The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3136, 7 March 1879, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879.

Feom the report published in Wednesday's issue, taken from the Auckland Herald, of the meeting of the committee appointed re the Big Pump, it will be seen that very little advance was made in the matter. The amount of contributions promised was less by £141 than the amount the various companies were assessed, and some of the mines who might have been expected to contribute largely, even refused io promise the small amount asked from them by the committee. Mr Eowe, as usual, made a number of statements as to the part he had taken in having the securities handed over to the County, and the object then in view, as stated by him, was that such should be used for mining purposes only. He should have told the meeting also the ulterior object he had with other persons engaged in mining here, in not acknowledging the claims of the Thames Borough Council to an interest in the said securities—the hope that the municipality would be absorbed by the County. We are not surprised that the County should try and make the most of the securities, and, in fact, it would be failing in its duty were it to act otherwise. The result of the meeting was, however, in. fact the very course recommended by His Worship the Mayor in his telegram to the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, under date 9th January, in which he said, "If the Chamber would induce the mines interested to secure the County's interest in the securities, it would be the first step towards defining the situation." This advice was not accepted at the time, in fact the idea of consulting the County authorities, or acknowledging their claims to a fair price for their interest in the laid leouritiei, was considered a very good joke by many of the Auckland proprietors of mines. Mr Eowe would have others, as well as himself, to believe the County was only holding the securities in the light of trustees for them.; in fact, the same idea

which has always been held by tho Auckland people, that the Thames and all its wealth, was the property, the" 'estate, of that City. The cool way in which the. Borough and County gold duty was determined to be appropriated by them, and the indignation expressed at the action of these bodies to determine the amount, or any sum they would contribute from such a source of revenue, goes to prove that the idea so long held by many of the gentlemen who are now taking an an interest in the subject under discussion—the restarting of pumping operation—is still held by thorn. The sooner the question is looked fair in the face, and a spirit of self-relianoo is shown by the proprietors of the wines most interested, tho better lor all eoneerned. The Borough Council has already promised a far too liberal assistance, and the County holding the vwP prtJ*» knowing that except so % as any depfeofatiou & Talurt may *r>se ftxnu the stoppage, that their mt*wstt will vemamthe same, show little, tftsposvtwni to help tho re-starting of the wwk \u the Big Pump. While such » state ol things is very injurious to this community, it perhnps is bolter that the question and the relative positions held by the mine owners, Borough and County Councils should be settled, and a thorough understanding arrived at, than the state of things in connection with this question which existed during the. past two years, should continue for another term. The committee appointed by the Conference to wait up,on the County Council has fared no better than.-might have been anticipated, and the result should bo another proof to the mine owners that if the County interest is to be secured, a fair value will have to be given for it. ■

Mimbebs of- the Court Pride of the North, A.0.F., are notified by advertisement of their usual fortnightly meeting to be held at the Court room this evening at the usual hour.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging on behalf of His Worship the Mayor the receipt of £1 Is from Mr James Marshall, on behalf of the Eaitangata Belief Fund. In connection with this matter, we notice that a meeting is to take place at the Pacific Hotel" at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday evening.. i ? -

In consequence of the court re Thames Foreshore being held at the E.M. Courthouse to-day, the fortnighly small debt session; was,postponed till next Friday. .:

It is with regret we notice that the good example set by the Borough Council in the management of public business, is not being followed by the Harbour Board. At the special meeting this morning, our reporter was shocked at the want of good taste and apparent consideration for the business in hand shown by several members, the credit of the place being at stake, and the Press will have to take the matter in hand and report verbatim the remarks made at such meetings, so that the public may have a better idea of the manner in which their business is being conducted.

Me John Leydon offered at auction this morning a cottage on Tardru Eoad, owned by Mr Owen, and quitted same at a price satisfactory to the vendpr. t We understand that the inhabitants of Coromandel are gbing 8 tb- have another visit from this indefatigable gentleman, as he leaves here to-morrow evening with a large and varied stock of goods, with the intention of disposing of them by public auction at that place.

A cokeespondent sends us the following statement, .which puts the subject in the light Mr Eowe and others wish it to be considered i—

EXPENDITURE: Total amount expended by County for Pumping and Winding, Ist January, 1877, to 31st January, • 1879, including Kepairs .. £17,320 Erecting New Poppet Heads .. 306 Total amount expended by County on South Drive and North : ;Cross-cutj about.. .. .. 4,087 •■■•■--• _ . £21,713 RECEIPTS: Tetal amount of Gold Revenue received by County from Ist January, 1877, to 31st January, 1879 ' £12,798 Total amount of Drainage Contributions received from Ist January, 1877, to 31st January, 1879 :. 6,250 £19,048 Cost to County .. • .. £2,665