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Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2251, 15 January 1876, Page 3

'The polling for a member for the western Maori district, as a representative in the General Assembly, takes place. to-day. The local aspirant for senatorial honours is using every effort to secure h ; 3 return, and the-natives of this district appear. to be intensely anxious that he should be returned. The nomination took place a few days ago in Wanganui, and Hoana Nahi, the candidate referred to, not caring to trust the chances of his nomination in strange hands, despatched two Thames natives to the scene to propose and second him in due form, Shortland will be the principal polling place.for this section of the district. There will therefore, in all probability,. be a large muster, of /natives there, particularly as the ' Enterprise' is to bring volers from Miranda anuWVhakatiwai, and two steamers have been chartered to bring down the Upper Thames natives. There are three candidates for the seat, and we are given to_ understand that a very great deal of. interest is felt in the contest by the Maoris, who'appear to be quite alive to tho importance of being represented in Parliament by a local man. The district is so extensive and so scattered" that the chief centres have each put forward local men, so that, unless the successful candidate shouldibe a man.of wide comprehensive views, there will be two out of three centres unrepresented in any case.

• It will : be v seen by advertisement that Mr Dayies, in the absence of the Mayor, has complied with the prayer of a requisition signed by about 40 persons, asking him to convene a public meeting to take into consideration the present depressed state of the goldfield, with, a view, no doubt r to bringing pressure to bear on the Superintendent to inaugurate public works on the goldfield, so as to afford' employment to some of those who are now out of work. This, as we understand it, is the primary object of the meeting,'but that there, are other subjects to be discussed which will equitably come within the province of the meeting which is to be held to.night. Amongst these which are likely to take a prominent position will be the manner in which the provisions of the Mining Districts Act is being enforced or non-enforced by.the Mining Inspector. Complaints have been rife that too great latitude has been allowedto mining companies'in the matter of being allowed to hold large areas with only a few men working them.- These areas, it is urged by many, would be profitably worked by parties of miners'if the ground was open for occupation, or if the companies were compelled to comply with the provisions of the Act and man their areas with a sufficient force of minors, .there would be more work provided for the'mining population. We have no doubt speakers at this evening's meeting will descant at some length on this subject. .We shall watch with interest the arguments advanced, for it is one of those subjects upon which a great deal can be urged. Upon the first business of the meeting there cannot, we believe, be two opinions. If there are £8,000 of goldfields revenue lying idle in the Provincial Treasury, let it,'in the name of all that is reasonable, be expended on useful works which will advance the permanent interests of the goldfield, while at the same time enabling the working miners to tide over this period of depression, which is caused by the suspension of operations in the Waio-Karaka district and other portions of the goldfield.

The Act to'consolidate and amend the law relating to the registration of deaths and births in flew, Zealand came into force on the first instant, and, as some misapprehension may exist regarding the nature of the alterations made we may point out one or two of its chief provisions. It has been, thought by some that it points to all manner of pains and penalties I for neglect of certain duties, and that police interference of an arbitrary kind is enforced. This is an exaggeration; Although many penal clauses are introduced with a view of promoting the successful working of the amended Act, no Harsh police surveillance is intended, The services of the force are certainly called into request. The Act provides that it shall be the duty of every policeman to inquire for all deaths within, his district or locality, and to report thereon to the principal police officer, who is required to give notice thereof to the registrar of the district within which., that death occurred within seven' days, and also respecting some person present at the death or in attendance during the last illness of tho deceased person, or respecting the occupier of the house in which such deceased person died, as the case may require. This provision does not, however, supersede the necessity for the occupier of the house and persons present at the death giving particulars of death to the registrar,' or in default of such persons, the undertaker having charge of the funeral,

The "anniversary services of the Primitive Methodist Sunday-school will be preached tomorrow by the Rev J. Hinton (Baptist) and Mr John Manners. The former will preach in the ■ chapel,' Mackay-street, morning and afternoon, and the latter in the evening. On Monday a tea and public meeting will be held in connection with the same.

