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Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1871, 7 October 1874, Page 2

To-day will he observed as a holiday, as the proclamation has it, "in celebration of tbe anniversary of tbe landing of Captain Cook." As we have stated before, the promoters of the Auckland Spring Meeting went to the Provincial Government and asked that the day should be proclaimed as a holiday. The reply was, that they would do it if a decent excuse could be found, and the almanack having been consulted, it was found that Captain Cook would suit, and so he was selected as the pretext. The Government offices and banks will be shut, and we presume there will be no business—although, in these dull times, that will be no great change. No amusement has been provided for the public We presume that none of the mines or batteries will be stopped. The Stock Exchange, will be closed, and the sharebrokers have agreed not to do any business, which is an instance of self-sacrifice.

We hear that it is likely that the Provincial Government will not contribute anything out of the amount voted for goldfields roads to the road proposed to be made up the Waio-Karaka. How the Provincial Government can come to this determination we cannot imagine. The road is one of the most important ever proposed, as is shown by the fact' that tho companies interested are willing to contribute largely. But the Provincial Government seem determined to prevent the Borough Council from doing anything, and to spend money, not' where it is most wanted, but where "they are asked to spend it by tb'ose whom they believe to be political supporters.' The Executive will find, that by this course; they, will lose ten times the amount of support they will gain. To'spend £700 on a road' in the Waiotahi, and to refuse to contribute towards a road in the Waio-Karaka, is simply ridiculous.

The Auckland Spring Meeting takes place at the racecourse, Ellerslie, tp-day. The 'Golden Crown'will make a special trip, leaving the Thames 1 at 7 a.m.," and returning from Auckland at 6 p.m. The new railway line is announced to be opened as far, as Drury for the first time to-morrow, and excursion trains will be run. . •

The 'Loch Urr,' barque, leaves Auckland to-day for San Francisco, in ballast. Passengers —Mr John Gourlay, Mr R, Watt.

At the Warden's Court yesterday, the cass of Comes v. Waiotahi Gold Mining Company was called on. On the application of Mr Macdonald it was adjourned till Tuesday, the 13th.

The usual monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Committee will be held to-day. We have no doubt it will be a contrast to.several of the meetings which have lately taken place.

The steamer 'Southern Cross' arrived at Tararn early yesterday morniug with a cargo of 60 head of fat cattle and about 300 sheep from Napier, consigned to Messrs Banks and Co, Owing to the strong wind blowing she was .unable to reach the hard with the early morning's tide to land her cargo, but in the afternoon she got alongside the wharf, and landed the sheep, It is expected the cattle will be landed this morning, and she will then leave for Auckland.

Most of pur readers will be glad to learn tkt news. has been received o£ the Rev Father Nivard.' A letter dated 30th April' was received by Mr Thomas (i. : Waiters, of Parnell, from which we learn that at tlut date the reverend gentleman was quite well in health, He has been placed in charge of the WahCaang district, and has under his care an orphanage in which there are 110 Chinese girls, who are attended to by 18 Chinese nuns, Father Nivard's station is so far inland that he haa few opportunities of writing or receiviug letters, but he desired to be remembered to many of his old friends and personal acquaintances at the Thames, sitting that he would always remember the Thames, where he had so many warmand sincere friends. We gladly give insertion to this meagre information of a gentleman who was ever popular here without seeking popularity,' and who was deservedly respected and beloved for his gentlemanly demeanour and thoughtful kindness, in private life, as well as for the great interest which he ever manifested in the welfare of our public institutions,'

A supplementary. Justice of the Peace. Act has just come into force in this colony, enabling Resident Magistrates to deal with offenders charged with obtaining money by false representations. The principal object is to admit of persons found guilty of passing valueless cheques for small amounts being punished by the Magistrate, instead of, as at re« manded for trial to the Supreme Court.

Two or three weeks ago Messrs Moorhouse and Walker started from Wanganui with a mob of 500 or 600 head of cattle, which tliey ; proposed driviug.to Taupo through the 70-mile bush. The roads were in a very .unfavourable state for such a journey, and by the time they had reached the Mauawatu Qorge, .Messrs Moorhouse and Walker had lost no less .thin 120 cattle, which had either died from exhaustion or strayed into the bush.

