THE EVENING MAIL. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 327, 11 May 1877, Page 2

THE EVENING MAIL.

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1877.

" Words are things, and a drop of ink falling' upon a thought may produce that which makes thousands think."

What may be termed a tidal wave rolled into the roadstead about noon to-day, the sea rising several feet within a few minutes' The wave was one of very considerable size, and it was fortunate that no vessels were laying out in the open roadstead, for had there been, serious damage might have resulted. As it was, the barque William Gilford, which was laying just inside the Breakwater, experienced some portion of the force of the wave, as she broke loose from her moorings. She was carried by the

current seaward, and as she was going out she struck heavily against the end of the Breakwater, and was immediately afterwards caught in a whirlpool, and sent round like a top. She then began to drift until she was almost broadside on to the outer portion of the Breakwater, but luckily a light breeze sprang up, and sail having been set, she was got out of her dangerous position. She ones more got into another kind of whirlpool, during which she struck the bottom very heavily, the sea having greatly receded being the cause of her striking where she did. Captain Bishop, who was on shore, at once proceeded on board, aud as the vessel was making a foot of water per hour, she at once made all sail and proceeded to Dunedin. The ketch Prince Rupert and the schooner Richard and Mary, also felt the effect of the wave, the two vessels being thrown into collision, the cut-water of the latter being carried away. As to the cause of the tidal wave we cannot say anything positively, but we may mention that a similar wave was experienced a few days ago at Napier, where considerable damage was done. The conclusion of our report of yesterday's meeting of the County Council will be found on the fourth page of our present issue. The General Manager of Railways gives notice in another column that single tickets will be issued, available for the return journey, between Oamaru and Waimate Junction, on the day of the Waimate races, Tuesday next. We would remind owners of horses that entries for the various events to be run at the Oamaru Steeplechase Club's meeting on Queen's Birthday must be sent in to the hon. sec. (Mr. G. Greenfield) not later than 8 o'clock to-morrow evening. The installation of officers of Lodge Waitaki, No. 1111., E.C., took place last evening, in the Masonic Hall, Captain Mathesbn acting as Installing Master. The following are the names of the officers for the current year :—W.M., Brother J. Wansbrough ; S.W., Brother H. Kite; J.W., Brother Charles Martin ; S.D., Brother H. B. Hook ; J.D., Brother John M'Jennett; 1.G., Brother Thomas Cunningham; Tyler, Brother J. Phillips ; Treasurer, Brother T. Procter; Secretar}' and Organist, Brother G. Brownlee. A bancpiet was afterwards held in the Roj'al Hotel, the catering of Host Procter giving general satisfaction. Altogether a most pleasant evening was,, spent by the Masonic brethren.

A match will be played by members of the Oamaru Football Club to-morrow afternoon, commencing at half-past two o'clock. The sides chosen are given below, the first comprising members whose name 3 begin with that portion of the alphabet from A to K, and the other side from Lto Z. All players are particularly requested to attend punctually, as the Committee are desirous of judging of the play of the Club prior to finally deciding upon the match with the Dunedin Club. The sides will be chosen from the following players :—A. to K. : M_ Anderson, Baxter, Bennett, Blackburne, Booth, Carncross, Church, Corliss, Crawford, Davies, W. Finch, G. Fenwick, Filleul, Gow, Hervey, Hassell, Headland, Hardy, Hickey, Holdsworth, H. Honour, and Kerr. L. to Z. : Lintott, M'Glashan, M'Donald, M'Jennett, M'Pherson, M'Farlane, Millington, Maude, Moore, Nicholls, Otterson, Rhodes, Rice, Stewart, Tempest, Thomson, Walls, Waters, Wait, and Young. We clip the following from the Guardian : —"A most interesting and promising sight was yesterday to be witnessed at the wharf in the landing from the Glimpse of a cargo of slates received by the Otago Slate Company from their quarry at Otepopo. The cargo consisted of G3,000 slates of various assorted sizes from 12in. by Gin. up to 20in. by 12in., and for character could hardly be surpassed. When it is stated that despite the present inconveniences impending this enterprise, the article can be provided as cheaply and as good as that imported from Home, an idea can be formed of the future 1 a store for this industry. Starting from their home in the mountains, which bears the beautiful and musical name of Ballachulish, the slates must first be caiteb to the railway station, 10 mfles away; then shifted into trucks and conveyed to Moeraki; then shifted again on board and do their voyaging, to be again handled in landing and carriage to the yards. It is enough to shatter the slates themselves, to say nothing of the profits, but neither one nor the other suffers, and it requires no great imagination to see that when by railway connection fair play is given to the quarries, there is here in its infancy one of the most promising industries in the Colon jr."