The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4458, 19 April 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1883.

Doubtless the Committee of Management elected by the subscribers to the Thames Hospital are perfectly reconciled to their lot. They have to undertake duties which have hitherto been performed by their predecessors in no perfunctory manner, and it is only natural that they will feel a certain amount of diffidence in attempting to carry out their work as well as their predecessors have done. Some dissatisfaction appears to exist as to the mode adopted in the appointment of the present Committee. The selection was certainly in the hands of the subscribers, and they had every opportunity of determining who should control the management of the institution, but it appears that some apathy was displayed by the general body of contributors, and the annual meeting was actually an assemblage gathered together for the purr pose of selecting a board favorable to the appointment of one medical officer or another as resident surgeon. This mode of procedure is likely to be very detrimental to the interests of an institution which is in one way or another, supported by the public, and such practices should not be allowed. We have reason to believe that electioneering tactics were resorted to in choosing the committee appointed for the management of the hospital for the ensuing year, and against such proceedings we. desire to most emphatically protest. The office in the gift of the Committee should be untrammelled by party considerations; no man should have it in his power to pack a meeting or committee for his own special benefit, and if such be attempted it should be put down at once with a firm hand. It is not a matter of mere rumor that means were resorted to by in* forested persons to secure the election of

individuals favorable to the appointment of certain officers to positions on the Hospital staff; it has been freely spoken of throughout the town. So long as such practices are followed we cannot expect the public to support; our charitable instil tutions. If they cannot have a voice in the management of the charities they support, it may reasonably be expected that such support will be withdrawn. It is doubt* less quite sufficient for those who have gained their, point to have done so, but little satisfaction is felt by those whose desire was that the general voice of the body of subscribers should be heard in the selection of those who represent them on the Committee of the institution. It is much preferable that "Vote for " and " Vote against" should be eliminated from the programme of such elections for the future, and that canvassing with a view to securing positions—to which are attached emoluments—should be strictly prohibited in connection with institutions of this kind.

CotmoroiOßS Brodie, Bagnall, and Fraser proceeded to Paeroa this morning; the last named gentleman addresses the ratepayers of the Ohinemuri riding this evening on the subject of the proposed rate to be levied in connection with road-making in the district.

DtJBING the hearing of a oharge against a publican for not keeping a light burning outside bis house at night, heard in the Police Court this morning, the defendant stated that the gas had gone out several times previously owing to dampness Bad gas frequently goes out, and perhaps a test of the local product might show that publicans are not always to blame for their lights nob always burning.

Thb polling in connection with the special rate to be struck, as required by the Roads and Bridges Construction Act in regard to the grant to be spent on the County roads, took place in the Totara Riding yesterday, and, as was anticipated, resulted in a large majority of the ratepayers recording their votes in favor of roads being made through the County. The numbers polled were:—Kauaeranga: For, 19$ against, 0. Puriri: For, 13 ; against, 4. Total for, 32; against, 4.

Abbangements have been made to convey ratepayers in the Ohinemuri district who are resident at the Thames to the polling booth at Hikutaia to*morrow. Phillips' busses will start from the Bank corner at 8.30 a.m., and every ratepayer is earnestly requested to vote. We cordially endorse the request, as the matter is of urgent importance to the whole community.

At the meeting of the Thames Footbal' Club held last evening, it was decided that blue and white jersey and stockings and blue knickerbockers should be the uniform of the mornings were selected for practices. The forthcoming match with Auckland was discussed, and the members resolved to go into practice for it. .

A poll of property holders for the Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway took place on Friday last, the polling places being Oxford and Matamata. There were only four votes against, and these only represented property to club. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the extent of about £450 of rateable value, whereas those ia if a favour represented property of the rateable value of £28,000. Afc a meeting of the Piako County Council yesterday morning the Council gave its consent to the construction of the Thames Valley Rotorua Railway throughout the County.

Thb Dunedin Harbor Board deoided yesterday to buy the Otago Towing Company's two boats for £13,500. The discussion, if any, took place when no reporters were present. The company will take £10,000 of the purchase money in debentures. On the Board coming out of Committee in regard to the Engineer's plans for the improvement of the bar, it was agreed to approve of the plans and to call for tenders for the work in a single contract. Tenders are to be invited in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as throughout this colony.

Ma job Edwabds, J.P, who has been on a visit to Samoa, as agent for Mr W. J. Hunt in the action brought by the latter against Sir Arthur Gordon, has justjreturned to Wellington. When Major Edwards left the island evidence was still being taken ia the case be* fore Mr W. B. Churchward, an English Consul, as Commissioner. Mr Fletcher Johnson appeared on behalf of Sir A. Gordon, and Major Edwards on behalf of Mr Hunt. Half a dozen witnesses, including the King of Tonga and the German Consul, had been examined up to that time, and it is probable that the inquiry is now concluded, and the evidence will shortly be received in Wellington, where the ease is to be tried.

At the Dunedin EM. Court, yesterday, Thos. East sued Sergt.-Major O'Grady for the value of a Bilver watch and gold chain alleged by East to have been made a present to him by William Wallis about an hour before he committed suicide. When tbe articles were produced at the inquest O'Grady took posseaaion of them on behalf of the police trustee, and gave them to the local agent for the trustee. The jury recommended that the property should be given to East, and the Coroner said—"Yea, gentlemen, your wishes shall be carried out," but O'Grady refused to give the property back to East. In his evidence' to-day, the Sergeant said there were discrepancies in East's statements. The counsel for the defence held that O'Grady was the wrong person to sue, and that Wallis must bave been insane when he made the gift. The plaintiff's counsel held that deceased had been perfectly sane in making the gift, and if he was affected with mania of any kind it was merely suicidal mania. The Bench entered up judgment for plaintiff, with costs of counsel. The defendant will appeal on behalf of the public trustee. The case was heard before two Justices.

At a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association it was resolved to recommend at tbe annual general meeting an alteration of the. rules so as to confine the Association to the general interests of cricket, arrangement of matches, selection of teams, &c, apart from the management of the ground. The following resolution was also passed: "That a communication be sent to the New South Wales Association asking if a team can be sent during the ensuing season to play in Canterbury on the understanding that this Association contributes to the expenses, and that similar communications be sent to the Southern Tasmanian Association "

Mb W. V. Jacksok, ex-Chairman of the Wellington Harbor Board, who is on the eve of a visit to England, was entertained at dinner last night by the members of the Board and numbers of his friends.

.Anotheb diamond prospecting party has left Ohristchurch for the Malvern billa.