THE Thames Advertiser. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1874.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1862, 26 September 1874, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1874.

The very interesting, and evidently careful and truthful account published in ouv yesterday's paper respecting tjio goldfields of Northern Australia will no doubt be attentively considered by all who have any idea of visiting these regions. The writer appears to have nothing extenuated nor set down aught in malice) we have the difficulties, trials, and privations on the one side, and precise accounts aa to the gold that has beon procured on the other. Every one can look at both sides of the picture; and we venture to say that unless to those who have a most iuordinate love of adventure, danger, and hardship for their own sakes, New Zealand will be preferred to Northern Australia. No doubt, .in I the course of time, some , of the hard- j ships that have hitherto had to be j endured will ba obviated. The means of conveyance both by sea and land will be improyed/and in all probability the blacks will be driven further back, so as to be troublesome only ; to those : who push into utterly unknown regions; but, on other hand, the best chances will be seized, and the best claims taken up and probably worked out. The whole of the country seems patchy, and the alluvial claims soon exhausted. W hat with the risks and incidents of a severe climate, the cost and scarcity of provisions, and the hindrances and terrors from the natives, it may, we think, be confidently predicted-that there will be but a small population left behind in Northern Australia. Much as we have to complain of our own native difficulty, it does not aijfect us in the way of killing men who are out prospecting. Gold mining is not allowed beyond a certain district, and there\i9 an end of of it; and the worst that has happened to those trespassing has bßea that t tUe

natives have brought them in without any violence. • The climate of New Zealand, the fact that scarcity of water or food need not bo feared, the cheapness of provisions, and the conveniences of travelling are all considerations to be weighed, and there can be little doubt that the conclusion will be, that it is better to stay here, dull as times are, thau to go to Northern Australia,

"Nemo" writes to suggest that a public meeting should be called in reference to the Hospital enquiry, but he does not tell us what such a meeting could do in the matter. The othor portion of his letter is rather too strong for insertion.

Since there appears a likelihood of the next colonial prize-firing taking place at the Thames, we would recommend the Government to get permission from the native owners to allow the firing'on the delta between the present rifle range and the Kauwaeranga Creek, shooting into the hill. A better or more suitable piece of ground for this purpose could scarcely be obtained. The range would be clear and open, have a good background, and at all hours of the day would have an excellent light on the targets. As we believe the competitors would be under cauvas, the same as at Napier, we think Mr Oassin would kindly permit the encampment to be pitched in his garden lawns at Pardwai, adjacent to the shooting ground. If these suggestions were adopted, ample oppor-. tunities would-be afforded the public to witness the competitions, and' so increase the interest in the shooting,

The Californian Minstrels will make" their first appearance at the Thames this evening.

The fourth and last of the series of concerts given by the choir in aid of the funds for the bazaar which is to be held shortly for the purpose of raising money to liquidate the debt, on St. George's Church, was held last evening at the Academy of Music. There was a good musical programme, and some of the selections were rendered with very good taste, but there was a marked weakness in the choral performances. Amongst the most marked successes of the evening was the song, the Captive Greek Girl,' by Mrs.Kilgour, which,was applauded, and in reply to au encore she substituted " 'Her bright smile hauuts me still," with equal success. A duet by Mr Airey and Miss Belcher also dretf forth applause. Miss?Wiseman has lost none of her popularity, and iier voice shows traces'of high cultivation. In the plaintive song, " The murmur of the shell;she i sung with much feeling and pathos, and was loudly applauded and encored. . She then sang ' | I've a welcome for thee. 1 ' Air Trewheela sang Who drinks deeply of wine," with all his accustomed finish, and Mr Reed created the utmost amusement by his eccentric make-up as a German, and subsequently set the house in roars by a local song "The sale of picturesof celebrities," into which he introduced amongst other topics the Hospi-; tal dispute and the recent banquet to Mr Sheehan. After ' the' concert the room was cleared, and performers and audience joined in a dance, which was kept up with spirit for several hours,

