Daily Circulation, 1680. The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1897.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6791, 16 January 1897, Page 2

Daily Circulation, 1680. The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1897.

The Royal Niger Company's expedition under the direction of Sir George Goldman Taubie, is being taken with the consent of the Colonial Office. Their operations will be on a large and important scale. The f jrce will consist of 700 Hausa troops, with European officers, and gunboata on river. The llorins, against whom they are waging war, are, however, a powerful tribe, inspired by all the fanatical daring of Mahommedanism It is a pity that, when it is necessary to attack savage peoples, the Imperial Government do not themselves undertake the task, in order that irresponsib'ea may not indulge in cruel excesses with impunity. Mr George Sumpter repo'ts the sale, on account of Mr Snow, of freehold sections 25 and 26, block 79, Oamaru town, with eightroomed house and improvements, for L 245. Freehold section 12 block 1, Duntroon, was passed in, the bidding not reaching the vendor's expectation, but it is open for private sale. Mrs Ting'ey, who is a passenger for New Zealand in the Botomahana, is a very distinguished Theosophisfc. Mrs Besarit—-her-self, as we all know, one of the highest ia the cult —settles the dispute as to the repository of the late Madame Blavatsky's soul, by pronouncing that Mrs Tingley hasit—that she is honored by the re-incarnation. Mrs Tingley, however, it is said, would rather incarnate the soul of the wife of Mr Tingley—in fact, repudiates the distinction of being a second edition of the most remarkable goddess of nothing in particular. Mails for Ceylon, India, China, Japan, Straits Settlements, Aden, Suez, Mediterranean Ports, Europe and United Kingdom, via Suez, also, Australian Colonies, Norfolk Island, and Noumea, per Waihora, close at Auckland, on Monday 18th inst, at 430 p.va. Tie Clutha leader reports that the fly is playing s&i havoc in the Waiwera district among the early-Sown turnip crops. From all quarters we; learn that an exceptionally heavy loss of garden fruits has this year been sustained through the depredations of birds. Thrushes, blackbirds, and starlings are far more numerous than ever they were before, and the loss of fruit Jias been correspondingly heavy. No class of fruit is safe from them. Yet it Is curious that in some gardens they at first confine their attention to one kind of fruit and in other gardens to quite a different class. At the Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, yesterday, the following case was heard James Macdonald v. George Sumpter (Oamaru).—Claim LB, for a phaeton sold - and delivered.—Mr C. Mouat appeared for the plaintiff, and the Hon. J. MacGregor for the defendant.^—This was a rehearing of a case which was originally heard in December last, when judgment was given for the * plaintiff with costs.—His Worship now gaye judgment for the defendant, with costs,

Mr J. F. M. Fraser has issued a circular intimating that he will seek re-election to the Education Board. It is stated that thß Rev L. J. Harrison will probably be a candidate for one of the seats.

To-day's cables announce the death of the Right Rev. William Basil Jones, Bishop of St. David's. Bishop Jones was an Oxford man and for many years was examining Chaplain for the Archbishop of York. The Queen nominated him to the Bishopric of St. David's when the See was vacated by the resignation of Dr Thirl wall, and he was consecrated in Westminster Abbey in 1874. He is the author of a number of theological, antiquarian works and pamphlets. He was married twice.

