The Oamaru Mail FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1235, 2 April 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1880.

The usual monthly meeting of the Athenaeum Committee was held last evening, when there were present: Messrs Forrester (President), Filleul, Garrow, Greenfield, Hassell, Headland, Kidd, Loring, and Williamson. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, it was resolved, after considerable discussion, that a sum "of money be voted to be sent Home (to Mudie's) for the purpose of obtaining regular monthly supplies of books. It was pointed out that this step would be likely to Lirgcty increase the number of subscribers to the Athenreum. It was notified that the Entertainment Committee would meet next week for the purpose of making arrangements for having a regular series of lectures during the coming winter months. After the consideration of some ordinary business, the meeting terminated. This evening Mr. and Mrs. C, Florence, assisted by a number of our best amateurs will give an entertainment of a high class in the Volunteer Hall. The programme appears in full in another column, and should prove satisfactory to all lovers of amusement of a varied class. The first part will be composed of vocalisation, and the entertainment will conclude with the trial scene "Bardell v. Pickwick," from Charles Dickens' Pickwick Papers, At the Resident Magistrate's Court, today, James Walter B. Poland, charged with having been drunk and disorderly, was convicted and discharged with a caution. Edward Floyd and Edward Scott, for similar misconduct, were each fined 55., with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment.

The fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board was held to-day, when there were present: G. Sumpter (Chairman), the Hon. H. J. Miller, Messrs. Borrie, Gibbs, Shrimßki, Gilchrist, Menlove, and Aitken. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and rpproved, the Board went into committee upon finance, and reported progress. Accounts to the amount of L 493 were passed for payment, Messrs. Hislop and Creagh wrote stating that the Chief Surveyor would not pass the plans of the Board's surveyor, Mr. Stewart. The Clerk stated that he had written to Mr. Stewart upon the matter. A letter was read from Messrs. P. Cunningham and Co., stating that they were arranging charters for the the season, and inquiring whether it was the intention of the Board to lighter vessels that are unable to come to or finish loading at the Breakwater. The Chairman stated that he bad replied to the effect that the boating would be done the same as last season when necessary. The Chairman's action was confirmed, and the charge for the boating of grain fixed at the same rate as last year, 2s. per ton. The Board then rose.

The work of erecting the new Primitive Methodist Chapel has not been allowed to flag in any manner, and the building, as will be observed from an advertisement in another column, has now arrived at such a state as to enable services to he held -within its walls. The opening services will be held on Sunday next, and the sermons preached by the Rev. J. Dnmbell, of Tlmaru, and the Rev. A. B. Todd, and the usual meeting will take place on Monday evening. A special meeting of the Rescue Lodge, 1.0. G.T., will be held at half-past seven o'clock thi3 evening, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Coqnefc-screet.

The members of St. Paul's Young Men's Association held their weekly meeting lasi evening. The chair was occupied by the Rev. A. B. Todd, and there was a moderate attendance. After the opening business had been disposed of, a debate was opened by Messrs. M'Farlane and J. Milligan on "The comparative merits of Marlborongh and Wellington as Generals," which showed that the subject had been gone into with some care. A discussion followed, the ruling opinion being that Wellington was the greatest General of the two. Nest meeting night will be devoted to readings . and recitations, and as the election of officebearerg is to take place the same evening, it is hoped all members will be present. The following players have been chosen to represent the Excelsior Cricket Clnb in the match against th«; Oamarn Club, to be played to-morrow Cooke, Denton, Fenwick, Finch, A. Hartley, T. Hewat, A. E. Hardy, D. Moore, Marshall, Maw, and Snow. Emergencies—A, O. Hardy, K. Hewat, Little,, and Church. An exchange publishes the following from a correspondent:—Some of the following facts arc probably new to some of your readers. Among our residents, is a gentleman who lived at Cromwell, Otago, four years ago, when Donnelly, a3 he was then cailed, the supposed Dunedin murderer, better known as Butler, lived there. Donnelly was appointed schoolmaster at Cromwell in April 1576, and Mr was one of the School Committee. Donnelly had been but shabbily attired, and was seemingly ill oil for cash till July of that ,year, about which time the Catholic priest at Cromwell, with whom he had been on terms of considerable intimacy, was robbed of L9O in cash, which was stolen from bis house during his absence. Donnelly was seen about the premises on the day of the robbery, and shortly after exhibited a marked change in his personal appearance, wearing a gold watch and chain and a new suit of black. The School Committee having had their attention called to these suspicious circumstances, interrogated him as to where he got his funds from. He replied that he had had a draft Ifrom home, and on being pressed to prove | this, replied lie could not, as it came through a Dunedin Bank. He was told that even so it could be easily proved, and was given twenty-fonr hours either to do so or clear out. He chose the latter coarse. A short time

after he committed the burglary, for which he was imprisoned until within a few weeks I ago. A curious thing is that during this" time there was a butcher in Cromwell bearing the not very common name of Dewar, the name and trade of Butler's: supposed victim. Could this have any connection with the crime of which he is accused ?