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Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5071, 16 April 1885, Page 2

The following telegram was received by Mr J. Frater to-day from Dr Kilgour who is at present in Auckland on business connected with our railway. '• Minister promises tenders will be called when specifications are complete—except war is declared." ♦ OWING to a diminution of water in the County race, the Moanatairi battery was again at a standstill to-day. . _ Mb C. Y. O'Oonkor, TJader-Seorefcary for Public Work?, isafc present on a "risife to the Thames, and this morning visited several of the mines and batteries. He, was very attentive in examining the machinery, more partoulnrly the Pelton wheel, whioh he thinks an admirable invention. While in the Ohinemuri district, he, at the request of some of the residents, inspected some of the roads formed there. Portions of tbe road had been, opened vp |-Mr O'Connor assures us, without his authority, and a lesser depth of metal was found, on the spots shown, than six inohes, but it appears that these spots were selected where no great depth of metal was required, while the portions of the • road demanding deeper laying on were not exhibited. It is clear that the harder portions of the road do not require, so great a depth as the softer ones, and 1 it seems to stand to reason that a uniform depth ofmetalover a road would be, from an engineering point of view, decidedly "amateurish." A certain amount has to be spread, and it is laid according to .the ,solidity and firmness of the body on which it is placed. Mr O'Connor, on being questioned regarding the carrying out of our railway linc } reiterated the promise already given, that so Boon as the specifications wore prspared, the work would be proceeded with, and the causa of delay in at once settling the matter* seemed to be that Mr Blackett, Engiueer-in-Chief, did not wholly approve of the design of the line as made, and desired furthe; 1 infor mation. Several of those willing to send in tenders for the supply of sleepers, provided White pine would be accepted, were to have interviewed Mr O'Connor on the subject this afternoon. The proposal asems to be that in order to harden the kahikatea creosote should be used, and the sawmill owners interested seemed desirous that the Government should do the oreosoU ing, and they would then be enabled to supply the sleepers nt a cheaper rate. Ms O'Connor does not think that the white pine will be accepted by the Government, as, owing to tho softness of its nature, it becomes ueelesß too soon, the rails sink in.it, and the spikes draw to such an, extent that constant repairs even will not ensure stability, and it has been found that jarrati and puriri Bleepers-—both of hard wood—oan ho supplied for nearly tbe lauae piios,

We would remind oar readers of the Concert announced to come off at tho Academy of Musio to-night in aid of the fund now being raised for.the purpose of endeavouring to effect a change in the title under which that portion of the Thames popularly known as Block 27 ia held. It is a mat'-or for regret that the concert is to take place in the mid a I of an opera season, and there being quite a plethora—for the Thames—of other amuse* monts, which will, we are afraid, militate somewhat against its financial success.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Tramway Co. was held in the company's office at noon yesterday, Mr J. M. Clark presiding. The balance sheet showed a profit of ;0345 7s 83, since the commencement of operations. Messrs D. B. Cruiokshank, T. Buddie, J. L. Clark, and J. M. Clark, (ihe retiring directors) were re-oieeted, and Messrs J. Milne and J. Waymouth wero re-appointed auditors.

Thb second representation of "Patience" by the Pollard Lilliputian Troupe took place in the Academy of Music last night with the same cast as that 0f... the previous performanoe, excepting the role of Bunthorne, which was very creditably assumed by Master Harry Hall, eon of bur old friend J. L. Hall, the popular comedian. Directly the young performer made his appearance almost, it could be seen that the mantle of dramatic genius had descended on the -son from his father and much respected late mother, and as tfie opera proceeded the further evidence of the boy's ability was clearly manifest. His grasp of the character was a clear and intelligent one, and etamped him at once as being the makings of a genuine actor. It is safe to prediot that if due care be taken in his early training a bright future awaits him in the profession he has adopted. A slight weakness in his voice was due to a severe cold the plucky little fellow was suffering from. We havo so. recently entered into a full notice of the merits of the performance of this opora that it would be superfluous to again do so, therefore suffice it to Bay that those who took part in it entered into the spirit of the woik and produced a very pleasing effect. Misses F. de Lornie, Maud and May Pollard, Stewart, Wallace, Norman, Brooks—in fact every member of the company from first to last were excellent. To-night the Academy will be occupied by a local'concert, and on Friday night "LaFille dv Madame Angot " will be produced by the juveniles.

The member for Cdromandel, Mr A. J. Cadraan, is noT on a visit to this portion of bis electorate, and will in all probability address a public meeting before he leaves.

'< Wb desire to draw attention to the advertisement appearing in another part of this paper announcing a sale by auction by Mr B. R. McGregor of a quantity of fi'-afe class jewellery and watshes. The goods to be sold consist of Eotherham, Dent, Ebrardt, and Waltham watones, and brooches, earcings pins, guards and other articles of exquisite design. The sale is to be unreserved, and as euch opportunities do not too frequently present themselves, they should not be neglected. We are assured that all goods are Hall marked. The articles to be offered are, now on view in Brown street next to the Bank of New Zealand.

Mb C. W. Caopp, who has bison conusctod with this journal for over six years, left the Thames this morning per Rotomahana en route for Australia and England, on pleasure beat. Yesterday af ernoon be was presented with a very hand 301110 field-glass and mountings by his fellow workmen, as a slight memento of the esteem .and regard in which be was held by "'them. Mr J. Pearce, foreman of the printing department, made the presentation, eulogising the energy and zeal which. Mr Cropp had "always shown in the performance of his duties during his connection with the paper. Mr JEEickey, editor, paid a like tribute on behalf of his department, expressing a hope that Mr Oropp might have a pleasant trip, and that the same measure of success which had attended his literary career, while a member of this journal, would attend him in his future. Mr Oropp briefly returned thanks for the presentation, and three hearty cheers being given for him, he took leave of the different members of the staff.

The Colonist says that Dr Schwarzbach, on a visit to Nelson, performed successfully duriog one forenoon five serious operations, viz., two* for extraction of cataract, one for straightening a squinting eye, and two fcr removing ulcerated tonsils—a good diy's work.

A deputation from the Dunedin University Council waited on the Hon. Mr Larnacb. yesterday, to ask Q-overnment assistance towards permanently establishing a School of Miae3 in connection with the University. Mr Lar* nach said he thought he would have little difficulty in persuading his colleagues to meet the Council in the matter. '•. OnjS thousand votes were polled in.favour of the Gisborne harbour loan, and only five against. The Board Scolded on taking the preliminary operations for raising the loan, and will discuss the appointment of an engineer at next meeting. In a local-optioa polling tor Dunedin city yesterday, the majority was about 4 to 1 against an increase of licenses. There were only abouti-300 votes polled. The excursion train left Auckland yesterday morning for the Waikalo with a number of leading citizens to take parbin the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Puniu railway. A (JISBOENE telegram snys that Tamai Mahe, a Maori, lies poisoned, himself with tutu, which ho boiled and drank as medicine. A iiAT*,.about 16, named Sinithson, son of an hotelkeeper at Anderson's Bay, Dunedin, died very suddenly last night. He returned fron school apparently quite well, was taken ill about half-past five, and died within an hour. Dr Coughtrey does not yet know the cause, and an inquest will probably be held.