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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 520, 31 December 1877, Page 2

In order that thoss engaged on tlie Mail may have an opportunity of entering into the enjoyments of the season, we shall not publish to-morrow evening.

Nothing of a definite nature has yet been ascertained with regard to the identity of the skeleton of a man which we lately announced had been found on the Maerewhenua run. The only clue so far attained by the police leads to the surmise that the remains are those of a man named James Allan, who was of unsound mind; but, at present, there is nothing definitely known on the matter. Allan left Mr. Menlove's farm at the Tables about two years and a half ago, and was seen within a mile of where the skeleton was found, He has not since been heard of so far as is known to thu police. An inquiry was held at Maeiewlienua on Saturday last by the District Coroner, (Mr. Parker), when James Black (the shepherd who discovered the skeleton) stated that lie found the skeleton lying on the main ridge, west of the Awamoko Creek. So far as he could see it was lying face downwards with the right arm underneath tho chest, A soft black felt hat, almost new, was lying about 10ft. from the head. The bones were in a brown worsted-knitted jacket, the back part of which was torn and rotted away. On moving the remains he found that the jacket had been buttoned and that the front part was complete. There was a cotton shiit and a flannel undershirt beneath the jacket, and a leather strap around the loins as if to hold the trousers up, which were of •vide stripe Bedford cord. Under these were grey woollen drawers, and socks of like material drawn u<> over the bottoms of the drawers, the ffet being in a pair of watertight boots, nailed 011 the soles and with heelplates. The laces were tied round the rops of the boots. The buttons on the tr.rasers bore the name of " Milligan," Oamaru. Dr. DeLautour stated that he had examined the remains, and that the remains show no marks of violence. It is just possible that some of our readers may be able to throw some light upon the matter from the information given above, and if so, they are requested to forward to Sub-Inspector Smith any information likely to lead to the identification of the remains. The members of the Oamaru Cricket Club indulged in a scratch mate]) on Saturday afternoon, sides being chosen by Messrs. Sumpter and Edwards. Some very good play was shown, several of the players getting into double figures. The sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning wa3 not lengthy, nor the business important. Thomas Burling was charged, on the information of Constable Donovan, with having on the "oth inst. left his horse and buggy unguarded in Thamesrstreet, and WIVB fined 7s. 6d. David Garvey pleaded guilty to a similar offenne, committed in Thames-street on the 20th inst., and was fined 10s., Constable Donovan stating that this was not his first otlence. < hie or two unimportant civil cases completed the busy; ness before his Worship.

The honourable member. f or Waikouaiti is said to be engaged in a new work, entitled "The Hidden Beauties of Atkinsoniana ; or, Nipped in the Bud," in which the public will be treated to the balance of the wellprepared, but interrupted, speech so ruthlessly cut short in the House during the last " no-confidence " debate. The hnn. gentleman will shortly road the result of his labours to the people of his district. Nor is Mr. Manders asleep. He willshortly deliver to the electors of Lake Wakatip a dissertation on "Woman, lovely woman,' in which he will dilate upon the following subjects : —l'uality of love : too-much of a good thing ; internal raid external conflicts ; or mental and pli- sieal anguish ; Resolution —One e> ougli for any man, but the difficulty of deciding which is best ; their winning way in love or war; or, the projected departure ' thd recognition -! the embrace!!! the fair ehaperone !!!! woman ami music ; the analogy between the two studios : familiar melodies, or the "Rogue's March'" and " The Girl 1 Left Behind Me reclining on a rail-socially aiid politic-illy —'-On which side shall T fall?" "Oh ! you are here ! I thought you were there;" or mistaken identity—the eftigy—or "Not me. my love—only a base imitation military honors ; waste of raw custaiu ; floury compliments ( more liberality than I expected ; or. my personal appearance—white and yellow oil black, a good contrast : aim straight, aud don't spoil my hat ; smothered in honor, or a surfeit of attention: eggs well-laid and flour judiciously planted : overcome by music, and egged on to desperation ; take my arm, deal', and receive a share of the honors—" I'm no longer hungry a doubt! —which is my effigy, and which is me? An inquiry. "Can vou tell me where my William's gone table-iu—no room in the inn, or " tny lodging is on the cold ground." 'I he Nelson JLiil. re r i-rring to Mr. Curtis' late speech, savs '.hat "he was not in good form," that his speech was not interesting, and had "scarcely one original idea or suggestion," and that his hearers were disappointed- When Mr. ( urtis abused Sir George Grey, they listened to him in silence, and finally they forgot to givo Mr Curtis even a vote of thanks.

A paper published in Dunediu called the Herald infers that people who do not advertise in it have "no stuff in them.'It must be hard, times indeed when the usual suavity of a canvasser is stultified by the abusiveness of an editor.

The railway authorities in Lyttelton signify their intention of charging the Harbour Board 5 per cent, for collecting wharfage charges. The Board thinks it double what it shoitld be, and will collect their own money rattier than submit to what they consider an imposition.

States are said to lie it; great demand just now all over the Colony, and the meagre supply in the market are bringing high rates. This reminds us of the Otcpopo slate quarries, which created a little stir a few months ago. The produce of these quarries was acknowledged by competent judges to be of excellent quality, anil superior to the majority of the slates imported, and this fact, together with the cheap rate at which they could be sold, should have secured a large trade to the promoter*. Our wealth in slate and stone alone would be sufficient to

secure for Oamaru a prosperous fumrc, if tli"se resources wore only properly and vigorously worked.