The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 547, 1 February 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1878.

A meeting of merchants and others interested was held (pursuant to advertisement) at the Criterion Hotel, this afternoon, to discuss the ways and means of obtaining more railway facilities for landing and exporting goods. Mr. Steward was in the chair. There were about 20 gentlemen present, principally representing the mercantile interest, and the discussion was carried on in a spirit which clearly indicated that they are resolved not to have a recurrence of the nuisance of last year in consequence of the scarcity of trucks, if they conld possibly help it. A deputation was appointed to wait upon Mr. Smith, the local traffic manager, to ascertain the number of trucks available, and the number that the traffic would be likely to render necessary. After considerable debate, it was decided to call a public meeting, to discuss the question, for Monday next, at 11 a-m, in order to give the farmers, who are interested in the question, an opportunity of attending. Mr. Sumpter stated that the Harbour° Board had received information from the Government to the effect that 700 truckß would be placed upon the line within four months. Those present seemed to place but little reliance on the promises of those at the head of railway matters. At the time we went to press, the qnestion was being discussed, and resolutions were U-ing drawn up for the public meeting. The Philharmonic Society will meet for rehearsal at S o'clock this evening, at the Masonic Hall.

The St. Paul's Young Men's Association will resnnie its meetings on Monday next, when, we glean from the advertisement, the 'Young Men's Manuscript Magazine,' which we believe is even more interesting than nsual, will be read to the members. A full attendance is requested. The reaping and binding machine harvesting on the Whitstone Estate is working well. Mr. M 'Lennan expects shortly to have two of them in full play. Messrs. Reid and Gray have two reapers and binders, after the Osborne model,- in course of construction. "We would not be surprised if they turned out quite equal to the imported article—if not a little stronger. Their new reapers and binders have proved themselves such a success that the day i* not far distant when they will be universally used. Messw. orr Brothers' crop of oats has been cut down by one of them, and is now stacked in the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's stores. The annual meeting of the Oamaru Rifle Volunteers will be held this evening, at 7.30 p.m.

There is nothing like drilling for boys ; in fact upon this and similar exercises depends the robustness of our future men. We were therefore pleased to notice that Mr. Anstead, whose scholars, we take this opportunity of mentioning, have greatly increased since the vacation, has brought into requisition the services of Sergtanfc-major McPher3on, who this morning commenced his duties by drilling the boys. Of course we can say little as yet as to the manner in which they responded to the commands of their drillinstructor; more in regard to this anon. Parents are becoming alive to the necessity for drilling and athletics for their boys, and no school is complete without the services of a drill-instructor an I gymnastic appliances. The name of the doctor of the Renfrewshire, H"ho has obtained such an unenviable notoriety in Napier is Dale—not Bole, as printed by error in our last evening's issue. We believe that he is known in Oamaru.

We observe by advertisement that Messrs. Connell and Clowes intend to make good use of their stores during the grain season. They announce that they will hold periodical sales of farm produce, etc. The annual meeting of the Oamaru Mechanics' Institute was held last evening. Present: Messrs. Hislop (in the chair), and 21 members. The .Secretary having read the annual report and balance-sheet (which shewed the total receipts to be LI 57 4s. Bd., and the total expenditure L 154 2s. 5d ), which were subsequently adopted, Mr. FilIcul proposed, and Mr. Todd seconded, "That bye-law 13 be struck out."—Carried, Mr. Snmpter proposed, and Mr. Fjlleul seconded, "That bye-law 12 bo struck out," —Carried. Mr. Sumpter proposed, and Mr, Spratt seconded, "That power to borrow (as suggested in the report) be given to the Committee."—Carried. On the motion of Mr. Snmpter. seconded by Mr. Blackburne, it was resrtlved, " That the Committee have power to enter into agreements a.s to leasing with parties desirous to take part in building (aa suggested by the report). It was ! resolved, on the motion of Mr. Filleul, seconded by Mr, Tempest, "That the portion of the Committee's report dealing with Mr. F. Robertson's lease fte..approved of." It was moved by Mr. Forrester, and carried, " That the annual meetings of the Institute take place on the first Thursday in February in each year." It was proposed by Mr. Hickey, and seconded by Mr, Forrester, "That the subscriptions be altered from LI per year, 10s. per half - year, and

