THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2871, 29 April 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1878.

We would again remind our readers of the Good Templar Conversazione to-night at the Academy of Music, which from the number of tickets sold and the energetic manner which it has been worked up by Messrs Hilton, Power, Phillips, the BeT. 3. T. II in ton and other gentlemen, the affair promises to be a decided success. The services of n number of favorite amateurs have bi'en securcil for the occasion, including MrsNikorima Poutoutara, Miss and Mrs J. Gribble, Messrs Meacheni, Ptilleine, and Hilton. The latter gentleman, who, we believe, will make his debut before a Thames audience, possesses a splendid baritone voice, which is certain to take well with the audience. ' The musical arrangements are under the control of Mt Power. In addition to the musical portion of the entertainment there will bo an exhibition of works of art, etc., and amongst other attractions a:printing press at work will be exhibited, and a number of copies of nn article on local matters will be s ruck off.

Mr H. C. GiLtESPiE, formerly of Messrs I,.VV. Soiiler and Co , who ha* been absent from the Tfiamcs for a few,weeks piucohia retirement from the firm, returned last week, but leaves the place again to-day for good. Mr Gillcspie was uniformly liked and respected while managing ihe business of the firm from which ho iias now retired, and also while directing the affairs of the Grabamstown and Tararu Tramway Company, and the

Hauraki Saw Mills. He was assiduous in business nnd courteous of demeanour; in appreciation of which qualities n number of his friends offered him the compliment of n valedictory dinner, which, however, Mr Gillespie was compelled to decline, as he leaves for the scene of his future labors this afternoon, having accepted an appointment as manager of the Ifuia Saw Mills, Manukau Heads. It is matter for regret with many that Mr Gillespie was not able to take a more public farewell of those with whom he has been brought into contact in business for the past years, but he will carry with him the best wishes of an extended circle for his future prosperity, and fervent hopes that he will not have cause to regret leaving the Thames.

Thb directors o_f the Alburnia company, at their meeting at Auckland to-day, haYo declared a dividend ot 2s Gd per share.

Mb John Leydon sold by auction to-day the handsome villa residence of Mr H. C. Gillespie, who is leaving the Thames. Bidding .was spirited, and the property was knocked down to Mr J. Pearce (Star Office) for the sura of £400. The sale of the furniture, part of which realised good prices, was going on when wo went to press.

Thebb has been forwarded to this office by the honorary secretary of the Hastings (Tapu) Cemetery Committee a subscription list, on which we shall be glad to see inscribed in a short time after this notice appears the names of persons who- ore disposed to contribute towards a fund now being raised to fence in the cemetery at Hastings. We believe there are several residents on this part of the goldfield who have relatives and friends buried in the Tapu cemetery, and who will not be pleased to hear that " the graves are getting destroyed by pigs and cattle." The late concert at Hastings in aid of the Cemetery Fund realised £7 4s after paying expenses, but this is insufficient, and besides the appeal now being made it is expected that the County Coucil will vote something towards the work. The cemetery is, it appears, a native reserve, but it is not expected that any very great difficulty will be experienced in obtaining the portion hitherto dedicated to the burial of the dead. We commend this matter to the consideration of all, but more especially to those whose who have relatives and friends lying in this apparently neglected God's Acre. The subscription list lies at our publishing office.

A Wellington paper of a recent date says:—A lady walking along Willis street yesterday met a row of four men walking along and occupying the entire breadth of the'footpath. As they did not move she essayed to pass between them, but although they politely stepped apart a little way, each man kept one arm extended towards the other, so that she was unable to effect a passage. She was just beginning to feel indignant at being thus hindered when she suddenly perceived that the unfortunate men were handcuffed together, and, consequently, were unable to do more than they had done, being, in fact, a batch of prisoners just convicted and on their way to the gaol. She made a hasty retreat.

Pehsons are drowned by raising their arms above water, the unbuoyed weight of which depresses the head. When a man fails into deep water he will rise to the surface, and will continue there if he does not elevate his hands. If he moves his hands under the water any way he pleases his head will rise so high as to allow him full liberty to breathe, and if he will use his legs as in the act of walking up-stairs, his shoulders will rise above the water so that he may use less exertion with his hands, or apply them to any other purpose. 'J hese plain directions are recommended to the recollection of those who have not learned to swim in their youth, as they may be found highly advantageous in preserving valuable life.

The following was the lesolution passed by the Auckland Racing Club on Friday afternoon :—" That Owen Cumin MeGee be disqualified from running any horse, either in his own name or in the name of any other person, on the course belonging to the Auckland Racing Club for the term of two years ; arid that John McGee, jockey of Falcon, be suspended from riding for a term of twelve months ; and that the horse Falcon be disqualified for ever; and a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Southern Clubs." We (Auckland Star) understand that a statement has been made by H. Mcurant to the Jockey Club relative to the running of Perfume in the Steeplechase, and that Mr Mct>eo has been called upon for an explanation.