The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1882.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4348, 7 December 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1882.

The Queen of Beauty pump and the batteries on the flat stopped last night in consequence of a breakage in the County water race. Last erening at about 10 o'clock, one of the sets in a tunnel near Mr Hudson's orchard, Par&wai, gare way. Mr Aitken, County Engineer, at once proceeded, to the spot, and set men to work to effect repairs, which he expected would be completed this afternoon in time for. the batteries to start -wdrfc" at 4 o'clock.

The Juvenile Opera-Bouffe and Pantomime Company will open at the Aoademy of Music on Monday next, the 11th inst., when Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, H.M.9. Pinafore, will be placed on the boards. The company have had a very successful season in Auckland, and were also well received at Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. A meeting of the TaurangaDistriet School Committee, to inquire into charges made against Mr Stevens, Head-master of the District School, was held last night. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Smith to the effect that the master of the District School had severely beaten and maltreated his son, William Smith, without cause. His hoy had been stripped and thrashed with a supplejack. After taking evidence the committee were of opinion that the boy.had been too severely punished, and requested the schoolmaster to be more particular in future." With regard to Mr Herbert's child being tocjaeverely punished they are of opinion that it has not been proved." With reference to the Times' leading article on the subject of the schoolmaster's oonduct, the Bey. Mr Killen" proposed the following resolution: "That this meeting strongly disapprove of the manner.in which the subj-ot; before it has been editorially treated^ in the Bay of Plenty Times, and take this opportunity of expressing their censure."

Watson, of the Christehurch cricket team, was presented with a bat for his fine batting in the Auckland match, and Fowke, who kept the wicket so well, also received a present.

Messes TokkS and Co. sold, on behalf of the Waikato Association, a nmber of town and suburban lots in the new township of Taiwhare. The bidding was spirited, and the sale most successful.. Eighteen town lo's were gui ted at prices varying from £47 to £25, and 25 suburban sections were sold at an average of from £10 to £12 per acre.

It ia stated that the Surrey Hills Estate, PonsonbyJ belonging to the Hon. James Williamson, has been sold to tbe Waikato Land Company, consequently Mr Thomas Buesell and Messrs McLean and Co. are largely interested in this purchase. A cbickbt match, Civil Servants v. Bankers and Brokers, will be played at the Parawai Gardens on Saturday afternoon. The manager of tbe New Prince Imperial G-.M.Go. invites tenders for sinking the shaft and driving a crosses X A meeting of shareholders in the Otunni Holding, Otunui, i« convened to be held at the Bendigo Hotel this evening.

Tom Rawdon, C.E... informs us that " Young Barney's " kind bint relative to the transit of Venus, unfortunate!?, was too late to bo of practical service. However, to make the beßfc of, a b>d job ho pot up early this morniog, and walked to th« top of Gentle Annie, of course taking his theodolite with him. The tramp having beon lengthy he was pressed for time, so he at once proceeded to business, putting the head of the theodolite into the ground, leaving the legs sticking up, and thus took bis observation. In confirmation o' the proverb, "The more.haste lesß speed, and bj virtuo of tha slight preliminary orror referred to. he took -Veuus instead of th#' transit. Her ladyship was 54h 2m late accoHi'tg to the registered time telegraphed to him from elsowhere. As soon as he disoovjJhtfnt mistake, the thought struck him thacHfrney had iot given him full particulars, jR-fchen'trudsoil back to to thr> Sealey street coritraotor, an i upon diligent investigation jhe fourii that individual had been fascinated by Venus and she had led him astray—n^t an uncommon thing for her to flo^-rand as a result there was an error of two minutes to tho inch in his work. As tho world is coming to an end in nina months, Tom has given up looking after Venus and transits, and is going in for a big ball where we mny all enjoy ourselves, and the invitations will be issued as soon as they are printed at the Stab Oebtce. He^hopes, however, that nine months will not end Barney's career, but that he may live long and prosper.

At the observatory fitted np by Mr G-rigg at his reoidence two photographs of Venus in transit were taken by Mr Foy this morning it 6h. lm. llsec, and 6h. 37na. 22sec. respectively, the latter observation being improved by the insertion of a plumb-line, showing the exact position of. the bud. The Rev. Mr Neill and Mrs Neill officiated as time-recorders in an adjoining apartment. During the latter part of the .transit the sun was invisible through the sky becoming clouded, but at 7h. 45m. 20sec. a momentary break in the clouds enabled Mr Neill, who was then on watch outside, to see the plunet once more, apparently juat at external contact.

Mb Francis Jones has called upon us in reference to a paragraph in Monday's issue. He was fined for having taken "a drop too much," but he can not see whafc busiHees the police bad to arrest b im whenihe went to the station to lodge a complaint. He was able to walk, and harming no one. He feels hurt at being styled a cobbler, as he is a cordwainer, that is, a shoemaker skilled io every branch of the trade.