Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 557, 13 February 1878, Page 2

A general meeting of the members of the Oamaru Mutual Benefit Building Society was held last evening at the office of the secretary. After some discussion, it was proposed by Mr. Filleul, seconded by Mr. Meek, and carried, "That this meeting authorise the incorporation of the Society under the Building Societies Act, 1876." Messrs. Finch and Tempest ware elected auditors.

Our telegrams yesterday briefly recorded the death of a very old colonist, the Hon. William Barnard Rhodes, M.L.C., who died at Wellington on Monday nigh t. The late gentleman had for many years taken an active part in public affairs. For some years he, together with the late Dr. Featherston and Mr. W. W. Taylor, represented Wellington City in the House of Representatives ; but he was afterwards defeated at a general election, and for some time, until he was called to the Legislative Council, enjoyed retirement into private life. Mr. Rhodes was one of those bluff " rough-and-ready " kind of men often met with in the colonies ; and, although he did not display any great amount of political ability, lie never failed to command a certain amount of respect for bis plain, honest speaking. Though, like all men, he had his faidts, he had many friends and admirers. He was an entirely self-made man. At one time, we believe, he was captain of a whaling vessel, and in Wellington, where he was best known, was in consequence generally styled " Captain " Rhodes. By sheer industry and dogged perseverance, combined with a keen sense of business, he succeeded in amassing a fortune, and was perhaps one of the most wealthy men in the Colony. One action alone of the late gentleman should be sufficient to hand down his name to posterity ; indeed, no history of Xew Zealand would be complete without a very decided reference to Mr. Rhodes' forethought and promptness. If we are not greatly mistaken—and we are speaking entirely from memory—to Mr. Rhodes is due the credit of the Middle Island of this Colony being a British dependency. When the report of the magnificent nature of the Colony reached the Old World, the French decided upon founding a French Colony here, and with this object a vessel with a number of immigrants destined to form the pioneers of that Colony was despatche to these shores. That vessel had, we believe, reached the coast, and would, in a short time, have taken possession of the island but for the prompt 3ction of Mr. i Rhodes. He at once sent a boat ashore from his whaling craft, hoisted the British flag, and took possession of the island on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen of England. The township of Akaroa was granted to the disappointed Colony-seekers, and became a French settlement For this one act the name of the Hon. William Barxwrd Rhodes should ever occupy a place in the kindly remembrances of colonists. Mr. Rhodes had attained the age of 70 years.

A memo, from the Telegraph Office informs us that the Tasmanian cable has been repaired.

A rehearsal of the Philharmonic Society ■will take place this evening at eight o'clock at the Masonic Hall.

The usual monthly meeting of the County Council will be held at 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Municipal Council will take place to-morrow evening, at 7.15 o'clock.

We would remind ratepayers that all objections to the valuations of the various Road Boards must be lodged on or before Friday next at the places specified by advertisements, which appear elsewhere.

A meeting of the Committee of the North Otago Coursing Club is called for to-morrow, at 11 a.m., at the County Council Chambers, at which several matters of importance will be considered, including the final settlement of the season's programme, the appointment of a judge, and the election of a member of Committee to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the late Mr. Wheatley.

A meeting of the Committee of the North Otago Rifle Association was held last evening at the Royal Hotel. The President (Dr. DcLautcnr) occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, a large amount of routine business was transacted. The entries were received for the February competition, and the handicap arranged. A sub-Committee, consisting of the President, Secretary, and Mr. Headland, was appointed to frame rules and draw up a programme for the March Meeting, to be submitted to a future meetin". The usual vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

To the somewhat confused wording of the cablegram published by us last evening in our late edition, and the late hour at which the message reached us, must be attributed the error which occurred in giving the name of the newly-appointed Under-Secretary for the Colonies. The name should have appeared as the Earl of Donoughmore. This gentleman is, so far as this part of the world is concerned, altogether unknown to fame, though he has for some time occupied the position of one of the Private Secretaries in the Colonial Office under the Earl of Carnarvon.

It gives us pleasure to state that, in consequence of a desire generally expressed by the farming community to have a public trial of the various kinds of reapers and binders, the Committee of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association purpose holding a meeting on Saturday next to consider the matter, and make arrangements for such a competition. We understand that Messrs. Reid and Gray are now making a machine which is said will comprise all the best points of the three machines now well known to the public, viz.—Wood's, M'Cormick's, and the Osborne's, and that they propose entering it as a rival to the importod articles.

