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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3498, 11 March 1880, Page 2

The body of the late Mr Pitkethley was conveyed to the steamer Enterprise this morning for interment in Auckland. A large number of friends followed the hearse, and preceding it were the brethren of the Masonic Order.

By advertisement it will be seen that a meeting is called of volunteer officers, in order to make arrangements for the reception of the Champion and other Thames representatives at Nelson. The officers are' to be commended for their action, but we won Id like to see the invitation to attend extended to the citizens at large. There are many gentlemen not members of volunteer companies who would like to assist in having honor done to the deserving. In fact, his Worship the Mayor would probably take an active part in any demonstration for such a worthy object. The meeting of officers might nominate gentlemen outside their corps upon any Committee, and afterwards obtain their consent to act. The reception should be a citizens' one, not purely a volunteer one. The steps taken are, however in the right direction.

The Naval Brigade will fall in at 7 o'clock to night for the inspection of Colonel Leckie. The Thames Scottish Battalion will also parade for the same object at 8 o'clock. It is confidently hoped that every member will make a point of attending on this occasion, in order to maintain the prestige of the Thames as the first Volunteer district of the Colony. In proportion to the population there are more efficient volunteers on this gold field than in any other town or district.

Colonel Leckie will proceed to Ohinemuri on Saturday in the Vivid to inspect the Ho. 3 Company Thames Scottish Volunteers, that oovps having been warned to parade on the arrival of the boat. Mr Grant will, we are informed, accompany the Inspecting Officer.

Mb Hollesxon will probably come down the Thames river ou Saturday, on his way to Auckland. The visitors to Matainata will probably come down as far as the Wai toa, and cross over by the Piako Company's property lo Hamilton.

; Mb Perry has been experimenting on the.beach opposite the Kuranui battery upon the best methods of raising tailings and gravel, and has erected upon a small scale a contrivance similar to that he intends to construct at the Blue Spur, Otago. It appears the machine has more than realized expectations, and in the opinion of those who witnessed it at work will answer admirably for lifting the Blue Spur tailings. *

We are glad to learn that the Home' stead System has being taken advantage of to some extent by Thames residents. Some fine alluvial land on the Tapu creek was taken up by Mr E, Walker and others. When the great facilities are afforded by the Homestead Act are more generally known, we are su» they will be largely availed of, and feel pleasure at noticing that the Liberal Association will discuss the matter at an \ early date. This discussion should be the means of affording a considerable amount of useful information.

We hare been informed that Captain Miller of the Enterprise waiied last night in Auckland an hour and a half after thearrival of the mail steamer and tried to get the Thames portion of the mail, but: was unsuccessful in his endeavors. The Fosl Office authorities ere certainly very much to blame, for they mast have known that there was no steamer advertised, for the Thames till Saturday after the Enterprise left last night. Mr Alex. Aitken and other gentlemen wlnvarrived by the i Enterprise last night Inform us that three mail bags marked Thames .were lying-on the wharf amongst some hundred bags for other' portions of the colony. There was no Auckland post office official in attendance for at least over an'hour. This gross piece of mismanagement I certainly calls for enquiry, especially as this is not the first time we have been treated in a similar manner.

The following is the concluding portion of the evidence at the inquest yesterday : —Henry Reitmann, sworn, deposed—He was a miner, residing in Mary street, next to Aitken's house. He recollected Sunday morning. His attention was called to Aitkefi's house being afire. Went round to the back of the premises, and looked in at the back window, which was cracked wi th the heat. He looked in and saw the kitchen was all on fire. He then broke into the front of the house and helped to save the furniture. John Townsend, sworn, deposed—He was standing at Rolleston and Mary street corner at about half past six on Sunday morning. His attention was drawn to smoke issuing through the shingles of 'Aitken's residence. He rushed over and tried to break in the door, but could not. No one was about at the time.—W. Deeble and others also deposed to noticing the fire breaking through the roof of the kitchen.—Mrs K. Cumber deposed to seeing a sofa and chairs in Aitken's parlor. It was some time age. It was within 12 months ago. She could not swear to dates.—The jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict to the effect that ° The fire had originated from some cause unknown."

