THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2870, 27 April 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1878.

Thk Bey. S. Edger, 8.A., will delirer a sermon on Temperance at the Academy of Music tomorrow evening, commencing at half-past six o'clock, at which a collection wilt be made in aid of the funds of the Hospital and Ladies' Benevolent Society. ;

Membebs of the various Friendly Societies are requested by advertisement to attend the funeral of the late Dr W." A. Perston.

Membebs of the No. 2 Hauraki, Naval Brigade and St. George's Naval Cadets are reminded of their usual monthly church parade which takes place to-morr-ow at the usual hour.

At the E.M. Court this morning Frederick Tetley pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing two pigs to wander at large in Holleston street, and was fined 2s and costs. Capt. Fraser, E.M., occupied the bench.

Notwithstanding the ory of dull times, which it appears hat become quite a chronic evil of late, there are several of our more energetic citizens who have been going in for improvements on a large scale, both as regards the enlargement of business premises and large importations of Btock. Of our drapers, filessrs Hetherington and Co. have just completed extensive alterations to their shop at Pollen street, Shortland, it now being double its previous size. The shop is 50 feet long, and is, perhaps, one of the best fitted up and best lighted places of business in the drapery line in the place. The left hand side of the shop is exclusively devoted to the drapery, while on the opposite side is a well-aisorted and fashionable stock of clothing, a large portion of which has been recently imported for the autumn and winter trade. Lower down the shop is a counter, where can be purchased ladies' and children's boots and shoes in great variety, in which line of traffic the firm have recently embarked. At the rear of the shop is a very handsome and expensively fitted up show room, which, however, is not yet out of the painters' hands. It is about 20 feet square, and contains show glasses, mirrors, Sec, together with a large assortment of ladies' drapery of the most fashionable Paris and London modes. From the show room opens a fitting room, milliners' work rooms, &c., the whole premises being of the most complete character. The entire length of the shop buildings is 90 feet.

The following letter appeared in last night's Auckland Star: — Sir, — Hating returned lately from riiiting the Thames district, I desire to say a few words upon the native obstructive element there. It is a maxim in everyday affairs that if one person fails to accomplish something attempted, he should then stand aside and allow another to make the attempt. It is, in fact, Darwin's theory of the "survival of the fittest," proved in the school of dire experience. Such being the case, I would suggest to the Government the advisability of translating Messrs Puckey and Tookey from the Thames to another and perhaps brighter sphere, and see if this would melt the heart of that modern Fharaoh, Tukukino. Major Green, the zealous immigration officer, I observe, has lately been translated from showing new chums the path in which they should go, to teaching the young idea how to shoot. The Registrar of Deeds, Mr Kissling, might also be permitted to visit Sosthern climes. There is nothing like change of scene and air—(so my medico informs me confidentially, for one guinea— not guinea-pig, I don't keep them—for the " limbs " of the body politic, as for the corpus vile.—Yours, &c, F. H. Tboitp.

A sebiotjs misunderstanding appears to hare arisen between the editor (Mr James Browne, otherwise " Snyder") and the proprietor (Mr H. E. Webb) of the Porerty Bay Standard, the latter baring summarily dismissed Mr Browne from his position as editor and arbitrarily dissolved a partnership which existed between them in the business of auctioneers and commission agents. On opening a late number of the Standard we found a correspondence published relating to this affair which certainlypresents features not often met with in journalism. Mr Browne, it appears, went home on the night of Wednesday. 17th instant, after finishing his editorial duties for the following day's paper, when he says, he and the proprietor " bade each other a ' good night' in our usual cordial and friendly manner." Next morning Mr Browne opened his paper and found an advertisement orer the leader stating that Mr James Browne had ceased to hare any connection whatever with the' paper, and signed by "H. E. Webb, proprietor." Mr Browne protests, and remonstrates against this style of dismissal. Mr Webb replies, and accuses Mr Browne of working against instead of for him, and a very pretty kettle of fish has been.exposed to the edification of the Poverty Bay people. Where it will be finally settled remains to be seen. Probably " Snyder" will hare recourse to the law to teach Mr Webb a lesson that he cannot dismiss an employee without some sort of notice, and the public will resent such a nigh handed mode of procedure as that he seems to hare practised towards Mr Browne.

