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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 68, 27 December 1871, Page 2

In consequence of pressure on our space, we are reluctantly compelled to hold over our report of the meeting of the Franklin Constituency to hear the account of their stewardship from the members for the district.

'The regular meeting of the Lodge of Light, LG., will be held this evening, at half-past 7 o'clock, for instalation of officers.

The members of the Juvenile Tent, Hope of New Zealand, 1.0. R., accompanied by the officers aud a few brethren of the Adult Tent, met yesterday. A good number of friends also attended, and spent a very agreeable day in cricket and other amusements at J’arawai.

It is gratifying to record that the sufferers in the Hospital were not forgotten on Christmas day. By the kindness of the ladies a subscription list was started, and liberally responded to by the merchants, storekeepers, hotelkeepers, and general public. An excellent dinner was provided for the inmates, and the majority of them, wc arc glad to hear, were progressing so favourably as to be able to enjoy it thoroughly.

The Thames Scottish Yoluutccrs are to meet this evening at 0 o’clock, for drill. There will afterwards be a meeting on business of importance. A full attendance is requested.

We are requested to state that the Amateur Dramatic performance on behalf of the Thames Hospital and the Regatta Club will take place on Thursday next, instead of Wednesday as previously announced.

An inquest was held at the Globe Hotel, on Monday, before Jas. Kilgour, Esq., Coroner, touching the death of a child, four weeks old, named Margaret McGinn. The evidence showed that the child was accidentally overlain and suffocated. A verdict in accordance with this evidence was returned.

At the Police Court on Monday three persons were lined in mitigated penalties (on the strength of it being Christmas) for being drunk, aud a fine of 10s was imposed in a case of obscene language. John Stevens aud Patrick Shine, on a charge of stealing from the person, were remanded for a week.— \ csterday Robert Donu received a sentence of three months’ hard labour as a reputed thief. Captaiu Goldsmith occupied the Bench each day. A report will be found in auothcr column.

The Loyal Waikato Lodge 1.0.0. F. held tli.-ir half-yearly meeting for the elcctiou of officers for the ensuing term, at their lodgeroom, last evening, when Bro. L. P. Baguall was elected N.G.; Bro G, Liudsay. V.G. j Bro. James Weir, Secretary ; aud Bros. G. Fisher, D. J. O’Keeffe, and J. J. Holland, Auditors. It was decided to postpone the election of surgeon until next lodge night.

AVc have received a copy of an Auckland Provincial Gazette , published on Saturday last. It contains an official notification of the re-elect-on of Philip Aaron Philips, Esq., as Mayor of Auckland, of the appointment of D. Mclnnes, as member of the Hikurangi District Board ; of the receipt of certified copies of assessment lists for Poverty Bay and Pukekura districts. Mr T. Meikle has been 'appointed Co lector of Highway Rates for Pollook settleuent; and of Donald McLeod for Hikuranga. The acceptance of several tenders for supplies arc also notified. Applications for the registration of the Matawai G.M.C. (Coromandel), and of the Star of the Thames G.M.C., are published ; also the statement of the affairs of the following companies for the past six months : Frovidcnce, Otago, Ashley, Caledonian, Una, Juanita, All Nations, Goldfinch, Key of Tokatea, Masonic, Nil Desperaudum, John Bull, John O'Groats, Moanataiari, Golden Point, Pacific, Bismark, Cock-a-Doodle, Harbour View, Peep o’ Day, Day Dawn, Argo. Pride of Moanataiari, Unicorn, Tokatea, Quebec, Pride of Tokatea, Victoria, Bonshaw, Coronet, Long Drive, Kuranui Hill Tunnel, Faugh-a-Ballagh, Pride of Parnell, Tui and Cuckoo; Middle Star, Belfast, Brighton.

The prospectus of another oompauy, to be called the “Auckland Water Company,” for supplying the city with an abundant supply of pure water, derived from deep-seated springs in the Government Domain, has been shown to us. It is proposed to sink two or more wells, with connecting tunnels, and bore holes in their bottom above the present ponds at Brighton’s garden, and also to construct an extensive service reservoir on the highest part of the Domain, which is about 250 feet above high water mark, and by means of two pumping-engines, of the collective force of 110 horse power, to raise the water from the wells int i the reservoir, and from it to supply, by gravitation, the whole of Auckland and its suburbs. The projector is Mr F. S. Pcppeicornc, a civil engineer, who has been connected with one of the London waterworks companies, and his estimate, which appears to have been prepared with great care, shows that the sum of £57,875 will be amply sufficient for carrying out the purpose of this undertaking. One great item in the cost appears to be in the pipiug of the city, for which 27,500 yards arc provided at a cost (including laying) of £32,(597. This sum contrasts strongly with a similar estimate for piping the city in a scheme proposed a few years back for supplying Auckland from the springs at Onehunga, and in which the whole cost of piping is estimated at £4,57fi a sum which appears to be wholly insufficient for this purpose. It would appear that the cost of pumping and delivering daily to the city of Auckland one million gallons of water will be represented by an annual sum of £1,500 by the method proposed by Mr Pcppercorue, by which the inhabitants will have the inestimable advantage of a constant supply of pure water delivered by gravitation from such an elevation, or with such a pressure, that it shall overtop the summits of the highest houses in Auckland. It is to be hoped that Mr Pcppercorue will - -ccced in his undertaking, and that the much-vexed question of an abundant water-supply to Auckland will be set at rest by the formation of a consumers’ company, in which all the inhabitants are strongly and directly interested. — Cross.

