Untitled

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4418, 2 March 1883, Page 2

Mb Soeomoh Hbufs. who travels in the interests of the New Zealand Temperance Mission, delivered a lecture to a large audience last evening in the Temperance Hall. During a discourse entitled " Nuts to Crack," the lecturer pointed out the evils arising from over-indulgence in drink, and the injury to the health of the body and mind done by the use of stimulants. He counselled total abstinence, and urged his audience to join in the movement.. A vote of thanks to the lecturer, aud to the Rev Mr Bull, who acted as. chairman, closed the proceedings.

The District Court, which is usually held on the first Tuesday in each month, and therefore falls due next week, will be adjourned to the month following.

The firing for the District Belt takes place to-morrow in two squads—viz., 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Entries close to-night at Mr C. McLiver's.

Application was mado yesterday by Mr W. Rowe for a lease of the 30 men's ground, bounded on the west by the Kuranui Hill, on the south- westi by the Moanatairi, and on all other sides by supposed unoccupied ground. For the purpose of prospecting the ground, 50 shares have been issued, 6 of which are retained by the promoters, and 44" will be offered to the public at £5 each. It is proposed that a company be hereafter formed, if circumßtanee3 warrant. The first work intended to be carried out is the thorough, testing of the ground at the back of the maid slide in this locality. For this purpose it is intended to sink a ehufc about 40 feet from the slide itself to a depth of about 60 feet^ then crosscut so as to intersect all the reefs and leaders so successfully worked on it 3 seaward side in the Kurunui, Deep Lead, Homeward Bound, and Moanatairi. It is thought that this can be done at a comparatively small cost, as the ground in the vicinity, of the slida is likely to be of a favorable character. A large number of the shares have been already placed, and the Brokers' Association have ngreed to place the remainder on the market. Operations will probably be commenced in a few days. The amount raised, after the license has been paid for, will be about £180, which should be sufficient to do a large amount of prospecting.

By the courtesy of Messrs Price Bros., we were enabled to attend the trial trip of their smart little screw steamer "Despatch" this morning. At eight o'clock Mr Jobson, Inspector of Machinery for the Government,, commenced his examination of the vessel, and upon his inspection of the internal portion of the boat being completed, steam wa3 got up, and a start out towards mid-harbour was commenced. After going four or five miles at a. speed of about ten miles an hour, a trial of the turning qualities of tho boat was made, and with a very, satisfactory result, it being found that it could be done almost in the vessel's own length. Tararu Point was reached, and then a return was made to the tfnods Wharf, which was reached at a speed of over twelve miles an hour. The draft of water was: Forward, ,2ft. 4in.; and aft, 3ft. 6io. The cause of thn depth astern is the engines being placed a trifle too far in that direction. This was caused by the desire on the part of the builders to provide ample cabin accommodation. The vibration was very trifling, and we predict that passengers by the " Despatch " will have nothing to complain of as far as the travelling capabilities of the boat are concerned.

The search party sent out in quest of Messrs Weston, Short, and Clarkin, who left Mercury Bay on Thursday in last week for the Thames, returned to town last night, not having been able to cross the Waiwauwau creek. A telegram was received from Inspector Thompson by Sergt.-Major Kiely to-day, authorising him to assist in the inauguration of a search party for the missing men, and, in conjunction with their friends, he has arranged that a party consisting of Amos Fisher, junr., Qeo. Fisher, E. B. Fennie, and Constable Slight shall start at 5 o'clock in the morning to proceed on a search for the men supposed to be lost. The searchers, will proceed to the river and visit the,various whares where there is any likelihood of th«j sought-for teen being, and if necessary proceed to Gum town. It seems strange that these steps were not taken sooner. As a rumour was current that it was tho intention of the Church authorities to remove th-s Rev P. O'Rielly to another patish, a meeting of the Thames Catholics was called to con* eider t>he matter. In this issue an advertisement appears notifying that the meeting will not; take place, as it has bean ascertained that his parishioners are nut to loss tha services of tho rev. gentleman. Father O'Reilly's well deserved popularity here would render his reiuovalLfrom amongst us a matter for general regrof. -,

A of thoße desirous of forming a lodge of Druids wus held last erening in the Masonic Sail. The business done was the reception' of the names of those who had qualified themsolvea for membership, and it resolved that a meeting of the committee should be called for Monday night to consider in what form the opening demonstration should be.

Tvs arms of the late corps of Thatn s Naval Cadets have been sent back to Government to the number of 60 ; the smart launch, the Favorite,, has been handed over with its stores to the. Naval Artillery ; and the boathouse, which was erected by the cadets, will also prob«bly be bequeathed to the same corps. We are informed that a number of the late cadets have joined, and others intend joining the Artillery, the late crew of tbe ifavotite being prominent among the new recruits. 'Jbe Thames Naval Artillery will certainly maintain its popularity while it possesses its splendid brass band, its flotilla of boats, and its enthusiastic officers and men.

BY a telegram from Wellington, we learn that the Government have received telegraphic advices that the Hons. Messrs Bryee and Bolleston have bad a satifacipry interview with the natives at Rotorua, consisting of the Ngatiwhakane, Ngatirarangiwehi, and Ngahurunfcukopako tribes, relative to tha distribution of the amounts received for rents of sections under the Thermal Springs district Act. The natives, at the same time, earnestly pressed upon Ministers that the proclamation under the Act should be enforced, and that the dealings With the proclaimed lands should rest with the Government.

The Auckland province is not to bo behind* baud in the shipment of meat for Home consumption. Arrangement* have been made by which the ship Mataurawill shortly leave this port for London with a cargo of frozen meat. The vessel bus accommodation for .800 tons, and already Mr J. 0. Firth has promised to eend 1503 sheep ; the Agricultural Company, 600; Tbomas Morrin, 500; the Waikato Land Association, 600; Fisher and Co., 500 j and Alfred Buckland, 600.

In the Port Ptiii'ip mine at Oluneo, Victoria, there are no lees than 11 levels, opened up by about 15 miles of drives, crosscuts and winzes. The rfhaft is 1190 feet deep.

The Te Papa claim, known as Adams', w<s this day successfully floated in Auckland. The number of shares applied for exceeded those to be allotted.!

The new Auckland College has applied to the University of New Zealand for affiliation, and the Auckland College and Grammar School for diaaffiliation-

Following; the Government sale of runs in Oiagcygeveral private rune of large dimensions and well-stocked were offered, bat none met. with purchasers.

An interesting marriage ceremony was performed yeaterdav at Bishop's Court, Parnel!, by Bishop Cowie, the bridegroom being Mr William K^tt ay, and the bride Miaa ITenton, daughter of the Yen. Archdeacon Fenton. of Q&maru. The bride in the absence of her was given away by General Gosiett, while the duties of bridesmaids and "bestruan" devolved upon the Misses Battray and P. Lundon. After a sumptuous breakfast at the residence of Mrs Ratlray, eenr,, the happy couple drove off to the country. -\ '--'' : '

In the charge brought under "The Fine Arts Copyright Act" against persons who sold photos marked " copyright '*• without such being registered, the R.M. gave judgment for defendants. Ife said he took it that the terms "work Of an" did not include photographic copies iike those in this case, which, as he understood, were made merely by mechanical labour, and oi 1 not require great skill The Legislature had not made it unlawful to place a mark on a copy. Ho had little doubt that if they could have seen the -effect of tbeir words they would have put in other words to indicate their meaning, but as they had failed to do so he could not supply words to give effacfc to what might have been their intention.

A notice in yesterday's Gazette *ltera the designation of, all the Naval Brigades in the colony to that of " Naval Avtillery."