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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3919, 21 July 1881, Page 2

It is not proposed by Government to bring in a bill this session to legalise marriage with a deceased husband's brother. Would it not be well for some member to introduce a bill to allow a man to marry hia grandmother or a woman her grandfather. Young ladies frequently marry men old enough to be their grandfathers, and they might like to marry the relation referred to. Thebe was no business at the Police Court this morning. Govebkment stated that enquiries would be made as to the necessity for introducing a bill for the extension ard operation of the laws relating to goldfields over the various water-race reserves. The Government would ascertain what could be done in the way of fostering the industry. The Scottish Battalion meet for drill to<night in the Scotia Hall. After parade the time for shooting the rifle match between two teams of the Battalion will be definitely decided on. The members of both companies are showing much eagerness to take part in ' the proposed competition. Mb Latjeie and the workmen engaged in repairing the damage done the Domestic Water Kace by the flood, deserve every credit for the expedition shown by them The water is now on to the township, but as yet the inhabitants will have to be somewhat sparing of it, as the usual quantity is not running through the pipes. We learn that no less than a dozen large landslips took place up the Waikeikei Creek, and from the appearance of the banks, others may be looked for upon the first heavy rainfall. Mr Prescott's garden suffered also. So bad is the road up the Kauaeranga that two of the pack-horses usei by the bush contractor got bogged, and had to be left in the mud. It would have taken a team of bullocks to have taken the poor animals out, so some persons said who saw the place where they were bogged. Mb Haies was engaged to-day inspecting damage sustained by the Borough from the flood, and this afternoon proceeded up Tararu Creek. To-morrow he will devote to the County Water Race, expecting to return to Auckland on Saturday. It is intended, we understand, to give a concert in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Church on the 9th proximo. Consider ing the damage that has been done by the flood to the building belonging to this congregation, we trust a fair amount will be realised by the concert. The new rifles for the Nos. 1 and 2 Cotnmanioß of the Scottish Battalion and R fle Rangers having arrived, will be issued to the members forthwith. The monthly inspection of the band and Scottish Battalion takes place next Wednesday, it is therefore incumbent on each member to attend at the store to receive his weapon before that date. The rifles are of the latest snider pattern, and aro finished in a very careful and elaborate manner, they are in fact the best large bore rifle yet received by the Thames corps. The Scottish and RaDgers will now be in position to compete for the District Belt at the next competition with some fair prospects of success. The side-arm to be carried with the new fire arm is a handsome sword-bayonet of the same pattern as now used by the 6 rJth Regiment, and the Rifle Brigade The rifles are all thoroughly saturated in a thick coating of tallow-fat and beeswax, to ensure the metal and steel from corroding during the voyage from Home. The members are recom ■ mended to use a little kerosene and Neat's foot oil to remove this, and to bring the several parts into working trim. Those volunteer who have neglected to return their old rifles snd bayonets into store, are reminded that they are thereby delaying the necessary transmission of the condemned weapons to head quarters. Mb Sheehan'b Abolition Repeal Bill was expected to furnish material for a long aud earnest debate and to result in a close division involving a complete houleversement of parties as now constituted. Ministers held a special Cabinet meeting to-day to consider the course they should take on the matter, as such a Bill was obviously tantamount to a want-of-confidence motion, inasmuch as it traverses the entire policy of the Ministry in regard to local government, and practically declares the latter unsatisfactory by proposing a diametrically opposite plan. Ministers could hardly go on with the details of the measure by continuing the debate on the Crown nnd Native Lands Bating Bill while a motion was before the House which attacks the whole policy on important questions. It was | anticipated, therefore, that Ministers would decline to proceed with other business till the fate of Mr Sheeban' Bill was decided. However, when Mr J. C. Brown—one of Mr Sheehan'e old and staunches!; allies—moved to shelve the Bill, Mr Sheehan not unnaturally lost his temper, and, deeming that he had been sold, threw up the Bill in a rage. It is believed that Sir George Grey had a good deal to do with the untimely fate of Mr Sheehan'a grand coup, which was'to immortalfse himj and constitute him ipso facio leader of the Opposition. This Sir George Grey" did not fancy, and so there is little doubt that he took means to have Mr Sheehan's Bill quietly killed, so as to leave - the field clear for hiß own remarkable Kfflßure.

We would remind our readers of the coucert by the Scottish Band this evening, the programme of which appears in another column. The manager of the Bendigo Company wants tenders for a driving contract. A LAEGB slip lias taken place at Funga Flat, near the Columbia tunnel, happily without injuring it. The slip, we are informed, covers some acres of ground, and has shifted about three feet, moving Mr Donnelly's house bodily. The Herald says Mr Brodie was asked by the County Council to proceoed to Wellington to urge on the Government the claims of the place for tt vote of money to cover the damage done by the flood. In another olumn appears the district orders for the present month. " Paddy Mubahy. " has, ia the Saturday Advertiser, some verses upon Colonel Brott and his opposition to the Chinese Bill. The following is an extract: — As I came up through Wills street, whom think ye should I see ?— Why, Readher Wood an' Johnny Hall, an' faix they winked at me ; Sss Johnny, " Wasn't it a lark the Lords bad yestherday ? Ould Brett was railly fuony—he's a purty cup o' lay."