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Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4097, 29 December 1887, Page 2

We gather from recent advices from London that the Oamaru Harbor Board 6 per oont. bonds 1919, which, daring the month of October were selling at from 108 to 110, were quoted at 99 to 102, ex div., at which prices no bnainess was being done. The Oamaru Primitive Methodist Snnday School held its annual picnic on Tuesday, in a paddook kindly lent by Mr J. Olds, sen. fhe place proved to be in every way suitable, and it very soon became evident that, all would spend an enjoyable day. One of the leading features was the large number of children's races, for which over 30 prizes had been provided. There was a plentiful supply of provisions, and from 40 to SO children and a score of adults had a free lunch and tea, which were served under the shelter of the live fence. Several carols were sung by the adults' and hymns by the children, and hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Olds for their hospitality.' Shortly before 2 o'olook this afternoon the New Zealand Shipping Company's clipper ship Orari was unmoored from the wharf, and sailed oat of port for London. There was a fresh breeze from the south, and the ship passed out in splendid style. The Orari is the largest wool vessel which has sailed from this port without the assistance of a tug, and her departure was watched with great interest by a number of citizens. Her cargo is valued at L 70.000, and she was drawing 17ft aft and 16ft llin forward. A settlers' picnic, similar'to that which took place last year, will beheld at Crossford, Awamoko, on Saturday next, when appropriate' pastimes in great variety, for ohUdren as well as adults,' will be indulged In. It iB expected that a large number of : big and little settlers from far and near will | participate in the affair.

The adjourned meeting of the directors of the Caledonian Society was held last evening Mr Milne presiding. Mr A Dalgleish was appointed time-keeper, Mr Hamilton being unable to act. It was resolved to invite applications for the sale of cards of sports. A report was received from the Carnival Committee to the effect that all necessary arrangements had been made for the Carnival. After a few other matters of detail had been disposed of the gathering dispersed. We are desired by Mr Stevenson, the Secretary of the North Otago Benevolent Society, to acknowledge, the receipt by him,, on behalf of the Society, of two boxes of cakes which were left over from the recent Hampden School picnic. The donation was made by the Hampden School Committee, and we need hardly say that farther donations of a similar kind would be received with thanks. The cakea will be distributed to those persons on the Society's relief list, at the Secretary's office, to-morrow. Last evening a false alarm of fire was rang oc the firebell. bat in Bach a manner as to lead many to think it was one of the church bells calling to a late service. The brigade arrived promptly at the station and discovered to their annoyance that the ringer's zeal had outrun his discernment, and that the Bank of New South Wales was not on fire as snppoßed by the youthful alarmist, A picnic that bids fair to be a grand affair is to be held at Ngapara on the 10th January in connection with the eehool. In addition to the pastimes usual on suoh occasions, there will be tilting in the ring and boating on the lago'on. The tilting events that were unfinished at the late snorts will be completed, and new entries will also be I accepted. A a there are between 20 and 30 horsemen resident in the locality, thit portion of the programme should be highly exciting. We learn that one boat has alieady been secured in Oamara for the purpose of the aquatio events, and tbe promoters are endeavoring to ob'ain another. The introduction of this new feature will afford quite a novelty, and should assist in whiling away the time pleasantly. The Bailway Commissioners of Victoria have resolved to erect a new railway station in Spencer-street at a cost of LIOO.OOO L 25.000 has jnst been granted towards the total vote, and this amount will be sufficient to erect the basement and the lower portions of the structure, Victoria seems to have more money than she knows what to do with.

Messrs Wood, Dnnn, and Co., merchants, of Melbourne, have sent a representative to England to make inquiry into the possibilities of England as a field for butter export, and, if advisable, to establish reliable agencies for the disposal of shipments to the best advantage. This course has bsen deemed necessary in consequence of the glutted state of the "Victorian butter market, and because of the favorable seasons recently enjoyed by the sister colonies, in which Victoria had hitherto found an outlet for her surplus of that article. It appears that, through the efforts of the Victoria Press, in directing the attention of the_ dairy farmers of the colony to the necessity of adopting new and Improved methods of manufacture, and the importance of uniformity and cleanliness in packing, _a marked improvement has been of late noticeable in this direotioD, and it is therefore hoped that Victorian butter will before long be able to compete successfully with the English and Continental article. The Victorian surplus occurs during the period Augußt-December. It is eminently satisfactory to learn that the rabbits are, thanks to the energetic efforts put forth, being considerably reduced in number on the Otematata run. It is estimated that, Bince poisoning waß finished in September last, 50,000 of the vermin have been .killed by dog and gun. But there are about eight men.constantly employed in the work of destruction" After all, this method eeems to be one of the most satisfactory, and if the animals killed could be shipoed Home, as was suggested by the London Times recently, the revenue received might somewhat compensate for the expense incurred. This ib, however, a matter that wonld require careful consideration. It is also gratifying to learn that the grass in the Otematata has been exceedingly luxuriant during the preent season, but the recent winds have, to a great extent, destroyed it.

We notice that, in several cases where permission has been granted by the Borough Council to persons to place pipes across the footpaths with the ostensible object of carrying off Btorm water, that such drains have been turned into sewers into which are poured the soapsuds and general slops of the house These find their way into the side channels of the streets, and are undoubtedly fruitful causes of diseases. It is questionable whether the Counoil acted wisely in granting permission for such drains to be constructed, but having done so, they should sea that the privileges accorded _ are not abused, and should instruct their inspector to make examples of tbose who do so. The Redcliffe school broke np for the holidays on Thursday last. The Rev. Mr M'Kee and Mr George Oliver officiated, and the former gentleman addressed a few appropriate words to the children, in the course of which he expressed a hope that they would resume their studies after the holidays with[renewed vigor, andthatthey wouldmaintain the name that the school had attained under the oharge of Mr Barclay. He then presented prizes as follows, as well as Christmas c»rd3 :—Standard Vl—John Smart. 1. Standard V—A. Geddes, 1. Standard IV— Jessie Gordon, 1; Joanna Oliver, 2; Annie Geddes, 3. Standard lll—Joseph Robson, 1; Wm. Oliver, 2; Louisa Henderson, 3. Standard ll Alice Smart, 1; Sarah Davis, 2 ; George Geddes, 3. Standard I—Joseph Bates, 1; Maggie Henderson, 2.