THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3450, 15 January 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1880.

A meerihg of persons desirous of taking up land in the Upper Thames is called for this evening at the office of this paper. The Hon. Mr Kolleston's telegram will be considered, and atepi will either bs taken to form an association or a limited liability company. The Government show a disposition to assist; colonists to acquire land, as the areas will vary from 10 acres to 320, to suit the circumstances of the occupiers or settlers. Mr Eolleston sajs the terms will be rery favorable, equal to any the Government eoald give under the special settlement clauses of the new Land Act. The reply to Mr McCullough's telegram altogether is a very fair one. aud no doubt will lead to some definite steps being taken in the matter of settling the wa^te lands in the Upper Thames.

It is proposed to give the children of the Waiotahi schools a day's recreation at Tararu Gardens, when the distribution of school prizes will take place. In past years the Tararu tramway carriages were placed at the disposal of the School Committee, but it appears the tramway is not good working order, and that means of transit cannot be made available. There are a great number of very young children who could not walk the distance to Tararu, and who, unless some means are taken will not be able to enjoy the outing. It has been suggested that the owners of vehicles such as spring carts and drays might place a few of them at the disposal of the Committee, for the convenience of the younger children.

Vbby heary rains fell in the Ohinemuri district within the last few days, so that the river at Paeroa was 10 feet above the wharf, and the road to the Puke was impassable. All the low lying lands were deeply covered with water, and large trees coming down the river in the narrow places formed dams and backed the water up higher than otherwise would have happened. Some of the crops were greatly injured, and the damage to the road works is considerable.

An advertisement ia another column announces that the steam circus has arrived, and is now open at the WaioKaraka flat. Last night the circus was exceedingly well patronised by our boys and girls, who apparently enjoyed heartily their ride on the wooden horses.

That wonderful man Pastor Chiniquy may be expected to arrive on the Thames about 5 o'clock to morrow evening. At 7 30 in the evening the pastor will deliver a lecture at the Theatre Royal on the subject "Why I and 25,000 of my fellow-countrymen left the Church of Kome." Before the lecture the Becep tion Committee will present an address of welcome. . On Saturday the Pastor will lecture on " The dangers which threaten England and the Colonies," while on Sunday he will preach two sermons—the when and where to be arranged on his arrival. A small charge is made for admission, the proceeds of which go towards the establishment of a college tor the training of clergymen in Canada.

The Oriental Exhibition wat exceedingly well patronised last night, over 1200 persons having visited it, and the courteous proprietors appeared to be driving a good trade. The proceedings were enlivened by the harp and piano performances of Mr and Mrs Morgan. On Saturday evening, between half-past nine and ten o'clock, a display of of sword* mansbip will be given.

The members of the old Waste Lands Board of Auckland were sworn in to-day as members of the new Board.

Mb McCullough received this morning a note from Sir G, Grey wherein he states, after speaking of other matters, that if not prevented by unforseen circumstances he will visit Auckland on the sth of next month to assist at the opening of the College, after which he hoped to get on to the Thames, as he is very anxious to have the pleasure of teeing his constituents, and is desirous of going fully with them' into many local matters. Nothing but renlly ill-health will keep him away. We are sure Sir G. Grey will receive a hearty welcome, and it will give pleasure to all classes to hear another of his instructive and interesting addresses.

In reference to the Waimate Plains question, the Wellington Post says :— " Pendipg; the report of the Koyal Commission about to be appointed, no steps will be taken which are at all likely to excite opposition or ill felling on the part of even the disaffected natives. All that is to be done in the way of road-making or surveying at present will not be on the "debatable ground" at all, but on land the title to which is unquestioned, and with the full concurrence of the natives themselves. The Government will render their position as strong and favourable as possible by road-making, and by opening the country in all directions where practicable, bnt nothing will be done that it is in any way calculated to provoke the opposition or resentment of the Maorii. All moot questions of title, Government promises, &c, will be left open for the Koyal Commission to pronounce judgement on.

The Star say*: —We are requested to state that the iiotomahana will not make her trip to the Thames on Friday afternoon, as advertised. She has been chartered to convey Pastor Chiniquy and party to the Thames, and will leave Auckland on Friday at 12 noon.

The deputation re the railway to the Hon. Mr Whitaker left by the Botomabans this morning.

Isr a Pastoral, Cardinal Manning appeals for subscriptions to relievo the distress in Irtland in the coming winter, where hunger and want ie expected such as has never been know since 1847.

A loientabie accident has occurred in Auckland by which a man named William Mooney lost liis life by drowning at Home Bay. It appears that he wai in the employ of Mr Maeefield, ai gardener, sad Siring in » imal! cottage on

his grounds. During the northeaster yesterday morning, Mooney attempted to put off iv a dingy to moor one of the boats lying iv the bay, but the d-ngy capsized, and being unable to right her he struck out for the shore. Ou nearing the rocks he called out for assistance. Several,of the residents in the neighbourhood, amonst others Messrs MasefiUld, Carder, and Boulter, seeing his peril endeavoured to launch their boats to proceed to his rescue, but they were swamped, and the effort had to be abandoned. Mr Boulter, jun., succeeded in getting out on the rocks, and threw the unfortunate man a rope, but he was unable to reach it, and to the horror of the spectators* Mooney sank to rise no more. Preparations were at once made to search for the body, and in a short time it was recovered. The deceased is stated to have been a good swimmer. The body was conveyed to the Fonsonby Club Hotel, where an inquest will be held.