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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 5 November 1880, Page 2

At tlie Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, his Worship gave his decision in Mr. O'Meagher's application for costs in the interpleader case, Straclian v. hyte, re"ported in our last issue. Mr. Parker gave judgment for costs, amounting to LI 13s. remarking on the danger of ignorant persons attempting to draw up legal documentsThe Rifles Band liave been engaged to perform at the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show on the ISth and 19th instant. Mr. Robert Hargrcaves, who lias been appointed to fill the position occupied Mr. Syms in the Railway Department of this district, has been presented with a gold watch and chain by the people of Invercargill, prior to-his leaving that district. At yesterday's meeting of the Waste Lands "Board, "a letter was read from the Town Clerk of Hampden, with reference to the request of R. Hooper for a three years' license to occupy sections 12, 13, and 14, block 60, for wool washing.—The Board declined the request, and resolved to offer the sections at the first convenient opportunity, at L 7 10s per section. The Rifle 3 Baud will perform several selections o£ music on the Old Cricket Ground to-morrow, at 6.30 p.m. We have received from the Secretary (Mr. Church) the following information regarding the entries for the forthcoming North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's show There will be a magiticent display of Lincoln sheep, the draught horses will be of superior quality, and the show of thoroughbreds wil ; compare favorably with that which has occurred in connection with any previoiu local exhibition.

We recommend those curious as to the ceremonies of the Good Templars to attend the Primitive Methodist Lecture Hall this evenincr, when the installation of officers of of Hope Lodge will take place in public. fter the installation, addresses will be given by the Rev. Messrs, Barley and Foster. As" these gentlemen have the credit of being earnest, sensible speakers, and as there is nothing to pay, an important item in these times, we expect to see a large leathering. The public will be admitted at S o'clock.

The usual monthly meeting of the Athen.i'um Committee was held last evening, the following gentlemen being present Messrs. Forrester (chair), Sumpter, Greenfield, Kidd. Garrow, and Williamson (hon. sec.) The Building Committee, although having no flclinltc rooori. co submit to the consideration -A the meeting, liud it r-on for believing that when occasion required money would be forthcoming. It was, thviiifore, deemed advisabie to let the matter s-ind over until the annual meeting. After t tie passing for payment of several accounts, the meeting, closed with the usual vote of thanks.

The adjourned special meeting of the Borough Council was held yesterday, for the purpose of making a special rate of Is to provide for interest on tlio L50,00<) loan. There were present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Blair, de Lautour, Hardy, Hassell, Headland, Otterson, Procter, Smith, and Sutton. After a little discussion it* was resolved " That for the purpose of providing for the annual charges on the LoO.OOO loan for waterworks purposes, the Council notify tbeif intention of making a special rate of Is in the £ (upon the value of the ratable property as appeaing in the valuation roll for the time being in force) for the year ending the 31st day of March, 16S1, the said rate to be payable half-yearly, by two equal instalments on the 20tji day of November, ISSO, and the 20 th day of May, 1SS1; also that a special meeting of the Council be hejd on Thursday, 18th instant, at 10 a.m. for the purpose of making the said special rate." The Council then adjourned. The wonderful success in England of the Australian Eleven, and the subsequent career of Laycock, of Sydney, to whose powers Blackman, of England, and Hosmer, of Boston, have had to bow, tempts us to hope that to Trickett, also of New South Wales, the Champion of the Northern Hemisphere, Hanlon, will have to lower his flag. Surely to all of us this would be a source of satisfaction ; it would give further proof, if such be necessary, that English pluck and English 3 stamina do not degenerate in her Australian Colonies. About 50 persons assembled on the beach near the old landing service this. afternoon, attracted thither by a shark variously estimated at from 15 to 20 feet long. The voracious monster had scented a delicious morsel in the shape of the carcass of a horse which was floating amongst the breakers, and in its attempt to reach it, it was entrapped into water too shallow to admit of easy escape. Firearms and stones were aimed at it, but, apparently, they did not in the least effect their in.-, tended purpose, as the monster eventually freed itself from its perilous situation. Our informant assures us that none of the onlookers, so far as he is aware, felt inclined for a bathe in the locality whilst the stranger vyna disporting himself, and we may add that

we think that those who are iii the habit of taking a dip in the open "briny ' will not feel tempted to repeat tlie experiment for some time to corns, if ever.

