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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 555, 11 February 1878, Page 2

The Immigration Officer informs us that a large number of immigrants, ex Paiko and Wellington, will be forwarded to Oamaru per Waitaki to-morrow.

We would remind farmers and others interested that the trial of Osborne's reaper and binder will take place to-morrow, at 10 o'clock, in a paddock adjoining the Awamoko Junction.

A meeting of the Oamaru Schools Committee will be held at the Secretary's office this evening, at half-past seven o'clock, when the applications for the Rectorship and the positions of second and third masters of the Grammar School will be considered. Other business of an important nature will be brought forward, and a full attendance of members is requested.

We learn that Dr. Macintyre is recovering from his severe indisposition occasioned through blood ppisoning. He is now considered by Dr. Prins to be out of danser, and will as soon as possible seek the recreation and rest from his labors so necessary under the circumstances.

The railway employes of Oamaru and Timaru signify their intention, of holding a file at Willow JJridge Racecourse on Saturday the 16th inst., when a variety of sports will be engaged in and prizes awarded. Full particulars will shortly appear as regards the events and the amounts to be given as prizes. To Mr. Conyers is due the credit of having initiated this means of recreation for those employed on the railways j and in Dunedin the emjiloyds' f&te is viewed as one of the interesting events of the year, especially by those employes who are cooped up in workshops and offices all the year round, and have but little time to devote to recreative purposes in company with their families. The prize-money in Dunedin and Christcliurch is raised by public subscription, but few business people refusing to £ive a few shillings to promote so good an object. An announcement appears in another column from Messrs. Morrow, Bassett, and Co., of Christehurch, in reference to the M'Cormick reaper and binder, which has lately been adjudged the best machine in the market.

A general meeting of the shareholders of the Oamaru Stone Quarrying and Export Company will be held at 11 a.m. to-morrow, in the Mechanics' Institute, for the purpose of receiving the report of the provisional directors, and to decide what steps shall be taken with regard to the Company.

We have just received from the publisher the New Zealand Volunteer Service Gazette. It is a capital publication, and, ve should think, most useful to Volunteers throughout the Colony, as it contains a large amount of information on Volunteering matters.

At the public trial of combined reaping and binding machines at Kaiapoi on Thursday last, a ballot was taken in order to test the feeling of farmers in reference to the respective merits of the three machines now in use. The following was the result M'Cormick's machine, 333 points ; Wood's, 114 points; Osborne's, 62 points. From this it would appear that the Wood and Osborne machines have their admirers, and it seems probable that the advantages of the M'Cormick rjiachine oyer the two others cannot lie very great, or all practical ji>en should be able, after such a thorough trial as that to which the machines were subjected at Kaiapoi, to appreciate them. The farmers of this district will shortly be able to judge for themselves of the merits of the machines.

On Saturday evening the audience at the Masonic Hall were treated to an .event not mentioned in the programme, A gentleman of the Green Isle, who, having partaken freely of " old Irish whisky," had aroused his patriotism for the "dear old spot," and kindled a latent appreciation for the beauful, created some little amusement. Miss Annie Beaumont had just sung " The Flower Girl," and the audience were evidencing their appreciation pf her efforts, when above the din coulcj be heard the musical voice of the bould Irish lad demanding shamrock from the bouquet tlxe perfprm.er held in her hand. No shamrock was there; bij fc Mike saw any number of those emblematical plants. The hall was bedecked with them ; they were present in the air around him ; they were floating in the whisky which he had imbibed. He was dreamily throwing his arms and legs about and breathing the name of the sweet little triad, from the top of a form, when his reverie jras broken, and the magic words "Stop that noise"—for they were uttered by a limb of the law—vibrated the tympani of his auricular organs.

The firm of Messrs. Coleman and M'Hardy, of the Blacljheath station, Hawke's Bay, has just dissolved partnership, Mr, Goleman retiring on account of ill health. Mr, M 'Hardy has purchased Mr. Coleman's—his late partner—interest in the property, comprising 23,000 acres improved land; the Pakowai farm, iGOftsisting of 400 acres leased from the Maoris at LI per aere, rising to 80s,; 80,000 sheep ; and 1500 head of cattle, including the champion cow jDuchess of Chamburgli and the celebrated bull prince [Leonard, for L 71,500, L148,0G0 being the value of the whole property. This price is, however, due mainly to the valuable pedigree stock on the estate.

