THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2873, 1 May 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1878.

These was a rumor afloat in the town to-day that the ex-sergeant of police, William O'Connor, mentioned in our Welling* ton telegrams as having attempted to poison a hotel-keeper there, is the Sergeant O'Connor who was here aome time ago. This is not a fact, however, as the officer who was here was named Jeremiah O'Connor.

A eemaekably heavy shower fell about two o'clock to day, and in a short time the water in the water tables rose to a level with the footpaths, almost flooding them.

A telegbam from the Sydney correspondent of the Auckland Star, under yesterday's date, says Trickett, the champion sculler, has lost two of the fingers of his left hand in handling a cask of beer. His rowing has been stopped.

We (Herald) are informed that the Jockey Club, before giving the decision in Mr Owen McGee's case, which we Btated on Saturday, examined a number of witnesses thoroughly competent to speak to the facts, and came to the conclusion they did unanimously. They were con vinced that a severe penalty was necessary to mark their sense of most reprehensible conduct, and that if they failed in their duty they would incur the censure of every man who is anxious to see racing prevented from becoming utterly disreputable.

Anotheb racing scandal is vaguely referred to in an Auckland contemporary. It appears that some one resident in the country drew a horse in a Calcutta sweep, and first heard of his good luck by a telegram from the owner of the horse, who bargained for half the stake as an inducement to run his horse. The sequel shows that the drawer was sold by the racing man: hence the disclosure, which, it is to be hoped, will be further ventilated.

Just two years ago (2nd May, 1876,) the contract for the construction of-the long-talked-of Auckland Graving or Dry Dock was: signed by Messrs Jones and Ware, and before this reaches our home readers, it will have been opened. We might suggest that the 24th of May, the Queen's Birthday, would be an appropriate day for the ceremony, and we hope to see one of our five English iron ships in the dock on that day. The first year the contractors had innumerable difficulties to contend to, but with energy and perseverance they were successful in stopping the main leaks in the cofferdam, and now the public can view one of the finest and most substantial pieces of work in masonry south of the Line. The caisson was constructed by the Thames Iron and Shipbuilding Company; and the pumps, engines, boilers, &c.,by Mesrss J. and H. Gwynne, of London, and are all of the best and most improved description. We congratulate Mr Errington, the engineer, and the contractors, on the successful completion of this substantial and wellfinished work.—Herald.

The premises of Messrs Wilsons and Horton, proprietors of the New Zealand | Herald, hare recently been largely added , to. In an article describing the additions,, and the disposition of the several branches, our contemporary says:—The Herald premises are the largest, and the best supplied in the colony, and some idea of the extent of the business carried on in them may be gathered, when we state that over 100 hands are regularly employed, without taking into account those partially employed—such as correspondents, newspaper runners and others. There are 10 printing machines, 10 presses —copperplate and lithographic--of various kinds in use in the establishment, besides a label-cutting machine, embossing machines, ink and -stone-grinding machines, paper-cutting machines, a , newspaper addressing machine, &c. All tbe principal machines are driven by a 12-horse power engine, and there is also a, spare engine and -boileri; of.. 8-horse power, in case of accident to the larger One. .Provision has also been made against external as well as internal firo, and all the side windows in both buildings are fitted with iron shutters, and one building can also be immediately cut off from the other by means of iron doors. The cost of the hew premises, with the purchase of the land, and the alterations in the main building, have involved an expenditure of about £4200.

The New York Times says:—" Let us now briefly sum up the whole position. . .'■■■. Bussia will not hesitate to accept the gauntlet if thrown down by England, as victory has blinded her to her own state. Internally-she is rotten to the core; her finances are at the lowest ebb, while two-thirds of her population are ripe for rebellion. England, on the other hand, is stronger than ever she was before; her people are united, and will respond to a call to arms like one man. It will be a sorry day for the Bear when he meets the Lion. . . . England needs not the assistance of Austria, France, or any other nation, to drub Bussia; and instead of there being any foundation for the statements so often circulated, not only on the continent, but in England itself, that the latter is looked upon with contempt, the fact is that every eye in Europe is upon her, and that her movements are watched with more interest than those of any other Power."

Fbihnd, to get a good Watch, Gold or Silver, Geneva, English or American, go to Wilkks, Shortland, for there you will have the largest stock to select from; also, if you were thinking of purchasing a Brooch, or pair of Barings, Gold Guard, or King—for there you can see the most varied and beat selected stock on the Thames. Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery repaired at Auckland prices, and guaranteed. Established 1867.— Al>V3!. ' :' ■■'.'' "\ '' '■'■;•' '