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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3098, 22 January 1879, Page 2

, The Rotomahana towed down the two other silt punts yesterday, and in conse* quence made a very long passage. She left Auckland at 10 in the morning, and arrived here at seven o'clock last evening.

We learn that Mr J. P. Hall has accepted the appointment of manager of the Tokatea Company's property at Coromandel. Some time ago Mr Hall was offered the appointment by the directors, but refused it. Mr Hall has been for many years resident on the Thames, and has managed a number of the principal mines, including the Shotover, Alburnia, and latterly the Crown Princess. His departure will be regretted by a large circle of friends. He will leave for his new scene of labor in about a fortnight.

The installation of officers of Lodge Sir Walter Scott, 5.0., will take place to-morrow evening. The Installing Offi* cer will be D.D.G.M. Bro. E. T. Wild r man, E. 0., and Bro. F. Whitaker, R.W.P.G.M., S.C. (with other officers of Grand Lodge and distinguished visitors), is expected to be present, so that the gathering is likely to be one ot the largest seen on the Thames for a long time. After the business of the Lodges has been got over, there will be a banquet in Gresham Hall, jointly undertaken by the Lodge of Light and Lodge Sir Walter :?cott, to celebrate the installation, the former Lodge having carried out their installation on St. John's Day, but deferred the banquet owing to the absence of so many brethren holiday making. A good choir will assist in the proceedings to-morrow evening. :

The only business at the E.M. Court this morning was the disposal of a wandering cow case, in which the defendant, John Parrel}, was fined 2s and costal Messrs A. J. Allom and J. Skene, J's.P., occupied the Bench.

We would remind members of the Thames Scottish battalion that their usual weekly drill recommences this evening at the usual hour.

The annual treat and distribution of prizes to the children attending the Waiotahi District Schools will take place at Tararu gardens to-morrow. The children will meet at their respective schools at 9 o'clock in the morning.

The members of the St. George's Church Choir were entertained by Mr E. T. Wildman to-day at a picnic down the coast. The pleasure party left this morning ia the Naval gun-boat.

The funeral of the late Mr James Watt took place to-day, and was very largely attended. All the principalpeople in the place took part in it. Mr Watt was one of the earliest merchants in this place, carrying on very extensive business at the Spit, in partnership with his brother, under the style of Watt Bros. Me was a liberal-handed man, and,pne whose name has for years been prominent in thia district. Mr Watt's death, which took place at Longlands on Saturday afternoon, was very sudden, the cause being disease of the heart. He was in Napier on Friday, and attended that day a meeting of the Board of Directors of the-Napier Gas' Company, being then, to all appearances* quite in good health. He went out to Longlands by the afteraoon, train o.u Friday, and shewed no-symptbms of his end being so near until tie following day. He had arranged on Friday night to go out next morning to Obrincf along with his friend and partner, Mr B. Farmer, but when the appointed hour arrived, Mr Watt, not feeling very well, remained in the house. Mr -Farmer returned to Longlands at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon*, and found Mr Watt violently retching. Mr Farmer procured him some tea, and theni assisted him to bed, where, at_s p.m., he breathed his last, saying to his friend who supported him, " It's all over." The body was brought down yesterday to Mr Watt's house in Napier. He will be mourned by a very wide circle of relatives and friends, and by a very large number who have long held him in high esteem for the generosity of his nature and his many other good qualities.—Herald Telegram. , . ." /'.' ' , ';','. . * '■