Untitled

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2073, 26 August 1875, Page 2

An acquaintance of a certain Scotch bailie made a grievous complaint to him one" day of the hard times, and the impossibility of scraping together a livelihood in that wretched country. The bailie's own experience ran directly counter to these croakings, for his industry had realized a handsome competence: but he knew too much of the world to attempt proving to the complainer that his ill success might be partly his own fault. He contented himself with remarking that it was surely possible for a tradesman to draw together a tolerable business. " Not in this country, 1' his friend repeated. " Weel then," said the bailie, "what say ye to emigration? I have heard that some push their way weel in Australia." " Yes," replied his desponding townsman, " that might be the case once in a day ; but if there is business there, mair folk are there than can get a share o't." " Weel, it may be true ye say," rejoined the bailie, "but ye might gang further —ye might gang into the interior." " There's naebody there," said the grumbler, " but kangaroos." The worthy, concluding that kangaroos were a tribe of native savages among whom a careful pedlar might make indifferent good bargains, replied, " Weel-a-weel, and isna a kangaroo's siller as gude as anither man's?'-

We are requested to state that the cpmplimentary banquet to Mr A. Dewar will take place at the Freemasons' Hall, Owen street —not at the Masonic Hall as stated in the morning paper.

There was no business before the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. This is the third day on which there has been a clean sheet. We rejoice to see that the. Thames has kept virtuous in spite of the abundance of " cakes and ale " at the different meetings lately held.

A complimentary, banquet or supper is to be given to Mr A. Dewar by the Freemasons this evening, in their hall, Qwen street. Mr Dewar has been connected with the Sir Walter Scott Lodge since its formation, and filled various offices in the lodge. Being new about to leave for Auckland the members of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge and others are taking this means of evincing their respect. We have no doubt that if the affair had been open to persons outside the craft the gathering would be a very large one, as Mr Dewar has gained universal respect as manager of the Tookey Company and by the interest he has taken in various social movements.

Dubing- yesterday morning a man might have been seen in a state of great excitement in Pollen street. Observing smoke issuing from St. George's Hall, he at once concluded there was a fire, and ran off immediately to give the alarm, and so let our Fire Brigades have an opportunity of once more distinguishing themselves. On his way to the Dell he suddenly remembered that one of the members of the body lived close by ; he therefore called him oat and both proceeded to the scene of action, and» seeing the smoke still coming forth, knocked loudly for admittance. Imagine their disappointment, however, when the gentleman in charge informed them that owing to some irregularity ou the part of

the chimney in the way of smoking, he was "obliged, to avoid suffocation, to cause the smoke to escape by another way.

Wbiting upon the Pacific Mail contract the Brisbane Courier says :—We have lately settled down into a belief that we are doing great things with our Torres Straits line.; but if Mr Burns' figures are correct, we must really look to pur laurels. It is supposed that we have already won them, but it really looks as if that were a little doubful. Our E. and A. Company flourishes, but what about our mails P Granted that time is an element of calculation in these matters,, we shall certainly have to improve our tima if we are to do anything in competition with this new San Francisco service.

A special meeting of the Hibernian Seciety will be held at the Hall, Pollen street, Shortland, this evening, at halfpast seven o'clock, for the election of a Trustee.

The annual election of three Borough Councillors will take place on Thursday, 9th September, nominations for which must be lodged with the Returning Officer not later than four o'clock on Monday next, the 30th day of August. Already some half-dozen gentlemen arc spoken of as probable candidates.

We should remind the licensed victuallers of the Thames that a meeting will be heldfit the Pacific; Hotel this evening, at half-past seven o'clock* J to ■ consider matters affecting their interests.

The monthly inspection parade of the Thames Scottish Volunteers, with band and cadets, will take place at their drill hall this evening at seven o'clock. 1

To-moebow evening the Thornton Troupe will give a performance, when Miss Amy will take a benefit. The un-, propitious state of the weather has somewhat interfered with the success of these hitherto, but we hope to see an improvement for this occasion and a good house to witness the attractive performances announced.

The Kyneton Guardian reports that a serious and strange accident occurred a few nights ago to Mr Hearn, one of the clerks in the railway resident-engineer's office at Kyneton. Mr Hearn is a somnambulist, and on the night in question he must have risen from his bed whilst asleep, and in walking about his bedroom, upset and broken a kerosene lamp which was upon the table. He must then have walked upon the fragments of broken glass, for, upon recovering consciousness, he was faint from loss of blood, which was flowing freely from several severe gashes in his feet. The wounds are so serious that Dr Uigby apprehends it will -be some months before Mr Hearn is able to move about without the aid of crutches.