THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2950, 30 July 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1878.

The first meeting of the new committee of the Thames Mechanics' Institute was held, last night. The sub-committees necessary under the rules were appointed, and also one: to report upon the best means for-enlarging or altering the present arrangements of the Institute. Within a very few months the committee will have to hand about £200 worth of valuable works, when it is hoped that the number of subscribers will be greatly increased, and to meet the requirements of the subscribers, and for the better arrangement of the books, it is probable that tUe Uuilding will be enlarged. '

Lieut. Denby, the orderly officer of the Engineers for'tbe week, will hold an instruction class in the lecture room of the corps to-night for recruits and candidates for posts of non-commissioned officers ; the weekly meeting of the quadrille party wili afterwards take place.

A handsome velvet smoking cap is to be competed for to-night by all-comers at the Brown street rifle gallery, the proprietor of which offers great inducements to Her Majesty's" loyal subjects to become crack shots. About £15 worth of prizes have been given away by Mr Barlow since opening his indoor range, who has acquired a well-earned popularity by his spirit of enterprise in these comparatively dull times. . On some occasions the prize is given at a pecuniary loss at others the speculation is profitable.

: The third anniversary of the Friendly Help Female Tent, 1.0. E.,. will be celebrated at the Templar Hall this evening by a soiree;. . * -

The Auckland Star's correspondent says :—Correspondence re Sir Geo. Grey's pension with Lord Carnarvon on Jan. 3rd; 1878, asks thj Governor to state the amount of Sir Geo. Grey's New Zealand salary, information being required at the Paymaster-General's office. Sir G. Grey being in receipt of a pension of a thousand a year, Lord Normanby replied that the salary was £1750 a year. On the Ist May Sir M. Hicks Beach encloses the Governor a copy of a letter: from the Treasury, stating that instructions have been given for the payment of general pay only £125, retiring allowance, from twelfth October, 1877, till further instructions. Sir G. Grey writes on the 10th July to the Governor, regretting that the despatches in relation to his-pension were not communicated to him as soon as received, as this would have saved the appearance of Sir George Grey's having forwarded the Paymaster a wrong return. He says the .colonial salary did not commence till the. 14th of October, so that he is deprived of two days' pension through a mistake for which he is not responsible. The Governor, in reply, regrets the mistake, and promises to rectify it.

At the afternoon sitting of the Native Lands Court yesterday the Hararahi block was divided into two sections—Nos. 1 and 2. The No. 1 was awarded to Bihitoto Mataia, and the No. 2 to Ka wina Manukau Johnston. The hearing of the Montanatui block of 8 acres, situate at Paeroa, was commenced, and at this morning's session, was finished, .judgment being given in favor of Kihitoto Mataia and another. The Waikawau Cv.se was commenced. This is likely to cause a good deal of trouble, as the Native owners demand a higher price than that usually given for such land. The land is said to be not worth more than 3s per acre, and 10s is demanded.

A Soxttheen telegram to the Auckland Star says:—At the Police Court on Saturday John Henry G. McLennan, was charged with deserting his wife, Isabella McLennan, and his two children residing at Auckland, without leaving adequate means of support. Inspector Mallard said a warrant had been executed this morning upon receipt of information from the Canterbury police authorities, who, he said, had been instructed from Auckland. His Worship asked the accused if he would prefer to have the case settled here or to be remanded to Auckland, and, if former, whether he could give security for his appearance on remand* The accused asked what security a man out of work: couldjfive. He knew nothing of the affair, having simply left Auckland in search of employment, and not with the intention of running away from his family. He had been in receipt of letters from his wife, and he felt sure these proceedings were not taken by her. His Worship said the complaint was made in Auckland, but it did not appear by whom. Had the accused any letters from his wife about him P Accused produced some letters from ! ,'s wife, after reading poi"

tions of v which His Worship asked if the accused had any prospect of getting more work here. The accused said he had prospect of a job, but this would spoil everything. His Worship said he had no authority to dismiss accused without some security, but he was loth to send him back to Auckland, as that would not only entail trouble and annoyance on the accused, and possibly deprive him of employment, but cause expense to the Government. He would remand him for seven days on his recognizance of £20. That was the best he could do for accused, who in the meantime should obtain communication from hi? wife which might bear out his statements.