THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2930, 6 July 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1878.

Jp the Borough Councillors wish to preserve decorum at their meetings, they will take prompt measures to prevent a repetition of the scene which occurred on Thursday night. One Mr Charles Hart appeared in person to support r.i application from residents in Upper Albert street to have a footpath and water table formed in their locality. The matter had been before the Council at a previous meeting, and, in accordance with instructions, the Foreman of Works had prepared a plan and estimate of the work. Mr Hart, having obtained permission to speak, proceeded to impugn the correctness of the Foreman's plan and calculations, and, in a manner that detracted much from the dignity of the Council's deliberations, made a personal attack upon the Foreman of Works, and thereby insulted the Borough Council. He was allowed to proceed to so great a length that one Councillor at last rose to protest against such a way of conducting business. Of course, while 'this sort of thing reflects upon the whole Council, it does so more significantly upon the. civic chief, who, as chairman, permitted the Council's business to be interrapted by such an unseemly display, and an old servant of the Borough to be insulted by'direct personal attack for merely carrying out instructions. We do not say a word against the agitation of the Upper. Albert street burgesses in trying tc get their footpath made; but the privileges of burgesses do not extend to the length of attending the Council meetings and- brow-beating the Council and their officers when assembled for business. The proposition which recently emanated from some of the Upper Albert street ratepayers, to retain their rates and form their footpaths at their own expense, and in their own way, is too absurd for consideration. Such a concession, if granted, would form a mischievous precedent. Ratepayers in other localities would be asking.for similar privileges, and the Borough revenue would be fritteredl away_ in jobs irrespective iff .system; while the streets and other works of a public character would remain unattended to. We regret to have to refer to a matter of this kind, because it reflects discreditably upon the whole Council; but we are glad to know that there was one councillor present with a sufficiently acute sense of the proprieties to protest against anyirrepressible individual airing his grievances to the disparagement of a Borough officer, and in a manner so derogatory to the dignity of tbe Council.

We have been requested to call particular attention to the time table of the Botomahana in to-night's issue, as by a transposition in the morning paper the time of departure from Thames was placed under the words "From Auckland," md the Auckland time under "From Thames." \: .. A veet enjoyable dance, given by bachelors of the Thames, took in the Hibernian Hall last night. Messrs B. A. B.X)wen and W. H. Beed provided the music, which was excellent; and Mr O. Grant, was caterer, in which he gave satisfaction. We hear that the Benedicts are to return the compliment in the course of a week or two. At the Besident Magistrate's Court this morning the only business was the transfer of two Hotel Licenses, both of which were granted. Mr Gillett's license for the Nil Desperandum Hotel was transferred to Mr E. J. Angbve, and Mr Thos. Clark junr.'s license for the Old Commodore Hotel was transferred to Mr S. Coombes. Capt. Fraser, 8.M., was on the Bench. We are glad to learn that Mr Compton, head master of the Parawai school, has been able to resume his duties after a severe illness which has prostrated him for the past four or five weeks,. During his illness Mr Miller of Auckland supplied his place. Ntjmebous married members of the Waikato Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., have entered into an arrangement with Dr Gilbert, whereby on paying an additional' subscription of five shillings per quarter they obtain the benefit of his advice. The by-laws of the lodge prohibit the election of any medical officer not on the New Zealand register: when Dr Gilbert has his name on that roll, of fame, he will doubtless be elected lodge surgeon to the lodge in questibn.

The Hauraki Eifles were paraded in their drill hall at 7.30 p ; m. last night tinder command of Captain Small. Althougn the weather was far from being genial, a fair muster was obtained. After a variety of evolutions had been performed under the instruction of the District Instructor, the officers fell out, and, prior to dismissal, the officers informed the men that the name of the corps would shortly be changed to "Hauraki Engineers j ". also that the list of competitors for the bi-annual clean arms corn-petition would be decided o i the ensuing drill night. The first Lieutenant of the corps (formerly of the Boyal Engineers), in the course of a few remarks, pointed out the necessity of the noncommissioned officers assisting by every means in their power the exertions of their officers ia securing the effi-

cieney and maintaining the numerical strength of the corps ; also remarking that it gave hi 31 unqualified pleasure to see so many of the oldost members constantly at drill. The corps was most fortunate in possessing the services of a most obliging and efficient infantry drill instructor, who would still be required to do his part, whilst for himself he would undertake their instruction in engineering duties. The roll was then called, and the men dismissed.

