THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O' CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3659, 17 September 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O' CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1880.

In our last issue we referred to the meeting lately held in Auckland, and presided over by Bishop Cowie, haying for its object the amendation of the Education Act, in the, direction of permitting' authorised teachers of religious bodies to give religious instruc : tion in the public schools. For years the Boman Catholic congregations hare protested against the secular character of the curriculum of the state schools, and in a milder degree hare' the leading teachers of other denominations spoken against the clauses prohibiting religious instruction being giren during school hours. It would appear how that the Church of England, from the fact that Bishop Cowie is a leading spirit in the movement, intend taking more active measures in this matter, for an association has been formed for the purpose of having such alterations made in the Act as will sanction religious instruction being given during school hours. We cannot approve of the movement, and have repeatedly pointed out the evil effects that would result if a retrograde move* ment were made, and denominationalism again introduced. While it may appear a hardship in the eyes of the professed teachers of religion, being debarred from taking advantage of such an excellent opportunity for instilling their peculiar doctrines which the public schools offer; yet the many inconveniences, not to mention the question of whether the State is called upon to assist in the religious instruction of the people, that the introduction of the alterations would entail, convinces all sensible people that such amendments would not improve the present system, and therefore it is wise to let well alone. We do not anticipate any great result from this latest organisation in favor of denominational education, for the experience of the past few years of the secular system proves it to be the best adapted to the present state of society, and therefore the only system the State should be called upon to support and maintain. . .

The Government seem determined to make farther use of the West Coast Commissioners, Sir W. Fox and Sir D. Bell, in the administration of native affairs in New Plymouth. The almost universal approral of the report and recommendations of the Commissioners, and their wellknown qualifications, no doubt has led the Government to avail themselves of their advice and assistance in carrying out suoh measures as are necessary in dealing with the turbulent natives of the Waimate Plains. The cost already to the country for maintaining the peace on the West Coast has been enormous, and as yet apparently very little advancement has been made towards the final settlement of the questions at issue between the Government, Te WbitiV and. the, other discontented natives of that district. If the services of the Commissioners iv any way lead to the

much desired settlement of the present unsatisfactory relations, we cannot but approve of the course taken by the Government.

The mouthly inspection of the Hauraki Engineers will take place this evening. CLIMATIC .influence on female beauty is singularly marked in New Zealand. In Auckland the pule, slender, delicate type predominates, aud the stamp of beauty gets more robust as we journey Southward, until in Otago the sonsie ruddy, two-hundred pound lassie has it all her own way. The whale was being towed across the G-ulf to-day and was expected to reach Kopu by this afternoon's tide, where it will be tried out. Mr O'Sullivan, Inspector of Schools, and Mr Inspector Thompson, with Cr Oaborne risited the Orphanage yesterday.

The enormous shark harpooned by Dan Sellars, and now on exhibition in Williamson street is one of tbo largest of its species we erer remember having seen. It is fully 13 feet long, and its largest circumference is just 8 feet 2 inches, while its weight must be over a ton. After harpooning this " tiger of the deep," Dan bad v tough job to conquer the ferocious animal, as after making several j attempts to capsize the boat, it started swimming through the water, and dragged the boat for a distance of several miles. Voder the circumstances many would have been inclined to let the animal go, but Dan ! was an old hand at the business, aud stuck to his prize pluckily until exhausted with loss of blood, it gracefully turned belly upwards, and briefly gave up the coutest. ' The Naval Brigade at a meeting last night decided to proceed to Auckland to litke part in the review on the Friuce of Wales' Birthday. ~ THE Secretary, Mr Dean, aeks that all accounts against the Exhibition Committee be sent in at an early date. The adjourned annual meeting of the Thames Cricket Club will be held to-morrow evening at the Bowen. Mb Simon wilj lecture at the Academy.of Music on Sunday next at 3 o'clock on " Spiritualism further explained." We hear on unquestionable authority that Col. Fraser intends to offier himself as a can* didate for the office of Mayor at the coming election.

The Resident Magistrate, in giving judgment to-day in a civil case, remarked that stating on the heading of an account rendered to a person that interest at such and such a rate would be charged was not sufficient to establish a claim for suoh when suing in Court for- the amount. It should bave been stated to the person purchasing the goods at the time of the purchase that interest would be charged if any delay was made in paying for the said goods. This opinion of Mr itenrick may be of interest to many tradesmen.

We were Bhowra to-day by the proprietor of the Wild Beast Show several cases of new goods he has just received from Sydney, and intends to distribute amongst bis patrons as prizes. They comprise vases, clocks, lamps, decanters, tomahawks, masks, toys, and in fact a perfect olla podrida of articles of use and ornament. Every prize is fully worth the price of admission, while there a are many articles giren away every evening worth fire times that amount. We can confidently recommend all" to give the enterprising showman a visit.

