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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3559, 24 May 1880, Page 2

The first rays of the aerial Monarch which tipped the headlands this morning with kaleidescopic tints, ushered in the 61st birthday of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. The reigning monarch of the British dominions, it will be recollected, was born on the 24th of May, 1819, and ascended the throne, on the death of her uncle, William IV, on June 20th, 1837, as Victoria I. She was married in 1840 to the Prince Consort, by whom she has numerous issue. Her Majesty is the pattern of a woman in all relations of life, as a queen, a daughter, as a wife, and as a mother. Her Majesty's intense sorrow for the irreparable loss of her husband, has in a great degree disqualified her from appearing in public and at Court ceremonials, and has imposed on her the habits of a life of comparative seclusion, but it has not been allowed by her to interfere with the performance of her important duties as a sovereign. Her reign has on the whole been a peaceful one, and her subjects have lived in prosperity and good fellowship. The two detachments of the Naval Brigade fired a salute at twelve o'clock, and they afterwards adjourned at the invitation of the Captain to the Pacific, where they honored the toast appropriate for the day. It is to be regretted that none of the bands turned out, as the Thames people are known to be loyal subjects, and it is a pity that a brass band was not available to do honour to the day. with the patriotic strains of the National Anthem. The officer commanding could not have known what he was about, or he would not have permitted this stain to spoil the fair, escutcheon of the Thames portion of Her Majesty's subjects. We cannot better conclude this than by uttering the wish^that is in the mouth of all Englishmen ;ta«day—" God Save the Queen." To their credit, be it known, thai; the directors of the Alburnia Company continue to keep the name of Moses tensor— who lost his sight some time ago while working in the mine—on the pay-sheet. The generous assistance given by the Alburnia company might well be imitated by other mines in cases of accident to their employees. ■•. :

The entertainment given by Mr P. Doran's Variety Troupe at tho Academy of Music on Saturday evening was* fairly patronised, and went off most successfully. The motto and comic songs of the old favourite—Mr Bob Love—were vociferously applauded, while the songs and dances of the Infant Wonders were provocative of much amusement. The gymnastic portion of the programme was clever, several new feats being introduced. The "burnt cork" business of Messrs Mettam and Doran was very amusing, the grotesque antics of the latter in the farce being particularly so; nor must we forget to mention the success of Mr Tom Williams, whose comic songs elicited loud plaudits. This evening a burlesque of " Pinafore" will be given., a piece most favorably criticised by the Auckland Press.

The Education Board has been distributing the grant made to the public libraries in this province. The. Thames Public Library will receive £92 3s 9.

As will be seen by reference to our advertisement columns, the proprietors of the Whau Whau coal mine, Whangarei, are now in a position to supply coal in any quantity. The lessees, Messrs Love and Dunsmuir, have gone to great expense in opening up the mine, having completed a low level which gives them an almost inexhaustible supply of superior coal. In view of the scarcity of this article on the Thames, and the large demands on the resources of the Bay of Islands mines, it might be advantageous if some of our mining companies would give the Whau Whau coal a trial. The quality is highly spoken of, and as it can be mined cheaply, its price is less than other coals in the market. Full particulars can be obtained from the agent, Mr Walter Sloane of Auckland.

On a. requisition from Councillors McGowan, Mennio and Wilson, a special meeting has been convened'by the Mayor, for to morrow morning at 10.30, for tho purpose of considering the financial position of the Borough.

The following are the railway returns for the North Island for the four weeks ending the 31st March :—Receipts : Kaipara section, £4,96 13s 2d ; Auckland do., £5078 13s 6d; Napier do., £1822 5s 2d; Wellington do., £1692 1213 d ; Wanganui do., £2559 2s 2d : New* Plymouth do., £863 12s 9d. Total, £12,511 17s 3d.

Thb Rev. S. J. Neill delivered an excellent lecture last night on "Miracles —Natural and Supernatural," in the Presbyterian Church. Before commencing his subject he remarked that his congregation were not children, but that th*y all had a certain knowledge of the subject on which* he was about to dilate. He should therefore not put any opinions of his own with regard to miracles so that the minds of his hearers would not be biassed in any way by him. He would put before them the opinions of those philosophers who had devoted time to the subject, and they would be then able to judge of the possibility of miracles. The word miracle was derived from the Latin miraculum, and literally meant something wondnrful, or something which was an exceedingly peculiar characteristic of nature. With regard to the exact definition of what a miracle was, no two philosophers had. agreed. Some were of opinion that miracles were an utter impossibility, while others held altogether opposite views on the question. Men of science toid us that a miracle was a direct violation of the laws of nature, or would be a temporary suspension of the exercise of her functions. The meaning " wonderful" is the governing idea in tbe term applied in the New Testament to the Christian miracles, teras, a marvel, a portent; besides which we also find them designated dunameis, powers with a reference to the power residing in the miracle-worker; and semeia signs, with a reference to the character or pretensions of which they were assumed to be the witnesses or guarantees. Under these different names the one fact recognised is a deed done by man, and acknowledged by the common judgment of men to exceed man's ordinary powers ; in ether words a deed, supernatural, above or beyond the common powers of nature, as these are understood by man. Hume argues that a violation or suspension of the natural law is impossible and incredible. The lecturer quoted the opinions of Dr Smith (the author of so many scholastic works), Drs Mosely, Maunsell, and Trench (Archbishop of Dublin), Thomas Carlyle, the Duke of Argyle, Drs Draper and Hodge, and the philosopher Locke on the subject. With regard to the gospel miracles they are supposed by themselves to be of an obviously divine character. They were all good works, such as healing the sick, and were all beneficial in effect on mankind. The miracles spoken of in the old testament on the contrary could not be looked upon as being by Divine agency. The Egyptians changing their wands into serpents could not be said to be imbued with Divine power, as that power would not be invested in unbelievers. Mr Neill concluded an eloquent lecture by expressing a hope that the evidence he had adduced would be carefully considered by the congregation.

