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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3142, 14 March 1879, Page 2

A NUMBEB of young ladies from the convent proceeded to the Hospital to-day, bearing wreaths of flowers with which to adorn the last narrow abode of Dr O'Flaherty, who, though " a stranger in a strange land," had not failed to make some friends, who thus showed a kindly regard for the deceased.

The favourite steamer Tongariro will make an excursion to Coromandel on Siunday next, returning from there early oni Monday evening. This arrangement will give excursionists a somewhat lengthened stay at Coromandel and also allow them to be back to the Thames at a reasonable hour on Monday. It will doubtless receive a fair amount of patronage.

Notice has been served upon the United Pumping Association Companies by the solicitor of the Thames County Council for the arrears of interest due upon money advanced by the Government, and which the County is entiled to as holders of the securities.

The funeral of the late Dr O'Flaherty will leave the Thames Hospital this afternoon. The members of the Hospital Committee will be mourners, and the Hibernian Society intend to turn out in large numbers. As notified by advertisement the Thames Scottish Battalion and the other rifle corps are called to parade for the purpose of attending the funeral, deceased being Assistant-Surgeon to the Scottish Battalion. .

We are glad to hear that Mr W. J. W. Addey has become heir to £11,000. He will shortly leave the Thames for England.

At the meeting called by Major Murray to consider the means to be taken to receive the Carbine Champion, Vol. Gordon, and the other Thames representatives upon' their' return from Nelson, a committee of three wag appointed— Major Murray and Lieuts. Lawless and Barlow—to make all necessary arrangements. The committee were instructed to wait upon Hia Worship the Mayor with the request that he would meet the representative!! upon the wharf, and, in tha name of the general public and the Volunteers, welcome them back, and compliment them upon their success. It was thought at one time to invite the men to a dance, or a supper, but as the com* plimentary concert to F. A. Pulleine takes place upon the evening the representatives are expected to arrrive on the Thames, advantage has been taken to invite them to that performance. A general parade of the volunteers of the district will be called, and some little decorations will probably be ereoted on the wharf. We have little doubt but that the general public will be present in numbers, for upon all occasions where honor was to be done to our volunteers the support and presence of the public has not been wanting. It is a mattor for the Thames to be proud of, that one of her sons has distinguished himself, and many others have done creditably.

: It is said that the old sinner Tukokino'a recent pranks at the expense of the County Council are because he does not like the idea of the formation of a volun. tee? cor^ps at Ohiriemuri, which he asserts is breach of his mana; and also that he has notified to the authorities that he does not want a company up there.' Our telegrams to-day state that the services of the company hare been accepted, so the troublesome old nigger can go on grinding his fangs and burning fascines, but we don't think he will be able now to cause the disbandment of the company. It is high time the screw was put on the vagaries of the old savage. A couple of months at Mount Eden might do him a world of good.

Thohwton, Smith, and Firth announce, in their Prices Current in another column, an advance of 10s per ton on both flours.

By the English mail just to hand the brass band of the Thames Scottish has received a large supply of new and popular music, of a kind not hitherto in the district, comprising amongst others marches, selections, muzurkas, quadrilles, scbottisches, &c, in all some 40 pieces.

We sincerely regret to learn that Master William Butt, a son of Mr John Butt, our respected-fellow-townsman, was one of the victims of the wreck of the Scbiehallion which went ashore on the coast of the Isle of Wight some time ago.

A committee has /been formed in Hamilton to make preparations for the reception of Sir George Grey on his visit to turn the first sod of the Wtikato and Thames Railway at the Waikato end of of the line.

An ambiguity in the compulsory clauses of the Education Act has given some little trouble to School Committees which have adopted them. An application was made for an opinion of the Board of Education, on these clauses—especially as to the construction of the clause " that every child not less than seven, and not more than 13 years of age," should attend school for at least half the period in each year, when the school was open:—question, did this mean that they should attend for half of each quarter, or that they could not be compelled to attend until the end of half the year P—Waikato Times.

The following account of a destructive fire in Dnnedin is from a telegram to the Herald:—lt was soon found that the building at one time occupied by Messrs Goodby Brothers, brewers, and situated at the corner of Castle and Burke streets, was the scene of the- conflagration. The Fire Brigades turned out with their usual promptness, all the 28 members being present, except one who is out of town on leave of absence. They speedily got on their way to the fire, but were put to

much trouble, and were delayed a great deal by the obstruction caused by the manner in which the streets are now cut up, owing to the sewerage and tramway works. On reaching the brewery, the whole building, which is of considerable size, and built of wood, was found to be one mass of flame. Consequently, although there was a good supply of water, there was no possibility of saving the building, and the brigade's exertions were confined to protecting the houses and other buildings in the vicinity. In this they were successful after a good deal of hard work. In the meantime the brewery was, with the exception of a brick chimney, reduced to ashes. The building has been unoccupied for the past two years, since the .firm retired from the business, but it contained all the plant and some 360 beer, casks. The loss will, therefore, be serious. Insuranoes are to the amount of £1500— £500 on the building; £500 on the plant, in the Northern office; £250 on the building ; £250 on the plant, in the National of New Zealand. The premises belonged to tbe Permanent Building Society of Otago, who employed a watchman to occasionally go over them and see that all was right. This man went through the buildings yesterday afternoon, and everything was then as could be wished. There is, therefore, at present no clue to the cause of fire, but the police have taken the matter in hand, it having been reported to them that two men were last night seen loitering about the premises. On referring to it this morning, the Star says:—" It may be well to mention that an impression is gaining ground that some of the insurance offices are apt, in their zeal to do business, to. take rather dangerous risks, and to give an idea of the serious losses which the shareholders in some of the local companies have to put up with, we may mention that since January Ist of the present year, or, in the short space of six weeks, New Zealand companies have had to pay £9500 on insurances."

A painful accident happened to a lad named Peter McGregor, this morning, while firing at the Parawai Range. It appears that the boy—who belongs to the Scottish Cadets —was in the act of leaving the position from which the Cadets were firing, when he was struck by a bullet on the right wrist, which passed through, without, fortunately, breaking any bones, merely knocking a splinter off one of the main bones of the wrist. The sufferer was taken to the Hospital and attended to by Dr Payne and Mr Aitken, and seems to be doing as well as can be expected—not suffering much pain. The artery has not been severed, as but little blood issued from the wound. It is hoped that none of the sinews are cut, as, if so, the hand might be rendered useless. Capt. Mennie was in charge of the boys, but we understand no blame attaches to him. It is known by whom it was fired.

Feom the list of "winners of £5 and upwards at the Rifle A ssociation meeting given in our telegrams to-day, we collate the names of the Thames men, viz.: Gordon, £32; Fenton, 28; Armstrong, £19 ; Eeid, £15 ; Thomas, £8 ; Xellar, £6; McLeod, £5; total, £113. Ac : cording to' the same list Auckland has taken £28. The Thames boys will certainly bring home considerably more than their fair share of money.