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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 215, 17 June 1872, Page 3

The hearing of the case of L. A. McCaskill, charged with shooting Hone Pah an, is set down for hearing at the Police Court to-day. _ The mail steamer Nevada, with the English and American mails, is due in Auckland this day, June 17. We understand that the members of the Waiotahi Board have gone through all the clauses of the draft of the Municipal Act prepared by the Secretary, and have submitted the same to Mr Tyler for his legal opinion thereon.

Mr James Craig sold by auction, on Saturday, the ground and property of the Coronet G.M.C. for £IBO ; also the Cambria G.M.C. fot £3.

The only business at the Police Court on Saturday was ofle "case of drunkenness, and two summonses for driving horses and without reins to the leader. A fine of 10s was imposed in the first case, and 2s 6d in each of the latter.

As will be seen by advertisement the p.«. Duke of Edinburgh will start for Auckland at 9.30 a.m. this morning in order to suit the state of the tide.

Mr Michael Lynch, storekeeper, Grahamstown, offers to make a composition with his creditors, and has filed a declaration to that effect in the Supreme Court Auckland. The N.Z. Herald says .—As we surmised, the Helenslee is turning out her cargo in a disgraceful condition, and we are beset by complaints on all sides as to what course ought to be adopted. The rage for the formation of new mining companies ifc not yet abated ; as applications to register no less than eleven appear in a Gazette of the 12th inst. —Ibid.

As will be seen in our advertising columns, there is an alteration in the time of sailing of the p.s. Golden Crown. She will leave Auckland at 9.30 a.ra. for Tararu ; Tararu for Coromandel; at 1.30 p.m.; and Coromandel for Auckland at 4,30 p.m., to-day and tomorrow only. uir Kyan and his troupe gave a farewell performance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, but we are sorry to say that he was not as extensively patronised as might have been expected on a Saturday night, though perhaps the weather had something to do with it.

A specimen of the Mangawai stone, which is at present being used in some parts of Auckland, for flagging etc., can be seen at our office. Not being learned in geology we are not aware whether the stone is at all equal to the Hape stone or not, but, judging from an outsider’s point of view, it does not seem to be any thing like as lasting. Anyone who wishes to compare the two can do so by calling at our office and inspecting the sample on hand. We do not wish to find fault more than necessary, but we certainly must say that the crossing which has just been laid down across Albert-street from the Bank of New Zealand to the Exchange seems to be far too low, in fact it has not teen raised above the level of the road at all, and consequently, except that one knows that there is a solid bottom to step on, it is little cleaner than any other part of the street. The Fiji Times' of June 1 says:—“The cutter Alacrity (sold by order of the Curator of Intestate Estates) was sold by auction on May 31st, and after keen competition was knocked down for £202. As there is every reason to believe that demand will continue, owners in the colonies will find this a good market for the disposal of crafts of moderate tonnage combined with a light draught of water?’

We notice that the Canterbury papers have misread Greville’s telegram sent from Auckland relative to the relief of starving Peraians. In both the Lyttelton Times and Canterbury Press the telegram appears : “The Mayor has convened a public meeting with the object of aiding .starving persons.” No doubt the good people of .Canterbury would be greatly shocked at the state Auckland was apparently, reduced to, when it was found necessary to convene a public meeting to relieve the.“starving persons” living in it. On Saturday afternoon a rifle match came off at Tararu, in which fourteen competitors took part. This was a sweep for a handsome pair of pistols won at the late Rifle Association meeting by Thompson. As will be seen by the scores given below, Mr Thompson, who fired himself, won tne pistols back again, he having made the good score of 46 points, very good indeed, considering the wretched weather on Saturday, which was the reverse of favourable for high scoring. The ranges were 300, 400, and 600 yards, five shots at each range. The following are the six highest scorers :—Thompson, 46 ; McLean, 43 ; A. Thomas, 43 ; T. Scott, 43 ; Nelson, 43 ; Richards, 38. We understand that the pistols will be fired for again on Saturday next. On Saturday evening we were attracted to the fire bell in Williamson-street by seeing a man mounted on a rostrum and surrounded by a tolerably large audience, the scene being illuminated by a flaring light. Upon approaching the speaker we found that he Tvaa showing the public the great facility with which drinks of all sorts could be manufactured. With sugar and water as a foundation he made every kind of syrup and cordials by adding a few drops of essences, etc,, from a number of vials; and when this was done he likewise made various kinds of spirits—brandy, whiskey, etc., from other vials. His pamphlets, containing directions as to how all this was done, he offered at the modest sum of 2s each, and having sold a * ew he took up his traps and walked. We trust the purchasers of the pamjffileta we satisfied with their bargain,

Notwithstanding the bad weather and the dreadful state of the roads, the ball given by the bachelors of Coromandel to their friends, came off on Thursday night with considerable eclat. The room used as a ball-room was one forming part of the last additions to the' Coromandel Hotel, and intended for a dining-room. Among the guests were 25 ladies from Auckland. The music was supplied by a band under the leadership of Sir Wright. About half-an-hour after midnight an adjournment was made for supper, which was most tastefully laid out under the superintendence of Mr Grey. Full justice having been done to the good things provided, dancing was resumed and continued until nearly five yesterday morning. Most of the guests from a distance found shelter and rest under the wide and hospitable roof of the Coromandel Hotel, thankful not to be obliged, like the residents, to plod homewards through the pelting showers and deep mire. The committee of management sire to be congratulated upon the attention paid to ; the comfort of their guests.— Coromandel Mail.

