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Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1890, 9 November 1874, Page 2

To-day, heing the anniversary of the Prince of iWales' Birthday, will be observed as a public holiday. The hanks, public offices, and, we believe, most of the places of business in town, will be closed. Should the weather prove favourable, holiday-makers will have a good opportunity of enjoying themselves at the Tararu and Parawai Gardens. It is unusual that the Volunteers have not been called upon to parade on such an occasion, and this is the more singular because the Major commanding (who has been much absent of late) is at present in the district. We are informed that numbers of men had made arrangements for changes of shift under the impression that there would be the usual parades on such an occasion. The Naval Brigade will master at half-past 6 o'clock this morning to attend the launch of their new gig at Mr Y. Savage's yard, Shortland, at 7 a.m., but this appears to be the only Volunteer demonstration intended for the Prince of Wales' Birthday, 1874. The bazaar in aid of»reducing the debt on St. George's Church was brought to a close on Saturday night, after a most successful three days'fair, realizing £400 On Saturday the place was crowded throughout the evening, and the stalls were greatly thinned of their stock of goods, although a very large surplus remained undisposed of' at the close of the bazaar. We have not been informed what it is intended to do with the balance of goods, or how it is proposed to get off a number of art unions and raffles only partially filled up on Saturday night. It is probable that a day will be named for the purpose, when the balance of goods will'likewise be submitted for sale or disposed of at auction. The proceeds on Saturday amounted to the very handsome sum of £193, making a total of £400. The members of the Thames Naval Brigade competed for the silver cup at the 400, 500, and 600 yards ranges on Saturday. This cup has to be won five times to be the property of the holder, and has now been won four times by Seaman G. Clark, but was carried off by S'eaman Sykes on Saturday, with 65 points. The following are the principal scores:—Seaman Sykes, 65; Lieut. Qavin, 64; Seaman Armstrong, 63; Petty Officer Brown) 60; Seaman J. Gordon, 60. Mr Savage, of Portland, has now completed the gig for the Thames Naval Brigade,"and it is to be launched with this morning's tide about 7. o'clock. Its dimensions are, 40 feet by 6 feet 6 inches beam. The boat has been built after the model of a man-of-war gig, and if anything, a little larger,' for the convenience of the numerous body of men now in this brigade. The boat is to pu!l eight oars, and carries French lug-sails. She is really a pretty model, and does credit to her builder, The boat has been built at the expense of the, officers and men and honorary members, at a cost of upwards of £80.. It has beeu.considered by the officers for some time back an actual necessity to make their men proficient in boat drill, and we must admit that they deserve great credit for the spirit of liberality they have shown in launching it without Government aid. The bori will always be manned in uniform, and the brigade told off in crews or watches. We understand repeated applications have been been made by Mr Brassey for a couple of pinnances carrying guns, and that the Defence Minister has asked to be supplied with the estimated cost of each, with a view of pro'viding this corps with the means of trainiog the men in gun> drill afloat. We hope the application will be granted as socn as possible, wi ■ confess that no naval corp3 in New Zealand more deserves the assistance asked for than our spirited local corps.

At a meeting'of the Kauwaerauga School Committee, held on Saturday evening, the Key Mr Brown, of the Waiotabi Creek School, was unanimously appointed head-teacher of;the Kauwaerauga Boys' School, but:will not commence his duties till after the Christmas holiday* We understand that it was not the intention of Mr Brown to remain, at the Waiotahi Creek School after this. .year, so that his appointment to the school at Shortland will secure his remaining in' the district. The situation of the Shortland School, and the ; size of the building, make it certain that under an efficient teacher, such as Mr Brown has shown himself to be, it will become one of the largest, if not the largest, school in the province. The committee also agreed to send a letter to the Education Board, asking that the Kauwaerauga School should be made a "superior school" under the Act of 1874. This provides that the head-master shall teach higher branches than are taught in the common schools, and shall be at liberty to charge fees under the control of the Board, The extra cost of such a school would, it is considered, be almost, if not entirely covered, by such fees. The Volunteer Ball is well situated for such a school, as the most of those who would use it reside at Shortland. In thejiro-. posal for a superior school there is nothing hostile to the High School movement. A well tau»ht superior school would show,what materials we had for a High School, and might attract scholarships and funds which would assist in supporting a Bigh School. •/.• A soiree in connection with the Star of the Thames Lodge of Good Templars will be heW at the Karaka Sohookoom. to-night. -Miss, laura Wiseman and several amateur vocalists will sing during the evening, and there also be recitations a»4 other $»tafangwi%

"We have received a letter from a writer signing " Shellback," on the same subject as the letter of "Fairpky" in. Saturday's paper, but we think it better that it should not he published. We are glad to see an interest taken in our public schools, but should regret that any notice in our columns should cause misunderstanding. Whatever prominence may have been given to the Waiotahi school, we are sure that it has never been sought by the teacher of that school. We have also received a letter written by a lady in answer to Mr Cornes's communication. We hardly think the •very indiscreet letter of Mr Comes was worth a reply. Mr Comes made a number of rash assertions which we believe few would believe, and which, we should suppose, would injure *»-Anly himself.