Ous energetic fellow townsman, Mr John Leydon, haying recently imported something like £1000 worth of goods, chiefly ladies' and children's boots and shoes, has just completed some extensire alterations to his shop at Shortland. The part of the building which was used as a sort of a store room has been handsomely fitted up and makes a commodious shop, in which are displayed to great advantage boots and shoes on One side, and crockeryware and fancy goods on the other. The "understandings" hare been imported direct; from one of the largest wholesale bouses in London, and the variety and extraordinary cheapness of the stock should certainly make Mr Leydon a dangerous competitor to other tradesmen in the same line of business. The crockery ware and fancy goods line is also of a most varied character, almost everything in those departments being represented, from chamberware to egg-

cups, and pianos and sewing machines to pins and needles. Mr Leydon intends shortly to have the building painted, when it will be one of the neatest and most commodious general warehouses in the town. Mr Leydon's Gralsarastown promises and auction mart nre also crammed with goods of almost every description, including produce, drapery, boots and shoes, pictures, sewing machines, fancy goods, in fact a perfect olla podrida of articles both useful and ornamental. Not only are the lower stores filled, but also a large number of rooms upstairs and in the adjoining building. Mr Leydon must have considerable confidence in the future of the place, as ho informed our representative that he expects other consignments month after month, of a size similar to that which he has recently imported.

Attention is directed to advertisement in another column of the Conversazione on Monday evening. In addition to a full programme of vocal and instrumental music, speeches, Ac, a novelty will be presented in the shape of a collection of pictures, models, mtneralogical specimens, coins, galvanic battery, printing press at work, duplex telegraph apparatus, a table inlaid with three hundred varieties of New Zealand wood, and a fine series of large sized photos, amongst which views of the Mount Cook district —the scene of the recent gold discovery by the Messrs Spencer—are specially interesting to miners. An entertainment of so varied a character, and the very moderate rate at which tickets of admission are issued, will doubtless draw a crowded audience. It will be held in the Academy of Music.

Thb Advertiser on Thursday published a paragraph relating a mis-adventure that befell a lady going down stairs to dinner, through the awkwardness of a gentleman in the rear. The Advertiser acknowledged the paragraph as having been contributed to " our Auckland evening contemporary by a correspondent," or something of that sort. The fact is, the paragraph was contributed to a San Francisco paper by its London correspondent. We flare not seen the Auckland Star containing the paragraph in question, but if that paper published it as from a correspondent we can only say that it is peculiar the same identical paragraph should have appeared in a 'Frisco paper quite two months ago.

It has been remarked, and we believe with some truth, that more people have gone to Auckland during the holiday now drawing to a close than ever went before at the Easter season. It is even asserted that more have visited the provincial metropolis this week and last than at Christmas and New Year, the two great holidays of the year. If this be the case, Auckland has reason for congratulation. We know that a large number of our population have been in town during the last ten days, and between the races and circus it is computed that some two or three thousand pounds have been carried away from here and spent in town.

The usual weekly drill of the Second Haurakia took place last night in the Grahams town Drill Hall, Beach road, under the command of Captain Small and Lieutenants Barlow and Denby. Sergeant-Major Grant was in attendance, who, on the parade being handed over to him, instructed the men in squad and company drill. After dismissal the officer commanding notified that the monthly inspection of the corps would take place next week. The invitation to church parade from the Naval Brigade was accepted, the corps being advertised in another column to parade at their drill hall at a quarter past ten in full dress uniform.

Mb BabloVb well directed efforts to provide innocent recreation is well appreciated by the volunteers and cadets of the Thames district. The advertised match open to all comers during last :erening brought out some rery good scores. The plan of marking adopted by the proprietor is the same as in rogue at the latest Wimbledon contests, riz.—bulls-eye 5, inner 4, centre 3, and outer 2. The diameter of the Brown street range target is twelre inches, that of the centre eight inches, the inner four inches, and the bull's-eye one and a quarter inches. The length of the gallery from the firing counter to the target is twenty yards, thus presenting to the eye the appearance of a Government regulation target at 400 yards. The imitation rocks with which the range is fitted are perforated with bullet holes, but Mr Barlow informs us that the average scoring has so much improved 'since his opening night, that after he has repaired his rock scenes he anticipates that the target will receive the bullets and the fauns and fairies lurking in bis grotto be left in comparative security. The prize competed for last night was a large meerschaum pipe and case, which was carried off by one of our rolunteer blue jackets, Seaman Luckie, T.N.8., who was tied by Seaman Comer of the same corps with the fine score of 28 out of a possible 30. The Scottish and Haurakis were also well represented, but failed to carry the prize off.

