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Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4494, 31 May 1883, Page 2

At to-night's meeting of the Council the confirmation of the by-law regulating the keeping of swine within the Borough is part of the business. The importance of .this law being enforced will—it is to be hoped—not be forgotten by the Councillors j therefore a full meeting may be expected to ratify the previous aotion of the Counoil. The matter has been carefully thought out by the Borough Fathers, and no reasons have arisen to cause them to alter their resolution already passed on thie important question.

We regret to learn that Mr William Plant, of Mary street, is very seriously indisposed, and has been nnder medical treatment for inflammation of the lungs (not lirer complaint as has been Btated) for the past fortnight., Hia medical attendant, Dr. Euxtablfl, had a consultation with Dr. Kilgour on the state of hia patient.

At the Auckland Harbour Board the following resolution was carried :■—" That the plans and specifications of the new Calliope Dock be forwarded to Wellington as soon as the specifications are ready for approval of the Governor-in-Council."

Thb New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance intend asking the City Councils in all large Towns of the colony to make bye-laws regulating the use of velocipedes.

The first of the series of lectures iv conneotion with the Auckland University College were given yesterday at the old District Courthouse, Eden street. According to previous announcement, there was no charge made for admittance, and yet the attendance, excepting in the evening, was small. Professor Tucker delivered an interesting lecture on " English Composition," Professor Thomas treated on "Mathematics," and Profeßsor Brown on "Chemistry."

The Governments of New Zealand and New South Wales ha?e agreed that a deed shall be prepared renewing the San Francisco contract for two years, but terminable at the end of one year should the United States Government decline to contribute.

The first tenders for perpetual leases were opened by the Dunedin Land Board yesterday. Altogether 100 sections were open for leasing, comprising 26,000 acres, situated in various districts. There were only twelve tenders, and nine sections were leased to seven tenderers, and the total area disposed of amounted to only 1492 acres- In some cases 7s and 7s 6d was the price obtained where the upset rental has been fixed at 5s per acre ; 4s where 2s 6d had been fixed, and Is ,lid where Is had been fixed.

The b.s. Suva arrived at GKsborrie yesterday from Auckland, in command of Capt. 0. Helander, late of the Southern Croßs. She experienced a strong head wind until she rounded Cape Colville, when the wind veered round to the north-west and blew bard from that quarter. About 9 p.m on Sunday, while the ship was rolling heavily, Capt. Helander was thrown off his feet, and in falling struck the telegraph with his head, inflicting a gash about three inches long, which bled profusely, producing faintnes3 for the time being. Next morning about 9 o'clock, whilst running before a heavy gale, the foreyard was carried away. After rounding the Cape the weather moderated, and the remainder of the passage was uneventful. It was found necessary to bring Capt. Helander ashore for medical attendance, when the wound he received was stitched up by Dr Leggatt.

The law-abiding qualities of our population was again evidenced this morning. The Police Court was not opened. "'

In the face of the opposition met with by the promoters of the Thames "Valley Railway Company, it would appear desirable that a public meeting of the inhabitants should be held. We certainly advocate such a movement before the assembling of Parliament, which takes place early next rnontb.

Some consternation was caused this morning by a report that a dreadful and fatal accident had occurred on the Karaka flat. It was stated that a newly arrived family were passing in the vicinity, and at the same time, a cart, heavily laden, passed over the ground; the result of the rumbling of the cart being the collapse of the rotten structure OTor the old Piako shaft. The particulars of the calamities were not furnished, but it was asserted that the leader of the party was struck- by a falling beam and pinned to the earth. Two followers were maimed; one, it is believed fatally. The remaining members of the party were ail more or less injured and the Hospital authorities are straining every effort to release the sufferers. This fall has been predicted by us, and it is a wonder that some steps were not taken to remove the cause of this dire calamity. It is not known how much damages will have to be paid on account of this accident, but had those responsible, acted on our snggestions, the cause of this sad calamity would have been long ago removed. [We learn upon enquiry that the above report is unfounded.] .

Mb Hibbbnxa Smith, of Waikomiti, has died at the oge of 80. He has been in the Auckland province since 1859, and was one of the pioneers of the timber indaetry. He made and lost a fortune in it.

Aldebmi.n Mottbray declares that Mr Fitzgibbon, the Melbourne town clerk, " bosses "the City Council, and, that he, for his part, strenuously objects. Many other Councillors hare similarly protested at various times, but one by one they hare fallen under the influence, and ceased to kick against the pricks, How many town elerka are there who do not do the same thing?

The Bishop of Peterborough says that "Sunday libraries do good. He could go to his library on Sunday and read, and why,- in the name of common sense, should it be wicked and monstrous for a poor man to do in his library or public room what wag harmless ia a private room P "

Pbomises, made by the Government with due official solemnity, have been accepted by the Melbourne Oity Council with the confidence that respect for truth and honor would insure their honest fulfilment without need of any more binding formality; and, adds Mr Fitzgibbon, the Town Clerk, with sorrowful indignation, " this confidence was misplaced." A telegram should be addressed "Dean to Fitzgibbon in sympathetic terms.