Haora Tipa, the great chief of the Ngatipaoa, died on Thursday night at Whakatiwai, The old man was a great friend o£ the Govern; ment, and has during his time rendered most valuable assistance to them, ia fact he held the same position in 1 Hauraki' for faithfulness aod adherence to the Government as Tamata Waka Nene did at the Bay of Islands. He was a very old man, nearly 70 years. He was taken very ill shortly after the greatfeast at WJiakatuou, at which he was the principal actor; in fact it is, supposed that the excitement, &c, caused by the part he took at the meeting, coupled with his great age, has been the cause of hurrying him to his grave. •' A-boat came, over last night with a black flag at the gaff. It was seen from Shortland some time before it arrived, and the sight of the black flag told plainly enough the natives who were watching, that poor old Haora had passed away. Telegrams have been sent to Wellington and also to Mr Kemp at Auckland. The Government will send a coffin, and, in all probability, will further interest itself in paying honour to this old native chief, who was ever kind, friendly, and hospitable to Europeans; and a firm ally of the Government. The natives here are very much affected. There will be a great uhunga or crying held on the other side next week. The natives- here will meet and hear what steps the Government will take before they go over. ;

We are ia receipt of the General Government Gazette of the 17th instant containing the new rules and regulations of the Volunteer force. Corps may now recruit up to 100, but if they fall below 30 they will be at once disbanded,: Precedence mil be in the following .order Light Horse, Artillery, Engineers, Rifles, and Navals. Regulations are given for the appointment of commissioned officers, Sc. No person below the age of 17 is to be enrolled in a Volunteer corps, except, as a bandsman. Apprentices are not to be enrolled without consent in writing of their masters. An efficient officer is described, and his privileges stated, ha. Capitation allowances will be granted as' follows: —For Artillery,-Engineer, Me,and Naval Volunteers; Volunteers who attend six (6) inspection and six (6) company parade, will be entitled te the full rate of capitation voted; and those who attend .three (3) inspection and three (3) company parades, will be entitled to half the rate voted; provided, in either caso, they have received certificates of ellicieuoy for the then current year. For Cavalry Volunteers; To parade for drill twice a day for six (6) consecutive days, at suchtime as may be appointed by the Officer Commanding the District. Also, to parade half-yearly for inspection. Volunteers who attend the six (6) days' training and two inspection parades, will be entitled to the full rate of capitation voted: and those who attend three (3) .days' training, and one (1) inspection,' to half the rate voted: 'provided, in either case, they have received certificates of efficiency for the then current year. No claim for capitation will be admitted for any corps if they are less thaii twenty-five (25) eEeieiit on the 31st March in any year, and such corps Will bo liable to be disbanded. ,

The s.B. 'Taranaki,' Captain Wheeler, arrived on Thursday morning in tlje Manukau from the South. The following is the report of passage:—left Duuadiu at 4,30 p.m. on the 15th,°and arrived at Lyttleton at 2 p.m. on the 16th. Left at 5 p.m. on the 17th, and arrived at Wellington at noon on the 18th- Left at 1' p.m. on the 19th, and arrived at. Pioton at 7 p.m. Left at. 4 a.m. on the 20th. At the French Pass saw the Governor's yacht waiting for a fair wind through; towed him through the Pass, and arrived at kelson at 2 p.m. Left at 5 p.m. on tlie 21st, aiad arrived at 'faranalu at 11.30 a. m.' Lauded the passengers auda few packages of cargo. The wind and sea increasing from N.W., were obliged to put to sea. Off Taranaki saw two water-spouts, and at 5 p.m. saw another close to the: ship. ; '.The wind increased until it was blowing a strong gale from N.W. At i p.m. on the 23rd put the ship head to sea leader easy steam. At 6 p.m, a sea struck her, washing away the butcher's shop, and carried hen-coops and all moveable articles along the deck, About 10 a.m. another sea washed in the forward end of the second engineer's cabin, and lifted the forge quarter boat out of the chocks, and carried away part of the iron rail on tho bridge. At 2 p.m, stood in shore to ascertain the ship's, positioa before dark, it having been very thick all day. At 4 p.m. made out Gannet Island. Put the ship head to sea again under easy steam till 2 a. m. on the 24th, and then stood in for Manukau Heads, and crossed the bar at 7.30 a.m.i wiving at Onehunga at 9 a.m. The following is a list of the passengers: — Saloon — Mrs Somerville,' Mrs Bockett, Messrs Ohlson, Ansley, Malcolm, Ileslop, Kerr, Barker, Cox, Cowell, Aston (2), Harley. Steerage-Mr Short, Mr Greenly, Miss Cornell.

