THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3603, 14 July 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1880.

Thsbb were two cases of drunkenness tried before James Skene, Esq., J.P. One of the men| George Smith, a notorious character, was fined 10s, or in default 48 hours' imprisonment. The other was-' discharged -with, a caution.

Wb desire to draw attention to Prater Brothers new advertisement which appears in another column. . Some first class properties are offered to the publ c, and an excellent chance offers for investment.

We would remind our readers of the meeting to-night in the Hauraki Club Boom, the object of which is to see what steps should be taken in reference to the petition for the removal of the UM. now at Wellington.

We would call the attention of the authorities to the fact' that the drain in Coehrane street where the culvert; crosses the Beach road, requires a grating in order to make it hot dangerous for children. It would be an easy matter for a child to fall in, who would be swept away by the current, which is very strong at this point.

We regret to learn that Mr Gold water sustained a fracture of tbe wrist while indulging last evening in the pleasures of the rink. We trust that Mr G-oldwater wi'l be soon convalescent. .

There is no fresh newi of any consequence from Waimate Plains and Parihaka. The weather continues to impede operations, but steady progress is being made whenever the weather permits, but with road making and the surrey of the plains for settlement. It is reported that directly the sale of the Plans is attempted, legal action will be taken to stay proceedings until the title is satisfactorily proved, and the vailidity of the confiscation definitely established in a Court of law. It is stated that Eewi has offered to take charge of the Maori prisoners, and become responsible for their safe custody if Government wiil transfer their care to him, but, from what I can learn there is not the remotest chance of this kind offer being accepted. Obviously it would be a mere farce, as such guarantee would not be worth anything.—Herald,

The Herald says:—The alterations and improvement* to the North Shore Ferry Company's p.a. Te Aroha are alino.4 completed and the vessel will proceed to the Thames to resume running between that port and Paeroa about a week hence. The good folk of Ohinemuri may congratulate themselves upon the prospect of the service during next summer being more efficient in every respect than it has been hitherto. The steamer has been supplied with new machinery, m. new boiler, new paddles, and paddle shaft, and an Adams' patent spring safety valve. She has also been painted a-fresh, and re-upholstered. The engine is about 22h.p., arid was made by Messrs Marshall and Sons, of Gainsborough. As the engine superseded was only 14h.p., a very materiul increase of; speed may be expected; indeed, ten miles an hour is anticipated. It is thought that under favorable circumstances the trip to Paeroa will not occupy more than three hours. With the object of trimming tue boat .better, the machinery has been shifted to- a slightly different position, but the space occupied is the same as formerly. The space in the main saloon ha» been contracted romewhat; but its loss has been a corresponding gain to tbe foresaloon. Two fore and aft girder beams passing along the vessel tend to strengthen her considerably. The Te.Aroba should now prove as comfortable nqd fast a steamer as could possibly be expected for the present traffic.

THE result of Ihe third trial in the Wha.igaroi shooting case has been that Mr James William Smith haß been discharged. This has been one of the most singular cases heard for some time, .and the discharge of the prisoner would lead to Ihe belief that the , -jury did not believe the whole eridence of Washer nnd his wife. The prisoner at the last trial made a long statement in defence. He said, in effeot, that the shot which struck Washer was fired by the wife, not inside the house, but on the verandah. —His Honor, in summing up, told the jury that there were only two views of the case which could possibly present, themselves. One. was that contended for by the prisoner, that the wife fired the pisfco!; the other was that the prisoner fired it. It was clear, beyond all doubt, that the bullet was put where it was found by the fire of the pistol. The ju<-y wre the sole judges of matters of fact and the credibility of witnesses. His Honor then read over the evidence. — The jury retired to consider their verdiot. At half-past three o'clock the^ came into Court with a verdict of " Not guilty."—The prisoner was discharged from custody.

The Tablet says :—" The godless education system which has caused the deficit in bur finances, and is the source of all our troubles, miist not be even named in the discussion of "on" present unfortunate position.

Gbeat dissatisfaction exists amongst the railway employees at Christchureh at the intended reduction in wages. A petition has been adopted praying the House of Assembly to reconsider the matter for the following reasons:—That none of the petitioners are receiving more than a fair remuneration, while in a number of cases the wages are below the standard ; that in no cases are the wages higher than in other colonies, but in many instances far less ; that the cost ofliving is higher than in ether colonies ; and if the reduction is persisted in maay will be compelled to go to the neighbouring colonies; that railway employees' wages, which vary in different parts of the colony, be investigated, and one uniform rate be adopted.

A Tb Awamutu telegram says:—"Rewi lies in a precarious condition at Puniu. The paralysis has again attacked him in hia arms, and he is lying helpless."

An inquest was commenced at Kumara yesterday afternoon on the body of Dennis Phelan. The Inspector of Works, in Mb evidence said .- "I wish to state that at all times the contractor has taken great interest and done all in his power to carry out the work safely, and in accordance with the specifications." The inquest was adjourned last night until after the funeral of Cummings and Dennia Phelan. When it recommences on Friday, a large number of witnesses' evidence will be taken. It is very probable the body of John Phelan would be got out of the tunnel last night, although the ground is constantly running, and frightfully dangerous to the recovery party.

EabliY on Monday morning (says the Kumara Times) intelligence was brought to the town by ono of the men employed on the Government dam that the water passing out near the flood gate was discoloured, and as this foreboded serious results, Mr Gow immediately proceeded to the spot in question. On arrival he at once saw that the water had by some means effected a passage through the dam, although the quantity coming through was very small. Every exertion was made to stop this if possible, but unfortunately, wit hout avail, as the water gradually increased in volume and velocity and shortly after burst out in its full strength again carrying away a portion of the dam. The general impression in regard to the cause of this disaster appears to be that the piles when being driven for the works lately constructed cracked the clayey sediment below, and this, gradually becoming impregnated with water, offered but little resistance, aud the water consequently effected a passage through with the above result.

A NOVEiriiia the way o( a first meeting of creditors occurred at Wellington oil Friday. Mr P. J. M'Kenna, of Pabautanui, met bis creditors, when, notwithstanding that his liabities amounted to more than £100, and his only assets were a ,horse, saddle and bridle, value £10, his creditors at once rei solved unanimously to recommend his discharge, which was done accordingly. Everything was unanimous, in a marvellous degree —-the choice of chairman, election of trustee fnoluded —this being perhaps the first instance in which a debtor has obtained so speedy and willing a discharge from his creditors, with assets practically nil. The whole proceedings barely occupied a quarter of an hour. '

Specialities of great men: Gladstone for politics, Kelly for sticking up banks, and McLiver for tobacco. You can't rub the latter out. Just try his specially imported Oowtail Twist and Vanity Fair.

The best" of materials manufactured in a proper and.workmanlike manner should give satisfaction. Hencs we are-pleased in daily, almost hourly, hearing such exclamations as ■?■ My word Douglas your loaf is now splendid," 'VThose biscuits are really beautiful," "My compliments to Mr Douglas and tell him I •hain't eaten such bread for years, Ac, &c."