North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1800.

A column of reading mutter appears on the first page of this wu«, A public trial of the Howard digging plough will be held at Mr Mitchell*! Turin, near Studholme Junction, on Tuesday next. Tb» exhibits from the Duuedin Exhibition are arriving in Oamaru, and exhibitors can obtain the some at Mr George Suaapter's stores. By a fire at Mr Matthew Morton's, Wai areka, on Thursday night, a buggy and harness were destroyed. It in not known how the fire originated. ] (The captain of the barque Warwickshire yesterday morning laid an information against five of the seamen for disobeying orders. The case will come on for hearing this morning. At tke Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Wore Mr Stratford, the following persons were fined for allowing cattle to wander at large : Isabella Gray, two cows, 2s ; C. Kearas, one cow, Is ; Jane White, four cows, 4s ; Sarah Le*ney, one cow, Is ; Nora Kane, one cow, Is ; John Black, two sheep, 2s ; John Ward, one cow, Is ; A. B. Morfarty, one cow, 2s, Margaret Barry, one oow, 2».

A football match wan played qn the Chslmer street ground yesterday afternoon botwoen teams representing the first fifteens of the North and Middle Schools. The match resulted in a win for the Middle School by J7 poluts to nil. Tries were obtained by Rodgers (2) and Thomson (1). Thomson also potted 4 goals, and kicked one from a try. At the Resident Magistrate* Court yesterday, Georglna Robertson sued Robert Pringle for failing to provide for the support of his illegitimate child. The paternity was not disputed, and Mr Lee, who appeared for the defendant, agreed to an order for payment being made. The Magistrate ordered the father to pay 7s a week till the child reached the age of 14 years. Amongst the cargo of the barque Warwickshire which did not pass the Customs was a small snake which Mr Brocklo discovered in the sand ballast brought by that vessel from South Africa. The reptile was lively enough, even although it had hud nothing to live upon but sand duriug the time it had been in the vessel's hold. The snake, in a harmless condition, can now be seen at Mr Sowell's chemist's shop. At a recent meeting of the Loyal Oamaru Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., Bro. Waddell in the chair, there was a large attendance of members. During the evening Grand Master M'Pherson, on behalf of the lodge, presented to Grand Masters T. Cunningham uud A. S. Waddell handsomely framed past officers' certificates of merit. Bro. M'Pherson, in a neat speech, eulogised the presentees upon the able manner in which they had filled many offices in the lodge. Bros. Waddell and Cunningham suitably replied. A framed certificate was also forwarded to Past Grand M'Candlish, now of Timaru, that brother during his residence in Oamaru having filled many offices in the lodge. The trustees (Bros. J. Thomson, J. Kay, and J. Jack) reported that along with the treasurer (Bro. W. Patterson) and the auditor (Bro. R, M'Pherson) they had examined all the securities held by the lodge upon mortgages to the value of L9OO ; bank deposit receipts to the value of LIOOO ; and freqhold to the value of L 96 2; and that they had much pleasure in saying that tl.o business connected with the mortgages and deposits was conducted efficiently by the permanent secretary, Bro. Brownlee. The trustees spoko of the position the Loyal o<unaru Lodge held among friendly societies as being such as every member should be proud of. The meeting was enlivened with songs by the members, and after the good and welfare of the lodge had been spoken of, as well as the care of the sick and distressed brethren, tho lodge was closed in Friendship, Love, and Truth. Glendininq and Dobik have turned the wheel of the drapery trade, and it now moves on its axis liko a thing of intelligence. Their great sale of Win. MenziM and Co.'s assigned stock is the favorite attraction of the town. The crowds still continue daily, taxing the powers of the staff to their utmost tension. The half-holiday was utilised in bringing forward very special bargain? which had been overlooked during the daily rush. Country customers, our advice is: Come straight to our establishment and nave the terrible afternoon crush. Remember our time is limited and the whole stock must go. — [Auvt.] myl7 Anotiikr Triumph —-The New High Arm Davis Vertical Feed Sewing Machine obtaiaed the highest award— a Gold Medal at tho Paris Exhibition— in a contest with all the best sewing machines in the world. Machines and all accessories in stock. — Wm. Waodkll, Merchant Tailor (Sole Agent in Oamaru). —[Adyt]. Thkkk can be no doubt but that the goods which our Woollen Factory is turning out are of urpassing excellence. We have seen nothing, however, to equal the quality and finish of the Tweeds whioh have been manufactured to Mb James Gbmmells specal order. These are, indeed, par excellence, and are made up in the Latest Styles : Workmanship and Fit being Guaranteed. [Auvt ]