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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2774, 4 January 1878, Page 2

We hare heard that scarlet fever of a mild type is prevalent in Auckland, the disease principally attacking children.

At the Eosident Magistrate's Court this morning ono person was punished in the usual manner for drunkenness.

Settlikg up after the New Year's sports at Hie Tararu Gardens took place at the Provincial Hotel last evening, when there was a full attendance of the stewards, and thoso who hare been fortunate in winning prizes had them handed over. The stewards and the indefatigable secretary, Mr G. ilarcourt, have been so successful iv the carrying out of the late races and sports that already there is sonic talk of getting up a day's races for St. Patrick's Day.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr 11. Hudson, the local agent of the South British Insurance Company, of one of the handsome card almanacs issued by that company for the present year. It is something after the style of Iho almanac it-sued by the iS rew Zealand Insurance Company last year, and is supplied with a calendar for each month of the year, or a separate slip of paper, each of which can be turned oil' when the month expires. This tasteful little almanac has been issued by the. firm of Wilsons and Morton, Auckland.

The Enterprise arrived here this morning at about 8.30 with a portion of the excursionists from the Kawau. Her passage to tho island was a long and disagreeable one, as, owing to a head wind, sho did not arrive at her destination till 7 o'clock yesterday evening, and left again at 10 o'clock last night. About 40 chose to remain to return by the Durham, which was to leave this morning at 10 o'clock sp that she may be expected here at about so'clock this afternoon. The Durham arrived at the Kawau at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

It is understood in political circles (says the Duocdin Star) that Mr Stout has consented to accept oliicc as AttorneyGeneral, and that the Agent-Generalship will probably be offered to Mr Header Wood on his arrival home. Mr Macandrew and Mr Lnrnach are, however, strongly opposed to any change in the Agent-Generalship.

Tjie following appeared in last night's Auckland Star :— To the Kditor : Sir,— Can you kindly tell mo what is done with sweepstakes held in a race where one horso is disqualified ? Does the sweep go to the first past the post, or the winner of the stakes ? Take the race between Elsa and Lara for instance.—Kiudly oblige, Inquiher.—The Australasian of November 27th, ruled ns follows :—The rule, sweeps follow slakes, unless tho proviso " first pnst tho post" is made, holds good in all sweeps whether made on. tho course or not.—Ed. E.S.

Tnrc fourth annual session of Iho Grand , Lodge of New Zealand North, Independent Order of Good Templars, will bo opened sit Wellington on the 21st instant. P.G.W.C.T. Bro. W. J. Speight will represent the Star of the Thames Lodge, and Bro. John S<:ott, District Deputy of Haurtiki, the Northern Pinnc-r and Pride of the North Lodf»<*s. There wiH h<-: twenty-one delegates from Thames r.iui Auckland, v.-iio wil! !<.-.:r-*c !>y the W.-vn^kn \ on the 16th >n.-dnnt. .V. dojvatntiyP. iW-; j tho Grand Ludgf o! Kotv X-nlanfl So»»fli j will be present at Lhi- scssir.n, -.rfii'ii i!^; ! question of amuli;ainatio:i w'li be considered. The Kcsnion is expected to last four days.

The Wellington Post says : "Wo arc informed ou reliable authority that Mr Ballance has agreed to join the Ministry. He will meet the other members of the Cabinet at Wellington about the middle of the mon'h. It is not yet settled what portfolio Mr Ballance is to hold. As Mr Ballance is an able man, possessing sound views on questions of taxation and laud laws, his accession to the Ministry will he a gain to tho colony and Wellington. Sir George Grey is expected to leave Auckland to-morrow with Mr Sheehnn, arriving about the end of the week. Messrs Larnaclt and Macundrevr will return about the middle of the month.

As ingenious attempt to defraud the Customs department in Melbourne was brought to light and frustrated recently.

The authorities, it nppcnrs, rcccircd information recently which caused them to exercise special vigilance over persons arriving by steamer from Sydney. The B.s, Wodonga arrived early in the morning, and, on being cleared, the passengers landed at Sandridge ilailway Pier. Major Sprent, Mr Macfarlnne, and several other Customs otlicers were present on the pier, and scrutinised the passengers as they walked towards the railway station, whilst Constable Keano wns in attendance, lesfc police assistance should bo required. A tall gentleman, baring the appearance of a commercial traveller, and carrying a box about a foot square, was eventually recognised as tho person looked for. and was called into the Customs Office by Major Sprent and Mr Macfarlane. His box was opened, and inside was found a plaster of Paris bust of the Queen, which, on being inspected, was found to contain a quantity of diamond rings and other jewellery, the value of which is estimated at about £GOO. The suspicion that a plan had been laid to defraud the Customs department was thus conflrmed, and tho property was seized.

, The Edinburgh Scotsman's London correspondent says :—" I have reason to believe that the Peace Party in the Cabinet has lately received a notable accession, aud that five of tho Ministers are now virtually committed (o the policy of nonintervention."