Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2808, 13 February 1878, Page 2

Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1878.

To-day we publish a somewhat lengthy biographical notice of Pius IX., whose death was recorded in yesterday's calograms. The sketch of the lifo and career of Pio Nono we present to our readers has been compiled from the latest and best authorities specially for tho Star, and although it may be considered to be tinged with a " Catholic" spirit, it will be found to contain a resume 1 of the chief 6Vi .its in the life of the deceased Pontiff, and will be read with the greater interest because it does not follow verbatim ct literatim tho previously published auto? biographies to be found in the Cyclopoodias or Dictionaries of Biography.

Wk learn that Mr John Hislop, wbo lias accepted the o3ice of Secretary to the Education Department, in Wellington, has resigned the position of P.G. Master of Freemasons, S.C., South Islanu, and District Judge Harrey has been appointed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in his place. *

At a soiree held last night in the Templar Hall to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the Star of Hauraki Tent of the Independent Order of ltechabiles, about 200 sat down to tea at 6.30 p.m., the tables being laid out with the usual amount of cakes, &c, for these occasions, and presided over by the Sisters of the Fomalo Tent. After the good things had been disposed of and the tables cleared, Bro. C. J. Brown took the chair, and the evening was finished with songs, recitations and readings, in which Messrs W. Gribble, W. Billings, Gr. N. Phillips and J. Gribble, and the Mesdames Gribble, Joy and others took part. Addresses were also given by the Chairman, and Messrs Vowels of the 1.0.0. F., Hanlon of A.0.F., Sherlock of P.A.F.S., Foy of H.A.C.8.5., and Bros. Le Hoy and Carr of Auckland, besides Bro. Speight and other members of the Order. The company assembled appeared to enjoy themselves, and a most pleasant evening was spent.

We hare been requested to call attention to the important sale of property, plant, &c, belonging to t'io Para Para Iron and Coal Company, now in course of liquidation. The whole of the property is to be sold by tender, and tenders will be received up till noon of Wednesday March Bth, either for the whole or for separate lots, under conditions specified. These conditions, with detailed inventory of property, may be seen on application at the office of this paper. The Para Para property is situate Collingwood, Provincial District of Nelson.

At the ordinary meeting of the Loyal Waikato Lodge, held in the Hall, Richmond street, Shortland, last night, the proceedings were diversified by the presentation of a handsomely framed certificate to P.G. Bro. John Leydon. The presentation was made by P.G.M. Bro; L. J. Bagnall, who in a brief speech referred to the great interest which Bro, Leydon had taken in the Lodge, and the manner in which he had filled the chair while JN\G. Ho had great pleasure in making the presentation on behalf of the officers and members of the Lodge. Bro. Leydon, P.G., suitably acknowledged the presentation, which consists of a beautifully illuminated picture certifying that Bro. Leydon has filled the respective offices entitling him to the same. The presentation may be seen in the window of Mr T. Lawless' shop, Brown street.

A cibctoab letter has been received at the District Militia Office here, stating that the colonial order, the New Zealand Gross, will, from the Ist January ultimo, carry with it an honorarium of £10 yearly. The only recipient of this decoration in the Thames district is, we believe, Sergeant Shepherd, to whom it was awarded for distinguished Talor in the field when belonging to the Armed Constabulary. We trust many years will elapse before any occasion arises for giving an opportunity to colonists to qualify for the receipt of this order and its accompanying pension.

We have been requested to draw the attention of the proper authorities to the filthy state of the drain in Campbell street running alongside of the Queen of Beauty tramway. The wall of mullock on each side has in many places fallen in, which hinders the very feeble natural drainage, and causes the most disgusting matter to congregate in the drain. A " stitch in time " now, in the shape of a few pounds to repair the drain, will " save nine " stitches, in the shape of the disease which it is bound to engender if left as it is.

Chablbs Godfrey Knight, Esq., has been appointed an Actuary for the purposes oF " The Friendly Societies' Act, 1877."

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Frederick James Burgess, Esq., to be Eeceiver of Gold Revenue for the Hauraki Goldmlnincj District during the absence on Jeavo of Mr A. J. Allom.