The Great November Show, under the auspices of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held at Ellerslie on November Bth and 9th. Liberal prizes are offered for blood and draught horses, sheep and cattle, swine, poultry, dogs, dairy produce, implements, and other articles of loeel manufacture, and imported agricultural implements. The, arrangements now underweigh, under the supervision of the Association Secretary, Mr William Percival should make the forthcoming Bhow one of the moat successful ever held in Auckland. We bear that several Thames people will exhibit. DUBING the passage of the Hero to Wellington Mrs Morris, a passenger who booked at Auckland, died from the effects of sea-sick-ness. ',■•■'■■'.■ ,',-■'■■ .. ;'■ .:- -„* '-:-. ' It will be seeu from an advertisement in' another column that Messrs Gr. W. Owen and Co., have removed to their new premises on the wharf, the very large and increasing business of the firm requiring more extensive premises than they formerly occupied. Messrs Owen and Co. are agents for the Hauraki, Awitu, and Huia Saw Mills. ■;■' Thi s.s. Taupo still lies at the Mount at Tauranga, the last attempts to raise her having proved unsuccessful. We hear that the work is not entirely abandoned, but that fresh efforts are to be made this spring. The Taupo was stranded on the 18th February 1879, and has been more than eighteen months in her present position. * Thk following is the latest from Paddy Murphy. The editor of the Saturday Advertiser 'received the communication :—" As I am laivin' Wellington to-day for Kawau, 1 inclose ye a cart-to visit ay Sir George, another ay Mac, another ay Jay See Brown, an* one o' me own. I want ye to get them litby-graffed ob the cover o' me book. Yell notis that I'm sailed at the head <>' the table, dhressed in me coort shuit, wid me former collaiges, houlding a cow-cass at me offis on the Kay. Tell tho artist to have the sketch printed in four colours, red, white, brown, an 1 green, wid me creels in the corners, an' raiths of shamrocks round the edges.—Tours, P. MtJBPHY." Thb introduction of weeping willows into New Zealand, according to the Rangitikei Advocate, is enveloped with a tinge of romance. An early English ship en route to New Zaaland hud to put into St. Helena. i One of the passengers landed to yUit Napoleon's grave, and took some cuttings of tho willow that drooped over the illustrious tomb. These slips were brought to the colony and planted, and in course of nearly half a century, have been distributed far and wide.

Although there is seldom any brilliancy displayed in our Parliamentary debates, our House of Representatives is not without afew witty members. About a month ago three of our Otago legislators were overheard ia the lobby discussing.the definition of the term Parliament. " Parliament is a place to speak your mind in," observed number one. " Not at all," remarked number two, who posses-ed a slight; smattering of French, '* Parle vienti means a place to tell lies in." " That may be ■all very well," interjected number three, "bat, in my opinion, there is a great deal of parley and very little meant by it." I quite agree with the last observation.—Frank Fudge.

The adult European population of New Zealand is taxed at the rate of 4i 6d per head per week to pay the interest on the public debt, besides the ordinary cost of govern* ment.

Accobdihg to Mr Kenrick's ruling the safest course to pursue in all dealings with natives when promissory notes are taken in payment is to have a translation of the wording of the note made, and in the presence of a witness or a native interpreter, to have the document read to the native signing the same. .

Wb learn that one of the effects of the payment of the money to the natives of Ohinemuri by Mr Wilkinson is that drinking to an extraordinary degree is being carried on. The unfortunate representative of the A.C.

Force stationed at Paeroa has had cause to regret the increase of riches to native residents, for it appears on Wednesday some of them getting more waipero than was good for them, assaulted the individual in question, and bad it not been for Mr Mcllhono and others he -might have found himself in the river. Some of these larrikins with a copper-coloured ikin should be fcaug't a lesson, and made.to respect the law, or at lensfc those intrusted with the preservation of the peace and the protection of life and property.

A MOST successful open meeting was held in the Temporaace Hall laet evening. Mr G. Newell Phillips (chairman) made some excellent remarkii on behalf of'temphry, especially in regard to tbeir lodgo meetings, which outsiders, through ignorance, spoke against. lie urged them to make a trial, join, and ccc tbeir mistake. The chief address waa from the Rev. Mr Watkin, which, whije humorous, was well delivered, and full of instruction and tound reasoning against strong drink, which, after innumeratiog several pests, he brought in as the worst. Songs during the evening were pleasingly sung by Miss Mahton, Miss Gribble, Mr J. F. Oockt, and Mr W. Gribble. A duett " I know a bank," sung with much taste by Miss Gribble and Mr J. F. Cocks, brought the meeting to a close. Mr W. Gribble officiated at the pianoforte.

Feom a Home paper we learn that] a celebrated astrologer, residing in the city of Dublin, has recently issued an extraordinary work in which he proves, to his own satisfaction at least, that the end of the. world will assuredly take place about t'e end of the present year. This modern Lilly states that " Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will be in Perihelion simultaneously in the fall of the year," and that nothing under hea*ei o»n save the great bulk of this unfortunate planet of ours from being burned into a cinder. One spot, however, is destined to escape from the impending destruction, and need I tell you, my by, that the spot referred to is' Green Erin. The Irish Astrologer has managed to keep his country safe and round from the frightful conflagration which will overtake all the other nations of the earth. Patriotism, in this instance, has triumphed over the occult science of star-gazing, and Ireland is saved from the awful fate that awaits the rest of the globa. Well, the Green Isle has suffered enough in her time, and turn about is fair play. ."* .

TutEQEiPH operators in New Zealand receive from £8 to £14 per month. A private letter from California states that operators in, the United States receive from ICD to 150 dollars per month, equal to £22 10s to £34 for the same duties.

It can be unhesitatingly asserted that C. MoLiver sells the best and cheapest tobaccos and smokers' requisite* on the field. He buys his goods for cash in all markets, and consequently the benefits to be derived from dealing at bis establishment cannot be excelled. Note the address, and give a call. —(J. MoLiveb, Brown street.