The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 484, 16 November 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1877.

The numerous assemblage at the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Society'a-Show yesterday and to-day hailed from parts of the Colony,-far-and-near. We happen to know that three of the principal Waikato settlers have visited us from the frontier settlements of that -district for the pur- -: pose of being present at our Show, and they will not, we think, return to the premier portion of the Auckland Provincial District with a report other than favourable to the Oamaru district. One of these gentlemen, who possesses a perfect acquaintance with all the best portions of the country in which he is settled, when speaking to us of what he had seen on his trip southward, frequently j remarked, " I have seen nothing like this. "We have good land up north, but we have not the area. This part of the Colony is destined to become the more prosperous. Nothing would please me better than to come down here to live." This from the lips of a thoroughly practical man speaks volumes in our favour. He has previously been in these parts, having travelled overland between here and Dunedin with cattle in the early days, and is astonished at the wonderful strides that have taken place in agricultural and pastoral pursuits since he was last here. Waikato settlers have not by any means been slumbering. Those who are not military settlers are men and farmers such as ar« not to be beaten in the Colony for thriftiness ; but they have not the materials to operate upon ; and although the Waikato district has progressed rapidly of late years, that progression cannot be compared to the giant strides that have been taken by this portion of the Colony. This is no empty boast. Yesterday's and today's show will demonstrate conclusively the truth of what we assert Nearly a thousand exhibits are undeniable evidence of great agricultural and pastoral resources, whilst the quality of these exhibits are evidence of the fertility of our soil and the industry and ability of our settlers. We are greatly indebted to the officers of the N.A. and P. Association for having so successfully carried out the operations of their institution as to publish the fame of our district throughout the Colony. If land in or near tbis district were purchasable, it would bring a high price, and both be the means of enabling our settlers to extend their operations, and induce other desirable men to settle in our neighborhood who are only awaiting the opportunity of doing so.

Public meetings are being held in all the large centres of population in the Colony to pass resolutions denouncing the obstructiveness of the bitter opponents of the present Government, or the unreasonable anxiety of the Atkinson Ministry to return to the Government benches. There is but one feeling in regard to the matter, which is that the conduct of ex-Ministers and a section of the representatives of the people is highly improper and reprehensible, and that a dissolution is desirable. It is certain that, unless the newspapers are writing in direct opposito public opinion and the people are not speaking their minds, an appeal to the electors would firmly reinstate the Sir George Grey party, whilst it would totally—or, at all events, partially—destroy the present fooling with so weighty a question as the Government of this country.

Sir George Grey has appointed a commission, consisting of Messrs, Heale and Henderson, to report upon the plans submitted to the Government for the Timaru breakwater. What about Mr. Carruthers, Engineer-in-Chief, whose services as consulting engineer are so valuable. It was only the other day that the Christchurch people paid him about LI, 400 for his ideas on a drainage scheme for that city, which they rejected, and now his name does not appear on the commission to investigate the matter of the Timaru breakwater. Surely his lucky star is waning.

The patronage at the Wesleyan Parsonage Fund Bazaar, although prejudicially affected by the show yesterday, was very large last night. The following are the proceeds from the several stalls and at the door :—Refreshment Stall, L 3 12s 9d; Mrs, Armitage's, 1/25 2s lid; Mrs. Robertsons, L 23 7s 61 ; M-s Wansbrough's Ll9 18s 3d ; Mrs. Galbraitb's, LI3 15s 2d; Mrs. > he] herd's IA 16s 6d- taken at the door, Lls 18s; total, LIO6 lis Id. The Caledonian Band played .'iurinc the evening a number of selections, which! as they were we 1 pet formed, proved of considerable interest to the attendant.-. I 'or the sake of var.ety.Mr. s-oiomou has, with h s usual liberality, lent one of his best pianos to the Bazaar Committee, and we understand that Mr. rinch has kindly consented to preside at the instrument. M'laic will tend greatly to enliven the proceedings, and its sweet influences, and the usefulness, excellence, and cheapness of the articles for gale combined, will place a wonderful power in Hie hands of the ladies who preside at the stalls,

A petition is in course of signature in Timaru praying that the Timaru Hospital be opened to the medical practitioners of that town.

A large audience attended the performance of the Variety Troupe last mgbfc, Of food for mirth the entertainment affords nlenfcy, whilst the wonderful antics of Onzalo are such as to create a desire in the behold rs to applaud continuously. Mr. Hawkins sang several la lads, and was as usual encored. To-night's programme is an entire change from its predecessors. Mr. Manders is growing quite portly on the good': treatment he is receiving at the Snds of the Opposition. The e was a time when his present benefactors scarcely deigned to look at himj but matters npw weir an altered aspect. It is said that he holds the balance of power between parties in the House, whereby it will be seen that the country's destinies are at lus mercy,

He must feel Bomewhat like the proverbial I beggar on horseback, although, 'Sake' of the'softVi; siex >hoMei pend uponiKm for their happiness; • we trust that he ride where the exalted beg-, gar rode. of late Ministers exclaiming "Do you see that fellow; tha£is glanders." and with a Significant jshrug dftlie shoulders"i*jnore eloquent than words, pas*-' ing him vby as they would dirt, they now say* "Good morning, Mr. Manders ; you're looking worried this morning." ['o would they if they had two strings to their bows.] " Dear me, your hands are quite hot. You must really take a drive before iunciu. Not had any breakfast ?, How shameful. Come with us and partake of the refreshment that you so urgently require, and we will then go to the House together.' They seem in constant dread lest he should die, or some other calamity should befall him. Just as though such men as Manders were of the dying sort. If he is seen looking towards the Government ben hes, it is a signal for a rush towards him iu order to ascertain what his political feelings were at the moment he glanced thereat, and whether he would not like to adjourn to Bellamy's , where a man can drown remorsefulness in the nectar cup ; where qualms of conscience are smothered, and political opinions become pliable. "It is there, it is there," that sweet solace can be found from domestic troubles and the. exigencies of political strife.