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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 92, 25 January 1872, Page 2

In reference to the new rush to the diggings on the East Const, alluded to in our issue of yesterday, wc have received no further authentic intelligence. A gentleman in town received a letter from a resident at Mercury Bay, yesterday evening, deprecating a rush, and not speaking at all encouragingly of tue prospect. On the other hand we have heard, on good authority, that parties have bceu working on native land in the vicinity of Tairua for sonic weeks, with considerable success, so much so as to induce them to have an interview with tlic Warden as to the best means of securing their rights, and preventing being “ jumped.” The locality, wc believe. is not within the boundaries of the goldfield, but the fact of these parties having taken the trouble to come over hero oil the subject looks well. At the same time, as the reports arc at present but vague, we should advise caution on the part of any one proposing to start for the new El Dorado without reliable information as to tlie prospect. Ju consequence of the paucity of attendance at the Academy of Music last evening, there was no performance. There was a long sitting at the Police Court yesterday. The list comprised two cases of stealing money, three of abusive language, and an application for transfer of license. The case which occupied the Court nearly all the morning was that of Annie Sidoy, who was fully committed for trial at the Supreme Court on the charge of stealing a purse containing 2!) sovs. from the dwelliug-liousc of Edward Pearsbn, Grahamstown. A report will be found in another place. Several members of the Fire Brigade under Mr Maekie and Mr Houiss were engaged yesterday afternoon in trying a new arrangement at the different tire plugs, by which a greater amount of water is forced into the hose, and which will enable them to get a better and stronger jet of water. We are informed that the arrangement acts admirably and the new hose stood the extra pressure very well indeed. The Waiotahi Highway Board was to have met yesterday, but there was not a sufficient number of members preseutto form a quorum, and therefore no business was done, except the opening of tenders for pitching and metalling certain streets. A list of the lowest tenders will be found in another place. A meeting was held last night at Pritchaids’ Booms, Sliorlland. to arrange preliminaries for tlie formation of a choral class in connection with the Mechanics’ Institute. This is a movement well deserving of support and wc hope to see it brought to a successful issue. The Thames Municipality met yesterday at the Pacific Hotel, and will meet again at the same place on .Saturday at 4 p.m., when a full attendance of members of the committee is requested. We understand that a shooting match is cn tapis between eleven members of Ho. 1 Boyal H.B.V. and No. 2 H.11.V. for .CIO a side. The match will, in all probability, come off’ on Monday next, at 10 u.m., at the l’arawai range.

The new tire-hell was yesterday affixed to the stand erected for its reception in Wil-liamson-strect, It has rather a monotonous sound, but we believe it can be heard a long distance off. and from its elevation alone, we have no doubt but it will prove quite adequate to all requirements in case of emergency. The old bell has been re-erected in Queen-street, midway between Albert and Queen-streets.

Yesterday afternoon a very handsome jewel was presented to Bro. A. Beveridge, 8.W.D.P.G.M., who acted as installing master, at the Sir Walter .Scott Lodge the previous evening.

The p.s. Golden Crown will cruise about the Auckland harbour on the Regatta-day, following the racing boats to Tiritiri lighthouse, consequently she will not run to the Thames on Monday next.

Mr James Lowrie, for some time pilot in the Manukau Harbour lias received the appointment of pilot of Kaipara Harbour. The 7). iS. fVc.s-.s-says the Coromandel Mail lias changed hands, and remarks that Coromandel seems to be a rather unhealthy place for newspapers. Mr Macdonald, formerly clerk to the late Mr Weaver, C.E., has been appointed Clerk of Works fo the Auckland Harbour Board. The half-yearly meeting of tiie shareholders of the lied Queen Goldmining Company took place on Tuesday afternoon, at the Mechanics’ Institute : Mr George Williamson in the chair. There was hut a small attendance of shareholders. The directors’ report and balance-sheet was read and adopted. 'The former recommend a call of sixpence per share being made, so as to carry on the works of the company more advantageously. The balance-sheet showed that the expenditure during the half-year had been £582 Ps Sd, and that there was a balance remaining in the bank of TGU 14s. The mining manager's report spoke of the company's property in very satisfactoryterms. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.— Herald.

A call of threepence per share Is made in the Pickwick Goldmining Company. Our Port Albert correspondent says :—“ I am informed that John Shepherd, Esq., M.P.C., has been requested to allow himself to be put in nomination to represent the district of Rodney in the General Assembly, in the place of Sir H.W. Farnall.”— Cross.

An examination of candidates for the junior departments of Civil Service was held in one of the ollices of the Supreme Courthouse on Monday and yesterday. The candidates were—Masters Naughton, Reilly, Calev, Owen, Churton, Haywood, and Newall, pupils of the Auckland College : and Corn ford, Dignan, and Goldsbro’. Air Carrow was the examiner. The tests for competency were English lnstcry, composition, geography, orthography, writing, and reading. The examination papers will be forwarded to Wellington, from whence a report will lie received of those who have qualified themselves for receiving appointments in the junior branches of the Civil Service.— Cross.

We have been favoured with the following extract from an English letter, referring to the consumption of Colonial preserved meats:—“Scotland, November 13th, 1871. We arc enjoying the New Zealand preserved beef and mutton, which is extensively sold all over England and Scotland, and is at last affecting the price of cattle. It is nearly half-price of butchers’ meat. Let this be known, and send more and more meat to England and Scotland. Reef is now fifteen pence a pound, New Zealand beef is eightpence a pound.” —Herald Young Cook, who in billiard circles holds a position similar to that maintained by Mr. W. G. Grace in the cricket field, has again been electrifying the English lovers of the game with some of his magnificent breaks. In a match with F. Bennett, who received 300 points, the latter reached 733 to Cook’s (587, when the champion took up his cue, and went clean out with an unfinished break of 313, having just previously made breaks of 11G and 107. In a match with young Roberts, he vanquished the ex-champion with (>22 points to spare, scoring 447 points in one break, in which there were 138 spot strokes. This immense break was soon after followed by a break of 206. Tall scoring this 1

The s.s. Phoebe is due in Auckland to-day from southern ports.