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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3118, 14 February 1879, Page 2

We may state, for the information of those ratepayers who have not yet paid their rates, that the first batch of summonses have been issued from the Borough Council Chambers, and on Monday next over 100 more will' be handed into the Court for service. Many of the names .on the " black list" are those of persons well able to afford the rates, but who, by negligence or other causes, have permitted them to fall into arrear. Prompt payment would prevent many from the necessity of paying costs—perhaps as much as the amount of their rates.

We are pleased to notice that Master E. L. Skeen, late of the Thames has passed the Senior Civil Service Examination, being first in order of merit. Masters Gillies and Hudson of the Thames have passed the Junior Giril Service Examination.

•Thebe was a clean sheet at the It.M. Court to-day.

A man named William Farmer met with an accident to day at Canadian Gully, Moanatairi Creek. He and his mate, a man named Lamb, were out on a fossicking expedition, and about crib time were sitting near the mouth of an old drive, when a quantity of quartz, amounting to about two or three hundredweight, fell on his back. The stuff rolled off his back to his leg. His mate procured assistance, and Farmer was carried on a stretcher to the Hospital, where it was found he was severely bruized about the back. The legs are uninjured. The full extent of the injuries was not known at 3 o'clock.

We are glad to hear that there is a probability of this district being favored with an early visit from Professor Ulrich (Mineralogist), and Dr Hector (Government Geologist). These genlleinen are presently in Auckland, and intimation will be given of the time of their visit. Besides a cursory view of the district generally, it is hoped that these savans may be furnished with some of the stuff from the well of the United Pumping Association's shaft, which, it is stated, presented a different and highly improved appearance, when operations were discontinued, to the stuff previously cut through.

We have received from the publisher, Mr W. J. Stonhill, Ludgatc Circus, London, the initial number of " The British and Colonial Printer and Stationer, and Newspaper Press Record." This publication is well got up, and contains a great deal of information of value to the trades.

The cricket match between the Union and Thames Ciicket Clubs takes place tomorrow at Parawai Gardens. From the practice the Clubs have gone in for of late, they should be able to give a good account of themselves, and no doubt the game will be keenly contested. It has been arranged, in the event of time not permitting the players two innings each, that the match shall be continued on the following Saturday. The Union Club will be represented by the following players : —Boxall, W. Hunter, J. Smith, G. Smith, Hoskins, G. Clark, Lough, Mills, J. George, C. Williams, J. Gribble ; emergency men, Gentry, Brian and Harrison. Nicholls' bus will leave Karaka Bridge at a quarter past one o'clock, play begins at 2 sharp. .

On the closed shutters of a shop in Shortland, on which was placarded a notice to the effect that the establishment was closed for stock-taking, prior to submitting to the trade for tenders, some scoundrel, on whom a little education has been thrown away, has pencilled the words : " W hat a d lie."

We learn that Pir George Grey, Premier, has, by request of the Chairman Thames Harbor Board, telegraphed to Sir John Coode requesting that his report on the Harboi of Thames may be forwarded as soon as possible.

A Wellington telegram says:—" The body of J. P. Jones, stationer, late of the Thames, who has been missing for several days, was found in the harbor last night. An iuquest was held, and a verdict of " Found drowned " returned. Deceased served three years under Colonel Haultam in the Waikato, and afterwards had a school at the Thames. He had been in low spirits, and on previous occasions had shown a suicidal tendency."

The damage done to the trees planted in the streets is not all attributable to vagrant goats or mischievous boys. Only yesterday a carter deliTering a load of firewood in Cochrane street east deliberately tipped the contents of his dray on to a flourishing tree, which, was thereby depressed nearly to the ground, and the wonder is the tree was not broken off level with the ground. Cannot the Borough instruct the police to prosecute in such cases, and so preserve the trees in our streets ?

A ceetain contractor for a public building on the Thames seems to hold to the opinion enunciated (wo believe) by the late Lord Palmerston, that "every man has his price.' This contractor has lately had'some portions of his work condemned as not being according to specification, and he coolly sent a letter to Mr Wm. Rowe, M.H.R., offering that gentleman a five-pound note to make matters right, or square it for him.

A TisiTOß to Ohinemuri informs us that extensive fires hare recently prevailed in the bush about Waitekauri, and some of the houses of settiers and others have been in imminent peril. Yesterday.the dwellings of McCrombie, Goonan and Butler were surrounded by the. fite, fences were levelled to prevent the fire's nearer approach, and the furniture was removed from Mr McCrombie's to a safe distance. Two of the bouses threatened are insured.

A statement of the assets and liabilities in the bankrupt estate of Mr C; P. Quint was yesterday filed with the Clerk of the Court, showing the assets to amount to £1262 15s, and the liabilities to £418 18s 6d.