A family party living at Bald Hill Flat, Central Otago, desiring to visit their friends in the Waitaki and Waihao distric s, and being nearly the same distance from Dunedin as from their destination, decided to I drive through the new Danaey's Pass road, I instead of taking the beaten track via Dun- j edin. They left the Flat on Friday at 7.30 j a m. and arrived at Blackstone Hill, having journeyed 60 miles at 7 p.m. Leaving there ! at 6 a.m. next morning they got to the end of the Pass about noon Th?y arrived at Duntroon.at 7.30 that night and finished the journey early on Sunday morning. They say that the road is in excellent order, and is very pleasant travelling. Speaking of the crops, both in Central Otago and up above Livingstone, they describe them as very poor indeed. Now that the new road to Naseby is so easy to travel over we should often see visitors in Oamaru from Central Otago. The Thames Star of the 9th inst ..and a correspondent of the New Zealand Times, confirm the statement as to a large black spot being visible upon the sun. The Star says that in addition to the large one a group of small ones, resembling somewhat the hull of a schooner, may be seen by the means of a piece of smoked glass. The Caledonian enquiry iato the cycling accident in the five mile bicycle race, at the recent games, was closed last night, when further evidence was heard. The Committee, after deliberation, unanimously decided: " That ow.'ng to the conflicting nature of the evidence the Committee are unable to arrive at any decision, but would suggest to the directors that in future the public be kept strictly outside the fence, as the Committee are satisfied that the accident was in some measure attributive thereto." This is an essentially Scotch resolution and for " canniness" and„diplomacy is deserving of the highest encomiums. The Committee cannot, arrive at any decision but are satisfied that the|accident was insome measure attributable to public interference, or in other words the accident was unintentional. We thoroughly concur in this finding. Mullay is the only man who could possess absolute knowledge on the point, and there is more than sufficient evidence—including that of even the President of the Society—to justify his assertion that, so far as he was concerned, the mishap was purely accidental. The directors have had a long and arduous enquiry, and though, perhaps, the same was not worth the candle, still it is better to err on the side of over-rigorousness in keeping their sports clean than on that of leniency ; and for this reason alone they are deserving of the thanks of the athletic community. The latest remedy for the bot fly starts out with half a pint of whisky. This is joyful news for those ancient dipsomaniacs who haunt the bars of the pubs, trac : ng poems on the counters with the drippings of the taps, or furtively chasing inebriated bluebottles—in the interva's of other bottles—on the window panes. No longer will they require the mentil stimulant of Timothy's unfortunate stomach : They can have bots—heaps of 'em. Bots, at half a pint a bot, will, in fact, be simply invaluable. And even the Prohibitionists won't object to the substitution of bots for Timothy if only the bleary-eyed devotees of Bacchus will take the whole cure and add the treacle, vinegar, and foft-soap, necessary to complete the remedy, to the whisky.

We have received from Mr Andrew Fx'aser a copy of the Christmas number of the Windsor Magazine. Among the army of illustrated magazines which have sprung up of lite years the Windsor, in its own class (the sixpenny), is easily first. The Christmas number is a double number (on 9 shilling) and carries with it also a copy of a novel by Guy Boothby. The principal features of the number are the beginning of Mr Hall jjC'aine's newesb story " The Christian,'" a part-song by the late Sir Joseph Birnby—a composition which was found on his table after his death, roughly scribbled in pencil - an interview with Guy Boothby; and a paper on Balmoral. There are a host of other interesting stories and sketches, and the illustrations are numerous and good. The accompanying novel—" In Strange Company" —by Guy Boothby, author of Er Nikola, a novel which has achieved instant reputation, is a capital story. It is.:not an analytical study of moods and manners, nor a sex novel; poss'bly it is not even literature. Bub it is a healthy, brisk, narrative of a search after stolen treasure, full of stirriDg incident and dramatic situation and taking the reader among places and people hitherto little exploited by the novelist The story is capitally illustrated by Stanley L. Wood, and in itself would be well worth the purchase money. But when it is superadded to tlje budget referred to it becomes simply a marvellous shilling's -vortb.

We remind our readers 013.ce more of the concert to be given this evening, at F ampden, by Mr Mackenzie and Miss Glover, assisted by several local vocalists. The Rev. J. Milne will preach to-morrow as under Morning, "The Temptation"; evening, " Whit God Requires of Man." A meeting of draughts players, held at the Globe Ho el last night, decided that play should begin in the New Zealand Championship Tournament on Easter Monday. The secretary was instructed to circubte subscription lists in the district. It was also resolved that the secretary write to the executive of the New Zealand Draughts Association asking their permission to allow the competitors in the tournament to decide for themselves whit style of play is to be adopted—whether the knockout or all-round system. The meeting then adjourned till Friday, the 22nd, >vhen it is -hoped all members, ' botli town and country, will be present. A pleasant littlg reunion—pleasant in more ways than one —was held in Epifjianuel Church last night, when about 70 members, ex-members, ajid friends assembled, making a gathering which, as more than one remarked, "looked like old times." The occision was to " farewell" Mr Whelch and his family and Mr Harwood, who are on the eve of their departure from Oamaru. Mr and Mrs Whelch were among the original members of the church at its start in 1879, and Mr Harwood has been connected therewith since 1883; the former being about to proceed to the north of this inland, and the letter to Taranaki. Mr G. Jones, sen., presided, and apologies were received from Messrs W. aad B. SefchSmith, who were unavoidably absent. After a few preliminary remarks by the chairman, a short programme of musical and literary numbers was given, principally by ex-mem-bers of the church choir. Two presentations were tben made. Ike-first consisted of a purse of sovereigns and a teacher's Bible, which were presented to Mr Harwood ; the second was a handsome epergne, presented to Mr Whelch on behalf of himself and family. The articles were suitably inscribed. Mr Jones, in making the presentations, bore testimony to the valuable , work done for Congregationalism in connection with the Oamaru church by both gentlemen, who for many years past had efficiently filled several responsible offices, notabjr that of secretary and deacon, and while expressing regret at their departure, wished them every success in their future careers. Both recipients briefly but very feelingly responded, assuring those present that they would always keep a warm corner in their hearts for the little church at Oamaru. Mr M'Hutchison and Mr Penfold made a few remarks similar in spirit to those made by the chairman, and the meeting loudly applauded each speaker, in turn. At thjs stage refreshments were handed round, an.d a pleasant half-hour was spent in a social Ghat. After the choir had sung a farewell hymn a very happy gathering dispersed on the pronouncement of the lieriediction. During the evening the hope was very generally expressed that the members and ex-members would soon again be united, and continue the work which they had so long carried on together, one of the speakers saying that; in his opinion, tKis' hope was "not a hopel6Bß"one.'i

