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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2773, 3 January 1878, Page 2

There was no business at the B.ftl Court this morning.

Telegrams from Duncdin state that Mr John Hislop has been appointed permanent Secretary to the Central Department of Education. He is expected at Wellington next week (o organise the department. —The Cabinet assemble at Wellington next week, when a reorganisation of the Civil Service will be considered.

Tub monthly meeting of tho Thames County Council was to have been held to-dny, but il wns a holiday, and the members not attending tho County Clerk adjourned the meeting till Friday, 11th instant, at 10.30 o'clock in the morning. Tho usual fortnightly meeting of tho Borough Council should lake place this evening nt seven o'clock.

Thk holiday makers are rsturnini; to business. To-day the Government offices, banks and large business houses resumed business. At least the oilicials were present to do any business oflering. One or two brokers have put in an appearance, but the business is nil. It is scarcely to be expected that business of any kind will pet into its normal condition before next week, for the first month of the year is generally a dull time.

In point of numbers, at least, the excursion to the Kawau to-dny has been a success. At an early hour this morning crowds of people were to be seen wending their way to tho Goods Wharf, where it was seen that the accommodation of the s.s. Durham was quite inadequate to the large number of iutending excursionists, and it was found necessary to charter the p.s. Enterprise, which also took a large number. Both steamers left at about 7 a.m., and will return thia evening.

W>: have received from Mr Jefferson tho December number of the Australasian Sketchor, which comprises the usual complement of interesting views with descriptive letter press, and a well digested summary of the month's«news. In addition is published with this number a fine chromo lithograph entitled " A Bush Toilet." The latter is brilliantly colored, and is highly suggestive of the Chrismas season in the Colonies, the sky, wealth of flowers and rich foliage being well brought out.

DtißiKO the Hon. J. Sheehau's visit yesterday it was noticrd that he.was indisposed, and it transpired that the indisposition arose from an accident which happened to him on Tuesday. He had been witnessing the fire at the Domain, and on coming back called at the Hospital. The night was very dark, and in coming dowu the front stone steps, Mr Sheehan thought he had reached tlte bottom, while in reality he was four steps from it. Consequently when striding out to walk along what he thought was mother earth, he fell heavily, his chest striking the bottom step. Although suffering from internal pain, Mr Sheehan did not suspect that any bones were broken, and proceeded homeward, retiring to bed as usual. On awaking next morning he attempted to rise, but fainted. Dr Goldsbro' was sent for, and on arriving found that a rib was broken.

T3y the last mail boat from San Francisco arrived Mr Stephen Massett, who is described or known as " Jeems Pipes of Pipesville, popular monologue, drawing room serio comic" entertainer. Mr Masselt commences a short season at the Choral Hall, Auckland, next week, after which he will visit the Thames. We have seen a number of opinions of the Press on Mr Massett's entertainment, all of them of a most favorable character, and they are from English, American, Indian and Australian papers.

The Hon. J. Sheehan having signified a wish to inspect one of the volunteer companies during his visit, the No. 2 Hnurakis were paraded on Saturday night, but, owing to man} r of the members being nway from the district spending the holidays, the muster was not up to the usual average ; the number present, however, by their appearance and steadiness, made up in a great degree for their paucity. The.' corps, under command of Captain J. S. Small and Lieutenant "W. J. Barlow, assembled in the lower room of their drill hall at 6 p.m., and after being proved and inspected by their captain, were stood at ease to await the appearance of the Defence Minister, w.ho shortly arrived, accompanied by Mr Carpenter. After passing dowu (he ranks and minutely inspecting the company, Mr Shcehiin complimented them on their soldierly appearance, stating that, although reductions were proposed iv the volunti er force, the Thames corps, o.iing to their superior numbers and efficiency, would escape the general suppression. Captain Small assured Mr Shfchan that he could answer for his men that.they would not foivefc the honour he had done them in inspecting them, but that,owing to the holiilttys, the attendance was at about one-third of its usual average, Mr Shcehnn then took his leave and the corps was dismissed. There ■were present of all ranks, exclusive of band—3o.

Cobhespondekce is going on in the Evening Post relative to (lie Hey. Clark's retention of the title of Reverend. One writer says Mr Clark prostitues his position as a Minister of the Gospel. Mr Chirk sends a telling reply, and points out that the title has been declared by Eugiish Courts to be merely one of courtesy. Mis name was known with that title to the colonial public, therefore he retained it. Officers of the Army and Navy retain their titles after retiring. Schoolmasters retain their title Ifev., although they never preached in their lives, whilo he does so constant^', and looks forward to resuming regular pulpit work at no distant date. He thinks his lectures are productive of good, nnd quotes from letters and a leading doctor of the town, in which he says :—"lfouare rendering to societj' infinite service by jour lectures. There is a capacity for culture amongstthe roughest people of these coionirs which once awakened would do more f;.\* their moral elevation than dozens of sermons. Tench people to read good books, and the religious character of our race will assert itself to the improvement of the interests of the people."