The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 11 September 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1880.

It will be some satisfaction to those who have filled up and returned the property as?essment form 3 that they will not be required to go through the operation of filling in the new schedules. In this district we are aware that a large number have already gent in their valuations, and it would have been a source of considerable annoyance and trouble to them to go through the unpleasant operation a second time. We are, therefore, pleased to learn that such a proceeding is not necessary. The new forms will not be ready for a few days, and the time for sending them in is extended to the 15th October. On Monday evening Mr. J. J. Crofts, who has obtained in Dunedin the reputation of being both an instructive and amusing lecturer, will deliver in Hi. James' Hall, Teesstreet, the first of a course of lectures on " Diabolism, Magnetism, and Spiritualism ; or the Devil: Does he exist, and what does he do?" Those who attend need have no fear of ennui being induced by the dulness of Mr, Crofts discourses, for he possesses a large fund of that pleasant humor for which the sons of the Green Isle are famed, added to the ability to blend together in perfect harmony the varied elements of instruction, feriousness, and legitimate fun. Tiu> Band of No. 1 Company, as previously announcfcd, will play a numberof selections on the vacant sps,?p at the junction of Severn and C'oquet-streets, it half-past seven o'clock this evening. Captain Edwin telegraphs leather is approaching from any direction het>/eep north-west and rmftb and west. The glass will further fall. The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held last evening, when there were present—Messra. N. Fleming (Chairman), Smith, Bee, Stevenson, Forrester, Mitchell, and Hardy (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, a letter was read from the Secretary to the Education Board intimating that the Board regretted that owing to its financial position, and in the absence of any information as to what amount would be at its disposal for school buildings, it had no option but to decline to proceed with the erection of a janitor's residence at the Diatrict High School. Leave of absence mtoh granted to Mr. Rice, head-master of the South School, to enable hii;i to attend the University examination at Christchurch, in Novemlicr. Permission was given to Mr# Joseph Mirams to use the North.School on Sunday afternoons for the purpose of a Sabbath school. A number of accounts were passed for payment bo soon as fluids are Available, and the Committee rose,

