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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3644, 31 August 1880, Page 2

The Sightascopo was well patronised last night, and a largo number of presents were distributed. A change will take place tonight in the views, and some very fine ones will be presented for inspection.

A btjmbee of the members of the House of Representatives returned by the Hinemoa, via the Manukau yesterday.

Pinafobe will be presented at the Academy to-night. The objoet for which ihe performance is giren should in itsrlf be sufficient to ensure a good house, but when such an admirable performance may be anticipated, the attraction is greatly increased. We hope to see a good attendance.

Wb have received No. 22 of the New Zealand Muse. It is, as usual, well got up, «nd the piece Of music presented this week is called the "Hinemoa Waltz" dedicated to Mrs D. Nathan, and written by S. R. Eeesing.

A teiegham from Gisborne _ states tbaf news has been received of the death of John Greening, aged 74' years of age, belonging to Mabia, near Walker's station. The deceased was an old whaler, and redded for the last forty years at Mahia, near Portland Island, during which time he had at bis own expense kept a J'ght burning at night as a signal for coastiug Teasels. By this means and by his kindling signal fires on the beach, many reesels were saved from being lost during tbe severe gales along tbe coast. All possible attention was bestowed upon the deceased during bis last illness.

The withdrawal of the Bailway Construe* tion Bill must be a source of gratification to our readers, and great credit is due to Sir G. Grey, Mr Speight and others, i who were instrumental in bringing that event about. The Government admitted that they would not be able to carry it, and consented upon the second reading being carried to withdraw the Bill. Now, however, will como the turn of the Ministry, for while beaten in the House they will be untrammelled after prorogation. At the best the money will only be spent between Hamiltou and Omahu, apd £16,000 will not go very far towards completing a line of railway. There is little prospect of the works commenced iv this neighborhood being continued, so that at least for another year we have little to look forward to in the matter of railway works. No doubt the action of our members will give offence to the Waikato people, but that the majority of the peoole in that district would prefer a line to Cambridge to one to the Thames, we do not believe; but, of course, it would suit the views of a certain number of people having land in the district through which the line would pass.

At the R.M. Court.this morning George Parker was fined 10s and costs for an assault upon F. Teller. The defendant admitted the assault, and said it arose out of an old grudge the complainant had against his father. Dr Kilgour and H. 0. Lawlor, Esq., were upon the Bench.

The case referred to frequently in our cablegrams has commenced against the proprietors of the Sydney Evening Newa for contempt of Court in commenting on Judgo Windeyer's summing up in the action for libel. Defendants offered a qualified apology, but the Bench objected to accept.

A man named George Henry Shepperson, described as a carter in the employ of Mr Craig, was charged at the Police Court in Auckland with using threatening language towards Mary Ann Shepperson, otherwise Featon, who had been mentally disturbed by the knowledge thiit her husband had another wife in existence, and there was a probability that a third odo might turn up against him. On the application of Sub-Inspector Pardy the case was remanded in order that Mrs Smith of Papakura, might be in attendance to prove that the prisoner was married to her sister in 1864. He had evidence also of prisoner's marriage with his first wife in England previously to the date mentioned. Prisoner said it was all teryfine for Pardy to talk about plurality of wives, as though he had been of a Mormon community and hailed from Salt Lake ; if he had been a Mormon he would have escaped all this trouble. He would own that be was married to Mrs Smith's . si*f>r in 1864, but had separated from her in 1868, and had not had any communication with her eiuce that time. He concluded, therefore, that he was a free man, and at liberty to take unto bimeelf another, and more suitable partner. With regard to the first wife in England, he had no recollection that suoa an event took place.

Impobtant find! 0. Mo Lives has just received a splendid assortment of American Prints; also tho latest novelties in. Pipes, Matchboxes, and other smoking requisites. N.B.—Try tho Planter*' Tobacco and Cigars.