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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 610, 16 April 1878, Page 2

We--would suggest to the Municipal Council that it should purchase the iron work, piping &c, necessary for the waterworks without delay. Iron was never known to be so low in price as it was when last cablegraphie advices were received from home. The price has weeded in consequence of the warlike attitude of Europe, and as the restoration of national amity and confidence will cause an increase in price corresponding with the amount of decrease, it would be wise for our councillors to immediately act upon our suggestion. To neglect to take advantage of the present favorable opportunity for purchasing would be tantamount to risking an almost certain saving of several thousand pounds. It is not improbable that the price of iron withiu a few months from now will rise at least 50 per cent., and oven if the increase in prioe was only a tithe of this, the saving to the (Jouucil in about L 20.000 worth of iron would be «reat. The iron required for the waterworks should be immediately ordered by cablegram, and it would then arrive just in I the nick of time, provided the Council will I adopt the very wise course of offering a bonus to the contractors to get the work done withiu the shortest possible period. The Customs authorities sacm determined to compel masters to enter their vessels lief ore commencing to unload their cargoes. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, this I morning, Charles Bradshaw. master of the Franklfn Belle, was charged by Mr. 11. Thompson with a breach ot" the 129 th sec, tion of the Customs Regulations Act, ISSS, in not having entered his vessel within the prescribed time—24 hours after arrival. The defendant admitted the offence, but said that this laxity of duty was owing to a state of tilings which had been permitted to grow up for some time past in Dunedin as well as in this port. The plaintiff said he did not wish to press for the imposition of a fine, but had merely instituted the proceedings as a warning to masters of vessels. He also explained"' that it was necessary that vessels should enter at the Customs before discharging their cargoes, as, if this were not done, the Customs authorities would have no means of ascertainin" whether or not they had on board cargo on which Customs duties should be paid, and the public revenue was likely to sutler jn consequence. His Worship, in dismissing the ease, remarked that the defendant should feel very'much indebted to the plaintiff for not pressing for a fine, as bad the opposite course been taken, he (his Worship) would have had no other course oi>eii to him than to inflict the fine of L2O.

A meeting of the Committee of the North Otasri.- Turf Club was held last evening at thclunpii*. Hotel; present—Messrs. Lintott (Vice-President, in the chair), Paterson, ShaMors. Longford, Greenfield, .Sutton, and Grant (Secretary). Some dismission took place in reference to the proposal submitted by Mr. Percival, Secretary of the Auckland Uacit!--' Club, having for its object the formation of a New Zealand Turf Club, for the management of general matters connected with the turf. It was eventually resolved, ;i That this Committee does not see the advisability of adopting the suggestion.' made bv Mr. Peiriyal. on behalf of the Auckland Pacing Club, aud that an action be taken in the matter at present.'' Messrs. (/Meagher and l.intott were appointed to canvas.-: the town and interview the j'.aecGourue Trust, with a view to ascertaining what steps «a.u be taken to erect a pormancnt grand stand. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the chairman, the meeting terminate.l.

It will he remembered that a few days >iuee w mentioned that Captain Sumpter, wf the >'<•. 1 Company, had reeeiv: d a t.-l'-(.'ram from Captain Wilson, of the Duncdin City Guards, expressing his regret at not being able to get together a team to tire in the "natch which took place yesterday fi'ist evening Captain Snmpter received a letter from" the same gentiemazi on the subject, conveying an intimation that his Company will he happy to lire a match with the Oamaru Company on the "2-ith May, being engaged to lire against several other Companies on the same day, the scores in which might he taken in the match with Oamaru. The conditions av proposed by Captain Wilson are somewhat different to those in the match tfreil .yesterday, the ranges being 401), 300, and GOO yards, with seven shots at each. We Jo not know whether or not our local marksmen will

accept the challenge, but if they- should do so we would suggest that they might endeavour to acenrtaitTwhat other Companies the City Guards mo cjigaijed to lire against, and arrange matches with them also. This would render the competition doubly interestinir. and afford the local team an opportunity of trying conclusions with several other Companies.

The School Committee have, wc believe, determined upon getting up a concert in aid of the school funds. The concert wiil be given on the 26' th instant. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. Robert Keenan was tineil 3s for allowing a cow to be at large in .Dumber street. A few important civil cases comprised the only other business down for hearing. The Oamn.ru High School Cadets have been reorganised, uaid for the future discipline will be more strict as regards drill, dress, and the keeping of arms, etc. The corps have also ordered a number of new uniforms to meet the wants of new members. We understand that Captain Peattie (the Rector) and U. H. M-Pherson, the drill instructor, are working hard to make the boya in every way capable of acting as tiie future defenders of their country, should occasion require them to take up arms. We would again remind our readers that the annual soiree in connection with Wesley Church will take place in the Volunteer Kali this evening, tea being on the table at half-past 6 o'clock. A public meeting will afterwards be held, at which addresses will be delivered by the Revs. Todd, Steven, Fee, and others. The monthly meating of the Hospital Committee will be held this evening, at S o'clock, in the secretary's offices.

We are glad to see that the attendances at the weekly meetings of the St. Paul's Young Men's Association still continue good. There were about forty members present last evening, besides a few ladies. After the business of the evening—the election and nomination of new members—was concluded Mr. Gow read his essay on "New Zealand." lie divided his subject into four heads—l The country, 2 The Maoris, 3 The settlement and colonization, 4 General remarks. The essay was very favorably criticised by all present, and although some differed from the essayist on one or two points, particularly on those of the Maoris and Maiihc.od suft'erage, the general opinion seemed to be that Mr. Gow was deserving of praise for the manner in which the essay had been got up. In Mr. Gow the Association is losing one of its most energetic nieniberg.

The rdle which the Colonies will moat usefully fill if Great Britain has to face the troubles of a protracted war (says the Home News) will be the provision of adequate means of defence within their own limits. There is every reason to apprehend that in this respect they would soon have to learn the lesson of self-reliance. That English troops could be supplied in any force to garrison remote dependencies is extremely improbable. The European struggle would more than monopolise every regular soldier, while the Crown strongholds beyond the seas would be entrusted only, to militia. Officers of standing and experience might be spared to assist in the organisation and command of forges, but scarcely soldiers, except as a small nucleus or starting point. The real burthen of Colonial defence must fall upon Colonial shoulders. Some have fully recognised this necessity, and long since have answered splendidly to the call. The Dominion of Canada, for instance, has a large army of militia, which is thoroughly efficient; military men authoritatively declare her defensive armaments are as good as they can be made. Australia, lias also aroused herself, but she must do something more than call in the advice of eminent officers of Engineers.