THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2914, 18 June 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1878.

A telegbaph station is -now opened at Longford, County oi Inangahua.

The resignation of the commission held by Captain J. Mcßoberts in the Thames Rifle Kangers bas been accepted by His Excellency the Governor. '■

We hear that Ohief Judge Fenton and' Judge Symons of the Native Lands Court are expected io-night to open the Lands Court to-morrow. ' ,

A appears in the New Zealand Gazette, in which the Eeceiver General "acknowledges receipt of an envelope posted in Sydney, addros£"d to the Collector of Customs at Auckland; and containing two one pound notes of the Oriental Bank, Sydney, with a slip attached bearing the words • Conscience Money.'" Some indiv-dual has evidently been suffering from compunctions.

Some slight improvements were effected in the Pollen street footpaths yesterday afternoon, by the judicious distribution of a fevr loads of gravel. There is yet much rooni^for improvement, the crossings being in a bad state. There is plenty of broken metal lying unused, unlimited mullock at several tips, and any amount of sand and shell on the beach, and why burgesses should be compelled to wade ankle deep in mud with such facilities for mending their ways is one of those things "no fellah" but a Borough. Councillor can understand. . In a local paragraph yesterday, referring to the issue of the new books, and the award of several prizes to the scholars for the cleanest books, we omitted to name the school where the incident occurred. We now state that it was at the Kauaeranga Boys' School, which name was inadvertently excluded.

The monthly inspection of the Naval Brigade took-place yesterday evening— present, about 75 rank and file, including band. The corps was put through inspection and other drill by Captain,Wildman, and afterwards inspected by the Major commanding the district. At 7.30 the Thames Scottish, under Captain Murray, arrived at the Naval Hall to be present at the presentation of the District Belt, won by a blue jacket. The Naval CVdets also put m an appearance, mfder their acting captain, Lieut Bennett. The Thames Scottish were drawn up on one side of the hall, the Navals on the other; the two bands occupied one end, and the Naval Cadets were drawn up across the west end, making a hollow square. The scarlet and blue made a very pretty appearance, and the royal naval rig of the Cadets assisted to make the muster <' look unusually picluresqne. The centre of the square was occupied by a number of ladies, who attended at the invitation of the Naval officers. Mrs J. E, Macdonald in a neat and appropriate spesch presented the belt to Seaman Cameron, and in doing so said it afforded her great pleasure to have the opportunity of presenting the District Belt to a Naval man, being the first time the prize had ever been won by the carbines, and further hoped that Searran Cameron Laving won the ssrne, it would stimulate his comrades to keep the trophy in the Naval. Brigade. Mrs Macdonald also presented some money prizes, given by Captain Wildman, and won by P.O. Walker, £2 ; P.O. Gordon, £1 ; Seaman Gordon, £1 ss; and Seaman Laughlin £1. After dismissal by the Major the three companies went for. a march out, and on their raturn to the Naval Hall, among other business the Navals elee'ed twelve gentlemen of this place as honorary members. .The Jfiuster of the Scottish company and Naval Brigade certainly is a proof that the spirit of volunteering is still alive in these two companies. " „

A consid suable amount of damage has been done (o the Parawai road by the cutting for the new water pipes. We have heard it suggested that the present would be a good time for the Gas Company to lay a gas pipe along the Parawai road, when, we are assured, a large number of residents would use.it, while the openir« of the street for the water mains would save the Gas Company considerable expense if they could make arrangements to lay dowu their pipes at esr me time.

Fbom a private letter from Wellington we learn tbat the general belief ia to the effect that Parliament will positively be called to ussom-le on the 21st of next month. The latest Gazette notice was prorogation I ill the Ist proximo.

The Northern LMonper Lodge, 1.0.Gr.T., gave an " open lodgo meeting " last night in the Templar Hall, which, as usual, was very well attended, notwithstanding the dirty state of the weather. The Chairman (Bro. Kose, W.C.T.) took the chair at 8 p m., and alter making a few remarks on the objects of such and kindred meetings, called upon M-s Addey and Miss Cleave to give a duet, entitled V Far Away," and it was 'nicely performed. The Chairman called upon "Bro. E. Carr (from Auckland) to address the meeting, whi'h he did, dwelling particularly on t'le baneful influence of alcohol in marring domestic happiness. Bro. Addey then »an£ " Come back to Erin," for which he W£s applauded. Mr James Jones next addre \sed the meeting, being called upon to fill a gap in the programme. He commented on the difference in which the temperance movement was regarded in the present day to that of his early experience. He was well received. Miss Esther' Seven sang "Let the Angels in, "Mother," and it certainly brought out well the sweet and gentle vo:ce which tins young lady possesses. A very hearty encore was the "result, and part of the song, was repeated. Bro. G. JN\ Phillips •(W.C.T., Star Lodge), addressed the meeting, dealing with the objections com,monly ui'ged against becoming a Templar, and with force spoke of the pernicious habit of constant "nipping." His address was a good one, and was much appreciated. Mr Mackie's Dame was on the programme for a song, but he did not appear, and Bro. Addey kindly supplied his place, and his extra effort seemed to please, being encored. Mr J. Jones also won great applause, especially from the young people, for some serio con ;c singing. Bro. Phillips gave a most humorous reading and Miss Cleave again sng, both having well succeeded in pleas'ng. The meeting terminated about 10 p.m.