The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1882.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4267, 4 September 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1882.

There is but one opinion, as far as we have ascertained, relative to Mr Errington's report on the harbor question ; and that is, that it is creditable to himself, and well worth the money expended on it. But the-only satisfactory element about it is unfortunately of a negative character; it is calculated to prevent the Board launching upon an undertaking which it might not be able to complete. The Board asked Mr Errington what could be done at Tararu for £3000 to £<M) 00. He replied, "I estimate that £7,500 would be required to carry the structure out a sufficient distance to afford the necessary shelter to vessels lying at the wharves." So that according to Mr Errington's report the expenditure of the amount contemplated by the Board would have been practically useless, for he says, "the expenditure of £3,000 would extend the mole but an in;considerable distance." The plan is very simple. Let anyone imagine a mole, or breakwater, running out from Rocky Point towards the opposite shore, but tending up river slightly; this, when out a certain distance, would turn at an angle,-and shape very much up-river. That would be one side of the harbor. Let him picture a wharf running from the beach a little distance this side of , the mole, in the direction of the Sandspit, only tending somewhat towards the opposite shore. This would almost meet the outer end of the mole < referred to as shaping up»river, and the passage between, or the reason why they do not meet, is to allowof vessels getting in That would be the entrance, and the. space between the mole and wharf— the harbor. Inside the harbor are two smaller wharves running out from the shore parallel with the outer wharf, i.e., . towards the sandspit. By the light of the foregoing explanation, Mr Errington's language, as < follows, may be clearer:— Proposed works, or in the immediate vicinity, I estimate the coat at £85,000. By referring to the sketch plan it will be seen that what I recommend is to construct a mole or breakwater, for a distance outwards, and measuring in length 275 yards in a south-west direction, its position would then be due south

and the strnc'ure continued for a farther

distance of 220 yards. The pier, as shewn on sketch plan, would extend to a distance of 615 yards in a direction west by north; and a retaining wall constructed on the foreshore and continued to Eocky Point." As to Shortland, the channel would be turned, and instead of going outside the light as at present, would be to shoreward of it. He thinks that by dredging in this direction the navigation would be permanently improved. Dredging would be necessary. Here £1850 would be required, but that would not be a large sum if the results were effectual. There is hope for Shortland, but it would appear that the Colonial vote of £100,000 for harbors, will have to be liberally drawn upon or a windfall of soiae character, obtained before operations at Tararu can be entered upon with safety. Mr Errington's report has demonstrated what could be done it' funds were available! it has also shown what should not be attempted without more sinew.

