GENERAL SUMMARY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 164, 18 April 1872, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

The Miners’ Accident Belief Fund lias been set alloat, and there is every prospect of its being a great success, and of its tilling a want much needed in tho community. We have had to record several accidents since the publication of our last Summary. One of them, which occurred on Tuesday, had a fatal termination. The victim, James Feeney, was engaged at work in the Onoliunga Claim, when a quantity of stone suddenly fell upon him, completely i rushing the lower part of his body. His mates at. once rescued him from his perilous position, and conveyed him to the Hospital, but before bis arrival there life had become extinct. An inquest was held yesterday, and a verdict of accidental deain was returned. Similar cases to these wilt be met by the establishment ns soon as it is in working order, of the Relief Fund which, we arc sure, will prove a great blessing to the locality, meeting cases which the Hospital cannot reach, such as where sudden death is the result, and in many instances where the sufferers are not members of Friendly Societies. Ilis Honor the Superintendent opened the new building recently erected for the Thames Mechanics’ Institute in Queenstreet on the 20th ult. A programme, consisting of addresses, music, and scientific illustrations, was gone through in a very satisfactory manner, and a floral exhibition in tho dining-room of the Pacific Hotel during the evening, was very successful.

His Excellency the Governor is now on a visit in the interior of the province, and is expected in Auckland in a few days. We are now in uninterrupted telegraphic communication with Wellington and the South, and are in receipt of daily intelligence. The wire is also in course of extension to Coromandel, the rising importance of that portion of the goldfield fully warranting the expenditure. The Volunteers have been actively engaged in drills and prize-firing matches this month, and the Thames portion of this honorary force has achieved a good position amongst the competitors. One of the earliest settlers in the province, Mr William Potter, of Epsom, died on the 20th march. Mr Potter came to the Bay of Islands in 1835, had nearly all his property destroyed in the Maori war of 1845, but subsequently became again in comfortable circumstances. Mr Potter was known as a sober, upright, and somewhat eccentric man, and was much respected by a largo circle of friends and acquaintances. There has been an increase in business both in the Warden’s and Resident Magistrate’s Courts lately. The former Court has been occupied for several days past in investigating a case of alleged “jumping” of the Pukehinau ground, and the matter is still pending. . The long-pending case of Thomas v. Bright Smile Goldmining Company is still before the Supreme Court. Some cases of typhoid fever have occurred lately in the fiat at Graharnstown, and are attributed by the medical men here, and no doubt rightly, to defective drainage in this locality. Until a corporation is established hero, sanitary measures can never bo properly carried out, although the local Boards are doing what their limited means and powers enable them to do to remedy the evils complained of. The annual licensing meeting was held on Tuesday, when a petition was presented signed by 279 inhabitants, and another by four ministers of religion, against granting any new licenses. The remarks of the Sub-Inspector of Police were favourable to the manner in which the great I majority of licensed houses are kept jat the Thames, and only one ' out of the whole number had ; a decided'" bad character given to il. The ! Bench gi. <1 renewals of nearly all the j existing licenses, and adjourned the rest | for a month, pending further enquiry. Two n“w applications were gianted. Mr Clias. O’Neill, our only representative in the General Assembly, is now on a visit to Melbourne.

Nothing further lias been done since the publication of nor last summary in reference to an extension of the Thames Water Works, which is a want much required, the present supply being altogether insufficient. We are promised a visit from Mr Haugliton, the Undersecretary for the Goldfields, shortly, and it is to be hoped the necessity of a comprehensive scheme of water works will be pi eminently brought under bis notice, with a view to action being taken in the matter. The Gas Works arc rapidly approaching completion, and before long we hope to enjoy the luxury of welJWghted streets. The Electoral Roll for (lie ensuing year is now being made up, and a large number of new names, we hear, are added to this district, which is already one of the largest arid most important in the colony, although it sends but one representative to the General Assembly. There is likely to be some litigation about title to land at Coromandel. AMr Peppercorn lias returned trom Sydney after an absence of 20 years and lays claim to a considerable portion of land now being milted upon, which be states lie pun-based from natives, some of whom are living and can prove it. The native, rights as to ttie foreshore there is also not yet quite settled, but is expected to lie amicably arrranged at the next sitting of the Native Lands Court, which commences to-day.

The prospect of the Ohinemuri country being very shortly opened up is still liefore us as an event which cannot bo much longer delayed, and the great high road to it will be by way of the Thames. Two steamers now run to and fro almost daily, and intercourse between the Thames and the Te Aroha country is daily' increasing. Scveraljold Maori chiefs have paid the debt of nature lately, and at the present time a large “ taugi” is going on at Coromandel on the occasion of the demise of one of the prominent Maoris there. The old Fire Brigade has been broken up and a new one lias been formed, consisting of a small but efficient force, and should their services be unhappily required, we have no doubt the men will ho found well up to their work, and thpt their services will be most valuable.