THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2936, 13 July 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1878.

We learn that the' allotment of shares to applicants in the Colonial Insurance Company—the latest venture in this direction in the Colony—has taken place, and has given satisfaction. In ibis district there, may be an exception, as it appears that owing to some cause or other the applications did not reach the provisional directors in time to be considered. The allotment of shares in a new company like the Colonial is always a difficult and delicate affair. "With every desire to be strictly impartial .and to carry out the intentions of the prospectus, the directors may safely calculate upon having their decisions challenged ; but as the Colonial was projected on the principle of inducing shareholders to become insurers, and insurers shareholders, they have endeavored to adhere to that principle; and from what we have. heard the company starts on a sound basis, with a prospect of at once entering upon a prosperous business of a purely cooperative character, the shareholders being insurers, and prospective participators in the company's profits. Notwithstanding the. number of insurance companies floated in New Zealand daring the last few years, the Colonial bids fair to become a powerful rival amongst the older organisations. It has a tower of strength in its general manager, Mr G-. S. Graham, late of the Norwich Union. - - :

The progresi of civilization- amongst our copper colored brethren may be noted in the facility with which they adapt themselves to European manners and customs. For instance, on their present visit they live in houses instead of tents, every tenement in Shortland open to them being occupied;. On any morning casual visitors to the southern portion :of "r the Borough may see how .these children of nature pass their time. The old-fashioned but vulgar game of " pitch and toss" has numerous patrons, who argue and vociferate in most voluble terms. In the hotels the game of " Taipo," a kind of bastard Devil's Pool, attracts its customers. Then there is the casino—for such it appears to bein the drill hall of the defunct No. 1 3 Haurakis. There the dusky beauties and their ardent swains cliassez crpisez and pirouette to the dulcet strains of a German Concertina, Cremona, of shrill notes of a military fife and drum band—with very much drum. There is a Maori M.C.; a stalwart doorkeeper who is a dumb to any demand for admission unless, accompanied by the indispensable '• herrin " —yclept a Colonial Robert.* Quadrilles of a nondescript character are indulged in, and the " dark gals dressed in blue " or any other color are great,on " swinging partners." With boots or without them, they seem au fait, hut the pakeha's dance seems to have become a craze before which the " dignity balls " of the West Indians so graphically described by Captain Mar* ryatt must pale. The Maoris are no doubt susceptible of change. They get a " run" upon some amusement, and as long as it is the fashion they do it to death. Whether the fashion for dancing will decline remains to be seen. A ludicrous incident occurred the other night. The Maori dance attracted, and does generally, some pakehas. One, a benedict, was pirouetting with a good-looking halfcaste, when just as he was engaged in that seductive part of the dance known to some M.C.'s as " swinging partners," he was seized by the collar by his jealous spouse, and unceremoniously dragged from the room and the "gay and festive scene." The feelings of his dancing partner, however indignant, can scarcely be supposed to be equal to those of his partner for life. If he was inflicted with a lecture, it was perhaps a " curtain" one.

The members of the Hauraki Bifles at. tended in good numbers at the plain clothes parade of the. corps last night. Lieutenant Barlow commanded in the absence of the Captain, and first instructed the men in the manual exercise. Lieutenant Denby then numbered and told off the company and put it through some rifle drill, on the march, with other company drill and evolutions; then the men, having halted and stood at ease for a brief space, were again called to attention by Lieutenant Barlow, who formed them up into two squads, at full intervals, for preliminary drill in bayonet exercise—the instruction being given in the clear and ringing tones of an old regular—the exercise was gone through most creditably. With a few weeks' more practice a large proportion of the company will perform the "review exercise "with the precision of line soldiers. The line being re-formed L> structor Grant was requested to take charge of the parade. The officers then fell in, and a series of battalion movements were gone through. The company was "mustered" by Quarter-Master-Sergeant Morrison, and dismissed f o their " hearths and homes," after one and a-half hours' arduous and instructive drill. The corps fired to-day, in two squads, for the doublebarrelled fowling piece presented by W. H. Hazard, Esq. In reference to our local yesterday giving the names of Thames candidates who have passed the civil service examination, we understand that Master Albert Grigg has been offered a Government appointment in Wellington. Master Grigg is a pupil of the Kauaeranga&Boys' School, and as this school has, under 1 the able management of the present head master, taken a leading ' place both in numbers-aud efficiency, we have no doubt we shall see more of its scholars imitating this successful example. Deapebs, beware ! According to an Auckland contemporary the Inspector of

Weights and " Measures," having completed hig tour amongst the publicans, butchers, bakers, grocers, &c, has now commenced an examination of drapers' yard-sticks. . ." ■'■ As regards the last but one reported match of the Australian Cricketers there seems to be a doubt as to whether they were still in Yorkshire playing Oldham, or in London playing ihe Orleans Club; The Herald favors the former idea.

