THE Thames Advertiser. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1874.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1882, 30 October 1874, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1874.

In opposing, to a certain extent, the movement which has been started to obtain some aid from the Provincial Government towards the establishment of a High School at the Thames, Mr Speight admits fully that such a school is much wanted here. Indeed, there can be no possibility of denying the need of such an institution. The city of Nelson has a population of 5,662 persons, and it has a Grammar School and a wellequipped and successful College; Wellington has a population of 10,547, and has a Grammar School and splendid College ; the Thames, with a population in the township alone of 8,073, has nothing but elementary schools. It is quite clearly the duty of the Government to endeavour to remove this disability by giving assistance, for in every other place the Grammar Schools and Colleges are to a very large extent supported by endowments and Government grants. But Mr Speight contends that the present taxation for education cannot be exceeded, that the common schools are not supported as they ought to be, and that if any money can be procured it ought to be devoted to them, We feel the full force of these contentions. We have two wants —one for improved common schools' and the other for a Grammar School, and if we can supply the latter by obtaining means which would not in any case have gone to the former, we do nob see why we should not endeavour to obtain those means. Any funds handed over to the Board of Education would be spread over all the schools belonging to the Board, and would be but of little benefit to this place, but a moderate amount of aid'from the Government would estab-1 lish a good High School here. The Thames is the only populous place out of Auckland, and to vote a sum of money to establish a higher school there could not be taken as showing any indifference to the common school system, but the reverse. Towards such a school not a sixpence derived from the preseut tax would be devoted. The pupils would pay a good fee, the Government might be expected to grant some endowments, while we have no doubt it would attract substantial aid otherwise. Mr Speight seenu to think that the present rate of the education tax exists only because of the poverty of the Government. Now in some at least of those places in the South where the higher education is liberally encouraged, the capitation fee on children attending the schools is higher

than it is here. Were the whole of the property and money devoted in Canterbury to all purposes' of education, restricted to the common schooln, there would probably be no need for auy taxation at all, but forcibly reasons it would not be right tbatlhafc should be done. . "We hope that the application to the Government will be successful, and that a school giving a somewhat higher education than can be attempted in the present common schools, will be established in our midst.

The p.s, 'Mauaia,'which was announced to leave Qrahamstown for Auckland yesterday, at 8.30 a.m., did not #t away until noon, and asthes.s.'Hero' left in the afternoon her mails for Australia would not reach Auckland m time for despatch by this opportunity. Several passengers would also reach town too late for the 'Hero.'

We regret to learn that the waters of the Waitemata and Hauraki are no longer to be favoured with the presence of the 'Golden Crown.' Our telegrams inform us that she made her last trip to the Thames yesterday, the agent of Messrs George flopping and R, S. Anderson, of Melbourne, having successfully negotiated her purchase from the A.S.P; Company for the sum of £10,400. The 'Crown' will leave Auckland for the waters of Port Phillip next week, and it is to be handed over to her new owners by the 20th proximo. It is a matter of regret that passengers between this place and Auckland should be deprived of the comforts afforded by such a steamer, but there is no disguising the fact, that the trade is not sufficiently profitable for bo expensive a boat.

The adjourned meeting to receive the report of the sub-committee appointed to collect information and examine the racecourses at Parawai and Tararu, with a view of deciding which is best for the forthcoming races, will take place this evening.

We understand that Mr Sims has communicated with the directors of the Imperial Crown Company asking authority to make another application for the water supply from Boundary Creek. It is believed that an arrangement can be come to with the Borough Council, so that no objection shall be made.

The Bank of New Zealand yesterday shipped per 'Golden Crown' 2,7720zs of gold.

The memorial to the Board of Education, asking for the establishment of a High School at the Thames, was despatched yesterday. It consisted, we believe, of little more than the resolutions passed at the public meeting. The Provincial Government has also been communicated with, and asked to assist in the matter, which will probably be-remitted to it by the Board of Education.

Our Tapu correspondent informs us- that Mr Meek and a party of three left Hastings yesterday morning, en route for the new coal field which has been discovered. They intend to bringafewsacksfullof thecMl back to Grahumstown, for which purpose they have a boat lying at the jetty.

The following office-bearers of the Star of the Thames Lodge of Good Templars for the ensuing quarter were elected last evening :— WCT, WPMcNeill; WVT, HHWright; WS, H J Lee; WF S, Sister Honiss; WT, J Johnson; W C, KevJ Davis; WM, W J Scott; IG, Sister Howell; OQ, McLaghlin. 'J he following were also nominated and chosen lo serve during the term:—R HS, W J Cain; LHS, W Deeble; DM, W J Young'; A S, J. Cocks.