About 30 members of the Presbyterian congregation of the Thames and brethren of the Masonic Lodge Sii Walter Scott proceeded to Auckland by the' Hauraki' yesterday morning to attend the funeral of Mrs Hill, wife of tho Bev James Hill. The deceased lady was held in universal respect, and many others would have put themselves to considerable inconvenience to pay the last tribute of respect to her remains and testify their sympathy for the Rev James Hill and his bereaved family,, enly that their business pursuits prevented them from doing so, Too much credit cannot be accorded to the proprietors and agents.' cf the steamer 'Hanraki' for their ready acquiescence in tho wish expressed for the alteration of the time table to suit the convenience of those who wished to attend the funeral as well as in making a reduction in the customary fares for the occasion,' ■ ■ ' '

The first meeting under the' new Debtor and Creditor Act—the substitute for the Bankct—was held in the District Courthouse, Grahamstown, on Thursday, The case for adjudication was that of James Fenton, greengrocer and fruiterer, of Shortland, Mr J. B. Stoney, clerk of the Court, in the capacity . of official trustee, attended, and Mr Tyler attended with the'bankrupt The statement of assets and liabilities was submitted, and a Ufluidation resolution was passed, Mr Feojamin .chairman cf the meeting, was trustee, The effect of this new Act appears to be to relieve the Court of all inter' ference between a bankrupt and his creditors. From the latter, not from- the Court, he has to receive his discharge, and, ; so far as appears, all that the Court has to do with the matter is to receive the schedule's filed, and officiate as truatee in the bankrupt's estate until the first meeting of creditors is held, and the liquidation resolution is filed with, the clerk of tho 'Court.-;;■■.'•■: '■: ; . '_ '.'■.

Sir Julius Vogel was proposed as a candidate for the representation of Cavershara, but there was no seconder, '' : ■ ': <"•■/

■ ,We regret to say that a painful accident occurred in Shortland last evening to Mr Joseph Hartley, one of the most active members of the Shortland fire Brigade. He was with the other members of the brigade practising, the scene of operations being the neighbourhood of theßendigo Hotel. The ladders were placed against the hotel, and Mr Hartley was amongst the foremost,to mount the roof. By some means he fell off the skil'ing at the back portion of the hotel He sustained a severe scalp wound, and was in a,state of insensibility for some time. He was promptly carried into the hotel, and medical assistance was procured. After some time he recovered consciousness, and was conveyed home to his own residence.

A cricket match is to take place to-day, between the United Eleven, selected from Messrs Hewitt, Brassey, Moore, Lodge, Hulme, Schofield, West, Spencer, Chew, Watkins, Place, and Pulleine, and'the Taranaki Thames team. 'Husses will leave Curtis' comer at 1 p.m. sharp, that the game may be played through. If the day-is fine, we may expect to see a good number of visitors to Parawai.

Owing to the inability of the bailiff of the Resident Magistrate's Court or the police to procure the ' attendance of a second justice within a reasonable time, the Oaurt was adjourned by the only justice in attendance, Dr 'Kilgour. There were two cases on the chargesheet. William Baker was charged with allowing his-horse to wander in Sealey-3trest, and Henry Driver with allowing the chimney of his house to take fire,

The elections for Eodney and Waitemate, which take place next week, are causing some interest in political circles. The first-named contezt is between a local candidate, Mr Moat, of Warkworth, and Mr JohnSheehan, the exmember for. the district. Mr Sheehan is supported by Sir George Grey, who-personally attended the "nomination in order to propose his young friend and fervent supporter Several electors of the district resident at the Thames have been solicited to attend and record their votes, They will proceed to Auckland on Monday, and from thence by steamer to Warkworth, the principal polling place. .Mrßirnall, who formerly represented the district, and has Binoe visited England and Ireland as an emigration agent, withdrew from the contest in favour of Mr Sheehan. The. Waitenuta election, which takes place on Wednesday next, at the North Shore, and other polling places, will perhaps ba the keenest contest of all, For the seat there are four candidates, all of whom profess to be followers of Sir George Grey. They are—Messrs J. S, Macfarlane, Thomas Henderson, W. J. Hurst, and Dr lee.- A number of electors, of this district, also resident at the Thames, are expected to visit Auckland and record their votes on the occa-

