The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5099, 21 May 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1885.

It has been our pleasing duty for some time past to urge upon the people the necessity of recognising the fact that self* help is the most reliable stone in the foundation of any community. We hare from time to time pointed out how ours could benefit itself by instituting, and carrying out various industries, which would not only give a name for enterprise to the district, and thus induce capital to extend iti many advantages among us, but that it would afford profitable employment to the people located here, and tend to increase the importance of the place. This is a subject which would admit of a lengthened reference, but we cannot spare space to exhaustively traverse even the untrodden ground. We hare previously referred to the fish iudu3try, of which so little seems to be known or eren thought of. Even in our own small community many families are entirely subsistent on this pursuit. The fishermen and salesmen, with their wives add families in this small town are quite a little colony in themselves, and are to be numbered amongst the most iodmtrious of our population. Tbjo

fact points to another: what supports them all ? Why, the produce of our waters. Confront these two facts with another, viz., that we see imported daily all sorts of preserved fish, while all around us is the material necessary to provide ourselves with thafc which we purchase abroud. A spirit of enterprise seems to be sadly wanting in this young colony. Were the fishing grounds possessed liy j New Zealand (more particularly the Northern portion of it) existent in other colonies, imports of Columbian salmon, tinned oysters, herrings, lobsters—aye, even unto " Glasgie xnaijisthrets an' Finnon haddies " —would be rarities, or at any rate very much reduced. Like many other important items which could be made factors of prosperity in the colony, the fishing iudustry seems to suffer from inattention. A wealth almost unknown is in it, as can be quite understood by those who " go down to the sea in boats." It seems almost needless to point out that not only is the profitable employment of fishermen secured, but a further pursuance of the industry may use up labor of almost all kinds. If the matter were taken in hand properly—no great amount of capital is necessary—' preserving works could be established, and these would be a source of constant employment to numbers of people. Tinsmiths, carpenters, boat builders, net workers, dealers, curers, cleaners, general laborers, and many other hands might be employed, and at the same time an article of large consumption rendered cheaper by the fact that many charges would be saved on account of its being produced on the spot. Again, the district becomes known as a feeder of colonial commerce, and capital is directed to it, as has been the ease with other British and Foreign towns and cities. We heartily commend this fish enterprise to those - and they are many—who have a desire to stir up life in the district —there is some thing really tangible in the thing; it is not a matter of prospecting ; there is the field with a sure result, and all that is required is a few enterprising, business-like men to take the matter in hand, and we feel assured that they will, while benefitting the community—not only our own small one, but that at large, colonially speaking—reap rich financial rewards for themselves. It is only a few weeks ago that we drew attention to a commence* ment made by a resident on the Thames River, in the direction of fish curiDg and tinning, and had occasion to deservedly praise a most palatable sample of common eel preserved and cured by him. This generally unpopular animal was made, in its preserved state, most delectable. Seeing this, what range of probability in the mind of an epicure can be gone to P What delight in the dreams of a gourmand can be imagined when the thought arises that the more delicate BDd luscious finny denizens of the depths surrounding us might be proportionately dealt with by being laid up in oil. Putting aside the profit, the thought seems delicious. It would look somewhat absurd to make it appear that it is necessary to publicly point out to a community, or the business men in it, a means of enriching themselves, and affording employment to a large number of inhabitants, yet in this instance it seems that such a -duty has fallen to our lot. Enterprise certainly seems dormant, and therefore we embrace an oportunity of arousing it, heartily hoping that the notes we sound will swell into a strong and hearty chorus which will be productive of tangible and beneficial results.

The appointment of Mr J. McGregor a 8 Engineer to the Auckland Harbor Board haa Ik en made. There were 21 applicants for the position and amongst the laat six chosen for ballot was the name of Mr Alex, Aitken of

Tbamef.

In can sequence of the Anniversary Soiree of the Baptist Church, announced to be held on Tuesday next, the Committee of the Blue Ribbon Army have sledded to poatpoae their regular meeting from that date to the follow" in» Tuesday, viz., June 2nd.

At the Warden's Court this afternoon, before H. Kenrick, Eiq , Warden, an application by J. Gillan, that the Maggie claim, Hape Creek, should be transferred from T. Dunn to himself, on the ground of non-worbsng, was granted. There was no appearance of the defendant, a&d plaintiff having proved that the claim h|ad been abandoned, the Warden granted the application, with costs, 13s.