The Auckland Evening Star says, “We were present yesterday afternoon at a private exhibition of the administration of ‘Laughing Gas’ to several gentlemen by Dr Carr, the eminent, mesmerist. The process of manufacturing the gas was conducted in the laboratory of Mr King, chemist, of Queenstreet, and transferred into air-tight bags. On the process and distillation, or the properties of the gas, it is needless to dwell, as it would not interest our readers. The gas was first inhaled hy the doctor himself, afterwards by other gentlemen present, the subjects appearing to be in a trance for a few moments, and, ori recovery, all spoke of the enjoyment and intensely pleasurably feelings in the head whilst under its influence. We are assured that it contains no injurious properties, and partially as a proof of this a lighted match was,inserted into, a glass vessel containing some of the gas, and the flame immediately became intensified, and burnt brilliantly until the gas was consumed. As far as we could judge, and from what we are informed, there is no fear of any reactionary influence after inhaling the gas, the feeling being almost one of regret that its power of action is spent. We understand that Dr Carr is about to proceed to the Thames, where he intends holding seances. On his return to Auckland, the ‘ Laughing Gas’ will be administered in public, and will doubtless cause both wonder and amusement.

It is very seldom that an officer of the Imperial army deserts, but a case of this kind ms recently occurred, as will be seen from the following extract from the Police Gazette. It is extraordinary that a man who rose by merit, we presume, from the position of a carpenter and private to that of a captain and paymaster, in the Royal Engineers, should wind up his career in such a way :—“Deserted, on the 9tli Feb., from the 16th company, Royal Engineers, at Southampton, embezzling a considerable sum of public money, Captain and Paymaster, George Pringle. Description : Aged fifty years, sft. Bin. high, florid complexion, brown and grey hair, prominent blue eyes, stout build, and soldierly appearance. Born at Lothian, near Edinburgh ; and enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Glasgow, 11th June, 1839, as a carpenter. £IOO reward will be paid by her Majesty’s Government to any person or persons who shall give such information as shall lead to his arrest. ”

One of the Ballarat lodges of the Manchester Unity Order is entering upon a very practical undertaking. From the Courier we learn that at a recent meeting “ a resolution was carried approving of the estab-

lishment of a Technical and Practical Trades School in -.Ballarat, for the purpose of educating boys born in the town in mechanical trades. This resolution will be laid before the next district meeting, in June, for its approval. The prime movers in this matter intend, as soon as the district meeting has confirmed the resolution, to invite the co-operation of all the local friendly societies, so as to make the movement a general one in the town.”

“ Atticus,” in the Melbourne Leader, says: —“I heard a good story of a wealthy Hebrew whose daughter was married a short time ago to one of the chosen people. Abraham did the extremely hospitable, and invited all his friends to a most sumptuous marriage feast. But though ou pleasure he was bent he had a frugal mind, and the temptation of making a little money was too strong for his sense of propriety. ‘ Moss,’ said he in the middle of the entertainment, ‘is that turkey good ? ’ ‘ Stunning, s’ elp me.’ ‘Anithe sausages, Slo?’ ‘Nipping.’ ‘ And the champagne, Ike V ‘ Why Jack Depass himself couldn't drink better.” “ Oh, I am glad your’e all pleased ; I don’t think five bob a head all round could hurt you for such a feed as this.’ ”

The following tale is told by the Pleasant Creek News : —“ A circle of investigators into the mysteries of spiritualism was sitting a few nights ago in a country house not far from Stawell, when manifestations took place which astounded them. The conditions were

favourable, the medium was in good form, and rappings came from under a table in the

corner of the room, which were unmistakeable in their impetuosity and loudness. No one was near the table, but the loud vehement beatings occurred at intervals, and with such startling suddenness, that the

owner of the place believed that he was likely to be haunted by the Fox knockinga, of which he had heard a great deal. The result of the sitting was regarded as eminently satisfactory by all present, till a ‘ canny ’ member of the nervometer-battery suggested that it would be well to examine

the table and its surroundings, when to the

disgust of all present, a terrier dog was discovered, who, in divesting himself of fleas, caused the raps by beating his leg against the floor in the ardour of the quest. Our informant states that the circle dispersed in a subdued manner.”