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Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 348, 5 June 1877, Page 2

Is Ardahan captured or not ? That is the question. At one time it is, and then it isn't : and considering the reliability of the sources of oitr cable-graphic information, we have a right to assume that we are just as far from knowing the truth as ever. We care not for the expense of these unauthentic cablegrams. That is nothing to us. But Ave do regret that we haA-e become the unfitting agents of misleading our readers. If it were a subject of little importance, it would not so much matter ; but our interests are somewhat involved in the question —" I Ardahan captured, or not ?"

At the Licensing Court to-day, the whole of the licenses held by the hotelkeepers in town were renewed, without a single comment or complaint of any kind being made. This speaks well for the manner in which the whole of our hotels are conducted. An application make by Mr. Stewart Richmond, for a licence for the Criterion Hotel, Ribblestreet, at present a boarding-house, was refused, the Court holding that although the necessity of additional hotel accommodation had arisen in Oamaru, what was required was a superior class of hotels, of which there was a lack in town. The date for receiving tenders for] the construction of the public baths has been altered from the 6th to the 13th June. It will be observed by a telegram elsewhere that, after much talk as to the date of the opening of Parliament, the 19th July has at last been fixed upon. This is over a month later than was the case last yeai", the delay being without doubt attributable to the fact that Ministers have been enjoying themselves until lately, instead of getting the business to be brought before Parliament ready long ere this. After our reporter left the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Mr. O'Meagher took up the prosecution in the case of perjury preferred against Alice Purnell, and Mr. Hislep agreed to defend the accused. The examination of William John Craig was continued, the witness being severely crossexamined by Mr. Hislop. Several other witnesses w r ere examined for the prosecution, and after some argument between the Bench and counsel, the prisoner was committed to take her trial at the next sitting of the District Court to be held in Oamaru on Thursday. A correspondent informs us that the Chicago Minstrels have scored another success at Temuka. They appeared last night to a crowded house, and general gratification was expressed by the audience in a most unqualified manner at the performance. It should not be forgotten that the Company will appear this evening at the Masonic Hall, and that this will be the only opportunity afforded the people of this town of hearing them. The subject for debate at the usua* weekly meeting of the St. Paul's Young Men's Christian Association was " Woman's Rights." Mr. M'f'arlane introduced the question, and Mr. Allan controverted some of the arguments adduced. The chair was taken by Mr. R. H. M'Pherson. These | discussion classes must of necessity develop and invigorate the mind, and we are pleased therefore that they are becoming so popular. " Recent events in Europe" will be the subject for next meeting. Much speculation was indulged in last night as to the probable cause of the nonarrival in due time of the last train from Moeraki. We have discovered from an official source that we are indebted for the unwelcome delay to one of those accidents which not tmfrequently occur in the best regulated families. The fact is, by some extraordinary coincidence, the points at Hampden became deranged, and instead of the train pursuing the even tenor of its way, it flew off at a tangent, and collided with some rolling stock on a siding. As it happens, the occurrence was unimportant, with the exception of the delay, which was, no doubt, irksome to the passengers and to those who were anxious to read their correspondence. We understand that the railway authorities are doing their duty in regard to the matter.