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Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4436, 24 March 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

Thk Hon. Jno. Bryce, with the Undersecretary for Native Affairs, Mr Lewis, and his Private Secretary, Mr Butler, arrived on the 13th by the Botomahana from Auckland. There was no reception by the local'bodies, as no notifiation had been forwarder to them of the intended visit. On the road to the Pacific Hotel, where the party stayed, a mob of about twenty had assembled and honored the Native Minister with a few groans. One or two expressed a desire to add a few eggs no*, recently laid, if.they could.distinguish.in the darkness the object of their ill-feeling. Tlxe party left by coach next morniug for Paeroa, which they visit in connection with a dispute existing as to some land purchased fay the Government from the native, chief Tukukino; then they go by Te Aroha to Cambridge to settle the longstanding Tauwbaie dispute, and hope to go to Wellington about the end of tbe month. The Minister upon being spoken to regarding the reception of deputa tions here, replied that ho was to buay to see anyone.

Olf the 24th Feb. the Eev.Father Boyleproceeded to Waihi to attend to his clerical duties, and in crossing the Waitete river bis hor3e was swept from him and landed on the other side ot the river. The rer, gentleman swam the stream and regained hia horse. On his return to the Thames on Sunday he was still morn unfortunate; in attempting to cross thu Komata he lost his horse altogether, and narrowly escaped drowning. Though only six or seven yards from the bank he had to swim nearly half a mile before he could effect. a landing. Hia two couts wera washed away, and with -them a cheque and gold and filver to the amount of nearly £30. 110 had to walk into Paeroa in his shirt sleeves. While on his way between Waihi and Owbaroa he saw a small hut and approached it. Upon seeking shelter and stating that lie was fatigued, he was refused food or shelter as he was a Catholic priest, as the woman remarked. Upon asking this peculiar femnle to show him the road to hia destination, he was told to go along, he would soon find it. Bather remarkable treatment of a tired traveller in this country.

This month's returns of New Zealand immigration aud emigration show a balance of 779 in favor of the colony. The total number of arrivals having been 1470, and the departures 691. The arrivals at the vatious ports were respectively ns follow?:—Auckland, 444; Wellington, 144; Napier, 2; Greymouth, 9; Lyttelton, 46} Oamaru, 2j Dunedin, 122 j Invercargill, fi9o. The depart ures were: 'RusceU, 5; Auckland, 201; Wellington, 131 ; Napier, 4; Sreymouth, 1; Lyttelton, 36;.Oamaru, 1; Dunedin, 33; Inverc'argill, 271, Invercargill being tbo nearest port to Australia, and consequently the port of arrival and last of departure for the intercolonial steamers, shows unusually more than its due share of arrivals and departures, most of which were probably of persona on their way to or from Dunedin or Onristchurcb. Only 24 G-ovemment immigrants arrived during the month.

A meeting-of the Committee of the Thames Choral Society was held at the residence of the President, Dr Kilgour, on the sth, when a large quantity of work incidental to the formation of the Society was executed. Mr G'Sullivan was elected Secretary, Mr P. J. Burgees Treasurer, and Mr 0. Kirkpafcrick Librarian. It was decided that, Thursdays should be the days on which practices should be held, and thai; if St. George's School-room could be secured on reasonable terms, that should be the place for holding the weekly practices of the Society. Steps were taken to obtain a supply of music, so that operations should be at once commenced,, and if it should arrive in time it is contemplated to h'ld the first practice on Thursday, the 15t.h inst. Due notice will, however, be given through the Press when the arrangements now pending are matured. We are glad to hear that the list of members is being steadily augmented, and that there is every probability of the Society proving a success. Owing, however, to the very low scale of members' fees adopted by the meeting in the-Academy, the Commitiee will have great ditf'cuity in carrying tilings on successfully, and we hope to see a considerable accession yet to the members' list, both honorary and performing.

AT the Hon. 0 H. Bromley's second lecture on the English in Ireland, delivered in Wellington on the Bth instant, Sir William Fisz herberfc, tbe Speaker of the Leg slative Council, occupied the chair. In acknowledging a vote of thanks, moved by Bishop Redwood and seconded by the Mayor, Sir William said reference had been made to his having travelled some d stance and endured fatigue in order to preside, but he could assure them he would cheerfully travel a Lhoustnd times the distance if, by doing so, he could assist in obtaining for Ireland an Irish Parliament.

At a special meeting of the New Zealand Timber (Jorapiny, hold ia Auckland oa datur; day, 24th Fob., Mr Harris's resolution to increasa the capita!, by issuing 80QG new shares was adoptod. The present shareholders, to whom the shares will be first oflered at pjtr, must apply at once, or tlioy will lose their privileges. ■ .