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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2005, 8 June 1875, Page 2

The only business [at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning was the hearing of a charge of drunkenness against a female—a new chum. She was found guilty and fined 10s or 24 hours' imprisonment.

The s.B. Wellington sailed from Wellington for the Worth via Nelaon on Saturday with the following passengers :-— Messrs Whitebouse, Chew, JSTaird, Calan, Smith, Batty, Crawley, Turnbull, Snelgrara, Graham, Mr and Mrs llotherham, Miss Faithful,, Mrs Collier and child, Mr A. H. Chang.

A meeting- of members of the Thames Miners' Accident Belief Fund was held last night in the Governor Bowen Hotel, Mr Richards in ithe chair. * One application for relief was disposed of—namely, that of William Hawk. The Secretary stated that Mr Wm. Rowe had given a room gratis for office purposes, and a vote of thanks was accorded. Mr Comer (of the Moanatairi) and Mr Benney (of the Bright Smile) were added to the Committee. It was decided on the motion of Mr Hicks, seconded by Mr Potts, that -any member absenting himself from committee meetings without sending an apology, be fined. 2s 6d, the fine to go to the funds. The offer of Mr Severn to give a scientific entertainment on behalf of the Fund was accepted with thanks. Mr Curtis had also made an offer, to assist the istitutibn by giving an entertainment, of which the Chairman informed" the Committee. The performance by the Thames Dramatic Club in aid of the institution will come off on Thursday, and each member of the Committee has received tickets for distribution.

We learn :tbat a preliminary: meeting of gentlemen 1 interested in: promoting the higher education of girls was held last night, and a sub-committee appointed to draw up a prospectus. YVe are unacquainted with, the details, as the meeting was only preliminary. Any liberal scheme—thoroughly unsectarian in character—for providing an advanced.education- for girls, would, we believe, be warmly supported by the:;heads of families on the Thames.

We have to acknowledge receipt of the Head Masters Report Of the Auckland College and Grammar School for the year ending 31st December, 1874, with several inclosures, including class rolls, honor lists, examination papers, and examiners' report.

The Inangahua Herald says:—Some days since readers may have noticed a telegram referring to the appointment of a Committee of the. Nelson Provincial Council, " To inquire into certain scandalous reports in circulation, seriously affecting the private character of a member of the Council." This circumstance, coupled with the continued absence of Mr Shapter from the sittings of the Council, could leave no room to doubt as to whom reference was made. As yet we only know by report the nature of the accusation, and, whether true or falße, it is of a nature we do not lcare to refer to. It is reported that Mr Shapter has left the Colony. This announcement will, we are confident, cause wide-spread regret throughout the goldfields. A further paragraph stated that Mr Shapter had resigned his seat in the Council.

The Tribune has an amusing story from Wanganui to the effect that during the •late session of the Supreme Court some Maoris got into the Judge's room and tried on his wig and. gown, and used the Sheriff's hat in a similarly disrespfectful way. Having committed these sacrileges they got away unscathed, but not so the Jawful ownejs, of the head gear, one of whom has since made his appearance with his face painted with iodine, or some other insect destroyer, much to the diversion of an irreverent public.

The following case is reported in the Nelsen Colonist as having been heard on the 31st inst. before Mr Broad, R.M., and Mr C. H. Brown, J.P., in Nelson:— " Burket v. Mayberry. In this case the plaintiff sought to obtain maintenance for an illegitimate child. The plaintiff, who was about fourteen years of age, had given birth to a child, of which defendant admitted himself to be the father. After hearing the evidence, Mr Broad said he hoped the press would report what he said; that if on the facts as they come before the Court, this man was permitted to retain his position as'sergeant of police at Charlestown, it would be a public scandal. ' On his own admission he had seduced a young girl fourteen years of age, and his retention of his position under such circumstances, would not be tolerated in any other police force in New Zealand, and if there was any more than had come before that Court in the affair, he hoped he would not be retained here. Mr Pitt said the Government had made inquiries into the matter, and had concluded that^it was not necessary to dismiss the defendant from the force. Mr C. H. Brown considered the defendant unfit to retain his position in the police force. The Court ordered the defendant to pay seven shillings per week. towards the maintenance of the child, or one sum of £50." * -