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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3380, 22 October 1879, Page 2

A Sttmmaby of Home news by the mail will be found in our first and fourth pages.

The Moanatairi Pumping Association's Pump WBS stopped for a short time today, it being necessary to move the plunger in the small lift.

Orders for Thames hematite continue to how in on the manufacturer, Mr Edwards, and advices from Auckland state that it is advancing in public favor, all the principal hard goods merchants in that city having ordered a supply.

Thebe was a clean sheet at the R.M> Court to-day.

New Zealand is advancing steadily in the march of civilisation. A contemporary asserts "that Mr P. K. McCaughan'fi expenses when contesting the Riverton seat must have been at least £2000." " Paddy " McOaughan secured 259 votes, so that if the figure of our contemporary is correct, each vote cost slightly under £8. Electioneering is becoming an expensive luxury.

Fkom a Parliamentary return just to Land we learn that the roll of the Thames Electoral district is the largest in the colony, containing as it does 4446 names. Christchurch comes next with 4212, and Dunedin third 3862. The smallest roll in the colony is that of Nelson suburbs containing but 352 names. The largest number of rotes polled by one man during the recent election was 1315— obtained by Sir George Grey at Christchurch, and the lowest number that elected a member was 112, Mr Richmond's number at the Nelson suburbs election.

This morning two children, aged sis and four years, were walking along the edge of Shorfcland Quay when by some means they both fell over the side. Fortunately, instead of dropping into the water, both youngsters landed in a flatbottomed dingy which was moored alongside, and were uone the worse for their accident.

Mb McLean stated in the House last night that the negotiations for the £5,000,000 loan were not progressing very favorably. Whether this was only said as a cry to frighten the more timid of our legislators or not, it may be easily guessed that the present circumstances are not at all favorable to the success of such a delicate matter as raising money. \

Means are being taken to get some of the Auckland phalanx to desert the Opposition, and we hear from an Auckland friend that some persons there tried to get up a public meeting for the purpose of getting resolutions passed, taking advantage of which, some of the City members might find a loop-hole to join the Government. It is currently rumored that more than one Auckland member is longing for the vacant scat in tho Cabinet, but are afraid by accepting it of bringing a hornet's nest about their ears.

In our Parliamentary will be found Tomoana's speech previous to leaving tho Government Benches. Under the present circumstances, it may be interesting to have the exact words made use of by the hon. member when lie stated his reasons for voting for the present Government. The Star's correspondent gives Tomoana's words, received from the hon. gentleman:—"That he (Tomoana) met Mr Hall at Hall's request, and asked him if the Maori member should hold the same power as Mr Sheehan ? Mr Hall replied, •' Yes." He (Tomoana) then asked, " will you agree that the Maori Minister shall have power to stop all sales and leases ? " Mr Hall replied. "Yes." Tomoana nest asked, " Will you agree that lands taken from Maoris in war shall be restored ? " Mr Hall replied, "Yes." Tomoaua on these terms, agreed to vote with Mr Hall and take the Maori portfolio. Since then Mr Hall in the House denied that such a conversation took place, and although his speech was indifferently translated to Toraoana by Hadfield's son, who was appointed by the Government at the request of their friends as extrd interpreter, Tomoana has since learned the effect of Mr Hall's speech, and is considerably annoyed at tho word of a chief being impugned. It may be mentioned here that Mr Hadfield does not openly translate Tomoana's speeches word for word, but holds conversntiou with him in whispers, and only translates partially. On Saturday Tomoana sent for an interpreter, and explained that he was indignant at his word being impugned and desired to resign his portfolio and make an explanation to the House of bis reasons.

MasßßS Gellion and Co. will hold a cattle sale at the Parawai Sale Yards at 2 o'clock. For particulars sco advertisement.

The Star says :—The Hull Government is jubilant over the present tone of the Auckland journals, hoping that a few votes may bo thereby turned, and they muy gain a mnjority without making any largo concession to tin? whole Provincial District of Auckland. The-general opinion among .Auckland members is that Auckland's demands are premature, and she is in danger of falling between two stools.

About forty boys am in training for telegraph operators at Wellington. The " greased lightning " army now numbers close on 1000 strong, and tully two-thirds of them are mere youths.