North Otago Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1881.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2920, 14 November 1881, Page 2

North Otago Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1881.

We believe that scarlet fever of a mild type has appeared in the town. Puronts and others should thoroforo take what precautionary measures they can. Te Whifci and Tohu are now on their trial ab New Plymouth, charged with disturbing the peace. The case was commenced on Saturday, and adjourned till to-day. The monthly meeting of the Hospital committee will bo held to-morrow evening at 7.30, in the office of the seerotary, Mr Church. A social gathering to bid farewell to the Rev. Mr Ryley and Mrs Ryley on their leaving tho district will take place in the Athontoum at Otepopo to-morrow evening, at 6.30 o'clock. A telegram from Wellington contains tho announcement that Mr Warden Robinson will assume tho duties of Resident Magistrate at Oamaru, vice Mr I. N. Watt, retired on his pension. The sparrows, green linnets, &o , aro reported to be filling in their spare time by attacking the unripe cherry crop. Many trees, even at this early period, are uaid to have been entirely stripped of fruit. Mr William Murcott will address tho ratepayers of tho Moeraki riding of tho County Council this evening, in tho Mechanics' Hall, Tlampden, at 8 o'clock ; and at Trotter's Creek schoolhouso on Tuesday evening,- at tho same hour. A horae attached to a two • wheeled trap bolted from the railway station on Saturday afternoon, The trap was upset and considerably damaged opposite the Immigration Barracks, tho horse freeing itsolf without sustaining injury. At Messrs Matson and Co. 'a sale of Bhorthorn cattle at Christchurch on Friday, Mr Menlovo purchased 33rd Duchess ot Dorrimufc for the sum of 150 guineas, and Coax 24th for 82J guineas. Both these animals are irom the herd of Messrs Robertson Bros,, Victoria. Tho Hon. M. Holmes also purchased Lady Rockingham for 30 guineas, ltiby Duchess 4th for 42£ guineas, Lady Riby 2nd for 42J guineas, Aylosbury Duchess for 35 guineas, and Roan Duchess 3rd for 35 guineas— all from the Moa Flat herd. These animals are acquisitions to tho district, and should prove profitable to their new owners. Many will regret to hear that Mr Alexander Ken- has resigned tho management of the Oflinaru branch of the National Bank, Mr Kerr has been over twenty years ia the banking business ; during quite five of these years he has residod in Oamaru, and while hero he has, both as a bank manager and as a private gentleman, been hold in high estimation. As might bo expected in conneotion with tho retirement of a man of Mr Kerrs bonhomie from a position which ho has long held with approbation, it is proposed to present him- with a public testimonial in recognition of hit) merits and to mark the closing of his banking career, It in Mr Kerrs intention to enter into business in Oamaru, and many besides us will wish him what ho deserveß— all possible suoceis in his now sphere. Those of our readers who take a consistent interest in New Zealand politics will know something about Mr S. D. Ormond. JJ'or the last two years at least he hay boon at various times looked upon as a probable future Premier of the colony. It was ho who last session moved a want of confidence in the Government on account of the unsatisfactory character of their local governrnenc proposals. Tho Government won by a slight majority. Partly through thosooircumstancos, and paitly through their inherent common 1 *onie, Mr Ormona's uttoranoea have aoquirtd

some colonial importance. On Friday night ho addresser! n meeting of electors at Waipawa, in the Hawko'sßay district. From whatever cause— probably some firumpory local one— his hearers appear to have boon as much against him as for him. His speech, however, dealt chiefly with general politics, and this morning wo publish one or two of its more prominent passages, Mr Ormond's remarks about the future of local governmeut in particular may prove usefully suggestive to many of our readers, A gentleman has informed us of a slight adventure ho met with on the esplanade on Saturday last. As he was sauntering along, with his hands behind his back, a strangelookingman accosted him thus wise : " Good day, mate ; come and sit down on the grass and talk like a Christian. I'vo a good mind to go aud drown myself, foi I'vo been half crankio with toothache for two or three days." Our informant objeoted to sit on the grass and talk liko a Christian or a heathen either, with an absoluto stranger who looked queer about tho eyes, spoke inoohorontly, and whoso manner was tho roverso of that of an ordiuary Christian. Ho however, advised his intorlooutor to go to a dentist, doing this with tho utmost show of sympathy at his command. Tho advice had anything but a soothing effect upon tho str .tiger, who snappishly retorted that his troublo wasn't toothache, but rheumatism of tho jnw. The reply to this was an expression of regret at inability to do anything tangible for the stranger, aud our friond was proceeding on bis way, whon the queer person turnod back upon him and said s "You might do mo a good turn if ym got me some work to do." lioliof of this kind was in some measure within the power of the gontleinan addroaaod, aud ho proceeded to put somo commonplace questions as to the place of abode and tho name of the man. Whon, howevor, he asked his interviewer for his name that wot thy showed 4< his paces" considerably. He would stand no impertinent quostions, he said ; ho was an old digger and must not be insulted ; and though he might do terrible things— knock our townsman down, or pitch him in tho ditch which happonod to be oloso by— lie wouldn't on that occasion. Tho parties thus parted in peace, but the incident shows that though tno esplanade is ordinarily a pleasant promenade, it is at times frequented by queerly disagreeable characters. Tho person mot on Saturday by our informant was probably, at the time of tho interviow described, in a state bordering upon dolirium tremens.