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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3529, 17 April 1880, Page 2

We would direct the attention of our readers to the numerous business notices to be found in our advertising columns.

At about 2.30 this afternoon the Grahamstown firebell pealed out the alarm of fire, and speedily tlie streets were full of people hurrying towards Tararu, where the conflagration was supposed to exist. At the corner of Owen and Williamson streets the hind axle of the engine broke giving some of the firemen a nasty fall. Notwithstanding this, they hurried out with the buckets, and on arrival at the spot, found that they had been sold, the fire being only the burning of some rubbish in a garden. It appears that several persons on the Goods Wharf noticed a.large blaze, and gave the alarm. The disgusted expression on the faces of many who had run the whole distance was very amusing.

The Koyal Commission re the Waimate Plains difficulty have issued an interim report, but pressure of space eompells us to hold it over till Monday.

The ship Calypso, which sank off Margate the other day, collided with the General Steam Navigation Company's steamship Hawk. The Hawk proceeded on her voyage, and the extent of the injury she received is therefore unknown. It is stated that her lights were not burning at the time of the collision. The amount of the insurance are variously stated, but the following is considered to be the right estimate :—-Cargils, Gibbs, and Co., per Marine Insurance Company of London, £16,000 ; ditto per policy in London, £10,000; Standard, £3000; National, £2000 ; Colonial, £2000; Globe, £2000; Union, £1745; United, £112; total, £56,357. New Zealand and Australian Land Company, per open policy in Glasgow, about £10,500; Victoria Insurance Company, £5000; South British, £4000. The above insurances are on the cargo alone, the vessel being under* written in English offices.

A meeting of the general committee re the revision of the Electoral roll will be held in the Borough Chambers this evening. The sub-committee appointed at last meeting have been working most energetically, and have succeeded already iv having placed upon the roll, over 250 names. Each volunteer corps has been visited, and the names of all persons not already on the roll have been taken, and will be handed to Mr Allom.

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Mr E. Oliver, left Auckland this morning for the Waikato, where he will stay during to«morrow. On Monday be will proceed from Cambridge to Te Aroha, where he will be met by the Chairman of the County Council and several of the Councillors. On Tuesday he will leave Ohinemuri for the Thames, and will be met at Hikataia by His Worship the Mayor, who will drive him into town.

Since yesterday additional facts connected with the late fearful accident have come to light. It appears that shortly before the accident Messrs 3. W. Walker and P. Nolan were speaking to Syvrett, and were playfully asked to try their hand at sawing. Mr Nolan got on to the fatal log, and Mr Walker was proceeding to seize the lower end of the saw, when he noticed the flimsy transoms, and said " It wasn't good enough," and warned the unfortunate man. Oummings was not present at the time. The contract was for preparing the new, poppet legs for the Caledonian, and some little feeling was displayed by some of the unsuccessful tenderers, who assert that the contract was taken at so low a price that Syvrett could not spend any money to enable him to do the work safely. This argument hardly holds good, however, as there was plenty of strong timber lying about, and the fact of the matter is the unfortunate man me this death through over-confidence in the strength of the timber supports.

The County engineer, Mr Aitken, has laid out the road through the lands lately taken up at Tapu under the Homestead Act. A great deal of work is being done by the selectors, and before the winter months comfortable houses will be provided for several families.

" Whateveb brawls disturb the street there should be peace at home." The necessary apparatus for producing Dr Watt's harmony in the family may be purchased for a moderate outlay at J. Gteiao-'a musical instrument warehouse, Pollen street.

" (Jbeat oaks from little acorns grow." This is no hoax but a reality. C. McLiver'a new smoking and reading room is rapidly approaching completion, and will be ready for his patrons early next week. As the bellman says, " 801 lup be in time and secure your seats." N.B. The Inspector never thinks our establishment is on fire, as the room* are all well ventilated, and the smoke does not come through the fanlight.

G-bahd Display of Ladies' Mantles and Millinebt To-mobeow, direct from Sydney. —Capital value in Blankets, Flannels, Damasks, and Calicoß.—Clothing for Men, Boys, and Youths to own order. New Shapes in Hats, Stiff and Soft Felt,—D. Cxoonan, (late Cosgrave and Co)

Richmond Gem Cigarettes just arrived are unequalled for their purity, delicate aroma, and rare fragrance, as is also Oronoko Curly Cut and Louisiana Perique—Old Judge and Little Darlings. New stock of Meerschaums. Smoking room unequalled.—Lawless and Co., Tobacconists, &c.