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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1322, 20 March 1884, Page 2

The weather continues very unfavorable for threshing from the Btook, especially in the hilly districts. The mist settles down early in the evening and lifts late in the day. Many of those who are stacking have to be careful, as the straw is damp, and of course there is a risk of firing unless the carting is carried on during the driest hours of the day. Even if the stack were not to take fire, there is the risk of depreciation arising from discoloration. Thoss who are well master of their work are, as usual, the fortunate ones, and can thresh independent of mist or fog.

The usual weekly meeting of the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Union took place last night in the Primitive Methodist Hall, Pden-street, and was very well attended. Mr Hudson occupied the chair. After the opening hymn, Mr Bichards gave a very interesting reading from one of Canon Wilberforce's addresses. Miss Ethel Evans followed with an amusing piece entitled the *' Auction." Master R. M'Dowell recited "My last glass." Mr E. Kvans, after a few prefactory remarks, read a short paper on the power of example and brotherly love. Mr M'Dowell gave an earnest and spirited address, touching forcibly on the importance of educating the young in the ways of temperance. Although only one was invested with the blue, and the boys were slightly inclined to be noisy, yet the meeting was pronounced on all hands to be most interesting and instructive. Whilst Dr de Lautour was attending a patient on board one of the vessels in the harbor to-day one of the horses in his buggy, which he had left in charge of his groom, got the reins under its tail. The groom got out to adjust the reins, and whilst in the act of doing so a shot was fired at the quarry. The horses bolted and found their way at full speed up Tyne-street, and in endeavoring to round Spence and Bee's corner, the off-side horse fell and overturned the buggy, doing very little damage to either horses or bug/y. It is fortunate the horses fell at this point, otherwise serious damage might have been the result.

At yesterday's meeting of the Waste Lands Board, Messrs Connell and Moodie, : for Jane Parkinson Carmichael, applied for j dispensation of personal residence on de-ferred-payment section 14S, block I, Otepopo, for three years. The Board had no power to comply with the request, but Mr Connell explained that the applicant was abcut to be married. Henry Swallow applied for a lease of section 11, block 9, Otepopo, at 6d per acre. It was agreed " That a license for seven years be issued at 61 per acre. It was agreed—" That a license for seven years be issued at 6d per »ore, for cutting of flax, over SO acre- ; in the event of the section being sold during the time of license valuation for fencing erected by licensee to be added." Messrs Connell and Moddie, for John Smith, applied for permission to purchase section 19, block V., Kurow. —Referred to the ranger. J. C. Gilchrist applied for lease of section 210, block IV. Papakaio district, for grazing right only. Referred to the Waitaki County Council "to say whether it is necessary to maintain the reserve for a quarry" The Blue Ribbon movement is certainly spreading in a wonderful manner, and may fairly be said to include "all kinds and conditions of men." Prom Auckland comes the news that, through the instrumentality of Sir George Gray, the Maori King Tawhiao and a number cf his chiefs have been induced to sign the pledge and don the blue rib' on. Tawhiao is, so far as we are aware, the first monarch jwho has joined the Bltt6 Eibbon Arm>-, but he is by no means the first monarch who has led the life of a drunkord. It may Ve mentioned that during Messrs Booth and Glover's temperance cruside in Melbourne 25,000 persons joined the army. At the meeting at Christchurch on Tuesday re the new railway tariff, Mr G-. G. Stead in order to illustrate the relative increase in the several rates for the principal classes of goods, submitted some tables, showing the increases under the several heads for 10, 20, 30, and 40 mites, and said it would be seen that in.the classe A, B, C, and. D, which represent merchandise, the average increase in the four classes was about Is SJd in the £ on late rates; while in class E, or grain, the enormous increase of 8s 3Jd in the £ was made, as against 2s 4d in the £ on wool. Is lid in the £ on timber, 2s ljd in the £ on minerals, such as imported coals, &c, and Is in the £ on native coal. If taken another way, it would be eeen that the increase on grain averaged nearly Id per bushel, or about 2Jd per cent, upon its present value, or, to bring it nearer home, they might put it this way, that, assuming a fanner's gross profit, including interest upon capital for producing the grain, was 6d per bushel, he was now to be burdened with taxation to the extent of 16| per cent, upon his annual earnings.

The adjourned meeting of the Waitaki Educational Instituto will bo held in the District High School on Saturday noxt, when the question of separation from the Otago Institute is to be discussed, and the election of officers will take place.

A preliminary practice of tho nowlyformed tiamaru Choral Society was held last night at Mr Moore's room, when several standard glees were rehearsed. Thirty-fivo persons were present, ,£he whole of whom] gave their names to the secretary as wiling to become members of the society. We are informed that there are also many others who intend to join, and that the number of performing members will probably exceed 50. It is intended to hold a committee meeting early next week,- fop tho purpose of arranging certain important in con- [ nection with formation of the society on a j satisfactory basis.