That enterprising theatrical manager, Mr. John Hall, to whom those towris that cannot yet afford-to support permanent and resident theatrical companies ? ;' are indebted for the of occasional; theatrical performances 7 of a genuine character, is .about to introduce Mr. Lytton gothern to an Oamaru audience. That gentleman, so far as we "can inherited the .genius of his father, the Sothern of world-wide fame, who created the characters of "Lord Dundreary" and "Garrick." Mr. Lytton Sothern's imitation of the peculiarities of the men he portrays are said to be so realistic that one forgets that he is merely beholding a player. This is .the true art of acting, and the aotor that possesses this cunning is a- heaven-boru genius. The Otago Daily Times, a paper not addicted to adulation of professionals, evidently has a high opinion of Mr. Sothern, judging from its notices of his performances in Dunedin. Mr. Sothern will appear on Monday and Tuesday next supported by a good company, The entertainment given by the Beaumont troupe on Saturday evening attracted a large audience. The most notioeable features were the singing of Miss Annie Beaumont, the dancing of Miss Patfci Rosa, Mr. Poore's solos on the tin whistle, Mr. Scott's character song and dance, Mr. Davenport's mouth harmonicon playing, and Mr. Gibbons' comicalities in the farce. The entertainment is eminently what it professes to be—a variety entertainment, and above the average of suoh. Mr. Davenport's mouth harmonicon solo playing is superior to that of finirnett and we might make the same remark with reference to his caricature of a Dutohman. Miss Patti Rosa s a capital danseuse, and performs the genuine Lancashire reel in a manner that we have never seen equalled. The playing of Mr. Poore throughout the evening, whether on the flute in company with the piano, or in his solos on the tin whistle, was excellent. Altogether the entertainment is a very good one, and deserves patronage.

The Canterbury land sales on Thursday last were as follows :—Ashby, 283 a.; Selwyn, 203 a. 2r.; Akaroa, 64a.; Asliburton, 4548 a.; Geralcline, 292 a.; Waiinate, (53a ; amounting in all 5453 a. Sr., and realising LI 0,907.

Thatcher, the songster of yore, has turned up again in quite a new character. The following letter was addressed by him to an old friend in Wellington:—"London, November 30tli, 1877. —Dear Independent,— Although you may not have heard cf the excomic vocalist, I must say that I have not been idle all these years. By a catalouge I post to you, you will see that the great auctioneers, Christie; and Woods, are selling my collection. I have travelled extensively the interior of China and Japan, learnt both languages, and had many curious adventures, which some day I may give in a book. I was brought up by my father to the study and sale of old china, but unfortunately I fooled my time away on the stage. I have made far more money at my legitimate profession than in t}if> palmiest days of my vocation as a vocalist. I return back to China and Japan in Januaiy. I mean, if all go well, to go a thousand miles up the Yellow Paver in China to explore old porcelain. I have sold at present in China old porcelain to the value of LIO,OOO, and have a large collection yet not sold- lam sp full of business that I have to be brief. Remember me to all old Wellingtonians.—Believe me, yours faithfully, Chas. Iy. Thatcher."

Colonel Baker hqs no command in the Turkish army, only in the gendarmerie. In action, he advises the different commanders what course to pursue, often leading oharges of wavering regiments himself. He and Colonel Briscoe, late 15th Hussars, who, with him, lias been foremost ift the recent fighting about Schumla, have a very poor opinion of the fighting powers of the Turkish cavalry—the mere appearance of a bold front causing them to waver, and a charge scattering them before contact. —New Zealand Volunteer Service Gazette.

Dr. Somerville has aroused ever-increasing interest in himself ar.d : u his preaching since I last wrote. His public services have been crowded, but I am told that it is in smaller congregations his high qualities are most apparent. No greater proof than this of his earnest sincerity could be asked if proof were needed. Mr. Larkins, one of our merchants, invited a number of neighbours to come to his house, and bring thejr friends to hear the doctor. About a hundred attended, and they came away unanimously delighted with the service, and impressed by the preacher. His manner is described to me as having been simple, while his language was quite as beautiful as in his more public addresses. A Jjadies' Christian Association, for various good and charitable purposes, is being formed under the doctor's auspices, and other associations to carry out his sug gestions are contemplated. They will form lasting and worthy mementoes of his visjt, and be crowned, it is to be desired, with the success they deserve.—Otago J)aily Tknes' Auckland correspondent.