GENERAL SUMMARY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 45, 28 November 1871, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

From November 1 to November 27. The Volunteer movement continues verypopular at the Thames. On Friday-, the 10th inst., was quite a gala day. A sham fight, in which the Naval Brigade, the Engineers, llilles, and Rangers took part, came off with great success, and was really a credit to the colony. Each companv performed its part in a manner highly creditable to both officers and men, and Major Cooper, the officer commanding, expressed himself much gratified with the conduct of all concerned. The improvement that has recently- taken place both in the appearance and morale of the men, is obvious to all who have observed them from their first turn out in the district. The present condition of the Volunteer Force at the Thames is, upon the whole, most satisfactory-. Great preparations are being made for a series of Caledonian sports, to be held on St. Andrew’s Day, which is to be observed as a general holiday. A wellchosen programme lias been prepared, and the prizes are so good as to draw competitors from Auckland and the surrounding districts. The success which has attended the Thames Champion in his recent rifle match, between Christie of Dunedin, has been verv gratifying to all his friends here, and’indeed to the public generally-. The match was a very close one, and better shooting has seldom, if ever, been recorded. Great preparations arc being made to give Walker a suitable reception on bis return from the South. Vague rumors have been afloat during the month of a probable vacancy- in the representation of the district in the General Assembly, but there seems to be no substantial foundation for the report. Several candidates are mentioned as likely to come forward in the event of avacancy occurring, amongst whom the most prominent are Mr W. Rowe, Mr John Sheehan, and Mr James Mackay, juur. Mr Murray, one of the representatives for the Northern Division in the Provin- ! cial Council, has resigned his seat, and j Mr Farnall is spoken of as his probable ! successor.

There has been about the average number of cases in the \\ arden s Court during the month, and one or two of them involved questions of considerable importance. In the case of Greenway v. Vernon and Same v. Grove, the question as to the boundaries of the Goldfield were in dispute, and the matter is being carried to the Supreme Court, where it is to he hoped the boundary question will he settled once and for all. Hi the case of Walker, Davidson v. Multum-in-Parvo G31.C0., the Company were charged with mining on ground to which they had no title. The Warden ordered a forfeiture,to be remitted on pavment of a penalty, within o da} s, of £2O, a decision which seems to have fiveu very general satisfaction. In the matter of the Providence Claim, a somewhat similar case, the V arden held that lie had no power to decree a forfeiture, and in this case an appeal has been made to the Supreme Court, which will come on for argument on Wednesday next.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court there has been about the average amount of busincs, but none of the cases possessed much interest, except to the parties immediately concerned. Jn the Police Court there has been very little done, and it is most satisfactory to say that crime appears to be very' scarce. With the exception of two cases of forgery for small amounts, there has been nothing whatever, but a few cases of drunkenness and petty larcenies, with an occasional assault of a trivial character. A more orderly and law abiding population than that at present located on the Thames, is not to be found in any part of the world. The second annual meeting of the Thames Odd Fellows was held on the 16th instant with great success. The Brethren to the number of about 200, assembled in the rnoruingat the Lodge room, and marched to Tararu, where they were joined by' the members of the Bruce Lodge, a new lodge lately inaugurated. After partaking of a substantial luncheon, various games were played, such as cricket, racing, quoits, jumping, and kiss in the ring. The Provincial Council of Auckland was opened on Wednesday, 22nd inst. The opening speech of his Honor the Superintendent confirms the idea that the General Government has so shorn the provinces of their power that there is very little for them to do. Assistance to the goldfields in the shape of public works is promised, but as the funds are small, the amount expended will be iwoportionately small also.

One of the most gratifying items of news of the past month is the fact that the “ native difficulty ” in connection with the construction of the telegraph through the Ohinemuri country has been overcome in a great measure, owing to the perseverance and influence of Mr. Mackay. In a short time uninterrupted communication with the South, via the East Coast, will be added to the existing telegraph lines. This will place thoThamesin a first-rate position as regards telegraphic dispatches, and will be hailed as a great boon by the business residents on the field. There is a probability that before long the Ohinemuri country will be open to the miner; and one of the most significant facts in connection with this subject is that the Superintendent invites the Provincial Council to make a contingent provision for services which may be •shortly rendered necessary by' the acquisition of the right to mine on the lands of the upper Thames. By far the saddest event of the month has been the murder of Bishop Patteson by the natives at one of the small islands of the Swallow Group. The event has caused a profound sensation throughout the Colonies, the echo of which will be heard in England. Meetings have been held, in which. expression of sympathy have been unanimously passed. Bishop Patteson’s death may be looked upon -as a national calamity. All denominations of Christians regarded him as a true disciple of his Master. Well-born, welleducated, and possessed of great talents, lie devoted all to the service of his Saviour and died, as he had lived, in the active prosecution of the Christian Mission in Melanesia. The cause which has led to this terrible calamity is, doubtless, the nefarious traffic which has been carried on by white men in entrapping natives of the islands on board ships, and taking them to other islands to be employed in ! semi-compulsory labor on the plantations. | The lamented Bishop foresaw'the probable effect which this would have on the wild I and untaught men of Melanesia, and I pointed out that some serious acts of retribution would probably' take place on their part. So good a Christian could hardly be unprepared for death at anytime, and at this particular time the Bishop seems to have been especially alive to the probability' of death being near at hand, and had arranged his worldly' affairs and made his will, as if in anticipation of the sad end which has overtaken him. If the death of this great and good man contribute, as it probably will, to the stoppage of the wicked and nefarious traffic now being carried on by white men amongst the natives of the Polynesian Islands, his death, os his life, will not have been in vain. A tramway connecting Grahamstown with Tararu, a distance of about two miles, will shortly be completed. It is in contemplation to extend it to Shortland, a further distance of about one mile and a quarter, but it appears that it will require an Act of Parliament to enable the Local Road Boards to give the required permission. \Yc observe that notice of letters patent arc published, having been applied for by Charles Kilvington and Edwin Alfred Plunder, for an invention for saving, the gold contained in crushed quartz, tailings, kc. We observe that Mr Charles Palmer, of Auckland has published a lithographed portrait of the late Bishop Patteson. It is very well executed, and is considered an excellent likeness, and we have no doubt but it will meet with a ready sale.