Wellington exchanges inform us that .the inauguration fete at the Wellington College is to take place on the 15th of October, uuder the presidency of hi 3 Excellency Sir James Pergusson, and will consist of athletic sports in the College grounds and a dejuner in the largo hall.

A labouring mail named James Osborne, who arrived recently from Auckland, catne to an untimely end on Saturday last, while crossing the Waipaoa river at the Eangatira block, his way to the oil spriugg, in company with ha& mates, all of : whom were under engagement to the Petroleum Company. Three constables have been employed: searching for the. body, :..] but without success. All that is known of the cause of the accident has been furnished by ...■ Mr Williams,' engineer to the Petroleum. Coin-. pany, who states that he was proceeding to the oil springs on the 19th instant, with some J workmen, deceased among the number. Oh ;• reaching the Kangatira crossing Osborne's horse ? stumbled, and unseated his rider, who suddenly - disappeared, and was not again seen by any of ■-- the party. The river wa? much swollen and. rdiscolored at the time.-Povertyßay Stmdara.. : .

We (Hawh's Bay. Herald) understand that Mr Elliott, the engineer appointed to'report on harbour and othor public works in 'the southern provinces, who lately arrived from England, is likely topay a visit to Napier at an emy.daw. Mr Elliott is spoken of as a gentleman of; hign. professional attainments and great experience.,

> John Hislop, Ssq., of Dunedin, has been installed " Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand" amongst the Freemasons, .An express driver, at Wellington, named Cornelius Regan, committed suicide some time during last Thursday night by drawing himtf£ in a water barrel, whilst labouring under i?fit of temporary insanity. The Kennedy Family, after a tour up and down New Zealand, have at length left Dunedin for Melbourne. They expect to return in seven years.

The New Zealand Times says that sixteen large water-colour paintings of New Zealand scenery, from original sketches by the Hon. Mr Fox, are to be disposed of to subscribers to the Art Union, the proceeds of which are to be dovoted to the Temperance Hall Baziar Fund,

The Wanganui papers have lately been filled with accounts of disputes between the Borough Council of that town and its surveyor, Mr Millar, which have culminated in that official having to resign his office, He, however, refuses to deliver up certain books and papers in his possession to the corporate authorities, and there seems eveiy probability of a lawsuit, and good feeding for the lawyers out of it,

The Otago Times contains a facetiously written history of the individual who has been lately swindling the good people of Dunediu. He stopped at good hotels, had a valet, borrowed money from all sorts of people, from waiters to widows, bought an hotel, engaged barmaids, telegraphed to England for thousands of pounds, and at last his. trunks have been found to contain stones, and he has been brought up at the Police Court.

The Hon, Mr Reynolds, Commissioner of Customs, accompanied by Mr Seed, the comptroller, paid a visit yesterday to Kohimarama. Their object was to inspect the school buildings formerly used by the Melanesian Mission, also the-old mission schooner 'Southern Cross,' with a view to ascertain their adaptability as a training ship and station, an institution very much needed here, and for the establishment of whioh £2,000 has been voted by Parliament,— Hindi

The Wairapa Standard says in reference to the timber trade of that district, that there are at present eight steam saw mills in the Wairarapa; three of which turn out on theaverage about 100,000 feet per month, and the five others average 60,000. feet respectively; making a total of 600,000 feet per month; of •which 500,000 feet are cut for private consumption within the district; 50,000 feet for General and Provincial Government contracts, leavinf only-an average of 50,000 feet to be sent monthly for private sale and consumption to Wellington, though a larger quantity than this is sent there during the summer months.

The Baltic Gazette learns that not only are the seminaries and colleges for training Moman Catholic priests in Bussia to be subj cted to a radical re-orgauisation, but the orphanages and creches in Poland are to be similarly treated, with the avowed object of lessening the priestly influence now exercised upon them,

The Christchurch Press of the 25th instant says:—"The adjourned meeting of intending passengers to the Palmer River diggings was held last night at the Boro' Eotel. The meeting. was very largely attended, about 140 parsons being present. Mr J. O, Stotfc occupied the chair, and stated that'he had been to Lyttelton that day, and received offers from the agents of two vessels, and had also received telegrams from Wellington and Auckland. Be had telegraphed that morning to Dunedin, to the agents of the steamer' Easby,' and had received a reply that.that vessel had sailed full, the agents having to refuse fifty, applications for passages. After. some discussion, a csmmittee of three was appointed to consider the offers made, aud report to a meeting to be held at the same place on to-morrow evening Sixty-five persons entered their names on the list of intending passengers. A vote of thanks to the chairman for the trouble he had taken brought the meeting to a close.

