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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3533, 22 April 1880, Page 2

"Fbom our Walkato contemporary we learn that the railway is still proving destructive to the cattle of the settlers in the Waikato district. A fine cow was run over the other night between Taupiri and the Point, and completely cut to pieces. It is time that the Legislature took this matter up, and fenoed the railway in a settled district, at any rate. Private individuals running the railway as a company would aot be allowed to sacrifice the property of settlers in this manner, snd there is no reason why the Government should be above and beyond the law.

We are sorry to hear that Mr G. N. Phillips has been advised by his medical man to abstain for some time from his duties and studies, and in consequence the Waio-Earaka school will lose the benefit of bis services for some time to come. The gentleman requires perfect rest to thoroughly recruit his health.

At the inquest yesterday on the fire, the jury added a rider to their verdict expressing the opinion that the water supply was insufficient. As the water supply question has now been satisfactorily settled, it is to be hoped that the Council will commence at once and lay down the large 9-inoh mains. Without they are soon laid to Sbortland we may expect some serious damage, should another fire break out.

Wk regret to say that the numerical strength of the High School has not increased. There are at present only 18 pupils who attend, but no doubt when people are thoroughly alive to the benefits to be desired at the school the number of pupils will be considerably augmented. -

Mb Whtte, M.H.8., for Waikato, has forwarded to Mr Sheehan, M.H.&. for the Thames, in answer to one from Mr Sheehan, published in our columns a short time since :—•'Hamilton, April 16th, 1880,—To John Sheehan, Esq.Dear Sir,—lt was with mingled feelibgs of gratification ltd surprise that I read your letter, dated the 13th -April. I was pleased to find that I had. ihe honour of representing so large and so intelligent a. community as that resident on the west aide of the Thames river, and that I was associated in this with two such able and prominent politicians as Sir George Grey and yourself. I was surprised, however, to hear that the interests of the Thames District had been so much neglecUd, seeing that it had been so long represented by two Cabinet Ministers, one of them the Premier. In fact, I had been along with many under the impression that the

Thames constituency has been rather a pet child of the late Government, and had received even more than its share of politictl sugar plumi. Having, however, been informed by you that such is not the case, I shall, of course, have the greatest pleasure in co-operating with my two honourable colleagues (if I may venture to call them) in endeavouring to procure justice for the Thames in the future, and some recompense for any neglect which it may have suffered in the past. As regards Mr Oliver, I am almost certain that he can ' refuse us Bofhing, knowing full well that we should ask nothing unreasonable.—l am, my dear sir, yours sincerely, J. B. Whyts.

It will be' seen by reference to our telegrams in another column that there are no tidings of the missing ship Knowsley Hall at the Crozets Islands. H.M.S. Cotnus, at the instigation of Sir Julius Vogel and other persons in London interested in the New Zealand and Australian shipping trade, was ordered to call at these outlying islands, on her voyage to China, and make an examination to see if any appearance were found of the wreck of that vessel. It would seem that the Comus had made the examination requested, and found no wreck or castaway seamen. It is probable that the Comus had proceeded to the Cape colony from the Crozets to report the result of investigations, and by these means the news had reached London sooner than would have been possible before the Cape colony was connectsd by telegraph cable from Aden. This was the last hope that remained that sny of the crew or passengers of the ill-fated ship would be found.

Auckland is essentially a musical city, and it is a wonder that the Frso concerts are not better patronised. Madame Camilla Urso is one of the finest violinstes of the day, and her company are individually excellent. It seems strange that the public hare not taken the opportunity of hearing this famous virtuoso, as it will be a long while before they will have another chance. Mr Fenton, vice-president of the Choral Society, has been endeavouring to beat up stragglers by sending round a circular to the members of that society, tp the following effect: — " Ladies and Gentlemen,—Allow me to advise you not to lose an opportunity now presented of hearing a musical performance of a very high order indeed. The Urao Concert Company has been singing and playing in a style that has never been heard in Auckland before, and I think that I am not abusing my position as local chief of the Choral Society in advising you by all means to attend.—Yours very faithfully, F. D, Fenton, V.P." Truly it may be said that Auckland .has been backward in coming to the front of late.