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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 16 December 1880, Page 2

Mr. "William Bateman, the lecturer upon Farnjers' Co-oppration, has beep agitat. ing in South Canterbury of late, has offered, in reply to inquiries, to' deliver six or more lectures on this subject in the various centres of population throughout this district, provided his expenses are guaranteed, any remuneration for his services being left to the settlers. He v.'ill, if desired, include in his course lectures en "The United States of America and her Government," and '' Commercial Freedom and its results, as viewed' in connection with the futuregovernment of the Australasian Colonies," Wo believe that it is the intention of the promoters of the co-operative movement to solicit contributions to defray the expense of Mr. Bateman's lecturing tour from the settlers throughout the district. With considerable celerity Messrs. Allan and Stumbles have eo far finished the Dun-troon-Hakateramea line, the construction of which has been entrusted to them, for traffic, that they are prepared to convey wool from Kurow to Duntroon at the rate of 9d per bale, and goods from Duntroon to Kurow at 5s per ton. Whilst Mr, Skene, of the Dunedin labor mart, reports that the troubles of the laboring classes are past, we still see unemployed as numerously as ever loitering about our streets waiting for something to turn up, and receive letters for publication setting forth the hardships of the present position of the laborer. In to-day's issue, there, is a communication from & railway hand at Windsor. We commend it to people who hold opinions such as those promulgated by Mr. Skene. If that gentleman had said that the unem> ployed had left the city of Dunedin for agricultural centres, in order to be on the spot when harvest commences, he would have been rrjore correct.

The Oamaru portion of the San Francisco mail arrived by to-day's express train from the north.

We are informed that Messrs. Allan and Stumbles, the contractors for the DuntroonHakateramea railway, intend to run a train from .the Upper Waitaki Bridge, Kurow, Otekaike, &c., on Monday next, to connect ■with the 4.50 p.m. train from Duntroon on that day, and with the special returning affer tfre pircus. ' ;*

The Philharmonic Society's rehearsal will be held in Mr. Greenfield's auction room tomorrow evening, instead of in the Volunteer Hall, the last-mentioned building being engaged for other-purposes. _ - There -.wilt lie a sitting of the District Court to-morrow, when jurors: and others summoned must .attend: There; is only one criminal case down for hearing; that of Joseph Dondall, charged with larceny, as a bailee. - : '.

The midsummer vacation of the whole of the public schools will commence from tomorrow afternoon, when the breaking-up ceremonies will take pla.ee.. At each. ,of the schools there will be presentations of prizes, in addition to other attractions. ■ Specimens of the work done by the school children will be exhibited,' and "parents - and friends are invited to attend. ;

Yesterday afternoon the junior classes at Mr. Ansted's school were put through an examination in drill. The following have so far gained the most paints : —G. Sumpter, T. Paterson, and R. Hood.

Captain Edwin telegraphs as follows : —Bad weather ia approaching. There is every indication now of a hard gale soon commencing between east and north, with very sudden and violent changes of wind. We learn that Mr. T, Common, Teaneraki, was t]>.e successful tenderer for the, refreshment booths in connection with the Friendly Societies' Picnic and Sports, to be held at Elderslie on the 27th iu t.

A congregational, meeting of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church was held last night, the business being to consider a proposal to introduce instrumental music in the services of the church. About 40 members and adherents were present, the Rev, A- B: Todd pyesidiiig, Af£er the * opening devotions, tlie Chairman introduced the subject by stating that the question of the advisableness of introducing instrumental music as an aid to psalmody was first taken at a meeting of managers. The managers brought the matter before the session, and the session and njanagprs held a popfereijce. It was then resolved to call a meeting of the congregation before issuing the voting schedules, and it waa deoided that at least three-fourths of the members and adherents should favor the innovation before application could be made to the Presbytery. For the guidance of those present the rev. gentleman read the resolution of the Synod on this mftttev g&saei} in January, 1880. As far as he was concerned, he had no feeling either for or against instruments, and he placed himself entirely in the hands, of his congregation. Some ministers there were who disapproved of instrumental music, but if his hearers approved of it : he would not oppose them, Mr. Milligai}, ses* si on clerk, read the resolutions passed bj? the managers and session. Mr. J. Gray proposed that none but communicants be allowed tp ypte. Tq him, the people of Oamaru appeared to be music mad. ' Even on Sunday they could, hardly pass a house without hearing some one playing an instrument, and playing reel tunes. He did not know what possessed our rising generation in the matter of music, He had been told by a member of the " Oamaru Band that it would be a good thing to play on the Break - j water on Sundays to the boys and girls. He would like to know whether it was to I the glory of God that instrumental music should be used in church, as he had read i from Genesis, to Revelation-, and could find nothing to warrant such a conclusion. The ! motion failing to find a .seconder, the Chair- | man said opinion differed greatly on the subject; bilk at the same time, many be-: lieved that instrumental music should be used in'church to the worship of God, Mr. James Allan informed Mi'. Gray that he ouce rea.d of a drunkard's conversion being effected by church music. Mr. Mollison moved, "That a schedule be prepared, arid a vote of the congregation taken as to the advisableness or otherwise of introducing instrumental music into the psalmody of the church, and that the votes of communicants and adherents be taken." Mr. Familton seconded. Mr. Falconer moved, as an amendment, " That schedules b ■ issued; but as there still exists a debt of LIQOQ on this congregation, it would not be expedient in the meantime to have instrumental music as a means of assisting in the public congregation." He was not opposed to the introduction of instrumental music, but thought that in their present position they were unable to afford it. If their choir was deficient in singing capability, an organ Qr harmonium would never perfect it. Mr. Gray seconded the amendment. Mr-, Mulligan said Mr. Falconer's proposition could not be regarded aj? ,an amendment, in that it introduced new and different matter to that which they were met ■to consider by raising the question of want of funds. If the congregation desired instrumental music, by all means let them have it. The evangelists evidently regarded it as necessary, for Dr. Somniei'ville and Mr. Sankey always employed instrumental music to stir up the feelings of their congregations. Most people appreciated instrumental music in their homes, and. if it would aid them in tl|eit' churches let it be used there, M?'; Gray thought the precentor should sing mure popular tunes. If their hearts were well tuned with the spirit of God they would not require the help of an instrument —a thing without life, Mr. Mpllison's motion was then put, and oarried by 17 to 11, The meeting then terminated. "Prisoner at the bar," said the judge, " is there anything you wish to say before sentence is passed upon you ?'' The prisoner looked wistfully toward the door, and remarked that he would like to say "Good, evening," if it would be agreeable; to the compaiiy.