Memoranda of the Month.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4248, 12 August 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

Memoranda of the Month.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Auckland Gas Company, a dividend at the rate of 17 per cent was declared. Last week's fresh has had the effect of bringing down a large number of logs to the b ioms at Kauaeraoga. The number is estimated at a thousand, many of them of large size. ' The Government are taking a number of the Constabulary stationed in the Waikato to Wellington for training in the artillery corps for the defence of harbors. Thb Coromandel Mail learns that Dr ! Hovell has been bitten by a katipo very severely ; inftamation set in, but the patient is doing well. Me Dooian, a second class detective, arrived on Saturday to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Detective Parrell. He has been eight years in WaiUato, and was previously in Tauranga. The Postmaster General has determined to call for tenders for a mail service by fourhorse coaoh betwen the Thames and Tauranga. The tenders will be invited by the end of the month. The annual meeting of the Auckland Timber Company was held on the 7th inst. The balance eheet showed a net profit of £11,934 10s lid. A dividend of 15 per cent, was declared and £17,095 carried forward. We are pleased to learn that the tender of Messrs A. nnd G. Price for casting the cylinders for the bridge over the Waikato at Hamilton has been accepted The order will comprise 86 tons, to be oompleted within eight weeks. This job is probably the largest for casting yet executed in the rolony. At noon on July 15, Titokowaru wan liberated. Mr John Winks, of Hawera, being one of the bondsmen, and a nat've named Mania deposited £250 in cash. Titokowaru signed his recognisances for £500. He was supplied by Government with a new suit of clothes when he put off his prison garb. William Hazlitt, aged 73, for rape on Lavinia Hamilton, under 10 ten years of age, at the Thames, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, and one whipping of thirty lashes. Ma Isaac Hopkins has removed to Matatnata, Upper Thames, having undertaken the mnnagement of a bee farm which Mr J. C. Firth intends to institute on an extensive scale. Mr Hopkins takes hi a hives with him. He has also purchased about one hundred others in the Waikato district. Thb erection of the railway bridge at Hamilton, on the Waikato, is causing much curiosity. One cylinder is sunk 80 feet 10 inches below the bed of the river, and there is no indication yet of a hard bottom. According to the present rate of progress the bridge may not be finished for years. - MebsbS Stone Bros., of Auckland, have received a cable message announcing that their barque Stag, C'apt. MoCabe, has been wrecked on Flinders Inland. The captain and crew arrived at Launceaton safely in two boats. The Stag was bound from Whangaroa to Melbourne with a cargo of timber. The hull was insured for £2000. The cargo and freight are insured for £1430 The Thames River Navigation Company are pushing their business, and the secretary, Mr John Hudson, is leaving no stone unturned to further their interests. He hasjust returned from up river, where he has been perfecting business arrangements. A barge has been ordered from Mr T. Savage, 55 feet in length by 14 feet beam. She is to bo ready within twelve weeks, and will be capable of carrying 20,000 feet timber. A MAN named William Challoner, aged 29, came to the Hospital on the 2nd from Tairua, where he was injured the previous Monday by a log rolling over him, which, pressed his head into the ground. His head is much swollen, and is affected with erysipelas. He is, however, progressing favorably, and no dangerous symptoms are discernible. The St. Helier's Bay Company have notified to the Auckland City Council their acceptance of>the conditions for the construction of tramways. The work of laying down the lines will probably be commenced at once. There are already a large number of shares applied for in the company. A prospectus will be issued in a day or two. Ax a meeting of the directors of the Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company, Auckland, in addition to 12,000 shares taken up by the promoters, 21,560 shares were allotted to applicants. Orders go Home by (his mail for the latest machinery from America and England.

