The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1882.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4258, 24 August 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1882.

Me EfiBINGXON's report ro the harbor has been received, and Mr Dean only awaits the arrival of the Chairman of Ihe Harbor Board, Captain Fraser, to convene a meeting for its consideration. We have not been permitted to peruse the report, but understand that he advises Ihe construction of a breakwater and wharf at or near Rooky Point. This would afford aa enclosed harbor of about thirty acres. Our informant states that he likes the proposal, bub is afraid the money required would be beyond the means obtainable. As for Short land, Mr Eirington advocates combining the Thames and Kmaeranga as far as possible, and dredging. His est.ima<e for this work is said to be £1800.

We are credibly informed that Capt. Farquahar is in favor of a harbor scheme somewhat sitnilir to that proposed by the lafce Mr E. Milletfc, C.E., several years ogo. He would form a breastwork along the front of the township and divert the Thames channel, bringing it' close inshore. His opinion is that the work should not cost more than £13,000 or £14,000.

We understand the Presbyterians of the Thames are about following the example st them by their older brethren in Scotland and the North of Ireland, by the introduction of the voluntary principle in support of their Church. Several members of the committee have been out during the week explaining the method of working the now system, and have met with most encouraging assurances.

Thb following is tak*n from Nature, a scientific journal, dated July 13, 1882 :—An interesting telephonic experiment was tried on Tuesday at Malta, during the bombardment of the forts of Alexandria. A telephone was attached at Malta to the Alexandria cable, and connection was made with the other end of the cable on board the Chiltern, off Alexandria. It was found that, owing either to the distance or the vibration caused, it was impracticable to send a verbal message, but the firing at Alexandria was distinctly heard through the telephone at Malta—a distance of more than 1000 mile?.

The South Canterbury Times expresses the following opinion of the state of the House : There are probably more talkers than ever in the House. Hence the public time, and the public money, are wasted, and Hansard is kept going at a great expanse for tbe mere purpose of handing down to posterity the ravings of a Fish, the cant of a Green, and such like specimens of senatorial eloquence. And after all, no Sills of importance hare been introduced. Private members have had it all their own way. The most important Bill of the session, t.he Judicature Bill, which was going to do so much good is likely to be shelved after all. The weakness of the Government is owing to the irreparable loss to them of the lute Vernier, Sir John Hall, who indeed was tbe only member of the Cabinet who could lay claim to a semblance of statesmanship. Mr Bryce is not without considerable ability, but it is ability of the dictatorial order. He is too autocratic ever

to become really influential in tho House To be'-successful as an autocrat is given to very few men in a century. As for the Hon. Richard Oliver, he was gad to sneak away from constituencies to the ' cool shade " of the Council. He is in process of petrefaction. Mr Dick means well, a- <i is conscientious as well as pious, but bis best friends would hardly call him a statesman. There remains tbe conjuror, Major Atkinson, the Treasurer, very good at pitch and toss, but too erratic. Sir Q-eorge Grey, the head of the third party, if party it may be called, still maintains his character for eccentricity. Everybody fears and distrust B him ; yet everybody admires his conspicuous ability, tho wisdom of his counsel*, and the ardor of his Bpirit. His immediate followers are of no weight and no importance. The Opposition are 83 sheep without a shepherd. Their misfortune has been always to have the wrong man on bis legs. Ha 1 there been any united feeling in their ranks, the present Ministry would long ago have gone out.

At a meeting of the shareholders in the Pinafore claim yesterday, a 'company of 25,000 £1 shares was formed.

The Naval Cadets paraded for Major Murray's inspection last night. This smart little company, as usualj looked extremely well, and the drill manoeuvres gone through were also done with smartness and precision* The inspecting officer was received with the usual compliments, and expressed himself highly gratified with all he saw. The officers present were Captain Barlow and Lieutanunt Otter. Adjutant Grant was in attendance. The Navel Cadets will muster for Church parade with the Brigade on Sunday next.

Mr Dampier, the man celebrated for his wonderful bargains, has at last gained the greatest barga:n of all, viz, a wife, his marriage being celebrated in Auckland on Tuesday last. The Herald in noticing the affair says": —" Perbapß no wedding hitherto celebrated in Auckknd has bren honoied by so diversified and representative an attendance as that of yesterday, and Mr Dampier must feel highly gratified by the general public interest manifested, in his domestic welfare."

Ybsxecday over lOcwt of good picked stone w.-.s broken out of the stopes of the Tokatea mine, Coromendel. A little gold wa? also Been in No. 2 crosscut from the low level. The first crosscut has been carried 26ft diagonally from the main level. The gold obtained last week in this crosscut was in a body of quaitz 12fc from the main level, not 2ft, as appeared in the telegram, and the present appearance of No. 2 crosscut encourages the belief that an auriferous line has been cut running parallel with the main drive. The res"'dence of Mr Neillie, at Fapakura, was burnt down during the absence of the inma'es. It was uninsured, and the loss is £20l>. Mr Neillie had had a quarrel with one of l:is neighbors. The footmarks of a man and boy were observed in the vicinity. Tncendiarißm being suspected, Detective Su'.« Jivan haa gone up to investigate. Ik Auckland a long-sentenced prisoner named Johnston, released with £20 exertion money in his pocket, was induced to go to the house of the notorious "Maggie Carroll, where he had a £10 note changed and knocked down j the other was s olen from him while in a drunken sleep. The woman and an accomplice named Denis O'Connor were arrested.

Thbee was a somewhat amusing cisc at ihe District Court, Dunedin, on Tuesday. Mies Wilson sued Mr Michael McKay for £136 17fl 6d, wags.s and money lent. The. plaintiff declared she had been engaged by defendant, who is a hawker, at £2 a week a; cook, and had lent him money to the amount of £4< 17s 6d. The defence was that the plaintiff had won money in a sweep, and bei ig a Roman Catholic, she det rained to do pious work ?n the way of altnE-giviog. In these circumstances the defendant gave her a home. Ihe engagement was denied. The defendant's wife sKtci that she became acquainted with the plaintiff through belonging to " the children of Mary." Judge Ward said " the children of Mary" seemed to do a litt.e hard swearing, and the jury found a verdict for the defendant.