The shares in the Bright Smile, Waiotahi, .were all floated at 10.30 this morning, and were afterwards sold at a premium of £7 per share. ; A meeting of shareholder in.the Surprise Claim, Otunui, is convened by advertisement for this evening at the Pacific Hotel. Mb R. C. Gbeenwood, of Auckland, will dispose of a valuable estate at Mount Albert' Auckland, on .Thursday, viz., Randersvyl, which is now sublet into large business and residence sites. It is thoroughly sheltered from cold winds, and has the sun all the year round. This property, which will be sold in lots, is only three miles froaa the centre of the city, and the locality is much in favor. Land in the neighborhood has enhanced greatly within the past two years. Further particulars will be found in our advertisement columns. The carter of the Queen of Beauty quartz from the mine to the mill has, at considerable expense, had the old tramway repaired, and the first trucks of dirt were conveyed to the battery along it this morning. At the meeting of the Licensing Committee for the Thames South District, held on Saturday, Mr Mason applied for a transfer of the license of the Imperial Hotel from R. Pcnk to himself. Sergeant O'Grady pointed out that two Boiled doves had found an ark of refuge there for a short time; thoy, however, had since winged their flight elsewhere. Youths, also, of tender years had an affinity for the billiard table. The applicant having assured the Bench that the houae would be conducted on the most approved principles, combined with- a high moral platform, the transfer was granted. The license of the Post Office Hotel was transferred from Thos. Heron to Nicholas Taylor. . ;: Sbvbhtt-Sbven of the Lincolnshire,settlers for the Te Aroha district arrived by the Rotomahana on Saturday night, she having gone alongside the Ashmore and brought them offThey were lodged at Allaway's Boarding House, and this morning about 45 proceeded to their destination in the new steamer Waitoa. The remainder are expected to go to Te Arohaon Wednesday. The new comers I seem to be a class of persons who have been accustomed to manual labor. A considerable proportion are children, and these bid fair to develop into handsome colonists. The Waxworks exhibition was excellently patronised on Saturday. As we have not been furnished with the uaual complimentary ticket, we are unable to describe the many beautiful things and renowned personages to be seen therein. The exhibition is highly spoken of by the Auckland press. Mb John Osbobne has received a numerously signed requisition asking him to stand for his old seat in the Council, to which he has acceded. Mr Bawden will once more we perceive, come forward for the North Ward, and Mr Carpenter is sjoken of as a probable candidate for the South Ward. The 8.8. Waitoa, the new stfamer built; by Mr Holmes, of the North Shore, Auckland, for Messrs Betlis and Burton, arrived from Auckland yesterday. She is a fine little craft, and in every respect a credit to her builder. The Waitoa could accommodate about 100 passengers, although such a number would not have much elbow room. Her cabin is very tastefully fitted up, and large, in propor* tion to the size of the vessel. She came from Auckland in six hours, and out of that allow ance must be made for three stoppages, owing to the fresh water for the boilers running short at the Sandapit. Saltwater was used the remainder of the trip, but proved not nearly so satisfactory. The Parliamentary correspondent of the Auckland Star learns there is every prob« ability of the Estimates being recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering the item of £500 for the removal of the Native Lands Court. Mr Bryce is kicking up his heels, and says the question will have to be made a Ministerial one. It is almost certain that, should it come on again, the item will be thrown out. The football" match on the Waio-Karaka Flab on Saturday afternoon, All-Comers y. Bankers, Brokers, and Civil Servants, resulted in a victory .for the former by one goal to nothing. This was kicked by Watana during the second half-hour, and was a good piece of play, as he was running at the time. The All-Comers also scored two tries, but owing to some dispute, they gave up their claim to them. There was a very large attendance, and the game was watched wilh keen interest. ■ Messes Bailey and Kerr, of the Amerioan novelties, have met with great success. On Saturday night the sbop was literally besieged—the queer things oa view attracting the attention of passers-by. We noticed several useful novelties, and tbe price appeared to us unusually cheap. Mr Kerr gave a number of his amusing tricks, in which great nteresfc seemed to be taken by those present. The investigations concerning the recent mysterious case of poisoning in Auckland are proceeding, and the mystery remains as much a myetsry as ever. All the facts that have come to light, however, point in a direction inimical to a theory of suicide, and the ease, consequently, resolves itself into one of accidental poisoning or murder. All the chemists' shops and drug stores in the city and suburbs have been viewed for the purpose of ascertaining what sales of arsenic have recently been made, but nothing has been elicited that can in any way be connected with the death of the unfortunate Mrs Cleaver. Which is which ? A Press Association telegram, sent from Christchuroh on Saturday, Ba y ß . —«< £err's American trotters were offered at auction by Mason and Company t;-day. All were passed in, Irringlon at 800 guineas; Bill-Allen at 603 .guineas." But a telegram to the Auckland Star says:—"lrvington, the trotting stallion' recently imported from America by Mr Kerr, of Nelson, the pick of the Jot, was sold to-day at Tattersalls for

eight hundred guinoos. The buyer is Mr Thomas MoLaren, of the firm of Gibson and Company, Melbourne. The bidding between the Obristchurch and Melbourne buyers was very keen s jfhe. attendance of., the public in the building! Was the largest seen for yeura. The buyer wjas loudly ohecred on the fall of the hammerJ*