MONTHLY SUMMARY

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 139, 20 March 1872, Page 3

MONTHLY SUMMARY

On the,2oth February, there was a very heavy rainfall, which filled all the creeks, and flooded the lower pints of Grahamstown and Shorthand. The ballasting of the tramways was washed away in several places—culverts burst—and some of the batteries had to stop work. A large amount of valuable tailings from the Caledonian and other mines was swept away, and considerable damage done to fences and gardens. The Goldfields Secretary paid his long promised visit to the district on the 20th, but the weather was so unfavourable that he was prevented from visiting several localities which ho intended to have inspected. .This genthman has been returned unopposed to the General Assembly, for the district of Rodney. The long pending case in the Warden’s Court—Thomas v. Bright Smile—has not yet been disposed of. It was adjourned on the 21st February, pending proceedings in the Supreme Court, until 20th March (this day), hut will probably be again further postponed. Mr Kemp, one of tho oldest settlers in the province of Auckland, died about three weeks ago, at Auckland.

A sum of £2,500 is offered by the General Government for the first hundred tons of printing paper produced in the colony by machinery. Mr F. Hesketh fell into a creek at Riverhead on the 23rd tilt, whilst in a fit, and was drowned

T® Hira and Mere Kuril, two very influential natives, who seldom visit the neighbourhood of the Pakeha settlements, have been stopping at the fishing station at the mouth of the Thames for some time this month, but have since returned to Ohinemnri.. The progress which lias been made in this district since these natives were here before could not fail to have made a deep impression on their minds.

One of the employees on the new Government wharf whilst proceeding to his work accidentally fell over the side—a distance of about 14 feet—into shallow water, and fractured his ril.s. A seaman, named George Storey, belonging to the cutter Lapwing, was accidentally knocked into the water and was drowned. It was some days before his body was found. On the 24th ult, an inquest was held, and a verdict of “accidental death’’ returned.

On the same day, an inquest was held on the body of a seaman who was killed on board the Caduceus, and a verdict of “ accidental death” relumed.

Mr T. F. McDonogh delivered a lecture on the 2Gth ult,, at the Academy of Music, on the benefits derivable from the low rate premium, liberal bye-laws, and State security offered to the public by the Government scheme of life insurance and annuities.

A lad named Goodwin, the son of a settler at Kaukapakapa, was accidentally drowned about a week ago by being washed from a log upon which lie and Ins brother were floating about on the river. Intelligence was brought to the Bay of Islands on the 28th February that a Portuguese sailor on board the American whaling barque ‘ Enropa ’ stabbed another sailor at sea, causing his death immediately. Fares on the tramway between Tararu and Grahamstown, a distance of two miles, has been reduced iO threepence, which is certainly an inducement for all to ride. Trains run every half lion.. The University of New Zealand will hold an examination for scholarships on the 13th May next. A man named Williams has been committed for trial on tho charge of robbing his mate named Phillips of about £6O. The Rev. J. T. Warlow Davies gave an interesting lecture on the 29th ult. on Love, Courtship, and Marriage, in the Wesleyan Church, Grahamstown. There was a very good attendance, and some excellent advice was given especially applicable to young people about to enter upon married life. Mr Richard O’Halloran, for some time resident at the Thames, has been accidentally drowned whilst attempting to cross the Rangitoto River in Canterbury provinc*.

The new Vaccination Act came into force on the Ist Mar h. Under its provisions, it is compulsory that all children attending any 7 school which receives Government aid must, be va.c'nated.

There have been complaints of scarcity of coal here lately, owing principally to the Kawa Kawa coal mines having been flooded to such an extent that tho mines can only turn out about 50 tons per week. In about six months’ time, however, it is 'expected that the Miranda coal mines will he at woik, and the. wot king ot the Wangaproamine is 1 ik- ly to be proceeded with at an early date. A large incr< ase has taken place in the number of dog licenses which have been taken out this year, which commences for canine purposes on the Ist March. About £BO has already been received, which goes to the credit of the local highway boards, and will be quite a God-scud to them, as they are not over-burdened with cash at the present time. A man of colour, employed as cook on board the Annie Moore, was sentenced to 6 months’ hard labour at the Thames Police Court on the Ist inst., for being found under suspicious circumstances on tho premises of Mr James Macandrew, of upper Alberl-street. On the 3rd inst., W. A. Wooderson, for refusing to give his name to Constable Purcell when making out the jury list, was fined £5, being the lowest penalty allowed by huv. This is the first case of the kind that has been brought forward. Applications for renewal of license for all the existing public houses at the Thames have been sent in, together with three now applications. Mr 11. A. bevern delivered an interesting and instructive lecture at the Academy of Music on the Gth inst. on the rotation of the earth. The proceeds of the lecture were devoted to the funds of the Mechanics’ Institute. The tender of Messrs Martin and Co. has been accepted for extending the Bead) Road at Grahamstown. The amount of the tender is £2,379 Sincelhe publication of our last summary the progress of the district has been, steady, and as months pass we are more and more convinced of the permanence of this goldfield.

