TIMARU. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Timaru, February 19th, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume V, Issue 105, 22 February 1866, Page 3

TIMARU. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Timaru, February 19th, 1866.

We have all been reefing on our oars this week, in comparison with the bustle of the last. Mr Moorhouse's address was not Tery enthusiastically received, nor woa the audience assembled to hear him nearly so numerous as on the occasion of his last visit. J. Inglis, Esq., was voted to the chair, and introduced Mr Moorhouse to the meeting. Mr Moorhouse spoke at considerable length, but nothing fresh regarding his policy could be elicited from the flow of words with wliich he felt it his duty to favour us. Ho seemed to be impressed with the idea that it was necessary to throw in somo antidote to counteract the poison infused by Mr Trovers when here into the public mind. Mr Moorhouse very candidly admitted this, as he said that he and Mr Lance, on consulting on their mutual prospects, found that until Mr Travers came to Timaru he wn* in the minority. Mr Moorhouse consequently endeavoured to show, that because some faults might be found in Mr Travers' hastily contrived and undeveloped scheme, that therefore it was an utterly absurd idea, which had occurred to him (Mr Moorhouse) long ago, and had been by him dismissed from consideration as impracticable. In fact, in spite of a certain laudable amount of caution exercised by him in speaking of Mr Travera, Mr Moorhouse would evidently wish the electors to consider the financial policy of that gentlemen as quite beneath being taken any serious notice of. The most prominent idea in Mr Moorhouse's imagination is the formation of a Ruilway southward from Christchurch j but he did not succeed in favorably impressing the meeting by bringing forward this proposition, the public hero being fully persuaded that for years to come the only privilege which would accrue to Timaru would be that of paying away large sums of money raised in the district, to be spent in distant parts of the Province. Captain Cain endeavoured to draw an expression of opinion from Mr Moorhouse as to his ideas regarding the erection of a small breakwater at Timaru, but only succeeded in eliciting one of those delightfully uncertain replies in which Mr M. rejoices. And on Captain Cain stating (truly) that the desire of Timaru was not for a Railway, at an immense expense, to carry its exports *n unnecessary journey to Lyttelton, but rather for a comparatively trifling amount to increase the present facilities for shipment in the Roadstead, Mr Moorhouse mildly bantered the worthy Captain by suggesting that the Railroad might be the means of bringing the present export trade of Lyttelton to Timaru. Mr Moorhouse spoke strongly against the expensive system of warfare in the North Island, and suggested that heavy rewards should be offered for notorious disturbers of the peace among the natives, and expressed his conviction that much more would be effected in this way, than by taking the field. Mr Cardall moved " That this meeting considers Mr Moorhouse as a fit and proper person for Superintendent, but expresies its intention of endeavouring to separate from the rest of the Provin.ee." Mr Simpson moved an amendment to the effect that "This meeting approves of the views expressed by Mr Moorhouse, considers him a fit person for Superintendent, and thanks him for meeting the electors again" — Carried (22 votes for theamendment, and 16 against it). Three fourths of those present did not vote on the passing of the amendment, therefore it cannot bo considered as a favorable expression of opinion on the part of the meeting. The Maori Simon, who was arrested on the Racecourse, on suspicion of having stolen a horse, was brought before Mr Woolcombe, and the charge being proved against the prisoner, and afterwards admitted by him, be was sentenced to »ix months' imprisonment with hard labour in Lyttelton Jail. The Tradesmen's Ball at the New Assembly Rooms (Hooper's Royal Hotel) took place on Tuesday night, and was a success. Dancing was kept up till morning, the supper was handsome and excellent, and good humor and good order prevailed. The weather during the week has been splendid, but the heavy rain on Sunday week had the effect of flooding the Ashburton and Opihi rivers to such an extent as to delay the coaches several hours. I regret having to mention an accident which occurred to-day to Capt. Scott. While that gentleman was in the act of mountinga horse, the animal jumped away from him so suddenly as to throw him violently to the ground, breaking his collar bone and two of his ribs. He was immediately conveyed to his residence, where he received prompt medical assit*nce.