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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2938, 16 July 1878, Page 2

We hear that the scene of the Rev. Father Chastagnon's future labors is Gisborne, for. which place he will leave in a few days. -These was a little excitement on the Brown-street cab stand to-day, when thc^ settlement of some trifling difference" between drivers was suddenly interrupted by the appearance on the scene of the Sublnspecifor of Police. One of the belligerent cabbies was . incontinently thrust into the nearest vehicle, and a frr idly Jehu drove him away as ordinary fare instead of a deadhead. . ;j \ The assault committed by Mr A. G. Howard upon thfeiperson -E. Woolfifeid. ;referrfed to: some days a^o in'bur telegrams, lias been condoned by the publication of the following apology tendered; by the assaulter: " Auckland, 15th July, 1878: Mr Edward Woolfieldj Auckland. _Si r> _l beg to express to -you my sincere regret for the assault I made upon you on the evening of Thursday last., It was committed-by me without the slightest cause. It was entirely unprovoked, and j without justification. I can only add that I your'acceptance of this apology will lay me under a lasting obligation^ I > wish,you '} publish; this at my expense, ztifii much to shew the wrong I have been guilty of, as well as to shew the sincerity of my regret;- —Your obedient servant, A. G. Howabd."

The friends of the late Mr Bobert Craig, who, it will be remembered, met his dcth by at Smithfield, Queensland, some months ago, will be glad to hear that, though Ma, policy of assurance with the Australian Mutual Provident Society for £SC) had lapsed some weeks before his death, the directors of the society have most liberally ma.de a gift of £400 tb his widow, for investment under trustees, for the sole benefit of herself and children. When it is considered that Mr Craig, at the time of hia death, had been a member of the society for. less than three years, this generous act (remarks a Queensland journal) speaks well for the liberal management of the Australian Mutual Provident Society.— Sydney Morning News.- ;

There is on view in Mr J. D. Wjickham's window a well executed plan of the workings at the 640 feet level of the United Pumping Association shaft. The plan shows the various reefs cut, and their relation to the surrounding companies, and, besides being, an evidence of enterprise on the,part of the 1J broker, is valuable as a work of reference, no such complete plan having .previously been compiled. . -, . v The weekly prize competition for cadet volunteers and juvenile civilians that took place at Mr Barlow's gallery last night. Cadet Diamond, of the .Thames Scottish, for the third time made 'the highest score, and won the prize. His compeers being afraid of Diamond's skilly that youth will be slightly handicapped in future boys' competitions. To-night an iAU-comers 1 match is to be fired by adults for a meer> SGhauni pipe. '/

Some pictures of Native celebrities by Mr Lindauer, exhibited in the window of Messrs Poy Brothers, photographers, Pollen street, to-day,- attracted much attention especially that of the Maoris. The portrait of Paul of Orakei was specially admired for its life-like character. ■ " . - ' ■"."".'"'■' At the sitting of the Lands Court today the case re the Te Aroha block was called on, and a portion of the evidence of the counter claimants was heard. The Thames Scottish Nos. 1 and 2 compani; s are likely shortly to be gazetted by Government into a battalion, and; if recruits continue to come in as they have been doing for the past month, there is a strong probability of a third company being added to the Scottish. As soon :as the battalion is formed we learn that some Thames ladies are to make a presentation of regimental colors. As in the Imperial service, these will be carried by two senior l'eutenants ; and it will be the duty of every member of the battalion to defend the colors to the last extremity, should necessity ever arise. The colors, as well as those of other corps, will be saluted by all ranks in the battalion when they pass them.

At an early hour this morning all the available cabs in the town might have been seen conveying a number of the Waikato and Wellington ratives to the steamer, en route for their homes. About seventy strangers left this morning, and , they were accompanied to the steamer by a large number of Thames natives, with whom the, -visitors -agreed very well during their ; short stay here. On the deck of the vessel a grand haka Waß danced, parting friends rubbed noses most and amongst loud, cheering the steamer left the wharf.. One little inc'ißent occurred-during the departure which caused, no.little amusement to onlookers. -A-young,Hauraki' matrony who had fallen deeply in. lqve wfth.'a.young Wanganui raugatira., tried. to^.el6pe with him. Her husband. andf strepected- something, and juat aa the.s^amfer was* on the point of leaving they fru^tratißd her naughty design, and with Little ceremony forced her into a cab and drove her; f away. ... -; .■■',■ .•■■'.■ ••• 7; •/ ,:.v -„ t -.. ; „

The following ■■specimen of affectionate and 'ribus solicitude is a copy of a bona fide'letter sent from Auckland by an ardent lover who has attained to manhood to a slip of a girl just entering her teens resident at Thames : " ——Street, Newton, Auckland,--July 15th, 1878.—My Dear Miss — -——,—I now take up my pen in hand to let you know where I am, as I have not been very well. How are you getting on by this time ? I hope you are a good girl. May God bless you and always be with you, as. I.am often thinks of yoh. If you are a good girl I will send you a handsome present, as I like you,,and often wished you were at I my bedside to cheer me up, as I am quite lost without you. The Tea son I did- not go to the Waikato, as the roads are awful bad ; but let me advice you to keep away from bad dompanions ; but put'your trust : Jesus you wi! find him a true friend to

you. Tou must excuse this short line or two, as I have no more to say at present. From yours truly and faithful friend,

The first consignment of instrument for the Naval Brigade Marine Brass Band has arrived and several of them were on exhibition at Mr Lawless' tobacconist shop to-day. The instruments that have arrived have cost close upon £100, and are pronounced by connoiseurs to be of the very best workmanship. Two of the larger instruments cost £13 10s apiece, and the first cornet nine guineas, so that it will be seen our Navals have spared no expense to provide ihe band with first rate instruments. Some of the members of the band tried the instruments this morning; and the strength and sweetness of their sound wa3 much admired. The Herald supplies the following particulars regarding Major . Withers, the new commandant of Auckland and Thames V^unteer-(districts:— Major E. -Withers, has for some time been incpmmand of the Napier District Volunteer force. He' arrived in the colony with the 65th llegiment, in which he: was then coloursergeant, but some time after he was promoted to the rank of quartermaster, and Eventually, retired from the service to settle !in|NjeW; Zealand. His colonial life, howeverrwas not one of peace. When the rebel natives, he:ded by Te Kooti, returned fr<>m the Chatham Islands, Mr Withers occupied tne 'position; of'ieap-tain;of. the local fo ces at Wairoa. When Monalra: was attacked by Te Kpofci in > person. Captain Withers, with a force mainly' •composed o£ natives,, endeavored to relieve it, but without success on thatoccasionj as his,..native force refused to proceed, and he was compelled to retire. ■ On the 24th ,of April, 1869, * the Hauhaus having retired, Captaiw Withers, and his force, ammunition, and stores, arrived at Mohaka. The blockhouse was in possession of the Europeans, but the rebel forces were in close proximity. Captain Withers then tooic con^mftnd/ of the Mohaka district, and in July of the; same year he was promoted to the rank of major, and as such continued in active service during the campaign, and at its close be received the command of the Napier Volunteers. It will thus be seen that Major Withers has Been a considerable amount of service in the regulars and colonial forces. He has the reputation of being a smart, well-informed officer, has a commanding presence, and a thorough knowledge of his duties.