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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3943, 18 August 1881, Page 2

The first ball of the Hauraki Quadrille Assembly at the Academy of Music laat nigbfc was a marked success. The attendance was large, the mnsio unexceptional, and the programme of dances welJ arranged. The dancing commenced at eight o'clock, and the programme was finished »t 11 o'clock, when all present disperse:! well pleased with the evening's enjoyment. ' A successful season is before the committee, who are to be congratulated for their admirable arrangements and the success which attended their first ball.

The Herald in a lengthy arbicle on the Eepresentation Bill says :—" We are loth to approve the adoption of an extreme course, unless under the stress of grave circumstances) and in the absence of a milder one that might provo effective, but as the Representation Bill of the Government would prove fatal to the interests of the Northern Island, if carried in its presotit form, we conceive that there should be an unflinching resolution to defeat it by the use of any and every means. The matter is one of life and death to the North, and therefore justifies recourse to extreme expedients.

The extraordinary election for the-vacant seat in the County Council rendered necessary by the compulsory retirement of Mr Greenville, one of the representatives of the Kauaeranga, took place to-day in St. George' School-room. Colonel I'raser officiated as Returning Officer, the poll clerks being Messrs Melhoae and Crick. Throughout the morning there was little or no excitement, each candidate (the late representative, Mr Greenville, and Mr Goo. Bull) together with their committees being busily engaged looking up those persons whose names appears on the roll for the Kauaeransja Riding. Both sides profess to be pretty confident of winniag, but the betting was decidedly in favor of the young candidate, Mr Bull.

We would call the attention of battery contractors to our advertising columns where it will be seen that the survey of the works is being pushed on by the Waibi O-.M. Co. Intending contractors would do well to visit the ground as soon as possible. No time wiil be lost in accepting tenders for both

batteries

" A.8." WHITES as follows :—Sir, —On looking in at the public reading room to-day I find that the last four numbers of the Engineer, received by last mail, for May 20th, 27th, and June 3rd and 10th, are not on the table they are usually placed upon, and tbe librarian states that the papers must have b?en removed iti the course of Saturday last as they were on the table in the morning of that day. It is a pity that the papers should disappear in such a manner. Perhaps they could be returned on the terms, say for this time, if "no questions asked."—Thames, 18th August, 1881.

In the Warden's Court to-day the only case was one Potter v. Porter, which was on the application of Mr Cuff adjourned to the 25th inst.

" Haeey Bot" writes:—"Sir,—ls chaos come again on the Thames, if so, like unto the flood, the sooner it subsides the better' Here men are being threatened with sum inonses for pegging out claims that they haTe abandoned eight or teu years siuce, and other people have been in occupation for the last five or six years, and all this fuss and trouble has been caused bj a blunder from an inexperienced Warden in mining matters. Any boy of 18 years of age could have told him that after 48 ' hours a claim becomes forfeited unless protected for valid reasons, wherever I hiire been . on three different goldtields, but of course this is an exceptional place; here is always some Daniel coming to judgment."

The Legislative Council last night threw out Sir George Grey's Legal Practitioners Bill.

The Scottish band will give another of their enjoyable promenade concerts in the Academy of Music to-night, the programme of which appears in our advertising columns.

An " Unworthy Churchman" writes—" The Editor— Sir, I was greatly surprised to read in the columns of the n.orning paper, a lengthy and nonsensical letter from a writer signing himself " Churchman." It is well known to me that honour is not given where honour is due, no more are charity and forbearance characteristics of man* of our Thames churchmen. The estimable old gentleman referred to by the writer is one of those few individuals who take to a particular path of duty, and sturdily follows the same to the best of his ability without turning to the right hand or the left. Shame I say to " churchman "to endeavour to ridicule such conscientious perseverance as that, displayed by Mr L. Love ye one another."

Stiil another ?tory- comes from th« jury room. The Auckland correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes that in the recent libel case Rees v. Wickham, one of the jurymen is alleged to have suggested " that a verdict should be given for Rees, on the ground that h6 was a warm supporter of Sir George Grey, while Wickham was continually assailing that gentleman ; and concluded by requesting the foreman to ' put his motion in that behalf to the meeting.' The ' meeting' oould not see the logic of the proposition, and the juryman collapsed.

A mbkting of ladies who sympathise with the wives and families of the men imprisoned in Ireland, was held at the Dixon street Wellington, on Tuesday afternoon. About twenty tire ladies were preseufe, aud apologiej

for npn-attendance were received from Miss Hutchinson, the Mayor's daughter, and Miss O'Keefe, a young and blooming lady, who apparently obj-cted to have greatness thrust upon her. The object of the meeting was explained by Miss Liindon, the daughter of Mr John Lundon, M.H.K., and the following ladies were elected for the purpose of receiving subscriptions to be forwar ied to Miss Anna Parnell:—President, Mrs Madden ; vice-president, Mrs Keon; secretary, Miss Fitzgerald; treasurer for Thorndon, Mrs Fisher; treasurer for Te Aro, Mra Hedley. The ladies then formed themselves into pairs lor the purpose of receiving subscriptions. When these female pairs bad paired off, they marched in double file down tho streets to the Honorable House of Representatives to start upon tbeir depredations, and at once swarmed into the teetotal strangers' room, where they succeeded in getting a free luncheon at the expense of a. well known " Lord" distinguished for his ready money. This was the first step towards aiding the wives and families of the imprisoned in Ireland, a d, no doubt, they thought it but fair that charily should commence at home. In order, however, that it should " finish abroad," the pairs (pairs are, of course, quifco in place in the House) 'set to work to inveigle honorable members into their net. They sent in a messenger to individual members to say they were wanted in the strangers' room, and as each victim popped his nose in at the door, he was pounce 1 upon by the little duckeys inside and asked to fork out. At last, however, it came to the cars of Mr Bunny, the Chairman of the House Committee, that " Ladies " were occupying the strangers room, intent on getting money out of all and sundry ; he (evidently considering the loss Bellamy's might undergo), ordered the fair oreatureßto desist from "their unhallowed task, and leave the building. Mies Lutidon declined, and appealed to the speaker. The speaker said Mr Bunny >.as Chairman of the House C mniittee and must use his own discretion. Mr Buimy then hiuted that a constable would be brought into requisition if necessary, and the heroines of Ireland " got them gone " without further parley. Thus has the advocacy of a noble cause received a stinging rebuff at the very outset.

Mb George Crocker advertises a reduced price list of the boots and shoes made by him on his premises, Brown street.

A public meeting is to be held in Auckland to consider the question of the harbor reclamation works, and the expressed intention of the Government not to grant money lor their completion.