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Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4936, 4 November 1884, Page 2

Tnsteuctions have been forwarded by Government to the Warden authorising him to offer Ohinemuri agricultural settlers the freeholds of the properties now held by them under lease at a price in each case to be fixed by the Waste Lauds Board. A circular to the settlers will be sent b/ Mr Kenrick in relation to matter.

The half-yearly Civil Semc3 examination is now being held at the Customs office, Mr IS. F. Tizard being the examiner. There is only one candidate for the junior examination, A. T. Kenrick; while for the senior, Miss E. M. Adams, and Masters J. Farrell and H. C. Bagnall have entered.

By an advertisement in another column it will be seen that the ordinary meeting of tba Thames Parliamentary Union will be held in the Shortland Hall on Thursday, instead of Wednesday next.

Mb A. Habt'h supporters met last night, aDd took the usual preliminary steps to secure his return for Kauaeranga Riding in the coming County elections.

The Rev. J. S. Hill lectures this evening in the Academy of Music on " The Tabernacle." Tbe subject, in the hands of such a popular lecturer as Mr Hill has proved himself to be, both iv Auckland and here, cannot fail to be interesting, even without tbe extra attraction of the limelight, views, and we anticipate a full house. Admission will be free, but a collection will be taken up in aid of St. George's Sunday School.

Me W. J. Speight, as will be seen by a notice elsewhere, has resigned his seat in the Borough Council as representative for the South Ward.

Steps are being taken by the shareholders of the Mariner and London G.M, Companies to amalgamate and form a compauy to take over the Winding Association liabilities, and work , the ground. The recent discovery in the Cross has stimulated the belief that payable gold will be found, and a strong conr.pany will probably be formed in the course of a few days. We wish the vonture every success.

At the meeting of the Orphanage Committee yesterday afternoon, which was briefly referred to by us in last issue, the resignation as Secretary of Mr J. B. Mason was received. A resolution thanking him for his past services was carried, and Mr J. Rattray was appointed to fill the position.

Owing to the Wellington telegraph office closing early last night, a long account of the members' ball in the House, by our own correspondent, did not reach us till too late for publication in this ipoue. The ball was a great success, nearly 600 guests being present. A full report will appear to-morrow.

Miinke Stephen gave a first display of his hea'iog power in St. James' Hall, Auckland, yesterday. About 100 persons were present, amongst them being a. number of the local clergy. Some of the caees were tolerably successful, aad others complete failures.

A Wm-LIKOTOU- telegram says :—lt is understood that a cablegram was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies by the Government to the effect that the amount necessary to subsidise the cost of the New Guinea protectorate to be paid by the Australasian colonies would ba increased from fifteen to thirty thousand pounds.

The charges of "being absent without leave," preferred against six seamen from the Thomas Russell, were withdrawn at the Auckland Police Court yesterday morning, the Kamo Coal Company having agreed to the terms of the Federated Union and accepted a cheque for £17 14s in consideration for any loss they may have incurred during the late strike.

Not a little disappointment (says the Waikato Times) was created in Alexandra on Thursday evening when it became known that Tawhiao had not arrived by that days train. A number of natives hung about the town duriDg the day evidently in happy anticipation of a prolonged nasal encounter, and when the coach arrived and no King, disgust and disappointment prevailed. Some expected that his Majesty would come up the river in a canoe accompanied by a retinue of lower Waikatos, but those who waited by the river, waited in vain for the dusky and awful presence. No preparation had, however, been made for an ovation on the part of the Europeans, if we except the hotel-keepers, who are generally accredited with the farseeing and thoughtful provision of having replenished their cellars with " pop," " pe^ny red," limejuice pympla, and "Brame's delight."

Tekdtbs are called by the New Eureka G-.M.Co. for carting quartz from the mine to the batterj.

An Auckland telegram is to the effect that the other charges against Professor Swallow are remanded to the Bth inst. He did not succeed in getting bail.

At the Auckland Police Court yesterday, Alfred Holt, John Jones, Michal Sullivan, aud Alberb and John Wingate (whose names are not unknown to our readers) were charge! vith a series of larcenies from shops—viz., 22s 6d from a draper's shop in Ponsonby ; 11s from the till of J. J. Walsh, tobacconist; and 6b from John McCarroll. —Prisoners pleaded guil'y.—After hearing evidence, HU Wor hip discharged Holt and Sullivan with a caution, and ordered Jones and the two Win.ates to prison for a month, they having been frequently convicted and let off.

The risible faculties of lion, members of the Lower House (says the Wellington Post) ■were strained to a considerable extent on Friday afternoon by a remark which fell from Mr Larnacb, C.M.G-. That honorable gentleman was warmly advocating the adoption of the central r= ilway route for the Miin Trunk North I-.land line, and in his peroration he suddenly exclaimed :— " And, sir, you will also find along that line an abundance of Black Marys, which cannot but prove advantageous to young settlers in that newly-opened country." The House fairly roared until it bud been explained that the hon. gentleman had alluded to the timber known as black mairi.

We (Auckland Star) are glad to learn that the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce is moving in the matter of direct steamers for Auckland; he will at once take steps to call our importers and exporters together. The attempt to isolate such an important port as Auckland should be met with business-like firmness, not bluster. Combined action will produce the desired result.

Mattebs were somewhat lively in the House on Friday afternoon. According to the correspondent o c a contemporary, Mr Holmes asked if it was true that the 'ate Ministry had allowed a syndicate in Wellington to purchase a large traot of Maori land in the Middle Island, of a highly auriferous character, and a portion of which was a proclaimed goldfield. Mr Holmes asserted that althought reports had been made of the valuable character of the land, Mr Rolleston had yielded to the pressure brought to bear by Wellington speculators, and had sold the land to them at the low price of 2a 6d per acre. He understood that the land was n9w being sold at high prices by its owners, one of whom was a late colleague of Mr Rolleston's ; a second, a great supporter of the late Government; and a third, a gentleman who hart been called to the Upper House by Mr Rol'eftonV administration. From the

reply by Mr Ballance, it appeared that the block was 89,000 acres, and waa sold for £10,000 to Mr Brandon. Public money had been spent years ago by Sir Donald McLean in improving the land as a native reserve. -The sale was only completed last year. A warm debate followed, £and at one time Mr Rolleston made a remark anenf'The sneering abuse, vulgar browbeating, and intimidation to which he was subjected by him." Down came Sir Maurice with a heavy hand, and demanded the withdrawal of such unparliamentary language. Mr Rolleston made a half apology, which was not accepted, and the Speaker insisted on a full recantation and withdrawal. The wrangling lasted fronv 2 o'clock to 5.30, when the adjournment put a stop to it.

Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood, elastic step and cheerfulness in Hop Bitters" Read and believe