THE EVENING MAIL. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 330, 15 May 1877, Page 2

THE EVENING MAIL.

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1877.

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

All speculation as to the fate of the William Gilford was set at rest by a telegram kindly supplied by Mr. Sumpter, and published in our last evening's issue. She now lies far south of her desired haven, at Tois-Tois, near the mouth of the Mataura river. Bad as the news is, it might have been worse. The difficulties encountered by Captain Bishop before reaching this spot, whither he was no doubt driven in order to escape a rockbound coast, must have severely tried both his nerve and seamanship. To many it may have seemed a forlorn hope, in the vessel's crippled state, to attempt to reach Port Chalmers, and only delaying her inevitable doom. The captain, however, a man of considerable experience, thought differently. He knew that there was a probability of saving his vessel, and he made the attempt, in the hope that a tug would lend its assistance to enable him to cross the bar at Port Chalmers. The tug was not there, however, and he was driven to sea again in a vessel making so much water as to be unsteerable, at the cost of the vessel, cargo, and with the imminent risk of losing several human lives. Be it said to the credit of the owners, Mr. Stjmpter and Messrs. Lees and Moore, that they seconded the efforts of the captain by wiring, in conjunction with Mr. Sewell, to the insurance agent in Dunedin to send out a tug to meet the vessel. Why this request was not complied with in time to be of service to the vessel we have yet to learn. It is true that the Iron Age was sent out to meet her, but apparently not with that promptitude that is absolutely necessary on such occasions, and she returned with the report that the William Gilford was not to be seen. Of course, she was not. We presume that the captain, tired of waiting in a yawing vessel, which every moment threatened to be his coffin and that of his crew, as a last resource, ran for the Bluff. We are informed, on the best authority, that it was quite possible to save both vessel and cargo had the request of the telegram been attended to with expedition. The circumstance appears to cast a blot on some one ; who it is we shall doubtless shortly learn.

The damages done by the floods to the various railway lines appear to be of a more serious nature than was at first thought to be the case. To-day all traffic on each of the lines, with the exception of the Moerak line, has been suspended, owing to the breakages. The usual 9.45 train from Oamaru to Christchureh left as usual, but was unable to proceed any further than the Wairaate Junction, where it remained for some time, returning to town about three o'clock this afternoon. No other trains were despatched on this line. In addition to the break mv&tioned by us yesterday as

having taken place between Waiho and the Waimate Junction," another one occurred between Otaio and Timaru. Large parties of men have been engaged all day repairing the damages, under the direction of Mr. Smith. No trains whatever have been run on the Waiareka and Maerewlienua lines during the day. On both of these parties of workmen are also engaged effecting the necessary repairs ; on the former line under the direction of Mr. Eoss, and on the latter under Mr. Powell. It is expected that all the lines will be placed in a fit state for the resumption of traffic to-morrow morning. Since the above was written, we have learned that the passengers for Christchurch, &c., who left here this morning, have succeeded in reaching Timaru, a northern train having met them on the other side of the broken portion of the line. We have also learned that the repairs on the Maerewhenua line have been completed, and that traffic will be resumed this afternoon, the 4.30 train leaving at the usual time. We believe that the barque William Gif-ford,-whose loss we recorded yesterday, had on board grain, flour, &c., to the value of L 2500. This loss was partly insured, the amounts in the various insurance offices being as follows : —New Zealand, L 750 ; National, L 40 0; South British, about LSOO. The ill-fated vessel herself was insured for L2OOO, the amount being equally divided between the New Zealand, National, Standard, and South British companies. We have received from an unknown correspondent a letter having, we think, some reference to the proposed water supply or to the war in Europe ; but as the writing is so exceedingly bad we are unable to speak positively about the matter. We have devoted a considerable amount of time in trying to decipher the contents of this no doubt interesting communication, but have failed in the attempt. We have not the least doubt that the letter is of a highly interesting nature, and if the writer will send some one to our office capable of reading his writing we shall be happy to give insertion to it. At present we are unable to do so, for our compositors being but mortal, and unacquainted with the style of caligraphy practised in the spirit world, cannot make head or tail of the spirit hand in which the letter in question is written. Mails per Ringarooma for Australia will close at the Bluff at 11 a. m. to-morrow. The Calcined Corkonians held a full rehearsal last evening, when all the members were present. The principal part of the evening was devoted to the rehearsal of the various choruses, which, considering that this was the first full practice the company has had, was gone through in a highly satisfactory manner. After the rehearsal a meeting was held, when it was decided to offer an entertainment to the Committee of the Otepopo Mechanics' Institute, on Monday next, provided that arrangements are made by the Committee for a special train to take the Corkonians from Oamaru and bring them back again immediately after the termination of the entertainment. It was urged that, were a special train secured, a number of Oamaru residents might be induced to visit the adjoining township. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that the arrangements have been finally settled for the Corkonians' entertainment on the evening of the Queen's Birthday in aid of the Oamaru Mechanics' Institute. We understand that there is a probability of Oamaru very shortly receiving a visit from Mr. J. L. Hall's comedy and burlesque company, which is at present playing at the Gaiety Theatre, Christchurch. Mr. Wiseman, the Business Manager of the Company, has, we believe, telegraphed to Mr. Longford in reference to securing the Masonic Hall, but as yet the date of the troupe's appearance has not been definitely settled. The members of the St. Paul's Young Men's Association held their usual weekly meeting last evening, when, despite the uninviting state of the elements, there was a very good attendance, the chair being occupied by the President (the Eev. A. B. Todd). Owing to the indisposition of Mr. Fleming, who was to have delivered a lecture, it was impossible to carry out the evening's programme as arranged. A number of readings and recitations were given, and a pleasant hour or two was spent by those present. It was decided to hold a social gathering in connection with the Association at the end of the present quarter.

