THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2878, 7 May 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1878.

It is not easy to say what the result of Russia's obstinacy and England's determination may be, but the odds are vastly in favor of war. Germany's mediation, with the astute Bismarck as director general of negotiations, has proved fruitless in bringing about an agreement between the two powers as a basis for the conference, and they have now to revert to direct communication. There is a chance that when Russia sees that England is determined on using force to insist upon existing .treaties being repected she may relinquish some of her pretensions. But now, flushed with victory over her hereditary foe, she is evidently not inclined to give in until compelled to do so. With national bankruptcy staring her in the face, Russia may moderate her demands sooner than provoke a war. We say we see a faint chance of this, but in the face of the active preparations going on, and the matters detailed in our calograms, we are not sanguine of peaceable relations between, the two powers being much longer maintained. Possibly there will soon be exciting work for the Pacific Squadron.

The Zealandia's news reached us 'to-day by way of Wellington, but, as no particulars of the vessel's arrival were furnished, we can only conjecture that she arrived in Auckland early this morning, and that the Thames portion of the English and American mails will come by the Rotomahana to-night, but scarcely in time for delivery until to-morrow morning. The summary of news supplied is mainly an amplification of items received by cable, and does not call for any special comment.

Akother serious accident resulting from an explosion of kerosene is reported. Accidents of this nature have been very frequent of late, and one at least has had a fatal termination. How many of the mysterious fires which have taken place throughout the Colony have had their .origin in the same cause will never be known, but probably a large proportion of the fires in country places, where gas is not available, are the result of carelessness in dealing with an inferior quality of kerosene. The provisions of "The Dangerous Goods Act" ought to be more firmly enforced, and the sale of such inflammable stuff as that reported on by Dr Hector the other day, after the death of the young girl in Wellington from burns caused by the explosion of a lamp, absolutely prohibited. Consumers should also be very careful to see that they get good brands of oil, and even then the utmost care should be exercised in its use.

At the R.M. Court this morning, one individual was punished in the usual manner for drunkenness and incapability. Capt. Fraser, E.M., occupied the Bench.

During the heavy shower of rain which fell on Saturday afternoon and evening, 1.1 inches of water fell here.

We understand that a subscription is being raised at Tapu for the purpose of paying the fine and costs imposed on James Maguire in the recent assault case Jacobs v. Maguire.

The brig Helena is loading timber at Bagnall's mills and will shortly sail for Lyttelton. In the dearth of kauri there is a larger demand for kahikatea.

We understand that the Mining Inspector, Captain Goldsmith, has lodged a protest against the proceedings in the Warden's Court yesterday on the ground of some informality. Probably the matter will come before the Court again.

It having been represented to Captain Wright of the Grahamstown contingent Borough Fire Brigade that his holding the position of captain to the brigade and engine-keeper was incompatible, he has elected to resign his position in the brigade and retain that of engine-keeper. By this decision the brigade will lose the services of an excellent fireman.

The Count de Zaba, a distinguished Polish nobleman, is to lecture in the Choral Hall, Auckland, on the evening of Thursday next, on " The History and Literature of Poland," the proceeds of the lecture to be devoted to the funds of the Ladies' Benevolent Society. The Countess de Zaba is presently the guest of Captain and Mrs Fraser at Tararu. We understand that the Count has been invited to visit us and lecture on behalf of the Thames Mechanics-Institute.

The usual weekly parade of the Thames Scottish Cadets took place last evening. There were present—Capt. Mennie, Lieuts. Howe and Robinson, and over 30 cadets. The company was exercised in several company manoeuvres, after which the Captain announced that Mr J. Bobinson had presented a handsome silver

medal for firing competition. This bandsome trophy, which was manufactured by Mr Alghren, jeweller, G-rahamstown, will have to be won three times by any cadet before it ceases to be the property of the company. Miss Wickham has also presented several handsome leather framed fern pictures-for competition, and several anonymous donors have also kindly given money prizes.

A British contemporary writes:—A useful lesson in mining enterprise is taught by the history of Dolcoath (Cornwall),one of the oldest and deepest mines ever worked, and from which the greatest amount in value of copper and tin has been taken that in all probability ever was taken from any mine in the world, namely, upwards of £6,000,000 sterling. This was the result of determined perseverance, bold enterprise, and skilful management, and shews what may fairly be expected from some of the colonial mines if they are worked in a similar way. Dolcoath haß been on the point of being abandoned several times, when the amount of money spent without profitable returns had frightened the more timid shareholders ; but the bolder spirits generally prevailed, and the result always justified their outlay.

