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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3375, 16 October 1879, Page 2

Even friends of the Government deprecated the unnecessary gloomy view tiken by the Colonial Treasurer of the financial position of the Colony, pointing out that a telegram was, sure to find its way to England, and tho result might bo disastrous, in the face of the new loan being placed on. the market.

"We have to hand numbers one and two of Hansard of the present session, and find that Mr Speight occupies no less than 20 columns of the publication with his remarks on tho Address in Reply—his maiden speech. Not bad for a young Greyhound! We bear that three Thames gentlemen have drawn horses in the big sweep, in the Molbourno Cup. Even if these are nonstarters they will entitle their holders to about £20.

In reply to a question in the House last evening, the Ron. J; Hall stuted that the "only Volunteers under arms ou actual service were those in tho Thames district, and there was no recoid of the terms under which they wrre employed." Some six or seven weeks ago these men were placed on by tho direction of tho then Native Minister, Mr Sheehau, and since the lime of their entering on their military duties they have been drilling constantly—often as many as three times a day. Most of the volunteers are small settlers, nnd tbeir duties prevent them from going on with their farm work, which at this season of the year will entail great loss on thorn—far more than their remuneration for their services to the country will cover. They have not yet received any pay nor uny intimationjhas renched them concerning it. It is not to bo wondered at that under these circumstnnces the men are becoming somewhat dissatisfied at tho treatment they are receiving at the hands of the authorities. From a squad of raw recruits, the men have become as well drilled and as efficient a company as any in the colony, and .their attention to their duties has been most couimehdnble. We really trust that the authorities will tako steps to remedy the injustice under which these men are laboring.

Through a press of the other matter, we arc compelled to crowd out our report of the proceedings at the Harbour Board meeting last evening.

Whew the fact is remembered that if beaten on Mr Macandrew'a motion, the present Ministry will not again have an opportunity to table a similar motion this session, and also that they will not be able to rote against the Liberal measures before the House even if introduced by tbeir opponents, the pertinacity with which they stick to their seats is easily accounted for.

Some of the remarks made by speakers in the House last night point to the early discontinuance of subsidies to local bodies. A grate lookout for our institutions, which in the past have depended upon the bounty of a paternal Government, and whose present circumstances call for a renewal of the favors already received.

A shobt poem by "Kitty Clover " is in type, but has to be crowded out of this issue.

The first meeting ■ of the Sewing Bee organised by a number of ladies, for the manufacture of clothes for the inmates of the Orphanage took place this afternoon at the Parsonage, Mary street.

An alarm of fire was siven about 5 o'clock this morning, a small house on the beach, near the Marine Family Hotel, Jiad occupied by some natives, taking fire. The Fire Brigades turned out, but before* great damage was /lone the flames were extinguished.

To-morbow is the day upon which the committee is to be appointed to enquire into the petition by Mr Kichardson against the return of Sir George Grey for Christchurch. If the result depends upon tho legal aspect of the question there is little doubt but Sir G. Grey's return for Christchurch will be declared illegal, but under the Constitution Act tho Parliament is the only tribunal for such matters. It is just possible that as a precedent has already been established in a former case, that of Mr Mackay's, that ruling may be accepted in the present case. . Wo do not wish to be understood to say that .the decision will not be a righteous one, but are very much inclined to think that a great deal will depend upon the constitution of the committee. We sympathise with the candidates in the unsatisfactory position they are placed in, but'if a piece of good advice will be accepted we should recommond,"them to advertise, in view of the decision being in the direction of their wishes.

The special meeting of the County Council, notified by advertisement, was held this forenoon for the piirpose of confirming or dealing otherwise with the following resolution, carried at a meeting held on the 4th September last:— •

That Clause 3 of the Bye-law No. 1, made by this Council in report of Slaughter-houses, be amended by leaving but the word " of" after the word " fee," and the words " less than £5 or " aft*r the word "not" ; and that a new Byelaw be ordained as follows :— For each such License there shall be paid by the Licensee to tne County Fund, a fee not exceeding £25, and each such License Bhall remain in . force until the 3lst di»y of December following the dato of such License.

After s little discussion the resolution was adopted. .