The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 419, 31 August 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1877.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Harbour Board was held at the Board Chambers this morning. There were present—Messrs. Sumpter (chairman), Steward, Reid, Headland, and Borrie. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. A number of accounts were passed for payment. Telegrams were read from the Hons. Robert Campbell and 11. J. Miller intimating their willingness to accept seats in the Board. This was the whole of the business, and the Board adjourned. Mr. A. H. Maude will sell by auction at his stores, Harbour-stre<=t, to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, some valuable freehold property situated in Oamaru. Messrs. Fleming and Hedley will sell tomorrow, on the premises, Dee-street, at 12 o'clock, the equity of redemption of section 22, block XXI., with cottage, &c, thereon. We have ruffled the feathers of an irate cabman, and the consequence is that we have been favoured with a communication which for abuse, bad taste, and all manner of lowness, is not easily to be exceeded. The occasion of all this torrent of bullockdrivers', or rather cabman's, phraseology was a paragraph we published a couple of days ago with reference to the practice of cabmen aud others leaving their horses unattended in the middle of the streets. "A Cabman" says our statement is "as gross a falsehood as ever was uttered." We repeat that what we have said is perfectly true, and were it necessary we could produce a score of witnesses in support of our statement. We have ourselves frequently seen cabs standing unattended in the streets, while their drivers have been indulging in a little flirtation on the footpaths, or quenching their thirst at the nearest hostelry. With regard to that portion of "A Cabmen's " letter which threatens us with summary chastisement, we expect an apology in order to prevent us compelling even a cabman from using threats of violence towards our indefatigable paragraphist, who ha« merely done his duty in calling attention to a proceeding fraught with danger. It is notified by the Post Office Department that mails will close at the office on Monday, 3rd September, at 5 p.m.

We have received a letter from a correspondent signing himself "Justice," commenting strongly upon the action of the House of Representatives with reference to the breach of privilege case against Mr. George Jones, proprietor and editor of this journal. While we certainly agree with our correspondent in much that he has written, we cannot publish his letter. The House has thought fib to refer the matter to a Court of Law, and as the whole question is now sub judice, we must for obvious reasons decline to allow this journal to become a party to anything likely to prejudice the case in any way. All that Mr. Jones asks for is a fair and impartial investigation into the matter, and is fully prepared to abide by the result. With regard to our correspondent's inquiry as to the reason for criminal proceedings being instituted in Wellington, instead of at the place where the alleged offence was committed, we cannot give a reply. We know of no reason why the usual course should be departed from. It will be seen by a telegram from our Wellington correspondent that this matter is to be inquired into in the House of Representatives.