The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 513, 21 December 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877.

The charges against a number of publicans for allowing gambling in their licensed houses came before the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, and resulted in some lively work, Mr. O'Meagher dealing severely with the informant, John Tennant. This individual was made to give himself a very nice character, admitting that he had been tried for rape and larceny ; that he had been in the Dunedin Gaol ; that he hud done nothing since he had been in Oamaru but "loaf" about the town; and that he had been promised payment for goiug about and entrapping publicans. He became insolent towards Mr. O'Meagher, and point blank refused to answer several questions put in cross-examination. Bo persistant was he in declining to give straightforward replies that Mr. O'Meagher was compelled to call upon his Worship to interfere, and commit the witness to gaol for contempt. Some argument took place between his Worship and Mr. O'Meagher as to whether it was advisable, as a matter of public policy, that the witness should be compelled to answer tne question and divulge the name of his employer and the amount ho was to receive for each conviction. At first his Worship appeared to think it was not desirable that the witness should answer the question. Mr. O'Meagher, however, urged that it was most important to the defence that the question should be answered, in order to show that these prosecutions were the outcome of malice entertained by unprincipled persons in return for past favours they had received, who had employed these questionable characters to institute these prosecutions. According to his instructions, these proceedings against the publicans were the result of malice on the part of some convicted sly-o-rott-sellers, who had entered into a conspiracy for the purpose of entrapping the publicans : and it was not in the interests of public policy to shield the conspirators. Eventually, his Worship told the witness that he would have to go to gaol until he consented to answer the question. With unblushing effrontery Tennant then asked for an adjournment of the case for half an hour to enable him to consult a solicitor and notwithstanding that his Worship refused several times to comply with so extraordinary a request, the witness persisted in repeating the application, at last asking for " only just ten minutes." Not being able to get a reply to the questions put by Mr. O'Meagher, his Worship ordered the witness to be imprisoned for twelve hours, unless he consented to answer the questions. Tennant then went to gaol. One hour's imprisonment was sufficient, however, to bring him to his senses, and being again placed in the box, he admitted that John Cogvin, board-ing-house keeper, had employed him to go round the hotels and entrap the publicans, and that he had received Lo for performing his dirty work.

.After the distribution of prizes yesterday at tlie Grammar School, several races took place on the Cricket Ground, under the supervision of Mr. Bennett. The events contested -svere :—IOO yards race, Ist, A. Smith, knife : 2nd, W. Baker, pencil-case. High jump, M. Koxb.y, inkstand.. 100 yards race, for boys under twelve, Ist, M. Hood, knife ; '2nd, 0- Thornton, pencil-ease. Vaulting with pole, Ist, W, Baker, pencil, pen, and knife (in case) ; 2nd, C, Headland, photographic album. 200 yards race, Ist. A. Smith, pencil, pen, and knife (in case); 2nd, \V. Baker, knife. There were several minor events, and the boys heartily enjoyed the sport. Mrs.' Thornton kindly undertook the distribution of prizes. The itfth annual Athletic Gathering at Otepopo will bo held on the 27th instant. The following events are to be competed for :--Quoiting ; 150 yards maiden race: standing high leap; vaulting: wrestlisg: haucinsap fist race, 440 yards ; boys'vaulting match : njiming high jump ; throwing tlie hammer ; handicap shearers' race, 410 yards ; hop, step, and jump $ l;.a:u.]icap boys' race ;. hurdle race, SOO yards ; putting the .'.tone : boys' hurdle race : steeplechase, about a mile : girls' race ; sack race ; and tilting. L 39 7s. Cd., in addition to prizes in kind, will be distributed among winners of the above events.

About 200 people attended Mr. Fidler's lecture on "Oliver Goldsmith" delivered in the Volunteer Hall last evening, in aid of the funds of the Mechanics' Institute. Mr. Hislop, M.H.E., President of the Institute, occupied the chair. The 1 cture was a highly successful one, and was listened to with great attention. During its delivery Mr. Fidler read several selections from Goldsmith's works in good style, and at the con elusion received a vote of thanks. A meeting of the members of the Caledonian Society's Band will be hold at the Volunteer Hall this evening, at 8 o'clock. Mr. J. B. Steele was a passenger by the Waitaki to-day, en route to join Mr. Hoskiu's company, at Christchurch. The members of the Waitaki Road Board held a special meeting yesterday. Present— Messrs. Duncan (in the chair), M'Donald, Davidson, Aitchison, Stewart, Easton, Rorfcon, Council, and Honour. Mr. Aitchison moved, "That the resolution passed at the meeting of the 13th ultimo, declaring the road-line leading from Georgetown through blocks 11. and V., Awamoko District, a main district road, bo rescinded." Mr. Honour seconded the motion, and there being no amendment, it was carried.