Tlie yield for the past month is about 12,0u00z.' There is n decrease in the return from the Caledonian mine of about 3,8000 z., but with this exception, the total yield is about 3,0Q00z, iu excess of that of

the preceding month. Deep sinking is now being generally adopted, and with every probability of much larger returns than from more shallow sinking. New buildings continue to spring up all over the flat. " ~ **~

A substantial road is being made along tho beach, connecting the Grahamstown Wharf with the Tararu Road, and at the foot of Burke-street a substantial goods wharf has been completed, which will greatly facilitate the discharge of cargoes from, the coasting vessels trading to this port. Amongst other buil (mrs which have been finished during the past month is.a handsome new Congregational Church, in Mary-street. It is in the early English style, and is quite an ornament to the locality. The congregation have erected the edifice at their own. expense, without making any appeal to the public, and the land upon which it stands is the gift of Mr Hudson, to whom it belonged. Thu Committee formed to promote the establishment of a Municipality at the Thames have concluded their labours, and have sent in a petition to the Governor praying tor the incorporation of the Thames. G 23 signatures of bona fide householders are attached to the document; but there is a counter-petition being got up by an opposition, which states that it dors not object to Municipal Institutions in themselves, but thinks the present Act under which it is sought to incorporate the district is cumbrous, and that considering the peculiar tenure upon which much of the ground here is held, that it would he better to have a special Act passed. There is no doubt that there is something in this argument, and, if such a Bill can be drafted on the subject as will relieve all parties, a most satisfactory result will have been attained. The probabilities are that some delay will take place before the Thames becomes a corporate borough, but that it will ultimately he united under one powerful head there can scarcely he a doubt. The local Road Boards have very small powers, and a very small income. They and the Superintendent do not pull well together, and, without the establishment of a municipality, it is almost impossible to devise any comprehensive scheme of drainage and other sanitary works, which are already much required, and will be still more urger.lly needed in the event of the population increasing, as it seems likely to do.

Another subject, which is occupying some attention just now, is the necessity of a suitable recreation ground being provided. A very eligible site has been selected on the Kamvaeranga Creek, near Shorlland, but for some reason or other an apparently unaccountable, delay has taken place in tho completion of the purchase of the land. The money lias been voted, the Superintendent lias expressed his approval, a committee appointed for the purpose has sent in its report, and there the matter for the present rests. The increasing value of land in this neighbourhood points to the necessity of no unnecessary delay being permitted to take place before tho bargain is concluded. Nature has done so much for the site selected that it will require little of art and ornamentation to make this one of the most beautiful public parks in the colonies. There are few spots we have ever visited which presents a more perfect patioiama of wood and water, hill and dale, wild hush and fertile cultivation ; and if such an eligible locality is lost to tho public, and allowed to fall into the hands of the “ land-shark ” for building and speculative purposes, it will be a disgrace to tiie parties concerned. and a loss to tho district which cannot easily he replaced. There has not been much doing in the Warden’s Court here during the past month, but several cases are pending, and in the Resident Magistrate’s Court there lias been a decided increase in the number of actions for the recovery of small debts. In criminal business very little has been doing, and the Thames may challenge ail the goldfields in the world to produce a more industrious, orderly, or law abiding population. A new Mining Act has just come into force, which it is thought will be a good thing for the lawyers, though its makers say it will tend to iessen the amount c.f litigation. Which opinion is the more correct, time alone will tell. In the way of amusements, the Thames has been well off lately. TheZavistowski Bisters—a host in themselves—have been delighting the people at the Theatre Royal, and now a Gymnast Troupe is performing there, and at the Academy of vhisic some Fiji Cannibals are being exhibited.

A singular accident occurred on the Bth inst. to Mr Hicks, manager of the City of London mine. As Mr Ilicks was standing on the ladder about 50 feet from the bottom of the shaft, which is 180 feet deep, his dog fell from the top and struck him. He, however, managed to retain hold of the rings of the ladder, and was not dislodged from his position. The dog was smashed to pieces, but beyond being a good deal shaken, Mr Hicks received no serious injury. As Mr Berne, of the North Devon tribute, was at work in the mine on the Bth a large quantity of s'one fell upon him, and severely crushed his legs and broke his left thumb. The handle of the hammer which he held in his hand was broken in two, and he must be considered fortunate to have came off as well as he did.