The dangerous habit of throwing banana skins, orange peel, etc., upon the pavements—a habit which some thoughtless individuals persist in—was exemplified on Wednesday when Police-Constable Gantley sustained a severely-sprained ankle by inadvertently stepping on a banana-skin. The constable will be laid aside for a month in consequence.

The Acclimatisation Society met yesterday, there being present: Dr de Lautour (chair), and Messrs Bruce, Milligan, Mackintosh, Glen, Dennison, and Crawford (hon. sec). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. In reply to Mr Hassall, of Kurow, the Secretary eaid ho hid written stating that the Society would give 12a per dozen for shags' heads and 6s per dozen for eggs. The Kawakawa Acclimatisation Society wrote re dates of opening and closing the shooting season, but ib was decided that it was impossible for all societies to observe s'milar dates and similar procedure. The letter was received. After passing accounts the meeting terminated. Messrs Fleming and Hedley had one of the best, if not the best, sales of horses to. day held in the district for the last seven years. Mr Fleming put through 42 fine draught horses in a Tittle over an hour and a half, every animal being sold at good prices. The feature of the sale was a draft of 12 th'ee-year-old geldiDgs, by Crown Prince, from the Awamoa estate, which brought from L3O to L 42 e-ch, and averaged L 35. At the outset, Mr Fleming said he expected to put all 12 of these through in 20 minutes, ani accomplished the task in 21 minutes—quite a record nowadays. Surely times must be improving. Though credit is due to the breeder and the grand sire that gets such stock, still a word of praise must be given to Mr Peter Martin, the man in charge. The horses were brought out to perfection, and shewed to great advantage. He must be up pretty early in the morning who can give "Peter" a big start in the shape of buying out draught horses for public exhibition or sale. With reference to the labor troub'e in South Africa, the following extract from a Johannesburg paper is of interestTho Employment Department of the Universal Kelp Company reports that since November Ist last no fewer than 743 applications for 'work had been made. Of these 24 were from ladies, many of superior education. Of the remaining 719, it is an astonishing fact that a verv large percentage had no trade whatever. Of course, those with trade?, such as bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, and masons were readily supplied with situations, but unfortunately the " handyman" is a drug on the Johannesburg market, so that many have been disappointed. From clerks the number of applications is appalling. A few gifted gentlemen have been found with employment, but matters are getting worse, and a solution of a serious difficulty will shortly have to be confronted by the authorities, when so many starving white people are stalking the town, and the cry is " still they come." At the Courthouse this morning, before Major Keddell, S.M., a first offender was convicted of drunkenness at the Eailway Station, yesterday, and fined 5s and 2s costs, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Herr Balling, who, it will be remembered, was a member of Gwen Davis' Company when that organisation visited New Zealand several months ago, is now in London endeavoring to popularise a new instrument called che viola-alta, for the invention of which Herr Ritter is responsible. It is said to possess a sweeter and fuller tone than thf t of the ordinary viola, and Herr Balling's object is to endeavor to sioure its admission to the sacred circle of classical chamber music, for which it is said to be eminently suited either as a solo instrument or in combinati .n with other instruments. The Continent has admitted its superior merits, and now English prejudices have to be overcome.

