in the telegraph lines between C'hristchurch and the north had not been repaired.

A slight shock of earthquake wa3 felt in Oamara at half-past 6 this morning.

We are informed that the total receipts in connection with the Caledonian Society's concert and dance in aid of the Oaiparji Hospital and Benevolent Society amount to LS2 0s Gd, and that after paying expenses there will probably remain for division between the two institutions the very handsome mim of L7O.

There are said to be several candidates in the field for the seat in thp House of Representatives for Waikaia, rendered yijeant by the death of Mr. G. Ireland. Amongst the number are Mr. Fergus, formerly in the Provincial Engineer's Department, and Mr. Wm. Morris, of Waikaia. It is stated that Mr. Horace Bastings will not seek election. It will be remembered that on the 10th of November last, Master George Brownlee greatly distinguished himself by his bravery in attempting to save from drowning at the Phcenix Mill dam two children named Woodcock. Though unsuccessful, his conduct was go plucky that representations were made to the Humane Society, with o view of having Master Brownlee's courage Buitably recognised. Ths Society have awarded Master Brownlee one of its medals, which was received through the Governor by his Worship the Mayor yesterday. It is of bronze, with a bronze clasp attached to a ribbon, while round the edge are the words "George Brownlee, 9th November, 1579." The medal is accompanied by a letter from the Secretary to the Royal Humane Society, setting out why the medal is presented, and another from Lord Kimberley, Secretary of State for the Colonies. The medal will be presented to Master Brownlee at the High School at a quarter past 3 o'clock on Friday.

A man named Askey, alias Brummy; charged on warrant with having between the 29th July and the 16th instant obtained from Mr. R. Orr, at the Waitaki Bridge, board and lodging and cash to the amount of L 4 6a by means of the false pretence that he had money to his credit in the Union Bank of Australia, was arrested in Canterbury by Constable Black, and brought into town by Constable Livingstone, He Was brought up at the Resilient Magistrate's Court to-day and remanded until Friday,

There wasagoodattendanceatthe Volunteer Hall last evening when a second exhibition of the Confederate Diorama was given. A number of prizes were given away, the principal ones being two watches and a tea and coffee service, the former being won by Mr. A. Johnston, of Ure street, and Mr. Probert, hairdresser, and the latter by Mr. P. Croft. It was announced that to-night a special prize will be given for tho best conundrum on ventriloquism, in which all present will be allowed to compete. We are informed that the Malieno Public School was re-opened yesterday. Commencing with the teacher, Dr. Bowie, of Otepopo, attended by the "Itch Committee," made a careful inspection of all who presented tfefifpselves for- examination, and found only one suspicion? page, .

[ By the last train from Dunedin yesterday there arrived in Oamaru two stud merino rams, one the property of Mr. John Borton, the other for Mr. William Gardiner. These sheep are from the celebrated pure merino flock of Mr, E. W. Pitts, of South Australia, and were selected in Melbourne by Mr. Gardiner. We understand they cost ISO and 120 guineas respectively, The sheep were sent on by train to Duntroon this morning.

It is notified that the next sittings of the Licensing Courts -will be adjourned to the following dates Oamaru, Papakaio, Kakaimi, and Otepopo, Thursday, 9th September, at noon; Maerewhenua, Friday, 17th September, at naop. The Court will not sit at Hampden,

On Friday evening 'Sir. William Sutherland will deliver his lecture .entitled " Reminiscences of a" trip Home" at Ngapara, the proceeds being in aid of the school funds, especially to purchase apparatus for teaching science' The excellence of the lectare and the laudable object for-which it is to be given should secure a large attendance.

The Mount Ida Chronicle reports a fatal case of burning at St. Bathans last week, the victim being a daughter'of-.ftfcjvMlcbael Fahey, aged seven years. It appears that on the loth instant the little girl was out playing with other chilciren, about 2 p.m., near an abandoned hut, in/which ;was some erass. The hut was only some fifty yards away from her father's house. One of the children set fire to the grass, and the flames caught the clothes of the little girl. She immediately ran towards Home, and her screams attracted her mother, who to. meet,,,her. In .the flames Mrs. Fahey was severely Injured. The child was considerably burnt about the shoulders and legs, and at midnight she died. The use of poisoned oats for the purpose of killing rabbits (says the Southland News) is not without its drawbacks, as several settlers in the Western district can testify. One of them, for instance, laid some pliosphorised oats in a paddock in which 32 sheep were depasturing, and had the mortification, a few days afterwards, to find half of them lying dead. Other scarcely less serious losses are reported dogs, cats, and poultry having been killed off wholesale. It is consequently becoming a question whether the refpedy is not worse than the disease ; op, rather, whether the old-fashioned plan of keeping down the rabbits by dogs, cats, and traps, was not greatly preferable—at all events in settled districts.

".-Egles," in the Australasian, writes: — "And°talking of portraits, lovers of art, and 'especially of the art of portraiture, shoal/1 see that of Sir Hercules Robinson, now at'the at dm: pf Mr. G. F ; Folingsby (pupil of Piloty), late of Muhjch, and now of Melbourne. The artist is very approachable, and no one taking an interest in painting need hesitate to pay him a visit. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Folingsby's work possesses every quality which gives value to a portrait. The likeness is admirable, and the artist lias caught a very happy expression. The mental power and air of easy command which distinguish his Excellency are portrayed in a masterly way."