The Tongariro was advertised to leave the Shortland Wharf for Auckland at 6 o'clock last night, but got stuck on a mud bank, to the disappointment of a large number of intending passengers, who, however, were informed that she would leave at four o'clock this morning. She was, however, unable to get off, though it is hoped she will get off this afternoon. The sticking of steamers in the Kauaerahga channel is by no means an unfrequent occurrence, especially at neap tides. The Harbor Board might do something t6 deepen this channel, whicb/is quite as important work as the extension of the Shortland Wharf, which will be of little avail if vessels are prevented from coming alongside. The stuff dredged from the channel might be made useful in the extension of the wharf. The Licensed Victuallers Society of Auckland at a recent meeting voted the sum of £10 to the widow of the late Mr B. C. Hayles, who is said to be in very distressed circumstances. Mr Hayles was at one time a hotel-keeper at Thames, but was perhaps better known as providore of the steamers Kbyal. Alfred and Duke of Edinburgh, when these boats were running between Thames and Auckland and owned by Mr S. Hague Smith.

Yestebday's sittiDg of the Lands Court lasted to between 10 and 11 o'clock at night, and this morning the case for the counter claimants was still being heard. The case w*:l probably occupy a day or two yet. The Auckland Ferry Company's smart little paddle steamer Tairiui has come down here for a few days to take the place of the Te Aroha,. which is to be laid up for some trifling repairs. The anniversary services in connection with, the Congregational Sunday School will be held to-morrow. The Bey. J. .Robertson, M.A.., will preach morning and evening, and in the afternoon at 3 o'clock the Key. J. T. Hinlon will address parents and children. - We notice that the " burning " question of Eternal Punishment will be considered by the Rev. E. S. Bunn, in the Grahamstown Wesleyan Church, to-morrow evening. It may. be interesting to Albrrnia shareholders "; to; know that since the formation of the company no calls have been made, and £47,906 15s has been paid to shareholders in dividends, or £5 19s 9d per share. There is at present 17s 5d in hand. ■■''''■■■ ' r \-; lks %J- i ;>.,' The " Glorious Twelfth" was celebrated in Auckland by a procession of Orangemen assembled from all parts of the district, a soiree taking place in the evening at which the usual characteristic speeches were made. Jn ourmidst some of the brethren had a quiet supper, and drank the usual loyal toasts. Some who had no supper •• took the oath" repeatedly, and indulged their penchant in an unobtrusive fashion.

Apeopos ihe Karaka-and Tararu Tunnel Company, a correspondent sends the following extract regarding the formation of prospecting associations:—Pabkbs. —Our prospecting association is becoming well organized. The association is to consist of 150 shareholders, who are to pay In per week ; Any number of shares may be taken up by one person. The association is to be managed by a committee of twelve. About a dozen excellent rules have been framed, and the affair seems to be floating^ successfully, On Saturday last a large meeting of miners was held at the Post Office Hotel, Mr B. B. Rodd in the chair. The rules were further considered and finally adopted. A prospecting party will be sent out as soon as the share list is completed^Sydney Morning Herald,—June 15th, 1878. The Auckland Star's Sydney correspondent furnishes the following items of news by cable : — H.M. Sappho has brought four destitute men from New Guinea. Payable gold has not been discovered. Bad weather impedes operations. Game is plentiful, and the natives friendly. The Russian traveller on the island refuses all information. At New Guinea, it is believed that it was at his settlement that the heavy gold was recently obtained.

