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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 134, 14 March 1872, Page 2

The Itev J. Duller delivered an interesting lecture last evening, at the Wesleyan Church, Grahamstown, on “ Home Life,” and drew a beautiful picture of a happy and Christian home, of which we trust there arc very many already at the Thames, and that there will vet be many more. The blessings and duties of domestic life, in their religious and social aspects, were ably pointed out, and all present could not fail to have been much edified.

The final meeting of the Thames Municipality Committee, preparatory to sending in the petition to the Governor, will be held this afternoon, at four o’clock, at the Pacific Hotel.

At the Police Court yesterday, there were two cases of drunkenness, one of assault, and one of extension of license.

At the Warden’s Court yesterday, the case of llegau v Quinn and others, an action to enforce a partnership, occupied the Court nearly all day. Judgment was reserved. The Court then adjourned until Wednesday next.

As will be seen by our advertising columns, Mr Frank Bary and Troupe will open on Saturday night at the Theatre lioyal. These wonderful gymnasts and acrobats are, we understand, very good indeed, and have no doubt but that, if they arc ns good, as they are represented to be, that they will attract fair audiences —more cannot be expected iu these times.

A meeting of the Waiotahi Board was to have been held yesterday afternoon, but at the appointed hour there was no quorum (a common occurrence this seems to be getting), so that the meeting was adjourned.

Plans and specifications for the extension of the wharf at Coromandel are now open for inspection, and tenders for carrying out the work will be received until (Saturday next. The wharf when completed will be l,.TJ6ft. long, the width of the planking to be 12ft. J in., except at the mooring head, which is to l e 18ft. fin. The 802 ft. of the wharf, which requires widening and strengthening, is to be completed in a substantial manner, aud tbe whole work must be liuished aud haucled over within four months. Taraia, one' of the oldest (if not quite so) native chiefs in this part of the island, is dead. A letter was received from some of the relatives of the deceased by Mr J. Cfuihling, requesting him to telegraph to Dr Pollen for a coffin. This is to be made with a glass front, as large numbers of natives from all parts of New Zealand will come to view the body, which coulcl not be kept exposed fjr the required time otherwise.

A remarkable accident occurred iu Sy-mouds-street yesterday, resulting in the destruction of a dray, and a veiy narrow escape of the man in charge. An empty cart, belonging 'o Mr J. Newman, was coming down Symonds street yesterday morning when, owing to the insecurity of the throat-strap, the horse, by a shake of its head, threw the whole headgear off. Startled by the absence of tbe blinkers,, the animal bolted, galloping down Symondsstreet, aud jerking in its course the driver, who was sitting in front of the cart, back into the body of the vehicle. When nearly opposite the Barrack gate, the cart was throw i completely over, with the man underneath. The force of the coucussion was so great as to knock the bottom of the cart in upon the driver, who, however, soon emerged from where the bottom once was, beyond a few scratches and a severe shaking little worse for his mishap. The horse, when the cart turned over, freed itself completely from the harness and galloped down the street, but was soon brought to a standstill. — Cross.

The following letter appears in yesterday’s Herald relative to the proposed yacht club:—“Sir, —Your contemporary says he has often been ‘struck with surprise ’ that a yacht club has not long since been started in Auckland. I should imagine that with the exception of strangers to Auckland, the Crow stands alone in its condition of astonishment. A city that fails to support a boat club decently will scarcely lx: likely to make a better band of a yacht club. It is within the bounds of possibility that a yacht club might be started, but I should think its existence for two consecutive years would be exceedingly problematical. I have grave doubts, however, as to your contemporary’s knowledge of what lie writes when lie talks of Auckland possessing a fine little fleet of yachts, such as will compete with any others in this or the sister colonies for swiftness and seagoing qualities. On the spur of the moment I am unable to call to mind the names of more than two or three of our vessels which could fairly be dignified with the name of yacht. ‘ Sailing boats ’ I should rather be inclined to dub those very useful and liaudy lialf-dceked cutters, of which the port certainly does possess a large fleet. Neither do I believe that our ‘ seamen, officers, and captains,’ have either the means or the time to go iu for yachting. Yachting is essentially an expensive amusement, aud a yacht club, to be worthy of the name, should bo conducted iu a liberal spirit, and not be in an impecunious condition. I should be very glad to see a yacht, club established here. Our nor-h-cast coast offers splendid opportunities for fme-weather cruising, but do not let us make ourselves ridiculous by attempting impossibilities. I am, Ac., R.Y.Y.C.

The Sydney Mail has the following : “ Mr Hartley Holmes, receutly woolscouring at Mossgicl. died on the loth January, reports the Ilav Standard, after some weeks drinking. He weut Torn Booligal to slossgicl on the box-seat of the coach, and had got to Peake’s Hotel, where he tumbled off the box, and rolled on to the verandah. He had a glass of brandy, and died about three hours afterwards. About half-au-hour after death the body burst. The sight is described as having been awful. He was buried immediately, without auy ceremony whatever,

Few Auckland people can have anj idea of' the Hot Springs at Waiwera. At least. I cannot but think so, otherwise how is it that they arc not the resort of all invalids and people in want of a holiday ? I have just returned from them, and must ask you to allow me to trespass a little upon your space to describe the beauties nnd advantages of this lovely spot. The Hot Springs are some 20 miles distant from Auckland by sea, and 35 miles by land. The springs are close to the beach of a lovely little bay facing W.S.W. The heat of the water in the baths varies from 96 degrees to 110 degrees, and occasionally somewhat higher. Two bath houses arc provided. One on the beach below high water mark, and containing one bath. The other above high water mark, containing a dressing and waiting-room. I stayed at an excellent, bonrdiug-liousc. which is kept by Mr Beveridge, and provision is mr.de for the accommodation of visitors in easeof the board-ing-house being full. The house in which I stayed is excellently furnished, and contains a billiard table, piano, and other means of amusement. I was informed that the whole building had received an entire overhaul lately, nnd certainly everything was in firstrate style and condition. I enjoyed myself amazingly in boating, fishing, and excursions of nil kinds. 'The neighbouring bush affords fine scope for botanists, being full of ferns nnd wild growth of all kinds. 1 intend visiting the Waiwera .Springs in the shooting season, for I notice that pheasants and wild duck arc most abundant. Aud now as to health. I went to the Waiwera feeling very seedy, and have returned in excellent health. How much of this is attributable to the virtues of the water, and how much to the delightful rustic life. I am not prepared to say ; but, however the cure may be made, the fact remains, and I have no hesitation iu advising everyone who wants change of air and scene to try a few weeks at Waiwera. —llera Id Correspondent. An extraordinary tramp across the continent by a lunatic is noticed incidentally by the Adelaide papers. The lunatic walked from Queensland to the Darling, then down that river aud across the country to the Teakc, a station on the overland line of telegraph. He was without canteen or blankets, nnd lodged with the natives he met with on liis journey. The condition of his hair is very remarkable. It is ton inches in length, and strongly and densely matted together. An extraordinary feature in his hirsute development is that (lie linir all round the back and sides of the head was short, and the excessive growth was confined to the crown, where it was so luxuriant that the man had to cut a hole in the top of his hat to let the hair through. i