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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3180, 29 April 1879, Page 2

A case of some importance, in regard to the conveyance of mails, was heard at the Auckland Police Court yeiterday, when Captain Miller, of the p.s. Enterprise, was charged with not using dusiiliganoe to secure and deliver the mail placed on board his steamer at the Thames for delivery at Auckland. It appears from the evidence, that the mail-bag had been simply placed in the cabin by the messenger. There was no special place for locking it up. The Bench considered an open place like the cabin of a steamer an improper place to keep a mail, but exonerated the defendant from culpable neglect. A fine of 40s was imposed. It seems very hard that owing to the neglect of the owners of the steamer in not providing a proper receptacle for the mail bags, the captain should have been put to the expenses of a prosecution. The Post Office authorities are not" blameless in the matter, for the Auckland messenger took the mail in hand, and because it was heavier than he could carry, he left it on board the whole of the following day— Sunday. There is every probability that the crime was committed during the Sun* day ; and that it was for the object of getting certain documents in the Wellington mail is apparent, for none of the Auckland or other mails were touched, neither was money taken from letters even in the mail for Wellington. No doubt this prosecution will have the effect of having more care taken of the mail bags for the future.

These is erery probability that His Excellency the Governor will visit Auckland and the Thames about the middle of next month.

We have heard it said that some spurious coins are in circulation, principally sovereigns and half-sovereigns. It is therefore necessary for our business people to keep a sharp look out.

A meeting of those desirous of taking steps to form a cavalry corps on the Thames was held at the Shortland Hotel last evening. There was a good attendance, and Mr Strange (one of the conveners) was voted to the chair. He read a telegram from the Mayor (who was in Auckland) apologising for his absence, and said he would like to hear the views of some of the gentlemen present. Mr Alex. Hume proposed the forming of a committee to make enquiries as to probable cost, etc., of a cavalry company. This was seconded by Mr Brassey, and the following gentlemen were appointed:— Messrs McCullough, P. Perry, Spencer, Brassey, Strange, May, Flett, Otway, Hyman, Williams, Hume, Wade, and Adcock. The names of about twenty gentlemen intending to join the company were then taken down, after which the meeting adjourned.

Some idea of the scarcity of sawn timber on the Thames at present may be gained .from the fact that our timber merchants, not being able to obtain any from the local sawmills, have to Export it from a distance. Yesterday Messrs Lamb Bros, received a shipment of 27,000 feet of timber from Mercury Bay. There is a large quantity of junk timber lying cut in the bush, and for miles up the Kauaeranga creek' large logs are to be seen scattered here and there along the stony beds only waiting a good fresh to bring them down to the booms. The mill hands, who have been a long time out of employment, have certainly no reason to bless the fine weather we are enjoying.

The Committee appointed to collect all necessary information re the formation of a cavalry company on the Thames, and obtain the names of members wishing to join the proposed company met last night. Mr Spencer was elected Chairman and Treasurer. Mr Hume, secretary, was instructed to advertise that the names of parties wishing to join would be taken at his office during the week.

The residents of Hikutaia will be pleased to hear that Mr Porter, chairman of the school committee, received to-day a telegram from the Central Board stating that a teacher had been appointed for the school in that place, supplying a want long felt by the rising generation.

By advertisement it will be seen tenders are called for the erection of the Ol§ Men's Eefuge in Baillie Street.

Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr Sheehan, accompanied by the Mayors of Auckland and the Thamen, Mr Errington, C.E., Mr Moss, M.H.E., Mr George, M.H.E., Mr Lewis, Under-Secretary Native Department, and a number of other gentlemen visited the Western springs yesterday afternoon. Sir George Grey expressed himself highly pleased with the admirable arrangements for the supply of water for the city, and complimented Mr Krrington, who explained the working of the pumping machinery, upon tbe excellence of his work. The party afterwards visited the abattoirs.