The Oamaru Mail WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 8 September 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1880.

After our paragraph with reference to the absent jurors was written yesterday afternoon, the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. White, made an appeal for the remission or reduction of the fine of L2 inflicted upon Mr. .John Brnce, who when previously called upon could give no other reason for his absence when the list of jurymen v/as called over than that he had stopped on the road with "Wee Sandy." Mr. V\ hite stated that he was informed that Mr, Bruce was outside the Court shortly after his naniu was called, but had not apparently thought it of I any use to then put in an appearance. Mr. White added that Mr. Bmce was a poor man, that his demeanor in Court was not intended a3 disrespect to the Court, and that under the circumstances His Honor might exercise his clemency. His Honor accepted the explanation and reduced the fine to ss. It is notified in the Gazette that Neil Fleming, auctioneer, and- John Orr, coal merchant, both of Oamaro, claiming as devisees under the will of William Young, late of Oamaru, commission agent, deceased, have applied to be registered as proprietors of an estate in fee-simple in sections 3, 4, 5, and 7, block LXIX., town of Oamaru ; and that unless caveat be lodged forbidding the same within one calendar month from publication in the Gazette, they will be so registered as such proprietors.

It is only right that owners of licensed cabs and expresses should be made aw.are of the fact that before renewals of licenses are granted at the end of this month the whole of the vehicles will have to undergo an inspection at the hands of a Committee of the Council and the Inspector. This inspection will include everything connected with the ! turn out. Some few of the cabs and expresses are notoriously out of repair, and their owners would do well to attend to tho matter before applying for fresh licenses. Captain Edwin wires to-day as follows : There are indications of strong winds between south-west and south and east, and of sea increase. The annual meeting of the Tradesmen's Cricket Club, was held in the Imperial Hotel last evening. There were 1G members present, the chair being occupied by Mr. A. Slater. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read, Mr. D. Sinclair moved that the name of the Club be changed to the Union, which was carried. It was proposed that the entrance-fee be the same as last year, and that subscription lists be got ready to aid the formation of the new cricket ground in Isis-street. The election of officers resulted as follows : Captain, Mr. A. Hartley 5 '/ice-captain, Mr. Slater; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Ogilvie ; committee of management, Messrs. Riilsdale, Steel, Gray, Maddern, Marshall; match committee, Messrs. Steel, Gray, and Maddern. The first match of the season will take place on Saturday, 25th inst, Tfie meeting was then adjourned till Thursday week, and the usual vote of thanks closed the proceedings. The sitting of the Licensing Court has been postponed until noon to-morrow. The Oamartt Philharmonic Society intend giving their next concert on or about Friday, the 17th inst. Hie first part of the programme will consist of selections of songs, duets, and instrumental solos, and the second part will consist of Sulivan's "Cox and Box." It is now known that Mr. A. R. Kelsey, of Dunedin, will give an organ recital in St. Luke's Church, Oamaru, on Friday, the 24th inst. It will be seen by onr advertising columns that Batclielder's American Pantascope opens this evening in the Volunteer Hall. There are to be handsome prizes given away, and this fact should draw a large audience. The Argus learns that the low rate at which wheat and other cereals have been ruling lately has caused some Wimmera farmers to turn their attention towards sowing other crops which may perhaps prove more remunerative. One farmer, Mr. A. M. Tickner, of Burrum Burrum, near Rupanyup, last season, as a trial crop, put in about four acres of land with canary seed. The season was rather dry, but the average yield per acre in this instance was from eight to nine bushels. According to the Home papers, the current price of canary seed in Mark-lane is from 52s to 62s per cwt., thus allowing a good margin for profit to the grower. The price per cwt. in Ballarat is from 24s to 255. The cost of the seed will of coarse be greater than that of wheat, but the same expense is incurred in putting in the crop. The trouble of cleaning the seed is doubtless greater, but the market price is more than sufficient to make up for these little extras. We have been assured that there is a good market for this produce, and high prices almost always rule. Mr. Tickner, at any rate, is well satisfied with his trial crop, has this year put in about 50 acres of it. The New Zealand Times understands that further reductions in the Judicial Department will follow the retirement of Mr. Bathgate from the District Judgeship of Dunedin. There is also to be a concentration where practicable of the work of Resident Magis.trates, in order to lessen the number employed. The employes of the Milton Pottery entertained Mr. C. S. Reeves, the proprietor, at a banquet on Friday evening last. About forty of those employed, twenty of their j wives, and several guests, were present. 1 Mr. Henderson, the manager, was in the; chair. The customary toasts having been drunk, Mr. Reeves, in response tojhis health,'j reviewed the history of the pottery, pnd, pointed out the causes of its previous want' of success. These being now removed, he j considered that a fair start had been made, [ and as all the necessary material was at ; Jiand he had no doubt of success ; for if the

" ware" was as good and the price equal to imported earthenware, the colonists would generally support the colonially-manufac-tured article. Several other toasts were drank, and the proceedings were enlivened with songs by Messrs. Bunting, Holmes, Mountford, Davis, Grant, Bastings, and others. The banquet was followed by' a dance, in which the Mayor and Councillors, as well as several other additional guests, joined. The evening passed most pleasantly. —Dnnedin Star.

The Lyttelton Times says :—"lt will be seen from an advertisement in another column that it is in contemplation to form an association for the purpose of investigating the interesting problem of what has become of the Lost Tribes of Israel, more particularly with a view to their identification, if possible, with the Anglo-Saxon race. This subject has been exciting considerably the minds of those who delight in the examination of Biblical questions, and they- number largely in this city. It is proposed to hold a meeting in Gee's Schoolroom, on Friday evening, September 17, at half-past 6 o'clock, when all who have bestowed thought upon the matter or are desirous of assisting in its elucidation are earnestly invited to attend. The New Zealand Herald has a strongly worded article on the "lies" which are being circulated in England to the disparagement of this Colony, and comments on the fact that a letter which had been written by Judge Gillies in refutation of some of these falsehood had been denied insertion by the Times. The Herald urges that "an ample official statement of the position of the Colony shoul4 be published in England, the utmost publicity being given to it, by advertising it, if the papera will not otherwise insert it. The expense would be a mere bagatelle, but in any case it would not be worth a moment's gonsideration compared with the important object to be achieved. This is the clear duty of the Premier,' who should, in a carefully-pre-pared paper, make the financial and general

condition of the Colony so plain as effectually to silence stupidity, ignorance, and malice. A statement of the kind, published by the authority of the Government and, if possible, countersigned by the Governor, would have immense weight. We think tlje Prejnier might go further, and invoke the assistance of Sir Heroules Robinson. He could not leave behind him a more agreeable reminiscence than that, when the Colony over which he presided was unjustly assailed on all sides, he vindicated the truth with the weight of his name and position. We take it that the natural instincts of such a man as the Governor would instantly and cheerfully respond to gucli an appeal—would regard it as a duty."