THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3017, 16 October 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1878.

Thb Thames wants lifting up: so everybody says. Yesterday we dilated on the injustice proposed to be inflicted by th& validation of the Broomhall contract. We have pretty good evidence that so far as the Premier and the Native Minister, are concerned they are against giving the Aroha Block to strangers. They seem to recognise the .right of those who have, under various promises, remained here with the hope of being able, at.some time—however remote—acquiring homesteads. (This phase of the question we have done to death.) It is certain. that had not such a sentiment actuated many here the exodus would have been much greater, especially with married men who have families, and who are' hopeful at some time or other of being able to sit under their vine and fig-tree unmolested. But while we are careful and anxious to see the land secured to the people, we cannot disregard the fact that the mining interest which has hitherto supported this district is on the decline. The days of large yields seem to have gone by. Mining is now a precarious industry, yielding small rei turns in comparison with the labor expended, and, even in exceptional cases of tributers, giving but a poor average return. It follows, therefore, that labor i which gives' the minimum of recompense must in time fail for lack of remuneration, and the question presents itself, how can this state of things be rectified. The local authorities have lately made representations to the Government on the subject of the Waio-Karaka Drainage Company. They have said that all the gold duty accruing to them is hypothecated in favor of the United Pumping Association until February next, and that they have no resources from •

pany, which everybody admits is deserving of assistance." Palling back on the Government proposals and regulations for aids to prospecting, the.local bodies have pointed out that several companies here— and noticeably the Waio-Karaka Association—have been engaged for a long time in very expensive prospecting works; that they have been keeping their pumps going for the purpose of testing the low levels. And it is urged—fairly, as we think—jtbat such works come within the category of prospecting works contemplated in the regulations of the Minister for Lands in regard to the distribution of the £5000 grant for goldfields prospecting. We cordially agree with this view, and trust the Premier will see the matter in the same light. Should he do so, and succeed in convincing his colleagues, we may see ere long a diversion of a large share of the £5000 vote in the direction of the Thames, where prospecting of a most costly nature has been going: on for some time—indeed, too long for private enterprise to sustain the dram upon its resources for an indefinite period. As we said, the Thames wants lifting up. One means will be giving us land for settlement. Another will be in the direction of aids to prospecting. In both directions the local bodies will be able to exercise a powerful influence, and, having entered upon the work, we hope they will not relax in their efforts until concessions have been made in both directions. The want of land for settlement is a question that must be solved soon,' one way or anotherj but the difficulty which faces us immediately is how to keep the WaioKaraka pump going, the stoppage of which mustjbe directly disastrous. , The land we have waited for for' years, and can yet wait a little longer for if we see a chance of getting it; but the closing of a mine employing a large number of hands involves issues of a momentous character —a crisis, in fact, that must be promptly met. The local bodies will, we trust, not lose sight of the urgency of the situation.

Tee painful accident of Friday last has, we are sorry to learn, terminated in McKelvie's death. It is inexpressibly sad, after the gallant rescue of the unfortunate man' from a living grave, apparently but slightly hurt, to record his death after four days, but the duty, however painful, has to- be done. James McKeivie died about four o'clock this morning, and as we write a coroner's inquiry into the cause of death is proceeding. Last night, we understand, at about eleven o'clock, it was found that McKeivie was in a critical state, and a gentleman was called in to make his will, but after it was done he could not be prevailed upon to sign it, and died intestate. The deceased was a widower, and leaves one child —a girl, besides a sister residing on the Thames. Deceased was a member of Sir Walter Scott Lodge, the brethren of which (with other Lodges) will give him Masonic burial to-morrow.'

We would draw attention to the programme of (he concert and entertainment in connection with the St. Joseph's Convent School, which takes place this evening at the school-room Willoughby street.

Thj Oddfellows' anniversary, to which we referred in a late issue, is likely to prove very successful. The committee are very energetic, and doing all they possibly can in that direction. We would direct attention to the advertisement for further particulars.

The anniversary soiree in connection with the Congregational Church took place. last evening. There were about 300 present, who did ample justice to the good tea provided by Mr Peck. After tea the meeting was addressed by the Revs. E. Laishley, J. Robinson, M.A., E. 8, Bunn, J. T. Hinton and S. J. Neill, and the choir discoursed some excellent pieces of sacred music, Mr William Gribble efficiently performed the duties of presenter.

' Intending candidates for the Mayoralty seem very reluctant to make known their intentions. A number of names have been mentioned as probable candidates, but as yet they have made no sign. Mr Ehrenfriedis the favorite in the betting, while not even avowing his intention of standing. Mr Benshaw, Mr McCullough and several others are also named, and it is said that the South Ward people have a candidate in reserve who will distance every competitor. No doubt South Ward is strong in voting, but we shall wait to see- their nominee before expressing an opinion as to his chances.

The sparrow nuisance is beginning to be felt here as elsewhere, and we hear frequent complaints as to the damage done to fruit trees. In some instances.it appears, these little pests show their proclivities by pecking off blossoms and newly-formed fruit, and we have had ocular demonstration of the fact that they deprive poach trees of young leaves, the ground under some trees being strewn with immature leaves as if the autumn shedding had arrived. We have been defenders of the sparrow, and thought farmers were prejudiced, but we are fain to admit that the bird is a nuisance, and must soon be regarded as such and treated accordingly. Extirpation will soon be the motto.

By the Pareora, Mr John Watson, of the firm of Price Bros., has received half a dozen rock-boring drills which can be worked by hand. They are very simple in construction, and cannot easily get out of order, while their cheapness and utility should commend themselves for use in our mines.

Mb Macandeew, the contractor for the extension of the Goods Wharf, will be finished with the job in a day or so. The work has been executed most expeditiously, and will afford additional accommodation to the steamers and other vessels trading to the port. The additional depth of water gained is very trifling, and we would urge on the Harbor Board the great necessity of dredging at the end of the wharf, as it is with the greatest difficulty that the Botomahana and the large vessels get alongside at all.

As Mr Walter Grey, Neston, was walking through Wepre Park, Hawardeji, on the 19th July, he was,attacked by a ferocious bull. Mr Grey, a one-armed gentleman, possessing great strength, dodged the bull, but was erentually tossed. The bull made a rioleut butt at him, bat he

clung firmly to it for two hours, during which the bull madly endeavored to toss and 'gore him. He was found covered with blood and frightfully lacerated.