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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2550, 9 March 1877, Page 2

Some time ago (says the-Wellington Argus) we were, enabled to publish a report of. the proceedings of a certain dinner convention where the Heads of Departments in solemn conclave assembled, resolved to establish a Civil Service Bellamys,'as a means towards the end of instilling proper deference on the part of the junior members of the Service towards their superiors* A committee was then appointed to make the necessary, arrangements, and these, we learn," are now nearly complete. The small building at the back of the main one, formerly occu-. pied by the Colonial Architect, is to be the Bellamys, and here all the officers of the Service are to be compelled to lunch daily, at a charge only 50 per cent: above the price at which they conld get an excellent luncheon at the Criterion Hotel, just opposite. All officers will be strictly forbidden to leave the buildings without a pass during office hours, and it is in contemplation, to place porters at all the.doors to enforce compliance with this regu- ; lation, and to report every case of viola-, tion of it. It only now requires that the members of the Civil Service should be provided with a uniform, and each man below the rank of an Under Secretary be distinguished by a number instead of a name (after the manner of convict establishments), in order to reduce the service to a proper state of discipline and efficiency. Probably these points will be considered when the promised reorganisation takes place;

Jambs Bettce writes as follows to The Builder: —Will you be good enough to allow me to make known, in your columns, the extremely simple discovery that I have made, that hard waters are rendered very soft and pure, rivalling distilled water, by merely boiling a two ounce phial, say in a kettleful of water ? The carbonate of lime- and any impurities will be found adhering to. the phial. The water boils very much quicker at the same time. The knowledge of this fact will prove a boon to housewives and laundresses, as well as to brewers, as it is affirmed that good porter cannot be brewed out of London.

.We learn by telegram "that, the Rifle and Carbine representatives arrived per s.s. Hinemoa in the Manukau to-day.

Notwithstanding the notice that the Borough Council were determined to sue all those whose rates were in arrears, and that many took heed of the warning and paid up, yet we hear that no lest than 221: summonses were issued to-day. ' : .

The first number of a new publication, called "The New Zealand Volunteer Service Gazette," has been issued in Dunedin. It is to.appear monthly, and to be devoted to the interests of yolunV teerSi ... , .-_ .■ v . -j, y .;; ■• Theough inadvertence on the part of a reporter an error occurred in the report; of the charge of using profane language preferred against two women, and heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. It stated that "in answer to the Bench Mr Bullen said there were four convictions against Mrs Spears." " Mrs Spears " should have been " Mrs Winepress," as -against the latter are »the previous convictions recorded.

It will be seen by an advertisement in another c.o'lnmn that Messrs W. Souter and Co. have been appointed agents of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, and will shortly be in a position to undertake risks. The Phanix is'one of the oldest oifices in existence, it-has a large subscribed capital! and a powerful directory,, and will no doubt soon 'take a share of the business of this district. ■

\-'- A correspondent -writes- as - follows :•— To the Editor of the Evening Star.— ■ Sir, —Can; you inform me if it is in accordance with the Education Act for an insolvent to be a-member of a School Committee. " I believe that there is such in the district; and I am of opinion that people who cannot manage their own affairs with a moderate! amount of success should not be allowed to administer public monies.—-I am, &c, Taxpayer. [We are not aware that there is anything in the Education Act to prevent an insolvent, from acting as a .member of a School Committee, neither do we know of such an instance in this district.—Ec]

The following appeared in yesterday's Herald as a contradiction. The incident referredto was copiedinto our columns:—: " To the Editor. —Sir, —In your issue of this date you have reported an incident said to have occurred on board of f1.1.M. ship Hertha. lam desired by the Commander to say that such an affair has not occurred on board his ship.and to request you to publish a contradiction in your issue of tomorrow.—l-am, &c;i G. Yon deb Heydej Consul. Consulate of the German Empire, March 7. M

' A GONTEMPOEAHY says :-—'VThe General Government have received an application for a contribution of £50 per annum towards the expenses of the Christchurch Fire Brigade. The Provincial Government formerly subsidised the Brigade to the amount now asked for, and the City Council intend to endeavor to alter the

determination of the Government." It" the Groyernmcu't subsidised one fire brigade they would be expected to treat all the brigades in the Colony the same, so that there is little probability of future applications of the Christchurch brigade being more favorably entertained than the last oue.

A meeting of the Directors of the Thames United Pumping Association was held to-day at Mr Tothill's office, Shortland-street. Several representatives from the Thames Borough Council were present. The meeting was of a private nature. The result of the meeting was that Mr Weston, Chairman of Directors, was authorised to proceed to the Thames to meet the Borough Council with the object of making arrangements for"the more effectual working of the deep levels.— Last night's Auckland Star.

The machinery for the manufacture of wood paperhanging has been so perfected that an inch of white maple or other finegrained wood can be slit so as to furnish 200 thin leaves; having the surface and grain of the wood. These leaves are laid on a paper backing, and, thus constituted, may be fastened to the wall the same as common wall-paper. A room thus furnished presents the appearance of a panelled apartment, since all the surface visible is that of the actual wood ; with smoothed and polished wood of a coarser or more open grain, the number of leaves e*r veneers to the inch, is 125. The machine which produces these leaves is a marvel, of mechanical ingenuity and skill.

At the inquiry on the sinking ofthe Eli Whitney the jury returned a verdict that, " Amy Davy and her child came'by their death by drowning through the sinking of the hulk in consequence of collision with the Taupo, but that" no blame is attached to the captain or-officers of the Taupo." They attached a rider to the " effect that the hulk was moored jn an unsafe position for vessels leaving the wharf, and that such vessels should carry a bright light from sunset to sunrise."