SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 173, 18 January 1867, Page 5

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

On the afternoon of 20th December, a fatal accident occurred in the Bay here, daring a heavy sea. Some boatmen in the employment of Messrs Traill, Roxby and Co., were attempting to bring in one of the boat* to the beach, when John Hagen, who -was left in one of the boats, waa thrown into the water, from the violence of the waves capsizing it. Efforts were of course made to rescue him, but he sank and his body has not been recovered up to this time. Hagen was a Norwegian and had only a short time previously arrived from London in the ship Blue Jacket. The children attending the three Sunday Schools here were feted on New Year's Day at Waikaura, the residence of A. M'Master, Esq. No fewer than 192 children besides their teachers and friends were present, and a very pleasant and happy day was spent by all.

The annual Buses at Totora and Hakaterema" on Chriatmas Day, came off very Auocessf ally. Detailed report* of the sport* will be found eliewhere. • The second annual Cricket Match between two Eleven* of the Dunedin and Oamaru Clubs came off on 28th and 29th December, when the former were victorious by thirteen runs. A child of Mr Campbell's of Totora was found drowned iu the creek there on 30th December. Our postal arrangements with the Waitaki District have been matter for much comment and dissatisfaction for sometime past ; the Government having neglected to make proper contracts for the conveyance of the mails. The gold Escort maintains an average of about 7000 ounces fortnightly. Since the Stamp Duties Act came into force, great inconvenience has resulted from the insufficient supply of Stamps provided for the use of the public. The arrangements appear to have been faulty to a degree, and the result u a wide-spread discontent. We regret to state that the ravages of the caterpillar have been severely felt amongst the cereal crops this season. The pest, however, has now almost entirely disappeared. It has been arranged to establish Post Office Savings Banks in the principal cities and towns of the Colony.