Mb Wm. Swanbon, M.H.R , has presented to the Wellington Museum miscellaneous samples of Auckland manufactured glassware. The samples consist of water bottles, juge,. confectionery jars, stained claret jugs, hyacinth glasses, globes, ordinary tumblers, and pint and half-pint mugs. The articles are exceedingly well refined, and can scarcely be detected from the imported article. The theory propounded by MrDenton whilst on tho Thames that quartz reefs were formed ! and gold deposited by infiltration was illustrated by some of the specimens obtained in the Queen of Beauty mine. Some of the pieces contained vugs, and in these could be plainly seen the little crystals and the leaves of gold forming. Some of the particles of gold were only as thiik as a hair, while others had advanced to the size of a piece of thread. The way in which the crystals of quartz had grown over 'hese threads of gold could also be easily seen. Another piece of j quartz indicated the maouer in which silica, or quartz, is deposited by the water on pyrites of iron, &c. On July 17, in presence of the reporters and two medical gentlemen, Mr Bonnie, of Maori Hill, Ofcago, gave an exhibition of the lighting capabilities of his new gas for which he has now taken out patents in Australia and New Zealand, and has sold the former. The gas is manufactured out of air, water, and ordinary beef or mutton fat. He has had it burning in his private house for 12 months. The light is pure, clear, and white, and more powerful than that of Dunedin. It has no smell. The cost is very small, running from Is 3d <o 3s per thousand feet. The annual meeting of tke Young Men's Christian Association was held on July 18, Mr McGowan presiding. Mr Whitehead, Treasurer, read the balance sheet, which showed a deficit of £6 19s 3d. After a very interesting discussion as to the beat means of infusing fresh life into the institution, the following officers were appointed for the ensuing year:—President, Bey. T. L. Davies; Vice-Presidents, Revs. Barley, Neill, and Bull, and Messrs McGowan ond Renshaw; Secretaries, Messrs Nodder and La wry ; Treasurer, Mr Whitehead; committee, Messrs Grigg, Cocks, S. Driver. Wm. Aihby junr., B. T. Douglas, and Fulljumes. The Committee were instructed to prepare a programme of the session, the meetings to be every alternative Tuesday, rommeneing on the Ist AugUßt, at eight o'clock. CUTHBEHT McKellak, charged with embezzlement from the National Bank, Mosgiel, was found guilU yesterday. According to the statement of prisoner's counsel, the prisoner, in discharge of his duties, had to go about to hotels, &o, collecting money, and the money be wns charged with embezzling was so collected. The jury added a recommendation to mercy in consequence of this mode of conducting business, and a sentence of six months was passed. Two members of the Society of Friends, Messrs Neave and Sharp, preached at the Baptist Chapel on Sunday evening, and subsequently held a service in the Academy of Music, which was crowded. They said they had nothing novel to say, they had come to preach the old, old Gospel. Their addresses were very simple, earnest, and thoroughly evangelical.

A HAIP-OASTB, aged 22, named George Joy, was brought to the Hospital on the Ist inst. from tho Kauaeranga, where he had been injured in the morning whilst jacking logs at Mr T. Webb'B contract. Hiß jack slipped, ond the log rolled down. Not being able to get out of the way in time, the log struck him in the region of the abdomen. He was brought down to the Hospital by 27 of bis fellov-smplojes. Tho roads being very bad, the journey (18 miles) occupied about 8 hours. An examination of the injuries did not show that any bones had been broken; but it was found that the contusion was a very severe one.