The s.s. * Phoebe' left Onehunea on Monday for the south, Passengers:—Messrs, H, Hutton, Gf. L. Matthews, Win. Paterson, James Wood, Geo Downie, Wm. Crocker, Hatswell, Hume, A. Barley, J. Margetts, W. Tutty, Hurley, Page, Boulton, Jas. Patcbell.

Very grave doubts are entertained as to whether Mr "Vogel will return to New Zealand, and more than one influential journal has considered the chances are against the Premier coming hack to this colony. Witlnut doubt, the overtures reported to have been made to Mr Stafford to take over the administration oi the Government during the absence of Mr Yogel gave rise, in the first instance, to the belief that the Premier would prefer remaining in England, and since his departure it has been stated that he has disposed of much of his property. If this last report he true, the belief in Mr Gogol's intention £> abandon the colony will be strengthened.— Napier Telegraph.

The influx of population, caused by immigration and public works, has had the effect of putting people to their wits ends* to contrive habitations in Napier. Every description of dwelling-place of a temporary character may be seen in all directions, just immediately beyond the prioeipal business portion of the fown, and many of the tent-enmshanty-cum-burrowcon-trivances in which numbers are glad to find shelter are as miserable substitutes for homes as can be imagined. The Government cottages are now complete, but four times the number would readily find tenants.— Telegraph.

" A singular case of madness, nearly ending in suicide," the Newcastle Pilot reports, "occurred on board the brig 'Minora,' on the passage from Auckland to Newcaste. The vessel left Auckland on the 19th July, and the following day a man named James M'Lean was found stowed away. Captain Smidt permitted the man to remain at liberty, and employed him in various ways about the ship. During the whole lime M'Lean's conduct was sufficiently eccentric to attract the notice of those about him; hut he still seemed able to obey orders. About half-past 9 o'clock p.m. on the 4th August, the captain was informed ..that M'Lean was missing, and (search was at once instituted. After some time, the unfortunate man was found with a rope round his neck, and hanging from a ladder, quite insensible, and his lower extremities were rigid. He was immediately cut down, and meauswere taken to revive him which, after a time, was successful. M'Lean was then, however, a raving maniac, and so violent that it was found necessary to put him in a straight jacket, as he threatened destruction to all on board the vessel, including himself. He was carefully watched until the vessel's arrival in this port, when he was handed over to the police. In the lock-up he was quiet, but was evidently out of his mind. M'Lean is an Irishmad, and is about 25 years of age."

The stoppage of the Australian mail service is an injury to the business of this city, and one that ought to be immediately remedied, There are many thousands of letters awaiting transmission heaped up in our Post Office, many disappointed travellers prowling about in our - city, and many people suffering from severe Joss by reason of the interrupted communication. The execution which has been levied upon the steamship 'Tartar,' and the failure of the company to fulfill the contract entered into, are each matters of individual interest with which the public cannot interfere. But the interruption of a great means of intercourse has an important bearing upon everyday work, aud it would be a capital conclusion to the present dead-lock, if owners, creditors, aud other interested persons could be brought to agree to an agreement which, while it left all matters concerning present claims in statu quo, would prevent the ship from lying idle. With freight, mails, and passengers all ready to start, with clear-headed lawyers here ready to protect all interests, there can be no difficulty in the way excepting some legal technicality eanly overcome.— San Francisco Chronicle.

A singular strike is threatened in London of the young men in large drapers' shops if they are not allowed to wear moustaches.

There was a rousing anti-Mormon meeting in Salt Me on July 28th, in the street in front of the Tribune office. There was no interruption, and for the first time on the occasion of an outdoor Gentile political demonstration, the Mormon police were on hand to preserve order. Bands of music were in attendance, and with torchlights, transparencies, etc., great enthusiasm was excited. There was speaking by several leading citizens, liberal Mormons, and others.

