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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3755, 10 January 1881, Page 2

. A PAEA&baph has recently gone the round of the newspapers recording the arrival of a Mr Chaplin in Christchurcb. from England. This gentleman is called the bee-keeper, and he is said to be asplendid manipulator of bees, treating them like the common house flieg. Aiter what we witnessed at the apiary of our fellow-townsman, Mr Hopkina, of Parawai, yesterday, we feel bound to claim the palm for Mr Hopkins is a manipulator of bees, however celebrated may be toe other gentleman named. A swarm of bees from one of his hive having finally settled on a small tree close by, Mr Hopsine, previous to hi 3 securing ifc, favored us with "an exhibition of his powers in handling bees. To our astonishment, Mr Hopkins swept off from the pendant mass of bees the lower half, measuring about three quarts, with his hands, and eld these out in his open palms, carrying on a conversation with us in the most unconcerned manner until the bees gradually joined their mates; Mr Hopkins then remarked that he had frequently thought he could take bees in Ll3 mouth without injury to b:tE3eif, but

had never tried it. The idea no sooner occurred to him than it was carried out. Another mass of bees was swept off as before into his open hands, and a mouthful of bees taken as easily as one would lap up a mouthful of currants. Not feeling inclined to swallow them, he, of cours , had to keep his mouth wide open until the bees had retired gradually from their novel position, but several remained on his beard and moustache for some minutes.

On Saturday last the members of the Thames Scottish Battalion competed for prizes at the Maori range. Seven shots were allowed af, each of the distances, which were 200, 300, and 400 yards :— Vol. Woir.. .. .. .. 62 Lieut.-Heron .. .. ..CO Vol. G. Lawlor .. .. ..60 Sergt. McLeod .. .. ..60 Vol. Kendall .. ► .. ..59 Corpl. Brownlee .. .. .. 58 Lieut; Brownlow .. .. .. 57

The No. 1 Company's Belt was won by Volunteer Weir, and this crack shot blbo won the sugar basin, which has to be woo three times in succession to become his own pro* perty. Vol. G. Lawlor (60) won the No. 2 Company's Belt. Major Withers will inspect the Battalion on the 24th inst. Theke were no cases at the R.M, Court this morning. Mr Eobebt Stone, of Sbortland, obtained a prize at the Melbourne Exhibition for veneers of colonial woods.

The cablegrams announced some days ago that 2103 awards have been made at the Melbourne Exhibition, and among waa one to Messrs Bagnall Bros., of the Turua mills, for boards of kahikatea timber.

Since the erection of the paint mill, Mr Edwards has turned out 6 tons of hematite paint. The material has been sent to Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland, and especially in the Middle Island is highly valued. Steps are being taken in Christchurch to induce the Government to give the various colours a test, and there appears every prospect of such being done.

REFEEEINGt to the address forwarded to Darwin by the Otogo Institute, the New Zealand Presbyterian Bays: —" It was good and praiseworthy in its conception, but bad and faulty in its execution. Darwia is a great man, a mighty enthusiast in seare'n of truth, a reverent and modest man of science 5 one who has greatly stimulated the human intellect, whoee books make one feel all Nature to be a wondrous mystic temple, and who has opened up deep shafts whence future ages will draw the precious ore of truth, and it would have been an easy thing to have penned a congratulatory letter to him, to which nearly all would have agreed : but why, after the manner of ardent neophytes, go so far ahead even of the Master, and tell Darwin what he knows not to be true —that the doctrine of Evolution has been conclusively established ? Is not this overheat and overzeal only so much damage to the doctrine which they love, and so much injury to the society which they ropresent ? A little quietness and patience, gentlemen! Darwin has done service; but Nature has not yet revealed the deep secret of her way ; and we still wait a greater than Darwin to read the meaning of that ancient riddle hewn on the eternal rock. Evolution has only spelt the letters and jumbled them ; and the Otago Institute has jumbled them a little more."

Speaking of the Domain Board, " Asmodeous ■" in the N. Z. Herald says:—They did furhher cut off a large slice of the beet part of the Domain, and did put the Acclimatisation Society in possession thereof, that they insight be better enabled to fill the land with birds that devour and boasts that raven. And still, furthermore, they did cut off another preat slice, and did cufe down the trees thereon for a game called cricket, and did say unto the people, " Behold, what is mine is my own, and what is thine is mine likewise. Now, whenever there is anything on this portion that thou wouldst wish to see thou shalt pay sundry and divers oboli for the privilege of going on or entering into what thou foolishly considerest thine own property" —and seeing the people did patiently crouch under these encroachment, they did wax high-minded, and feared not, and did say, " Behold these people are content as long as they can ait under the shade of the treeß, and enjoy the beautiful climate of their land; now, as we cannot create a ' weatherboard ' to regulate the weather, and cause the rain to come to stop such indulgence of sinful ease on the shaded greensward, we will do what we can to prevent it." So they did cause the gaol to make delivery of prisoners (for they required wicked men for their purpose), and did chop down; maltreat, destroy, deform, and convert into those sticks called mops, all the beautiful deciduous trees in the Domain; and even then, such is the blindness of muddleheadism, they did go before the inhabitants, and say, " Behold, are not our works fair ? "

In the Supreme Court, Napier, the other day, two prisoners were charged with horseBtealing. One of them .pleaded guilty—the other nofc guilty. The firafc volunteered Queen's evidence, and through his evidence the other was sentenced to three years' penal servitude. The one who had pleaded guilty was then brought up, and Judge [Richmond rotnarked that he could not sentence him to less than his comrade, as he was equally guilty. The man was then sentenced to three years, to his evident surprise.