The Parliamentary telegrams yesterday convey intelligence of an alteration in the Licensing Law of some importance, which has been carried in the House of Representatives, namely that the local bodies shall constitute the Licensing Committees. This would not do away with the local option poll, but simply substitute the County Councils and boroughs as the administrators of that decision, for the present system of Licensing Committees. A Hokitika. telegram says a parcel of coarse gold, weighing about nine ounces was brought in from new ground o:i the north side of Taipu River. One piece was an ounce in weight, the rest pieces from 5 to lOdwts, intermixed with quartz. Numbers of claims washiog up at Woodstock are giving most favourable returns, about two hundred ounces of gold being sold weekly at the rush, and the water for sluicing purposes is gradually extending. Humphrey's Gj-ully No. 1 is now supplying water to the miners at Humphreys from their lower race, and the company are calling for tenders for the construction of about four miles of main race and 20,000 feet of timber for fluming. Another mining company, known as the Mont dOr, is is forming at Ross, with a capital of £12,000. John FaiNCls Kitto, under committal for the murder of his son-in-law, Reggerio, at Miller's Flat, was brought before the jury at Dunedin yesterday, to try whether he was insane or not. Dr Neil, of the Asylum, gave evidence that he considered Kitto ins me. The prisoner asked him in what way he had found him insane. Dr Neil answered that he had considered his son-in-law pas-eseed by the devil. " No," said the prisoner, " not possessed by the devil; he was the devil!" His Honor asked if Kitto imagined himself to be any par- j ticular person. Kitto said, " lam professing to be the Christ." The jury found him jnsaue, and he was remanded to the Asylum, pending the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary. St. Benedict's Church, Newton, ereoted by the Order of Benedictines, was formally opened and consecrated for worship on the 23rd July. The church was crowded, 2000 persons being present. Bishop Redwood, of Wellington, preached. In the course of his serI mou be made a fierce onslaught on the secular education eystecn. Farmer's Maas was rendered by an orchestra one hundred strong. The offer lory was £412 at the morning service The Church cost £7000, and will take £3000 to complete. Before Mass, Father O'Sullivan, Superior of the Benedictines, presented Professor Carl Sohmitt, the leader of the orchestra, with a gold-mounted baton as a souvenir of the consecration service. Thb annual meeting of the Thames Gold Mining Company lapsed for want of a quorum It appears from the directors' report, that in consequence of the falling off of the mines no dividends were pud. In the Waihi Company 900 shares had been purchased, and in the Alburnia Company 500 new shares ; £2,1091 9a remains on interest at 5 per cent., aud £600 at 6 per cent. Ax Russell, H.M.S. Nelson had an accident to one of her anchors, which might have been very serious. During a moderate gale on the 28th, the officers of the watch noticed that the vessel was dragging, and immediately gave an alarm, when a second anchor was let go. She having dragged some distance, and on heaving up the port anchor, it was found thai only the ring and stock and a email piece of the shank were left, there being a flaw in the iron. The anchor lest weighed 96cwt. It the wind had been from the westward, Bhe would probably have, been ashore before she could have been brought up.

An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Martha Company, Waihi, was held in Auckland on the 21st July. There was a good attendance, Mr C. B. Stone presiding. The financial statement showed:-«•

Receipts: B»nk overdraft, £780 oslid. Expenditure: By mino, £570 15s 8H ; battery, £88 14s 8d : general expenses, £111 lOs 7d. Total, £780 0s lid. After some discjwaion two new mambars (Mssrs Yaughan and A. Porter) were added to tbe directorate. The position of tbe mine, &c , was explained by the GhairmaD. At a directors' meeting, held immediately after the above, it was resolved to change the management of the mine, Mr Niccol (the original prospector) being appointed instead of Mr Gribble. The reason for the change is that Mr Nicool states he can work the mine and battery cheaper than at present, and he thinks he can get more gold.

The first production of t^e Knipara Canning Company (8,000 cans of preserved mullet) has been placed on the market, and all sold. The recent severe weather has made tin's fish somewhat scarce, but ns a rule the wat rs of the Kaipara Hurbo • swarm with 'his geuus of the finny tribe, phoals over a mile ia length having been seen. Thu CompaDy e:npl ys six bnits, and lurao quantities of fine fish are c u.;ht. by tin* Mao i* on the J ooas f outside t'-e Heads. We may mention, I in connection with the recent cases of poison- I ing, from eating American tinned foods, that Mr Wilson h»s 'nvented a method of soldering the cans with a preparation made from fish oil. The poison in cans of ordinary canatruction is caused by the chemical action of the acid, used in the process of soldering, on the solder and tin.—Star. PmoiNG- out was brisk on tbe 26th ulfc. around this quarter. When numbers of persons were enjoying their evening meal two parties w re hurrying in hot haste to peg out the old Exchange ground, lying between the Queen of Beauty mi* c and the old Crown Princess grouad. The first on the field, it is said, were Messrs Samuel Turtle, John Northey, and Edward. MacDonnell. Certain it is that party No. 2, comprising Messrs M. Vaughan, R. R. McGregor, and Jameß Garvey, was, if not a head, close upon them. Rumor has it that still a third party was on the same " lay." It has been hinted that the pegging of one of the parties was not strictly in accordance with the regu'ation?. Mkssbs Peice Bbos. will in a few days .lay tho keel of an iron steamer, intended to trade between here and Te Arota. Her dimensions will be—Length, 56fi Gin on the keel ; beam, 10ft ; (icpt.li of hold, 4ft 6in. Besides having plenty of room t, stow a large amount of cargo, she will be well fitted for passenger accommodation, as her Crtbin is to bo 24ft long and 6ft 6in clour in hei»ht.. She will be propelled by twin screws, erch driven by a pair of 6|in high-pressure inverted cylinders, with a 7in stroke. Steam will be supplied by a boiler of the usual marine construction, of large size, uud mude to carry a high pressure. The speed expected to be obtained is about eleven statute miles per hour. A SERIOUS accident happened at Waitete on the 19th inst. to a man named William Savage, employed at Webb's Sawmill. It appears that Savage, who is a tall, heuvy man, w»b carrying wood to the mill tn Thursday morning. In doing this, be had to cross a small creek, the only bridge orer which was a heavy piece of timber, one of two skids laid down for Ibe purpose of rolling logs acrossHe was crossing this with a heavy log at about 11 o'clock, and his foot must have slipped, for he fell into the bed of the creek, 3ft 6iu from the skid, striking his head against a sharp stake, which inflicted a wound about three and a half inches long over the right eye, rendering him unconscious. He was not seen to fall, and it was some time after when he was seen by one of the miners, who at once got assistance. The unfortunate man was carried to his whare, and all that was possible was done for him. As no medical aid could bo obtained he was carried into Paeroa yesterday, a distance of 17 miles, by his mates, and brought to the Thames this morning by the Te Aroha. On arrival here he was taken to the hospital, where the wound was dressed by Dr Payne, who says he is suffering from concussion of the brain, but cannot yet say how the case v likely to end. A man named Arthur Burchell, also from Waihi, had a wound on two fingers of the right hand dressed this morning. The injury was inflicted by a circular saw about a week ago, and was caused by the piece of wood on the bench jumping and knocking his hand against the saw. The forefinger was split open to the bone, and a small piece of flesh was also taken off the second finger.—Savage died at the Hospital on the 25th July. He never regained consciousness after the accident. ]

