THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3431, 20 December 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1879.

The action by certain natives against Messrs'O'Brien and Company before Judge Macdonald was settled out of Court, the defendants acknowledging the legal claim of the native owners to compensation, and compromising the matter for £30 and costs. It appears that under the agreement made and entered into with natives by Mr Mackay at the time the field was opened, only proTision was made for goidmining operations, and as the contractors for the railway works could not say that the face of the Queen of Beauty Hill was being removed in search of gold, of course the action went against them. Notwithstanding the legal position of the case, we cannot but say the action was most uncalled for* and the advisers of the natives to undertake such proceedings, showed neither discretion nor had they the future of the field at,,he~art by stirring up such questions. "Wjhy the effect bf this -action will be that the natives " will demand compensation from every person who, for any other than goldmining, disturbs the surface of the earth, such as in quarrying for * stone, prospecting for coal, silver, lead, antimony, copper, or the hundred and one other minerals known to exist in this peninsula. Such a position, if taken up by the natives, will hare the effect of stulfying all enterprise in such directions, and must prevent progress except in the goldmiuing pursuit. It certainly should satisfy the lords of the soil and their pakeha friends that the whole income from mining, timber, and other licenses, with the Miners' Eights go ;into their pockets without levying further black mail on the unfortunate residents of this gold field, in the shape of claims for compensation, when any other than goldmining operations are undertaken.

In the Academy of Music on Monday evening tbe presentation of the Thames School Committee's annual prizes will take place. During the evening addresses will be given by several gentlemen, and the certificates granted by Mr Grigg for proficiency in music tail! also be handed to the children who have passed their examination satisfactorily.

A bepokt of the circumstances under which Mr G-. N. Brassey called together the members of the Hauraki i* hgineers, not being an authorised person for doing so, has been forwarded to the Government. It appears that the Hoyal Arms were placed over the advertisement calling the men together, which, in the opinion of our local military authorities is is. misdemeanour in the first degree. J

The Home correspondent of the Auckland Star says :—" Colonel Trimble, of Taranaki, has written a long letter to the Liverpool.. Daily Posti in which be describes at length the recent Maori troubles. 'The epistle is not calculated to inspire intending emigrants with confidence, and will do the colony more harm than good."

Mb Morgan advertises that his display of toys, fancy goods, and other articles suitable for Christmas presents, is really wonderful, and that the same are offered at cheaper prices than any other house on the Thames. -

At the R.ftL Court to-day, before H. Kenrick Esq., 8.M., Robert Stackpole was fined ss, and costs 7s, for allowing the chimney of his house to take fire.

A Chbistmas tree for the benefit of the Sunday School in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church will be held on Monday evening next at the Volunteer Hall, Shortland. Selections of Music will be given during the evening, and all the articles not disposed of by ticket will be sold by auction. Admission is only one shilling for adults and half that sum for children.

Mb Thomas Hawkin's will preach at the Good Templar Hall to-morrow evening.

In our advertising columns, Major Murray gives members of the Thames Scottish Battalion a holiday until Saturday January 24th.

•The bakers are preparing for Christmas, and notify that good cakes arc to be bad at very reasonable prices, see Messrs Douglas and Cos. adrertisement, and that lengthy one from Mr Forgie in another column.

The subject of the Rev. S. J. Neill's lecture at the Presbyterian church to-morrow evening, appears in our adrertisement columns.

The annual meeting'of Comt Pride of Parnell Ancient Order of Foresters was held at the Foresters' Hall, Owen street, on Thursday evening last. The Court was opened in usual form, the Chief Hanger, Bro. James W. Anderson, presiding. After the usual routine busiuess had been disposed of, the following were sleeted officers for the ensuing term. — Chief Ranger, Edwin Bennett; SubChief Ranger, James Duggan; Senior Woodward, W. G. Watson; Junior Woodward, H. Reitman ; Senior Beadle, Joseph Paul; Junior Beadle, Hugh Hill; Assistant Secretary, George Wilson, P. C.R.; Surgeons, Drs Payne, Rowbottom, and Huxtable. The retiring Chief Ranger, assisted by Past Chief Rangers Heron and Coombes, "installed the Chief Ranger elect, who then took charge of the Court and thanked the members for the confidence placed in him. The next duty, the installation of the subordinate officers having taken place, it was unanimously resolved to pregeujfc the retiring Chief Ranger with a Past Chief Ranger's certificate (to be framed) and a neck ribbon, also that his name bo placed on the merit board. After gome further business with reference to the celebration of the anniversary, the Court was closed in the usual form.

We wish to draw the. attention of our readers to the advertisements of our local tradesmen. Our friends, the grocers— Messrs .McGowan, Mears and Co., Hansen, Adlam, McKpbcrts, and Veale—nre offering the materials for our Christmas cakes and plum puddings, and the botchers the roast beef.—James McGowan, of three shillings tea celebrity, notifies that, notwithstanding the new tariff, in order that his customers may enjoy their Christmas dinners with the orthodox plum pudding, he has not increased the prices of currants, raisins, &c, in his establishment! Competition in the matter of tea, at three shillings, he delights in.—Mears and Co. invite purchasers for Christmas fruits and all other good things required to make a merry time of it during this season. In the article of tea they challenge competition, and are prepared to supply a good article—from two shillings per pound, to three and sixpence.—Mr Hansen directs attention to the black-mail levied by the present Government, in. the shape of increased taxation on the necessaries of life; but still shows he can sell his goods at reasonable prices, and tea especially—at prices from ono shilling and ninepence per pound to four shillings for the" very best.-—Mr Veale" offers to sell wholesale (for cash) at greatly reduced rales. Our friends should not want for Christmas cheer.— Megsrs Neal, Bobbetfc, and Walsh can supply them with, the more substantial requirements for their Christmas dinners.

We are glad to notice that Master James Christie, who was educated at the itauaeranga Boys' School under Mr Gk Newell Phillips, and won a scholarship last year, has taken the first prize in mathematics in his class, at the Auckland College and Grammar School. He was also third for Latin and Enulish. Master it. li. Skeen, another old Thames'schoolboy, is dux of the College, and his brother Wilson, is honorably mentioned for English and mathematics. ,

Babsains negotiated daily from 2 to 6 p.m. in" iron bedsteads, door mats <fee, to effect a speedy clearance. A large.stock of pianos and harmoniums.now on sale, for 'cash or monthly payments. 'J. Gbiog. Pollen street.—[Adrt.]