ss. per quarto, to LI per year, lis. per half-year, and 6s. per quarter. Proposed by Mr. Spratt, and seconded by Mr. Kidd, "That subscriptions remain as at present." Carried. The following was the result of the election:— President. Mr. G. Sumpter; Vice-President, Mr. Filleul; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. S. J. Loring; Hon. Sec, Mr. Davies; Committee, Messrs. Hislo-, Kidd, Spratt, M'Pherson, Tempest, Medlicott, M'Combe, Barron, Shrimski, Forrester, and Blackburne. Mr. Richmond was appointed librarian, with the same salary as that of last year. On the motion of Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr Williamson, the Committee were empowered to lease the land at Wyndham on the most favourable terms obtainable. Votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing office-bearers.

The monotony of the day has been disturbed by the arrival at 7 o'clock of the chief Hiknu, who, as herald from the King, galloped into the township, and stopping in the middle of the square, called out in a loud voice, warning all persons in Waikato. Waipa, or elsewhere, whether Europeans or Maoris, not to cro=s the frontier, except Sir George Grey and those of his party. The proclamation has cau ed considerable sensation, as a large number of friendly natives and some Europeans had intended proceeding. The Premier and party start at nine o'clock in the morning. —Telegram from Otago Daily Times own correspondent. The Wellington Weekly Mail contains the following :—A meeting of the stewards of the Jockey Club was held at the Empire Hotel on Friday. There were presentMessrs. J. R. George (in the chair), J. S. M. Thompson, D. Jobberns, A. Young, Dr. Driver, W. Brown, and the Secretary. A letter from the Colonial Secretary was read, informing the Club with regret that owing to some difficulty occurring in regard to the lands through which the line of railway to the course would pass, and the fact of the plans of the proposed line being burnt at the late fire at the railway station, the project would have to be abandoned this year. It was decided to sell the various privileges in connection with the forthcoming meeting on Saturday, the 26th inst., including the gates, which will be submitted to public competition also. A letter from the Secretary of the North Otago Turf Club was also read, referring to the disqualification of Fishhook, which has been removed by the Club after due consideration. It was decided to consider the letter at a future meeting of stewards. After several new members being elected, the meeting adjourned. The Auckland Star says :—" Considerable interest was excited amongst the religious bodies in Auckland by an article in a recent Australian paper respecting the Rev. Dr. Somerville. The article referred to was based upon a paragraph written by the 'funnyman' of a Brisbane paper, who told an extraordinary and scandalous story which has gone the round of the Dunedin papers. Like most falsehoods it has a bare substratum of truth, but contains about as much falsehood as can be conveniently crowded into the limits of a newspaper column. We have made careful inquiry into the matter and the following is a correct statement of what took place on the occasion : —At a revival meeting, "fter the close of the usual services, the men were requested to withdraw in order that the customary special service for the other sex might be held. After the males ha 1 retired there were present several clergymen and other male assistants in the cause. During the subsequent proceedings, as is customary in the special revival services, Dr Somerville requested those who had convictions of sin and who desired advice and consolation to stand up. There was no intention to invite women of bad repute, and, so far as could be judged, none of this class were present. It was perfectly understood by the lad es who got up that the invitation was meant to apply to those who had convictions of general sinfulness. The ladies who stood up in response to the invitation were in good positions in society, and were under no misapprehension whatever. They listened to the admonitions given and encouragement offered them with patience. The whole story in tne Brisbane paper is mainly a gross fabrication, and hag been extensively copied into most of the journals throughout this Colony; hence Dr. Somerville's natural desire to correct its mischievous tendency as soon as possible."