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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2537, 22 February 1877, Page 2

Thebe was a rumor current this afternoon that the Waitekauri battery had stopped. It is generally believed to be correct by those who might be supposed to i? know something about it,' though we enquired at the legal manager's office and found thai nothing had been heard of it there. The Hon. Dr. Pollen, Native Minister, came to the Thames by steamer this morning, and a few hours thereafter he proceeded to Ohinemuri, accompanied by Captain Fraser. We are given to understand that the District Belt Committee have decided to hold the next competition on Saturday, 3rd March, at the Government range. Kanges, 200 and 300 yards ; target, 6x4 feet; centre, 4x2; bull's-eye, 8 inches square ; ten shots at each range, any position. We think the committee have done well in selecting the short ranges for this match, as it will show how our men stand in comparison with the splendid scores made at Hokitika byl some of the representatives. Me Willoughby Bbasset, who for several years past has practised in bis profession as barrister, solicitor, and attorney at the Thames, is we (Herald.) are informed, about to resume the practice of his profession in Auckland. Mb H. A. Seveen's course of scientific lectures in Auckland was brought to a close on Tuesday evening, and judging by a notice in the Herald Mr Severn does not appear to have been very liberally supported. The Herald says:-— " We trust tfeat he will elsewhere meet with a larger share of public, patronage than the people of Auckland have seen fit to bestow upon him." Mr Severn next visits Taranaki, where, and at other [ places" in the South, we hope to hear of his having achieved great successes." One man was charged at the Resident . Magistrate's Court this morning with being drunk and disorderly in Brown Street last night. Defendant being on bail and failing to appear his bail was forfeited. The Maori contributors to Te Wananga seem to appreciate the notion of chronicling remarkable events. Here is an instance, contained in a letter to the Wananga from a Native with a very long name :—" To the Editor.—This is another word to you. I have a female pig, which you can notice in your paper for the information of the Maori and European. This pig has had young ones, twelve in all, two of which have been eaten by another pig. I now have ten young pigs. One of these, which was borne with the rest, has only three legs ; the fourth leg was not made complete by God. Hence, I think I ought to let this be known.

The fourth leg was placed close to the tail. It. was born in September last, on the 20fh day, in the year 1876. I have not spoken of this before, as I wished to see if it would live.- It is living at Kaiiwi now. I think this is the first of such which has ever been seen here. But here is also another thing I wish to be known. We have a dog which has two noses, but only three nostrils ; and a fowl with two heads ; and an egg with two yolks. Also, a caterpillar i which came from the clouds. It has two bodies, but only one head. All these things are from this place only. But all have died, and the pig only is alive. These were sent by God.

Mb C. Laishley, a son of the Rev. Mr Laishley, has (says the Auckland Star) succeeded Mr Maude as manager of the Union Bank of Australia in Hamilton.

Last night after the performance of " Fritz," Mr J. K. Emmet, the eminent comedian, sent for his trusty agent, Mr Thatcher, and enquired of him, " Has the boss of this gulch been to the play ? " Mr Thatcher replied that he believed important business connected with the Big Pump had prevented the Mayor of the Borough from honoring the performance with his .presence. " Then," said the eminent comedian, "we must serenade him at his own residence; I always make it a rule to play to the most prominent citizens." Mr it. J. De Lias, the spirited entrepreneur, on being communicated with acquiesced in the arrangement, and borrowed a cremona of his leader Mr Cope. Mr DeLias is a perfect master of the violin, having in his time accompanied Gungl and Gotlschelck," and led some of the best string bands in America. And so they sallied forth ; the eminent comedian with his'guitar, on which he is as everyone knows a fine performer, and the spirited entrepreneur, accompanied by Mr "Thatcher, and led by Mr Curtis, the hqat of the Pacific. It was an impressive sight, the little band stealing out.in the witching hour of night, as the lights were receding from the windows and the town was being wrapped in sleep. It was as the poet says :—

" None were abroad iavo those on a lark, Or those who'd no bed to keep." The road was long and the walking not of the best, but the party kept on till tbe residence of His Worship was reached. Only one little incident occurred upon the road. Seeing lights in. a hostelry, Mr Emmet struck up a German air, when there suddenly appeared as if from the side walk a well known musician, who wondered vastly to hear such melodious sounds at that hour in the dull prosaic streets of Grabamstown. He was carried back to his student days when he himself serenaded the jung frausoi many a Rhine town ; and hastily stammered out a few words in German, clearly proving that he regarded the affair as a dream.. Arrived at Mr Macdonald's, the party entered the gate and the musicians struck up," Carnival de Venice," Mr De Lias playing the air and Mr Emmet the accompaniment. The effect was singularly beautiful, the sounds of the guitar and violin mingling with the pleasant rippling of the moonlit waters of the gulf. " Sounds from home" followed, and Mr Emmet finished with his beautiful Lullaby, the strain of which had a singularly beautiful effect. No one appeared, but Mr Macdonald, we learn, waited upon Mr Emmet this morning, and thanked him for the compliment. The party then proceeded to Mr Ehrenfiied's, and that gentleman, hearing the music, rose and ■ invited his entertainers inside, where the click of champagne glasses was soon heard, and the fumes of choice Havannas rendered the early morning air*fragrant. Tbe minstrels then returned to the Pacific, taking the 'Tizer office' on the way to the delight of the printing foreman and the machinists.