The Port Dennison Times (Queensland) lately received an account of attacks made by alligators upon cattle. About the middle of April the Strathmore people had occasion to cross the Bowen River to muster cattle. Whilst in the act of crossing a huge alligator suddenly made his appearance, but after a great deal of snouting, was persuaded to move on. _ It took a few hours to muster the other side, and then they returned to the same crossing. They had already crossed half of the large mob, when an alligator arose in the midst of the stream and caught a large bullock by the thigh. The beast made a desperate plunge at the time and managed to escape, as the alligator's hold was not firm. Finding himself baulked of his prey the saurian turned his attention further down the stream, where a powerfully framed: cow :was.f leading the second mob. It took a few seconds to glide down the rapid current, wheflf he jumped out of the water and seized her by the neck. At this crisis the cow had footing, being in about four or five feet of water. A terrible struggle, then ensued, the alligator to pull the cow under and the- cow to reach the other bank. For a few seconds the contest was doubtful, but the cow having gained some footing the weight of the alligator, instead of pulling her under, seemed to give her extra force to stem the current. She struggled; bravely on, gaining additional strength as the water got shallower, and dragged her enemy right up on the opposite bank, the cow jumping and bellowing all the time. The saurian finding himself out of his element released his hold, leaving wounds that are very likely to cause the cow's death.

The Printing Times says we must accept the following data on the authority of the compiler, whbias evidently more time than business on his hands : A rapid penman can write 30 words per minute. To do this he must draw his pen through the space of a rod 16| feet. In 40 minutes his pen travels a furlong. We make on an average 16 curves or turns of the pen in writing each word. Writing 30 words in a minutes, we must make 480 to each minute; in an hour, 28,800; in a day, of 'ovlj five hours, 144,000;

and in a year of 300 days, 43,200,000. The man who made l; 000,000 strokes with his pen in a month was not at all remarkable. Many men, newspaper writers for instance, make 4,C00,0C0. Here we have, in the aggregate, a mark of 300 miles long to be traced on paper by such a writer in a year. In making each letter of jthe ordinary alphabet we must make from -three to seven turns of the pen, or an average of three and a-half to four. Perhaps some equally ingenious person will next inform us how much ink a journalist can save by not dotting his " is."

One Sunday afternoon lately a rather fine looking native demoiselle might have been seen walking along the Parawai road at a good round pace. Her lips were compressed ; her face distorted with anger. Under her arm she carried a rol-ling-pin about three inches in diameter,. and her general appearance boded no good to the unfortunate individual against whom her wrath was excited, when they met. Thinking there might be some fun on the board our peripatetic followed at a safe distance. Presently, turning a corner, he understood the cause of the lady's resentment. Her husband was to be seen two or three blocks ahead, accompanied- by a good looking young girl. His irate wife quickened her pace, and ours did likewise, and the avenger was rapidly drawing on the couple, when the husband turned his head and saw the T danger fast approaching irorn behind. He did his best to keep ahead, but : couldn't, and coming to a corner he suddenly parted with his companion, probably on the plea of urgent business. His jealous wife, however, was then only a few yards behind, and as he turned the corner she " let drive " at him with the rolling pin, and though it lamed him a little he commenced running and soon put * safe distance between him and his spouse. The two women then had a go in, but our special didn't wait to see the end.

A model debtor must be Mr John James Taylor, of Nelson, (says a contemporary), chemist and photographer; at least so it would seem from the bankruptcy proceedings in his case before Judge Broad, as reported in the Colonist. The trustee, Mr W. M. Stanton, with sundry other creditors, did not appear to entertain a very high opinion of the bankrupt, or admiration of his general conduct. The trustees' report was not a flattering document, and its concluding words were to the effect, "that the debtor's chief occupations appeared to be riding up and down in the railway train, villifying his trustees, and abusing his ' d d creditors.' " Mr Taylor did not then get his discharge; but the matter was postponed.

A places miner whose claim is located near lowa Hill, in Placer County, had his sluice-boxes robbed on several occasions, and although he tried all ordinary methods for detecting the perpetrators, failed to do so. Finally he determined upon a plan which was as novel as it was terrible in execution. A quicksilver tank was charged with terrible explosives, and placed in such a position that no sluicerobber could approach the boxes without coming in contact with an ingenious arrangement, which would explode the implement of death and hurl them into eternity with the precision of a bursting boiler. One Sunday lately the inventor of this apparatus went to the locality where he had it planted, when, by some strange and unknown accident.it exploded. Its power to do the work for which it had been made was fully demonstrated. The owner was shattered into a thousand atoms—a victim to his own inventive faculties. - -r ; ; "-.