The Auckland Evening Star appears somewhat concerned for the health of this district, and is surprised that the report of Mr E. H. Power to the Borough Council on the subject of dip'itheria his not even caused a pauic amongst the population. We quote as follows: —" We learn that that most deadly of maladies 'Diphtheria/ is reported as existent'at the Thames. The report may be correct or incoirect, but the matter is of too grave a character to be overlooked. It appears that the report comes from the office of the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and is based on medical certificates. It has been submitted to the Municipal Council as the local Board of Hea'/h, at the Thames, and by them it appears to have been quietly shelved. But a report of such a nature is not to be so summarily dealt w.'th. If diphtheria does not exist at the Thames, then it is improper for medical certificates to be given that become embodied in statistics that will be published to the injury of the district and province, If diphtheria does exist at the Thames, it is due to the people there, and due to the people in this city who have so close relations and frequent intercommunications, th« the truth should be. fully' known, so that every precaution and preventive may be used to hinder the spread of one of the irost insidious infectious aud fatal maladies. The fact that certificates have been given by medical men testifying to the presence of this disease at the Thames should be sufficient to move the local Board of Health to enquiry; and in default of this the Central Board of Health for the province should unquestionably take action, and lay at rest the question whether diphtheria does or does not exist in the province."

the Pakiri murderer Dyer will be executed within the precincts of Mount £den Gaol at 8 o'clock this morning, in presence of the gaol' officials and representatives of the Press The Herald says the Bev Mr Cornford has been unremitting in his attentions and ministrations to the culprit during the brief remainder of his existence, and Dyer his expressed his gratitude for the kindness shown, tie has been visited once by his family since his condemnation, aud the painful scene was described as having been distressing in the extreme. The family have now returned to Pakiri, and it is unlikely there will be a repetition of the affecting spectacle. Dyer has as yet made no confession or admission of his guilt. Yesterday's Herald says there is not only a possibility, but there is a probability of Dyer, not having committed this great crime, for which, if not reprieved, he will certainly suffer. according to his sentence. Three ministers of' religion have been in constant attendance upon the wretched man, and to all three as to one he has given the same explanation. He expresses himself ready to die, He has made his peace with tf od, and he entertains no hope of respite or pardon; but, knowing he is abont passing from life into a dread eternity, he declares mo3t toleranly that the woman capsized the kerosene upon herself at the instant he was striking a match, the ignited head of which flew off and set the oil in flame. He says:—there being no wafer at hand, he carried her to the river; that he immersed her body, and so extinguished the flames; and that, having done this, he carried her back. He did not drag her, as was sworn to by one witness; and • further, that the witness so swetring was a quarter of a mile from the spot at the time. A witness, George Watson, whose veracity there can be no particular reason to doubt, on his oath swore deceased said she capsized the kerosene-feeder on her head, aud that atthetime prisoner was striking a match to light his pipe, and the top flew off aud burnt her hair. We know that the public mind is very uneasy about this hanging, which is to take place tomorrow ; we believe also that there are some of the jury who are beset with anxiety; and in order that no great and terrible mistake may bo committed—a mistake that will admit of no remedy, one that can never be recalled— we ask whether a respite at least cannot be granted, • We [Herald} understand that Mr Hollowa/s time for the examination of the lands of this province having expired, he is now iu Auckland waiting to take passage by the first vessel offe ing for home. The first boat will be the 'City of Auckland/ but as she will not be leaving for a few days, his Honor the Superintendent is endeavouring to arrange for a visit to Tauranga and the Rast Coast, so as to utilisft Mr Holiday's snare time,

The quality of the coal from the Miranda will now receive a fair test, and should the result prove as satisfactory as the directors of the company anticipate, we may soon expect to see in active operation. The cutter * &!$» brought a parcel of about six tons acrosryesterday, and will come alongside the wharf with this morning's tide, when the pireel m\[ be divided. One lot will be sent to the Bright Smile engine, and the other to the Queen of Beauty battery. No doubt the result of these tests will be watched with intere.4. To a community like the Thames the question of good fuel is one of vital importance, aud we hope the Miranda coal field will prove a success. -

A traction engine, similar to the one in use on the Tararu tramway, lias ju-t been completed by Messrs Fraser ami Tinne, of Auckland, for the firm of _ Longdell and Co., of Wellington, and was driven to Onehunga along the railway, to be shipped by the ' Phoebe? The eugine is capable of working up to a p'esBiire of lOOlbs. It has two cylinders sin in diameter, with a stroke of Gin. The engine weighs 5 tons. It was transferred from the road to the rails on Tuesday night in Mechanics' Bay, where its presence caused considerable commotion.

To some of our readers who have a sporting turn it may be interesiing to know that, according to the very best authority on the subject the two New Zealand horses engaged in the Melbourne Cup, namely, Vapapa and Lnrline, are both doing as well as their best friends could'desire. Mr Watt fcs backed the Uo, and both will start, then, in the race.