It is stated'that Mr. George M'Lean, the member of the House of Representatives for Waikouaiti, contemplates resigning his seat and taking a trip Home. A man named Robert Wardropp, in the employ of Mr. Andrew M'Gill, was received into the Hospital yesterday afternoon, suffering from a broken leg and fractured jaw. From what we can gather, "Wardropp was driving a cart, and, through some cause, was thrown out, one of the wheels passing over him. He is progressing as favorably as can be expected. Bachelder's C'olossean Pantascope was exhibited for the third time at the Volunteer Hall last evening, when there was a fair attendance. Much the same programme as on the previous evenings was gone through to the entire satisfaction of those present. The entertainment will be repeated this evening, for the last time, and we would advise those who wish to enjoy an evening's good amusement to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Although defeated the Australian cricketers have not been disgraced in their match with the All-England Eleven, which undoubtedly copiprised the very best players obtainable in ail England. It is only fair to assume that had the Australians been assisted by SpofTovth, who was absent through an accident to his hand receiyed in a previous matcji, that the result of the great contest would hfive been much closer, and it is even prvb-jble that the Australians would have scored victory. The loss occasioned to a team by the absence of |ta tost bowler, and that bowler one whom the Leviathan of the English cricket, Dr. W. G. Grace, has admitted is the only man who coil pujude him, can scarcely be estimated at any tiino, but it is rendered even greater when.a, team is deficient in good change bowlers. Besides this, Spofforth, although not a brilliant bat, can generally be relied upon to assist in swelling the total. It is only fair to the Australians to say this much, and we hope thdt, now that the ice has been broken, and tlfe ill-\yill towards the Australians consequent upon the rupture with Lord Harris' team at Sydney, set aside, that a return match will ba arranged, find the Australians given an opportunity, with their full strength, of once more trying conelusions with the pick of English players. The Waitaki Jockey Club have issued a capita} programme for two days racing, to be held on the ]Jui)troop pourHQ or Thursday and Friday, the 14tli and loth October: The programme for the first day includes a Maiden Plate of L 25, Waitaki County Plate (handicap) of L 35, Waitaki Cup of LIOO, Trotting Race (handicap) of L2O, and a Hack S.elling Race of L2O. On the second day there will be a Handicap Hurdle Race of LSO, Waitaki Jockey Club pf L6O, Novel Race of L3O, Ladies' Purse of L4O, and the Consolation Handicap of L 25. The total added money is L 405, and the liberality of the stakes should certainly sesure large entries. Full particulars are given in our advertising columns. Although the M f aef\ewh.enua ploughing Match Committee have been somewhat dilatory in announcing the annual match, and have deferred the contest to a later period than usual, they have certainly not been un/r.indful of the value of such contests. A libera.! programme, comprising two events with money prizes attached thereto amounting to LGO, is published in our advertising columns. Besides the amount named there will be given a number of special prizes for excellence jn particulars. The match will be held on the 17th instant, in a five hundred-acre paddock, half way between Ngapara and Black Point, In the evening there will be a dinner and ball at Ngapara. We are requested to mention that a meeting in connection with the® match will be held at Mr. George Hutchison's, at half-past seven o'clock on the evening pf the 14th inst, The Manawatu Times.reports' tliq,t three large stones each weighing between two and three pounds, were found in the stomach of a valuable horse, and are supposed to h&ve been the cause of death. The stones wera of a dark green color, and of the consistence of hard mortar. At a fancy dress ball at Napier the other day & civil servant appeared in evening dress, with patches on knees and elbows, an empty wallet labelled " Ten per cent, reduction " at his side, and placards bearing the wo efu legends "Economy," " Hard times " at front and rear ; but over his heart was the inspiriting motto "Nil Desperandum."

The number of Volunteers in camp this week has been larger than on any former occasion. The Canadian team, 23 in number, have acquitted tbenjsely.es yrell, th,e weather, except yesterday, when tiiere v/ 33 heavy rain in the morning and mist in the afternoon, has been favorable, and the shooting has been better than was before recorded. The mist played havoc, however, with the scores at the COO yards range for the Queen's Prize yesterday, and several men who had earned that distinction in years past, came unmistakeably to grief. Nevertheless, the silver medallist njrjdc an aggregate of 102 at the three first ranges, being three more than was ever made before, and only Jess than the highest possible score. Ninety's had to fire off ties to get within the GO eligible to compete for the blue ribbon of the meeting. It has been noticed that whilst Canadians, Eng'ishmen from India, China, and other distant parts of the Empire, are amongst the competitors at Wimbledon, Australians are absent. When is another team to make its appearance ? Those who came over a few years back are still remembered with a lively friendly feeling.—Home correspondent. An anecdote pleasantly illustrative of the judicious thriftiness of the Crown Prince of Germany is related by the London Daily Telegraph. The officers of one of the Guard regiments, which enjoys the annual privilege of being inspected by His Imperial H?ghncss, have hitherto invariably invited him to lunch with them in the regimental tjjess-poom after parade. Last year this entertainment was of an unusually splendid character. Champagne flowod profusely, and the tables were laden with sll the most expensive delieacjeß of the season. The Crown Princo, however, would touch nothing, and even rofused the sparkling draught tendered to him, remarking that " he only drank champagne on extraordinary .occasions." Observant of the reproof implied in fcjfeir august guest's abstinence, the gallant G uardsflicn ordered matters otherwise this year, so that the Crown Prince, when he entered their mess-room after the inspection, found only a modest repast of sandwiches, light claret, and beer awaiting him.. He at oijcp sat down, partook of the frugal fare, end with the observation " This is as it should be among copirftdes," produced his meerschaum, lit up, au4 rerpained for anore tlian an hour smoking and chatting with his entertainers in the most friendly and unceremonious manner imaginable.