The Oamaru Mail TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 19 October 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1880.

• it is authoritatively rnnrored. that Mr. Oliver will abandon the portfolio of Mima tor of Mines, and that it wilt 1* taken up by Mr. Rolleston. The last-named gentleman jjow holds the positions of Minister for Minister for Justice, Minister for Education, and Minister for Immigration. He holds so many officea in fact, that an Additional portfolio or two will be neither lere nor there. We are quite sure that tho Sanctions of the offices he now holdH would ie Just as faithfully performed as they arc if he had a hundred other offices added If'* name. He has a wonderful capacity fgy work —some people call it talk. To watch his demeanour in Parliament one wotid tfcink that be had the entire responaibilrtrrf the administration of the whole of the BritiA Empire restingupon his shoulders; but It is only the weight of the numerous portfolios that he labors under. Another Vfll not breaJ* his back, although it may -occasion »little extra work for hia tongue. We would congratulate the mining cominanities of the Colony on the impending •iSofingtt t did we not know too much of Mr. ti SM#a i&m UlegrHhß to*Uy :-rß*l wMtber from any direction

between strath-west and south-east. The glas3 will rise about a tenth, but will fall a;_'ain within twelve hours. The sea alter a time will l,e heavy.' /,J We learu that 3lr. Fleming will be unable to preside at Thursday even:;.:; s concert, in accordance with tiie announcement. Tms is to be ro-retted, as Mr. Fkmi;.g, as an old preceptor. is an enthusiastic and able yujijiofttr "nf onv movement tor the further* aiwe or -iv- ink-rccts of cih:-vr:orf-or the ..." =': hot.i .rhiW: v -'e are (Sure ti.r.t Mr. Fkmin-.' wilt fc. I :i3 "much disani«)iiitn:''nr as anvbedv. but, in the int*.,,.f hi- h;:-i«»css, he will be manv mi.c.s ili tnnt from Oamaru on the night of the concert. Professor Proctor has. we are informed, altered his plans, and has determined to remain in Oamaru two nights. He will lecture on Friday and Saturday evenings, ami is likely to be' rewarded by large audiences.

The billiard match at the Royal Hotel Saloon last evening between Messrs eston and Roberts attracted a fair number of spectators. The champion was, however, out of form, and failed to play as brilliantly as usual, not having played a match for several months. Roberts, on the other hand, played well, and ran out when Weston stood at 530, and havipg received 450 out of ICOO, he thus had the champion by 11 points over the handicap. Roberts' largest break was 30, and Weston's 2S. At the Resident Magistrate's Court today, John Russell, for having been drunk anil disorderly, '-. ii.; fined 10s, with the usual alternative. James Kelly, who opce more appeared npon a charge of having bepn drunk and disorderly, was ordered tp go to gaol for 14 day a. There was a very good turn-out of No. 1 Company last evening at tlus Co/nmanding Officer's narade. The band also attepdpd, and fell into the ranks with the corps, the total strength present being thus brought up to 4cJ. The whole were put through a number of movements, which, considering the large number of uad rilled men present, were gone through in a more than creditable manner. It is, we believe, intended to hold similar drills of the company ap4 baud monthly. After the drill, a meeting was held for the purpose of electing a captain in the place of Captain Sumpter, promoted to the rank of major. Major Sumpter was present by invitation, and occupied the chair. A letter was read frnn the major, tendering h:"3 resignation, a (id he addressed the meeting at some length, speaking .of the length of time he had been con- ected with the company, and the regret witji which he severed his connection from it, although he could not say that he was otherwise than pleased at: having l>een promoted. In the course of hi* remarks he mentioned that the had joined the company as a private, and had risen cUp by step. The election of a captain was then taker., the choice of the company falling upon Lientenant Headland. SubLieutipaut Clark was then elected Lieutenant, and Quartermaster-Sergeant Bennett Sub-Lientenaut. A resolution was passed expressing regret that Major Sumpter's connection with the company'had been severed, and at the same time congratulating him upon his well-merited promotion. The company having been re-formed, marched to the Star and Garter Hotel, where an hour was spent in harmony. Th£ healths of the newlyelected officers was drunk with enthusiasm, and duly responded to by Captain Headland, Lieutenant Clark, and Sub-Lieutenant Bennett. Major Sumpter afterwards proposed the toast of the Band, coupled with the names of Bandmaster Pheloung and Band* Sergeant Mitchell, who responded. The singina of Anld Lang Syne and a verse of the National Antheiu brought a pleasant gathering to a plose.