Our telegram from Auckland announces that Kemsley, Woodward, and Mailler, who were burnt out at a recent fire in Wakefield-street, have been arrested on suspicion. The Ilt-mhl, in its account of the fire, said:—" We may stite tint Mr Kerasley had only recently opened iu his late premises, and only some twelve months since suffered a similar loss by being burnt out at Riverhead.—'five dimes rapidly spread towards Rutland-street, in which was situated three small cottages, the inhabitants of which, so quickly did the flames spread, had barely time to escape, the females fleeing from their recent homes in a'most a state of nudity. A very short time was sufficient to convert the cottages into. a mas 3of burning debris. Mr Woodward, who was among the sufferers by the late fire in Queen-street is houseless agaiD, hi? business premises having been four doors above the house in which the fire broke out The insurances on the block were as follows :— New Zealand—On premises belonging to R Somerville: One shop occupied by Mrs Woodward and one shop empty, £500; cottage in Bu-Jand-street, the property of executors of Hears, £250. Victoria —Keinsley's stock, £400 ; Charlemont - Hotel, iusured by Halstead's trustees, £250. Imperial—Kemsley's stock, £200; ditto building, £200; Woodward's stock, £100. National • -Sandall's building, £250. Norwich Onion — Kemsley's building, £100; Charlemont Hotel, stock, personal-effects, &c, £300; Kliza George's (Randall's), £300 Standard—Charlemont Hotel building, £500.-Total, £3,350.

The attempt to start a m-irning j ivnal in opposition to the New Zealand Times at Wellington has, as might naturally be expected, mit with failure. "Once bit twice shy" would appear to be the motto of the Wellington public As a rule newspaper compinies never pay, and the bleeding shareholders have become painfully aware of this fact.—Auckland Star.

The barque 'Especulador,' which was announced as about to sail from Lyttelton for the Palmer Eiver, has been taken off tbe bertb owing to the Collector of Customs having refused to pass her as a passenger ship. The forty passengers who had engaged berths were forwarded to Dunedin on the 18th inst., by the s.s. 'Maori,' to be conveyed by the barque 1 Comet,' which- sails from Port Chalmers about the present date.

The New Zealand Herald is responsible for the following: — "A. wealthy quartz-miner lately fell ill, and for some weeks his life was despaired of. However, a naturally strong constitution enabled him to pull through, and he is now little or nothing the worse for the attack One of the first things which he had to do after his recovery was to pay a rather heavy milliner's bill for his dear wife. The principal items were for a complete mourning outfit—black silk, crape, in fact everything complete for the role of the disconsolate relict The husband cue up a little rough at first, but the wife remin-led him that he always liked to see her well-dressed, and dressmakers in this country were so dilatory that if she had not given the order beforehand, there was no knowing when her weeds would have been ready. Under any circumstances, there were the clothes, and as life was, at the best, uu.3rfain, in was always handy to hwe them in the house."

The annual meeting of shareholders of the Imperial Crown Gold Mining Company was held in Auckhnd on Wednesday. After referring to the proposed increase of capital, the directors' report, read to the meeting, said: — The number of shares offered by the resolutions of the 12th of August was 9,000, viz, one new share for every original share. Of these 4,933 are he'd in New Zealand, and the remainder (4,067) in England. All the new shares, except 49, have been applied for by the Ne* Zealand shareholders. The Government, with the approval of the General Assembly, have undertaken to provide£so,ooo, to be expended in sinking the main stiaffc on Imperial Crown property, taking as security for the repayment of the money a mortgage on the property of the Association, and also on the separata property of each of the associated companies. The amounts for wlrch the Imperial Crown property is made liable is £18,000. The sinkins; of the shaft has been carried on,- aud a depth of about 50 feet below the 400 feet level attained. Further sinking i 3 progressing very favourably for reaching a depth of 700 or 800 feet. The arrangement made with the Long Drive Company to crush at your battery the produce of the upper levels of their mine upon shares has been terminated in consequence of the produce not continuing sufficiently rich to pay, The result to the Imperial Crown . Company, while the arrangement continued, was a profit of £403 83 7d. Two portions of the company's ground have been let on tribute, on advantageous terms. The royalty payable to the company is 15 psr cent, and 20 per cent, The statement of accounts showed the receipts for the year ending September 30 . to be £5,554, la Bd, and the expenditure fur the same period £5,309 133, leaving a ba'auce of £244 8s Bd. On the motion of Mr Watt, seconded by Mr Du Moulin. Mr T. Russell and Colouel Haultain were re-elected directors. The death of Captain McLeerie, the Commissioner of Police in New South Wales, (and late of H.M.'s 58th Kegt, in this colony), calls back one's recollections to the deed of derringdo which was the foundation of his fortunes (says'' Atticus "in [h& Leader) Mr McLeerie received a commission as a reward for his ga lantry in arresting one of the men who, in the early part of her reign, attempted the Queen's life, and was gazetted to a regiment serving in New Zealand. There he distinguished bimself greatly, was gradually promoted to the rank of captain, and upon his retirement fr»m j|he army obtained the comma,nd of the conin the sister colony. On the occasion of Professor Fawcett's speech at Brighton the other day, the report of «hich occupied more than two columns of the Scotsman, a curious instauce was afforded of memory such as is not often equalled. A gentleman who went down to BrigHon iu order to report the speech for fourteen newspapers called upon the professor some time before its delivery, and explaining the nature of hin business requested the favour of a statement of the principal points of the speech. Professor Fawcett very courteously proposed not only to give him the substance of his speech, but to rehearse the whole of it for him. This he did, and the reporter took it down. Later on, while the speech proper was being delivered, the original copy made at the rehearsal was checked over word for word and from beginning to end; so perfect'y had the speech been committed to menory, there Vas not one single mistake, except thit at one place a word was substituted tor its equivalent ja the notts.