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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4035, 3 December 1881, Page 2

The annual competition for the school committees' prizes wbb: concluded to-day in the WaiO'Karaka school, under the supervision of the head teachers of the Thames schools. Thirty four candidates came up for arithmetic, viz, six from Waiotahi Creek School, two from-Para wai,\ three-from Tararu, six. from .Kauaeranga Girls', eleven from Kauaeranga Boys', and six from Waio-Karaka, In composition, twenty-seven competed, and in drawing nineteen, each school being represented.

The following gentlemen have been returned to the House of Representatives unopposed. Swanson for Newton; Whyte, Waikatoj Johnson, Manawatu; Levestam, Nelson; Rolleston, Avon; Montgomery,Akaroa ; Macandrew, Port Chalmers ; Fulton, Taieri ; Barron, Caveraham; and H. K. Taiaroa for the .Southern Maori District.

We would remind our readers that Mr W t H. Manning will deliver Ingersoll's lecture, 1 What shall we do to be saved ? " to-morrow evening at 8.15 in the Academy of Music.

Election matters are the principal topic of the day. The sUid moralists, the pious religionists, devoted worker in the cause of Temperance, and devotees.of Bacchus have but one topic on which they converse at the present time, and although muck absurdity and "balderdash" is uttered, there will no doubt some good remain. The fight will probably be a tight one, and many people on one side or other will be disappointed by this time next Saturday.

Owing to the indisposition of two prominent members of the Variety Troupe the company did not play last evening in the Academy They will, however, perform evening, when a most enjoyable programme will be gone through. This company has met with great success during their Soutkern tour, and the Press speaks most highly in their favor. The programme will include amongst other features clairvoyance and ventriloquism, find should be well worth going to see. ;

The Church parade of the Thames Scottish Battalion has been postponed. No business transpired at the E.M. Court this morning. <

These was another downpour of rain early this morning, but fo«tunately no damage was caused with the exception of the flooding of the creeks, and the silting up of the Karaka.

Now a prominent shootist has made suoh a good Bcore in bad weather, we may expeot that his prayer on all future occasions of competition will bf, " May it rain as it never rained before."

We hear that it is the intention of the local bodies—the Thames County and Borough. Councils—to construct a dray road to Irish-; town. It is proposed to start from a point close to the bridge by Bull's battery, and to fill in the present road for a distance of about 150 feet at a grade of lin 10. Thence the road will proceed in a zigzag fashion to Irishtown, but there will only be two turnings. A survey has been made and there ia every probability of it being carried out soon. The road will be a great benefit to the inhabitants of Irishtown.

Mb Ebbikgton, 0.E., estimates the cost of a bridge across the Waitemata from St Mary's road to Stokes' Point at £62,000. His plan proposes spans from 150 to 200 feet, to be supported by concrete e»nd rough ashlar piers.

Mining matters in the Upper Country are looking well, and the prospeot ia a most cheering one. STeßterday Christie and party finished a crushing of 24 loads of general stuff for the Bplendid return of 300 ounces gold. The people are full of hope, and everything appears to foreshadow the existence and development of a permanent goldfield.

At the Congregational Church to-morrow the Rev. R. Laishley will preach in the morning, and in the evening the Rev. R. W. Logan will deliver an address on mission work. The discourse will no doubt be highly interesting, as the Rev. gentleman ha 3 just~ returned from propagating the words of Christ in the Caroline Islands.

Ay the nomination ior City East yesterday a considerable amount of irritation was evoked on the part of the candidates, although they took the whole matter good-humouredly enough. The feeling which was aroused i* evident enough from our (Herald) report of the proceedings, although that is necessarily considered abridged. An iuoideut which

occurred at the conclusion of the proceeding* caused no small amount of talk in town during the evening. Sir Clark wa» standing in the small room adjoining the Court-house, leaning against a table, when Sir George Grey passed along on his way out. The passage wus harrow between the table and the wull, and Sir George seemed to hesitate when opposite Mr Clark. That gentleman thought, from the manner in which Sir Q-eorge paused and raised his hand, that he desired to shake hands with him, and held out his hand ; Sir George at once dropped his arm, and said, "No! not after what you have said." Sir George then walked quickly away, saying something to the eflvct that Mr Clark should be ostracised from society. Quite a contrast to this Btate of things was the conduct of candidates at City North. On Mr Bees entering the Hall MrGarrard went, up to him and shook hands with him most effusirely Mr Bees on his part, not to be outdone in courtesy, in the course of his speech deplored the splitting of the Liberal votes by three Liberal candidates standing, and frankly admitted that Mr Thwaites and Mr Garrard might be much better men than himself. The spirit of chivalry is not extinct in Oity North at least.

We must apologise to our readers for the error whioh crept into our local last night re the meeting of Mr Mackay's committee. The place mentioned was (St. George's Schoolroom, whereas it should have been opposite that building. Mr Mackay's committee meets every evening.

It is with unfeigned regret we have to announce the decease of Miss Katie Hollis, the adopted daughter of Mr Edwin Wise Hollis. The young lady, who was in con sumption, was well known, and a great favorite among her numerous acquaintances, and her loss will be deeply felt.

High Holiday was kept at the Criterion Hotel, Paeroa, on Wednesday last, in honour of the wedding day of Mr Aaher Caserels, who was to be married on that day to a Sydney lady. Mr Cassrels is one ot our very oldest identities in this district, and amongst those who wished him God speed in his married life were a large number of natives, men, women, and children. Mr Philip Bennett, Mr Caisrel's late partner, did the honors upon the occasion, and it is needlees to say that nothing was wanting. We hope to welcome Mr Cassrell's and his bride back in about three week:. — Tribune.

The Tribune says a new and rich patch is reported to have been struck in the Waitekauri Extended during the week, but for some reason it hue been kept quiet.

A meeting of Mr Brodie's Central Committee was held last evening. The roll was carefully gone through, and the prospects of success seem good. Mr Brodie returns from a visit to the. mills on Monday, and will commence an active canvass. He*will address the electors at Tapu on Tuesday, at Waiotahi on Wednesday, apdfat Block 27 on Thursday.