THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2886, 16 May 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1878.

. De Kilgotte, Mayor of Thames, probably " lays the flattering unction to bis soul" that he achieved a great victory at h's meeting last night. There was a lar.e attendance, a very noisy crowd of the doctor's own particular daqueis (some not burgesses), who passed a resolution to the effoct that the recent newspaper attacks on the Mayor were unjustifiable. If the doctor is content with such a victory, a very little will satisfy .his gentleicanly instincts. ' The - meeting endorsed all that we hare said in a subsequent resolution, affirming what we advocated before the doctor was-elevated to his present position, namely, the system of tender for all Borough supplies. We have not space to criticise the Mayor's " explanation " in this issue, but he and the burgesses may: rest assured that we shall take an early opportunity of exposing his disingenuousaess and utter disregard*^' candour: We shall not allow ilia repetition of the charge of deliberate

lying against-us—uttered in a most offensive way—to pass without some comment; for the doctor has in this aud other ways shown what he hinted at last night, and what many of his best friends have long 9inco been fain to admit iv their own inner consciousness, that his election as Mayor was a mistake. We shall have to ask the Mayor how he can reconcile his statement at the Council Board, that he had never charged anything but actual expenses, and his receiving £6 for attending the Hamilton Conference (which sum fully justified us in assuming that he had put in an account for three days at two pounds or guineas per day) with the knowu fact that the.Conference only lasted a few hours ? We shall also enquire how it came to pass that Dr Kilgour last night imported into his list of " accusations" the dispute between the Borough p;id the two newspaper proprietors regarding the charge for publishing the annual accounts ? Can the doctor show any record at all that this has been made an " accusation " against him? No; but he thought it would make a good point in bis favor, as also the question by on,e of his supporters regarding a recreation ground. We have'only now to remark that we consider Dr. Kiljjour made a mistake in taking the course he did. If he felt aggrieved he could have offered his explanation to the Council. If he wished to appeal to the burgesses our columns were open to him. >Ie has, however, chosen another course, and if.;the Press vindicate their own position at his expense he must not complain.

It will be remembered that a conference was heldju Auckland a short time ago of United Pumping Association directors, directors" of companies interested, and representatives from the County and and Borough regarding the stoppage of works in the southern cross-cut from the 640 feet level. The County Council declined to continue the southern drive, because the companies whose ground was pierced failed to fulfil their engagement, understood or implied, to enter upon the low level and prospect the reefs intersected by the" southern drive. At that conference an arrangement was come to for the appointment of experts to examine and report upon reefs cut, as to which should be followed up. The County Council appointed Rfr J. P. Hall, and the Pumping Association directors nominated Mr George Black. These gentlemen held a meeting this afternoon and agreed to name Mr T. F. Hicks, manager of the Queen of Beauty, as umpire in case of disagreement. The referees are both men of experience. They will at once proceed to carry out the duties for which they have been appointed, and should their recommendations to follow up some of these reefs be carried out, the probability is that ere long a new run of gold may be discovered in the low levels, and some of the old companies regain something of their former standing.

In consequence of the severity of the gale this morning the p.s. Enterprise did not make her advertised trip to Auckland ; weather permitting, however, she will leave here at 8 o'clock to-night.

The pheasant - shooting season commences on Monday next. Already three gentlemen have taken out game licenses at the Customhouse here—viz., Mr T. Spencer, Parawai, Mr M. Hennelly, Thames, and Mr Robt. Kelly, Hikutaia.

The manager of the United Pomping. Association has written to his directors combatting the statement' made at the County Council board meetings that the expenses of the maintenance of the pump had increased one-half, a copy of which letter has been sent to the Borough and County Councils. He says the average cost of maintenance for fifteen months has been £@60 per month, and any apparent increase of late has been brought about by extra work put on the pump.

The County Council have received a letter from the Chairman of the Westland County Council suggesting,' and asking the assistance of the Thames Council in promoting a Conference of County authorities for the consideration of matters affecting those corporate bodies, such as the formation and maintenance of main roads, and other important business. It is suggested that the conference should be held at Wellington at the latter end of the present month. The communication will receive due consideration.

In to-day's issue we print the continuation of County Council Board of Works report, and the elaborate report of the County Surveyor. These documents have been prepared with much care, and they show that a very large amount of work has been done by the County since the system was inaugurated. We may refer [•to these reporis in a future issue.

We are glad to observe from a GazeUe of the 9th instant, that the Governor has acceded to the petition of the burgesses io have the Borough divided into wards. The names of these wards and the boundaries are defined as follows :— •i North Ward—All that portion of the Borough of Ihamesto the north-west of a line running alone; the middle of Williamson street, and its production in both directions to boundary of borough. Middle Ward—All that portion of the Borough of Thames lying between a line running along the middle of Mary street, p.nd its production in both directions to boundary of borough and North Ward before described. South Ward—All that portion of tbe Borough of Thames not included in Middle Ward or North Ward* before described." There was no business at the E.M. Court this morning. ' ' ,* 1 he London correspondent of the Bydney Morning Herald, in his last letter, writes: —"I have the best reason for saying that at the War Office and the Admi. alty there is much graver anxiety for the safety of Australia and New Zea> land, than either Australia or New Zealand seem to show on its own behalf." .