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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2833, 14 March 1878, Page 2

The Hon. J. Shcehan arrived by the Bptomahana at an early hoar this morning. A fter receiving a deputation re hospital matters, and being interviewed by several gentleman, Mr tSheehan rode out to Eerikeri, op his return embarking at Kopu for Ohineinuri. He will visit To Aroha and return on Saturday, having to attend a Cabinet Council in Auckland on Monday. Mr Sheehan was accompanied to Ohinemuri by Mr Brodie, County Chairman.

Tns apparatus for testing the now mains has been again tried, and does its work in an efficient manner. The most difficult part of the contract for laying the pipes is now completed; as the ground now being opened is not nearly so hard as formerly, and the trenches are free from water.

.-,( Aa willbe seen by advertisement, the Star of Thames Lodge, 1.0. G.T., will hold an open lodge meeting at the Templar Hall, Kolleston street, this evening, commencing at 8 o'clock. A very enjoyable programme, including addresses, solos, readings, music, etc., has been prepared for the occasion.

Me Ivjby has been re-appointed tenderviewer under Captain Goldsmith, Mining Inspector.

A tklkobaji to the Auckland Star says Miss Leaf was married to Mr W. H. Bead at Napier yesterday morning.

Some time ago we stated that the combination of the banks regarding the price of gold had been dissolved. It appeared at the time that the statement was premature; a dissolution of the compact was "imminent" only. Now we can say on indisputable authority that so far as the National Bank is concerned the combination has been broken, the National having paid for gold a higher price than that agreed upon. The miners will be gainers by this breach of the compact

At a meeting to-day (he directors of of the Waitekauri G.M.Co. made a call (t)ie titb) of Cd per share, payable on the 10th April 1878.

A. tjeliEgbam was received to-day from Sir George Groy, who is at Oamaru, staling that he will not be in Auckland till the end of the month.

We are informed by Captain Abbot, of the brig Jauo, that the^cost of lighterage and loss of time, through not being aule to get his vessel alongside the whprf, will entail a cost of £109 on the owners of the vessel, Messrs Beck, Tonks and Co., of Wellington. He also informs us that that firm intended to endeavour to establish a trade in timber with this place, and, had the trip of the Jane been satisfactory, two other vessels, the Malay barque, of 330 tons, and the Young Dick, schooner, 160 tons, would also have been put on the trade. The insufficient depth of water will prevent this being done, so that it will be seen that the port is losing what might be the nucleus of considerable trade, and it would be advisable to make arrangements for the improvement of the harbor as soon as possible. We understand that Captain Abbot intends bringing the matter under the notice of the Harbor Board.

We publish in this day's issue an article from the Morning Herald (Dunedin) on Government Life Assurance. As an answer thereto the following letter has been published in the same journal: — Sib,—Allow me to call attention to an article in your yesterday's issue re the Government Life Insurance Department, in which it is stated—" It is said that, in consequence of instructions issued from the head office to the various agents of the department as to the obtaining of new business are so urgent that much laxity has crept in with regard to the taking of 'lives/ and that persons who have been unable to get insured elsewhere have found their applications to the Government Office successful." I beg to give this statement my most unqualified denial. Such instructions as the writer of the article ailndes to were never issued, and I think the medical referees and persons who have done business with the department will bear me out in saying that, if there be a fault, it is in the opposite direction, namely that the department has a conservative tandency, if anything. I am, &<s., T. F. M'Donogh, Chief Agent.