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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 554, 9 February 1878, Page 2

A conference of representatives of the various school commitiees in the Waitak ■ County was held to-day at Mr. Hardy : s office, for the purpose of considering the i>est mode of insuring the representation of North Otago on the Beard of Education. The following committees were represented : Oamarn—Messrs. Steward, Fleming, Hislop, Bee, Falconer, Gibbs, and Headland; Pukouri Point—Messrs. Duncan, Schluter, and Vliirison ; N'gapara—Mr. T. Keid ; Otepopo— Mr. T. Henderson; Kakanui—Messrs. M. Morton and R. Morton; Moeraki—Messrs. Coskery and Munro ; Malieno—Mr. David Booth ; Teneraki—-Mr. E. Lees ; Papakaio— Mr. D. Borrie, Hampden was also represented by letter. Mr. Steward was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. A letter of a very able nature was read from the acting Secretary of the Inch Valley School Committee. Some discussion took place as to whether or not cumulative voting was applicable to the election of members of the Education Board

as well as for the election of School Committees. In order to set aside any doubt upon the matter, the Chairman was requested to make inquiries upon the subject. A lengthy discussion as to the best means of ensuring the representation of the district on the Board then took place, and eventually something like a definite understanding as to the course to be adopted was arrived at. Throughout the greatest unanimity prevailed as to the desirableness of having a representative of the district on the Board of Education for Otago. The conference terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.

It is worthy of note that the Waste Lands Board have decided to throw open Stewart's Island for sale. It appears that the impression that the soil is unfit for cultivation is erroneous, and that those who have tilled small patches of soil on the island have been fully recompensed for their trouble. In addition to this, as a fishery—both oyster and otherwise —the waters surrounding the island are unequalled in these parts. Its timber resources are also great, acid at present a large saw-mill is kept in full work. It is to be hoped that before long the island, which is a thousand square miles in extent, will be explored with tbe object of promoting settlement. Last night the head-quarters of Companies turned out in full uniform, for inspection parade, and at 5.20, after the companies had been proved, the whole of the men were drawn up in line, with the band in the rear, to receive Major Steward, the Inspecting Officer, upon whose appearance the line gave a genuine salute, the band playing " God save the Queen." The arms and accoutrements were found in good order, and those on parade presented a very creditable appearance. The whole affair seemed to be superior to that of last month. After the inspection, the Major put the companies through several movements, the officers and men doing their work well. Half an hour's di-ill having been gone through, the companies, headed by the band, marched through the town. The Gi'ammar School Cadets were inspected during the afternoon. We are informed that the drills of the other schools are proceeding satisfactory.

It is stated by a section of the Wellington. Pvess that Sir George Grey will probably contest the representation of Wellington City in Parliament, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Travers, with Mr. Pearce, a popular man. Mr. Bunny's seat for Wairarapa will be sought after by Messrs. Earton, Pharazyn, and Hutchinson, the latter in the Grey interest.

Our readers are reminded that they will have an opportunity of listening this eve >- iug to what promises to be au enjoyable entertainment, the Madame Annie Beaumont Company having announced their intention of appearing at the Masonic Kail in a varied entertainment.

The Wood combined reaper and binder seems to gain popularity on increased acquaintance. Mr. M'Lennan has now two constantly at work at Whitstone, and they increase in efficiency and speed as the manipulators acquire a more perfect knowledge of how to use them. While on this subject we may as well state that one of Messvs. Keid and Gray's new machines, comprising all the advantages of Osborne's, Wood's, and M'C'ormick's, will be on view at Oamaru in t : me to take and execute orders for these machines for next harvest.

There was no sitting of the Resident Maglstrale's Court this morning.

We have received from the Government Printer a very unique card comprising the English Mail Time Tables (.San Francisco, Torres Straits, and Suez), Calendar for IS7S, and New Zealand Postal Guide. All this information is printed in diamond on thin tinted card no larger than an ordinary business card.

" Bradshaw's Guide" is again to hand. This useful book has now become almost a necessity to merchants and others, whose business it is to possess a general acquaintance with the Colony and those in it. It is a colonial " Inquire Within Upon Everything" to the merchant.

Mr. J. Hislop, the well-known watchmaker and jeweller of Dunedin, has forwarded us a novel Railway Time Table, which folds up into a book the size of a lady's visiting card. Whilst on one side there are the times of arrival and departure of the trains on the various Southern lines, there are on the other the San Francisco and Suez Mail Time Tables, and a concise calendar for IS7B. Of course, there are unmistakeable evidences on the sheet that it has been issued by Mr. J. Hislop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, Princes-street, Dunedin. The Li/ltellon Times says, in giving an account of a trial of a reaping and binding machine :—The oats were very heavy in the straw, which looked fit for a -50-bushel j'ield, but so busy had the sparrows been that the light colour of the cleaned out heads was only too visible all over, and the result would give from 30 to 45 bushels to the acre.