S. Yopa (late of tho Court House Hptol) has assume! the management of tho Queen s Holol, corner of Albert and Queen streets, where he will be happy to recoivi) a visit hia old friends.— Adyx. . ' ,

The Otago Tines thinks that Mr Yogel's absence from the colony at the present time is a grave.error of judgment.

Mr R. J. Creigliton, editor and general manager of the 01% to Guardian, will be sue* ceeded by Mr K. H. Leary as general manager, and Mr Vincent Pyke as editor.

Of the immigrant girls per 'Tweed'recently landed at Dunedia, the Times says: — "Certainly, handsomer, bctter-onducted, or healthier-looking girls have not reached these shores for many, a day. » It is not long since the Waikato district could boast of a newspaper, published within its bounds, devoted exclusively to the advocacy of measures calculated to advance the material prosperity of that rapidly prospering portion of the province. That paper would seem to have beeu successful, for we are informed by those who are likely to be well posted up in the matter, that a second tri- weekly paper is shortly to be brought put in that large district, The Times is published at Ngaruawaiiia, but'we understand its rival is to 'be issued at Hamilton, There can be no doubt that Hamilton will be the more central of the two places for receiving and distributing news, and that a keen rivalry between the two papers may result. Surely Waikato will advanco rapidly when once it possesses two tri-weekly organs to adro* cate its claims in the counsels of the country.— Cross.

A correspondent of theSouf/iOT Cross writes as follows respecting the Piako Paver difficulty: —" The navigation of the river was, during the war, and since, always open for vesels of all kinds, including steamers, as far as the settlement at the junction,of the 'I'eawaiti and Piako rivers, known as' Te Kerepehi; above that the native eel weirs rendered it impossible, for craft of any size to ascend the stream, and .the navigation by boat and canoe between Kerepehi and Te An o Waikato has- never been .impeded ■by the Piako natives,' Some months ago Capt, Peacock chartered a cutter to convey , supplies to his property at Ngakuriaruru, ■ .and- the master was advised not to,, take his vessel beyond the Kerepehi settlement as he could not pass through the eel .weirs, that he had better land his cargo there, and have it stored, and transport it by boat, or canoe up the .river, That even if he passed the : eel 'weirs ' he would not get as high as Captain Peacock's farm', as his vessel was tod'large; and he would in any case have to tranship his cargointo canoes or boats, and might as well do so at Kerepehi as to. go a little higherjip the river where he ,would have to land it in'a swamp. The master was obstinate, got through one eel weir, and was pulling down the second when the, natives stopped.him, . Captain .Peacock appealed to Mr Mackay (then agent for the General Government, at Waikato),' and the natives, through their chief ■ Tarapipipi, said'they/had no desire ■to prevent anyone,from.using the river for vessels as far as Te Kerepehi,' and for boats arid canoes to Te Au o Waikato Falls; but they objected to the removal of the eel weirs,-' which supplied them'ffith food, and had been in the river from time immemorial. That they o*ned the lands on both sides of'the river above'and'below'the eel weirs, and had the right to fish there by.the treaty of- Waitangi.It was finally arranged that no impediment' should be offered to the conveyance of produce in the usual manner, bat that whenever the Government purchased the land the eel. weirs should be removed. Mr Mackay showed the natives the .a steamer on'the river would beto"them as' well as the' Europeans. Since" that time the little steam launch-: has made several trips, towing Teasels containing goods for the settlers near Te Au o Waikato, and nd objection has been raised by the natives. It, however, happened a few days ago that four natives paid the agent of the steam launch 10s each for passages from Shortland to Piako, : and, on going on board, • were vrefused .passages by two of .the UpperPiako settlers., This his annoyed the natives,, and they say. that the Piako settlers. may take all their goods, now lying at Shortland up the river by steamer, but nothing afterwards. ;'; ••