The Oamaru Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1871.

North Otago Times, Volume XV, Issue 596, 3 February 1871, Page 2

The Oamaru Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1871.

An ExrLANATiov.— It is required that we should explain how it arose that our subsciibers in the Papukaio, Awamo'.ro, and Maerewhbnua districts, did not receive, a» usual, the Oamaru Times, of Friday and Tuesday lasfc. We can simply say that the papers were put in the usual place, for tiansmission by the coach. Previous to starting, thediiver discoveied that the parcels had been stolen. We forwaided a second edition of Tuesdays paper, by express, at the eailiest possible moment, but we have not any remaining numbers of the previous Fridays issue. This, we hope, will be a sufficient explanation to satisfy our subscribers that this office should be exoneiated fiom blame. The Dock Trdst.— A meeting of this body will be held in the Council Chambers, to-moriow, at 3 o'clock. The "Wallace.— We have been requested to call attention to the advertisement in another column, of a reduction in the fare between Oamaru and Dunedin. Oamaru Hospital.— A meeting of those interested in the establishment of an Hospital, was held at the Volunteer Hall, on Wednesday evening. The attendance was large, and great interest evinced in the movement. "We are compelled to hold over the report of the meeting until our next. I The Dock Wobkb.— "We would desire to draw especial attention to a letter in another colnmn, signed "Judicious Progress." The subject is of vital impoi tance to all classes, and the communication should receive the consideration of all interested in the district. The Stxpehixxundeitct. — Mr D. Reid addressed a large meetiug of the electors in the Volunteer Hall last evening. He was well received, and delivered an able speech, a report of which will appear in our next issue. Mr R. Young proposed, and Mr Shrimski seconded, that Mr D. Reid was a fit and proper person for the office of Superintendent, which was carried uuanimously. Over 300 persons were piesent. Extended Jurisdiction.— The next sitting of this Court will be held at the Couithouse, before Judge Gray, on Tuesday, the 21st inst. Resident Magistrate's Court.- -There has been little business at this Court since our last. On Wednesday, one inebrate (6rst offence) was sentenced to 24 houis impiisonment ; and there was one small debts case of no importance. Governmental Geogeapht.— The "Wellington Advertiser 1 ' of the 27th ult., has the following lucid paragraph :— " We percievo by the ' Gazette ' published yesterday evening that money order offices have been established at Cabe River and Brealeigh, in the county of Queensland, Otago." Murder op Me Todd.— Rewi, in a letter to the Thames chiefs, regaiding the murder of Mr Todd, says : — " He was killed at Pirongia. The case was the sur. veying of that mountain. This is written that you may see that the root of this European killing is land." Maetin's Bay.— A coirespondent of " Lake Wakatip Mail " says : — " We have no exciting gold news to communicate ; but it is fully believed by experienced miners that this is a gold-bearing locality, and that it only needs the men and capital to biing it to light in sufficient quantities to create a rush. Gold has been found not very far from the south heads, although it is not yet known to exist in payable quautities. Those who have settled down here evidently intend by their own industry to furnish their table with more of the good things of this life than fish and fowl, of which we have abundance, as they have gone to work with a will to level the primeval forest, and force the rich soil that lies beneath it to sustain theif temporal interests, and it is gratifying to know that their labor is not in vain. Already there are a number of flourishing gardens and potato patches that certainly show well for the fiist year. Paities who wish to get a good farm for nothing, and make a quiet, happy, independent home for themselves, would do well to come to Martin's Bay in February or March next, when, no doubt, many of the best lots that have been taken up will be foifeited, and will be opened again for selection." Volunteer Entertainments. —The fifth and last of the series of Volunteer Entertainments, was given at the Masonic Hall, on Tuesday evening the 31st ult. The house was crowded in every part. Lieut. Locke presided. The performance opened with an instrumental oveiture, excellently rendered — Mr G. Finch, pianist; Mr Earle, violinist; and Mr A. King, flautist. Mr Sumpter read "Taming the Shrew," Mons. Langlois sang a Fiench song with great spirit, which was highly applauded. Mr Sumpter read " The Buiial of Sir John Moore." Messrs W. Collins and R. Lumsden, then sang, in chaiacter, a local song, "The Nervous Cures," in excellent style— it abounded with capital local hits, and was given with spirit and correctness — a repeat was demanded. Mr Kelley sang "A Motto for Jivery Man " in good style, and was highly applauded. At this stago of the pioceedmgs, Lieut Locke addressed the audience, remarking that in the absence of Captain Steward it had fallen upon him to tender the thanks of tbe officers and members of the Oamaru Volunteer Corps, for tlie liberal support which had been giren to these entertainments— a suppoit which had exceeded all expectations. He regretted, that, owing to the unavoidable absence of some gentlemen who had been cast to read, he had been compelled to depart from the original programme. The next song, by Mons. Langlois, would terminate the fiist part of the entertainment. He would state that after the performance of the Oamaru Mins>lrels, a ball would be held. Mons. Langlois sang a French song, which was well received. After an interval of fifteen minutes the second part was commenced, with an overture by the band, Mr A. Frew appearing as violinist ; Mr Hardy sang, in capital stylo "The Queen, God bless Her !" Mr Sumpter read " To an Iafaut," this followed by a musical selection by the band. The Oamaru Christy Minstrels now made their appearance, amidst tremendous applause. This company consisted of nine, via : — Mr Johnston, Bones, Tambo., "1st and 2nd concertina, 1st and 2nd violin , triangle, and 1st and 2nd banjos. This part of the performance, was, from first to last, excellent ; Bones and Tambo's comicalities were inimitable, and the music, vocal and instrumental, would have done credit to any company of pi of c-ssiouals. Among the pieces given were the following songs and chorouses : — " Pakum Truck," Bones, ; " Kingdom Coming," Triangle; "Weeping Sad and Lonely," Tambo ; "A Little More Cider," Mr Johnstone ; " Tapioca," Bones ; " Poor Old Joe," Concertina ; " Let me kiss him for his Mother," and the " Laughing Chorus." Where all were excellent, it would be invidious to particularise. It is not saying more than is their legitimate due, when we state, that the Oamaru Minstrels are equal, in every respect, to th« best that have ever appeared in the Colonies. Tt e local puns were pungent and intelligent. The performance, from first to last, was faultless, and received well-merited applause.