The Secretaries of Education Boards have been authorised to frank, free from prepayment of postage, letters and parcels posted on the public service.

" Eatepayee " writes regarding the visit of the County Chairman and County Clerk, and two County Councillors to follow, to Hamilton to attend the conference, insinuating that the races have something to do with the visit. " Ratepayer" thinks that if these gentlemen go at their own expense, well nnd good, but that it is coming it " demraed hot" if tho ratepayers have to pay them. We suppose all who go aro travelling on County business, and if so they become entitled to payment at a certain scale. This is more a matte: for consideration of ratepayers afc election times than for newspaper correspondence. If anything comes of the Conference the money will be well spent; if nothing comes of it, we do not think it will be attributable to want of action on tho part of the Thames representatives.

The Postal Card has been found to be of great convenience for sending short business communications where secrecy is not necessary. A German paper shows how the same may be used for epistolary correspondence of a private nature, by the use of invisible ink in writing all but the address, and the following recipes are given :—A solution of nitrate or chloride of cobalt, or chloride of copper, mixed

with a littlo gum or sugar, produces a " magic ink," which is ma-io visible by warming, either by holding against; the stovo or over a burning match. Potassium ferrocynniflo in solution may also be used; but this requires a developer, for which either copper or iron sulphate may be employed. With tho former the writing will appear in brown, and with tho latter in blue colour. Milk is equally serviceable.

It is notified in tho New Zealand Gnzetto that the Few Zealand War Medal has been authorised to bo issued to Sergeant Philip Cooke, Ist Waikato Militia, and Privates Thomas Loekwood and Lewis Harrison Eac, Ist Waikato Militia.

His Wonanip tho Mayor of Auckland, 11. Brett, Esq., entertained a large party at a picnic on Monday last, at his residence, Lake Takapuna, North Shore. The invitations were very numerous, and upwards of 300 ladies and gentlemen accepted. The greater part of the guests arrived by the steamer Takapuna, and i were met by the Mayor. The company included members of the City Council and Harbor Board, merchants, bankers and others, with their wires and* daughters ; together with the Australian and Auckland Cricketers and the Match Committee. The morning was not very fine, but the drizzling rain which had been falling ceased, and the weather cleared up splendidly. A large marquee had been erected on tbo lawn, capable of accommodating about 150 people, in which a dejeuner was spread, prepared by Mr C. Canning. To this sat down the ladies_ first and then the gentlemen. After tho latter had done justice to the spread, the Hon. F. Whitaker proposed the Health of the Mayor and Mrs Brett, which was heartily drunk by all present, and acknowledged by the Mayor. During the afternoon the large company enjoyed themselves at dancing (a fine band beiag present), and other outdoor amusementi, and, after partaking of an early tea, dispersed, after giving three cheers for their Hospitable entertainer, who has no doubt set an example to ail future Mayors of Auckland in the way of civic hospitality.

The following new Baiiway By-law lias been made :—" Smoking is strictly prohibited in any of the railway sheds, offices, platforms, waiting rooms, or any portion of the railway premises; and any person so smoking shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten pounds." According to this smoking is only allowed in tho carriages provided for that purpose, and the railway employees about the yards and stations must never indulge in a pipe, while travellers must pocket their pipes as soon as they arrive at a station and want to leave the train.

The Australasian of January 26th says:—We learn from a sourco upon which we can rely that the Khedive of Egypt has accepted tenders for the erection of barracks at Port Said, which will cost £183,000, and that they are intended for the reception of 33,000 troops, which are to be brought from Bombay. This would seem to indicate the existence of peculiarly close relations between the Britsh Government and the .Egyptian potentate, as well as a determination on the part of the former to take every precaution for keeping open and protecting the highway to India. It may also import that other eventualities are contemplated in the event of Russia disregarding her pledge to respect British interests when dictating the terms of peace to Turkey.

A tbamp was arrested, taken before a magistrate, and sentenced for three months. The justice, iv explaining the sentence, remarked that while there was no evidence that the prisoner had been guilty of any crime, he thought it prudent to commit him, as he had the wild, haggard look of a man about to start a newspaper.