A Tapanui resident makes a pathetic appeal :—"lf the person who took a saddle out of my stable some three months ago without permission—is now done with it, he had better return it. I would not ask for it even now, only I cannot borrow one anywhere myself. It will save a lot of trouble if it is returned within a week of the date of this notice.".

Notice is given to the effect that the Revising Officer (Mr. Wm. M. Hodgkins) will hold a Court for the revision of the list of voters for the Waitaki District, at the Oamaru Court-house, on the 28th inst. A correspondent writing to the Pcttea Mail of the admiration and delight expressed by the Maoris at a view of the "graceful glidings" of the local rinkists, mentions that with the £4OO about to be paid to the same natives a rival establishment is projected for the coloured aristocracy of the neighbourhood." A correspondent, writing from San Francisco to a contemporary, tells the following : —"Baldwin's Academy opened on February 24, with De Murska, supported by Susini, Bianchi, and some other good names. It was all to no purpose. The Hungarian sang divinely, but hardly anybody went to hear her. The reason is said to be a moral one. The excessively virtuous ladies of this city are shocked at the too much marrying of the nightingale." The total effective fleet of England num" bers 123 vessels—viz., 4 armour-plated line-of-battle ships, 13 armour-plated frigates and corvettes, 30 other frigates and corvettes, 65 steam sloops and small vessels, and 11 sailing ships of the same class. Including reserve ships, training ships, store ships, the total fleet consists of 24.8 vessels. There are now building and completing for sea 10 ironclads, 6 corvettes, 6 sloops, 2 despatch vessels, 21 gun vessels and gunboats, and 6 other vessels, making a total of 51 vessels to be added to our fleet during the coming year. Speaking at Woodstock, Hokitika, the Hon. W. Gisborne thus referred to the finances of the Colony : —"I do not think that we liJve borrowed too much money for reproductive w®tks, but there has been too much waste and extravagance in unproductive directions. Reform is necessary in the adjustment of burdens; the ad valorem system is wrong, unscrupulous traders may profit at the expense of the just; it opens the door to fraud, which may be the cause of the diminution in the returns of the present year. We are sinking deeper into debt down the slippery slope of Treasury Bills. These may be useful to adjust revenue for one, two, or three years, but when they increase to the amount of one million sterling, it may be disastrous to our interests. Borrowing in the dark is damaging ; better at once go to the London money market, and state plainly what we owe, how much more we require, and what security we can offer for the loan. I have parodied a few lines of Channing's to express my meaning— Give me an open loan, my debt I know If I can meet and pay whate'er I owe. But of all plagues and all financial ills, Save, save, oh save me from those Treasury Bills." (Loud laughter.)