THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2834, 15 March 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1878.

Some further calograms published today show that the eastern question is not settled yet. The items are rather yague. For instance, we are informed in the special to the Melbourne Argus that 11 Count Andrassy repudiates that occupation scheme," and Beuter's message says " Eussian troops are moving Constantinople." We have purposely refrained from adding to the actual words of the message. " That " occupation scheme may mean the temporary occupation of Constantinople, or the tiro' years occupation of Eoumania and Armenia stipulated for in the terms of peace. In regard to the second item, llussian troops may be moving toward, from, or into Constantinople, and the omission of the preposition in the telegram does not say much for the perspicuity of the sender. \

At the Academy of Music this evening will be given a Grand Variety Entertainment by a number of amateurs in aid of the Hibernian Band. The first part of the entertainment will consist of gymnastio performance by Messrs Anderson and Keddy, a dance by Mr Winchcombe, and songs by Mr Airey and Miss Hunter. The second part will contain items of a character similar to the first, and the performance will conclude with a sketch entitled " Scenes in a Chemist's Shop." Before the commencement of the performance the Hibernian Band will perform selections on the portico, and we understand that all possible means have been adopted to make the affair a success.

We understand that His Excellency the Governor may be expected to visit the Thames in a man-of-war at an early date to formally open the Ohinemuri County road. The Natives propose to geb up some festivities on the occasion, and probably there will be •• high jinks."

Sergeant O'Connor leaves the Thames this afternoon for Auckland. His departure after such a short stay will be regretted by a wide circle of friends.

On Sunday next the annual collections will be taken up at the various churches here for the benefit of the Hospital. We trust that the liberality displayed by the church-going public in former years will be repeated on Sunday next.

Aa announced in another column, the Thames Scottish Company will fire for the medals at the Government range tomorrow, at the usual hours. The ranges are 2CO, 4CO, 500 and 6CD yards; 5 shots at each range.

Mb W. B. Bakeb evidently intends to make the Miranda the favorite place for Thames excursion parties. On Monday morning next he will despatch the s.s. Durham from the Goods Wharf for New Brighton, and as the tide will suit admirably, and Monday will, we believe, be generally kept as a holiday, we fully expect to see a large number of pleasure seekers availing themselves of the opportunity. We understand that there is every probability of the Naval Brigade Band accompanying the excursion, so lovers of music and the light fantastic will have their wishes gratified in that particular.

We liave a memo, from the Telegraph office to say that the Western Australian line is interrupted north of Port Augusta.

The alterations to the building formerly knowa as the Bank of Australasia, corner of Willoughby and Pollen streets, arc progressing rapidly to completion. The proprietor, Mr James Marshall, does not seem to be sparing expense, and when finished it will be one of the handsomest drapery establishments in the Borough.

At the Borough Council meeting last night Councillor Ehrenfrted brought forward a matter affecting more especially the small ratepayers. The matter referred to is with reference to the Assessment Court. Cr Jvhrenfricd pointed out that it was not worth the while of the smaller ratepayers to employ a solicitor to draw up their objections to the valuation of their property, and the chances were that in doing it themselves some slight error was made which was taken advantage of by those representing the Borough, and the consequence was that the objection was thrown out, the objector having to pay costs, perhaps treble the amount of the difference between what their property was valued at and what they wished it reduced to. Many other little technicalities are required by the Act, so many in fact that it is almost impossible for one unacquainted with law, to prepare a valid objection. Again, there is no doubt that many men sooner than lose a day's work for the sake of a few. shillings, permit their valuations, though they may consider them exorbitant, to pass unchallenged, and thus are rated at a much higher value than is proper. This is not the fault of the valuers, who are liable to mistakes as well as anybody else, but it is undoubtedly one of tho reasons which cause, as the Mayor remarked at last night's meeting, many of the properties in the Borough to be over-taxed. The old system of objectors making their objections to the Borough Council direct was ietter than the present one, and the sooner it is amended by legislation the better.

Thekk. was no business of any kind whatsoever at the H.M. Court: to day.

The schooner S?oung .Dick, commanded by Captain Arniit, and owned by Messrs Beck, Touksan I Co., Wellington, arrived here to-day, and though of a» largo a tonnage as tho Jano, has a lighter draft, and will be able to get alongside the wharf and load her cargo of timber. Captain Abbot, belioving that the Young Dick would not be able to get alongside, and be in the same predicament as the Jane, telegraphed to that effect to the owners, but the Young Dick had left before the telegram reached Wellington.

Mb J. Towns end announces that he has purchased the business lately carried on by Mr George Blott at the Corner of Mary and Pollen streets, and will assume control of the same to morrow, and remain there until his new premises are ready for occupation. Mr Townsend may be styled one of the pioneer butchert of the Thames, and he is now fitting up the shop formerly occupied by Mr O'Buglien. adjoining Mr Yeale's, where he will shortly commence as shipping and family batcher.

The Herald's special, telegraphing from Dunedin, says: The daily papers are much exercised regarding the; corporation advertising, all of them having leading articles on the subject to-day. Some time ago the Council invited tenders from the two morning papers for its advertising. At tho Council meeting yesterday the tenders were opened, when it was found that the Times tender was 6d per Inch, that of the Herald 2s 6d per inch. The former was accepted. The Times inveighs against the meanness of the corporation, and says it will hand over the 6d to the Benevolent Institution, and that it only wanted the advertisement for the benefit of its subscribers. The Age designates the City Council as the meanest public body on earth, and, as an example of its stupidity, says it is engaged converting the Bay into a magnificent cesspool.

Accobdik* to the official Turkish Ve"rit<s, the Kings of Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium are about to pay a simultaneous visit to London; and their visit is connected with an effort on the part of England to group round her the smaller Powers of Europe in an offensive and defensive alliauee, which may serve as a counterbalance to the preponderan.ee of the. three Emperors' alliance. Spain, Holland, and Portugal will, it is hoped, be eventually persuaded to join the coalition.

"Atias," in the World, understands that an equerry-in-waiting on the Cuke of Edinburgh has been getting into trouble. Letters of a compromising character written to a lady have been discovered. The equerry was challenged by the lady's husband, an officer in a distinguished regiment; but declining to go out, has had to leave Malta.

A WBtTEB in Truth says:—A British merchant loved, not wisely, but too well, a lady in the West-end. " Go," said the enamoured merchant to the lady of his love, " and buy yourself gorgeous raiment." The lady went to a milliner, who resides not a thousand miles from Piccadilly. She mentioned the name of the British merchant, and this same merchant received m bill for £2000. He protested, but in "vain. The milliner threatened to sue, so he paid. Whether the milliner and the lady divided the money between them, or whether the raiment really cost £2030, the British merchant does not know. „