The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4652, 1 December 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1883.

The lack of industries in the immediate district has been frequently referred to by us, and what appears to be an excellent opportunity to again open up the subject now occurs. The staple product j of the Thames should not be looked upon j as the only means of keeping a population here; should it "give in," what a nice prospect would be before property owners and others having large interests in the place. The only means apparent to us to avoid such a calamity in case the mining industry should collapse, is to provide means "of employing the people, and o£ using capital here and encouraging it to be used amongst us. There is no utility in blinding our eyes to the facts that the gold returns of the district are not increasing the population or wealth of it, or that not the least progress is being made while the people remain dependent on the auriferous returns from month to month. Manufactures are necessary, and while the means are within our easy reach, it seems somewhat phenomenal that no attempts are made to use them. For instance, there is annually a large quantity of fruit grown within a few miles of the centre of the Borough, and quantities of it go to waste, and more is used in feeding various animals being prepared for butcher ing purposes, yet we find that large quantities of jam are weekly imported here for consumption. This is only one of many industries which might be instituted. The capital required would be comparatively trifling ; the consumption in the Thames district would probably absorb Ithe produce, and if it did not there is no reason why our own jams and jellies should not take the place, in the market of the imported article, more particularly the Australian, which is sub* jected to an import duty. This is only one of many industries, which would, if oace planted here, assume large dimensions. It should bo unnecessary to urge people to look after their own interests, but, the somnolency of those who apparently require leading strings at all ages, prompts ustopointoutsomemeans of raising Thames commercial prosperity from its present unsatisfactory level. Were this matter taken in hand, we have no doubt a satisfactory result would ensue, and should public enterprise be not spirited enough, fruit growers should, in the protection of their own interests, take steps towards inaugurating such an industry as we refer to.

At the Oddfellows' Hall, Shortland, tomorrow evening, Mr E. H. Taylor will lecture on " Rome, at the time of the Reformation.' At the Presbyterian Church the Rev. S-^J. Neill will lecture on "Our Surroundings." The p.s. Te Aroha was crowded this morning on ber trip to the Puke with Miss Haselden's picnic party of eeholars of the Kauaeranga Girls' School, with parents and friends. A most enjoyable day has no doubt been spent, the weather being favorable. The party return this evening. Ins p.s. Annie Milbank, lately purchased for the Auckland-Thames trade by Messrs Fraser and Tinne, has lately been undergoing considerable alterations and improvements. The cabin (which has sleeping accommodation for twenty passengees) has been placed on deck, and nicely fitted up; she has also more storage room for cargo than the Enterpriee. Her old engines have been taken out, and mere powerful ones substituted, so Bhe will do the trip in considerably less time than the Enterprise. She will make her maiden passage (under the new ownership) to the Thames on Wednesday next in connection with a special trip to Te Aroha, and will take up the Rotomahana's time table for a few days while that vessel is being cleaned. She will then be put on in the Enterprise's place till some alterations have been effected in the latter boat, after which all three steamers will be put on the trade. The brigantine Lapwing, Captain Watts, arrived in the harbour this morning from Auckland, and waß piloted up to Bagnall's mill by the Harbourmaster. She has already shipped a small portion of ber cargo, but the bulk of it will consist of Kihikatea. The brigantinee Prosperity and Ada C. Owen are expected here shortly to load timber at one or other of the river mills. Speciai services in connection with the the anniversary of the Shortland Wesleyan Sunday School will be held to-morrow. The Revs. W. Slade and H. Bull will conduct the services morning find evening, and in the afternoon addresses will be given. The usual soiree and public meeting takes place on Tuesday. T E cricket match Alma v. 2nd Eleven Thames Club is beiDg played as we go to press. The game appears to be in favor of the latter team, the Alma first innings closing for 22, of which Baskeville contributed 15. Rowe'sandEdmund'sJ)owlingwa3very(good. The law-abiding nature of the people was again displayed to-day by the Police Court remaining closed. The Canterbury Caledonian Socie'y celev brated St. Andrew's Day by a grand dinner yesterday at Warner's Hotel, at which national dishes were served. The Mayor of Dunedin, last night, presented the six men who were concerned in the rescue of the boys from Bird Island with silver medals. .:.•-■•"..■. ; . The Free Methodist Sunday School in Chriitchuroh has been broken into, and the missionary collection boxes robbed, (

Fbom inquiries made late thi3 afternoon, we learn th t the man Woods, who was injured in the Imperial mine yesterday, is progressing favorrbly. It is likely thafc the conduct of the young Sloans and Pemberton, in earing life at Pleasant Creek, Palmerston, during the recent floods, will shortly be recognised by the Humane Society. , ' A MAN named McMillan was arrested at Christchursh yesterday for larceny, on the f.rrival of the train from Oamaru. The accused had eloped with another man's wife, taking with-him a quantity of goods, for stealing which a warrant was taken out by the husband.