THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1877.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2630, 13 June 1877, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1877.

We are informed that a petition is being prepared at Ohinemuri praying that the riding may be separated from the Thames and erected into a separate county. The Moanatairi Company have declared a dividend of fifteen shillings per share, payable on June 15. We have to acknowledge receipt, from the Hon. F. Whitaker, (with thanks) of " The Native Lands Act, 1877,'* which we shall refer. .to again after a careful perusal. The usual weekly drill of the Thames Engineer Cadets was held last evening, there being 25 of all ranks present. After the drill some half-dosen pair of new skates, which have recently been made by Mr Fagg to the order of the company, were served out for the first time, and the lads had about an hour's amusement with them, at the end of which several showed that they would likely soon become proficients at this graceful and healthy recreation. Now that the capitation money is coming due perhaps some of the dther companies could with profit and pleasure copy the?example of the Engineer Cadets. A telegram from Gisborne informs us that the residents of that district are suffering from a Maori "scare," and are in fear of another visit from Te Xooti. We do not believe, there is the slightest ground for alarm.—Herald. In reply to " Shareholder's " question, " Why do not the Alburnia Goldmining Company use their own battery instead of employing stampers at the Moanatairi battery ?" we (Herald) are requested to state that it can be done more economically at the Moanatairi Company's battery, as the supply of fuel and water on the hill to the Alburnia battery is not sufficient. The secretary will be glad to furnish shareholders with all the particulars. . In another column Mrs Ardern (widow of the late Joseph Ardern, undertaker) intimates that she is still carrying on the business at the premises in Rolleston street. Mrs Ardern's self-reliance will no doubt secure her a fair share of patronage. It will be seen from an advertisement in another column that the choir of St.. George's Church are .about to give a performance of " The Lay of the Bell" on the 26th instant in aid of the efforts now being made to reduce the debt on the church, and obtain the fulfilment of the promise of a new organ. This Cantata (if it may be so termed) has not before been given in this district, and as many of our readers may be unacquainted with it, we may inform them that the words are a translation from a poem by Schiller s one of Germany's most famous poets, anST have been happily and appropriately illustrated in a musical form by Aridreaa Komberg. We subjoin an^extract with which that composer prefaces his work:—"The most original and beautiful perhaps of all Schiller's poems, unequalled by anything of Goethe's, is called ' The Lay of the Bell,' a varying, irregular lyric strain. The; casting of ;a bell is,.. JAJGrgrmanyj an_ 'event of solemnity and rejoicing. In "the neighbourhood of the Hartz and other mine districts you read formal announcements in the newspapers from bellfounders that at a given time and spot a casting is to take place, to which they invite all their friends. An entertainment out of J doors is prepared, and held with much festivity. Schiller, in a few short stanzas forming a sort of chorus, describes the whole process of the melting, the casting, and the cooling of the bell, with a technical truth and a felicity of expression, in which the sound of the sharp sonorous rhymes and expressive epithets constantly form an echo to the sense. Between these technical processes he breaks forth into the most beautiful episodaic pictures of the various scenes of life with which the sounds of the bell are connected." The St George's choir will be supported by a small band under the leadership of Mr Steward, senr., accompanied by the organist, Mr Trewheela, on the harmonium or piano, the whole being under the conductorship of Mr J. Grigg. Books of the words will be obtainable at a trifling cost. As the performance is a novelty here, and the object a most laudable one, we have little doubt that the zealous efforts of the choir will be rewarded by a large attendance, not only of the members of their own church, but of the public generally,—Communicated. We (Napier Telegraph) hear that a new Constabulary Act, to suit the condition of the recent amalgamation will be, introduced by the Government at an early date. In the meantime, the present Police Force

will be resworn on the Ist July next to serve for a term of 12 months, receiving tlie rates of pay sot forth in the New Zealand Gazette of the 7th May last. The principal feature of the new Act, will be that which confers a retiring allowance on all officers, non-commissioned officers, and constables incapacitated by age or illhealth, calculated on the basis of one month's pay for each year's service, Provincial service to reckon. Pensions will be conferred on those receiving injuries on duty, calculated ou the resulting disability. The following letter appeared in a recent number of Te Wananga:—To the Editor of the Wananga—Friend, salutations to you. Do you give these my words to my friends the Good Templars. Friends, salutations to you, who at your own places are working our good work. Oh, my elder brothers, salutations to you, who are at your own homes. This is my word to you. Do you hearken, hold on to the truth and to justice. Let your feet stand on the truth, and let, the law lift syou up. O, Friends, great is my desire that this evil thing (spirituous liquors) should cease to be taken by man. This drink makes men mad. Be strong to put an end to drinking ardent spirits in your districts. Enough from Hohepa Xoa, of Kirikiri, Hauraki (Thames). The Grahamstown correspondent of the Baly of Plenty Times, telegraphing on the Bth" instant, says :—" Vesey Stewart is Making fruitless attempts to get choice land within the Ohinemuri gold field district, and niuch indignation is expressed thereat, throughout the district." "An old player," writing in the N. Z. •Herald on the rules of football, with reference to the proposed modification of the rules so as to render the game less dangerous, says :—The Victorian Association have, we see, taken the matter in hand, and suggested certain amendments which will certainly tend to lessen the dangers of the game, however played. One of the principal of these is the rule proposed that a player must put the ball down directly he is held, not when the ball is held, as is the rule in Auckland, and this will, if adhered to,- do away with the practice of " slinging " or catching a man round the neck, throwing, and often falling on him, the most likely way of all to cause a broken neck. Another emendation the Victorians propose to make is to abolish 'rabbiting," or stooping down in a scrimmage, or elsewhere, so that the player falls over your head on to his own. These two rules, and the necessity of the umpires insisting that the ball should be put down directly the player is held, also that no hacking should ever be allowed, are all that can ever be done towards modifying the present rules. i W. FiNXAY, one of the earliest established Watch and Clock Makers on the Thames, WISHES IT KNOWN that he has again commenced business in Williamson street, in connection with the Manufacturing Jewellery Business of his brother, Mr James Finlay, and is prepared to undertake all branches of the Watch and Clock-making business. Bepairs executed with promptness. Charges moderate.—[Advt.]