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Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1855, 11 September 1874, Page 2

His Honor the Superintendent, Mr Sheehau, 'Provincial Secretary, and Mr Holloway, delegate lof the English Agricultural Labourers' Union, came down yesterday from Auckland, Mr Holloway, we may mention, although it is .doubtless known to many of onr readers, was. associated with Mr Joseph Arch in the starting" and conducting of the renurkable movement amongst the English agricultural labourers which began about two years ago. It was found that the ordinary emigration agent did not reach the agricultural labourer, who was inclined to be suspicious of the class, and who will put faith only in those with whom he is acquainted, la order to be able to give re liable information as to the prospects in emigrating, Mr Arch paid a visit to Canada, and Mr Holloway was despatched to New Zealand. Mr Holloway has been travelling through the Southern provinces, and those who have read his speeches in Otago and Canterbury must have seen at once that he is a man admirably fitted for the task which has been allotted to him-a great task, for those from whom he is an ambassador are more potential :n modern society than many crowned heads—that he is cautious, practical, and shrewd. Mr Holloway was allowed four weeks in which to travel over the province of Auckland, but as the Superintendent considere 1 this time too short, - he telegraphed to Mr Vogel, who allowed two weeks more. It is proposed that Mr should spend a day or perhaps two in visiting the mines in this place, and'then that he s hould go up the Thames Eiver. We would suggest that he might go to the head-waters of the Thames and Piako, to the borders of the Waikato country. . After returning to Atck. land, Mr Holloway is to visit the country north of Auckland, going by sea to Mangonui, and' then returning by the settlements to Kaipara. fle will then go to Waikato, then by Tauranga to Taupo and Napier, and thea back to Wellington, where it s arranged that he shall see Mr Vogel, before the latter leaves for England. We have no doubt that Mr Holloway will receive every, courtesy and attention while in this district.; His Honor the Superintendent and Mr Sheehan will be busily engaged during the next two days in connection with propoied local works, the proposed extension of the goods wharf being one of the first matters to engage attention.

la the resolutions carried at the meeting of the Hospital Committee, as given in our yesterday's impression, it was stated, by a misprint, that the committee was to meet to conduct the inquiry on Monday, the 16th, instead, of Wednesday, the 16th. Notwithstanding one clause in the resolutions agreed to by the com-" mittee, we may say that we are of opinion that, in the circumstances, it would be better if the evidence taken were not published till it-, had been completed, and also that the public should not be admitted to be present at the inquiry. The sub ■ committee put themselves hopelessly in • the wrong-' when they issued a report in which the evidence was given in detached bits, and confessedly not fully. Every one who saw the > report at once pronounced that it would be assailed by the witnesses, and that it could not stand. against such imputation. But if the. r public have confidence that the evidence will' be fairly elicited, and fairly recorded, tbeywill be better pleased to wait till it is completed. The matter is of great importance to the Hospital, as affecting the public confidence in it.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was to have been held last evening, but we suppose that the election had so distracted and fatigued the members that a.quorum.could not be obtained. The members who attended were —The Mayor, Mr Renshaw, and Mr Bhrenfried. A special meeting was also to have been held, but both ordinary and special meetings were adjourned till Monday evening at seven o'clock.

In the Warden's Court yesterday some conversation took place on a point of considerable interest to those who have the misfortue to become litigants. Mr Hesketh applied for expenses in a case which had been, discontinued, and said that the time was coming when he would put it before the Court that when parties had to go to Auckland for counsel proportionate costs ought to be allowed.. His Worship said* there was great reason in this. There were only two gentlemen who practised in that Court, and when they were both engaged 01 the same side the other party had to go to Auckland. ~ ■ .

Miss Maggie Knight,-a young lady who, was introduced to the public in Auckland as possess-, ing histrionic ability a few years ago, and who' has since visited America professionally,' will make her appearance in several characters new to theatre goers at the Thames to-morrow evening. She will be assisted by Ma4er Johnny Qourlay and other well-known artos,

The ivyjtaius commanding Volunteer companies Qsf;he Thames held a meeting on Wednesday evening, relative to the opening of the new rifle range, near the Kauwaeranga, when it ■was resolved to open it with a series of shooting matches to-morrow (Saturday) week, Another meeting of the officers will be held to make arrangements for the opening celebration.

The directors of the Italian Gold Mining Company (Registered) met the directors of thß Nonpareil Company in conference last evening, as to the amalgamation, of the companies. The directors of the Nonpareil Company proposed that the offer of 2,250 double issue shares to be created by an insrease of the capital of the Nonpareil Company, be recommended for th« aiceptauce of the Italian Company's shareholders, To this proposition the Italian directors said it would he useless for them to place before their shareholders at an extraordinary meeting any offer of less than 2,700 double issue shares in the Nonpareil Company, to he created as proposed in payment for the Italian ground. The conference was adjourned for a week for further consideration of the subject.

■ There is at present a valuable black Newfoundland dog incarcerated in the kennels of the police station at Grahamstown, The animal has evidently been well for, and its owner had better take measures for its release before it is destroyed. The dog wears a chain collar, and is evidently a well-bred animal.

The hand of the Thames Fcottish will give an open-air performance in the Tai am Gardens to-morrow (Saturday) aft'rnoon, commencing at 2 o'clock, Should the weather prove favourable there will no dsubt be a large attendance on the occasion. We believe this is to be the fiist of a series of public performances by this excellent brass band.

