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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 848, 3 January 1879, Page 2

We have received a visit from Mr. Gale, one of oar Otepopo subscriber*. He complains that hi* Mail has not been thrown down by the guard of the Palmerston train (Mr. Charles Cleverley) for the past fortnight, with the exception of five copies which were thrown off at Mr. Gilchrist's farm, and three copies which were thrown off at Mr. Kitchen's farm, both places a considerable distance from Mr. Gale's. Mr. Cleverley cannot make the excuse that he is not acquainted with the spots at which the papers should be dropped. No man knows j them better; nor is there a better servant iis every other respect on the line. But he loves the Mail. " not wisely, but too well," and when he should be performing the little service of dropping our subscribers copies, he is reading it, and his mind is so transported by some attractive tit bit that he is oblivious of everything else. We get into no end of trouble over this matter, and we are sure that if Mr. Cleverley only caught a glimpse of the grey hairs that are becoming so prolific in the hirsute protection of the palace of our soul he would take compassion upon us. Mr. Cleverley—and other dclin-1 quent guards—please do drop our papers more cleverly, or our subscribers will drop them for us. The Caledonian Society of Oamaru may congratulate itself that veteran judges of twenty-five years' standing give it as their opinion that the dancing at the late sports was the very best they have witnessed in New Zealand, North or South. The same persons expressed in the highest terms their approbation of the manner in which the Committee carried out the whole of the arrangements and the decisions given. We have received this month's issue of the Christian Record. The printers are now Messrs. Mackay, Bracken * Co., and we mast compliment that firm on its appearance. Receiving offices for letters have been opened at the store of Mr. Aitken, Thamesstreet, and at the store of Mr. Bunting, Urestreet. > A trial of reapers and binders, under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is appointed to take place during this month, at Mr. Boag's farm. The children of the Tees-street Hall Sunday School, numbering 100, spent their annual treatat the Devil's Bridge yesterday, through : the courtesy of the manager of the Ardgowan Estate. They were driven out to the scene of operations, and, having engaged in the usual fun and enjoyed themselves thoroughly, they and their teachers and friends returned to town at 5 p.m. A mail leaves Batavia for Singapore toj morrow evening. | The annual picnic of the Otepopo day and j Sunday school scholars took place on Thursday. There was an unusual number present. Over 300 children were counted, and, altogether, there could not have been less than 700 on the ground. The place of rendezvous was the same as last year, viz., the township of Kakannx South. The people there, under the leadership of Captain Matheson and Mr J. G. M. M'Lymont, vied with each other in order to make the day agreeable to all. The shipping, grounds, and flagstaff were decorated with bunting, and in the former part of the day, when the tide suited, all the children, and a large number of the seniors, were regaled with a float on the briny wave. Afterwards all were regaled with something even more substantial, and which seemed to be thoroughly appreciated. A large number of races, both of boys and girls, were indulged in, and several scrambles for nuts and lollies took place. Before dispersing, the Bev. Mr. Bylcy addressed those present on the advantages of such meetings, and hoped they would have many more such. A large number of prizes were distributed to those Sunday school scholars who had marks for the beat attendance, best conduct, and toe most efficient work for the year.

During this month the Rev. S. C. J. Grime will bold Episcopalian services as follows s—oth; Otepopo, Jl •,».; Maheno, 3.30 p.m- 12tb t Duutrooo, |1 a.m.; Oter kaike, 7 P.n. W** Otepopo, il «-«,; Hampden, 6.30 p.m. 26tb; Puntroon, 1| a.m. ; Otdtaike, 7 p.m.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, this day, before T. W. Parker, Esq., 8.M., the following cases were disposed of :—Clydesdale v. Clydesdale, Mr. Hislopfor plaintiff, Mr. Newton for defendant, settled ont of Court. Akers v. Akers, application for maintenance, and charge of abandonment. Mr. O'Meagher for plaintiff. His Worship made an order for 15* a week. Spence and Bee v. Urquhart, claimon judgmentsummons. The Bench ordered defendant to make payment of the debt in one month, in default to have 31 days' imprisonment. Finch v. Morrison, claim L2 3a 6d for goods supplied. Judgment by default.

We would draw the attention of members of the Hibernian Society of St. John's to a notice in another column. The annual installation of the officers of the Lodge St. Augustine, No. 576, S.C., Waimate, took place on the evening of the 27th ult., when the following officers were installed :—W.M., Bro. J. W. Neill; S.W., Bro. J. Martin; J.W., Bro. F. Gaitt; S.D., Bro. G. Dickenson ; J.D., Bro. J. W. Black; 1.G., Bro. J. Jacobs; Tyler, Bro. J. Gaitt; Secretary, Bro. E. H. Gibbon; Treasurer, Bro. F. Gaitt. After the officers had been installed, and on the W.M. rising for the first time, Bro. Gibbon came forward and stated that he had been deputed by the brethren of the lodge to convey to the Worshipful Master their sense of appreciation of the manner in which he had conducted the business of this lodge for- the past three years. He was sure that Bro. W. Neill's perfect comprehension of the obligations of a master mason, his intimate knowledge of the duties connected with the office of Worshipful Master, together with his uniform kindness and affability, had very materially advanced Freemasonry in Waimate and increased the prosperity of the lodge. Therefore, in the name of the brethren of the Lodge of St. Augustine, he had very much pleasure in requesting Bro. W. Neill to accept a Past-Master's jewel, as a tangible mark of their esteem and respect. All knew that he bod labored earnestly in the interests of the craft, and that he would continue to do so as long as he lived. It was the most sincere desire of all masons that he might long be spared to continue his work, and when it was finished, that he might receive the reward common to all good masons from the Grand Master of the Universe. Bro. M 'Neill responded with a suitable speech, stating that he was very highly gratified at being presented with such a handsome jewel. It was very pleasant to him to feel that his efforts had been appreciated to so great a degree. He assured the brethren that his heart had ever been devoted to the interests of Free Masonry, and would continue to be so until the end of his life. He felt that, owing to his residing at such a distance from Waimate, he was unable to give as much instruction as he should like to; but he would endeavor, however, to hold lodges of instruction as often as he conld, and work up the younger members of the Lodge in the mysteries of- the craft as much as possible. Again thanking the brethren for their gift and kind wishes, the lodge was closed, and the brethren repaired to the Royal Hotel, where a most excellent spread was provided by Bro. Sherwin. After the usual Masonic and loyal toasts had been properly honored, a most enjoyable evening was spent, and the party dispersed during the early hours of the morning.—Waitangi Tribune.