The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 478, 9 November 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1877.

The handsome sum ef L7l was yesterday received from the Rev. John Steven as the result of collections at Awamoko, Papakaio, arid Pukeuri Point. Truly some one has beeen working with might.and main for the alleviation of the sufferings of the famine stricken.- The total amount now is L 566 9s. 9d., and as several other lists are yet to come in, the whole amount subscribed by this district will likely reach L6OO.

The Municipal Council held their fortnightly meeting last evening, Present—"His Worship the. Mayor, Councillors Liddle, Procter, Gibbs, Booth, Spence, and Familton. Permission was granted Mr. Thorn; on to erect addition to buildings on section 1, block XXIV. A complaint from Mr. Karrar ■with reference to the overflow of water on his land was referred to the Engineer. Mr. David Heron's application for leave to transfer his Corporation lease to Messrs. Williams and Bentley was granted. Mr. Christie's

offer to giveclay from the front of his properly was .referred to the Egineer, with power to act. The- tender of Moses Husbafcch. (L 271 4s. 9d.) for formation of Alnstreet,- being ths lowest, was accepted. -Iteports 'were read from Works Committee ■ oil the . following; matters : Fenci g Tyne street Garden; in reference to Aln-street south ; fencing of Aln-street north ; in reference to co-operating with the Harbour Board with a view to removing the danger to public health resulting from the stagnant waters of the Oamaru lagoon. On the motion of Councillor Booth, seconded by Councillor' Spence, the report adopted. ' 'A- report from the Gas Committee was also read. T'eports from the Engineer were read as f Hows :—l. With reference to state of new cut for creek above Severn-street bridge. It was resolved that alternative tenders be called for the whole works recommended, and for the dam separately. 2. With reference to the progress of the waterworks, and enclosing progress payment certificate No. 4, which was passed for payment. 3. With reference to concrete kerbing and channelling in 1 hames-street. A number of accounts were passed for payment. It was resolved, " That the Inspector of Nuisances and the Corporation Gardener be directed to furnish reports as to their several departments at the- first meeting in each month." The draft leases of the Acclimatisation Society and Baths Company were read and approved. Mr. Leary has been reinstated in the Mayoral chair of Dunedin City. The polling was—Mr. Leary, 781 ; Mr. Woodland, 419.

The Committee of the -Northern Agriculcultural and Pastoral Association met yesterday at the office of the Secretary. There were present —Messrs. P. Orr Vice-Presi-dent), J. M'Lenan, M'Donald, Donaldson, Morton, Mitchell, J. Falconer, A. Paterson, Hedley, Spence, Pomayne (Hon. Treasurer), and Church (Secretary). The Secretary of the Caledc nian Society wrote the Association stating that the chaige for their band would he L3O and free refreshments for the two days, which amount was thought excessive by some members, who said that it would be better to dispense with the band than pay that sum. Messrs. N. Fleming, Sinclair, Taylor, and W. Aitkin waited upon the Association with the object of making arrangements for the use of the Association's grounds for New Year's sports. Mr. N. Fleming stated that the band had no connection with the Caledonian Society further than playing for the Caledonian sports on New Year's Day. Hie Society did not get one cent, of the L3O asked by the band for playing at the Show. Every farthing went to the members of the band. The band was an actual cost to the Caledonian Society of Lls, and all the benefit the Society received was that the band played for the Caledonian games on New Year's Day. The matter having been arranged. the deputation withdrew. Mr. M'Lennan, after considerable discussion, moved, and Mr. Falconer seconded, that the Caledonian Society be charged L3O. Mr. M'Donald moved that the charge be L2O. Messrs. Hedley, M'Donald, Paterson, Konavne, Mitchell, and Spence voted for the amendment, and Messrs. M Lennati and Falconer for the motion. The former was carried. Mr. M'Lennan moved, and Mr. Hedley seconded, that the band receive | 1.30, but no refre-hments. Mr. Falconer j moved, and Mr. Morton seconded another ! amendment, that no band be engaged. The original motion was carried by a large majority. The Baud Committee was empowered, should it be necessary, to ensage another band at a cost not exceeding L3O. The following has been suggested by the extraordinary blunder in navigation that was perpetrated by the captain of a schooner which paid us an unexpected visit the other day :—A certain worthy skipper in command of a coasting craft bound from Sydney to Melbourne had his ship blown out of sight of land. There was only one jiassenger on board, and he happened to be a nautical man. This delighted the skipper, who wished to show off his own professional knowledge. He came into the little cabin, which was ornamented on the for'ard bulkhead by a common American clock, the hands of which were stuck on by a lucifer match, and said, "Old shellback, I'm going to take an observation." uttering, he produced a quadrant, which looked as if it had been used by Christopher Columbus, and went on deck. Having got there, and carefully balanced himself between a harness cask and the main rigging, he sung out "When I say 'stop,' look at the clock and note the time." Presently there came the magic word " Stop !' The nautical stranger, with a grin on his face, did as he had been told, and the skipper re-appeared. Then, with a look of .pride overspreading his countenance, he produced Nome's almanac, a black bottle, two inches of pencil, a piece of paper, and the chart. He first consulted the bottle, then put down the time as given him by the passenger, and proceeded to business. After half-an-hour's work, he triumphantly put his finer on the chart, and said, " That's where we are ; that's to say, thereabouts." He was quite correct; he had pointed out a spot close to Port Phillip Heads, and the land looming in sight was Stewart's Island. He was not there, but being in the South Pacific, was most certainly thereabouts.-