The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3896, 24 June 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1881.

Mb NichoiiliS, the prospector of Waitete, came down last evening along with Mr F. A. White, and has gone on to Auckland. We learn that some Auckland capitalists arc in treaty for a portion of the mine, and are prepared to erect a battery.

We believe it is the intention of Sir George Grey to ask the Government if steps will be taken to establish a School of Mines on the

Thames

These is aome truth after all in the rumor that Sir Julius Vogel had written in strong terms to the Government, for Mr Whitaker admitted yesterday that the letter was such that it had been returned to the late Agent-General. Probably, the letter was on the subject of arrears of salary'said to be claimed by Sir Julius Vogel, and if so, it is likely the claims would be preferred in plain language. We are prepared to back the late Agent-General; Mr Hall will come off second best. . ■

The ; season for petitions has set and already we. hear of four or five. One, praying for the removal of Mr Kenrick, is being drafted, and will, it is said, be publicly presented for signature in a few days.

At the Police Court this morning, Edward Burns, an old offender, was charged with being drunk and incapable. Prisoner admitted the offence. His Worship fined him 5s and costs, or im default 48 hours' imprisonment. Mr Kenrick, R.M., occupied the Bench. It would appear that Mr George McLean is now much concerned for the reputation of the House and the welfare of the country, for he is reported to have said that in opposing the second reading of the Oamaru Harbour Board Bill, that be did it to caution the House against dealing with the subject. There is something queer in the matter, when Mr Rolleston, who is above lending himself to a shady transaction said that although not personally favourable to the bill, he hud deferred to; the opinions expressed by! the Waste Land Board.

In reply to a question, the Ministry stated that it was competent for Government to resume possession of lands on which gold was found, and Government did not see the necessity, for further legislation on the subject*

In the Legislative Council yesterday, the Hon Mr Whitaker stated that probably a bill would be introduced to amend the Fro* perty Tax, Act, remedying proved defects, and possibly setting the question of liability of persons in position.*

At the Waste Lands Board yesterday, an application was received from Mr Adam Porter asking permission to prospect in Tararu for other minerals than gold, which he be* lieved existed in that locality.—Granted. Similar requests were roceived from settlors in Coromaudel.

It is said thatithe Legislative Council will reject, the Chinese'lmmigration Bill.

We understand that Sergt. Mulville, of the Thames Police, is about to sever his connection with the force hero, .jje.will, we believe, be removed to Corornandcl in a few days.

The Scottish Battalion met; at the drill hall last uiglit and were excrciaed under Major Watson, assisted by the Adjutant Captain Schofield, Captain Johnstone a'jdXiioutenants Heron and A. W. Burns. After drill a letter was read from the Engineers, challenging the battalion 4 to fire a match, conditions —fifteen men a-side, with same weapons as on issue at present, the winning team to receive £15 from the losers of It'he match. A member suggested that twenty-five men, and £5 per man a-side, would hare pleased him better, than the proposed conditions. Another member opined the teams ought to consist of 25 men a-side, as the match was spoken of by the Engineers as a return mutch to the one fired in 1877. Major Watson stated: it was rather singular that the challenge had the appearance of being hurriedly issued, as soon as it was known that the battalion was to be equipped with a good fire-arm; and br orders had already been issued for the recall of the old rifles, he could not dela the work to gratify their esteemed friends the Engineers ; but if the shooting members decided to accept the challenge on its merits, they must do so at once. He would cad a general meeting on Saturday (10-morrow) night to settle the matter. The feeling of the members of the .battalion isy, we believe, that the match should <b> deferred.until-the new rifles arrive, when they would be able to meet the " sappers and miners " on equal terms.

Thb Thames Scottish Battalion will be inspected by Major Withers on Tuesday evening

It having been stated that some of the Chinese resident in Parawai were Buffering from leprosy, Drs Payne and Huxtable, with Mr Mason and Sergfc. Mulville, visited the habitations of the men to-day, and held an examination. The man known as Jam Kay f resient opposite the Maori house, and bis servants were examined by the doctors, and pronounced free from all signs of such a disease. The cultivators of the gardens beyond Flett's were examined, but all the men not being at home, the examination was not completed. There is great doubt that, any of the Chinese aro .suffering from this loathesome disease, and it was currently stated to-day that the rumor was started by interested persons, and with the object of injuring the trade of the " heathen." We shall be happy to find that the report from the medical men will prove that a disease so much dreaded is not on the Thames.

Mb Cadman, Chairman of the Coromandel County Council, with hia Foreman of Works rieited the Thames yesterday, riding overland from Coromandel. The object of the journey was to inspect and pass certain works on the road between the Thames and Coromandel. It is now possible for men to go overland to Coromandel with safety, but at present the state of the road is very bad, owing to the late bad.weather, and it being in many places only just formed. Mr Cadman deserves credit for the persevering manner in which he has attended to (he wants of his County, and fir the expedition displayed in getiing the works taken in hand authorised on the Thames and Coromandel road. During next summer we have no doubt there will be a good deal of traffic on this road, and miners from the Thames will be able to visit the Tiki without having to incur the expense of a trip by steamer round by Auckland.

MeCabpenteb announces a Bale for Monday next of the household eff<-cts. The goods have been taken under n bill of sale and must, be disposed of. A choice lot of teas in paroela to suit customers will be offered after the sale of furniture.

The Hauraki Engineers are warned for inspeotion parade on Monday evening next.

An advertisement appears in another column stating that the Patiki will make a special trip to Paeroa on Sunday, in |order to take persons deßirous of attending the opening services of the Paeroa Catholic Churoh. A very small charge has been made, and as the steamer is due here at» reasonable hour in the evening, we shall not be surprised to find a great many persons taking advantage of the opportunity to sta the river and the people of Paeroa.