The following handicaps have been declared for the Piako Eaces:—Handicap -.—Harold, 9st 91b j Vengeance, 9st 31b; Orakau, 9st; Destiny, Bst 71b; Mattock, Bst 21b; Emu, Bst. Hurdles : Gladstone, list 21bs ; Harold, lOst 121b; Dick, lOst 41b; Serehader lOst 4lb; Deatiny, lOst 41b; Eclipse lOst 91b.

A betuen compiled at Wellington shows that there are 8,247 volunteers in the colony, and. 1,901 cadets. \

The Australasian's theatrical reporter, referring to, Harding's "Captain Corcoran;" says that he is the best representative of the character that has appeared on the boards of a Melbourne theatre.

A weitee in our Waikato contemporary is hard on E. J. De Lias who it says is going to sell all off, and leave the colony and go to Howick. In spite of his meannesß, (he continues) he has not been able to make the Theatre pay. Seeing that he could not do it, I am sure no one else can, for he is the meanest manager I ever saw, met, or heard about. It ia to be hoped the Theatre will be bought by someone who will conduct it on a liberal principle, when it will pay very well—meanness does not pay.

The New Zealand Presbyterian states that the current month (March) will witness the centenary of the birth of Thoma'a Chalmers, the greatest Scotch* man in the ecclesiastical world whom the nation has produced since the days of the heroes of the Reformation. There have been, Scotchmen, great in Scotland, not a few; but Chalmers is one of those who have been recognised as great over the wide world, and in whom Christendom claims a heritage. A humble pious man, with a heart large as the sand by the sea shore, and with a philosophic grasp of mind for ever reaching up to first principles; a mighty preacher, an enthusiastic academic teacher, an ecclesiastical statesman, wherever he put forth his might bowing under him the minds of men and thrilling their emotions; his is a name that stirs the blood, and loosens the tongue to praises. Let his name be honoured this month,in every pulpit and on every platform. The founders of our colony brought with them his name as an heirloom, and testified it in naming the harbour where they first set foot, Port Chalmers.

A' correspondent .of the Cape Argus says:—l visited Dabulamanzie, halfbrother to Cetewayo, on his visit to Durban. He said their losses, especially at Isandula and Kambula were far greater than was generally known. There are no men left in the country, which is full of women weeping for their husbands. He said there is good news with regard to the gold prospects. The Kaffirs assert that large quantities of gold are to be found on the hill between Steel Point and OHpliant River.

A calculating- pencil, capable of mechanically adding numbers ranging from units up to 1030, has recently been devised and patented ih Germany. From the point or fore end of the pencil a flat bar projects which is graduated from 0 up to 9. "When this is pushed inwards it presses against a coiled spring, and actuates a rack at the other end of the pencil case, so as to make it geaV with one of three small pinions or wheels mounted, in a row, and each having ten teeth. Each pinion has a cylinder connected with it, which can exhibit figures outside the case from 1 to 10. To explain how the pencil is U3cd, let us suppose we wish to add 5 and 8 together. We first push in the flat bar at the point as far as the number 5 upon it. This causes the first wheel to turn round and present the figure 5 on its cylinder. The flat bar is then forced out again by means of the spiral spring, but the first wheel is prevented from moving therewith by the action of a retarding spring. Wo next push in the bar to the figure 8 marked on it, an act which forces the first wheel round 8 teeth more. As it has now been turned round 13 teeth, that is one complete revolution of 10 teeth and 3 over, tho wheel presents the figure 3. Ent it is arranged that every complete revolution of the first wheel will advance the second wheel one tooth, hence the latter presents the figure 1. The 1 and 3 thus indicated by these pinions make up the IS of required aniwer,