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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3604, 15 July 1880, Page 2

We are informed that though the fiscal proposals of the Government are made the subject of much rigorous criticism and obstruction by the Opposition, the real struggle of the session will be the Land Laws. Men of understanding and common sense of every shade of political opinion are beginning to realise that the legislation of the last 20 or 30 years with reference to the acquirement of native land is based on rotten and unjust principles. The difficulty is that men are wanting with sufficient courage and perseverance to grasp the evil, many politicians contenting themselves with the Capuan like argument that the colony wilL work out its own destiny in this respect. We do not think that will hold water as our Land Laws are of that particularly worthless sort that they increase in worthlessness as they grow older, and while our lotus eating rulers •re quietly waiting for the colony to work

out her destiny, she is rapidly drifting with all sails set towards the rocks of ruin. The time has come to avert the impending catastrophe, and every thinking mind in New Zealand is anxiously looking for the man.

A public meeting of the Thames inhabitants is called for to-morrow evening in the Theatre Boyal for the purpose of discussing the petition presented to Parliament praying for the removal of Mr Kenrick from the office of R.M. A large meeting is anticipated, and it is expected the proceedings will be of a lively character.

The Lands Court at Ohinemuri is expected to last another month or more.

Mb Good fellow, an old Thames sharebroker, who has been away from the colony for years, has returned and started store* keeping at Cambridge. Mr D. M. Mclntyre, another rolling stone, returned by the last trip of the Wait aki.

Wx draw the attention of our readers to Mr H. T. fiowe's advertisement as a Mining Surveyor and Land Purchase Agent. In the former he has proved himself a very efficient surveyor, and should command a good share of miners' patronage ; in the latter' part he has a good knowledge of the natives, and persons desirous of acquiring lands direct .from the natives ceuld not do better than employ Mr Rowe.

It is protable that next year owners of canine pets will have to pay inon-aied taxation on them. Th* present dog tax is Ss, and that sum, we believe will be doubled next year. This will have a beneficial effect, as mongrels and dogs of inferior breed will not be, so numerous, as people will not pay 10s for a worthless animal. The incessant yelping of curs, so annoying to people of a sensitive temperament, will not be so frequent and dogs kept will be of a far better class. Indeed there are hundreds of animals not worth the tax which is so grudgingly paid by tbeir owners at the present time.

A " Gbaud Lime Light Display " is to take place in the Theatre Boyal on Saturday night, according to an advertisement appearing in the uswal column. & The regular fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Waikato Lodge No. 5444, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity,, was held at the Hall, Richmond street, on Tuesday evening last The lodge was' opened inJue form and after the transaction of the usual routine business, the Noble Grand on behalf of the lodge' presented Fast Grand George Fisher (the retiring Grand Master) with a Fast Officer's* certificate, framed in Mr Dann's best style. The Noble Grand in making the presentation referred to the many services; rendered to the lodge by Bro. Fisher, and expretsed a desire that the brethren would endeavour to follow P.G. Fisher's example. The presentation having been suitably acknowledged, the lodge proceeded to consider the balance-sheet and auditors' report. The adoption of the same being carried, the lodge was closed in the usual form.

At the last meeting of the Thames Land Building and Investment Society, the Committee voted the sum cf one guinea to each fire brigade.

The body of Jokn Phelaa was recovered shortly, before five o'clock yesterday morning, and buried with the two others, Dennis (his: brother) aid Phillip Camming*. The funeral was largely attended, nearly 1000 persons following. AH the places of business were closed in town. Very few claims on the goldfield were worked during the day. Thbbb was no business at the B.M. Court this morniog.

On dit that a comic weekly illutrated paper will shortly make its appearance in Auckland, under the fostering care of Mr Henry Brett. If any one cau make a paper of that sort pay in Auckland, Henry is the man.

The steamer Annie Millbank left the Thames last evening with upwards of 20 cases: of exhibits for the Melbourne Exhibition.

Spiciamtiis of great men: Gladstone for politics, Kelly for sticking up banks, and; McLiver for tobacco. You can't rub tbe latter oat. Juct try his speoially imported Oowtail Twist and Vanity Fair.

. The best of materials manufactured in ai proper and workmanlike manner should give satisfaction. Hence we are pleased in daily,' almost hourly, hearing such exclamations as "My word Douglas your loaf is now splendid," " Thwe biscuits are really beautiful," "My compliments to Mr Douglas and tell him I, harn't eaten such bread for years, Ac, Ac."

Academy of Music. Mr Walter Reynolds' stirring drama,. " Tried and True," was again presented last evening. The house was fuller than on the previous evening.' Afl the charac* ters were good, and the various tableaux excellently enacted. This evening, " Under the Gaslight," which caused such a furore in London and the provinces, will be produced.