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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3891, 18 June 1881, Page 2

We regret to hare to announce to our readers that one of pur. oldest identities, Mr John Brown, of Tararu, is about to leave the district for Auckland. Since Mr Brown's arrival herein 1867, as engineer and manager of the first battery erected on the field, he has identified himself with nearly every movement which was tended to advance the interests of the district, there being hardly a pablio position of importance but what he has held. We understand that Mr Brown's sole reason for leaving us at present is that he has not sufficcient business to fully occupy his mind here, which as most of our readers are are aware is of a a most active and energetic nature, and that Auckland affords a larger field for the thorough exercise of his undoubted talent and ability. We are glad to •cc that the Thames people are to some extent recognising Mr Brown's public services by a complimentary banquet to be held at the Governor Bowen Hotel this evening.

The attention of parents of soholars on the roll of tbe Waio-Karaka School is directed to the Headmaster's advertisement requesting them to see that their children attend punctually on Monday and following days in next week, when the annual examination in standards will be held. It is anticipated that there will be lively times at the meeting of the West Coast shareh lders. It is probable that some strong language will be used in reference to the action of the directors disposing of the mine, making a call, and confiscating the dividends of absent shareholders. The Bey. Mr Lush will officiate at St. John's Church, Tararu, to-morrow (Sunday) evening, at 6.30 o'clock. Wb have been shewn by Mr McLiver another instance of local industry, in the form of neatly got up packets of cigarette tobacco,' prepared by Messrs Partridge and Woollams, of Auckland. The lithographing of the wrappers is by Schmidt and Co., of Auckland, and the goods in appearance and quality will bear favorable comparison with the imported article. Libutjnant Johnson, Captain of Waikato Team, writes :—" The remarks of the correspondent, ' Fair Flay,' in this morning's paper, regarding the weapons used by some members of the Scottish Team in their match with us are uncalled for. The conditions of our match left it open fur members of either team to use any big bore rifle or carbine, Government pattern. I hope we can take our defeat in good spirit without blaming weapons. On behalf of myself-and team, we never wish to fire against more generous or friendly oppo" nents than the Scottish team of Friday last." ' Should the .weather prove fine, and the eky be clear to-morrow—Sunday morning— will present to the observer the moat splendid celestial phenomina that has occurred for thousands of years. At three o'clock all the principal planets will be in the sign Taurus, and in perihelion with tbe sun, and as the , larger of them rise before the sum, a view of them will be magnificent. Venus itself appears double its usual size, and with double its usual splendour. What the after results of this extraordinary perihelion will be in its effects upon the earth's atmosphere remains be seen,'many astronomers predict widespread disasters of every kind, including plagues, pestilences, and famines all over the earth. The direction to look for the planets will be in the east, over Murphy's Hill.—Communicated. Thb new Citholic Church at Faeroa will be opened next Sunday week, and the following ladies and gentlemen will leave the Thames on Saturday to take part in the inaugural choral service:—Misses Sheelnui, Brown, A. and M. J. Mcllhone, and Messrs Graham and. Haydon. The following pieces will be rendered:—Farmer's " Kyrie,'' "Gloria," and "Agnua Dei;" Haydn's "Credo" and "Sanctus," Newcorae's "O Salutaris Hostia," and a "Tantum Ergo" duet—the latter to be sung by Miss Sheehan ■nd Mr Graham.

Sous time, ago we called attention to the fact that the Otago Education Board were attempting to realise upon all their endowments, no doubt seeing that it was only a question of time, and that the Assembly would be compelled to consolidate all land endowments for educational purposes generally. The Government have very wisely refused the request, of the Otago Board and Mr Hialop the Under Secretary for Education has forwarded a letter in reply to the request of the Board, of which the following is an extract: —" I may say that the resolution recommending. that power be given to sell the general education reserves involves a very serious question of policy, affeoting, not only Otago, but the whole of New Zealand, and that after giving the subject, on all it* bearings, a very careful consideration, the Government are at present unable to see that it would be expedient to give the power proposed* but rather the reverse." In the course of the investigation respecting the steamer Ferret, seized under such remarkable circumstances at Hobson's Bay, a matter incidentally cropped up which seems deserving of more attention than has yet been given to it. One of tbe men under ex'amioation is | reported to have stated that it was in contemplation, should circumstances suit, to ship a couple of guns at Melbourne with a view of | way-laying und plundering one of the mail steamers carrying specie from Australia to 1 Seglaud.

As our local authorities are found of making by-laws, the following might be of use to them* It is a bylaw made by the Cook County Council:—That drays using a 3-inch tire, shall not be allowed to carry more than 25cwt. Drays using a 4-inch tire shall not be allowed to carry more than 80 cwt. Drays using a 5 inch tire shall not be allowed to carry more than 35 cwt. Drays using a 6inch tire shall not be allowed to carry more than 2 tons. Thb Herald's special says .—-Lobby rumors point to the possibility of complications arising relative to the Ministerial vacancy. Themajority of members would gladly see Mr Richardson take the Public Works portfolio, but I bear he would not accept it if offered, and the same objection applies to him as to I Mr Wakefield, that it would place three Canterbury members in the Ministry, which the Otago members assuredly would not tolerate. Unless a suitable successor to Mr Oliver c«n be found in Otago, he will have to be sought elsewhere than in Canterbury, which is doubly represented. This, I .believe, is fully recognised by the Government. On the other hand, it is said that a good deal of influence has been brought to bear in favor of Mr Wakefield, and that if not appointed he is very likely to be found in a Middle or Auoklandite party. MB FISHBB, M.H.R., defined as follows the leading characteristics of the Government —They initiate nothing, steal everything, stick to nothing and are prepared to abandon, everything and everybody. (He gave a list of the Liberal measures which, he stated, theMinistry had adopted.) He believed ih y would appropriate Nihilism if they thought it would tend to keep them in office. Now the Government propose stealing Mr Oswald Curtis' idea re Legislative Council, and Mr Fyke's Land League objects. Ifc was strange nothing bad been heard of the Government's intention in this matter until Mr Pyke commenced agitating. Gbbman Silver Whistles, 2s each; Violins; 3s 6d; Fifes, Is; Tambourinnes, 3s 6d , Brass Drums, with snares and screw fixings, 12s 6d ; Harmonicons, Is ; Banjos, 9s.—J. Geigg, Pollen street. N.B.—"Violin strings and fittings at one half the price charged in Auckland.—[Advt.]