THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3406, 21 November 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1879.

The programme of races for the Thames Annual Meeting to bo held at Parawai Gardens on the 26th and 27th December is now published. Thn bill of fare is very promising, and money larger than sercrai of our previous meetings. The first days' Bport will comprize the Thames Plate of •SOsovs, a Hurdle Eace of ISsova and three other events of smaller amounts. On the second day, the principal events will bo the Publicans Purse of SOsovs, a Hurdle Bace for 15sovs, and a Trotting race together with a Maori Horse Race, and a Consolation Handicap. In the list of conditions we notice that Auckland Eacing Club Eules will be adhered to. TJie date of nomination for -the more important races has been fixed for December 19th, and weights for the first day will be declared on the 22nd ultimo. Mr H.Kenrick, our respected H.M., has kindly consented to officiate as judge, and the handicapping and starting could not be left in better hands than those of Mr S. Young, while with Mr J. C. Williams as clerk of the scales, and Mr Wei is as clerk of the course everything should be conducted in a most efficient manner. We hear that two or three Auckland horse owners intend to send down their racers, and the sports of Coromtindel, Taurauga and ELalikati will also bring their horses to the scratch. Mr Hoskina has procured a nice looking pieco of horse flesh, aud so with the local hacki there should be no dearth of entries. We have every confidence that the meeting will be a great success. The race course is in excellent order, and we learn that Mr Spencer is building a permanent grand stand, the committee subscribing a sum towards its cost, and having all the privileges for this y«ar. The rival cricket clubs meet to-morrow afternoon at Parawai gardens to try conclusions in another match. Play will commence sharp at 2 p.m., and players are requested to be on the ground punctually. Mr Connell's 'bus will leave the Bank corner at 1.20 p.m. with the Thames team. Thames team: —Steedman, Burgess, Lawless, Spencer, Murphy, Egginton, Bull, Crump, Munro, West, and MacLeim; emerj-ency—Hudson. Harrison. Union team:—Hoskins, J. Smith, G. Smith, W. Hunter, G. Clarke, Boxall, J. George, lough, Mills, C. Williams and Harrison.

At a meeting of Volunteer officers, held last evening, it was decided that the monthly inspection of Thames Volunteers for December, will take place on the 15th proximo at o p.m., when some battalion movements will be gone through.

Judging from a local that nppears in tbis morning's Advertiser our contemporary is not altogether pleased with the decision of the Borough Council with reference to the imposition of a charge on the ratepayers for the privileges of taking home books from tho library. We may inform our contemporary that nccolviing to the Public Libraries Act the Council are compelled to charge each person taking books home at least 53 per annum.

The dreary monotony of the proceedings at tho Borough Council meeting last evening was somewhat relieved by a smart saying by Cr McGowan. Some little " high falutin" was indulged in by certain gentlemen on the future prosperity of the placo when the local industries were developed. At this poiut Cr MeGowan said if things went ou as at present much longer they would not be needing paint: they'd all want white-wash. Cr McGowan, after rhapsodically referring to " the place where the gold was born," and- the credit that Mr Plant's pottery would do to McGowan's 3s tea, sat down amongst the laughter < f the Council, and the blessings of the reporters, who before had been decidedly sleepy.

The rille match—Scottish team versus a team of outsiders selected by Mr G. Symington—was pommenced this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Betting was slightly in favor of the Scottish team, which is captained by Mr Peter Johnston.

Wp arc compelled to express our surprise at the comments ef ou*% morning contemporary on <ho case Police v. Lambert. The defendant was certainly for tun ato in securing the services of an üble advocate, but we fail to perceive as our contemporary puta ifc, Low the calii " instances the loose manner in which the Militia and Volunteer Office work has beon conducted." We think, however, that the Volunteer iiflgulatioo* require