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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3536, 26 April 1880, Page 2

The Natal Brigade held their fortnightly match shooting at the range on Saturday last when the third match for Mr Quint's prize, and the first mutch of the aggregate for Lieut. Burton's prize, was fired for. The following are the sirteen highest scores:— Seaman Luckie ... .., ... 54 P.O. Armstrong ... ... ... 53 ' P.O. Thomas, J. ... 52 Lieut. Gordon ... ... ... 51 Seaman Cobb 49 I P.O. Thomas, A. ... 49 P.O. Mitchell 49 Bandsman Hirst ... 49 Seaman Harris ... „, ... 48 P.O.'s Walker and Jarmeson, and Seamen G-oldsworthy, Johns, Paralow, and Coutts, each „, ... '46 Seaman Cartwrigbt ... 45 The ranges were—2oo,4oo and 500 yards; I fire shots at each range. We are informed that there are several prizes yet to be competed for, presented by Messrs Ginn, Cloonan and others. Among these is a ladies' ring, to be competed for by i bachelors only, and should the successful man not be married within six months from his winning it, the ring is to be returned to the Brigade to be again competed for.

The Chairman of the Waiotahi School Committee has informed us that in consequence of the illness of Mr Gr. N. Phillips, the head master of the WaioKaraka School, the Board have sent down, from Auckland, a substitute to take charge of the above school during the temporary absence of the head master on sick leave.

The entertainment at the Academy of Music was witnessed on the floor by a large cumber of people. The skaters, Professor Taylor and Lillie, are as perfect as possible, and their evolutions extremely graceful. Many difficult acts were performed with wonderful dexterity, and apparent ease, the skaters turning in every direction, 3ometimes on one leg, and at others stooping to the floor of the ball, backwards, forwards, on tiptoe, ami waltzing in harmony with the music.

After the first part of the skating, some young men with Ihe permission of Professor Taylor, attempted a few fantastic evolutions, but were decidedly unsuccessful. Professor Taylor next performed with Indian Clubs, which he handled with masterly dexterity. In a later performance, the most difficult perhaps of all, the skaters went through a number.of figures which were exceedingly clever, and met with a hearty round of applause. Lillie's song, ' Skating on (he Ice," was loudly encored. The whole elicited the applause which real merit deserves—the entertainment being graceful, and unequalled by anything of the kind at the Thames. The race on skates was won by Mr Turner of Parawai, the prize being a handsome greenstone pendant. Professor Taylor and his wife leave for Auckland tomorrow morning, their last performance here taking place this evening.

From a special telegram we learn that the Thames Produce Company have got the third prize at Sydney for kauri gum ; the Tamaki Sawmills first for kahikatea timber; Mrs Tizard the first for water colors; for ferns Reg an was commended.

The following is the weekly state of the Thames 4Joldfield Hospital from 18th to 24th April, 1880:—Statistical Nosology : Zymotic Diseases—remained S, admitted 1, remaining 4; Local—remained 5, admitted 2, discharged 2, remaining 5; Violent—remained 5, admitted 1, discharged 1, remaining 5; Total, remained 13, admitted 4, discharged 3, remaining 14. Out patients 78. —T. Aitken, Dispenser.

Te jSTgakau, the King's Prime Minister is now in Auckland, in order to interview Mr Bryce, Native Minister. The hon. Minister will also be interviewed by Mr A. Brodie, and Mr Mcllhone to day. According to present arrangements, he goes to Waikato to-morrow, .and will leave in the Hinemoa for the South on Thursday next. Ho will be invited to visit the Thames. We believe that a meeting of the representatives of the- various companies interested in tho maintenance of pumping operations by the Moanatairi Company will be held in Auckland to-morrow. Mb Bichaed Hudson, will ship fo Auckland tomorrow, 60 cases of his canned peaches to Melbourne and the South, where no doubt this new article of commerce will find a speedy sale. An Auckland showman advertises that he has on exhibition at his menagerie, a beast, half-cat, half-monkey.

A singularly narrow escape from a collision, that in all probability would have resulted most disastrously, between the Black Adder towing inland from London and the Eotorua steaming outward for New Zealand occured on the 13th inst. The vessels met each other at Bradley's Heads, Sydney. The Kotorua at the time was steaming at full speed, and so close to the Head that she came upon the Breadalbane and the Black Adder rather suddenly. A collision appeared imminent, and to avert as much danger as possible, the Eotorua was run between the ship and tug; her bows took tha tow line and parted it, and the violence of the strain tore away the towbridge and fastenings on the Breadalbane. The spars of the two vessels came dangerously close, the Rotorua's scraping past the ship's jibboom and foreyard, and the two vessels went clear. The Black Adder dropped anchor to prevent drifting on to Bradley's Head, and she was afterwards picked up by the Breadalbane and towed into Neutral Bay. The Eotorua went her way uninjured

The following will interest the metu bers of the Thames Fire Brigade :-—" An inveniion has recently been tested at the dock-yard at Devonport, the object of which is to enable a man to enter a burning vessel or building and to remain in the densest smoke. The Mayors of Devonport and Plymouth were present, and the inventor, Mr Jenkins, the boatswain of the yard, explained the apparatus, which is in form somewhat like a diver's helmet, air being supplied to the wearer by means of a bellows and guttapercha tube. A man was enabled to remain fifteen minutes in a large store filled with dense smoke without apparently suffering any inconvenience. Half a dozen of the helmets were ordered for use in the yard."