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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 957, 14 May 1879, Page 2

A Government Gazette of the Bth instant contains a notification changing the purposes of sections -0, 21, 22, 23, and 24, block XIV., la. 21 p. in extent. This was set apart for slaughtering purposes, but is now set apart for Municipal purposes. We are desired to state that Mr. George Robinson, dentist, Oamaru, purpos&3 visiting Palmers ton on Monday next, the 10th inst., and may be consulted at the Empire Hotel from 11 a.m. till 4p.in. The much-required addition to the Hampden Sehoolhonse has at length been made. Twenty feet has been added to the length, which will afford sufficient accommodation for a year or two. Hampden will be improved by the institution of a Municipality, as, among other things, it will arrange about the cows and horses which render travelling along its highways on a dark night unpleasant, not to , say dangerous. There can be no disputing the fact that it is not a pleasant thing to receive an envelope stamped on the flap "Bank of ," containing an invitation to meet the mogul of some finance institution. A fellow is under such circumstances forcibly reminded of the most unpleasant experiences of his school days, and feels the same tremor that used to seize hold of him when his master roared out, "Tom Brown, come this way." How willingly wonld some of those who were lately"bronght face to face with gentlemen such as he who hns, out of defferencc to his position, lately been honored with the name of " the Colorado beetle," rather submit to a sound birching than listen to a lecture on finance from even " golden beetles." But we are gratified to learn that there arc men in the North, as well as here, who do not care I hut for financial institutions, although some of them may have more power in governing the Colony than Parliament. A merchant in a northern city was sent for, and, surrounded by the pomp of the managerial office of one of the la gest banks in the Colony, and arraigned, like a naughty boy, before a person who. whatever he may have been ill other people's opinion, was in his own a man of might, he stood, hat in hand, and listened to a lecture of ten minutes' duration. Y\ hen exhaustion supervened, and the occupant of the throne in that domain wondered what reply the poor wretch that was before him and at his mercy could possibly make, the poor wretch replied Mr. , You have forgotten yourself. Are you not aware that you have been talking to a gentleman? I will not quietly submit to be spoken to in such a manner by you. As you have alrea y wasted a considerable portion of my valuable time, if you would now tell me what you want. I would feel obliged. I>«lL'hted to "have such a heavy weapon with which to crush his proud customer, the bank man said. " What I want is L40,00-J immediately. and the remainder of your overdraft liquidated within a week." He, with satisfaction. peered into the lace of his customer. t>> what devastation his last shot had worked, and surprised was he when a cheque rontainiiiL' the sign manual of an undoubted mark was tilled up for the amount demanded, and his customer remarked that he should have the remainder within a few minutes. •' Oh, don't trouble about that, Mi. —— ," said the banker ; " just pay the remainder at your own convenience." "You may have it now, if you wish." said his customer, " and perhaps yon had better take it, because there arc other banks, you know." Considerable merriment was caused at the meeting of Mr. John Lewis' creditors today through the production of a sketch entitled. "A scene in Couit Poor Cocky up a Tier-." To those who had heard or read the proceedings of the Court last Wednesday its fii- attiit_' was transparent. The most noticeable feature in the sketch was a cockatoo sitting on a branch of a tree with two screws driven home, meant to represent —one a lien on crops, the other a mortgage on land. Another screw was only par'ially driven, r nd the cockatoo is looking, with horror in its expression, at a Colorado beetle sitting mi a lower branch of the tree holding a screw-driver pointing to the third screw, which, by the interpretation on the picture, is meant to represent a bill of sale. Hound the beetle's neck is a clasp fastened to a chain, and holding the chain is a sketch of the judge holding back the beetle. The judge is made to say—" 1. Strong affinity between Colorado beetle and bug. 2. Vitality fcoekatoo's) too weak to stand third screw. 3. This known to Colorado beetle and bug. 4. Withdraw third screw—too loose to hold." The sketch, which is very cleverly done, gave considerable amusement to all who sawit in Court, and later on in Mr. (!eo. Farr and < 'o.'s window, where it was afterwards put. Surely the feelings given ri e to in the minds of people generally by the action of certain institutions in New Zealand and exemplified in this and other ways ought to have some effect on those who have the guidance of their affairs. As the breakwater may be viewed as the bulwarks of Oamaru, we arc always gratified : to learn that it is being improved. The ! difficulty of floating loans seems to have no terror for the Harbor 1 oaril, as preparations | are now being made for the carrying out of the contract for the addition. The Philharmonic .Society will resume practice next Wednesday, the subject chosen for practice being the "Creation." This oratorio is one of the most pleasing we have ever heard, anil will be appreciated alike by musician and non-musician The owner of the s.s. Ino, of so many tons, more or less, have placed that vessel at thn disposal of the Corporation of Oamaru lor the pur]wise of conveying its embassy to London, being of opinion that Melbourne should not be allowed to I oast that it is the only [dace in the Colonies that can at lord the luxury of an •■mbas.-v. It suggested that, as in the case of Victoria, the Oamaru embassy should consist of two gentlemen. Sjiecial arrangements have been made for their accommodation—one is to sleep " athwart-ships" ami the other fore-and-aft. The Harbor Board, with praiseworthy tlionghtfulness, has, free of charge, lent its two big guns, which will he litted to the deck of the steamer, so that, should the embassy encounter any Afghanistan cruisers they may, perchance secure sufficient booty to render unnecessary their visit to Great Britain ; but should they not be so fortunate, and be compelled to go the full length of their journey, ami should the Bank of England refuse to comply with their requests it will be bombarded from the River Thames. It is also proposed that the obnoxious and recalcitrant members of the Oamaru School Committee should accompany the embassy, in order that may they seek to lie severed from the Otago Education Board and affianced to the London School Board. A meeting of the Waitaki Road Board was held yesterday, when there were present— Messrs. Evans (Chairman). Johnston, Borrie, Smillie, Davidson, and Oliver (Engineer). Circulars were read from the BegistrarGeneral and the Under-Secretary for Works, asking that certain information re expenditure, etc., be supplied. It was resolved that the necessary information be given. Mr. F. Fulton, attorney for Mr. Filleul, wrote stating that lie could not part with portion of application 2203, block IV., Awanioko district, as it was of especial value for watering stock. It was resolved to let the matter stand over for the present. Mr. William Hargreaves again wrote requesting the Board to form a road line to his farm, sections 32 and 34, block XIII., Oamaru district. It was decided that the matter stand over. The attention of the Municipal Council was ordered to be directed to a large heap of earth which had been placed in front of Mr. A. Hutchinson's door, and that they be requested to remove it without delay. Attention was drawn to the inconvenience which ratepayers sutler owing to the want of a bridge over the race on the road-line in Section 13, Blook 11., Awamoko

District. It was resolved that the Corporation be written to, with a request that they have the bridge erected with as little delay as possible. Arrangements were made for the annual elections. It was resolved that the applications for the office of ranger be not dealt with until a report is received from the Committee appointed at last meeting, the Waitaki .County Council having appointed a ranger for the whole County. The attention of the Municipal Council was' again ordered to be directed to the dangerous stat • of the bridge at Georgetown, and that the Board would not hold themselves responsible for any accident which might occur. A Committee was appointed to arrange with Mrs. Fricker for having the transfer of the road to Uxbridge station completed. A number of accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.