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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3117, 13 February 1879, Page 2

The dredging operations at the end of the Burke street wharf are making good progress, the present high tides greatly facilitating operations. The full punts are towed behind the silt retaining works by the little steamer Piako, whose light draft renders her very suitable for this service. On the average from seven to eight loads are raised and deposited every day. The inconvenience caused to vessels by the bank which had collected at the end of the wharf has in a great measure been removed, and vessels like the Oamaru can come alongside with ease, the water having been deepened four feet, and so far there is no sign of any silting up. The value of the work would, it. is said, be greatly increased if the Harbor Board could see its way to divert the Kauaeranga.channel so that the cutting might be continually flushed by a running stream of water.

The attention of our local volunteers and cadet companies is called to the time for District prize firing, as advertised in another column. The first set fire on Monday, second on Tuesday first, and the cadets on Friday week. We learn that the new targets will be ready this evening or early to-morrow, and we congratulate Major Murray and the district on the promptness in securing the targets and erecting them.

To-day Major T. L. Murray received a telegram from Major Derrom, acquainting him with the death of Major Gordon, and asking if any of the officers or members of Thames volunteers could be present at the funeral; stating, also, that the date and hour of funeral were not yet arranged, though probably would be some time tomorrow. Major Murray replied as follows:—"Steamer arrangements will prevent us being present, I am afraid. Will you please convey to Mrs Gordon the heartfelt sympathy of myself, officers and members of Thames Volunteers in this her sore bereavement."

Mb J. S. Macfablane, M.H.K., has again made a handsome donation of books to the libraries in the electoral district of Waitemata, of which he is the representative. For the past three years Mr Macfarlane has devoted his honorarium to the same object, and there are now 12 well stocked libraries in Waitemata.

At the E.M. Court this morning one drunkard was punished in the usual manner. E. W. Puckoy, Esq., J.P., presided.

Mb John Letdon is spoken of as a probable candidate for Cr Brassey's seat for the Middle Ward in the Borough Council.

Mb Aitken, Thames Hospital, has sent us half a dozen peaches for inspection and trial. They are a late rariety, and very large in size, the half dozen averaging nine inches each in circumference. With such fruit in such profusion, it seems a pity that there are no means of communication with southern cities, where the surplus peaches grown in this district would find a ready market. The peaches under notice were grown in the Hospital grounds, Mary street.

4- Chicago publishing firm are about to issue a dictionary to the Waverley Hovels, intended probably as a companion to the Dickens Dictionary.

The British Museum has lately acquired a small fragment ot a terracotta tablet, containing part of the annals of Nebuchadnezzar. The portion relates to his thirty-seTenth year, arid a war with Egypt.

The "Columbarium" in the new cemetery at Gotha has been completed. The town authorities have decided that the coffins for cremation are not to measure more than 225 metres in length, 076 in width, and 072 in height. The urns to be placed in the Columbarium are not to bo more than o'Bo metres in height and o'4o in diameter. The expense of cremation of each body will amount to about 30 marks (£1 55.)