Commenting on the recent outrage bj natives at Ohinemuri the NZ. Herald says :—lt is clear that the best way to deal with Tukukino is to bring the law to bear upon him. The only way in which this can be done, so far 83 we can ascertain, is to exerciie the powers under the Public Works Act of 1876. At present no action can be taken, except a direct appeal to force, which is not to be thought of under the circumstances.- The County Council road party had really no legal right to be where they were, as the land is natire property. But the Act we hare referred to above gives power to the Minister of Public Works to authorise the construction of roads across natire land, or the making a surrey, and prorides that the satires, if they obstruct, may be summoned before the Resident Magistrate If this process were adopted, Tukukino's obstruction would cease at once.

The editor of the Bay of Plenty Times does not appear to entertain a very exalted opinion of the volunteers as a means of defence. In an article published in a recent issue the following passage occurs:-—The fact is Volunteering has become a mere sham in the colonies. Lore of display, a desire to strut about in gaudy uniform to the admiration of the servant girls, coupled with a greedy desire to win money prizes at the targets, have been the prominent characteristics. We maintain that this prize-firing system has been developed into a useless and demoralising waste of money—a mere system of gambling, into which sweepstakes, betting, and all the surroundings of the turf hare been improperly imported. We have even heard of books being made upon the results of these periodical competitions. The whole system of rojunteer firing requires re-organisation. After the

the preliminary training has been gone through, the men nhould be carefully trained to judge distance on all manner of ground, and in all sorts of weather, instead of being kept at marked ranges with only a limited variation of weather, the prevailing characteristics of which are soon mastered. Downright, efficient training should take the place of this shamsoldiering. .Regular, hard, matter-of-fact drill, the rough life of the camp, in which each man should render his share of the duties which would devolve upon him in actual warfare, long marches, skirmishing over rough ground, firing at targets placed in unexpected situations and at unknown distances, and emergency muster* without warning, should take the place of the present useless and ineffective parades, and marching after a baud through the principal thoroughfares of the towns to the admiration of a crowd of boys and girls. The officers should also be more efficiently trained. At present they are elected to their commands more as a recognition of some estimable social qualities than fitness for the duty. The gentleman who subscribes most liberally in the way of cups and money prizes for the periodical range gamble, is usually selected to command a company, though his chief qualifications may be confined to weighing but groceries, or making up pats of butter. The unseemly and demoralising familiarity which one sees at the volunteer Earades should be put down with a strong and. . ■ .;.,:■■ :

The Falcon " pulling " ease at the late races has resulted rather disastrously for Mr McGeo. The Auckland Btar says :— A meeting of the Jockey Club was held this (Friday) afternoon to investigate the alleged pulling of Falcon in the Selling Bace. After hearing evidence it was resolved that Mr McGee, owner of the horse, shall be disqualified from running at the Auckland Jockey Club meetings for two years. Mr McGee, junior, the jockey,. was suspended for twelve months. ~

"How I got a free passage," was related the other day in the hearing of the writer, by a son of Erin who was not deficient in that native humour, mother wit, or whatever quality it is that gets so many ot them out of scrapes. He said: "We were leaving West Coast for Thames, and had gone on board a steamer at Hokitika. A lot of us were lying down midships, near the main hatch, when the captain came on board. He said, ' .Now boys, get for'ard.' I nudged Jim and remarked, ' Get for'ard, you steerage passengers.' Tbe Captain replied, ' Why, you're not a cabin passenger. Didn't I see you taking out a steerage ticket at the office ?' I went forward with the rest of the boys, and presently we cast off, steamed out, and, as was usual, the captain came round to examine tbe tickets of those who had them, and take the money from those who had not. (It was a common practice in those days to get tickets on board.) The captain came to me and asked for my ticket. I felt in one pocket, then in another, and so on through my whole suit. •I can't find it, captain, said I, * but sure you saw me get it in the office today P' 'Ail mht,'said the captain, passing me by. We, got to Nelson in due time, and the captain was on the bridge receiving the tickets as we landed. I passed on with the rest of the boys, but on giving the skipper a look he just tapped me on the shoulder and said, * You have had a cheap passage this time, my lad.' I nodded acquiescence, and, meeting him afterwards, we had a laugh over the business. I certainly had a cheap passage, and the captain knew it."