OAMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 43, 14 February 1890, Page 31

OAMARU.

(From our own Correspondent.)

February 10, 1890. MB. F. J. Fobbes who has been connected with the North School here for nearly eleven years sgvered his connection with that institute last week, and with Oamaru on Thursday last, when he took his departure for Melbourne. Before his departure he was tbe recipient of several testimonials includingone from the Oamaru Football Club, of which be bad been a prominent member ever since his arrival here, For several years he captained that club until an accident which happened to him necessitated his retirement from the list of playing members, since which up to the time of his departure he had occupied ihe honourable position of president of the club. He will be Badly missed here by many, but more especially by the athletic portion of thiß community with whom he was a great favourite. Our local cricketers are practising bard for their match against the New South Wales team which is at present travelling the colony and are determined to make at least, a respectable stand against their redoubtable opponents. The match takes place on Thursday next and is exciting great interest in cricketing circles. Tbe steamer Eldeislie left here on Wednesday last for London, via Timaru and Port Chalmers, having taken on board during her short stay here, about 3 working days, nearly 20,000 carcasses of muttorj, and over 300 bales of wool, besides discharging a quantity of goods for this town. This is very quick time and endorses the opinion of many commanders of vessels, etc., trading round the colony who say that the facilities offered at this port, for the despatch of vessels are unequalled in this colony, which is a very high recommendation, considering we possess so many excellent harbours. We are experiencing lovely weather here just now, simply perfect for harvesting, and farmers and croppers have been taking full advantage of it. We are still, however, greatly in want of rain, not having any worth mentioning for months past, in fact, old settlers consider it has been the driest season wo have yet had here. During the week we have had a visit from the Victorian team of bowlers, who have been taking part in the Exhibition bowline tournament. They played matches with the local clubs in which they were fairly aucceesful. After a short stay here they departed, simply delighted with their visit, and wishing time would permit of a longer stay on their part. ° Tbe Kurow people are agitating about the settlement of land up here. I hey are soliciting the co-operation of the Oamaru people in the matter and it is proposed to hold a monster meeting here to urge upon the Government the desireableaess of immediately throwing open land for settlement.

The Osservatore Romano gives an official denial to the report tbnt Mgr. Sdtolli has been entrusted with a political mission to Ireland.