LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 177, 14 November 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

From the local paper we learn that the charge of arson preferred against Neil M'Ci»w;in came on for hearing at Waimate, and the evidence being sufficient to warrant a committal, prisoner was formally committed to stand his trial at the next session of the Supreme Court, Timaru. Being too susceptible to the tender passion is sometimes an expensive luxury, for we learn that the two cases brought against Mr. James Shand, member of the late Provincial Council, for breich of pro.nUe, ci3t him a lois to his exchequer to the amount of over X2,00a The Rev. 13. Williams is reported to have mad« the following remarks from the pulpit at Gisborne on Sunday last: —"l regret to say that several valuable books have been missed from their pews by various members of my congregation. I have to request that all light-fingered persons will cease to be light-fingered when the\ r come here. We do not conic here to steal, but to avoid stealing." Wc have to acknowledge the receipt of the Ilhnlrated New Zealand Herald for November, which is fully up to its old standard of excellence. The front page contains capi-tally-executed portraits of the heroes of the Dandcnong catastrophe, supplemented by other engravings of an interesting character. The Herald is admirably adapted for posting to friends in the Old Country, and for that purpose should command a ready and extensive sale. A meeting of the Directors of the Caledonian Society was held last evening at Procter's Hotel, at which a balance-sheet showing a balance credit to the Society was submitted. At its conclusion the adjourned anuual meeting took place, at which the following officers were elected for the ensuing year :—President, Mr. W. M'lntosh ; VicePresident?, Messrs. PI. Aitkcn and C. Galbraith ; Treasurer, Mr. Jame3 Martin ; Secretary, Mr. W. Aitken, at a yearly salary of £10; Auditors, Messrs. Proctor and Bee. At a subsequent meeting of Directors the Secretary was instructed to engage the Volunteer Hall for the annual ball of the Society to be held on New Year's night; a programme was adopted for the New Year's games, a Printing Committee appointed, and the President ami Vice-President appointed to arrange with the N.A. P. Association for the Caledonian Band to play on the Show days, and also to secure the ground for the New Year's sports.

There was a clean charge-sheet at the Police Court this morning. A new chum at the Hutt recently captured a honey bee, stuck it between his unkempt locks, and covered it with his hat, and then went round to several farmers to exhibit what he thought to be a curiosity in the order of inseclivora. A day or two later, he was shown where a new swarm of bees had settled, and attempted to secure them with his hands. The result was that he got severely stung for his temerity. He is not quite so green now as he was a few days ago, and has come to think bees very good sort of things iu thsir placa, though he has a greater liking for thair honey.