THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3096, 20 January 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1879.

Some excellent shooting was made on Saturday at the Government range by members of the New Zealand Rifle Association. The ranges were—2oo, 400, 600 and 600 yards, five shots at each. P.O. J. A. Gordon, of the Navals, made the top score, 70 points, a score rarely,: if ever, made before at these ranges. Several other members of the same corps were close up to Gordon, and one or twoof them would have beaten even his excellent score had they had the same weather at 600 yards. Up to- 500 yards P.O. Walker made 56 out of a possible 60, being 11 bulls-eyes and four centres. Seaman Harris made a splendid score of 67, with half gale of wind, at 600 yards; so also did Seaman Cameron, who finished with 66, or six points over centres. P.O. Gordon is an old and tried marksman, who generally upholds the credit of the Brigade in rifle shooting. Walker, Harris and Cameron are younger in shooting, but this season will show they are of the righb stuff for bulls-eyes. We hope the Brigade will manage to send at least six of the same mettle to Nelson for the prize firing.

Triß following appears in the last number ,of The New Zealand Volunteer Gazette :—To the Editor.—Sir,—Can you inform me what an Engineer Artillery Corps is and what its functions are P Do you think it would be possible to get the service of a Cavalry Naval Brigade gazetted ? Verily the ways of the Defence Office are peculiar.—Yours, Quid.

Me M. Landees has been appointed to the temporary head mastership of the Catholic Boys' School, Walter street.

Although somewhat late, the peach season has now fairly set 1 in, and some very fine fruit has been placed in the market. As good specimens as we have seen have come from Mr Walter Fricker's garden, Tararu road, that gentleman having favored us with some samples today which for size, appearance and flavor are equal to any yet produced here within our. knowledge, which will not be disputed by any one who has noticed Mr Fricker's garden when passing it, the grapes and other fruits being exceedingly tempting looking. The variety sent to us are known as Early Newington.

We have received by a late mail A Catalogue of Vocal and Instrumental Music from Messrs Allan and Co: (Wilkie's), 17 and 19, Collins street, East Melbourne. This catalogue, the prospectus states, has been compiled under Mr Allan's personal superintendence, every separate composition having passed under his review, and it embraces about seven thousand different compositions. The preface, index, &c, enable any one to find a particular piece without trouble. It should be invaluable to dealers, teachers and others, and copies may be had gratis on application to Messrs Allan and Co.

Yesterday the anniversary sermons in connection with the Primitive Methodist Sunday School were preached by Mr J.

Manners, and in the afternoon the Eer. E. Laishley addressed the scholars after which a number of the latter delivered recitations, and several hymns were sung. To-morrow evening the anniversary tea meeting will be held.

A iife honorary member of the Thames Scottish has presented the battalion with a large silver-mounted meerschaum pipe of considerable value as a prize for rifle shooting. The pipe is supposed to have belonged to the late Duke of York. It ia on view in the window of Mr Lawless, tobacconist, Brown street. Along with the pipe is also a patent tobacco-cutter given by the same donor. The shooting will be by a series of matches the highest aggregate scorer to win.

A cobbespondbnt of an English provincial paper writes as follows about New Zealand:—Our House of Eepresentatives, as regards the officers, rules, and forms of the House, &c, is a perfect copy of the English House of Commons., We have our Gladstone, our Disraeln ■ oar Eobert Lowe—yes, and even our Biggar! Only, as New Zealanders generally imagine that they are a little ahead of the Old Country in whatever we undertake,; so we outdo you in the matter of oar Biggar. Ours has made a speech of 56 hours in length, and he and his fellowobstructives have managed to keep the House 'sitting from Thursday afternoon till late on Saturday night without an adjournment.

Membbbs of the Thames Scottish Cadets are reminded that the quarterly competition for good attendance prizes commences from this evening. On Friday the. handsome gold and silver medal presented to the juvenile branch by the adult company will be competed for. This medal; which is the workmanship of Mr J. Findlay is how on view at Mr Lawless'

The weekly state of sick in the Thames Goldfields Hospital from 12th to 18th January, 1879:—Satistical Nosology.— Zymotic diseases—remained 2, remain* ing 2; constitutional—remained 1, remaining 1; local—remained 5, admitted 1, discharged 1, remaining 5; developmental—remained 1, admitted 1, remaining 2; violent—remained 1, remaining 1. Totals—remained 10, admitted 2, discharged 1, remaining 11. Mr Aitken, dispenser, wishes to acknowledge receipt Of a parcel of periodicals for the male, and one for the female ward of the Hospital, from the Sunday School Children of the Baptist Church, and two fowls for Sunday's dinner from Mr Hennessy.