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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3237, 4 July 1879, Page 2

We were in error in stating that the Hcense for the Hape Creek Hotel had not been renewed.

The Otago Daily Times, in which the late Attorney-General, Mr Stout, is a shareholder, appears to have changed its independent attitude into one of extreme hostility towards the Premier.

Mb Bbtce, M.H.8., addressed his constituents last night and received a rote of confidence. His speech was a general and particular condemnation of the Ministry. All he could say in their favour was that they had vigorously pro* secuted public works, this district being an example thereof, and they refrained from an, endeavour to restore Provincialism. He reviewed their policy under four heads—retrenchment, electoral reform, change in the 'incidence of taxation, and native affairs; and condemned in unmeasured terms their conduct respecting every one of them. He thought the financial prospects of the country very gloomy. He deplored the fact that the depression had set in before the loan expenditure had ceased. Speaking of the late Cabinet rupture, he defended Mr Ballance, saying that under the circumstances resignation was the only course open to him. t

We have often heard it said that few people read' the newspaper reports of proceedings at meetings of local bodies, and never till this morning did we think that small boys were interested in what Cr Brassey said about this or Cr Speight about that. We know two small boys who read about the goat bye-law in this morning's paper. These two boys were, seen dragging a goat they had caught in the street off to the pound, and when asked why they were doing so, said that they saw in the paper they would get sixpence for every goat they took to the pound. .':

A confeeence of the members of the Borough and County Councils will be held this afteroon to discuss the question of giving a portion, of the gold duty to the Pumping Association. The Auckland representatives are expected to meet the Councils at 5 o'clock.

By advertisement in another column we notice that 115 cases of OilniMfs stores are now landing at Mears and Cos.' establishment in Pollen street. This seems a pretty tall shipment for a Thames man.

Thkbe is on exhibition at the shop of Mr J. Finlay, Williamson street, a handsome gold watch, purchased by the Naval Brigade for presentation to a most deserving member of the corps—Lieut. Lawless. The watch bears an inscription letting forth that it is intended as a mark of the esteem with which Lieut. Lawless is held by the Brigade. For a long time Mr Lawless performed the arduous duties of Secretary and Paymaster to the corps, and we are sure he will prize the gift highly, hot only on account of its intrinsic value, but from the knowledge that the members of the corps are appreciative of his exertions for their welfare.

H.M.S. Wolvebine has returned from a cruise in the South Pacific, where she avenged the murder of Ingham's party at Brooker Island, and also other minor outrages, and burnt villages and destroyed plantations.

Mits Habjdinge-Bbitten, the spiritualistic medium, has at least given the Dunedinites food for thought and discussion, even if she has not made many converts. Eecently she delivered a lecture on "Satan, or the King and Kingdom of Evil," in which she sought to prove that Satan was a mythical personage, and notwithstanding that the " myriad-minded '' Shakespeare has recorded his belief that the Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. A Mr Green, following in Mrs Britten's footsteps, is delivering a series .of lectures on " Spiritualism Unveiled/ In one of these discourses the lecturer quoted from several books written by Spiritualists, .showing how they contradicted one another in reference to the reincarnation or transmigration of souls.. While some American and French Spiritualists belieVed in this doctrine, Mrs Hardinge-Britten was utterly opposed to it. He touched on the dangers of spirit-mediumship through being hurtful to individuality, power and self-con-trol, as well as being an incentive to the commission of crimes. " Civis," in the Otago Witness, gives the following as a specimen of the fanaticism which has taken possession of some of the disciples of Spiritualism in Dunedin':—"'Mr J. Jackson, Dunedin,' reports to the Stir a list of miracles done in his house, which makes us doubt which century we are living in. Prophecies are uttered, and, more marvellous —•fulfilled; a heavenly light attends J. J. and his friends whenever ill-luck compels them to perambulate a back street at night. The orations of Dt Copland and Mr Bright are simultaneously reported at the very time of their delivery in another part of the town; the sick are healed and, in short, all the prodigies recorded in the Acts of the Apostles or the Ada Sanctorum are done or out-done, excepting* the raising of the dead and the casting out of devils. A clergyman recently paying a visit of condolence to a newly-made widow, happened to inquire what doctor attended the deceased, ' He didn't have a doctor,' was the reply, ' the circle prescribed for him /' The poor fellow, getting worse under the treatment directed by the ' communications,' was at the last conveyed to the hospital, and here incontinently died. The 'Peculiar People,' who ' heal the sick' by anointing with oil, have been required to answer for occasional failures of this sort in a trial for man-slaughter."—-Herald.

Prdvident Minister. —" I wish to state that I have procured an alarm clock that will wake up the congregation as soon ai the services are over."