The Oamaru Mail SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 27 November 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1880.

From all quarters of the country districts we hear fears expressed for the safety of the crops in consequence of the prolonged drought. On sonic portieus of the Papakaio plains the crop 3 are not yet showing any signs of sickliness, but on other portions there are serious indications of a want of moisture. The same may be said of other I districts. The wheat crop on the whole is standing the severe ordeal better than the oat crop. To-day the sky is cloudless, and there are fewer indications of rain than have prevailed for some time past. The sitting of the District Court fixed for Monday next has been adjourned until the 17th December, when jurors and others interested will be required to attend. The Directors of the Caledonian Society will meet on Monday evening, at S o'clock, The bnsh fire at Hampden is still burning; but was, it is thought, slightly checked by the shower that fell on Thursday night. Mr. Peach's homestead, which is situated on the edge of the bush had a very narrow The homestead was saved through the kind efforts of his neighbors; but a portion of a straw stack and gorse fencing was consumed. The house had such a narrow escape that the furniture was removed. We hear that the flames spread so rapidly that a number of English birds were destroyed.

We have received from the Timaru Herald office a copy of the "Canterbury and Otago Almanac for ISSI." As usual, this shilling calendar contains a large amount of useful information upon many subjects. The handy little book is exceedingly well got and reflects great credit upon the printers. It appears that Mr. A. C. Weir was elected as Mayor of Hampden without opposition. Mr. Murcott was not a candidate for the position.

Cftptain Edwin wires as follows :—lndications now fire for strong winds between north-east and north and west. The glass will fall.

A cricketmatch was played to-day between an eleven of theDunedinTraining College and an equal number of members of the Oamaru Club, and resulted in a victory forthe visitors. The Training College team in their first innings made 73, and in their second innings 41. The Oamaru team only put together a total of 41 in their first attempt, and had made 10 without the loss of a wicket when the stumps were drawn to enable the visitors to return home by the express train. The match was therefore decided on the scores of the first innings in favor of the Training College eleven. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M., John Stacey, Wm. Copland, and Wm. M'Guinty, for drunkenness, were fined 10s, ss, and 7s respectively. Copland was also charged with using obscene language, and was fined 40s, with the alternative of going to gaol for eight days with hard labor. Christopher; Robert Curtis was charged with unlawfully deserting from H.M.S. \v olverine, at Auckland. As the deserter was only arrested yesterday by Detective Warren, he was remanded till Thursday next. Robert M 'Keenan, charged •with stealing a quantity of timber, the property of John Moore, was also remanded till Thursday next, bail being allowed, accused in L2O, and two sureties each of LlO. John Stacey, charged with the larceny of a coat and vest belonging to J. H. Mitchell, was remanded till Monday.

The Daily News makes merry over the Australian cricketers looking in at Venice on their way home. It say 3 : —When Mr. G. P. R. James was appointed consul to Venice, Thackeray dwelt humorously upon the irony of fate which sent him to the one spot where he never would be able to see his solitary horseman. The same irony of fate might seem to be at work in conducting the Australian cricketers to the same place, where they have certainly very little chance of pitching their wickets. That "pleasant country's earth," where Shakespeare's Norfolk found burial, is scarcely likely to afford them the opportunities of Lord's or the Oval. But it is most probable that the very reasons which would make Venice unsuitable for cricketers have impelled the Australian team to choose it as their first resting place. Even the most famous champions of the cricket field cannot be always engaged in the game, and it will be no doubt a relief for them to find themselves in one of the few places in the world where cricket is practically an impossibility. The average Londoner is very fond of his hansom cab, and yet one of the chief attractions at Venice is the gb#ense of all wheele(l traffic,

The travelling Briton, accustomed to perilous Loudon crossings and the dangers of a Parisian place, wanders with delight over the Piazza San Marco, serenely happjt in the knowledge that he will not be shouted at by reckless cabmen, or borne down upon by the unwieldly omnibus. In the same way, the Australians will rejoice for the time to rest and make merry, with no chance of receiving a chalk-nye from a Venetian Eleven.