THE Evening Star. PUBLISED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3445, 9 January 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1880.

We are glad to learn by the British Board of Trade returns in our calograms to-day, that trade in the old country is beginning to show a slight improvement, the imports of last month showing an increase of nearly one million sterling over the corresponding month of 1878, while the exports also show a considerable improvement. The stagnation in the iron, cotton, and linen trades, together with the agricultural distress through the failure of the crops, has been ;tb.e main causes of inexceptional dulness of trade in the old country during the past year. Let us hope that the year on whose threshold we now stand will treat the people of our fatherland more kindly than its predecessor. Advices by the last mail showed that the invalids cotton and, iron were getting on their legs again, and if a beneficent Providence will smile on the labeurs of the British husbandmen during the comiDg season all visions of the universal distress so frequently predicted will vanish.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last - night Mr Graham and Mr Speight both apoke as to the necessity of some action being taken by the Thames people to get another section of the line let. for formation at the Thames end, and urged in furtherance thereof that the Chairman and one member of each local body should meet at once to take steps to ascertain the intentions of Government on the matter. Crs Graham and Speight were asked and agreed to attend on behalf of the Borough, and Messrs Brodie, Carpenter, Hansen, Osborne, Head, ■ and McGowan were asked to attend on behalf of the County, Harbor, and Parawai Boards. At the time appointed, 3 p.m. this day, only Mr Brodie, Mr Carpenter, Mr Hansen, and Mr Osborne were present, and consequently the meeting lapsed. This is hardly creditable to the members of the Committee who did not attend.

We hear that in a few days F. A. Pul* leine, a gentlemen who has resided in our midst for many years, will leave the district. His departure will be regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and especially by -the Choir of 6t. George's Church, of which he has been a useful member during his residence on the Thames.

A meeting of the friends and supporters of Mr W. Wilkinson, a candidate for a seat in the Borough Council for South Ward, was held at the .Oddfellows' Hall last evening—Mr T. Teale in the chair. . There was a moderate attendance. The candidate briefly explained his views on the principal questions of interest to burgesses of the .W"ard. No questions were asked of the candidate. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Wilkinson for his address, and a similar compliment to the Chairman, brought the proceedings to a close.

We believe it is the intention of Sir George Grey to visit the Thames within the next 10 days to address his constituents, and to speak upon questions affecting the welfare of the Colony. Wm. Errington, Esq., C.E., arrived by the Botomahana this afternoon. This visit, we believe, is in connection with matters connected with some of our principal mines.' Me O'Eobke and Mr Mulgan have gone to Christchurch in order 'to meet their colleagues of the Commission on Higher Education. Dr Wallis, who is also a member, does not intend to go, and says he will resign his place. A deputation of, the company formed for the settlement of the Waimate Plains waited on the Hon. Mr Solleston in Christchureh to ask the, favorable consideration of the Government for their proposals. Mr Eolleston, after listening to the" remarks of Mr Treadwell, and perusing the documents laid before him, said, speaking individually, he thought that the proposals of the company did not I come within the powers of the Government, as granted by the Legislature, and that under the present state of affairs as connected with Native matters, the Government would be unable to entertain them. The Waimate Plains and other '■ blocks of land would be thrown open for j settlement on the deferred payments system when the proper time arrived, but so far as he could see, the present pro- j posal did not come under any law. The j Government were anxious to settle the | land but they were not prepared to hand over large blocks of land like this to a monopoly. He would, however, lay the matter before his colleagues on his return to Wellington, and the deputation would receive a formal answer.

A subsgbiption list on-, behalf of W. Wood and Son, sufferers by the late fire in Pollen Street lies -at our office.

A meeting of William Wilson's friends and supporters was held ot the>Y.M.C. A. rooms last evening, Mr J. Farrell in the chair. There was a very considerable attendance.' A number of names were added to the working committee, and some other business transacted, after which the meeting adjourned.

The sciopticon of the Zulu War was well exhibited last night to a good attendance. The prizes were distributed last night as usual, the silver watch falling to Mr Ladner, the cabinet to Mrs Farquhar, and the tea and coffee service to Capt. Dalton. A midday performance will be given. to-morrow. The leading prizes tonight are a £1 note and a bag of flour.

The Borough Council elected last night Mr McCullough, the present Chairman of the Board, Mr Marshall and Mr Speight, M.H.E., as Governors of the Thames High School, so the Board now consists of the above-named gentlemen, with the Mayor, Dr.Eilgour, Brodie, and Mr Brown. In response to ihe advertisement callingforapplications for the position of head teacher and lady assistant, a large number of persons have applied, so there is every prospect of the Board being able to find a suitable person for the respective positions, and the likelihood of the achool starting is uot so remote as it appeared some time ago.

It was rumoured in Auckland that the accident to the Union Co.'a 8.8. Botoniahana in running on the ro«k , goisg mto Fiteroy Harbour

at the Barrier was ovviug to the advic c given by Mr Allom, whereas the case was the very opposite. Mr Allom who resided for S years on . the island, warned the captain that he was steering direct for a sunken rock, i|ut of course no heed was paid to the advice. Mr Allom pointed out tbe rock upon the chart, subsequently, at tho request of the Captain, who was not attending to the course his boat was taking, or the accident would never have happened. It is unkind now to attempt to cast the blame upon Mr Allom, who was the only one on boafd who was qualified to give good advice, and what was more for the interest of all concerned, gave timely warning of the danger.

An accident happened to-day at Cambridge to Mr Grant, the Lincolnshire "delegate. The Attorney-General was driving a buggy and pair, and lost hold of the reins. Grant jumped down, and while endeavouring to right matters, the wheel of the buggy went over him.

Whilk engaged in the work of raising the steamer Hannah Mokau, at the mouth of the Mokau river, Mr Holmes discovered the bowsprit of H.M.S. Orpheus embedded in the sand. The spar, which measured 34 feet, floated nearly 100 miles down the coast. It was cut, up and used in raising the steamer. One of the pieces will probably be presented to the Auckland Museum;