THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi.` MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3075, 23 December 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi.` MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1878.

In remarking upon the arrangements made for carrying-out rte turning of the first sod of the railway, we omitted to give credit to one who had the laying out of the inclosure, Ac, by which the comfort of visitors was scored, and a good view of the proceedings allowed to all outside the inclosure. Th ereditwas due to Mr T. Rawdon, Foreman of Works, to whom the business was entrusted, ma under whose direction the fencing and platforms were executed by the Borough workmen. The sime may be said of the tables at the Volunteer Hall, and to Mr R. Farrell is due credit for tre decorations at the latter place. The ground was kept by the Armed Constabulary, under Superintendent Thompson and Mr SubInspector Kenny, assisted by members of tbe Fire Brigades under their respective officers, and altogether the arrangements to ensure comfort were most complete and satisfactory.

A meeting of stewards of the Thames Annual Races will be held at the Queen's Hotel this evening at 8 o'clock for the purpose of receiving entries for (Ist day) the Flying Stakes, (2nd day), Trotting Race, and for acceptances for the Borough Plate, Hurdle Race on the lßt day, and the County Plate and Hurdle Race second day's racing.

The luncheon on Saturday was in every way satisfactory, and the catering reflects the greatest credit on Mr Forgie, who was caterer, and not Mr Symington, as was erroneously stated on Saturday. Mr Forgie and his assistants were in every way attentive to the wants of the guests.

By the Josephine which arrived from Lyttelton today Mr Thomas Vealehas received 300 bags flour and seven cases of Canterbury hams and bacon.

Dubino Sir George Grey's visit here, in a conversation w'th His Worship the Mayor and the Chairman of the Harbor Board, the Premier, recognising the importance of permanent harbor works being carried out contemporaneously with the construction of the railway, said he would telegraph to Sir John Coode for his report. The necessary data which Sir John Coode required to enable him to form his repeat was furnished by the mail which went out of the 4th November, and which must have rerched the eminent engineer some two or three weeks

"This evening there will be given at the Grabimstown Wesleyan Church a Christmas service of sacred song entitled "Immanuel," with selections from the oratorios of Creation and Messiah.

The Temperance procession in connection with Father Henneberry's mission took place yesterday afternoon. It was comprised of about 150 adults and a similar number of children. It left the Willoughby street chapel at three o'clock, headed by the band of the Hibernian fciociety playing march music, and paraded through the principal streets as far as Burke street, when it turned and went back to the chapel by way of Mary and Kolleston streets. In the procession a number of banners were carried, and all in the procession wore gveen scarves — some medals. The procesdon was followed by two or three cabs, iv one of which was seated Father Heineberry and some friends.

V Sib Geojige Gjbet promised His Worship the Mayor and the County Chairman that he would make a present to the Mechanics' Institute of a book of Maori legends and stories which he had had published some, years ago, aad in which were some pie es referring to the grext native battle fought at Tolara Point, Parawai.

Mb Aitkkn wishes to acknowledge receipt of a raicel of papers from Mr John Hudson for the use oC the Hospital patients. >

We have been recuesad to draw the attention of the Na7als to the advertisement le the meeting this eveuirg ou imporiant businesr. ;

Messbs Gt'liou and Co. report sales of fat cuti!e. £.10 5s to £15 10 ; medium, £7 10s to £10; cows, £o 15s io £7 17s 6d; steers, £7 10s; h-'fers, £3 5s to £4; calves, £2 4s to £2 17s 6d.

Tje Auckland TJsi'ors whd came down to be present at the Railway Demonstration on Sfitavday letuyne^.jby the Hinemoa yesterday morning. The steamer Ruby conveyed the n. from Albert street Wharf to the Hineana. A number of Thames resideals accompar'.ed tbe visitors to the Rvby, and gave tb.pe cheers as the boat went off, a compliment that was reiurned by the Auoklrnders.

The following' is tbe state of the Thames Hospital for the week ending 21st Dec., 1878:—Statistical Nosology.— Zymotic Diseases: remained (from previous week) 1, admitted 1, remaining 2; Local: remained 8 : admitted 1. remaining 9 ; Developmental: remained 1, remaining 1; Violent: remained!, admitted 1, remaining 2. Total —remained 11, admitted 3, remaining 14. Out patients, 49.. . . . . „ •.... , ', ; ■ '

We omitted to state on Saturday, in report of proceedings at the turning of the first sod of the railway, that the children who were present and sang, the National Authem and the New Zealand song were treated to refreshmeais by the Railway Committee, each child rec3iviag a "pock" conu:ning buns, &c. It may also be mentioned that after the formal proceedings at this point wire over many people lijgered about the spot, and several possessed themselves of portions of "the first sod.'"

The secretary to the Thanres Hospital and the Hon. Treasurer of the Hanraki Lades' .Benevolent Society wish to acknow'edge receipt of -.cbeiues; for fbe Sums of £3 and £5 respectively from His Worship the Mayor,* attoaipanied by letters requesting that the same may be applied towards providing suit.,ble Christmas fare for those persons and families amongst us who from untoward circumstances rre unable to pvoviue any little extras for themselves. We have no doubt the donations will be appreciated.

, The only business at the; B.M. Court this morning was the punishment of one drunkard in the usual manner. Robert Nichols for an assault, causing bodily harm to K. F. Luks. at Coromandel, was remanded to Coromandel; bail allowed himself in £40, and two sureties in £20 each. Detective Brennan arrested the prsoner on the Thames.

The Goverament offices will be closed after to- morrow for the Christmas holiday s, and the Borough and County offices will be closed from to-morrow until the second of January, both days inclusive.

'.' Enginbeb " writes as follows :— The Harbor Board has made a great mistake by taking over the management of the harbor out of the hands of the General Government without a systematical plan of works to be carried out, and a sum of £20,000 to do it with. Eveiyone erpected that the first thing that would be done would be to provide suitable accommodaticn for landing passengers at all times of tide,' instead of which a lar^e sum of money has been expended to the injury of the harbo::. Would you believe that it is proposed to have a dredge, which will cost from £300 to £400 per month, and two months afterwards the harbor will be as bad as ever ? Is there no check to running the Harbor Board in debt, and at the same time rumng the harbor ? Can you inform the public when there will be a new Harbor Boi.d elected, for I assure you there is much need of a change to prevent injury and financial ruin. ■

Hates and Benhamo's circus leave here to-day for Auckland, whtve they open in a few days. ;

Mayfaib has heard a good story (which it sayß has tbe advantage of being true) in connection with an appointment recently gazetted. A young gentleman who had received a special mark of his Sovereign's favour by being appointed to represent Her Majesty in one cf the most insalubrious stations on the West Coast of Africa, called in at the Colonial Office to make inquiries as to what might be the retiring allowance pertaining to the post. The obliging clerk, after a prolonged search through a series of documents, looked up at the hopeful young man. and blandly Baid, "I do not find, sir, a single instance of a retiring allowance having been paid to gentlemen who have gone out to this particular station."

On Oct. 30 Sir Capel Fitzgerald was charged at the Bichmond Police-couvt with having obtained from the proprietor of the Castle Hotel, Bichmond, Surrey, various refreshments, consisting of a dinner and wine, by false pretences, en June 2 last. The managing clerk of the defendant's solicitors asked, the magistrates to adjourn the summons for a month on the ground that the head of his firm was in the country., Mr Haynes, who represented the complainant, made no objection ; but the Bench thought a mon;h tco long, and adjourned the case for a week only, admitting the defendant to bail in his recognisances in £50,