Jud&b Macdonald (aayg the Observer) can make a caustic retort when he likes. The other day he had occasion, to administer a reproof to the bir generally, for the precipitancy with which cases are often brought into Court, aud afterwards adjourned whenever a flaw occurs, or when the evidence proves insufficient, as it not unfrequently does. Mr 'Jhorne, assuming the role of apologist for himself and fellow brethren of the wig and gown, ventured the remark that the defendants, he feared, were sometimes allowed to escape from no other cause than his Honor's softness of heart. The judge promptly rejoined that it was rather the "softness " of the evidence than any tenderness of heart on; his part whioh produced such a result. The- Taupeka Times eaya :—One of the little girla of the Lawrence District High School, on her return home after the dismissal of the school for the holidays, said to her mother, " Ma, there are no prizes this year, only thia dirty old thing (referring to the Education Board's certificate of attendance). I shall tear it up. There wasn't even a lolly." What a scurvy committee it must be!

NOETH America is going ahead with its special settlements. The Rugby settlement of Mr Thomas Hughes promises to be a success, and now Mr Thomas Brassey, M.P., has bought 64,000 acres, at the base of the Rocky Mountains, from the Canadian G-overn-ment, on which to found a settlement pre« sided over b., his son.

The Norfolk Island correspondent, of the New Zealand Herald says:—"The health of Norfolk Island continues much the same, the proverbial influenza still holds its own. Shearing is finished, and 14 bales the output The grass and cattle look well, and farming matters generally are in a flourishing condition, consequent on the unusually good season we are having. The Christmas festivities passed over very quietly for Norfolk Island. There was only one attempt at a ball/which was frustrated by a few who, by a judicious sprinkling of pepper, made it impossible for anything to be done."—" The election at Norfolk»:slsland on the 27th ult. rather surprised some. The outgoing three magistrates refused to stand, so there was nothing for it but to elect a new team. The

revivalist candidates—John Buffett, Chief Magistrate ; Ephraim Christian, First Councillor ; and John Young, Second Councillor— headed the roll by large majorities. The chief is not untried, having been in the principal office some years ago, but his confreres are new to harness. The retiring ohief magistrate, Mr Francis Mason Nobbs, has held the position five years with honour and integrity, and he leaves office with the best wishes of the entire community."

A* YOTJNO- Jad named Richard Thomas, working for Mr Buckley, was carrying milk for Mr Joslin on horseback at Parawai this morning, when the horse stumbled and threw the lad, who, in falling, broke his right leg. Dr Payne attended, and set the broken limb. He is in a precarious condition.

Mb Adam Poetee, while in Cambridge, made arrangements with the members of the Piako County Council to meet the members of the Thames County Council at Te Aroha on Saturday next, to discuss the question of main roads and bridges.

There is no limit to the pretensions of some people. A oopy of the Tuapeka Depasturing Regulations has been shown us which should command respect. It is signed in its vice-regal fashion:—" James Clark Bowen, chairman. God Save the Queen." —Otago Daily Times.

Thebe have been nineteen different Ministries since the establishment of a responsible Government in New Zealand in 185(5. They are as follow:—Bell-Sewell, 1856; Fox, 1856 —held office for thirteen days; Stafford, 1856-61; Fox, 1861-62 ; Domett, 1862-63 ; Whitaker-Fox, 1863-64; Weld, 1864 65; Stafford, 1865-69; Fox, 1869 72; Stafford, 1872, held office for 31 days ; Waterbouse, 1872-73; Fox, 1873; Vogel, 1873-75; Pollen, 1875; Vogel, 1876; Atkinson, 1876 ; Atkinson (re constructed), 1876-77; Grey, 1877-79; Hall, 1879.

A. Melbottbne telegram to the Sydney Morning Herald states:—"lt was rumored abrofid that a female who has played a prominent part in the Kelly agitation has eloped with one of the ' darkies' of the Georgia Minstrels. It is not known, however, whether the rumor is true or not, bufc it is the talk of Melbourne, and hascreat3d some sensation."

Visitor at hotel ia Queen-street to barmaid, " Can you tell me whether Mr »is staying here ?" Hebe: " Ask the waiter." Visitor goes in search of waiter and returns unsuccessful. " Can you tell me where to find a waiter ?" Hebe : " Oh, I have nothing to do with waiters.'" Visitor goes on another voyage of discovery and finds a chambermaid. Can you tell me whether Mr—— lives here ? Abigail: " You had better ask Sarah." Visitor : Where is Sarah ?" Abigail: I don't know.. You had better look about the passages." Visitor : "Is there a visitors' book here ?" Abigail: "It is locked up." Visitor : " Can you get the key ?' " No, Mr ——— has taken it away in his pocket." Exit visitor in disgust.—Star.