A largo number of members of the J Oamaru Athletic Club met last evoning in , the Koyal Hotel for the purp so of consider- ' ing a programme for tho first meeting of the Club, which takes place on Queen's Birthday. Mr G. Quarrie occupied the chair, and after due consideration the programme submitted by a committee appointed for the purpose was adopted. It consists of 17 events, and L 53 2a 6d will be given away in money or trophies. There will also bo two additional running handicaps for which substantial prizes will be offered, but tho distances have not yet been fixed. A novelty in the shape of ah egg race is comprised in the programme, and two trophies will be given for competition amongst bicyclists. Ihe hon. Secretary of tho Oamaru Cricket Club wrote offering tho use of tho Club's ground for tho 24th May, and Committees having been appointed to arrange for printing and music, tho business terminated. It is intended to hold a Committee mooting shortly, at which a date will be fixed' for receiving entries, and we have no doubt they will be numerous, as both tho entrance and acceptance fees have been placed at very low figures. The Timaru Herald, in an article based upon statements made by tho Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, says :—" The part that takes our fancy most is the calm acknowledgment that Mr Johnston is only holding en to his seat for Manawatu ' until the session has been got over,' so as to give the Government tho benefit of his vote. It is taken for granted that if the xManawatu electors had the opportunity, they wolud return on opponent of the Government, and therefore it is considered necessary that Mr Johnston should continue to misrepresent them for some time longer, even if he should be obliged to postpone his projected trip to England till next season, tho loss of Selwyn, we aro told, it might be awkward if tho Government were to lose Manawatu. In other works, tho Government dare not run the risk of another by-election, because they are in such a position that a single vote might put them out. A nice condition, truly, for a Government to be in. We wonder what the Manawatu electors think of the state of affairs, and how they like being made a mere convenience of by a Ministry whom they have no confidence in, and a Member who is 1 impatient to get away to England, and ia only waiting here to vote against the ' views and interests of his constituents." : Our contemporary agiin treats upon the j ' illegal constitution of the Ministry in that, i by the Civil Lists Act, no member of the : House of Representatives can hold a seat on the Cabinet, a3 Mr dohniton now docs, ' without portfolio, and says that, as was tho 1 caee in 187G, when Major Atkinson had 1 illegally called members to his Council, the [ position of the Ministry will assuredly bo challenged, and the law set in motion to exact penalties and forfeiture. "We are told," says the Herald, *' thst Mr Johnston, 1 member of the House of Representatives for , Manawatu, still holds ' a seat in the Cabinet,' and intends to hold it until next year. Let him try it. Major Atkinson would look rather foolish if, for the second time, a 1 Ministry under his leadership were cqm- : pelled t••> resign in consequenoe of a violation of the Civil List Acts." If wo consider that the writer of this article is a member of tho i House, opposed to the Ministry, wo may i fairly conclude that at least one member is 1 prepared to vindicate the Jaw by ousting Mr i Johnston from office, and that humiliation is 1 again in store for the mighty Major. The Ashburton Mail says that the Ashburton Woollen Factory will soon be in operation, the remainder of the maohintry being on board the Tongariro, which is expected to arrive some time at the end of tho present month. It adds that the venture is certain to be successful, because the mills now working cannot overtake thoir orders, that a large amount of shoddy is still imported into New Zealand, aud that thero is no prospect for many a long year that local mills will bo able to supply local requirements.

A scientific newspaper states that from freshly fallen snow, tho poet's symbol of absolute purity, a SwißS microscoplst, Floogel, ha 3 obtained living fusorla and algae, bacilli and microcci, mites, diatoms, and great numbers of fungi spores, also fibres of wood, mouse hairs, pieceß of butterfly wings, akin of tho Jarvse of insects, cotton fibres,

pieces of grass, epidermis, pollen grains, rye and petals flour, grains of quartz, minute pieces of roofing tiles, and bits of iron and coal. What are we to do now for something to exemplify the meaning of the word purity? It looks as though we iniqht bo compelled to fall back upon the record of Ben Butler's political and social lifo.—Laramie Boomerang. The New Zealand Times thus refers to tho

Government's announcement regarding the withdrawal of press passes on the railways : " That the Government is seriously rosolved upon increasing revenue returns has boen made apparent in another direction than that of the Canterbury farmers, and merchants, and sawmillers. The Press has been called

upon to stand and deliver, and as there is no getting away from this bit of Ministerial bushranging business, we, with our contemporaries, must throw up bands and submit to the inevitable. In December last free reporting passes per rail were issued to tho various newspapers of the colony for the year 1834. On Monday we were politely requested to deliver up those passes and look pleasant over it. The exigency of retrenchment demanded nothing less than the sacrifice of the reporter's pass upon the altar of our beloved country. To this wo cheerfully respond, and will return our little victim bedecked with flowers, and sincerely hopo the exchequer will wax fat upon it."

