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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3121, 18 February 1879, Page 2

'■' Peoitessob Tidy, of,the London Hospital, in a letter to the Times, says :—I have made a point of remaining in the neighborhood of the electric light for at least three hours, in order to observe its effect upon me after being exposed to its action for, some time. For a time nothing struck me .except the. intensity of the illumination and the darkness beyond. But befo*e long my eyes became entirely blinded \o all fays except the blue; and as a result everybody and. everything appeared of. a ghastly blue tint. For hours after I returned home, the blue rays haunted me; but, what was worse still, I Buffered from what I am really a sufferer from—an intense headache, especially seated about the region of the eyes. As a | medical man, I am convinced that, whatever may be the advantage of, the electric light .as an illuminant for large out-door spadesj it can never be used as a room illuminant, or even as a general street illuminant, with advantage save to the medical profession generally, "and' to opthalmic surgeons in particular. •'-

The Times' Paris correspondent says the depreciation of silver has incidentally raited a nice question of law. Two years ago the French Government was stili bound to coin silver for any perßon presenting it at the Mint. ,MM. Rothschild accordingly presented silver ingots to the amount of 1,200,000f. at the Bordeaux Mint.- This was anything but welcome, for the Government Hfiad ceased coining silver on its own account, and did not wish the already large stock of silver in circulation to be increased at a time when rates "were falling. Inasmuch, however, as MM. -Rothschild's demand could not legally bd refused, the 1 Mint agreed to accept the silver for coinage, but pleaded inability to carry put .the., process in less than two years, instead of the usual few days. The expectation apparently was that the condition would not be agreed to; but MM. Rothschild, having probably calculated that even with the loss of two years' interest there would still remain a profit, consented to wait that time, and deposited the silver, for which certificates were given them. A few weeks ago, on the eve, of the coin falling due, the superintendent of the Mint informed them that he' could not perform his engagement. '-An-'investiga-tion followed, and the Government found that the ingots had disappeared and that copper coated with silver had been substituted. The superintendent is under arrest, and it was generally imagined that the State would be the loser by the fraud. It appears, however, that a decree of 1862 declares the Mint's superintendent solely responsible towards private individuals for bullion deposited for coining, and that certificates distinctly stated this.- ; The compact between MM. Rothschild and the Mint is described as a purely private one,;, with which the' State had nothing to do, just as department treasurers receive private deposits without engaging the responsibility of the State. This seems to be the law, but. it is certainly hard that a person en--trusting bullion or money to a State functionary should have no redress for a breach of trust, especially if the certificates have "meanwhile passed into the hands of a third party. No similar case can now arise with regard to silver, for the Government lost no time after the Rothschild deposit in passing a law suspending the coinage of silver,.but gold, of course, remains on the old footing, henceforth anybody presenting gold to : the Mint should either demand immediate payment or satisfy himself of the superintendent's honesty.

The Stewart family will make their debut at the Theatre Eoyal this evening in their original entertainment " Eainbow Bevels." We need not enlarge upon the abilities of the artistes or the merits of the performance. The reputation of the Stewarts is well known, and the numerous; favourable criticisms of the Press have been scattered far and wide during the last few days. The entertainment is sure to attract a good house, and we have not a doubt of the Stewarts at once establishing themselves as favourites.

A telegbam wag received by the secretary of the Harbor Board to-day, stating that His Excellency the; Governor had appointed - Wednesday, the 19th February, at 7.30, at the Board's office^ Albert street, to be the time and place of the first meeting of the Thames Harbour Board. The meeting will consequently take place to-morrow evening. ; .

A • meeting of the Local Board of Health was held at the Borough Council Chambers this morning. There were present—The President (His Worship the Mayor), in the chair, and Messrs Speight, McGowan, and Ehrenfried. The meeting was held for the purpose of receiving the report of Dr. Payne on the water supplied' by the Water Supply Committee,: which, contained suggestions concerning the filtration of the water by means of charcoal beds. ■ The Doctor also offered to prepare a report on the drainage. After a-short consideration of the report it was resolved to acknowledge the receipt thereof, and inform Dr. Payne that the Board would not authorise him to prepare a report on the drainage. The suggestions concerning the filtration were referred to the Water Supply Committee.

There was a clean sheet at the B.M. Court this morning. .

We regret to learn that scarlatina, or scarlet fever, has broken out in the house of Mr j. Smith (of Stone Bros.), in Eyre street, Shortland, near Sealey street.

We would call the attention of the Mining Inspector, or whoever is the proper authority, to the culpable negligence of certain parties in permitting 'the wooden tank attached to the Tookey winding engine to fall into disrepair. The tank referred to ia almost on a level with the Moanatairi Creek road, and is of considerable depth, while it is only covered with some rotten boards. This morning a fine young draught horse belonging to Mr Samuel Dickey nearly lost its life in this trap. It was standing on this tank while the carter was filling the dray when, a plank breaking, his two fore-legs got jammed in the hole. It was only with the greatest difficulty that the poor animal was released from its painful position, being much scratched about the body and legs. The animal is valued at a considerable amount, and had it been killed we think that Mr Dickey would have had a just cause for an action for damages against the parties whose negligence was the cause of the accident.

Some one played a rather nasty practical joke on a young man in Shortland on St. Valentine's Day. The postman came to his door with a beautiful little box, which was under stamped, and on which he had to pay 7d. After indulging in pleasant expectations for a few minutes as to what was the design of the token of lore he supposed the box contained, he opened it and found it full of -^— let us call it sand.

The inspection of the Thames Scottish Cadets by Major Murray took place last evening. There was a good muster under Capta'n Mennie. The inspecting officer was received with the customary salute, after which arms were inspected, ranks closed, and a good deal of marching drill gono through, sujh as forming to front and rear on the march, forming to right and lefi. The company was afterwards put through the manual exercise. Taking the drill altogether, we have rarely seen the boys work better or with more steadiness. There was not the slightest attempt at talking in the ranks, every Cadet evidently doing his best for the credit of the corps. After the inspection Major Murray presented Cadet Greenville with a.very handsome medal, which had been won by him for the first time. It is made of gold and silver, and has been presented to the Cadets by the members of No. 1 Scottish as a prize for shooting. The Major complimented the boys on their excellent muster and improvement at drill, and informed them he should have much, pleasure in so reporting of them to Major Withers.

We understand that the Thames Rifle Bangers will be represented at the forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Bifle Association at Nelson by ■ Vol. Doidge, The Naval Brigade will be represented by the following:—Petty Officers Gordon, Walker, Harris, Thomas, and Seaman Armstrong.

Thames sharebrokers are said to be good " Corner men," though they don't hare to work like niggers.