The Wanganui up-river natives are suffering from a dearth of tobacco, which they formerly grew. The Wanganui Chronicle says that an enterprising tobacconist with a good stock of the weed would probably be allowed to proceed up the river until he had disposed of the whole of his pack.

Some days ago our cablegrams slated that Walter Hughes had been knighted, bub 110 particulars were given. The following throws some light upon the subject:—Sir Walter Watson Hughes, the new knight, was, 40 years ago, a captain in the merchant service and the owner of a number of vessels. He retired from the service in 1843, and went to Adelaide, where he forßome time was engaged in business as a merchant in Bundle street. He subsequently turned his attention to squatting pursuits, and was one of the pioneers of Yorke's Peninsula. It was on his run in 1860 that the first discovery of copper was made, by a shepherd in his employment. Claims were immediately taken out, and the Wallaroo mines began by a private company. Sir Walter Hughes is sole proprietor of the Doora mine, in Yorke's Peninsula. Both the Wallaroo and Doora mines have yielded very large returns. In December, 1872, Sir Walter Hughes contributed £20,000 to the University of Adelaide, endowing two professorships, one for classical and comparative philology and literature, and the other for English language and literature and mental and moral philosophy. It was agreed that the money should be paid over within 10 years after the date mentioned, and that in the meantime the donor should pay interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum from May 1,1873.

An extraordinary phenomenon was witwithin the borders of the King Country a fevr days ago. Snow fell on the Tokanui and Kawau mountains, and on the hills lying between them. In the memory of middleaged Maoris such an oourrence has never happened before, even at the coldest season of the year. It in a fact however, that the temperature during the last few days of December was lower than it had been since May; indeed, in some parts of the district, we are assured that a slight frost was experienced last week. The season is truly a strange one; of a character calculated to inspire with hope the disciples of Mother Shipton herself.—Ex.

The Waikato correspondent of the Auckland Herald haa been up to " his lurks" again, and a short time ago forwarded an account of New Year's Eve festivities, which was exceedingly damaging to the credit of the Waikato district. Our Waikato contemporary (the Times) waxes wrath, and thus speaks of- the calumny:—"The Waikato ' news' column ot our Auckland morning contemporary is not the place in which people expect to find reliable information, but it ie occasionally Boiled by pervertions of the truth. The * Waikato' correspondent, writing from Hamilton on Monday regarding the manner in whioh New Year's Eve passed away, has the following : 'At midnight about fifty full grown larrrikins assembled near the hotels, and, armed with kerosene tins, whistles, and other instruments of torture, proceeded to the suburbs to levy blaok mail upon the sleepy inhabitants. Last year they broke into and damaged a public-house at Frankton, but this year they attended strictly to the black mail business, in one caae, where a gentleman gave them only half-a-crown for the sake of peace and quietneas, setting up a deafening roar of groans and threatening his windows. As the police cannot be everywhere, they have plenty of scope for their rowdyism. This New Year's night persecutiou is becoming a regular institution in Hamilton!' Now, it is not at all necessary to say that this is false, but as it a very mischievous kind of falsehood, we take the trouble to deny it. That the younger portion of the community, and, indeed, miny of their elders, did enjoy themselves a little more heartily on New Year's Eve than usual is true enough, but to accuse them of the offences mentioned in the blatant tirade above quoted, is to give utterance to calumny of the most disreputable kind.

The Waikato Times says :—"Ourattention was directed the other day to the success which has attended the method of protecting the road from the encroaohment of the river at Taupiri. We found that not only had the works proved most effectual in preserving the banks of the river, but they have added greatly to the picturesque appearance of the place. The bank, whioh has been turfed, slopes gently down to the water's edge, and the fringe of willows planted at its lowest point are looking green and healthy. Travellers will remember how rapidly the river made inroads upon the bank at this spot. Indeed had not the Kirikiriroa Hoad Board come to the rescue when it did the proba-

bility is thab the road opposite Loveil's would soon have been a thing of the past. Their treatment of the difficulty has however, been eminehtlj satisfactory. We were surprised to find how trifling the cost had been. We think it highly desirable that some similar method should be applied to the banks of the river at Hamilton, at least to those portions most exposed to the action of the wash. The costs would -not be great, while the benefits accruing would be incalculable.

These were queer goings-on at a recent ball at Tauranga, which formed the subject of an appeal to the Besidenfc Magistrate. T. L' Bi. Clements charged William Lemon with using obscene language, calling him a " conceited jumped-up puppy," and challenging him to a pugilistic encounter outside. Complainant, who was acting as master of the ceremonies, swore that defendant was drunk on the occasion, notwithstanding the fact that the ball took place in the Temperance Hall. Defendant was fined Is, costs *being divided.