An event full of interest for the members of the Oamaru Artillery corps took place last evening at the usual parade of the battery. There was a capital muster, and, after the men had been put through an hour's drill, the battery was drawn up in line to receive the newly-elected captain, Mr. Lewis Morton, who made his appearance on parade about nine o'clock, his arrival being greeted in true military fashion. In a few well-chosen and appropriate words Mr. Morton acknowledged the honour which had been conferred upon him by being elected captain of the company, and thanked the battery for their kindness, saying that he hoped by his future attention to his military duties to prove himself worthy of the position in which he had been placed. He hoped that both the officers and men would turn out and work in such a manner as to convince outsiders that they were in earnest in their efforts to render themselves efficient defenders of the country. A good ringing cheer was given at the conclusion of Mr. Morton's remarks. Several new members were then added to the roll. At the request of Mr. Morton, an adjournment then took place to the Empire Hotel, where a few hours" pleasant intercourse was indulged in. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been drunk, the health of Mr. Morton was proposed by Lieut. Greenfield, and drunk in bumpers of champagne. The compliment was suitably acknowledged by Mr. Morton in felicitous terms. The healths of Lieut, Greenfield, Sub-Lieut. Kennedy, Dr. Garland, and the Staff were drunk, and with other toasts, intermingled with songs, &c, a very pleasant evening was spent, the proceedings being brought to a close by the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " and the national anthem. We understand that the rank* of the battery are open for a few more 'big gunners," and those desirous of joining do so without delay, as a new and re«nla'- eour-e of drill is about to commence, while shot and shell practice will be gone on with about the end of nest month, The class tiring of the corps is also in a forward state, and those who have not yet passed are requested to do so at once.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitaki Eoad Board was held in the Board room yesterday, there being present—Messrs. Connell (in the chair), Evans, Procter, Mee, M'Donald, Aitchison, Borfcon, Davidson, Duncan, and Oliver (Engineer). The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, j and the outward correspondence read and approved. Mr. M'Master wrote offering to give in exchange a 60-link road in lieu of road line to be closed. The Engineer was instructed to have the necessary surveys completed in order to enable the solicitors to prepare the transfers. A letter was read from the County Council intimating that they had voted a sum of L 275 for road line through Papakaio pre-emptive. It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Procter that the offer of the County Council be accepted. Mr. Burnett, £he Assistant Engineer, wrote

intimating that the railway crossings in Waitaki had been attended to. After some explanation from the Board's Engineer, it was resolved that Mr. Aitchison, accompanied by Mr. Oliver, wait on Mr. Burnett in reference to this matter, and also as to the advisability of having gates erected in place of slip rails now in use. Mr. James Jardine wrote stating that he could not act as a member of the Board. Messrs. Borrie and Smillie were each proposed for the vacant seat, and on a show of hands being taken there were three votes accorded to each. The Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Borrie, who was duly elected. Mr. Aitchison's motion to rescind the resolution passed at last special meeting voting L3OO for road line in blocks 11. and and IV., Oamaru district, was negatived by sto 3. It was afterwards agreed that the Sub-Committee appointed to negotiate with the proprietors for land for this road bring up a report at next meeting. On the motion of Mr. Aitchison, it was resolved that the Landon membei-s be a Sub-Committee to ascertain the best means for providing culverts over drains in South Landon. Mr. Ross's tender for contract 54 was accepted at L 35. It was resolved that the Chairman attend the Assessment Court to have the valuation roll revised. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.

The Scottish national instrument is of more ancient date than most people imagine, being used by the Greeks and Romans. On a piece of Grecian sculpture,, now in Rome, a bagpiper is represented like a modern Highlahder. Nero is said to have played upon the bagpipe in the year 51.

Judge Gillies recently gave some good advice to a Mr. Hesketh, just admitted to practice at the bar at Aucklaud. His Honor (addressing Mr. Hesketh) said : —I am satisfied that you are fully qualified and competent to be admittod as a solicitor of this Court. I can further only say, that if you endeavour to act fairly, honestly, and honorably in your practice as a solicitor, you will rise in your profession. You should always remember that it is an honorable profession. You should never allow your name to be connected with dishonest transactions in any way. You should even avoid the appeai'ance of being connected with any conduct that is reprehensible. If you apply your ability properly, I have no doubt you will find yourself in a high position in the legal profession ; you have a good example before you in your principal, and encouragement in the position to which he has attained.

Dr. Hector has completed his analysis of quartz specimens from Golden Point, near Picton, and made his report. He finds no signs of a distinct reef, but several irregular quartz leaders, varying from a few inches to two feet wide. From these leaders eight or ten specimens were tested, some weighing about 1 cwt. Those from the outer portion or interior of the leaders gave a very rich yield, some at the rate of as much as 14nzs. ISdwts. of gold to the ton of quartz. These specimens from the underground leaders yielded at the rate of from foz. to 3A-ozs. to the ton. The gold is of a very high containing only 4 per cent, of silver. There are some indications of a reef to the northwest of the present locality.— Star Telegraphic Correspondent.