Page 2 Advertisements Column 4

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3718, 24 November 1880, Page 2

having explained that the officer left in charge was a great friend of Mr Maginnity, the Under Secretary, Mr Hall smiled, and enjoyed a laugh, after which other topics were discussed. -

Fhom an American paper is learned the news of a fearful tragedy caused by love, and resulting in a double murder and suicide. It seems that six miles from New Canton lives a family named Baker, consisting of the father, mother, and two daughters, the elder IS years of age. A young man named Sellars, from Nebo, in the Fame county, hag been working for the family. About fire o'clock last evening, while Mr Baker was from home, Sellers insisted that the elder daughter, to whom be had become attached, should promise to man/ him. This she refused to do, when Sellars drew a revolver, and first shot a dog, and immediately after shot the mother and the daughter aged 15. He then placed the muzzle to his own tomple and fired. Every shot was instantly fatal. The entire tragedy was witnessed by the younger daughter, from whose testimony before the Coroner's jury the facts were elicited. The affair has created intense excitement.

Sekgkakt McMahon, of the A.C. force, Goromandel, has been notified that in consequence of the retrenchment policy of the department, his tank will be reduced from third class sergeant to the rank of constable, Sergeants Jackson, Parnell, and Green, Onehunga, have been reduced from second class, to third cless sergeants*. . A number of other reductions amongst sergeants and constables have also been notified, gradually the force wilt bo disorganised with these petty charges, and it. cannot be expected that good men will remain if they can at all better thimstlves.

ATGhristohurch, Madame Lottie Wilmot bavin? taken the theatre for Sunday evening Freethoughf lectures, the City Council expressed strong di> approval of the* theatre being used for Sunday extertainments, and regretted that they had no power to inter* fere.

Thr Premier of the colony, who is at present in Auckland, had heard so much about hie esteemed friend Mr Hurst's Bertie Saverna that he broke the last Sabbath by going to see the animal at the honourable gentleman* residence. The Attorney»General accompanied Mr Hall, and both Ministers expressed their sympathy with Mr Hurst at the unfortunate occurrence The Premier hinted that in the redistribution of portfolios, which takes place when the Ministry were re-eworn before the new Governor, it was their intention to give Auckland a representative ; that Mr Hurst bad claims to the position, and that his colleagues would be consulted as to his appointment when he got back to Wellington. Mr Hurst, however, told the first Minister of the Crown that the matter had better be left in abeyance until the Bertie Saverna business had blown over. The Attorney-General blandly smiled, and hoped it would soon be forgotten, but of that he had his doubts. Politics were then indulged in, and Mr Hurst enquired why Sir Dillon Bell was made Agent-General. Mr Hall said the Govern* ment could not do otherwise, as if Sir Dillon did net get the billet " the Foxes " back would be up and instead of him being like Mr Hurst to be relied on next session, he might be found amongst the rankest of their opponent. The three gentlemen bad a glass of Hurst's best Madeira and parted.

Wk understand that some of the Waikato settlers have made, or are about to make, representations to the Government on the subject of the railway. The new goldfield at Te Aroha is within four hours' ride of Hamilton, and the Waikato settlers believe that if the time-table was altered to rational form, nearly the whole of the passenger traffic between Auckland and Te Aroha would go by the Waikato: If a train left Auckland at 7 o'clock in the morning, passengers would reach Hamilton, have time for lunch> and would arrive at Te Aroha by coach at half* past 6 o'clock. At prr sent the traffic it driven off the railway. On another matter the Government require to be stimulated. The line is now constructed for,fourteen miles from Hamilton towards Te Aroha, and nothing remains to be done but to lay the rails. There is, indeed, we believe, no* reason why the line should not be working in two or three months, if the Minister for Public Works could be got to set about the matter at once. —Herald.

Mb Milis, one of the members of the House of Commons, has returned to Auckland with his two sons after a visit to Sic George Grey at his island home. Mr Mills, it is reported, is a personal friend of 8?r Arthur Gordon's, and in all probability will have an opportunity of discussing various matters relating to New Zealand with His Excellency before he returns to England. Mr Mills and bis two sons arrived- in Auckland by the the last mail steamer.

Mb Whitakek, M.H.H. for Waipa, received a telegram from Mr Sheeban that he would leave Wellington for Auckland last Monday evening, reaching our provincial capital on to-morrow morning. In anticipation of Fatetere business, Mr Whitaker anil Harry Simmondg, the half-caste, have arrived in Auckland to be in waiting for the honor* able member for the Thames. The Minister of Justice is also coming to Auckland from Taranaki. No doubt Cabinet meetings will be held during the Governor's short stay, and confirmed after reaching Wellington.

The New Zealand Times ii bow getting very warm on the necessity of the colonists electing their owa Governor. It is, however, a case of coming events casting their shadows be ore. The present Cabinet no doubt inspired the writing as they are rather " funky " about-their status with Sir Arthur Gordon, and hv a rumpus being kicked up it might perhaps bare the effect of modifying the views of the new vice«*egitl representative. The matter however is pure bunkum, and is perhaps only a gentle feeler conceived in the banking room of a large monetary institution.

The following extract from a private communication of a civil servant official epeaks for itself; it is dated Wellington, November 15th :—" There is a general feeling that in all the departments of Government hern a general weeding out will take place. Not one branoh (save the judges) is safe, and nearly every colleague you meet now in the building nervously asks, any further news about reductions'? who gaesuext ? when will thfl MiniHtei' ret.uin here? and so on. The only tenure of office now thought is during th«j abeencs of the'Cabinet-who are flying h'.oh' <l'img nothing nil over the colony and whose return to Wellington is emirely con* tingenfc."

Thk Sydney News accounts for the defeat of Trickett on tho hypothesis t hat he must hare felt the supreme importance of the event to such an extent, that he, though usually the calmest of mortals, became nerTous at the outset. Trickett was very heavily backed in Melbourne,. £6000 having been sent to England for that purpose, the money in* vested ranging from £1500 to £1000 on Hanlan, leaving off at even money. Joe Thompson received £1,000 from New South Wales, £1,000 from South Australia for the purpose of backing Trickett. The remainder of the £6,000 was furnished by .Thompson, his brother, and Trickett himself. The disappointment when the result was announced was intense, and the News says the pride of the people has received a severe blow.

Ever since the Tapu tobaooo famine, th smokists of that looality bare determined to elect the leading tobacconist of the district their patron saint. That distinguished honor has fallen on C. MoLiver, who, beyond dispute, supplies the best article in tobacco, pipes, and smokers',requisites.—£Aj>fl.]