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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2805, 9 February 1878, Page 2

The cutting down of the Waiotahi road, or that portion of it in the Borough leading from Pollen street to the Waiotahi Association's battery, is finished, and the alteration of the gradient must be a great courenience to carters. As an additional improVement, and to prevent accidents, a barricade or fence is being erected on the Queen of Beauty battery side of the road, which was left unprotected by the road contract. This work when completed will make the road secure, as well as widening it and making the curve better. It is being carried out most economically by contract, the cost to the Borough being trifling. j Tub recent flood in the Waiotahi Creek was not only the cause of considerable damage by the overflow in the culvert, but the culvert itself was affected, especially that section near the Queen of Beauty battery. There, just where the fall was greatest, the water coming down in great force and volume, it quickly overflowed, and so great was its power that it lifted the section of the flumiog about nine inches from its bed. This is now in course of repair, a contract for the same having been let to Mr J. Cullen. The work is in a fair way of being finished. It has been lowered to the proper level, and it is to be fastened down by means of piles driven in on each side, with strong cross timbers bolted to tile piles, according to plans prepared by the Foreman of Works, and from appearances the work will be substantial and effective. Mr Cullen, the contractor, has given great satisfaction in previous contracts, such as the bridge over the Kauranga JRiver and other works for the County, which may be taken as a guarantee that the present contract will be faithfully executed. In the fourth page will be found Mr William Wood's promised letter on " vine pesti," with special reference to Oidium Tuckeri and " its relation to prophecy."

We notice that the meeting of Parawai ratepayers for Monday evening, called by Mr Thomas Spencor, has been postponed through the unavoidable absence of the Chairman of the Parawai Board.

Tub aptitude which tho Maoris exhibit in imitating European manners and institutions is well-known. Yesterday morning some amusement was caused in Albert street bf a native, surrounded by about half a dozen butchers and others, disposing of a couple of pigs by auction. After a good deal of chaffering, during which the native used all the harmless little dodges of pakcha auctioneers to increase the value of the goods they sell, the pigs were knocked down for " 10 pob each." loud laughter was caused by the number of times that the dusky vendor repeated "Now, the third and last time," before he was finally satisfied that ho could not get a higher bid.

On Wednesday a paragraph appeared in our columns to the effect, "It is stated that the compact between the Banks fixing the price of gold has been broken." We have been requested to state that such is not the case: the compact has not been broken.

It was known in town last night, by private telegram, that the Australians closed their first innings for 175 runs, but the Advertiser, with that enterprise which distinguishes it in procuring news, had not a word of it today, its " own correspondent's " massage, singularly enough, giving nothing later than we published at four o'clock, although the Telegraph office is kept open for Preis messages till ten o'clock.

Be the late boat accident, Thomas Arnold writes :— Sib,—The statement that appears in this morning's paper, that Mr Lawlor hired a waterman's boat from the Grahamstown Wharf, is not true, as I am the only waterman in Grahamstown. I let no boat to Mr Lawlor, and I may state that I have no very small boats, not any but what are capable of crossing this Gulf in a strong breexo of wind.

Mb Moobcbaft, of Upper Albert street, exhibited at our office to-day gome really magnificent specimens of fruit and vegetables. The former comprised some of the finest pears we have seen, fully ripe, and beautiful to look upon or to taste. The vegetables comprised leviathan turnips, onions and parsnips, of such size and quality as any professional gardener might be proud of. We believe Mr Moorcraft has placed these fine specimens in Mr Pulleine's shop in Owen street. On being weighed one turnip was found to be B£lba and the six pears turned the scale at 51bs.

A meeting was held at the Gorernor Bowen Hotel last night to consider the question of forming a Horticultural Society. There was not a very large attendance, in consequence of a number of gentlemen taking an interest in the matter being otherwise engaged. Mr E. N. Tizard was called to the chair, and he invited Mr Pulleine, the convener of the meeting, to explain the object he had in doing so. Mr Pulleine informed those present what had been already done, and what it was proposed to do, so as to make the society successful, and it was then resolved that a society be formed, to be called the Thames Horticultural Society, the subscription of working members to be fire shillings per annum; honorary members ten shillings per annum. A committee was appointed, comprising the following gentlemen : — Messrs E. T. Wildman. T. Horsbrugh, J. B. Stoney, Climo, Bright, C. Hill, Green, Pulleine, Bey, Tizard, McCullough and Claxton, to draft rules and report to a meeting to be held at the Bowen Hotel on Monday, the 18th February, at 7.30 p.m. Mr Pulleine, who was appointed hon. secretary, said it would be well to hold the first show of fruits, flowers and Tegetablcs at the end of the present month, and he hoped the members and the public would do all in their power to make it a success.

The installation of officers of the Hauraki Boyal Arch Chapter, 1.C., took place in the Masonic Hall last night, which was ornamented with flowers for the occasion. Companion E. T. Wildman, Fast 3L, acted as Installing Officer, assisted by Companions R. M. Mitchell, P.K.; W. Climo, P.K., Hauraki Chapter, and H. G. Wade, Ara. The: following officers were installed :—Com-! panion 3. Bawden, K. ; Companion' W. H. Jenkins, H.P.; Companion S. Mills, C.S.; Companion F. B. Gr. Woodward, C.H.; Companion 8. Cntran, S.T.; Companion J. Hopkins, R.A.C., Com?anion A. Q. Catran, C.S.V.; Companion '. F. Mills, C.P.V.; Companion G. McCaul, C.8.V.; Companion E. T. Wildman, Treasurer; Companion J. Boss, Janitor. After the business was completed the companions sat down to an excellent supper at the Pacific Hotel, with Companions Gr. S. Graham. H. G. Wade, and J. W. Moat as guests. The usual loyal and fraternal toasts were drunk, and a pleasant evening spent. Companion S. Bawden, X., occupying the chair, with Companion W. H. Jenkins, H.P., in the vice chair. At eleven o'clock the visiting Companions from Auckland left by steamer.

The New Zealand Herald gives the following explicit directions for the guidance of School Committees in voting for the election of the new Board of Education:—l. That they must send to the Secretary of the Board on or before the last day of this month a list of the names. 2. This list mu9t be in writing. 3. The full names of the persons, as given in the " public notice," must be written on the list. 4. Any number of names, not exceeding nine, may be sent. We understand that specially-addressed envelopes have been sent to the several committees, in order that the voting-papers, when received- by the Board, mny be left unopened until the day of election (Friday, Bth of March). On that day these envelopes will be publicly opened, and the number of votes for each candidate recorded. Opinions may differ as to the precise form in which the lists should be made up, as to the signature (if an;) required, but we are enabled to state that a list given on the form supplied in the circular from the* Secretary will be deemed sufficient. The main point of importance is that the voting shall be recorded in the minutes of the committee, which the new Act requires shall be regularly entered in a book kept for the purpose; and as the Act requires that all proceedings of the committee are to be transacted at meetings, . it is evident that the list of names to be sent must be voted for at a duly convened meeting.