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Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7692, 8 December 1899, Page 2

With respect to the local option poll, a misconception exists as to the method of obtaining the results. The Returning Officer does not re-count the ballot papers at all, but on receipt of the official returns from his deputies, and after comparison of the rolls, declares the results therefrom. The examination of the rolls probably be completed to-morrow, and theofficial declaration will be published in this paper the same evening. Meanwhile the Returning Officer will very properly supply no information respecting the probable result. The official declaration of the electoral poll will probably appear the same evening. From our own count of the figures returned officially it would appear that reduction has been carried by the narrow majority of three votes. There were 3908 voting papersissued.and the informal votes are returned as 113 Ibis would leave an available vote of 6tSw* xne bare majority of these necessary to carry reduction would be 1898, and as the reduction poll was 1900, the reductionists should secure their aim by a majority of three. Mr T. Y. Duncan elsewhere thanks the electors for the support) accorded to him at the recent election, and expresses his regreb at nob having been able to personally return thanks after the declaration of the poll. Mr Duncan, we may mention, is still confined to his room with influenza, and it will be Bome days before he is about. Major Keddell has gone to Dunedin to ilS&r an extended jurisdiction case for Mr G~rafearo» the magistrate who is relieving Mr Oarew.

A correspondent asks:—"lf the people In the Clntha electorate are desirouß of obtaining an increase of licenses in their electorate, can they do so without obtaining a special Act of Parliament to arrange for the change 1"—There is no direct means of accomplishing the end. but it is possible to attain it by the roundabout method of first voting the solitary license ont of existence, and then reversing the no-license decision by a three-fifths majority. For example, had they carried no-license three years ago, the issue placed before them would have been whether or not licenses should be resorted. It would now take six years to reach the end by this process, and a majority ot threefifths in favor of restoration.

It appears to us that one of the regrettable episodes in connection with the election just past was the rejection of Mr O'Regan, who had represented Buller in two Parliaments. There may have been some special circumstances to account for the preference given toMrColvin; bat Mr O'Regan is a strong man whose heart iB in the right place, and his Parliamentary career has been marked by blamelessness and ability. It is a pity, however, that Mr O'Regan s'nould feel so sore over his rejection. The same misfortune has been suffered before now by the greatest and best of men, and, as he is very young as well as vigorous, there is no reason why he should not at some future time occupy a high place amongst the statesmen of this colony if he will only be tolerant and patient. The New Zealand Times " fell in " very badly over the Wellington City. It denounced the inclusion of Mr George Fisher In the Government "ticket" with Messrs Kennedy Macdonald and Luke, and said that " the fruit? of the blunder committed will be reaped, we fear, in the loss of a seat that might have been gained by a Ministerial candidate, if the party managers had boldly grasped a certain nettle, instead of shrinking from its threatened sting." The plain meaning of this is that if the party had thrown Mr Fisher over in favor of either Mr -Jellicoe or Mr Carmichael they could win the three seats, but that it was hopeless to try to win a seat for Mr Fisher. The bitter pill the Times has to swallow is that Mr Fisher was the only Ministerial candidate to secure election, and that he has done so in despite of all thab both the newspapers could do, and without the expenditure of any money.

At the recent Federal rifle meeting in Melbourne the Queensland team won the M'Gregor LSOO-eup for the fifth time in succession. This was the last of the twelve competitions, and the cup haa been won right out by Queensland. The London Daily Chronicle, writing of the management of the railways in the colony, says ; —Notwithstanding many physical difficulties in their working, the >tata railways of New Zealand show signs of continued prosperity. The colony has no centre for a railway station. The lines are disconnected, and there is no long-distance business. Yet we gather from the report of the Minister of Railways for the past twelve months that the surplus revenue is sufficient to pay three and a third per cent, on the capital. This is more than the return on other state railways in Australasia, except in New South Wales, which pays three and three-quarters per cent, and Western Australia, which earns four and two-thirds per cent. The chief difficulty on the New Zealand system is the tendency to sacrifice local requirements for fast through services, which are less profitable. The plague haß actually dared to make its appearance on the sacred soil of England. The P. and O. Company's Indian mail steamer Peninsular arrived at Plymouth recently from Bombay with a yellow flag flying. The captain informed the port medical officer that there was a case of plague on board, the pitient baing a Seide boy, who was employed as a coal-trimmer. He wa3 taken ill on November 9, the day after leaving Marseilles. The ship's surgeon isolated him in the hospital cabin, and took every precaution to prevent the disease from spreading. Before any of the passengers were allowed to land at Plymouth the port medical officer inspected them, and subjected the crew to a minute examination. Everything was found satisfactory, and the passengers were allowed to land, their names and addresses being first registered. The plague pitient was removed to the hospital ship Pique, lying in Jennycliffe Bay, where he wa3 reported as making favorable progress, and thß Peninsular resumed her voyage to London.

A "Past Master" in Freemasonry draws the attention of a contemporary to touching incidents between "brethren" in the last Boer war and afc Majuba Hill. He also points out that not only ara President Kruger and Piet Joubert enthusiastic Freemasons, but practically every educated Boer belongs to the order. As moat of the British officers also belong to the craft, it will be a real case of " brothers " slaying " brothers." During the last (Transvaal war an appeal was sent by the Grand Orient ot the Netherlands to the M. W.G.M. the Prince of Wales, entreating him, as a " brother," to use his influence in favor of peace. The Prince replied th-»t, as it was a political question, he could not interfere.

