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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2953, 2 August 1878, Page 2

Mb Thomas Hobsbbugh has presented a revolver and two pictures to be fired for on the following terms :—Seven men Ao be chosen by the respective captains from the Naval Brigade and the Thames ■~Kifle Hangers. Three matches to be fired, the squad winning two out of three matches to become the holders. The winning squad then to fire off, the highest scorer taking the revolver, and the second highest the two pictures.. , '

At to-day's sitting of the Native L*nds Court, Hotereni Taipari's claim to a share in the Waikawau block was further gone into, and the hearing of the evidence will probably occupy to-morrow. v The anniversary of the Borough Fire Brigade will be celebrated this evening by a torchlight procession, and a supper. The usual amount of buntiug has been flying at the Council Chambers and, the Fire Stations all day, and the engine, hose real, and ladder carriage of the Grahamstown Contingent have been gaily decorated with small flogs and bannerettea, and gold headed staves; and if the evening should be fine ,the procession, with its gay uniforms, flaming ''torches, colored fires, and inspiriting music, will attract a large crowd of burgesses. The Grahamstown contingent will ljeave their station at halfpast six o'clock and inarch to Shortland, beaded by the Band of JSo. 1 Scottish.

At the Shortlaud station they will pick up the southern contingent, go as far as Butt's Corner and then retrace their steps. The supper will be served in the billiard room of the Provincial Hotel, which has only just been completed in time. Mr Drew provides thesupper.andhis experience in that line should be a guaran teo that the tastes of the Firemen and their visitors will be fully satisfied. A fine evening seems rill that is required to ensure a successful gathering and pleasant reunion on " this auspicious occasion."

Mbs Connob, of Newcastle, writes to the Waikato J imes saying:—" Sir : The saddest sight that I ever saw was on the 24th of this mouth, when the father of a child in a coffin was standing at the railway station houso at .Newcastle', begging a couple of neighbors to accompany him to the grave yard, and the only answer he could get was 'I have no time.' The poor m»n buried his wife some six mouths ago, and now he was obliged to take the coffin under his arm, and bury his child himself."

On the authority of the Colonial Secretary •we learn that on the first suspicion of war breaking out, Colonel Brett, Legislative Councillor, volunteered his services. It is well to know that some members of the " Lords "can be made useful as, w-il as ornamental.

The following officers were installed last evening at the Star of Thames Lodge, I-.OiG.T.j for? the. ensuing term. Bro. Hammond, L.D., Northern Pioneer Lodge, acted as installing officer, in the absence of L.D. Bro. Bates through illness, -assisted by Bros. Nicholls and Herival:—W.C.T. (4th time of election), Bro. G. N. Phillips ; W.V.T. (2nd time), Bro. Fletcher; W.C., Sister Bowie; W.S. (re-elected), Bro. Honiss; W.F.S. (re-elected), Sister Honiss; W.T.. (reelected), Sister Cocks; W.M.,, Bro, Shellbourne; W.1.G,, Bro. Houghton-; W.O.Gk, Bro. E. Bateman; DM., Sister Winepress; A.S., Bro- West; It.H.S,, Sister Jones; L.H.S., Sister Owens. The quarterly reports were read and adopted ; that of the Secretary called attention to the necessity for raising the subscriptions. It is intended that the Finance Committee should prepare a report on the matter, mean while, most of the members present voluntarily increased the amount of their quarterly contributions. W.C.T. Bro. Phillips, in thanking the Lodge for having once more elected him to the chair, said that increasing engagements would prevent his attending so regularly as heretofore, 'herefore this was the last term he would offer himself for the office. A. vote of thanks to Bro. Hammond for conducting the installation closed the proceedings.