North Otago Times. TUESDAY, DECEMUER 9, 1879.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2369, 9 December 1879, Page 2

North Otago Times. TUESDAY, DECEMUER 9, 1879.

It is probablo that tho Publio Works Statement will bo delivered in tho House ot Representatives this ovoning. It is now generally believod in "Wellington that tho present session of Parliament will bo brought to a close on tho 15th or 17th instant. Tho monthly mooting of theWftitaki Road Board will bo held in tho office, Tyno street, this forenoon. At ft meeting of tho Oamaru Jockoy Club on Saturday night, it was decided to agreo to the request of an applicant asking permission to uso a totalisator in the paddock on tho race days. What will that industrious and hard-working body called tho " talent " say to this innovation ? It may interest pooplo in this town and j district to know that the Riverton newspaper I in noticing a. sormon preached by tho Rev. Mr Grime, at St. Mary'a Episcopal Church, Riverton, predicts for tho reverend gontloman a useful and prosperous career in Uivorton and tho Western, District of Southland. At tho R.M. Court, yesterday, boforo Mr T. W. Parker, R.M., Edward Anderson was charged with having, on tho 6th inst., stolon a hat of tho value of 8s 6d, tho property of R. C. Lindsay. Tho prosecutor deposed that tho prisoner camo into his shop on Saturday, and asked to see sofno hats. He | was shown several, and solcctod one, and gavo tho witness a LI noto in payment for it and for somo other articles which he had I purchased. While witness was changing tho money, he noticod the prisoner putting something under his coat, and when he had gono missed tho hat producod. He at onco wont and gave information to tho police. Detective Livingstono deposed to arresting the prisoner in tho Harp of Erin Boardinghouso, and finding the stolen proporty on him. Tho Magistrate sentenced the prisoner to ono months imprisonment, with hard labor. I Mr D'Orsay Ogdeus's operatic company will opon at tho Volunteer Hall hero on Friday ovoning, for a brief season of two nights. Tho company comprises 24 mombcra, of whom the leading lady singer is Miss Beatrice, who at tho Gaiety Theatre, Christchuroh, on Friday evening was by Mr Ick, tho Mayor of tho cathedral oity, acting on behalf of a number of ladies and gentlomen who admire Miss Beatrice's artistic ability, presented with a superb diamond ling, Tho piece in which tho company will appear hero on Friday evening is ontitlod the Doctor of Alcantara, tho plot of which has already been published in these columns. Mr Ogden means, if possible, to make up for the meagreness of the stago accommod*. tion at tho Volunteer Hall with somo excellent scenory brought specially from Christchurch. The usual monthly Government inspection of the headquarters companion was hold last night, Captain Sumpter inspecting. Aftor inspection, the volunteers, accompanied by the two bands, wero marched to Lewis's paddock on tho north road, where they were exorcised in attack and defence drill, The defencUug party was composed af the Artillery, with tho big gun, and the Citizen Cadets, while the No. 1 Company formed tho attacking force. Tho mimio engagement lasted fully an hour, tho Artillery during that time firing about 30 rounds of blank cartridge with tho howitzer. A large number of tho townspeople woro preaont, and, owing to tho darkness, considerably impeded tho movomonts of tho voluntoors. A return was then made to town, the band* playing some vuiy spirited march tunes alternately. Thoro was a good mustor of all tho companies on parade "Augur," in tho Australasian, says that Darriwell, tho Cup winner, has been sold by his ownor to Mr W. E. Dakin for LSCO, and thinks that as tho horso is a sound and improving ono, tho purchasor has mado a good bargain. Mr Oliver Dalrymple has a farm of 30 aquaro miles in California. Of this 20,9C0 acres have been under wheat, and tho yield was 250,000 bushels. To harvest this, 75 reaping and binding maohinos wero at work, and the crop was cut clown at the rate of I,CDO acres per day. Tho Wollington correspondent of tho Wanganui Herald states that Mr Sheehan was very warm on the honorable member for Napior tho other day while speaking to the subject of the production of privato tele, grams on tho table of the House. Ho said, ' ' In speaking of this question in tho language oommonly used amongst gentlemen I am quite awaro that I am speaking in what probably is to tho honorable mombor for Napier a foreign tonguo." Mr Sutton winced visibly, and thero passod round the House what has been described by an Amorioan writer as " an audible smile." I A new phaso of tho Chinose question has I cropped up in the United States. Tho corporation of Portland, tho oapital of the Stato of Oregon, required certain works to be done within its boundaries, and invited ostimatcs. A firm offered to perform tho work at a much lower rate than any of tho other competitors, and duly received tho contract. It was then found that tho firm in question intended employing Chinese labor, and immediately an uproar took place among the good people of tho city. The corporation endoavored to withdraw the contract, but on the whole mattor being referred to the Courts, it was decided that tho contract holds good, Chincso or no Chinese