SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1876. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 157, 21 October 1876, Page 2

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1876. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Larrikin still remains in the place to which it tviM dragged on Thursday, -Mr. Shatters, the owner of the course, kindly loofcing after the poor animal. We imagine. however, as there is not the slightest hope of its recovering the injaries sustained, the most efficacious remedy which e«.nld he applied to it wotdd !>e to put the poor heast out of its misery ; certainly it would be the mwfc merciful-

It wilt be remembered that a short while since Competition Rifle Matches took place tpr medal* and trophies*, subscribed for by the ladies of Oamant. It appears that after the purchase of the prizes—which, by the wav, are to be presented by Mrs. Steward, on Tuesday night week—there remained a surplus stun of £4. This money has been further supplemented, and it has been resolved to offer it as prizes In a series of Consolation Matched to those competitors who were nnsuceessfnl in the grand matches, the contest to be open to the members of the Head-quarters Companies—No. 1 Company and the Artillery. The first match will take place on next Tuesday, at 5.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Five shots are to be allowed at each range, of 200, 300, and 400 yards. The targets -will be those in nsc at and any position allowed. The second competition takes place on this day week, at the same hours, targets, and on the same conditions, with the exception that each competitor trill be allowed seven, instead of five, shots, as on the previous occasion, and the ranges are 300 and 600 yards.

Wc understand that Serjeant-Major M Thereon paid an offiicial visit to the Volunteers of Hampden on Wednesday night, when over thirty of the Company put in an appearance. Headed by the local brass baud, they were marched tlirough the town, and put through a variety of movements, being paid a high compliment for the efficiency of their drill, cleanliness of their arms, and the order observed in the ranks. On the following night Otopopo was visited, when the men, under the command of Captain Diehl, to the number of between thirty and forty, turned out to muster. This Company was al.-io found in a most creditable and efficient state, and we hear it is likely they will soon have a visit from their brethren of this town, with whom they will have a brush.

Wc have been requested to direct attention to an advertisement in our advertising columns with regard to the forthcoming Bazaar, in connection with -St. Luke's Church. As the time is fast approaching at which itwill beheld— thesixtcenth and seventeenth prox.—Mrs. Gilford i 3 most anxious that contributions should be at once forwarded, and will feel obliged to receive such through the post, or otherwise. As is known t . all, the proceeds are to be devoted to clearing away a portion of the debt incurred on the enlargement of the church. The P>azaar will lie held in the Volunteer Hall, and as the time has been wisely fixed for the evenings of the Agricultural Show, there can be little doubt of its proving a success. We might again urge upon intending contributors a compliance with the request made, as by so doing it will materially facilitate the work and lesrson the labors of those in charge of the affair.

In consequence of the meeting of the Benevolent .Society taking place on Monday night, we learn thafc the settling over the Oamaru Steeplechase will come oil" on Tuesday, not Monday, night, as previously advertised.

The prize of £lO 10s., offered for the best air to the New Zealand Anthem, written by Mr. Thomas Bracken, has been awarded to Mr. J. J. Woods, of Lawrence. There were twelve competitors, and as a proof of the superiority of the air chosen it may be stated that the three Melbourne judges to whom the decision was allotted—Messrs. Zepliu, Xehnan. and Herr Sicde unanimously selected that composed by Mr. Wood. The successful competitor is tiie teacher of the Catholic School, Lawrence.

Shearing has cammenced in the Palmcr-.-tt»;« District, the rate paid being twenty shillings per hundred, and wc notice an intimation published in the Timm stating that the ehcaaers have determined not to accept one sixpence under that figure. We notice that Mr. J. J. Utting, late of the Cmir.l'iiiii, but now of the T'triv-J staff, Lyttelton, is writing a continuous story for the Sn'-n-'l";/ A'h'irl'wr. Mr. Utting is favourably known as a dramatic author, and v.-.j have no doubt he will be equally successful in his new line of literature. The story h entitled " Frank Calvary ; a .Semi-Xauti-eal Tale," and the second portion appears in this week's issue.