.;The Santa Cruz Sentinel has the following: —The Mountain. School District schoo'-hous?, in Soquel township, was the scene of an interesting conflict on Sunday, the 12th instant. It appears that, with the consent of the Trustees, the people of the neighbourhood have occupied the school-house on Sunday afternoons for Sunday School purposes, The Spiritualist, desiring to indulge in a seance, obtained permission to use the school-house on the 12th instant, provided they would vacate the premises at 2 o'clock, the hour at which the Sunday School assembled. Dr. Joselyn, a well-known medium and lecturer of San Jose, was engaged to lecture on ihe occasion. The Doctor gave an excellent lecture on Spiritualism, but, as luck would have it, fell into a trance at the stipulated hour of adjournment. Meanwhile the Sunday School assembled without and .insisted on being admitted, The Spiritualists refused to disturb the medium or to surrender the premises Thereupon war was declared by the conductors of the Sunday School, who proceeded to bombard the premises and drive therefrom the occupants. A general free fight ensued, and for a few moments the struggle was said to be exceedingly interesting.

There is at present occupying one of the cells in the Tombs prison in New York a woman of about twenty-nine years of age, remarkably prepossessing in appearance, and gifted with accomplishments and talents which, if they had been correctly applied, would no doubt have given her a brilliant position in society, instead of a gloomy cell inside of four walls. The charge against this young woman, who has all the manners of refined society, is that of grand laiceny, preferred by General Philip D. Roddy, of Alabama, a citizen well-known in this city and railroad management throughout the cotton States. On the 9th of June last, General Roddy appeared before Justice Morgan at Jefferson Market, and made complaint against the accused, charging her with stealing an optical instrument known as an opera glass, valued at §15 50, and seven gold coins of the currency of Sreat Britain, in. all valued at §50, In answer to this charge the accused answered in a quiet way: "My legal name is Guiotta Frances Itnddy. lam twenty-nine years of age, and 1 was born in Warren county, New Jersey, I have no residence—my husband turned me out of his, I have no occupation.. lam not guilty of the charge." This was rather a startling announcement to make in open Court, but Carlotta was committed in default of §1,000 bail,' and the Grand Jury, of which Hugh Auchinloss was foieman, brought in an indictment against her, and a kv days since she appeared before the bar of the deueral Sessions and pleaded not guilty to the charge, and now is awaiting her trial. The theft is' said to have been committed at the residence of General Koddy, iu Jersey City, and it is said that the trial of the prisoner will involve persons-well-known to the community, who have been fooli-h enough to get themselves entangled in the meshes of this woman. The real name of the accused is said to be Mary F. Shotwell, and by that name she was known when she made her debut in this city at French's Hotel, and hiving apartments, appeared in company with a Chicago detective, who came on with her to recover some railroad bonds, which were said to have been taken from her by a man about town named Brooks, whose arrest she caused. The bonds were of the railroad company with which General Roddy was conueetcd, and they were taken and held to await development by Superintendent Kenso. While at French's Hotel, this woman, who is a dark and languishing brunette, gave her name as Shotwell, and held various interviews with the reporters, in which she represented herself as a rich widow, and then again as a lobbyist at Washington for some invention; and, in fact, 'she related so many stori-s of herself that it was hard to tell win re she came from or what she was. One thing was clearly evident; however, and that was that she had great command of language, and could talk three or four of the stronger sex "out of their boots;" it seemed from her manner ttat she was generally uuder the influence of some strong narcotic, her eyes were gifted with a strange and unnatural brilliancy, and she talked wildly at times of her influence in the District Attorney's olee and the power she could bring to bear on General Grant and other high f unctionarijs at Washington. There was au examination before a well-known police magistrate at that time in the Tombs, and the Chicago detective, it is said, played the part of the "Heathen Chinee" and outwitted the Central Office police magistrate and all the officials about the Court. After this she disappeared, and now, after the lapse of nearly a year, she again appears at the bar of the General Sessions to await this last charge preferred by a gentleman whom she asserts is her husband. At any rate she is a wonderfully mysterious woman and very unlike the general run of her sex who appear in Police Courts.— N.Y. Herald, July 13th.