The Evening Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 510, 18 December 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1877.

The vagaries of the Press Agency are becoming so prolific that one is led to the conclusion that the system upon which that institution conducts its business must be slipshod in the extreme, Goodness knows we have had occasion to prove this until we are about tired. Yet we suppose that it is our duty to correct blundors, or worse, especially when they are of such a nature that they might work injury to worthy men whosetruecharactersmaybeaslittle knownas is the glaring bungling of the newsmongering establishment that is supposed to keep the Colony posted up in ve]iq,bio news through the Press. We cannot state positively that the erroneous statement which has necessitated the writing of this paragraph is intended to damage the gentleman concerned in any way, because the ways of the Press Agency are inexplicable; but, judging from our late experience of the Agenc}', we are compelled to suspect that thgre might be some sinister object in circulating the reportthat Mr. Sheehan and Sir George Grey arrived at Kawau yesterday. We are not prepared to state that the whole message is unauthentic, because it is not improbable that Sir George Grey may have sought the respite he must need at Kawau, away from the thousand and one ocpasipns for anxiety and care which are inseparable from the existence of the Premier in a centre of population ; but that portion which refers to Mr. Sheehan is a fabrication, He was at Wellington yesterday, and we have every reason", therefore, for believing that he was not at Kawau. Pressure of public business will no doubt fully occupy Mr. Sheehan's time, and detain him in Wellington for a considerable period, and we trust that after the rest from seesinnal duties he will be equal to the task. He is not the man to go on pleasure excursions when there is work to do,

We yesterday had the pleasure of inspecting some young blood stock, owned by Mr. Ales. Paterson, of the Empire Hotel. Most noticeable is a brown yearling filly—j dam, Maid of the Mill, and a chestnut year- ! ling colt—dam, Little Lady, both by Pertobe, and the pair give evidence of good breeding. The filly has excellent j>oints, displaying both bone and muscle. The colt K a beauty, and bids fair to become a powerful, upstanding horse. Should he take kindly to his "education," we have no doubt that as a three-year-old he will show some of his companions "the way." Both are entered for the Cimstghurch Derby, 1579. Maul of the Mill and Kathleen have each a foal at foot, by the same sire, and will doubtless turn out well, but at present, of course, are "all legs." ■ We may also mention that last week Zigzag and Plying Fish, the property of Mr. Studholme, of Waimate, each dropped a foal, the sire being Mr. Paterson's Pertobe.

I The usual weekly meeting of the St. Paul's Young Men's Association was held last even- ' ing, when a good deal af preliminary busi- ! ness was transacted, the principal of which was the revision of the old rules. It was resolved that a recess should take place during the next month, meetings to recompense on the 4th February, IS7S. It is probable that increased interest will characterise the opening of the new quarter, when a number of very interesting subjects will be brought forward for discussion. The essay delivered by Mr. Kidd last night was greatly appreing from ancient to modern, ipnej. The njembeps gompljniented Mr. Kidd, and thanked him fop th# many valuable hints his essay contained, j

The WadfEki, in addition to»a large rS(Kj ber of otner pa&seDgers, brought about navvisK'who are en route for Christchurch, where they are to be employed on the •Cliristehurch-Amberley line in altering the gauge from broad to narrow. A regular field-day was expected to take place to-day against the publicans, nine of whom were summoned to answer charges of haviug permitted gambling to take place in their licensed houses. However, when the first case was called on, Mr. Richardson, the defendant, stated that Mr. O'Meagher was to apuear for the whole of the defendants. Mr. O'Meagher was then engaged in Timaru and was unable to appear. Under the vircumstances, lie would ask for- an adjournment until Friday. His Worship complied with the request, and ordered the whole of the cases to stand adjourned until Friday next, Mr. Richardson guaranteeing that the defendants would pay witness's expenses.

We are glad to, observe that the culvert in Steward-street, connecting Thames-street with the Volunteer Hall, is nearly completed. This work was much needed, and will prove a great convenience to those who freauent the Volunteer Hall.

Mr. William Parker Street, Manager of the Equitable Investment Company of Zealand, Limited, accompanied by a member of the Directorate, is on a visit to Oamaru for the purpose of establishing an agency. The usual weekly parade of the Oamaru Artillery Vuiu tee's will not take place this evening, in ord r not to clash with the Levy concert.

It is notified in our advertising columns that Mr. Robert Forbes has been appointed ranger for the Otepopo district The firing by the officers and men of No. 1 Company of Volunteers for the handsome tea and coffee service presented by SubLieut. Morris, took place to-day, at 2 o'clock, at the head-quarters' range. The ranges were as follow :—2OO, -100, «OQ, and GOO yards ; 7 shots at each ; any position. The firing was not completed in time to enable us to publish the score this issue. The adjourned special meeting of the North Otago Horticultural Society will take place at Albion House to-morrow at 8 p : m.

A special train will be despatched on Christinas day at 9 a.m. for Ngapara, returning at 7.30 p.m., in order that the public may have an opportunity of being present at the sports, This will be a most favourable opportunity for those who arc desirous of seeing one of the prettiest spots in the locality to do so, Tickets will be issued at single fares.

One or the other is grievously mistaken. According to Mr. Donald Reid, Otago will lose L 73,000 by the colonialisation of the Laud Fund ; Mr. Scout says wc shall gain L 12,000. Mount Jda Chronicle.