At the City Police Court, Dunedin, yesterday, Alfred Henry Barnes was charged with deserting from the barque Lutterworth at Oamaru—Sergeant O'Neill stated that the accused—a younsc man—was articled on the barque Lutterworth. He disobeyed orders at Oamaru and left the vessel. The captain met him in the street at Dunedin, and give him into custody. The captain, however, wished to withdraw the charge in order to take him back to the vessel. He did not wish to lose him on account of hia parents at Home, He was well connected in the Old Country The charge was withdrawn accordingly. On Thursday (says the Waimate Times) a l j d named Rennie, about 18 years of ago, who was working for Mr Ruddenklau, nearly gouged one of his eyes out with a bag-hook. We was in the act of catching hold of a sack of oats with the hook when it slipped and ran into the lad's eye. Probably it will be necessary to remove the eye of the unfortuna e lad. The sight of the eye, we arc informed, was somewhat impaired previous to the accident.

There were quite a number of country settlers in town to-day. The horse sale was sufficient excuse for a trip in to mingle congratulations on the acceptable rainfall ot Wednesday. When the s f eamer Ohau was loading ab the lower steam crane in Greymoath last week, the chain bearing a full truck of coal snapped while it was being swung round to be lowered into the vessel's hold. It fell on the wharf, and the handle-bars pierced the planking as if it had been bored by an augur. A few seconds later and the truck with its load of eight tons would probably have crushed through the bottom of the steamer and sunk her alongside the wharf. An objection has been lodged by one of the ratepayers in the Wainono Land Drainage district against the classification of his lands. The grounds of the objection will be heard before the Magistrate on a date to bs fixed.

Mr PauMu made the following forecast at 7.30 last evening:—"The weather during the next 30 hours will be electrical and stormy to the northward of 47deg. south, and general indications will become very unsettled; winds varying from strong to light N.E. to S.E. ; barojijoter unsteady." Mr J. B. Milsom, of the Waimate Brewery, received a very severe and painful cut on the palm of his hand on Wednesday afternoon by the bursting of a bottle ho was filling withasrated water. Dr Barclay dressed and attended to the wound, Mount Benger Mail reports that Mrs Crossan, a very old resident, is missing, having been lost on the hills since Wednesday, She left-the residence of her son-in-law at Roxburgh East shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday to go to her son's place (Mr Robert Crossan). As she did nob arrive there, a search party went out, but were unsuccessful. On Thursday a party, numbering altogether close on 60, made a systematic search, but no trace was found up to the time our contemporary went to press. As Mrs Crossan is enfeebled by age, serious consequences are feared from the exposure and want of nourishment. This district (says a Palmerston North paper) boasts of what probably no other parb of th<s colony can—viz., five living generations of one family. At thg head is Mr John Daysh, of Taratahi, who, although he is 92 years old; is still hale and hearty. He came out in the second or third boat of pioneer settlers in 1840. Mrs John Raynoi" is his daughter, and is 63 years of ago. One of her daughters married a Mr George Gaskin, whose daughter again is the wife of Mr W. Knowles, and their five-month-old son in a great-great-grandson to Mr Daysh, They are all enjoying good health. All sorts of things happen on Christmas Eve (says an exchange), bub an occurrence on that date last year in Cuba street, Wellington, was touching enough. Poor wee Totty, jealously guarding her armful of toys, whilst making her way Ijome was rudely knocked down by a great uncouth lout, and hqxl all her toy tea set broken to atoms. Totty didn't cry, but as she picked her wee proportions up she lisped out, with a big lump in her throat, " Totty wouldn't do dat to 'OO J" No onh can afford to stay away from the Great Up-to-Date Sale ab Bkown and Gibbabd's. Those summer tweeds at 6s 6d the full dress and best Crepons at 4|d fetch 'em. And no wonder. They are lovely goods. The leather shirts at 2s 6d, knitted colonial drawers at 2s lid and men'B serge suits at 18s lid are simply astonishing value. The blouses from Is 3d up could not be made for twice the money. Linoleums, oilcloths, carpets, quilts, towels, calipoes, gnfl flannelettes— useful every day ' lines—aj;4 also greatly reduced. Friday and Saturday were both big days. Crowds of delighted customers. Don't wait, but visib the Poly, technic at once and see the bargains fof yourselves.