A large quantity of letters recovered from the wreck or the ‘Rangoon’ were received on theSthinst, by the ‘ Taranaki ’ from the South. %

A man named J. 11. W. Taylor has been missing for some time. He left on the 11th inst. in a boat for the Waiwhakaroa Creek between the Miranda and Piako, and it is feared that he has been lost in the bush or drowned. Captain Gilfillan of the schooner Nikulau whilst making his way to his boat, which was fastened to the Wynyard Pier, Auckland, fell through an apeiture caused by broken planking, and broke two of bis ribs, besides sustaining a severe shaking. The Rev. J. Buller delivered an interesting lecture on the evening of the 13th inst. on “Home Life,” ’n which a beautiful picture was drawn of a happy Christian home, of which we believe there are many at the Thames, and will yet he more. The blessings and duties of domestic life in Social, Moral, and Religious respects were ably descanted upon. Sergeant Phillips of the Thames Scottish Volunteers was buried on the evening of the 13th inst. with military honors.

The Right Rev. Dr Croke R.C. Bishop of Auckland preached at High Mass on Sunday last (St. Patrick’s Day) at Wil-loughby-street Church, which was crowded on the occasion. The members of the Hibernian Society mustered in full force CaptSi liars was accidentally run over by a cart at Tauranpa, about a week ago, and had his thigh broken.

and proceeded to the Church headed by a baud playing “St. Patrick’s Day in the the Morning.” His Lordship delivered an eloquent sermon on Ireland’s Patron Saint, deducing therefrom lessons of faith

and obedience to the rules and discipline of the Church. A collection was made at the close of the service, and was liberally responded to. St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, the public holiday was observed on Monday. A cricket match between the Thames and Coromandel, in which the former won easily—some excellent horseracing at Paivvai—a dinner and ball, were among the principle features of the day’s entertainment.

The question of what constitutes a “ public bar” in the hotel sense of the word as distinguished from a private bar has been discussed at the Police Court, Shorthand, on two occasions, without being definitely settled. The new Licensing Act says an hotel keeper must not have more than one “ public” bar upon his premises. Two hotel keepers have been brought up for contravening this statute. On each occasion, the Magistrate has dismissed the case on the ground that he really has a doubt as to what a public bar is within the meaning of the Act.of which doubt, lie lias very properly given the defendant the benefit.

The day before yesterday a child three years of age, named William Powell, fell down the pumping shaft of the Herald Goldmining Company, and was killed. 'flic Rev. B. Backhouse, agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society,addressed a public meeting in the Wesleyan Chapel, Grahamstown, on Monday night. The following resolution was passed unanimously :—“ That this meeting heartily, approving of the principles and objects of tire British and Foreign Bible Society, resolve that an auxiliary be formed here, in connection with the Parent Society, and the following gentlemen be appointed as a committe to carry out this resolution : Rev. James Bailor, Messrs James Kernick, William Ashby, S. Richards; Rev. James Hill, David Philp, James McKee, James Patterson ; Rev. V. Lush, Messrs West, Iloniss, Lawlor; Rev. B. C. Butland, Richard Hudson, William Davies, William Wilson, Murray, Dewar, Renshaw, Manners, and Grigg.”

The Miners’ Accident Relief Fund Committee will meet on Thursday next at the Governor Bowen Hotel.

The only business at the Police Court yesterday was one case of drunkenness, which was dealt with in the usual mauucr, and au application for transfer of liccusc, which was granted. There will be a sitting of the Warden's Court this morn nig. The followiug cases arc set down for hearing at the Warden’s Court this morning : —J. Regan v. 15. Quinn and others (judgment) ; W. Thomas and others v. Bright Smile G.M.C. ; Moanataiari Water Supply v. Wliau G.M.C.

The brig Byron arrived in Auckland yesterday morning. From Syduey, wc learn that the schooner Anne Moore arrived in that port on the J2th instant, from this port. Mr Severn’s second lecture on Terrestrial Magnetism will be delivered this evening, and we have no doubt lie will have a good audience. The nomination of candidates for the vacant se.it of Rodney, took place on Saturday last at the towuship, Upper Mahurangi. Mr H. R. Aubrey, the Returning Officer, opened the proceedings at twelve o’clock by reading the writ and notification. Mr .J. Hudson, of Mahurangi, propo ed Mr John Sheehan. Mr Robert Meikle, of Mahurangi. seconded the nomination. After waiting some time, there being no other candidate proposed, the Returning Officer declared Mr slieehan duly elected. Mr Sheehan proposed a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, and the proceedings terminated.— lie ndd.