At the Police Court to-day, the case of John Vercoe, for disobeying an order of the Court ordering him to contribute towards the support of his father, was railed 0n,,, but there being no appearance of defendant, and the arrears having been paid, the B,M. m-.de an order against bita for cosfs, 7a.

A ■wbliTj-aiibkded meeting of the shareholders in (he Eurebi, Oriental, and Comet mines, Otunui, was held to-day, to consider what steps should be taken regarding the ttate of the road to tbe buttery. The manager (Mr ETarcourt) submitted a statement of the expenditure in the district for w^ea and machinery up to date, whioh showed—Eureka, £5102 j Oriental, £1460; Comet, £250. The value of gold won was £2627, the balance of the expenditure being made up with calls, while the goldfields revenue amounted to £420. The ntanager explained that he had put in a tendor to the County Council for repairing the road, at £250, but it had been declined, and the directors were of opinion that the mines would have to be hung up, or the road made passable, towards which the Oriental and Comet mines were willing to assist. After some discussion, during which several present expressed surprise at the slate of the road, considering the amount of money that had! been spent upon it, the following resolution was passeds—"That this meeting endorses the resolution of the directors of the Eureka GhM. Co., to repair the road to tbe battery, and recommends that they communicate with the County authorities and the Warden with a view to recouping the expense thus incurred."

The shoemakers' *< rike in Cbristohuroh was flpally settled yeitevd"/.

At tho County offices yest-rday afternoon, the following tendore were opened :—Forming and metalling road o-er Tn.kerei'a Hill; Obinemuri: P. Trainor (accepted), £113 6s 6d ; P. Sheehy, |£114 10s; E. Bain, £129 10s j and A. Batler, £143 15s. Forming and metalling part of Victoria street, Pocroa•: E. Bain (informal), £22 10s; Trainer (accepted), £27 Is; a native, £39. Cavting metal for use on Ohinemuri m sin road: P. Maxwell (accepted), £8 15s ; informal tenders were also received from two natives, at £5 15s and £6 respectively. The tender of George Harcourfc, at £250, for metalling the Otunui road, waa the only one received, but was declined.

Mb John Holmes, M.H.R., delivered a lecture in Ohristohuich last night, to c crowded audience, under the auspices of the New Zealand Protection Association, on the best moans of supplying tbe working men of New Zealand with employment. At the conclusion of the lecture the following rfsolu ion was carried unanimously :— "That the subject of furnishing employment to the workmen and youths of the colony has become of vital importance ; that in oonsequfnes of the low price of wool, grain, and other farm produce, it has become necessary that a large number of tbe people should be employed in manufacturing, and so make a home market for the farmers, and thus become' more selreliant; that to give an impetus to manufacturing, the Government be respectfully requested to revise the Customs tariff, with a view to fostering and encouraging the industries and productions of the colony."

For the Ci?il Service examinations it has been decided to inclnde drawing among th» optional subjects for examination.

It is understood that tho police in Wellington are about to institute proceedings under the " Gaming and Lotteries Act" again3t the promoters of racing sweeps and consultations.

CoroHEt Whitmohe inspected the Auckland Volunteers last night, aud complimented them on their turn out and appearance.

The last of the Auckland City local option elections took place yesterday for the Ponsonby ward, and resultoi as follows: —For increase of publicans' licenses, 4; against, 65.

A vraix for tho election of a member to represent the South Maori electoral district in tho House of Representatives, owing to Taiaroa being called fo the Legislative Council, has been issued, returnable by tbe 19th June.

The eon of Captain Sinclar, of the Piucky, was severely irjured on board the Te Anau in Dunedin by being struck by a block of wood which be was carrying, caused by his foot slipping. He is in a very precarious state.

The Marine department, Wellington, have ncace an investigation into the report alleging that on Friday last the light at Pencarrow Head was out for a time. It was ascertained that the report was true, but the light was only extinguished for four or five minutes, owing to a slight accident to the lamp. No blame is attached to tbe lighthouse-keeper.

Me Adam Pobtbb is sending a parcel of qurtz from tbe Karangahuke district to Sydney to be tested by means of a new process. It is rumoured in town that the teat of the Te Aroba quartz sent to Australia some week* ago has proved very satisfactory.

Tub weakeat woman, smallest child, and sickest invalid, can use American Co.'s Hop Bitters with safety and great good. See