Untitled

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 60, 15 December 1871, Page 2

Wc are glad to sec hi our telegrams of this day that the Provincial Council lias voted the sum of .-£250 for our Thames Mechanics’ Institute. Unless this money has been voted for some special purpose, we would suggest that tlie Committee place it to the building fund, for we feel sure that if there was a more suitable and convenient building, it would add considerably to the prosperity of the institute. The present place is totally inadequate to the requirements of flic district. A meeting of tlie committee of the Christmas sports will be held this evening at the European Hotel, at 8 o’clock. We arc requested to call the attention, of all. gentlemen who lake an interest in the forthcoming sports to the programme, and request their attendance at this meeting. The baths at the end of the Grahamstown wharf were opened yesterday for the first time, and a large number of persons availed themselves of the opportunity of having a good bath. Those persons who visited the baths expressed satisfaction with pic arrangements, Ac. The coffee-room will be opened in the course of this week.

At the Police Court yesterday, Henry Mcach, charged with stealing a piece of copper ore, the property of Richard Hcalcs, was discharged, it being proved that lie came into possesston of the stolen property lawfully. The real offender is another man, who, we hear, is likely to be brought before the Court shortly to answer the charge. We understand that the Sports Committee have collected the sum Of £IBO during the last two days, and' a considerable amount more is promised, and no doubt a collection of £3OO will be obtained. It is anticipated that a few horse-racing events will take place. Mr Lewisson, of Albert-street, has promised to give a prize, valued at £3, to one of the successful competitors in the sports. The usual weekly sitting of the ILM. Court will be held to-morrow at Shorthand. There are about 20 cases set down for hearing—about the average number. None of them apparently, from a perusal of the cause list, are of any special importance.

At the Warden’s Court yesterday, the ease of Thomas v. Bright Smile G.M.C. was adjourned until .January the ‘Jth. In Britt v. Cooper and others, au action against the defendants for holding surplus ground in the Watchman claim, judgment was given for plaintiff. Frieland v. Littlejohn, an action for non-working a share in the Crecn Isle claim, was dismissed. Windsor Castle v. W. Littlejohn was adjourned until Monday. An adjourned committee meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the Wharf Hotel, to make arrangements for the intended bauquet to Mr Rowe. Mr F. Nolan was in the chair. It was decided to have the dinner on Wednesday next, at St. George’s Hall, immediately after the presentation of a gold watch chain and appendages by the workmen in the Caledonian mine to Mr Rowe. Mr B. Hales will cater for the occasion. Price of tickets 10s 6d, to he obtained from any member of the committee. It was resolved to leave the details of final arrangements to the sub-committee, who will meet again on Saturday. 'ike monthly inspection of the Thames Scottisli Volunteers will he held to-morrow afternoon, at 4 o'clock.

We observe from advertisement that Signora Zeuoni will this evening take a benefit at the Theatre Royal. The opera chosen for the occasion is the charming •* La Traviata ” and the grand duet from the second act of “ Saffo.” We have no doubt but this taleuted lady will have an excellent and appreciative audience. We may remind our readers that this is the last night but oue of the Opera Company at the Thames. It was reported in Auckland on Wednesday night, that a man had been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the Choral Hall. This report caused considerable excitement. From the latest information we find that the report was without foundation. The following is the passenger list per s.s. ‘Wellington,’ for the south :—Saloon: Mr and Mrs Elliott, Mr Turtou, Mrs Connell, Mrs Martin. Mr Lucas, Mr Hoby, Master Turton, Mr Paul, Air Coote, Captain Andrew, Mr Connell. Mr Pole. Rev W. Chips, Mr H. Webster, Miss Hooker, Miss C’ulmau ; Messrs Pownall, W. Pole, H. Webster, and Graham. Steerage—Mr Martin, Mrs Morris, Mr McLery. Miss O'Donnell, Mr Pennington, and Mr Morris,

A meeting ..of tbc shareholders in the Coliban claim will bq held this evening, at the Stafford Hotel, 'at half-past 7 o'clock sharp, on business of importance. Tlie Rifle Rangers. Cadet. corps had their carbines au<L sword bayonets picsented to .them last evening by Captain Robertson, who addressed to thorn a few words appropriate to (lie occasion, telling them, amongst other things, that they would be allowed to lire for prizes offered by the Government. This corps is about (50 strong, and comprises a very tine lot of lads. Great pains must have been taken with their drill, which is excellent, and.great .credit, is due to jpaptain Robertson for the pains he has bestowed upon the boys in bringing them to, their present state of efficiency. •'' * ■ <7 His Honor the Superintendent invites the constituency of City West to meet him in the Mechanics’' Institute on Friday evening, December 22nd. We have to acknowledge a receipt of a copy of the Coromandel Mail , issued for the first time ou Wednesday morning. The paper is published'at. 3d. per copy, is very well got up, aud presents a creditableAappearancc. Wo wish our contemporary aud tlie district which it represents a growing prosperity. • "

A correspondent of the Daily News is very melancholy about the future of Euglish tea-drinkers. He says we never get any “ first-chop ” tea in England, and never shall any more. There is a passion for cheapness in this country, the people will not give the price of good tea, > aud so tho Russians, who like the best tea, buy it all up. He suggests that everybody should give 4s a pound for tea, aud then the importers would have money euough to buy the first “chops ” aud outbid those Russians. There is naivete in his suggestion, but wo have often wondered why curious teas arc not offered in the market like curious wines wliy it should not p;iy, for example, to import the Himalayan brick tea, the best in tlie world. Is it that the taste for fine tea has disappeared, or that purchasers from long experience despair of discovering any rule of proportion betweeu price and quality in tea ? The dealer will accept any price, but his best tea ia very seldom better than good Assam at half-a-erowu a pound.

We believe it lias been finally determined to rebuild the Choral Hall, without uniting, as was proposed, with the Auckland Institute. The new hall will be built of such material, as will defy the malicious attempts of those who appear to be beut upon destroying every building erected by the Choral Society. It has not yet been decided whether tbc building will be of concrete or of wood covered with cement. Possibly the walls to the height of several feet will be made of concrete, and the remainder of the building of wood. Whatever material ia adopted, special precautions will be taken to make tho doors proof against the attempts of any incendiary operating from the outside of tbc building. Wc arc very glad to see tlie spirit displayed by the members of the Choral Society, under the very discouraging circumstances which have beset their efforts to establish a hall suitable for musical entertainments. It is not improbable that the fire will result in the erection of a building as great au improvement upon the last one as that was upon the original Music Hall.— 1). S. Cross.

Clothing for the Million, at Warmoll’s Cash Palaces. Just received, per ‘ Countess of Kinl( re, £5,000 worth of Clothing, Boots, Slices. Ac., comprising the best and cheapest assortment of goods yet imported into tho Auckland Province. In order to make room for further shipments the Goods will be offered at such prices that cannot fail to effect a speedy clearance. Waumoll’s Cash Palaces, Grahamstown, Thames. — Advt. We are requested by F. H. Lewisson to state that no gold cliaius or albcrts are of liis make without they arc stamped F.H.L', 18 carat. Having engaged a gold chain maker from London, ho is prepared to. make any English pattern chain to order.— Adv