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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3099, 23 January 1879, Page 2

We have received a copy of the Annual Report of the Government Insurance Commissioner, showing the business of the department for the year ended 30th June, 1878. The Commissioner says he has " again to state that the progress of the department has been very satisfactory in every respect. The amount of neve business, notwithstanding the increased competition of foreign companies, has been greater than in any previous year, and exceeds the whole of the new business obtained by life insurance companies n the Colony during the same period." The latter statement is a good proof of the faith colonists hare in the Government security for the payment of policies. During the year, we find, 2797 proposals were received for £971,000; of which 806 were declined or not completed, leaving 1991* policies issued, assuring £680,600,. The policies comprise 1878 insurances for a sum of £679,500 ; 9 for endowment, £1100 assured ; 4 annuity for £162 4s per annum. The annual premiums on these policies amount to £23,042 13* lid. The department has now £239,400 invested in j Treasury Bills; £3,278 9s 2d loans on i policies ; and the total amount of funds on the 30th June, 1878, was £292,523 2a 4d, as against £219,394 4s on the Ist July, 1877, the expenses of management for the year, including salaries at head office and branches, travelling agents and medical fees, &c, were £11,608 5s Id. The income from renewal premiums, assurance, annuity and endowment, was £85,415 8s 4d; that from interest on capital invested £12,600 lls 4d. . The money paid during the year on policies matured by " deaths " was £18,250. The report should be perused by all who are interested iv the department, in order that the progress of this valuable scheme (which the Colony owes to Sir Julius Vogel) may be noted.

In pages 1 and 4 of to-day's paper will be found a highly interesting article—in view of the Afghan question—on "Russia in Central Asia," copied from a late number of The Standard.

The Botomahana brought down> the remaining punt in connection with the dredging operations last evening, having left it at the Sandspit on the previous day. She took eight hours to come down, and having a large cargo aboard . was unable to getaway till this morning, much to the inconvenience of a large number of passengers. !

The County Council are calling for tenders for the erection of trestle work and fluming over the Waiotahi Creek, in connection with the water race. The line will be pointed out to intending tenderers on the 24th insfc. :

We are glad to see the Borough workmen lately have been top dressing-the asphalt foothpaths—a work which in some places has been much required. _ , , With reference to the s paragraph in yesterday's paper, stating that the Choir of S. George's Church- had beenenter- ttained at a picnic by^r Ei T. Wjldman, we are requested to Btafe that the. cost of the picnic was partly defrayed,by subscriptions from the Churchwardens and members of the Vestry and congregation.

The children attending the four schools in the Waiotahi School District proceeded to the Tararu Gardens to day for their annual treat. The bands of happy-faced and neatly dressed youngsters assembled at the Grahamstown terminus of tho tramway, and were conveyed to the gardens in trucks and carriages where they heartily amused themselves with the usual juvenile sports, notwithstanding the rather threatening appearance of the sky. '

We hear that it is probable the Thames will soon be favored with a visit from that old favorite Mr J. P. Hydes, who at the present time is playing a burlesque troupe at the Theatre Royal, Auckland, with his son, Mr "Walter Hyde*, as musical director, and several old favorites of Thames audiences in the company. .

We would again remind brethren of the Masonic fraternity that the installation of officers of Lodge Sir Walter Scott, S.C., and the joint banquet of that Lodge and' the Lodge of Light to celebrate the occasion, will take place this evening; lodge at half-past seven, and banquet at nine o'clock. Members of the Lodge of Light will assemble at the Freemasons' Hall.

The man Thomas Williamson Brown, charged with assaulting Mrs Evinson, of the Scotia Hotel, with intent to commit a rape, has been committed for trial.

The following description of a large steam hammer at the engineering works of MM. Schneider at Creusot, France, is from The Times : —One of the most prominent features in connection with this department at Creusot is a magnificent steam hammer, which has lately been made and erected there by MM. Schneider. It has a power of 80 tons weight, falling through a space of 16ft 6in. A model of this enormous machine, which is by far the most powerful tool of its class in existence, is placed in front of the pavilion of the Creusot works at the Paris Exhibition, and its colossal proportions attract general attention. The height from the bottom of the foundation to the top of the steam hammer is 112 ft, while the height of that portion of the hammer above ground level is 62ft. The diameter of the cylinder is 6ft 6in, and the length of stroke 16ft 6in. The total weight of the substructure, or that portion of the hammer which is below ground and includes the anvil and block, is 750 tons, while the total weight of the superstructure, or that portion which is visible above ground level, is 530 tons, giving a total weight of 1280 ions. The foundations are.'of masonry, resting on rock at a point 36ft 6in bel w the ground level. In connexion with this hammer are two cranes capable of dealing with masses of 100 and 160 tons respectively, besides special re-heating furnaces and otliek* accessories. The total cost of this heavy plant has been about £120,000, but the outlay and subsequent acquisition of such powerful plant and machinery place MM. Schneider above all competitors in France or elsewhere—at least for the present.

Con.—Why is a writer for tbe press more free than a writer of books?— Because there is no muzzling of the press in free countries, but there is plenty of book muslin.