THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3407, 22 November 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1879.

A Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the Hikutaia disturbance is likely to cause a stoppage of the railway works from the Thames end, but that the work will be proceeded with from the Waikato end. Now, if we are to place any faith in the veracity of tbisinformation, the subject matter is of a nature that will require dealing with at once. It is no use mincing matters; the interests of the Thames district are endangered when the construction of works at tho Thames end is suspended, no matter how much is being done at Hamilton. The people of Auckland are not over-anxious for railway communication between the Thames and Waikato, and when tho lino has been extended from the Waikato to Te Aroha, it can stop at the latter place for all they care. " Native difficulties " may be a first-rate excuse for the Government to impend an unpalatable work, but we say that if all the satires in the North Island were in opposition to its progress, the work must bo pushed ahead. Aye, eren if it sends to "Kingdom come " a few obstructive s»v»ges.

The annual examination for the four prizes offered by the joint school committees of the Thames began this morning in the Waio-Karaka School. Forty-two competitors put in an appearance—l 3 from the Waio Karaka School, 17 from Kauaeranga Boys' School, 3 from Tararu, 6 from Waiotahi Creek, and 4 from the Kauaeranga Girls' School. The examination was conducted under the supervision of Messrs Newell and Horatio Phillips, Gray, and Calhouu. Messrs H. C. Lawlor, Kenshatr, and Newton were present, us representatives of the committees. The History paper was taken in th« morning, and the Geography paper in the afternoon. Arithmetic will occupy next Saturday morning, and the special competition in composition and drawing in the afternoon of that day.

At the E.M. Court this morning a decrepit and shrivelled up old woman, commonly known as " Mother " Timmins, was charged with assaulting Mr H. E. Campbell, solicitor. It appears the old dame has a real or fancied grievance against Mr Campbell, and occasionally shows her resentment by roundly abusing him in the street. Some time ago the old lady was bound over to keep the peace for assaulting Mr Campbell, and for some time this had a quieting effect. Tho other day when Mrs Timmins was slightly "fu"' she assaulted Mr Campbell, and blackguarded him to the best of her ability. In the case at the Court this morning Mr Brassey, who appeared for the defendant, pleaded guilty, and, in extenuation, said bis client was drunk. Mr Campbell gave evidence of the continual annoyance to which he was subjected. His Worship said ho would adjourn the case for three months, binding the defendant to appear, and if her behaviour did not improve in the interval he would inflict a penalty, virtually meaning imprisonment.

At the Ciril Session of the lt.M. Court yesterday, the following cases were heard : —Wilson v. Conroy.- Claim, £1 17s 6d, goods. Judgment for amount claimed, and costs. M. 11. Payne r. Conroy.— Claim, £1, professional services. Judgment for amount claimed and coats. Isaac Johnstono v. llakopa and another. —Claim, £22, for illegal detention of his bullocks, and £3 damages. 'After hearing the evidence, judgment was given for plaintiff for £5 and costs. Phillips and Son r. C. F. Quint.—Claim, £2 19s 6d, good*. Judgment for amount claimed and coats.

Our morning contemporary is of course, quibbling when he, with considerable ingenuity it must be admitted, tries to raako out that the word " contributor," in the last clause of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act, means a ratepayer, thus arguing that all whose library rate amounts to 5i per annum, are not require! by the Act to give an additional contribution. Our contemporary should remember, however, that the library rate is only one penny in the pound, so that a ratepayer must own a property of an annual rateable value of £G0 before he comes within tho Advertiser's interpretation of the meaning of the clause, and it is needless to say that there are very few burgesses rated over that sum. We suppose the Advertiser would have it that if a man's rate comes to 2s 6d, we will say, ho has to pay an additional half-crown before he is entitled to the privileges of the library. What dire confusion would such a system cause 1

We regret to have to publish in another column Messrs CosgraveandCo's announcement of a cheap sale in order to reduce their stock beforo closing this branch. W» hope before closing-up lime arrives business will have revived to such an extent as to warrant them still carrying on.

Mb Edwabds despatched 15 cases of hematite paint—a portion of his order from tho Government—to Napier and Wellington this morning.

The following is the balance sheet of tlio flower show handed to us for publication :—lieceipts: Money taken at doors, £32 9a sd; " Volunteer " shooting, £1 3s 8d ; snle of vegetables, &c, including prizes returned and not allotted, £11 10« lid ; donation, Mr Litchficld, £1; do. Mr McGowan, £1 Is ; do. various gentlemen, £1; commission on silver, 9j.—-Total, £48 14s.—Expenditure: Rent of hall, £2; gas, 15s ; advertising, £8 10s; washing calico, ss; cartage prizes, 2s 6d.— Total, £1112s 6d. Balance to Society, £37 Is 6d.—Totnl, £48 14s.

The following table—extracted from the .Registrar General's fteport on the vital statistics of the undermentioned Boroughs for the month of October —gives the population, number of births and deaths, and. proportion of deaths to the 1000 of population of each borough :—

The following advertisement graces the columns of the New Zealander:—-Matri-monial.—A young lady in the lolly line, and of considerable personal attractions, residing not 100 miles from St. Peter's Church, is anxious to form an attachments with some one of the opposite sex. Would have no objection to one with dark curly hair and tassels on his boots. The advertiser has a charming disposition, and sweet as sugar. Beply to " Nelly," through the columns of this paper.

Estimated Population. Total Births. Total Deaths. I Proportion of Deaths to I 1000 of [population. BOROCGU. Auckland .. Wellington.. Christchurch Dunedin.... Thames .... Napier...... Wanganui .. Nelson .... Sydenliam .. Lyttelton .. Timaru .... Onmaru Hokitika .. Cavcrsham.. Invercargill.. ■ -i 14,163 19,407 14,180 23,201 5,003 5,415 3,(501 0,804 0,510 3,470 3,389 4,927 2,853 3,425 4,045 50 103 48 91 f>s 39 22 22 30 20 28 32 13 4 17 10 22 15 37 9 8 8 7 3 7 7 3 4 2 1-13 1-13 1-06 1-59 1-S0 1-10 0-55 1-18 1-08 0 80 2-07 1-42 3-05 1-17 0-49 T0ta1.... 546 110