Our (Napier Telegraph)* Auckland correspondence wires us that there is a rumour prevalent in that city to the effect that the All England cricketers have arranged to lose the, match at Christchurch, and that a high sum is named as the probable price. Such rumour could only emanate in Auckland. Truly they are a jealous people. Their own cricketers shamefully beaten, they are afraid that'laurels may be won in another part of the colony.

An English paper throws out the suggestion that tobacco might be made a powerful agent of reform in all prisons if it were given as a reward for industry and good behavior. It remarks the severity and monotony of prison life is probably the cause of many re-committals; because prisoners on being released, are tempted after prolonged abstinence from what they regard as luxuries, to plunge headlong into dissipation, and so often relapse into crime.

The following letter has appeared in the Auckland Star, which gives Mr Maeder's version of the " scene at the Theatre Royal" in Auckland on Friday night lasu:—SiE, —ln justice to my wife (Rena) allow me to allude to the statement in, your issue of the 16th, headed " Scene at the Theatre Royal." The facts are simply these: The friends who accompanied her to the theatre were three children.. After being admitted as on previous occasions, "without a purchased ticket or an order," she was informed by an attache that Mr DeLias required tickets for the children. Her reply was, "Please ask Mr DeLias to charge it to Mr Maeder," upon which he withdrew, but returned to say, ." Mr DeLias says he must have the tickets." There was no alternative (not having the necessary six shillings) but to leave the theatre to procure the amount. I sent the money to the box-office, and the children remained.in front. This discourtesy to my wife, and want of confidence, for the moment made me neglectful of my duty and respect to the public and Mr Emmet. There was no "unpleasant altercation " between Rena and the " custodian of the portal," who performed an unpleasant task in a most gentlemanly manner. 1 expressed my regrets to Mr Emmet later in the evening, and the apology was accepted at the | time. The public, in all fairness of spirit, will, I am convinced, in making allowances for provocation, be lenient in according a verdict. By giving space in your valuable columns for this explanation, you will greatly oblige," yours, with respect, Fred. L. Maeder.

A funny occurrence has happened at Charleston. One " St. Michael," a miner, an adept at " playing possum," recently, with a rueful storj and a sad countenance, interviewed his creditors, and pleading poverty got each to-refrain', from pressing for payment of their accounts until better times prevailed. Thus comforted he prepared to travel for Melbourne, but 'ere his departure had a farewell bout with some boon companions, and got gloriously tight. In his moments of ©blivion he

seems to have fallen among—well, not Samaritans—for one eased him of his possessions, to wit, sundry £5 notes, a bank deposit for £75, and some Melbourne Gas Company scrip, all portable property, wherewith the poverty- stricken St. Michael' proposed travelling. The appropriator of these unconsidered trifles at once proceeded to realise, and at a certain hotel persuaded the barmaid to give him change for the deposit receipt, as for a £1 note. Elated with this successful financial stroke he went a little further on his way and essayed to negotiate the gai scrip on similar terms, but here a stern myrmidon of the law stepped in and the little game was up. The result is that on Monday last the one interesting individual was arraigned on a charge of felony and the poor poverty-stricken digger found arrayed against him a posse of indignant creditors, determined to have their dues out of the spoil, even to the uttermost farthing.—Westporfc Times.

The Eangitikei Advocate says that a curious instance of a cheque being presented many years after 'being drawn came to its knowledge incidentally the other day. The circumstances were these : Some twelve and a half years ago Mr James Bull''drew a cheque for £32 odd, which he paid away in business to a certain party whose name we need not mention. A few days afterwards, this party's wife left him in a huff and went to Melbourne,'taking with her some of her husband's wearing apparel. About two years since she returned to her husband, bringing with, her the portion of his clothes she had taken with her, and a few months ago in the waistcoat pocket was found doubled up the cheque in question, Those who know Mr Bull will not be surprised to learn that the cheque, though barred by the statute of limitations, was duly honored. .