An interpleader case, Strachan v. John White, came on the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day. It was one resulting out ' of the seizure of a m-ire and foal belonging to John White by Strachan. Smith, the present claimant, after the seizure of the mare and foal, claimed t!:< j same under a bill of sale for money borrowoi-i hy White, and now interpleaded. The bill of sale was produced, and found to be incuu i pi etc, as it had neverbeen registered. Smith was thereupon non-suited by Mr. Parker, who remarked that his only remedy was an action for fraud or for breach of contract if he thought he could recover the amount. Mr. O'Meagher, who appeared for Strachan, in applying for costs, said that the claimant had put himself to trouble and expense through relying on a document drawn up by an incompetent person and not registered, thereby rendering it null and void. Had he gone to a solicitor and ascertained the value of the document, he might, for a trifling expense, have learned the real value of the document. Had the bill been properly drawn, Smith would have had a claim over the mare which could not have been upset, and the execution creditor could not have made the seizure. He, therefore, urged that as Smith had placed himself in a false position, he was entitled to pay the costs of the interpleader. His Worship deferred l)is depisiqn with reference to costs.

The Oamaru Cricket Club's event for Saturday is a match between the eleven chosen to do battle with the Timaru Club against the remainder of the members of the Club, and a strong muster is desired. In yesterday's issue appeared the prospectus of the Caswell Spun"4 Marble, Portland Cement, and Mining Co. (Limited). This venture is being launched under favorable auspices, if we except the suspicion with which the public, unfortunately for the Colony, view all such ventures, in consequence of the failure of bogus companies. The Provisional Directory is made up of the names of some of the most substantial men in the Colony. We think, therefore, that if the project does not meet with the success that it appears to merit, it will be attributable, not to any want of confidence, but to the absorption of capital in other directions. We oanm tdo better than quote the remarks of the N.Z. Times concerning the project, which are as follows -.—The proposed venture is one of the most sound for a long time past offered the New Zealand public. The essentials of a profitable marketable at'tiplo, iu inexhaustible supply, and in a position easy of access, is assured, the principal feature in fovor of the Company is jta certainty and 11011-speculativc character, and the minimum cost at which large profits can be guaranteed. Operations will not be limited to the production of building and statuary marble, but to the auxiliary adjuncts "of Portland cement and lime, two articles of commerce which are in everineroasing demand, and the undertaking, in addition to offering profitable investment for capital, wiilin a short space of time, afford remunerative employment to hundreds of men. As an incentive to t];e development of this new industry, the Government have been asked to guarantee 5 per cent, on the actual subscribed capital of the Company for five years, from the date of registration to give an absolute Crown grant of 5000 acres of land, an additional grant on terms, at 10a per acre, for purpose of special settlement, the right to cut timber, and mine for coal and other minerals, and a bonus of L2OOO on the first L4OOO worth of marfrlp sold, and LIOQO on the first L2QOO of Portland cement. Tl)e Government ha,ve replied that they .sympathise with the objects and intentions of the Company, and are prepared to favorably consider" proposals as far as possible within the provisions of the existing law as soon as the Company is prepared to fulfil its portion of any agreements that may be entered into. The reports of scientific antl practical men on the quality of the Caswell Sound marble speak In unqualified praise of it? qualities the focilir ties for working and shipment. The report of the Engineer of the Timaru Harbor Board, read at yesterday's meeting of that body, contained the following : Soundings have been taken south of the Breakwater. The shingle adjacent to the Breakwater has extended 33ft sixace August 7, 1579. Tha Timaru Harbor Board contemplate procuring a steam launch for use in connection with their liarbor, Mr, Wm. Napier and Messrs. P. Cunningham and Co. have written to the Board offering them the steam launch Bella for the sum of L6OO.