Mr Edmund Comes writes in explanation of his resignation of the head teachership of the Boys' School as follows:—"By .the scale of salaries dated Bth of May, 1873,1 am entitled to salary for the Shellback at the following rates:—December quarter, 1873— Daily aveiage attendance, 107—£175 per annum. March quarter, 1874—Daily average attendance, 127—£190 per annum. After the expiration of nine months I was informed of Some other circular, which states that " Salaries will be paid from the 39th of June, J873, according to the daily average attendance for December quarter to the following 31st of March, 1874." . J n attempt is now made to make the daily average attendance for December quarter, 1873, appear under 100, and to pay me for the six months ending 31st of March according to scale for a less average than 100. Comment is needless. Mrs Cornes has assisted me and taught needlework in school for nearly a year and nine months, for the muni6cent sum of £s.''

An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the New Zealand Insurance Company was held in the company's oice, Auckland on Wednesday'afternoon.' The Hon J. Williamson presided. All the directors and a very large number of shareholders were present, while proxies from the shareholders in England and the Southern provinces were represented. A series of resolutions were put to the meeting and carried unanimously, to the effect that the capital of the company shall be increased to £1,000,000, by the creation of 100,000 new. shares of £10 each. It was agreed that onehalf the new shares should be offered to the public. The details of carrying out the various arrangements were left to the board of directors, who will have a detailed prospectus in a few days.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Reform League, convened to be held in Auckland last evening, the following resolutions were to be submitted:—First, "That the time has now arrived when the Provincial Institutions in New Zealand should be abolished" Second, "That members of the Beform League be enrolled at a yearly subscription of 55,"

The following is a list of the trades and occupations of the immigrants by the ship ' Oxford,' which arrived in Auckland on Tuesday :—Married Men with Families: 2 miuers, 15 farm labourers, 1 smith, 1 miller, 1 bricklayer, 1 engineer, 8 labourers, 1 police constable, 1 shoemaker, 1 mason, 6 carpenters, 2 painters, 2 tailors, 2 farmers, 1 gunsmith, 1 rope maker, 2 gardeners. Married Men without Families: 3 miners, 2 butchers, 1 groom, 1 baker, 1 mason, 1 ploughman, 1 carpenter, 1 miller, 1 smith, 5 farm labourers, 2 bricklayers, 1 engineer, 3 labourers. Single Men: 23 labourers, 3 smiths, 12 carpenters, 2 grooms, 1 shoemaker, 1 railway mechanist, 1 husbandman, 1 telegraph line man, 1 herdsman, 1 baker, 1 brass ship caster, 1 telegraph clerk, 1 pattern-maker, 25 farm labourers, 1 printer, 1 engine fitter, 1 engineer, 2 bricklayers, 3 sawyers, 1 boilermaker, 1 gardener, 1 servant, 2 tailors, 1 gunmaker, 1 messenger, 2 miners. Single : 43 general servants, 3 housemaids, 2 nurses, 1 laundress, 2 dairymaids, 2 cooks, 1 governess. The nationality of the above immigrants is as follows:—223 English, 177 Irish, 23 Scotch, 1 Austrian, 5 Germans, 3 Italians; or a total of 432 souls, equal to 3604 statute adults.

Mrs Burdett, alias Widow Walsh, has been sentenced, at Sydney,- to seven years' hard labour, for procuring abortion.

The attempt made by Mr Bass, in the Imperial Parliament, to abolish imprisonment for debt has failed, by a majority of 215 as against 72, on the second reading of the bill. The arguments were all in favour of the proposed alteration in the law, but J;he temper of Parliament was against it. Mr Bass, in Bupport of his measure, told the House it would perhaps be stattled to learn that during the 22 years which had elapsed since the first establishment of County Courts, 183,000 men and women had been sent to gaol. The hon. member affirmed that England was, he believed the only civilised countiy were imprisonment was permitted for small debts, t-ir H. James contended that the County Courts were no longer forums for the general administration of the law, but had become great debt collecting offices, and were employed by persons in order to carry into effect the speculations upon which they had entered. Credit was given to imprisonment for debt. Is was not credit with the individual with whom the creditors dealt, but it was credit given to the means of recovering. Mr Holker agreed that the statute under which imprisonment for debt was inflicted was both a blunder and a blot upon our judicial system, Sergeant Simon supported the bill. It was alleged that the existing law was meant as a punishment for fraud, If so, he hoped that in future fraud would be punished as a criminal offence in the usual manner, and not by any roundabout process. There were members who Bpoke against the second reading of the bill, but the strength and talent of the debate was in favour of abolishment of imprisonment for debt, as being harsh, oppressive, and unequal in its action.

The following schedule of ship 3 posted at Lloyds, to June 30 of the present year as missing, is exclusive of all other fatal wrecks andcasualties:—lß73—January, 17; February, 18; March, 27; April, 23; May, 24; June, 19. 1872—January, 5; February, 15; March, 15; April, 6; May, 9; June, 5. Missiug to September 30th, in each of the following years: —tlrain-laden ships -1872, 26; 1873, 50. Coal-laden ships—lß72,ll; 1873,40. Timberladen ships—lß72, 6; 1873,17- This shows a terrible increase; but Mr Plimsoll states that the result is what he anticipated, for reasons which seem almost too terrible to credit, were it not for the stem statistics above given. The total number of lives supposed to have been lost in these missing ships is 1747. Well may that gentleman say—" VVhdt will the whole year give ? These are missing ships only. May (iod forgive us for our murderous neglect of our fellow-men at sea!''

Prince Bismarek previous to his. illness, was interviewed by Jokai, the eminent Hungarian, to whom he spoke with characteristic frankness on European politics and the Eastern question. He spoke contemptuously of the Preach as varnished barbarians, stigmatised the Pope in violent terms, and ridiculel the idea of Russia annexing Constantinople, or Germany incorporating theiiermanCatholicProvinces of Austria. The publicition of the details of the interview produced a great sensation on the Continent. Bismarck is apparently striving to drive France aud the Papacy into common.Babmission or combined resistance.