PEBHAP3 no town in the colony can boast of a more flourishing athletic club than the Thames. The membership is 100, and the average attendance about 4>. There are two practice niglits weekly—Mond«ys and Thursdays. The evening is divided into exercise time and amusement time. During exercise the members are completely under control, and work to|ether in squads under the loadership of a sub-instructor. That the Club ia popular, the large attandance of ladies and gentlemen to witness the class practising last night is ample testimony. The squads do not continue at one class of exercise more than 15 to 30 minutes. Each then is marshalled in marching array, and taken to the place vacated by some other squad. What strikes the visitor most is the remarkable progress which has beeu made during the Short time the club has been in existence. Ia one corner are two huge rings suspended from the ceiling by means of long ropes. The members turn somarsauits between these rings with great celerity, and several can climb up to the top of the ropei with sailor like agility. The feats on the rings attracted tho attention of the spectators amazingly, and frequent applause rewarded the efforts of the gymnasts. In another corner a squid practised on the horizontal bar, and elsewhere another squad on the parallel bars. The middle of the rc>m was in the meantime occupied by the jumper?. Between two poles is stretched a rope adjustable at different heights. Over, this a number of members not engaged otherwise spent a pleasant time at the running jump, beginning at an easy height, and gradually rising. Afterwards all took to such amusement as they chose, boxing, fencing, dumbbells &&, being heartily indulged in. Subsequently the instructor, Mr Kihlman, mustered the whole, and put them through a series of preliminary exercises with the arms and feet, which they executed with much precision. Mr Ghlnier is second instructor.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in Te Aroha was held on 26th July in Mr Firth's office under the following circumstances :—Mr Leigh, representing mining capitalists in Victoria, has recently visited Te Aroha for the purpose of reporting to his principals the prospects of the district. After inspection he expressed satisfaction with the general prospects. The only question upon which he required precise information was as to whether the tenure of the ground were sufficiently safe to secure the investment of capital. With a view to give the fullest information on this subject the meeting of yesterday was held. Amongst those present were Mr Kenrick, Warden, Messrs C. Alexander, D. G. MacDonnell, J. Newman, and Adam Porter. Mr Kenrick explained the conditions upon which land was taken up for mining purposes aud for leases, the security^aken by Government for working the grounds, and that pro* Tided by the Government for the miner and holder. Mr Leigh, having heard the explanation of the Warden, and the statements of several gentlemen present, expressed himself satisfied that the tenure was quite safe to insure investment of capital. ;.,:>'