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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 448, 5 October 1877, Page 2

The secession of Messrs Bdlance, Curtis, Sharpe, Baigent, and Bryce from the ranks of (Government supporters will b : p -oductive of v.iried feeling 3 throughout the Colony. The people wi 1 be surprised, and, after the Waka Maori fiasco, not a little pleased ; whilst we, with a keen recollection of the jolly, self satisfied aspect of some of the occupants of Ministerial seats, when in the zenith of power—when, by the exercise of liberality, they could be saved from the tl roes of dissolution —can readily imagine the air of despair that hangs about their anatomies today. A few days will tell a tale of woe for the Government. 'course, they wouldn't buy votes if they could ; but if th"y were so svieked as to be inclined to distribute judiciously a few " fiver-," they would fail to obtain a majority by sucii means when the direct "want-of confidence '' motion is brought forward. It is all nonsense to t ilk of the inability of Parliament to set np a Government that would commitn l the respect and confidence of the country !f it were impossible to do this we would advocate that the Colony should be left to it.se f, and th it < ur Parliament having had their scramble, tin* people should be allowed an opportunity of showing how succes-fully they could follow thy very laudable example set by their legislat >rs. We need have no fear of the judiciousness of the motion that will be brought forward in a few days while there are such m m as Fitzherbert. Rolleston, and B illance to fill the places of those whom we now designate the upas trejs of this Colony.

Our pigeons have done good service. As our readers a e aware, we are iii-lei.it'd to them for enabling us to suppl,' the results ot yesterday's i iuntroon races 111 last evening s issue, and to wire the same to various p ires of the Col -ny. They were liberated on the fround 'yesterday at live minutes past 3, and reached "ur "Hi e at half-pa-t, doing a distance of nearly 30 miles in 2.3 minutes. That temperance fanatic, the Hon. Will'am Fox. has again been trotting out his hobby-horse, and, as is usual oil such occasions, ha* made him-elf supremely ridiculous. In the House <>t Represent itivss last night lie actually wanted LlO ) of the taxpayers'money placed at the diipisiior the temperance bailies to "liable them to hold an annual convention. This is too absurd, and shows pretty clearly that L-icil Option "Bill" is more anti-spiricual thin pe >ple hith jrto imagined, and that is saying a great deal.

11l writing rcgu-ding Mrs. Newsham's cotifc cla .sical concert in last issue, we statill th it it woul Ibe given for the benefit iif the 8e112v.1l -sifc Asvium. We intemleil to imply tint it would given for the benefit of tiic Hospital, to whic.i we inadvertently gave the wrong title.

The first annual conversazione of the St. Paul's Young Men's Association was held las evening in the Volunteer Hall, and was a complete success, the arrangements being carried out in a highly creditable manner, and giving universal satisfaction. 'lhe hall was beautifully decorated, and fine taste was manifested in the arrangement of the various exhibit'. One noticeable feature o the £nt Ttaintnent, which contribute I greatly to he general comfort, was the absence of forms and the subsricution of chairs ; these forming a semi-circle in front of the platform, and b-ing occupied by a large and appreciative audienc the whole scene presented a very pleasing aspect indeed. Tables were p'aced in different parts of the room, on which were to be *een many curiosities af both ancient and modern times. These attracted their due share of attention. The Committee have to recognise the kindness of the undermentioned ladies and gentlemen for having placed at their disposal for exhibition the following articles : Fijian sceptre, club of state, and war axe, by Mr. Sjmptar ; Fijian curiosities, American curiosities, specimens of coins of different countries, she'ls, stones, and other articles,byMr. L>. H. M'i 'herson; photographic views, by Mr, Ferrier ; Pizarro's spurs and bit and bridle, by Mr. L. Morton ; weapons, ancient and modern ; Highland ornaments, by Mr. _M 'lntosh ; vase of flowers, by Mr. M'lntosh ; geological specimens ;>nd diagrams, by Kev. A. B. Todd ; drawings, by Mi-s M'Oaw; stereoscopic views and stereoscope, by Mr. T Forrester ; large stereoscope and views, by Mr W. Ev ms ; model of St. Paul's Church, by Miss Smith ; baskets ma le of cones, and ornamented with seeds of conifers, by Miss M. Smith ; picture;, etc., by Messrs. Kennedy, Wansbiough, and Smith; flowers, by Mr. John Falconer ; a numb-r of articles from Messrs. M'Corkindale, Cook, and Coigins ; suwurior kaleidoscope, by Mr. E. G. Lane ; model of ( hinese junk, in ivory, by Mr. \V. Aitken. Tea, coffee, fr.iit," and pastry, supplied by Messrs. Headland and Davidson, were dispensed during the evening. The musical portion of the entertainment does not call ior minute criticism even of the most considerate kind. It consisted merely of the efforts of a few ladies and gentlemen to assist their friends in spending ;in enjoyable evening ; and although some of the performances were not quite so meritorious as they might have been, they were mirred by nervousness and inexperience, which will only be replaced by ease and ability by musical education. To tell some of those wlio performed last night that they are not musical experts, or to imply that such is the case by bestowing praise upom some only, through the columns of a newspaper, would be unkind and impolitic. These are our reasons for abstaining from criticism. The entertainment, at all events, answered the purpose

foe.which it was given, and that is all that can' be expected.' Everybody seemed pleased-, and they had every reason to be so. The readings were excellently chosen, with one exceptidn, and we have reason to believe that there was no particular meaning in its selection." The president of the association (the Rev. Mr. To.dd), after the opening psalm, gave an account of the'establishment and progress of the association ; and the Mayor, during the second part, delivered a short and very sensible address to the young men, pregnant with good advice.