The Deputy Property Tax Cotnmissisner of Auckland, Mr McLean, is showing more than a laudable zeal in collecting the amount of the Property Tax levied on the Thames, and not alone in the matter of the principal amount, but for the interest charged for neglect in paying the instalments. Cases have been brought under our notice where summonses have been issued for a few pence, the interest charged for the delay of a few days in forwardirg the last amount required under the tax. It is not so much the amount of the interest, 10 per cent, upon the sum unpaid, and nob at that rate par annum, that is objected to, but for a few pence Court charges amounting to 4a are added. The Deputy Commissioner may imagine that he is showing only proper zeal in the Beavice of his country, but it ia just possible that his conduct is likely to do more harm than good, and have the effect of making still more unpopular a very unpopular mode of taxation.

The Wesleyan Advocate is grimly humorous in its reference to the men who have migrated to 'he Anglican fold. It says:— " The men who leave us may find something better elsewhere; let us hope, if we doubt. A story has reached us that one of these escapes ia appointed to a 'cure' which was very effective on its late incumbent, who left because he could not stand ' both starvation and heat.' He says that he could have endured either by it .elf — could have starved in the cold or lived in the heat, if he could have got aoy stipend; but starvation and scorchation together have driven him from his 'cure/ and an escaped preacher is sent in his place. It says something for us that we are beli ved to be able to live where no other class of ministers can."

Thb volunteer authorities in Waikato have received a cheque from the Government on account of the last half-yearly drill, the amount being at the rate of 7s per day per man, minus a reduction of 10 per cent. Nothing has transpired regarding the November pay. It will be seen that not only has the pay. been reduced one half, but the 10 per cent, system has been pushed to the utmost limit of absurdity. Comment upon such a state of matters is needless. —W. Tim'S.

In Wellington a new American game of billiards, called " Bed, White, and Blue," is coming into fashion, and is thus described:— The game consists of three pin-pool pins painted red, white, and blue, two of which are placed on the spots at each end of the billiard table, and the third one directly in the centre. Three billiard balls are used in the game, which are also red, white, and blue. The red and blue balls are placed against the lower en.i cushion, directly at the point where the " nails" nearest the corners ure, and the player shoots with the white ball from inside the ring. The privilege of the first shot is determined by throwing out small balls with numbers on them, the smallest number shooting first, and so in rotation, always shooting with the white'ball. The game consists in knocking down the blue pin with the blue ball, the red pin with the red ball, and the white pin with the white ball; but it makes no difference which is knocked down first. If a player knocks down a pin with a ball of a different colour than the pin, he is " bursted," and has to begin anew, no matter if he had the other two properly downed. Five cents, is charged for each man entered, and ajso for each " burst." The game is quite exciting, and is rapidly growing in favor.

The Government have intimated that a bill was in preparation, authorising tho boarding out of children committed to reformatories or industrial schools, and if time permitted, would be brought down this session. In connection with this subject, the following may be interesting:—" In Sydney, one guardian was fined £10 and costs for atrocious cruelty to a child placed with him from the Bandwick Asylum. In Victoria, there is also occasionally disappointment, if we may judge from the following paragraph in the Melbourne Age:—' The children who are boarded out from the industrial schools do not seem in every case to meet with proper care and supervision from their foster parents, and fall into evil courses. Three boys, named John Wall, John Charles Smith, and Leslie Phillips, were arrested by the Colling wood police on Friday night on several charges of petty larceny from shops in the district.

In the annual report of the Ballarat School of Mines, referred to yesterday, the following localities in New Zoaland are mentioned from which specimens for the museum are desired: —Porpbery and serpentine, D'Urulle Island ; metamorphic rocks, Westland and Milford Sound; upper palaeozoic, Mount Arthur; lower inesozoic (fossil), Wairoa;. upper mesozoio (fossil), Clent Hill; miocene, Mokau Biver, Oamaru; pliocene, Hawke's Bay; pliocene (fossil), Shag Point ; poet pliocene (with moa b^nes), Oainaru. Without doubt, specimens from the Thames would be

welcomed at' Ballarat, and it would show a good feeling, at least, if the committee of our public library were to give instructions for » collection to be formed and sent to Ballarrac. It is juit probable that the compliment would be returned. :

The Scottish Band gave their second free concert in the Academy of Music last night, the attendance was fully us large as before, and all seemed to enjoy the musical treat so liberally provided for them. The programme was a most excellent one, and was admirably

executed,

Mb 3. Hethkbington informs the public that he will commence a genuine clearing-ou'i sale to-morrow. He tells the public how it it that his stack is so large, aud assures them that every article will be roducfd in price to cash purchasers.

The P.B Standard has the following:— Captain Gudgeon—than whom there are few more true-hearted settlers—arrived by the Rotomahana from the South yesterday. We are not aware whether the gallant gentleman's visit is temporary or otherwise, but we are glad to see bis venial old face o"ce more.

Fheedom shrieked, and Hope for a season bid the world farewell, when it became known about Brown street oue day during the week that Me Liver's stock of i?hort Navy hud run out. A fresh supply has since come to hand, and the popular dispenser of the soothing weed man's the breach once more.—[Advt.]

Satb Dugnld : " Hoo are you, Maggie ? " "Am no weelifta, Dugald." Dugald : " Ay, ay ! will I make of you a cup of tea ? I hey some o' McG-owan's here." "No,no,Dugald, he'll do no coot." " Will I make yon a newporn egg?" " It's no use, Dugald; I'm no weel whateffer, man." " Weel, Maggie, will I marry of you ? " " Oh, Dugald, you make me laugh, an' me no weel. Q-efc me some o' that tea noo ? "—[ADVT.]