Tbe ship Timnru, which left Glasgow for Otago on July 2ti, has on board 340 souls, equal to Hill statute adults. The following is a summary of the trades and occupations of tiie immigrants -.—Farm laborers, G2 '■ general laborers, 10; ploughmen, 17; gardener.--, 3 : navvy, 1 : miners, 4 ; joiners, 2 . carpenters, 4 ; sawyer, 1 : blacksmiths, 2: mason;, 2 ; bn'ekmnker, 1 ; quarryman, 1; plasterers, 3; collier, 1 ; contractor, 1 ; shepherds, 13 ; carter, 1 : miller, ) ; bootmakers, 2: tailor, 1 ; groom, 1. Single women—general servants, 50 ; dairymaids, 3: machinists, 2 ; midwife, 1 ; upholstress, 1 ; cooks, 3; teacher, 1 ; housemaid, 1 ; tielti-workcr, 1 : nurse, 1. The ship Duncdin follows t!ie Timaru with 2SG souls on board, equal to 232 statute adults. A concert under the combined auspices of Masons and Good Templars took place last evening in the Tees-street Hall, the proceeds of. which were to be devoted to the relief of the family of the late John M'Murtrie. There was a perfect galaxy of talent, volunteers abundant, and the audience appreciative. Although the programme was materially curtailed, the items gone through were so numerous that it was fully half-past ten before the concert came to an end. The entertainment was a most varied one, comprising selections by the Grammar School Flute Band, trios, duetts, solos, and readings. Amongst those who came generously forward to aid the good object were Messrs. Hannah, D. Booth, Canicross, Bruce, Frew, Laing, and others ; assisted by Mesdames Hamilton and Bashford, all of whom acquitted themselves of their several parts with credit. We must, however, make jjarticular mention of tlse manner in which Mr. Hannah sang Wal"Let Me Like a Soldier Fall." 'lt wa& simply splendid, and although we have repeatedly heard that gentleman attempt that and other pieces, he never appeared" to such advjjjftago as la3t night. He was in magnificent voice, and upon being vociferously encored, 'jgave in most effective style, the pleasing melody, " Twinkling -Stars are LaugbinJ, Love," T effort being

with great pathos and feeling ; and the same maybe said of Mrs. Hamilton's "Juanita," the only drawback being a nervousness under which the lady suffered—a fault easily remedied. As a rule readings are a perfect bore if not delivered with proper effect, but it must be confessed that those given last night left nothing to {cavil at. "The Taking of the Census" has been so often recited by Mr Hamilton that he has almost made it his especial property, and so well has he become acquainted with its humour that he never fails to convulse his audieuce. Mr. Carncross's reading of "Goody Grim" was most amusing, not a point being lost, all the salient features being brought prominently forward, and his imitations of witnesses, counsel, and judge immense. Generally speaking those who take to Readings have .previously failed as vocalists, but Mr. Carncross must be classed as an exception, for he appeared last evening in the double capacity, and in both with equal credit. If there be any truth in the statement, we expect to see at the next monthly concert another gentleman in the ranks of the Readers. Of course we cannot mean Mr. Brennan, for that gentleman was accorded the most enthusiastic encore of the evening. Although we cannot say that the concert taken as a whole was equal to others we have heard in the same hall; yet as the liall was crowded in every part, we have little doubt a large sum will be handed over by the Committee to the family of the unfortunate man.

A question having been raised as to Lieut. Sims' competency in swimming, he (whilst ignoring all claims to be regarded as a professional swimmer) expressed himself as being •willing to be subject to any fair test in the art, the result being that Dr. Reimer offered him £5 to swim from Jetty-street Jetty to Vauxhall. This feat he accomplished yesterday afternoon in one hour and twenty-five minutes. It is only fair (says the Guardian) to add that the gentleman offering the premium not only promptly paid it, but accompanying him in a boat, was amongst the first to offer his congratulations, as well as to administer remedies, owing to his being greatly distressed on account of the coldness of the water, together with a nasty trough of a sea which was running at the time.

Legal proceedings at Macraes (says the Pahmrdon Times) were brought to an abrupt termination recently, by a messenger hastily entering the building and announcing that a married lady had committed suicide. At once the Magistrate, Police, and others proceeded to the place where the sad affair was supposed to have taken place. The lady was found to be in a most lamentable condition, but not in that which many had feared. After much persuasion the unfortunate one was induced to visit the court-house ; and it was deemed prudent to keep her under restraint that eveuiug, it being understood that if in a fit state she would be liberated on the following morning.