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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 219, 21 June 1872, Page 2

The s.s. Hero is expected to arrive in Auckland Harbour to-day.

Up to tlie time of the closing of the telegraph olliee there was no signs of [the mail steamer.

A meeting of master bakers, to consider the question of “ Day and night work,” is to be held at the Imperial Hotel, Polleu-strecct, this evening.

There are about tlie average number of cases set down for bearing at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Shorthand, to-day, several being defended. At the Police Court yesterday two persons were fined for drunkenness, and one for obsccue language. A case of assault, which arose out of a disputed title to a claim, was dismissed.

A New Zealand Gazette , published on the 12th instant, contains the standing orders and forms of proceeding of the General Assembly relative to private bills. The scale of fees to be paid by tlie promoters of these bills is : —On the first reading, £5 ; second, £10; third, 10.

There was a meeting of several members of the St Clare Lodge, S.C., at the Governor Bowen Hotel, yesterday, Mr Robert Graham in the chair, when it was determined to windup the affairs of the lodge, and take the advice of the members as to the balance of money in hand, after all just debts have been paid. We understand that Mrs Manning intends to devote the sum of five pounds (part of the proceeds from the Grand Art Union she is at present holding), to be equally divided between the Thames Hospital and the Miners’ Accident Relief Fund. This is an excellent example, which we have no doubt will be fully appreciated.

Discovery of Human Bones.—A man named Cartwright, whilst engaged in digging on the Karaka Road yesterday, found some human bones. They are evidently many years old, and tumbled to pieces on being touched. From the length of time that must have elapsed from the time they were buried uutil they were accidentally exhumed yesterday, it is not very probable that much further light will be thrown on the subject. A meeting of the sub-committee appointed on Wednesday, in reference to the case of Lethbridge v Dewar, met yesterday morning. The busiuess was of a private nature, but we may state for the information of our readers, many of whom naturally feel an interest iu the progress of the case, that there is a probability of the matter being referred to the arbitration of Mr Warden Fraser.

At the Warden’s Court yesterday the case of Balmer v. W. Thomas and others was called on. There was a large array of counsel, Mr Macdonald, Mr Rees, and Mr Tyler appearing for plaintiff, and Mr John Sheehan for defendants. The case, however, was not gone into, but was adjourned on the application of Mr Tyler until the 10th July, with a view to settlement. The Court then adjourned uutil Wednesday next. A deputation waited upon the Goldfields Secretary and Mr James Mackay, jun., yesterday, at the Government Offices, Grahamstown, in reference to the proposed recreation ground. The Goldfields Secretary stated that the Government was most anxious to acquire a site for the purpose, and that Mr Mackay and Mr Daniel Tookey would assist in negotiating with the natives. A report will be found iu another column.

Thomson, the patient suffering from the smali-pox, and now an inmate iu a separate i( om at the Provincial Hospital, is, we learn, progressing favourably. There are no dangerous symptoms, and his c unplefe recovery will n the many days at the outside. The patient has been thoroughly isolated, and j every precaution which could be taken to , prcv.nt outside communication has beta j adopted,— Cross,

fei' An advertisement appears elsewhere, calling Pf a meeting of those who are desirous of prolb;. moling the Hide Match against an Auckland ® team. As our men are the challengers, we PI trust they will show up well now that the : gauntlet has been taken tip. If we can manage to get anything like our best team together for the occasion, they will, we feel If confident take a lot of beating and though there is no doubt that Auckland cau raise a H first class lot of shots to pit against as we do tej not feel much doubt as to the result. | An extraordinary row took place in the H vicinity of Albert and Davy streets. It aph pears that a sailor was being taten to the |j watch-house for being drunk and disorderly, If when his companion—also slightly inebriated 1-—came to his rescue. A general setiffie cnp sued between the police and the two men. U: and it was not until the assistance of the I bystanders had been invoked, and some coup siflerable time had elapsed, that the men I were secured and taken to the lock-up. / The usual meeting of the Debating Society | took place at the Mechanics’ Institute, and f there was a good attendance of members. If The subject for discussion was as to whether |. a Secular system of education or a deuomi--1 national one, would he the best to be adopted | by our Colonial Legislature. A very intc- | resting discussion was the result, in which I several gentleman took part on both sides. I It is proposed to start a company to coni' struct a pier 480 feet in length (which would f give 7 feet of water at low tide, at the ciul of the pier) at Preecc’s point, Coromandel, f and to connect it by a tramway with Kali panga township. The capital of the comjjt pany will be £3OOO, in 000 shares of £5 | each ; but, in order to provide against unI foreseen contingincies, power is reserved in the memorandum of association to increase the capital by £IOOO. A meeting of the Thames Rifle Rangers took place last evening at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Grahamstown. Members present— Lieut. Rea (in the chair), three sergeants, and twenty-one members. After the minutes | of the last monthly meeting had been read and confirmed, Lieutenant Rea addressed the meeting on a most important subject, viz., the election of a captain. He thought none could fill that position better than Captain Howell, of the New Zealand Militia, late captain of No. 1 Royals, Auckland Volunteers. He left it to the meeting to decide. After some conversation, all agreed to sign a

requisition to Captain Howell, asking him to take command of the company. Captain Howell is well known, and has the reputation of being a good drill, and will soon make the company efficient. The company then decided to have their weekly drills held at the Cosmopolitan Hall, instead of Shortland, with the exception of the monthly parade drills After some other company business had been disposed of, the meeting adjourned till the next monthly meeting, 4th July.

The half-yearly meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company was held yesterday, when the 23rd report and the balance-sheet were read and adopted. The report announced a dividend of 10 per cent., and showed the affairs of the company to be in n most satisfactory state. The report will be found published in extenso elsewhere.— Cross.

Some time ago we believe application was made by a gentleman in Coromandel to his Honor the Superintendent, for permission to construct a tramway from the town to the wharf, and had the necessary authority been given, a local company would have taken the matter in hand at once. The reply of the Superintendent has just been received, and it states that the whole question of tramways is under consideration by the Government. It seems to us that the Provincial Government do nothing but obstruct the progress of Coromandel. They will neither permit private enterprise to construct public works, nor yet do so themselves. — Coromandel Mail.

At a meeting with the natives at Alexandra Mr McLean said— '* He thought it right to tell them frankly that he looked for a reparation for the murder of Mr Todd ; the act was committed in a time of peace, and coidd not he overlooked ; and, though no hostilities were desired, yet lie expected that, when terms were arrived at, Tawhiao would assist in the furtherance of the ends of justice. lie was, however,yet willing that this matter, and the shelter afforded to To Kooti, should he included among the negotiations, ns no intention existed of making them the cause of a war.” The chiefs present recognised the force of what was said respecting the murder, and all declared their abhorrence of it, and their satisfaction with the views cuundated. — Cross.