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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3838, 18 April 1881, Page 2

A. telegeam from Auckland says it is reported that Prbkoffi cannot get away for want of means, und thut ono of h:3 countrymen proposes to appeal to the public for subscriptions. Wo should scarcely be surprised to hear of eume folks proposing to give the man a testimonial or a gold watoh. If he comults his own safety he should at once put the ocean between himself and New Zealand, and consider himself sufficiently acquainted with this colony for the term of his natural life.

The anniversary concert under the auspices of the Thames Rifle Rangers, takes place this evening in the Volunteer Hall, Shortland. The programme consists of eighteen pieces, principally songs and duet 9, in which Miaaes Manton, Strange, D,iy, Gribble, Mesdames Oorrigan, Pent;, and Meßsrs Gibbs, Vowles, Haliiday, Grihble and Wiseman, take part. After the concert a dance will be given. We hope to see a good attendance, the corps deserve to have their efforts recognised by the public, and it cannot be better done than by the Volunteer Hall being well filled to-night by an appreciative and attentive audience.

Thh smart topsail Hohooner Zior, Captain J. Blotham, arrived in harbour yestarduy morning from Oamaru direct, after a fair run of 10 days. The vesasl is fully loaded with produce and breadstuff's, and comes consigned to Meßßrs M. Browne and Co.

The action of the Victorian Jockey Club in disqualifying Mala, the New Zealand horse, does not appear to be approved of by other clubs. A few days ago we announced that the South, Australian Ciub refused to endorse the verdict of Victoria, and now the Canterbury Jockey Club at a largely attended meeting refused to endorse the disqualification of Mata and Ray by the Victorian Racing Club.

A STjß'Oßißta has brought under the notice of the North Ote^o Times the following instance of canine S3gaoity:—Some time ngo a retriever dog was given to the mat? o! a schooner trading to the North lipncl. The veasel mace a trip to Auckland, and afterwards sailed for Dunedin, at which place she duly arrived. Immediately the veasel berthed alongside the wharf, the dog lushed ashore and made straight for the steamer Maori, aboard which vesselit took a free passage to Oamaru, turning up at its previous owner's about 10 minutas a^ter the steamer's arrival here.

The Wairarapa Standard says as foHows :— " Mr Speight spoke for two hours and twenty minutes to 200 people. He could have eaid all that he had to say in an hour, and fully a]l that his hearers would care that he should sny. He is a tme pa.iy man. He saya his party put him into the House and he will go where his party sends bim. Sir William Fox could do no more. He said that Mr Sheehi.n had 'latterly justified every principle which he formerly advocated as tj the dealing with native lands,' whatever the c ntence may mean. Whut Mr Speight >nd a great many other people cannot see is the difference between Mr Sbeehan the politician and Mr Sheehan the lawyer, and to be frank we do not think Mr Speight wants to see the difference. There is.this difference between Mr Sheehan and Mr Speight which Mr Speight would do well to remember. Mr Sheehan can most likely get a seat in the House without the aid of any party—Mr Speight cannot. If the party chooses to discard Mr Speight there is 1 an end of him. It is time enough to sea of what material his spurs are composed when they are won."

The much talked of cricket match Mmc of in <be' J)omain, between members of Simonsen's Opera Troupe and Auckland Eleven, both fceamß dressing in fancy character cos tumea. The Auckland team won, cad there were 1000 people on the ground,

Alexander Bowman, the engineer charged with attempting suicide, at the Police Court, Auckland, was acquitted on Saturday, the medical evidence going to show that the quantity of laudanum taken was insufficient to seriously affVaf; life. Bowman's counsel stated that the man did the foolish act to excite his wife's compassion, and cause her to consent to resume married relations.

Tad telegraphic messag3 in our last issue about tbe natives at Opunate having commencid ploughing appears to have been forwarded without sufficient grounds for the statement, for on Majoj.' Luke and a detachmentrreaching the supposed scene of ploughing it was found taat the report received waß entirely without foundation.

At the Police Court, Wellington, the case of Hill v Hill, involving important questions as to the relationship of husband a d wife, was argued. The husband, who had been separated for some years from his wife under a deed of separation and protection order, returned from Melbourne, and sued her to recover his goods and stock of a tobacconist's shop. On behalf of the wife, Mr Ollivier con tended that a husband has no remedy by action against; a wife, but can only exercise his common law right of seizure The case being of great importance, Mr Shaw reserved judgment. I'rocejdings in the Divorce Court are pending afc the suit of the wife, who has supported herself and four children duving the husband's absence of nearly four years. Mr Shaw mentioned that the question was an entirely novel one in this Colony.

The Saturday Advertiser says : —Mr Wm, Conyers, late Commissioner of Railways, and now of the firm of Davidson and Co., can be consulted on the formation of railways and tramways. Mr Conyer'e reputation as an engineer is too well established to require any comment, on bia qualifications.

1"HB following extract from a letter from the Mercantile Agency -with reference to the value of potato farina has been furnished to the Wairarapa Standard :—" Potato fawna is used principally by starch manufacturers, and the demand is confined within moderate limits. Its quality varies considerably, and we cannot quote a specific price until the receipt of a sample. This, we underetand, from Wellington office is being forwarded under charge of the captain of the Wairoa. Wo may, however, mention that the value of a good description may bo said to-day to range between £14 and* £17 per ton. There is not afc present an outlet for any large quantity, and shipments exceeding a hundred tons would for a time glut the market. Potato farina is usually shipped in baga. The farina is also the basis of a low class of spirit, bub is not used to anj large extent for distillery purposes. Occasionally, too, it n used to adulterate flour for consumption in the ' poorest districts of Lotfdon, but it makes a very inferior bread, even when mixed with pure wheaten flour. We shall report to Wellington office as to the qualify and value ol the article on receipt of the sample per Wuiroa." The Melbourne teetotallers have a new drink called " vigorine." Ifc is done up in champagne bottles, gold-topped, &c, and, when opened, has a head and sparkle, that cannot be distinguished f.'cm the ftahionable wive.