Ou Thursday evening, at about half-past seven o’clock, the various fire-bells in town sounded an alarm, and in a few seconds the inhabitants of the city were in a state of excitement, doubtless the natural restilts of the late destructive conflagrations. For the holders of property appear to labour under some indefinable apprehension of impending calamities through conflagrations. It is well that such a feeling docs exist, and that it will not cease until an efficient brigade has been organised, and an abundant supply of water secured, as the means of subduing a fire wherever it may break out, whether* the result of accident, carelessness, or incendiarism. Fortunately, last night a foul chimney ou the premises of Mr Patrick Harkins, in Hobson-street, was the sole cause of the alarm. Within a few minutes of the bells ringing out Mr Asher arrived ou the spot, quickly followed by a number of men belonging to the brigade, and rendered valuable seivice in extinguishing the sparks that fell on the roof. It was as satisfactory to observe the active willingness of the men to render assistance as it is as unsatisfactory to know that in most cases they are, for want of water and appliances, unable to give it. Mr Harkins’s house is a two-storeyed building of weather-board. That adjoining it, and occupied by Mr Black, is of brick. Had the building been of inflammable material, it would probably have caught fire, ns the sparks from the blazing chimney were blown ou to the roof and the windward sijlc of the walls. A strong breeze had a little previously sprang up, and it is a matter for congratulation that the fire was onfined to the chimney. We are informed that no water is obtainable near to where Mr Harkins’s house is situate. Mr Asher informs us that he has done his utmost by earnest appeals to the authorities for larger pipes and more hydrants, but all up to the present time without avail. Wc may mentiou, as a hint, that on the West Coast, where such ruinous losses have been sustained by fires, there aic at intervals of about 200 yards in the principal thoroughfares and at the corners of by-streets stauds, to which from six to 12 buckets filled with water are suspended, ready at a moment’s notice to dash upon a fire before it has time to extend. This has been done by the Hokitika and Grcymouth Borough Councils. To remove one of these, except for the purpose of using at a fire, entails a penalty of £5. These water-buckets have been found on several occasions the means of subduing a fire in its first outbreak. There is also a mnneipnl law, which the captains of brigade insist shall be carried out, which is that the occupiers of any dwelling in which a chimney takes fire shall be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent the law will permit ; and no excuse for a foul chimney is ever admitted. Cross.

A correspondent of tlio Hawke'* Hay Herald, writing from Wellington, says A puinful instance of the want of accommodation in our local gaol lias come under my knowledge. A lady, who is well known in town, has been arrested for a debt of £3O, and has been committed to gaol. There is no provision made for female debtors, of whom, I believe, we have only had four during the past twelve years, and the consequence is that this lady is obliged to spend her days in the same room with the lowest prostitutes, drunkards, and criminals, who are serving their time for their respective offences against the law.' This is imprisonment for debt with a vengeance, and I, for one, am heartily ashamed that such a thing should take place in this city. You can well understand the degradation which a modest woman would feel at bciug compelled to associate with the worst of her sex. A severer punishment it is scarcely possible to imagine, and I look upon it as a most inhuman act of cruelty. The present victim of our bad laws and impecuniosity is so thoroughly wretched at the position in which she is placed, that the poor woman has not tasted food since her incarceration, and unless released will, I am convinced, gradually piue away and die long before her term of imprisonment is completed.

Foe the Holiday Festivities.—Just arrived by the ‘ Hero,’ from Melbourne, 35 cases of new and fashionable Boots and Clothing; also, 18 cases, direct from Loudon and Glasgow, by the ship * Chile’ ; aud 4 cases of Boys’ and Youths' Suits, and Elastic-side Boots. This splendid selection was ordered expressly for the holiday season’ Warmoll’s Cash Palaces.—Adv.

We are requested by F. H. Lewisson to state that no gold chains or nlberts are of his make without they are stamped F.H.L’, 18 carat. Having eng: ged a gold chain maker from London, he is prepared to make any English pattern chain to order,— Adv

The ladies’ school in connection with the Auckland Educational Society has just completed the fifth term since its establishment in Ootober, 1870. The examination' of the pnpils in their various studies was conducted during the last weok of the quarter now terminated, and the progress made in the different brauches clearly proved the efficiency of the system adopted. On Tuesday evening, the 19th instant, the breaking-up party took place at the rooms, in Wellesley-street, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion with evergreens, flowers, and flags. A large party of the pupils and their friends assembled, and a very pleasant evening was spent; several solos were snug, and the performances on the pianoforte were characterised with much skill and taste. Refreshments were lilierally supplied throughout the evening, and, in addition to dancing, a variety of games were introduced for the amusement of the younger members, which they freciy appreciated. Some queer scenes ensue in Wyoming, where the women vote, serve on juries, See., like their lords and mnsters. Recently six married ladies and as many gentlemen were empanelled upon a murder case there, and it became necessary to lock them up all night. Three of the husbands stormed and raved at the judge, and half-a-dozen children made the court-house ring with their cries; but the judge was inexorable, and put them under lock and key.

Clothing for tlie Million, at Warmoll’s Cash Palaces. Just received, per Countess of Kintore, £5,000 worth of Clothing, Boots Shoes. Ac., comprising the best and cheapest assortment of goods yet imported into the Auckland Province. In order to make room fo further shipments the Goods will be offered at such prices that cannot fail to effect speedy clearance. Wakmoll’s Cash Palaces, Albert and Brown-streets, Graff amstown.