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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2816, 22 February 1878, Page 2

Majob Atkinson, iv addressing lits con. stituents, confined himself principally to a review of the events of the past session, and he does not appear to hive tinged his version with any strong party coloring. He shows how that, after the accession to power of Sir George Grey by a political flake, through the action of tbe famous Middle Party, his (Major Atkinson's) want of confidence motion was lost merely by the casting vote of the Speaker, and how subsequently the Government gajned strength and were able to treat' a second notice of a vote of want of confidence with contempt. Major Atkinson claims the credit of initiating many of the Bills carried by Sir George Grey's.Government,...and in a measure approves the cardinal. points of the existing Government's policy, evidently accepting the present situation as inevitable. If Major Atkinson be slil} regarded as leader of the Opposition, he is remarkably reticent as to the intentions of the Opposition. In this course, however, he has the notable example of Sir George Grey before him, for when the latter was in opposition he persistently declined to disclose his policy. We should gabber from Mayor Atkinson's address that the Opposition next session will play a waiting game, aad that no decided. action will be attempted until parties have settled down and the units of the Opposition have assumed a concrete form.

Signob Nobili of the Italian' Opera (Company came down to the Thames by last night's steamer to see if he could get, sufficient inducement to bring the com* pauy down here for three nights, but we are sorry to learn that he hag not met with sufficient encouragement to make the proposed venture. He will return,to town m the morning, and there is not Any livelihood of the Thames being favored with a visit of the Company, which is on all hands said to be the best that h?.s visited ISfew Zealand. '.

The Union Bank .of Australia shipped per llotoinahana for Auckland yesterday 1582 ounces of gold. The excaration of the pipe track for tho nine mcli water mains wus commenced in Albert street to-day, and before many feet of the ground tad been opened there was a very strong smell of g»s pcrvnding the neighborhood, although no pipe was touched. It shows very clearly that there is a considerable escape of gas, when the ground is so saturated with it as to cause such a very strong smell as soon as the surface is disturbed.

Thb match—Eleren v. Twenty-two— will be resumed to-morrow afternoon at two o'clock sharp. Players are particularly requested to be punctual. The Herald yesterday had the following :•—For some time past there baa been no Mining Inspector for the Thames Goldfields, but we learn that the GoTernj meut hare determined to fill the Tacahcy ! at once, and that Captain Goldsmith has been asked to accept the position again. His reappointment will probably be gazetted this week.

Fob some time past there has been an agitation going on in Dunedin to obtain for different trades a half-holiday on Saturdays. To some tfeis has been conceded by employers. Messrs Guthrie and Larnach's joiners are put on strike because it was refused them, and now there is a movement to close shops early on Saturdays. A Press Agency telegram says : — At a meeting of the Early Closing Association addresses were delivered by a number of the leading citizens, and motions were carried in favour of the principle of shutting up shops at one o'clock on Saturdays. . .

A highly enjoyable reunion took place at the Shellback school last evening in the form of<a concert and dance, held in celebration of the amalgamation of the Taravu and Shellback schools. The com- j mittee had used every effort to make the affair a success, which it undoubtedly was, there being something like 150 persons present. After the opening glee, Mr Fricker sang " The Anchor's Weighed, 1' which merited the applause it elicited, as also did a song, the name of which we did not catch, by Miss McNeill. Mr T. Comes sang "The Death of Nelson," which, -t'aough it rather exceeded his powers, wa? sung in fair voice, and was highly creditable to an amateur. The next song, ■"!« and I," by. Miss Hunter, was rendered in that lady's highly successful manner, which never fails to please the audience, and last night was no exception to the rule. Mr C. Weston successfully rendered " Nellie Ray " and " The Village Blacksmith," his powerful y.oice being heard to great advantage in the latter song. Miss Cleaves rendition of the songs " Somebody's Coming " and " Come Birdie, Come !" found favor with the audience. A little daughter of Mr Weston then sang "Sweet Belle Mahone," with a confidence surprising in one so young. After a glee by Miss McNeill and Messrs Steward and McGregor had been rendered, the National Anthem was sung, which brought the firatpart of the programme to a conclusion. The majority, of those present then engaged in the mazy dance to the music of Christiansen's string band, the saltatory enjoyment being concluded in the " we sma'" . hours of the morning.