The Republican journal Italie say 3 it has learned from an authoritative source that very important documents concerning the defence of the country have been taken from the office of the Italian General Staff. The Minister of War, while trying to keep the matter secret, is taking active step 3 to discover the guilty party or parties. The journal adds that certain high-placed officers are under arrest. None of the other newspapers have as yet mentioned the affair, and although the news has created a great sensation, it is regarded as being probably very much exaggerated.

An order of the Governor-in-Council issued at Simla places on record the horror and repugnance felt by the Government at the recent occurrence in Bangoon, in which a regiment of her Majesty's Army has been implicated. 'The offence itself,' the order says, ' is revolting, and it is scarcely less regrettable that the efforts to detect and punish the offenders have failed owing to apathy in responsible quarters.' It is added that these matters will be made the subject of official action.

The trial of Herr von Krocher, Herr von Kayser, and Herr von Schachtmeyer, the three young members of the Innocents' Club, who were accused of "professional gambling," has come to an end, reports the Berlin correspondent of the Times." Dr Isenbiel, the counsel for the prosecution, contended that the Innocents' Club had been founded solely for gambling purposes, and to enable young men who had neither property nor prefession to enrich themselves. Out of the 200 members of the Club 26 had between them lost over 300,000 marks. After deliberating for an hour and a quarter the Court delivered judgment, acquitting the prisoners. They had lived very extravagantly, but it had not been proved that they had the intention from the first of procuring the means for this extravagance by gambling. There was no conclusive proof that their conduct had been that of " professional gamblers." Sir Thomas Lipton says he intends to challenge again for the America Cup if he can arrange matters so as to make it possible. He declares that he will get the cop if he can find a man to build a boat, adding that his ability in that direction ended witli his ability to pay for it. The Queen has been very anxious about the Empress Frederick, whose health (says the Lady's Pictorial) has been in an unsatisfactory Btate for some time. Although the Queen will be 81 years of age next May, she is able to run about from place to place far more than her eldest daughter, who finds she is unable this year to visit) either Berlin or England. The Sovereign proposes to journey from Scotland to Windsor the week after next ; then almosb immediately she will go down to Bristol, and reiurn home to bear the fatigues of entertaining her Imperial grandson, the Kaiser, while the Empress Frederick experiences great difficulty in getting from Kronberg to Schloes Rumpenheim owing to the severe rheumatism from which she suffers. She will later on go south, but meantime she is to try the effects of some German baths. 2 B, or not 2 B, that is the I—But there is no question of doubt that Penrose's Cash Drapery Establishment is the best house to secure up-to-date Drapery at bedrock prices. We are now showing some very special lines in Ladie's White Straw Sailor Hats, all the newest and latest shapes, at one-half their ordinary value. See our special window display. Also showing Sunshades, Umbrellas, Laces, Ribbons, Veilings, Gloves, Collarettes, Silk Ties, etc,, etc., at special gale prices.

Special bargains for Christmas—Ladies' white washing gloves 4Jd. 6d, 9d; kid gloves, 4 clasp! l , 2s 6d—only at the POLYTECHNIC. Special Bargains for Christmas —Picnic Hats 3d and 6d, trimmed sailor hats Is, Is 6(1, Is lid, children's sun hats Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s lid, 3a 6i—only at the Polytechsic. Special bargains for Christmas —Boy's galatei blouses 2s lid, 3s lid, boy's colonial tweed suits 63 lid, 8s lid, 103 6d—only at the Polytechnic. The Dresden Piano Company's representative, Mr A. Jackson, is at present in Oamaru for the purpose of conducting the Company's annual sale of pianoß, organs, and all classes of musical instruments, at wholesale prices for cash or on easy terms to suit all claßßes. Pianos may be purchased from 20s monthly, and organs from 103 Gd monthly. Aa tho Company are heavily overstocked in highclass instrument?, purchasers would do well to call at W. F. Meldbd.m's (local agent) and inspect the stock. Very special terms offering during the sale, which will be for one week only. Visitors to the Oamaru Show are cordially invited to call and inspect the numerous Bargains we are now ofiering. We have a splendid lot of Ladies' Sailor Hats from la 6d, Ladies' Trimmed Hats-very neat and stylish, Hats for Boys and Girls, Snnbonceta and Sunhats for Children, Straw Hats for Men and Youths from Is—splendid choice, bargains in Ladies' Suushades —white, black and shot, Children's Parasols 13 2s 3d 2s 9d. We keep only the best makeß n Corset 3 best wearing and best fitting, from sa 9a per pair up We have great bargains in Prints Muslin , Ginghams, Galateas, etc., Ladies ana OnLaren's Washing Gloveß, Kid Gloves, and Cashmere Hsse, Ribbons, Laces, Chiffons, Belts, andkerchiefs, Ties, Collars, etc., at L. H. Tempeko's, Cas Draper, Corner Thames and Wear streets, Oamaru.