The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5287, 30 December 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1885.

The Kotomahana last night was crowded, every available corner w»9 seized upon by weary passengers, and tho saloon presented a closely packed body of recliners in all attitudes and positions, even an elbow recline on the table was struggled for, and the ventilation alone should have deterred many " down below '"from remaining there even for the few hours they would be on tbe water. The more sensible passengers remained on deck, and even there every corner was seized. The steamer was also crowded with passengers this afternoon. A number of the horses which competed at the recent meeting at Farawai left the Thames for Auckland last night, and the remainder this afternoon, all being shipped safely. A meeting of the School of Mines Committee was bfld this morning in tbe Pacific Hotel, at which the withdrawal of the cahdidatu^eof Tn Ei'gour and Mr W. Eraser, to the office of President, wea received, in order to allow of the offer thereof to be mode to His Honor Mr Juslice Gillies. Final arrangements were made with regard to the ensuing election, wbifih will be carried out on '.the same ptinciplo R3 used by the N»w Zealand Government Inßuronce Co. in the election of a Board of Directors. It will be noticed by ou r advertising columns that a certified Hat of members eligible to vote at the election may be seen in the lobby of the Post Orfice.

NOTWITHITAKDIRG holiday events and a large influx of visitors, there was not even a " drunk " recorded on the Police sheet. The rectitude of our population will soon become proverbial.

PbofejSoe Cabroixo gave the last of his three Athletic Carnivals lust evening in the Academy of Musio, to a tolerably feir house. The programme was ?omewhi\t varied, but comprised most of tho features of the tyro previous performances, in all of which the different membsrs of this very talented company of Athletic Atniteurs were as usual very successful. Tbe high state of proficiency which Professor Carrollo's pupils have attained, as exhibited last night in their squad drill, gymnastic feats on the horizontal bjrs ( Roman rings, military horse vaulting, boxing, &c.j is a convincing proof of his ability as a teacher of gymnastic*, athletics, and other mar.ly exercises. There were no entries for competition for the two gold medals which had been offered to Thames amateurs for boxing, but. Profeseor Carrollo expressed a hope that on some future occasion, when be thould again visit the* Thames, there would be some competition for these medals.

What might, have been a eorious fire was prevented in Grey street this afternoon, owing to the promptitude of the Shortland Fire Brigade, From the particulars to hand it appears that the end of the residence of Mr Bettis caught fire, and os the blacksmith shop of Mr Mclntyre adjoins it, and the police quarters and old Government buildings are alongside, a serious conflagration might, owing to the dry weather, have taken place had the Brigade not turned out. The damage done was principally to the fureiture by water, and in one end of the building in which it originated. It is estimated that about £15 will cover it.

A private match for £20a«si'e, distance one and a*half miles, on the flat, has been arranged between the owners of the hurdle horses Auctioneer and Bushman, and will bo run off at the Parawai racecourse to-morrow at 10 o'olock. /

An tone taking advantage of the annual cheap excursion which is advertised elsewhere to Auckland by the Rotomahana, leaving this place at § a.m. od New Year's morning, could be at EHerslie by J. 2or 12 30, see the racee j and return to tbe Thameß by the same boat, which leaves Auckland at 11 pm. We have no doubt that a good many will avail themselves of this opportunity of having a cheap and pleasant New Year's Day Excursion.

The inter provincial cricket match played in Dunedin between Otago v. Canterbury, resulted in a win for the latter by 81 runs.

WE would remind our lady readers of the address which js to be given to-morrow (Thursday) afternoon, bj Mrs Hutcbiueon, to the women of the Thames in the j&ilvalun Army Hall at,3 o'clock on the subject of the work in Auckland in connection wiih iho Fetnalo Priaan Gbte Brigade—her experience in the work, and why she is engaged in it. As Mrs Hu!.chiußon is a very earnest and pheasant speaker, we >e.;onnnend all th^ f<.ir seat, particularly mQther|, to bo present. 'Tb? chair will be taken by Mrs «J. £. Stone. There will be no charge for admission.

Tpjß cricket match wb'ph 7&3 to have taken place in Auckland ojs Npw gear's Day between the Thames Club oud the has fallen th'ougfa, the geppetary pf the latti-r Club now that (hey ape unable to play on that day. The l<?ca] bljjb have therefore arranged a match with tlio franklin Club, which will take place in the Dpß!»i# op $ew Year's Day, The following will represent tbe T^jmes:—Clark (captain)^ Smith, EggintoH, Ait^ea, Air^y, WestOD, ' OoDtsy., JTsiyinan, Pearce, aj;d Buchan(2).

The severed hand mjstery at Chrietehurch ■t£H remans unsolved. The brothers Godfreys and Mrs Upward vere brought up at the R.M. Court Chrietchur.on yesterday, chap^d with conspiring to defraud the G-o rex n merit Injur* ftnee Alteration of £LOG t O. The police obtained a fur her ree?aad bill Saturday , no evidence of importance we* given.

The a'hletic sports at Cambrdige on Satur* day last were attended by nearly 1,000 people. The Cambridge Cup was won by McMillan, with C. Craig s cond, and M. Monnock third. Hurdles—A. Julian, 1; Aitken. 2 ; Muauey. 3. Walking ftfatoh—l>. MoOune first Goodman was nfter finishing firs^ which caused eomo dissatisfaction. Half-mile Handicap—J. McMillan, 1; J. Hannon 2: H. Carter, 2. Mile Baoe—S. Downey, 1; J. MoMi lan, 2 5 T. Hannoa, 3.

The Hon. Mr Balance loffc Wellington today for the great meeting of Maori delegates to bo held at Napier on the 2nd of January.

The amount realised by Mr C. D. Stewart at the entertainment given by the teachers and pupils of the Waio Karaka School on the 17th inst., after paying all expenses amounts to £10, which wiil bs expended on the purchase of appliances for teaching in the school the elementary principles of Chemistry, Geology, and Mineralogy, It is Mr Stewart's intention to write to Professor Black at once, and obtain from him a list of all tho appliances that he considers necessary for bucu work, bo that everything will be in readiness when the school re-opens.

The Auckland Star states that a number of persons interested in prospecting the King Country for gold have during the last few days called upon Mr J. Slator, architect, Queen itreet, offering subscriptions towards the expense of fitting out a party, if a permit could be obtained from the Native Minister. An application is to be made to the Hon. MY Ballance, and this, it is hoped, will be promptly acceded to, when a party will ba got up without delay.