At the usual meeting of the Auckland Educational Board held on Thursday last a letter was received from Mr Bagnal), forwarding resolutions of a'public meeting held at the Thamss, aa to the establishment of a superior school underthe Amendment Act. The consideration of £<fgiuestiou was postponed until after the InXJfw's visit and report. • The splendid yacht 'Blanche,'belonging to his Excellency the Governor, is to be sold by auction in Auckland on the 22nd instant. She was built in 1868, registers 63 tons, and is classed Al at Lloyds for thirteen yeare, tnd is the largest vessel of her kind in the colonies. The brigijotine 'Coronet,' Captain Bose, arrived in Auckland oh Friday from Tahiti. The 'Coronet' left Auckland on the 21st August, and has spent two and a-half months upon this trip. Passengers—Vessra .\. Heather, Talbot, Mcliver, Mr and Mrs Keogh and 4 children. Mr and Mrs Moore and 5 children, and 2 natives. At the Police Court on Saturday, Eliza Collins was fined 10s, or, in default, 21 hoars' imprisonment, for hating been drunk and incapable, Michael McMabon obtained an extension of the license of t be Kuranui Hotel to the Parawai Gardens for ; to-day. At the meeting of the Auckland City Council on Friday list, in reference to the incoming Governor, the Marquis of >'ormanby, the Mayor read a letter from the Superintendent's Office, stating that on the return of Mr Williamson from Tauranga, a definite reply would be given to the enquiries made in regard to his reception. Some talk occurred in regard to this subject, resulting in nothing but a general expression of feeling that the Council trere not in a position to expend any money, at present on such matters A letter was read from Mr Erriogton, applying for £500 on account of services at Auckland waterworks to extent of £1,800. This was granted.

The lengthened enquiry into the origin of the late fire in Wakefield-street was brought to a close without any satisfactory issue at half-past six on Thursday evening. The evidence having been taken, the jury retired to consider their verdict, and returned the following:-" We find that the fire occurred on the premises of John Kemsley on the morning of the 22nd of October. In the opinion of the jury it was not the result of an accident) but there is not sufficient evidence to show who caused it. The jury are also of opinion that there are suspicious circumstances in the removal of Kernsley's property. They find it a case of wilful incendiarism by some person or persons unknown." "The death of Mrs Hallara (Miss Hattie ghepparde)" says the Australian Sktcher, " is an irreparable loss to the stage, and the personal grief felt in consequence has had no parallel since the loss of poor Brooke in the 'London.'" Our Wellington correspondent, in a telegram elsewhere, is rather severe upon Mr Holloway, the delegate of the English Agricultural labourers' Union, although his sfatements are by no means without force. It 13 the most natural thing in the world for a man to enjoy a twelve months' holiday tour, with a guinea a day and two guineas travelling expenses secure, open houses everywhere, the great officials of the country attending upon him, and the newspapers eulogising bis intelligence, and recording his sayings as those of a sage. The enjoyment nrnst also be enhanced by comparison with Mr Holloway's previous experiences in England. There is no reason, therefore, for surprise at his desire to prolong his tour and his pay to the utmost Estimating the cost of Mr Holloway's visit to this colony at the rate stated by our correspondent, it must . amount to at least £1,000; but if we were asked to indicate any practical result from his visit as yet beyond the enjoyment affordel to Mr Holloway himself we should feel some difficulty. No doubt good is expected to accrue after his return to L'ngland, and for that very reason the sooner his deparluie is expedited the better, or the immigration money may have run out before he has a chance of offering to his hard-working fellow-countrymen the benefits of a free passage to the land of promise. Mr Holloway cannot be blamed for knowing what is good for himself, and he would be more than human if he showed any eagerness to sacrifice his present pretty little emoluments. But colonists like to see what they are paying for, and for this reason, Mr Holloway should be made to understand that what he i* employed for is not to give his opinion of the "country to colonists, who are perfectly able to exercise their own judgment on the matter, but to tell the agricultural classes who have chosen him as their representative, what New Zealand is, and the sooner he does that the better for all concerned. —Auckland Star,

