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Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3025, 25 October 1878, Page 2

We learn that the Government have not yet been successful in getting the purchase of the Waihou west block, prpmiaed to the Borough as an endowment, completed. This matter has been in hand for some time, but it is feared that as long as the natives have plenty of money at their disposal, to obtain the signatures will be next to impossible.

A painful feeling was caused on Wednesday night by the circulation of the report that the relatives of Mr W. H. Eeed had received a telegram stating that he was dead. The news proved to be true. Yesterday's Herald contains an obituary notice of Mr Heed's death, but beyond that he died "on October 23, at the residence of his father-in-law (Mr Robert Leaf), Parnell," no particulars are given. Mr W. H. Eeed was well known on the Thames as a photographer, and as a musician and singer of ability, possessing talents of a versatile character, and being especially happy in hitting off local topics in songs of hia own composing. Only a few weeks ago Mr Eeed purchased' a business in Auckland, . and at the time of his death a notification appeared in our contemporary's columns stating that he was about to visit the Thames on business. His death was very sudden-^, fter a few days' illness, we

understand,;and the cause was an acute attack of dysentery. Mr Reed will be much toissed in a large circle of acquaintances. Whether in entertainments of his own as a professional, or when git ing his services in the cause of charity, he was always appreciated, and his unexpected demise will bo sincerely regretted by all who knew him, and by none more than those for whom he has so often exerted his powers in this district. Mr Reed was to be buried to-day, and as he was a member of Lodge Sir Walter Scott, members of the different lodges in Auckland were invited to attend the funeral.

To - mobbow, weather permitting, a cricket match will be played at Parawai between the Borough and County. The former will be represented by Messrs Whitford, Hargreaves, Paul, Lawless, Sines ton, Buttle, Lumsckn. Gudgeon, Mills, Baxter, Schofield, and Baxter; the latter by Messrs Burgess, Bayldon, Spencer, Bull, Murphy; West, Potts, Lough, Gellion, 'Cameron, Young and Schofield. The game will commence at 2 o'clock sharp.> , . ;

A special meeting of the County Council, to confirm the resolution re adjustment of ridings boundaries and representation passed at former meeting, was held at the County Chambers to-day at half-past two o'cclock. Our report is crowded out.

At the Kesident Magistrate's Court today several persons were charged with having in their possession weights not having the stamp in accordance with the Weights aad Measures Act, 1868. They pleaded guilty, and were fined 2s 6d for each weight not stamped, and cos^s. Messrs H. C. Goldsmith and C. H. Otway were on the Bench. The Ladies' Benevolent.Society will hold their annual flower show sometime nest month. It will be too early for most kinds of f uit, but the display of flowers should come up 'id previous years'exhibitions, as some of the gardens on which much care and attention is bestowed give promise of being extremely gay. We believe it is intended, if possible, to secure the services of Mr C. T. Wren, of Auckland, as judge, and we presume the usual evening's entertainment will be provided, i o vary the proceedings in connection with giving an account of the Society*! position.

Anothee open lodge meeting, got? up by the Star of Thames Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the Templar Hall last ni^ht, being well attended. Bro. G. N. Phillips (W.C.T.) took the chair, and made a few opening remarks, in the coarse of which he quoted extracts from Lloyd's Weekly News, showing that even that journal deplored the amount of murder aid misery resultingfrom drink. ; The first item on the programme was a song by Miss Cleave, "The Gipsy's Warning," and this young lady has seldom excelled her effort last night. The Chairman had the pleasuve of call'ng upon a^ old friend of temperance—Mr Mason, who, though tremulous in voice, and with staff in hand, made some sound remarks, and feelingly spoke of victims of alcohol whom he knew. He said it was probably the last time he should raise his voice publicly against the accursed thing. Bro. Culpit sang, "The Vacant Chair" in tolerably good voice, and. was well received. The Chairhere read in capital style a humorous passage from David Copperfield, arid this was followed by Miss Macdonald (of Auckland), with "Let the Angels in, Mother," a pretty song well sung, and loudly applauded. Bro. Johnson gave a reading, rather too quickly. Miss E. Gribble sang " Strangers yet," meeting the applause merited. Mr Slickjey (of the Industrial School, Auckland) addressed the meeiing. He had, from his position, witnessed many c»<ies of deserted and unfortunate children whose parents had been ruined by drink. He was an abstainer of 40 years. The remaining portion of the programme, as follows, passed off well: — Son£. •• Forgive me, Father," Bro. Johnson; reading by the Chairman " The Battle of Eyrie," a poem; a song by Mr Gribble, " Chatting at the Door," while playing his own accompaniment; Miss Chilcott played the accompaniments to the other singers. The entertainment, it may be added, was of a character to be appreciated, as, indeed, they are in general; but members of the Order who have the getting up of these meetings regret >he apparent, result is not What might be expected, or commensurate with the trouble taken.

At the corner "of Sealey street is a standpipe ard a wateT trough, one portion of the troughbejng covered with an. ironplate dcor, *which is generally secured with a padlock, but which this morning was left unfastened. Scene: Some small boys amusing themselves at the trough. One lets the lid drop with a bang. Tableau : One small boy with a damaged hand—howling; another small boy crying in sympathy; a third in full cry down,the street afraid of consequences.

It has * struck many visitors from Dunedin as strange that coming up here they can drink iJviedin brewed beer at "threepence per glass, while at home they have to pay sixpence. Writing on this subject a correspondent of the Herald (Dunedin) says :—-" There are many anomalies in trade hard to. explain, and the price of colonial beer in Dunedtn is one. of them. No one has ever attempted to explain how it is that we hare to pay double, the price charged in other cities for an article so largely used as beer. No one has ever attempted lo defend it; everyone is puzzled to know how Dunedin beer can be sold 100 per cent, cheaper in Auckland than in Di ledin, where it is manufactured. When ireight, insurance, and other charges are added, it must cost the Auckland retailed a great deal more than the Dunedin dealer. From a com-mon-sense point of view, it she aid be sold cheapest where manufactured. By charging higher prices, publicans stand in their own light, because, if the price wrs reduced, the consumption would increase, more beer and less spirits would be used, and b3er at 3d per gless leaves more profit than spirits at 6d."