The Rev. Vicesimus Lush delivered an impressive sermon yesterday morning in St. George's Church, on the necessity of kneeling to prayer. This was in consequence of some of his congregation being under the impressuto that they could as fully worship God sitting as kneeling.

We hear a great dial about men being unemployed, but a circumstance has recently come to our knowledge, which leads us to doubt that the scarcity of employment in this district is mythical. Tt nders were recently called for by the Columbia and New North Devon Companies for works probably worth a total of £800, and in response thereto, only two parties applied for each of the two contracts. This fact goes to' show that the class of men out of work are those who prefer to work for daily wages, rattier than go in for a contract where their rate of remuneration would be measured by the amount of work they executed.

Me J. B. Fisher addressed his constituents at Westport on Friday evening. He thought the Property Tax would be repealed next session. He would support as a substitute a beer tax, and an increase of the land tax to Id. He gave credit to Ministers for being good business men, and the sort required in the present condition of the colony. He could not say what he would do next session, but he would always be found with the Liberals. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

We regret to learn that Mr J. E. Coney, Chief Postmaster of the Thames, has been suffering from a severe attack of rheumatics. We hear that Mr Coney has sufficiently recovered to pursue his ordinary business avocations, and that he resumed,his duties on Saturday last.

A concbbt will be held this evening in the Good Templar Hall, Rolleston street The programme includes vocal and instrumental pieces. The "entertainment will commence at 7.30 sharp.

The following table—extracted from the Registrar General's Report on the vital statistics of the undermentioned Boroughs for the month of April — gives the population, number of births and deaths, and proportion of deaths to the 1000 of population of each borough :-—

—The total births in the above boroughs amounted to 510, against 588 in March, being an increase' of 21. The deaths amounted to 179 in April—a decrease of 36 on the number in February. Of the above deaths the males contributed 94; females, 85. Ninety of the deaths were under 5 years of age—being 50*28 per cent, of the whole number. Sixty-seven of these were of children under one year of age. _^

above boroughs

We have no desire to make invidious distinctions, but simply state, the fact that the loaf now being manufactured at the establishment of Mr R. T. Douglas (late Douglas and Co.), is of a very superior description. Biecuits of every variety, also cake &c, &c , of a really Al class.

Thb ancient Egyptians did not use tobacco, and mark, the ancient Egyptians are all dead. Excelsior Cigarettes, just Imported direct from W. S. Kimball and Co. Vanity Fair, Old Judge, and Richmond G-jqis Cigarettes, all^ superior to 3s Tea. ..Best-brands of Tobacco. Smokiug-Room unequalled in the Colony.— Lawless and Co., Tobacconists, &o.

We would draw attention to Mr J. S. Hart's advertisement re his stock of guns and sportmen's appliances, which has been specially selected. There is a great variety to pick from, and sporting men would do well to call at Mr Hart's establishment, Central Pollen street, before making purchases.

. The unrivalled success of 0. MoLivee's Smokiiag-rooma are quite apparent through the crowded state of his rooms nightly, enjoying and amusing themselves at Draughts, Dominoes, Cribbage, etc. The energy and perseverance of 0. MoL. in securing good brands of Tobacco and Cigars for the district is raoeting with its juat reward. N.B.— Great variety of Meerschaum, Briar, and Cherry woodPipes.—C. MoLITEB, Tobacconist.

Estimated Population. Total Births. Total Deaths. Proportion of Deaths to 1000 of population. Borou&ii. Auckland .. Wellington.. Christchurch Dunedin,... Thames .... Napier...... Wangunui .. Nelson .... Sydenham .. Lyfctelton .. Timaru .... Oaraaru .... Hokitika- .. Caversham.. Invercargill.. T0ta1.... 15,022 21,652 14,150 23,959 5,814 5,415 4,163 6,804 7,796 3,053 3,791 5,008 2,668 3,786 4,283 57 81 ' 76 20 13 33 39 0-87 1-53 1-63 1-03 19 21 42 22 15 24 S. 16 21 13 11 10 I . -8 1 . 5 6 8 2 3-12 1-62 V2B '219 0-27 0-98 2-25 3-11 0-67 510 179