It may interest Freemasons to know tbat his Excellency the Marquis of Nonoanby is a brother of the mystic tie, and apparently takes considerable interest in the craft. The Austrdkti Freemason notices a Masonic ball given by the light of the foulh Lodge, 1.C., Toowoomba, which was opened by his Excellency. The same journal notices the opening of the Freemasons' Hall in Hobart Town by a hanquet, at which his Excelleccy Governor Du Cane was present, and responded in a very able speech to the toast of Worthy Past Masters. Thep.s, ' Golden Crown' sailed from Auckland on Thursday night for Melbourne, via the Bay of Islands. Our citizens will view with regret the loss which Auckland sustains in this fine vessel being withdrawn from the service of the port. The Thames people will also miss this steamer greatly. Whatever may have been her faults ehe was a commodious and comfortable paasrager vessel, and whichever boat may destined to be her successor it is not likely that we shall find an improvement in this respect. Captain Farquhar takes the Steamer to Eusse'l, where she is to fill coal bunkers. She will sail from thence for her destination as soon as the weather sets in fine. Captain Lapthorne will take her across, assisted by Mr Cooper, late.of the' Phoebe,' as chief' officer, and Mr Carlo, as chief engineer. The • Crown' has been specially prepared for her sea voyage.—Auckland Star. A large native meeting was lately held at Hick's Bay, on the East Coast, which was attended by about 350 of the Ngatiporau, including all the principal chiefs. The Wellington Poit says:—"We learn that the meeting was commenced by the hoisting of a flag, the chiefs Iharaira, Eopata, and Morgan, and Mr Campbell, 8.M., Captain Porter, and Major Pitt occupying seats on a platform round the flagstaff, the rest of the people being grouped in hapus around. A picked body of thirty, drawn up beside the platform, fired a volley, after which they danced a war-dance. At one end of the platform was Mrs Hokamau, gorgeously attired in a blue silk gown, with a blue velvet hat and purple feather, who, in spite of her age, displayed extraordinary agility, At the other end was a young lady, a daughter of a chief of rank, dressed in ballet costume —or rather in costume which would give a shock to the nerves of a ballet girl, being "clothed in smiles." in fact, and very little else. She appeared to be quite an arti>te in the dancing line. After this performance was over, prayer was offered up by the Rev Mohi Turi, with much devotional fervor. It was similar in tenor to that offered up at the native meeting at Akoako, which Sir (?eorge Bowen looked upon aa such an edifying production, tbat he sent a copy of it home in his despatche. Major Ropata acted as master of the ceremonies, giving out tbe asbiecta to be discussed two or three.'aji a.timty

_ A well-organised gang of forgers has been discovered in Melbourne, all the signatures being forged by one man from 'models obtained by another, and the uttering is done by others. The Christchnrch City Council, with only one dissentient, has resolved to discontinue at the end of the present year the allowance of £300 a year made to the Mayor for official expenses. Two young carpenters, named respectively Robert Brown and Thomas Jones, were very fond of dropping into Mr Smith's rarlour, and spending an hour or. two with his only daughter, Mary. One evening, when Brown and Mary had discussed almost overy topic, Brown suddenly in his sweetest tones, struck out as follows:—"Do you think, Mary, you could leave father and mother, this pleasant home, with all its ease and comfoits, and emigrate to the Far West with a young carpenter, who has but little besides his strong hand? to depend upon, and with him search out a new home, which it should be your joint duty to beautify, and make delightful and happy like this?" Drooping her head softly on his shoulders, she whispered, "T think I could Robert"—"Well, said he, "there's Tom Jones, who's going to emigrate, and wants to get a wife; I'll mention it to him," Mary skooted to her room.

Some few months since a well-known resident of the town, the possessor of smne laud in the vicinity of Kensington, determined to take advantage of the high rentals ruling, and erect dwellings thereon. Scarcely had the timber been on the ground when one of the houses in prospective was taken at a respectable figure of 14s. per week, the knowing owner clapping on twenty-five per cent to allow for contingencies. When the building was finished, the tenant had scarcely taken possession of the premises wbea he was favoured with weather which quickly improvised an artificial lake, and effectually barred egress and ingress without calling into requisition the service of sea-boots, Availing himself of the first opportunity of getting ashore, he hastened to acquaint the landlord with the unenviable state of affairs, lie had, however, to return satisfied with an expression of sympathy and regret from that individual. In the course of time the weather abated, and the sufferer discovered, through the splits in the floor, that the had gone down, and that the grass was visible in its place. Again he repaired to town, and on informing the proprietor of the double fact, a smile illumined his countenance as he obierved: "Oh, then in that case the rent in future will be sixteen shillings!" Anxious to bow whether he had been indebted to the dispersion of the waters, or increased facility afforded for admiring the landscape f -r the enhanced value of the tenement, he wished for some further information. This he was affordel with more piomptitude than satisfaction, as he was informed tbat the rent would be not sixteen but eighteen shillings. The unfortunate querist hastily beat a retreat, depriving himself of the pleasure of wishing the speaker "good evening,' feat fullest that courtesy should cost him another two shillings. The worst of it is that although he could leave the landlord, he cannot the house, but since then he forwards the eigbtesn shillings, and keeps clear of that man,— N. Z. Tablet.