Afieb the usual business had been transacted last night at the Northern Pioneer Lodge, 1.0. G.T., the election of officers for the ensuing quarter took place. They should have been elected last Monday, but no meeting was held in consequence of the anniversary celebration, so that it was necessary to both elect and install them last night. The following were the officers duly installed by L.D. Bro. Hammond, assisted by Bro. Nicholls and Sister Cocks:—W.C.T., Bro. Eose (re-elected); W.V.T, Bro. E. Doidge ; W.C., Bro. W. J. W. Addey; W.F.S., Bro. Flatt; W.T., Bro. J. Cocks (reelected) ; W.M., Bro. W. Keen ; WXGK, Bro. J. Doidge; "WC\GL Bro. N. Cartwright; W.A.8., Bro. D. Scott; R.H.S., Bro. W. J., Speight;. L.H.S, Sister Nicholls; W.D.M., Sister Bridges. The Secretary's report showed members good on books, 86; that of the Treasurer, a balance to the credit of the Lodge. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers.

Messes Cooper and Bailey had the misfortune to lose their big performing elephant, Titania, on board the Golden Sea, just before sailing from Auckland. It is believed that the cause of death was the animal's eating a box -of pills and a box of matches. The. dead animal was taken out to sea to be opst overboard, at which we have heard surprise expressed. It was suggested in our hearing that, although perhaps a difficult and expensive job, it would have been well to have procured the carcase, boiled it down, and set up the skeleton for the Auckland museum. One enterprising townsman of ours said he wished he had been in Auckland; he would have speculated a ten-pound note on Titania, put her on board a lighter and exhibited her at the Thames as long as she would keep. He said plenty of people have seen live elephants, but few have seen a dead one. It certainly seems a pity that no better use could be made of the dead elephant than to be taken and cast into the sea as food for sharks.

The Auckland- correspondent of the Otago Daily Times reports the following: —"A most remarkable story is current in Auckland which I have traced to a trustworthy source and firmly believe to be correct. It is in connection with the complaint made by Sir George Grey on or about the 23rd June, 1876, in the House of Representatives, respecting the Fepepe coal fields of 1000 acres, which had, he said, been unlawfully and unfairly sold to Whitaker and Russell. Dr Pollen was then Colonial Secretary, and after whisper* ing with him Major Atkinson got up and declared Sir George Grey's statements to be entirely untrue. Those who were present will remember the scene when Sir George Grey reiterated his statement, and called the Speaker's attention toDr Pollen as a stranger m the House. Sir George, as Superintendent of Auckland, at once telegraphed to the Commissioner of Crown Lands and requested him to make instant inquiry and telegraph the result. The Commissioner could get no information, and Sir George Grey's statement remained unverified. It is now ascertained that the statement was not only correct, but that Ministers must have known it to be so, for an office order was sent at the moment of the contradiction to Mr Sinclair, the officer in charge of the Waikato Lands office, and to Major Green, acting General Government agent, to refuse information to the Crown Lands Commissioner if he applied for it; hence the failure in the proof, over which the Government crowed so loudly' afterwards. Other cases of a similar kind are rumoured, but this is the only one that I can find as substantiated." On this same subject the following telegram has been forwarded to the Herald:—" Wellington, June 23rd, 1876. —Andrew Sinclair, Esq., General Government Offices, Auckland,—Mr Tole, I understand, is now in tha habit of visiting your office, and inspecting records, for the purpose of obtaining information regarding the administration of confiscated lands, which is afterwards most unfairly used. Should Mr Tole again apply to you for this purpose, be good enough to invite him, in my name, to attend to his own business, of which the administration of confiscated land forms no part. I am ready to give most full and complete information upon all and, every subject to^Mr Tole, or any other person whom it may concern, but application must be made in writing, and be j referred to me.—"Daniel Pollen."

The following paragraph from an American mining journal may be useful to miners here:—The abrupt change from bright sunlight to the intense darkness of a mine often causes a temporary blindness where the journey from the top to the bottom of the mine is made quickly. To allow the miners to recover their sight, it is the custom in some mines to have a well-lighted white-washed room at the foot of the shaft, where the miners can sit while recovering the use of their eyes. To obviate this, it is suggested that if one eye is closed for a moment or two before entering the pit, and kept closed until the bottom of the shaft, is reached, on Opening the eye the miner will be able to see distinctly the moment the lower darkness is .reached. This custom is already carried out by minersin Mexico* who come to the daylight and then return at once, keeping one eye closed during their brief excursion into the sunlight, and find no inconvenience in the change from dark to light or from light to dark. ,

" My onthankful hearers," said a backwoods preacher, " you air like unto hogs eatin' acorns. They never look up to Bee where the acorns come from."