Untitled

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2807, 12 February 1878, Page 2

The death is announced by calogram of His Holiness tho Pope at the mature age of BG. A biographical notice of Pio Nino compiled for this issue is unavoidably crowded out. Tho death of this venerable patriarch does not como unexpectedly. His great nge, his long failing health, and the rumors of his approaching dissolution which have been heard for months past, have prepared the public mind for the event which has now happened.

Intelligence reached town yesterday by the Waiwera achooner of the death of Mrs Selwyn, wife of the Bishop of Melanesia, on the BOth of December last, at Norfolk Island. The malady which proved fatal was gastric fever, to which the lady succumbed after thirteen days' illness. She will be greatly regretted by all who knew her. She leaves behind, besides her husband, a little child of tender age to mourn her loss. —Herald.

The death is announced, at Napier on Sunday evening, of the Eight Rev. William Williams, late Bishop of Waiapu. The deceased was engaged in tho missionary work in New Zealand for over 50 years. He was the first to reduce the Maori language to a grammar, and made the first translation of the Scriptures and Prayer Book.

Mb T. W. Gxtdgkeon sold by auction to-day the freehold allotments between the Bank of Australasia building in Shortland and Mr Bobbett's butchery to Mr Lamb, the price being 42s per foot.

DtraiNG one of the recent vijits of the Hon. J. Sheehanto the Thames, Sergeant Major Grant made an application to be gazetted to a Captaincy in the New Zealand Militia and appointed Adjutant of the Thames District. Major Cooper has now received from the Hon. the Defence Minister a letter stating that the former cannot be acceded to, and that there is no vacancy in the Thames District Staff requiring to be filled up. Captain Mennie, Thames Scottish Cadets, lias received a challenge from Wellington to fire a friendly match with a combined team of Wellington cadets, on Saturday, 23rd February. Twelve cadets to fire, but ten highest scores only to count; size of targets 6ft. x 4ft;, centre 4ft. x 2ft., bull's-eye 2ft x Ift.; ranges 100, 200 and 300 yards; five shoots at each range ; muzzle loading carbine, terry cartridge; ties decided by best shot at longest range. We believe the challenge is likely to be accepted. We have received from the author, W. J. Bull, Esq., C.E., Christcburch, a small volume entitled " Public Works of New Zealand, from 1870 to ?.577." In his preface the author says: " The Public Works of New Zealand have made such rapid strides within the last few years that I deem that something .more than a mere passing notice (which is all that has been accorded them as yet) will not be altogether unacceptable to the public. The remarks, however, that I propose to make will apply rather to the way in which they have been carried out and managed than to a general description of them. The reasons that have actuated me in dealing with the question in this ! way instead of in a more palatable shape are twofold. First, a detail or even general description of the works as a whole would take more time than I have at my disposal; and, secondly, lam desirous that the general public should become acquainted with certain facts as to the manner in which these works hay been carried out, from which they can draw their own deductions. It was xny

intention to have published this pamphlet before the Hguso was prorogued in Wellington, occl during the time the late Ministry were in power, but owing to the difficulty of gotting information and press of business, I was compelled to übandon the idea of getting it out as soou as I had intended. This will account for tho lato Government being reterred to in the present tense instead of the past. I take this opportunity of tendering my thanks to Mr Czerwonlca for tho very able articles that he has contributed." The work is illustrated by some lithograph drawings, and has also some papers contributed by Mr Czerwonka, formerly practising as an architect and surveyor at the Thames. The book will be found to be of interest to tho civil engineering profession.

At the conclusion of the exhibition of the Mirror of the World last night, Mr Qpfford intimated that he had tendered a benefit to the Hospital, but no effort had been made to take advantage of it. In fact, it seemed that the Committee expected him to take all the trouble in getting up the benefit as well as give the entertainment. He could not possibly do that, and even if he had been so inclined, he was not well enough known here to be able to hope for success in disposing of tickets. At the same time he would have gone away much better pleased could he have been the means of netting £20 or £30 for the institution.

A Wellington telegram states :-—The Wellington Jockey Club announce by advertisement that they will not receive entries for the Wellington Derby for the year 1880. In connection with this, the Times says that the stewards in coming to this decision are in accord with the views of nearly all the Jockey Clubs of New Zealand, considering it a mistake to have a Derby for Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington. There is a strong opinion that there should be but one Derby, to be run at the Spring Meeting afc Christehurch, or some other equally suitable locality; and that each Club in the colony should contribute not less than 60 pounds. -This, with the nominations, forfeits, and acceptances, would make up handsome stakes.

Tats New Zealand Gazette of 31st January contains proclamations delegating to the Thames Harhor Board the Governor's powers under the Marine Act. In the same Gazette is published a list of officiating Ministers under "The Marriage Act." The denominations recognised are designated as follows : Uhurch of the Province of JS Tew Zealand, commonly called *he Church of England, Prt'sbyicriau Church of New Zealand, Roma a Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, Wes« leyan Methodist Society, Congregational Independents, Baptists, Primitive Methodist Connection, United Methodist Free Churches, Lutheran Church, Hebrwe Congregation.

At the Eesident Magistrate's Court to-day William Bobbett was charged with allowing one horse to wander at large. One of Mr Bobbelt's employees appeared, and pleaded guihy. Fined 2s 6d, and costs. Captain Fraser, R.M., occupied the Bench.

We have to acknowledge from the publisher the receipt of two brochures connected with medical science: " The History and Progress of Surgery," and " Diseases of the Hip Joint." Both are by James G. Beaney, F.E.C.S., Senior Surgeon to the Melbourne Hospital, and published by Mr F. F. Bailliere, 104, Collins street East, Melbourne. The former is an address delivered to the medical studients of the Melbourne Hospital on the occasion of the presentation of the prizes in the class of operative surgery. It contains in brief a review of the progress of surgery from an early period to the present time, with an account of the gradual adoption of anaesthetics in cases' of operation, the prejudices which beset the path of the scientist and operator, and the gradual overcoming of those prejudices. The old system of treatment, now exploded, is referred to, the slow but certain advance of medical surgery is touched upon, and some references to the early use of anesthetics and their application to assist the operator in delicate and painful cases are reviewed. The various useful but perfect instruments used are also noticed, and tho address forms a complete but brief history of the progress of surgery. Though in some degree of a techhnicul character, necessarily, it is yet a readable pamphlet, interesting to all who have a desire to become acquainted with the progress of science, especially in its relation to the healing art. The second pamphlet is a " clinical lecture " and partakes more of a technical character thsn the fir *t mentioned, being descriptive of curative appliances az well as the disease indicated. As specimens of colonial medicpl literature they can be commended as far as can be done from a non-professional point of view. At any rate, Dr Beaney and his publisher are due some credit for endeavoring to extend their circulation beyond the circle for which they were prepared.

Somebody stole a water-melon, from a garden the other night, and left a pocketbook on the ground containing SOOdols. The proprietor of the patch advertises that he has a few more melons left.