"iEgles," in the Australasian, says:— "There is an ambitious member of Pailiament who dees not seem to have even one follower. He is a- Damon without a Pythias. There are few men, whatever their qualifications, who can't inspire at least one believer. Nor does it require great cleverness to do this much. It is told as a curious fancy of Lord Wycombe that he attached himself to a Colonel Neale, of the 9th Foot, merely 'on account of his extraordinary ignorance—a phenomenon of a man who had lived long without learning anything."' Foster, the new Judge of the United S'tates District Court nf Kansas, has astonished the lawyers of that region by requiring them not to smoke or wear tbeir hats in Court. The % ellington City Council still maintains its supremacy. Here is a "scene," as retorted by the local papers:—"Councillor Moss rose to a point of order 10 obj-ct to Councillor Greenfield ask ng such a question after this report had been adopted.—Councillor Greenfield: When was it adopted '—Councillor Moss: Ju-t now, and you held up your hand in favour of its adoption - C.uncillor George: I consider Councillor Greenfield is quite at liberty to ask such, a question.—Councillor Mill?: Hear, hear—Councillor Burrett: Will you ask the question, Mr Mayor? —Uis Worship.- Jib? What is it, yes? Yes, the question is—those in favour of it hold up Town Clerk: It is a question to be asked of the Inspector of >uisances, your Worship.—His Worship: What question? (Laughter.) To Clerk: Put slum put no slum. Is that confounded Mr Hester? oil?— At this stage Councillors Moss and Mills left the meeting, the former remarking 'he bad no time to waste wiih such a disordered Board.'—Councillor liurrett: Mr Mayor will you put the question ? You're as bad as the Inspector of Nuisances; you never do your duty, I'm sorry to say; but it's ray duty, Mr Mayor. It's no use conducting business in this manner—must have better men.—H is Worship: Ha, ha! Where are you going to get 'era ? Councillor George: Will you put the question, Mr Mayor?-The Mayor: Oh, is that it? I didn't know what was wanted, I'm sure. Certainly (rising). As long as I hold the—the—position of Mayor, any question is asked, and information required—order or no order—l say in—in order or out of order—l'll have it answered to the best of my ability. What is the point? (To the clerk) Bead the motion, please.—The clerk: There is no motion. It is a question to Ie put—he Mayor: Ob! all right We'll put (he quesh'n. Certainly the inspector ff Nuisances shall be asked, if he's here.—The Inspector of Nuisances explained, whether satisfactorily or not we cannot say, owing to the general confusion prevailing. There was no other business of import nice transacted," . The Minor tells the following story about the ! Archbishop of Tork and a smart little Yorkshire urchin. His grace distributed the prizes at Leeds ragged school, and sub ; equently. when riding in the vicinity, he came across a youngBtfr collecting road- dirt, whom he thought he recognised. Thereupon the following conversation ensued:—"Aichbishop: 'Boy. I know your face; jou were at the Leeds Ragged School, and obtained a prize for drawing?'— Urchin: 'Tf'a, mon, I were.'—Archbishop: 'I hope you still keep up your studies in that art?'—Urchin: 'Y'a, mon, I do—look yo.i yeere' (pointing to a model made of the material l he was collecting, (—Archbishop (with astonishment): 'What do you call that?'-Urchin : j 'Ah, mon, that's a model of a church; and' them's the pews,' and there's the vestry—and that's the poilpit.—Archbishop(smiling): 'Very clever, I declare ;'but where is the parson ?'— Urchin; 'Aye, mon, it takes a deal o' muck to make a pa'son." His grace rode on. Concrete, as a building material, is becoming quite a rage. We are informed, says the Times, tbat vo n ne private houses, to cost about ±1,000 each, and to be built of concrete, are shortly to be erected in Dunedin, and that a private residence also of concrete, for one of our city merchants, is to be erected during the summer at a cost of upwards of £3,000. This building will have upwards of twenty rooms. Mr Hardy, who is the architect for the foregoing, has also m hand plans for the gas works buildings at Mossgiel, which are to be bui ! t of concrete, and has just completed a house of the same material for Mr Smail, of Mossgeil. The bouse is proof against wind, rain, damp, and rats. We also learn that stone-breaking machines are being fitted up, and others are being imported, to supply metal for concrete. As to the cost of buildine in this way, we find that professional men differ. We may say, however, that we know of good three-roomed cottages being put up in this material for slightly over £90 each.