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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2535, 20 February 1877, Page 2

In addition to what we noted concerning Mr J. M. Meek's wonderful Chronological Tree now on view at the Pacific Hotel, we may draw attention to the fact that the most memorable events connected with the history of each of the Provinces of New Zealand, together with the dates of their formation, and much interesting matter are given in small charts which are on the side of the picture, and a space left on each for a medallion photograph of the chief city of each province. Numbers of people attended yesterday to see this elaborate work, and all expressed themselves highly pleased with the result of their visit.

The work of-putting down a new .and larger culvert across Queen street, at its junction with Albert street, has been cornmeneed under the direction of the Foreman of Works to the Borough Council. This work was urgently required, as during rainy weather the old culvert was utterly inadequate to carry off the storm water which runs down the south side of Albert street, and the drains were constantly getting silted up. It would be a further improvement to lay down wooden water-tables the length of the street.

Notices appear in a Dunedin paper that Harry Shepperson, theatrical manager ; John Blennerhasset Steele, actor ; Ignatius Fotheringham Keogh, actor; David Clinton, actor; and James Hooper, actor, have filed statements that they are unable to meet their engagements with their creditors.

That there is a very great difference in the estimate men put on their labor is well known. It was exemplified yesterday when the tenders for cleansing the various streets at the- Thames were opened. Anyone reading the following' tenders will easily see this. We give the highest and lowest in each case, placing the highest first:—Mackay street, £20 to £4 18s; Baillie street, £13 to £5; Rolleston street £5 to. £1 ss; Willoughby street, £5 to £2 10s; Campbell street, £4 to £1 7s 6d ; two culverts at Tararu Greek, £9 5s to £3 ; Tararu road, Ist, section, £14 to £1 10s ; Tararu road, 2nd section, £12 to £1 10s ; Pollen street, £14 15s to £7 (no tender accepted); Queen street, £12 to £6 12s (no tender accepted). These sums added together give a total for the highest tenders of £109^ for the lowest of £33 12s 6d, somewhat less than a third the amount.

The Otago Guardian of the 13th February contained the following :—By the Ringarooma arrived, and is now in this city, a colonist who perhaps more than any other has exercised, an influence over the destinies of New Zealand —Mr Thomas Russell. Not merely as a most successful colonist and a remarkably able man, nor yet as a prominent negotiator in connection with the? trans-Pacific service, is Mr Russell known. But it is generally conceded that in the initiation of the great colonisine policy of the past few years, popularly associated with other names, and in the initiation of the great constitutional policy that has shaken the Colony.to its,foundations, Mr Russell has been "the power behind the throne." We believe that in both the one case and the other things have not eventuated according to its original conception ; that the reckless extravagance that more than aught else has characterised the Vogelian policy was, exotic to his schema, and that his Abolition was not intended but for the worn-out Provincialism of the North Island; ,We believe that in the one case and in the other Mr, Russell has been grieved and disappointed, and that had he been in New Zealand instead of England during the progress of events, affairs would not have been in all respects as they are. Mr Russell, whose family still remains in England, has just arrived via Suez, and is on his way northward. During his stay in Europe, intimations have from time to tinie reached us that not merely in the larger questions of Colonial concern has he been engaged, but he has been interesting himself actively in the thousand and one affairs which his long and varied experience of Colonial life have shown him to be of benefit to New' Zealand. ' Indeed, Mr Russell differs widely from the great mass of those who have amassed immense fortunes 1 in the Colonies, in never allowing his affection to wane for the land of his adoption; and though, like all successful and prominent men, he has plenty of enemies, we venture to say that New Zealand has welcomed back to her shores no more enterprising and useful and valuable colonist. •

Howoeth's Hibernica has arrived in Dunedin,, and was to be exhibited there on the 13th instant. Ifc is an entirely new and original musical, scenic, and pictorial entertainment, representing "A journey through Ireland—north, east, west, and souths—presenting the different cities of Dublin, Kingston, Kilkenny, Waterfprd,. Queenstewn, Cork, Limerick,Londonderry, Antrim, Belfast, Athlone, and Galway, illustrated with the funny incidents experienced in a tour through Ireland by an American gentleman and Dutch tourist, realising" Irish wit versus Dutch assurance, and. introducing new songs and dances; &c."

Mining prospects are not so brilliant at the Thames at present that they can afford to be made worse by the apathy displayed by those who are engaged in mining pursuits. But that many are very little alive to their own interests was manifest by the siiall number of shareholders who attended the meetings of the Smile of Fortune and Morning Light, Goldmining Companies held yesterday. At both of these meetings only two or three were present at the ap-> pointed time, and had it not been for the, exertions of one of the directors, who went round and beat up recruits, the meetings would have lapsed for want of a quorum.; Yet the subjects to be discussed were of such importance, especially in the latter case, as to affect not only the well-being, but the very existence of the company. V ;

The Gungadai Times, New South Wales, reports that the individual at present confined in Gungadai gaol for one month for having swallowed a ring lent to him during a legerdemain performance, has been seriously ill, requiring medical assistance of a very prompt nature. The cause of his illness was the shifting of a steel chain he has within him, from its former position into his gut, and inflammation w£s feared. Dr M'Killop, however, procured him relief, but the chain jßtili remains in him. We learn that the prisoner has on several occasions extracted the poisonous fangs of snakes, and then swallowed the live reptiles, and, after allowing them to wriggle about in his inner man for a while, has brought them up again alive and kicking.

A kemabkabie recognition of a longlost parent is Reported by the Western Morning News (Australia): —Five-and-twenty"years ago a gentleman left Devonshire for Australia, accompanied by his eldest son, and commenced farming near Melbourne. Subsequently two younger sons emigrated, but the wife, with three other children, continued tolive at Bishopsnymbton, receiving the rental of an estate in which her husband had a life interest. Three years after reaching Australia the fathej? left the home and did not return, and as nothing respecting him could be learned, it was concluded that he had been murdered. Three years since the wife died, the estate wis sold to the husband of a daughter, and the purchasemoney distributed among the children.

A few weeks ngo one of the emigrant's sons was reading some placards, when he entered into conversation with an elderly stranger similarly engaged, and shortly afterwards they recognised each other as father and child. They proceeded to Adelaide together to see another son, but learned that he had been crushed to death by a waggon a few days previously. The dispensed estate has now a claimant, and a curious difficulty has been created.