Untitled

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3466, 3 February 1880, Page 2

Mb Lawiess bas another of his favorite Consultations on the tapin—this time on the Duaedin Cup. Tbe fee is 10s. Intending investors should look in early. That the Government intend to neglect the Thames in the matter of the railway has been surmised for some time It is now pretty evident that such is their intention. We learn that several thousand of the sleepers cut by Mr Ca«ey, and intended for the Thames line have; been ordered to be sent to Wbangarei—in fact, a shipment was being made to day.

Sehious complaints are made by the lessees of the Tararu bush of the fires lighted by gum diggers, many of whom are boys. These latter, without the least forethought, leave fires unextinguished, and Mr Casey has to keep men constantly on the watch. Last year about this time a fire originating from a gum digger* fire burned for three months, destroying several hundred valuable trees. In our advertisement columns appears a notice to the effect that all persons lighting fires in the buih will be prosecuted.

A meeting of the Orphanage Committee was held at the Council Chambers this afternoon. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Mesdames Ehrenfried, Kilgour, McCnllough, Wilkinson, McCaul, Hume, and Messrs Osborne and MeGowan. The^ rules were partly considered, and then referred back to the old committee with Mrs Wilkinson to revise. Business was proceeding when we went to press.

An inquest on the child Aubury, who met his death under circumstances stated in yesterday's issue, was held this atternoon at the Globe Hotel. It was proceeding when we went to press.

An interesting advertisement appears from the Waste Lands Board re land open for selection under the Homestead System, and the conditions required by the Act are attached. One block open is not very far from Grahamstown.

We have received from th,e Superintendents of the Fire Brigades^ report of the proceedings at the recent Fire Brigade conference at Dunedin.

Wj desire to call attention to the announcement in another column that Bachelder's Colossal Pantascope will be open in the Academy of Music this evening.

Dr. Callan has elected to cast in his lot with the Thames people, and notifies that ho may be consulted daily at his residence, Mary street.

Oub telegrams today announce the death of Mr J. S. Macfarlane, late M.H.R. for Waitemata, and one of Auckland's old identities. Mr Macfarlane has been identified with many colonial enterprises for the past 20pr 30 years, and well known as a straightforward and successful man of business. His demise will cause a blank not easily filled up.

We have received from Mr A. R. Falconer, of Port Chalmers, a circular requesting aid for the promotion of a Sailor's Best in that town. The object is a very worthy one, and will no doubt be supported well in Otago. A similar movement has recently been inaugurated in Auckland. ,

The following description of the new Drill Hall at North Shields will make the mouths of New Zealand volunteers water. This Drill Hall stands on an acre of ground in the Allotment Gardens, North Shields, the property of the Duke of Northumberland. The large Drill If all is 104 ft by 60ft, and is covered with a wrought iron roof in one span. The principals rest pn brick buttresses at each end, the walls between tae buttresses being arranged into arched and roomy compartments. The height of the side walla is 13ft, to the ridge in the centre of the building 31ft. For a distance of 12ft on each side of the ridge the roof is' covered with glass; immediately under this sky-light is a series of ventilators, opeped and shut by a lever simultaneously. The various appliances of a gymnasium i> suspended from bearers fixed to the iron principals of the roof. The. staff buildings at the eait end consist of, ou the ground loor, a club-raom for privates. 2sft. by

18ft. to the north of which is the main ntrance Bft. wide, with a cloak-room and clothing store adjoining it, private entrance for officers, with staircrse to first floor, and to the north of these the orderly and armoury, containing racks for 500 stand of arms. A drinking fountain is fixed in the outside of the armoury wall. The building was erected by Messrs Simpson, of Blyth. The hall is capable of seating 900 persons, and if required for public or charitable purposes, the cooking arrangements are such as would enable it to be used for large numbers either for tea or dinner. It is illuminated a night by various gas-liglits.

Weekly state of sick in the Thames Goldfield Hospital, from 25th to 31st January, 1880. — Statistical Nosology : Zymotic Diseases—remained 2, admitted 1, remaining 3 ; Constitutional —remained 2, remaining 2; Local—remained 7, admitted 4, discharged 2, died 1, remaining 8 ; Violent—remained 6, discharged 1, remaining 5. Total—remained 17, admitted 5, discharged 3, died 1, remaining 18. Out patients 102—Mr Aitken, Dispenser, desires us to acknowledge the receipt of a large basket of fruit from Mrs Marshall, and a basket of vegetables from Mr Constaut, for the use of the patients.

J. A. Smith, Esq., a Napier J.P., has given another proof of the genuine kindness that animates him in tbe fulfilment of his many public duties. Mr Smith has instiucted the police to inform him every Saturday evening whether anyone is in the lockup awaiting trial for drunkenness or other minor offence, in which case he will proceed to the Court and dispose of the charge. By so doing, the poor fellow iv trouble is saved from the horrors of solitary confinement from Saturday afternoon till Monday morning ; be is sent to the gaol, where at least he can get food and exercise. When a person is in the lock up he gets nothing to eat except what the police themselves give ont of their own rations. The merciful course adopted by Mr Smith can only be fully appreciated by those who have fallen into the hands of justice. Mr Smith has set a noble example to his fellow Justices of the Peace.

T-£e following information relative to employees may be useful in tbe case of insoivpnt estates. It is clause 6of the " JDebtors' and Creditors' Act Amendment Act," and was passed the 19th of December: —"Any artizan, laborer, or workman may claim out of the debtor's estate any sum of money as a preferential claim in respect of wages due to him, not exceeding two months' wages at current rates to such artizan, laborer, or workman."

A pilgeimage on an extensive scale is now being organized by the leading English Eoman Catholics in London to proceed to Home to assist at the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which is to be celebrated at that place with great pomp and splendour, and at which as many prelates from all parts of the world are to attend as can couviently do so.

Says the Free Lance:—A: v larrikin mosquito, buzzing about the wharf on Monday last, alighted on the nose of a Customhouse officer, and tumbled off stone-dead. The rerdict was, " Died from delirium tremens." This fatal ac« cident will, it is feared, seriously affect the shares in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company.

■Mb T. WV Davis has reported to the Auckland Waste Lands Board having discovered gold in the neighborhood of the Wai pa River, but did not indicate the locality for obvious reasons. It was agreed by the Board to request the applicant to specify the locality, , and the Board would withdraw it from sale.— Waikato Times.