A painful accident happened this morning at the Caledonian winding shaft. A miner named John Whelan, working in the Bed Queen mine, the winding of which is done by way of the Caledonian shaft, was stepping from the cage on to the brace, when the cage descended before he was clear and jammed his foot, hurting it badly. He was taken to Dr Payne's surgery and attended to, but it has not yet been ascertained if the bones are broken. Whelan, who is a single man, and belongs to the locil branch of the Hibernian Society, was subsequently taken to his own residence on the Moanatairi Spur.

The s.s. Hero which arrived in Auckland yesterday, from Melbourne, brought a number of instruments for the new Thsmes Naval Marine Brass Band consigned to Captain Wi:Jman. The consignment as per invo'ce comprises : — Three Courlois cornels, three Hyam's horns, one baritone, one euphoneuin, one brass trombone (by Goutrot), one monster circular bass, one brass saxhorn and one company call bu<jle. This valuable consignment is from the well known firm Allen and Co., Melbourne, and there: are several instruments yet to come. The band is under Bandmaster Montgomery, and as many of its members are already good cornetists they will socn...be able to appear in public. Tbe -St. George's Naval Cadets have also received 55 pairs of blue doeslun trousers from Messrs Patterson, Lang and Co., Melbourne, consigned to Captain Bennett.

" Tahite " in his weekly review of theatrica. matter in the Australasian of 22nd instant says :—The success of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," at the Princess's, has been so great that the doors have had to be closed when the curtain rose, and the press outside has been so great as to break them open. I take it, therefore, that "• Uncle Totii's Cabia" will serve for some time for all the purposes of this management. So, also, at the Academy, " Our Girls" has deservedly taken a firm hold upon the public mind.

The friends of Dr Fischer will be gratified to hear (says tbe Herald) that the Emperor of Austria has been pleased to award him the Great Gold Medal of Science and Art, in recognition of services rendered in the. field of natural history and medicine.. This honor is, rarely bestowed, an order being the ordinary distinction. Dr Fischer had the honor of a private audience with, his Imperial Majesty, who showed much interest in New Zealand and the Australian colonies, and made many inquiries respecting them.

The Times of India says:—" There i? in Bombay Harbour just now a little topsail schooner, of 130 tons register, named the Border Maid, which has been cruising about the world with a cargo of sherry and Madeira (in butts, and hogsheads), simply with a view to improve it. She has only six hands all told on board. The Border ,Maid,"under the command of Captam Collicott, left Leith on August 18, 1877,, touched at Plymouth aid different ports in Australia, thence to Bombay, where she arrived on April 3, and now returns to Scotland via tae Cape. The wine belongs to a firm in Leith, and the idea is a very, novel one. She has absolutely no other cargo on board."

The Dean of Westminster presided on May 8 at the eighty-ninth anniversary dinner of the Royal Literary Fund sit Willis's Booms. In proposing the toast of the evening, the Dean dwelt on the ennobling influence of real literature —by wliich he said he. meant works of poetry, history, and fieoion, thvj essence of which consisted in their polish and finish —and on the abiding power oi the true literary quality. Mr Justice Fry proposed " The Literature of the United Kingdom," to which Canon Farrar responded. The toast of " The Travellers " was proposed by General Sir J. Bisset, and responded to by Mr H. M. Stanley; »ud " The Health of the Chairman " was proposed by Lord O'Hagan.

" Ailas " in the World writes : Once upon a time, many years ago, th»re was an Indian Prince who visited these shores in search of adventures. Amongst others, he made the acquaintance of an English lady, to whom he became devoted. At last he was forced to leave for his native land, and on parting—like other-princes in ftiry stories —gave his " lady friend " a ring, saying, " Whaterer the bearer of that ring bids me to do, I will do." Years rolled on, and .the ring hy unused in the lady's jewel-box until the Indian Mutiny broke out. And then—the aforesaid Indian potentate having joined the rebels —it became a matter of great moment to the English Government of the day to recover his allegiance. Somehow the romantic gift of the ring leaked out; and a Cabinet Minister (so runs this worderful tale) set off in a great hurry from Down-, ing street to seek our heroine's residence in Grosvenor. square, let us say. The ring was obtained ; the promise was kept, and the English troops saved at a mcst critical juncture. Now, it is said, the lady by whose means this desirable conversion was brought about claims the new Order of fie Crown of India as her reward. Labge quantities. of Russian paper money, fresh from the press, are being continually sold on the Berlin. Exchange below the St. Petersburgh quotation. The notes a:re mostly sent back to Eussia to be invested on the Corn and. Stock Exchange. . ■■■■ ' '\