A young lady recently addressed a letter to Mr Huskin on the subject of art traininr. She is desirous of becoming an artist; and, wishing to have some good advice on the subject, thought she could do no better than apply to so able an authority in art matters. The reply was characteristic and somewhat disappointing. The great critic, without giving help as to the right way of progressing in the arduous path she had chosen for herself, told her—"lt would be bettor for her to write loss, and to cultivate a good and beautiful handwriting, as n-i one who wrote as she did could Tiake a good artist." It took five people to decipher tho hieroglyphics in which Mr Kuskin had clothed these few words, and the young lad, is hardly to be blamed in her resolution of having this very curious production framed and hung in her studio.—Overland Mail.

It is stated by Truth that " Lord Canarvon has recently made some extensive investments in Australia. He has purchased a considerable property in Melbourne, and also a largo estate in the neighborhood of Sydney. His Lordship proposes to set aside these properties, and the greater portion of their returns, for the use of his younger son when he comes of age. Lord Porchester is amply provided for, as he is not only heir to his father's settled estates, hut at the death of his grandmother, Lady Chesterfield, ho comes into the Bretby and Gedling properties, the rental of which exceeds L 30,000 a year."

A Boston member of the Zoological Society (not caged) says ;—" I once -i'lad a~6at who always sat up at the dinner-table- with me, and had his napkin round bis neck and; his plate and some fish. He used his paw, of course, but he was very particular, and behaved with extraordinary decorum. When he had finished his fish I soraetimos gave him a piece of mine. One day he was not to be found when the dinner-bell rang, bo we commenced without him. Just as the plates were put around for the entrees puss came rushing upstairs, aud sprang into his chair with two mice in his mouth. Before he could be stopped he dropped a mouse on his own plate and then one on mine. He dividoJ his dinner with me as I had divided mine j with him."

At Mr Honry Irving'a two wcoks ongagement in Chicago tho recoigts amounted to 39,164u01. „, ~ « To-daya Morning Horald says :—Tho Land Board yesterday recommended tho Commissioner of Crown Laudato sue per.ona who arc alleged to bo trespassing on certain sections at Strathtaieri. Iu tho case of tho Silver Peak lands tho Grown. Solicitor (Mr Haggitt) is of tho opinion that tho Commissioner cannot buo, as the shoop wore clearly on tho land with tho consent of tho lioouseos, to whom deforrod-payment lloonaea had been actually issued. An extraordinary caao of shooting occurred at Mirboo (Viotoria) lately. A woman named Knight, tho koopor of a waysldo Inn, ordered a man numod Patriok Faigh, a resident of Dandonong, to got out of a buggy in which ho was sitting. Ho did so, and cho thoronpon shot him in tho sido with a gun. Ho was broueht to tho Salo Hospital lato at night, whon his injuries woro attondod to, and his dying depositions takon. Ho sta«o& that ho gavo tho woman no provocation, and had no quarrol with hor. Ho is still la a critical state. In tho last session of tho Dominion Parliament, an aot was passed authorising tho formation of a standing army, composed of throo batteries of artillery, ono troop of oavalry, and two regimouts of infantry, about 1,200 men altogether. In tho district of Montroal alone, though only 100 men woro roquirod, nfft-ly 1,200 applications woro received. Each man is required to be a gonuino British subjoct and to sorvo throo yoars. Ho will be provided with a froo kit. Tho pay nor diem is a dollar for staff sergeant', 800, for sergeants, 700. for corporals, 400. for privates. ~011. The special eorrospondont of tho South Austr«lian Kogistor at Port L uia writes as follows:—".No late news from Madagascar has been reoeivod at Mauritius, but it is worthy of note that tho Moßsagerios Maritimos steamer Calodonion has refused to take despatches for England from H.M.S. Tourmaline. It is hardly likely that tho captain would daro to do this on his own account. Wo fancy tho'ro ia more in this than is shown on tho surface. Not only did the commandant refuso to tako < the despatches, but others forwarded by La Reunion to intercept tho vessol woro refused, and orders woro isruod by tho 1 Governor that no such freight should bo ' acceptod on board. Tho agent de posle 1 and tho Cominissario rocoivod positive in- ' structions to prevent thoir being brought on ■ board, but, in spito of this, horo they aro in • charge of an Kngllsh subjoct, and what is > more will bo dohvered at Adpn to-morrow 1 morning Theao despatches aro dosoribod as ■ being of tho greatest importance, and thoir . dolivery is said to bo a matter of groat i moment. Wo cxpoot a Btorm will bo raised 3 on board when it is known that, notwiths standing tho orders from tho Fronoh Govornr ment and tho loyal naval officer who torn- • mands tho Calodonion, tho despatches will roach thoir destination ' right sido up with ) caro.'"