We have received the. following Parliamentary papers:—Piako Swamp Sale Committee; Despatch relative to the exercise of ths prerogative of pardon; despatch notifying promolion of• J. Vogel, Esq., C.M.G,, to be a Jt.0.M.9.; Provincial contributions from-land fund for interest on cost of railway; sinking fund; estimate of revenue derivable from sale of confiscated lands, 1875-6 j -payments, &c, to Hon. Sir J. Vogel and.T. Kussell, Esq.; advance of £iO, oooto Auckland; instructions' from the Government to the Jate Colonial Treasurer; receipts ani expenditure under the Immigration and Public Works Loan Acts, 187074; return of lan-'s sold; finds held under depasturing leases; lands purchased by Government from Europeans in Waikato; immigration returns; papers relating to New Zealand cattle;, Militia and Volunteers; Boards of Health in the various province?.

An Act brought in by Mr Charles O'Neill, at the last sitting o£ the General Assembly : to regulate the plans of towns, came into force on January 1,1876, after which time no towns are to be laid cffon any waste lands—viz. . lands of the Crown—with streets leas than 99ft; in breadth. Every such town is also to have > reserves for recreation grounds not Jess ? in area than ore-tenth of the town,; and.in.no case less area than 12£.square] chains. No cemetery is to be fallowed within the town, but there must always be a' reserve of one acre in every town as an endowment for the municipality, and also reserves for gravel pits and quarries (if possible), and for] rubbish deposits, the last to be on the opposite! side: of 4 the town from which the prevailing! wind blows. AH p'ans are to be first approved! by the Governor, and streets are to be as nearly as possible in straight lines, and at right angles! to.each other,

The Civil Sittings of the.Auckland Supreme! Court vjill commence on■ Monday, before Mri Justice Gillie?. There were originally five causes set down for hearing, namely—(J. E. G. Jackson v. C. A. Harris (Mr Hesketh said this case was settled),. Cecilia Allen v.'Daily Southern Gross Company; Vickery v, Souter and Macky; Lusk and Butler v. J. S, MacfarJane and others; Isaacs v. Underhill.

' The man known as "Shorty," but whose! name is McDonald, who was found dead on the bank of the river, is believed to have met his death while under delirium tremens. He had! been drinking heavily for a long time pre-j viously. Mercury Bay is said to be in aw awfully demoralised state, and needs more] police protection, and the rooting out of nuute-f rous unlicensed grog sLantiea.~6oroma?itfc| Mail. I

The nows of the stoppage of operations at the Kapanga mine will be received with genera! regret. So many hopes had been entertained as to what the success of this mine would leatl to in the way of opening up adjoining country, that when it comes to be generally known many expectations will be disappointed, aid many a promising proposal will fall to the ground. It may be that tho stoppage is ojily temporary. Indeed, we are credibly informed that such is the case, and that Captain Thomas, the manager of the mine, is hourly expecting advices from England informing him off the necessary remittances being on the wa#for continuing the operations of the mine. |The, circumstances, so • far as we can learn, are something as follows: — The ICapSnga mine is the property of English shareholders, who were so foolish and bo greatly wanting in business' tact as not to have established a local directory in Corotnarjdel. The mine has been governed in another hemisphere on the other side of the world, Power was ceded to Captain Thomas to work the njine according to the best of his judgment, and-we may fairly presume that he has done so. But then Captain Thomas's pcwers were limited to the extent of money remitted to him for carry, ing on mine operations. When the supply of money fell short, or, as in the present instance altogether failed him, he had either to lessen the extent of operations •or abandon them altogether,. Captain Thomas held no power to' raise money, at least none that we know of, and consequently at the time of writing this : the Kapanga mine is being swamped out with water.. We are told that had the mine been worked for just another fortnight the long expected reef would have been cut, when a rich haul of gold might have been looked for almost as'a certainty.- Now it is as thirty thousand pounds of English capital having been expended in an effort to develop the vast riches presumed to exist-in the bowels of this mine. Mow, we say, just as the reef is on the point of being cut the men are discharged, the engino stops, the water flows in, and the mine is at present, and we mean for the present only, a gigantic failure, and for what ? Why for the want of somo four or five hundred pounds which could have been raised in a few minutes had there been a local directory in Coromsn(h)l. It is all very sad and very disheartening, and shows great want of 'finance and want of good .management upon the part of the English shareholders, We will undoitako to say that if the company in London is desirous of parting with their interest in the ■ mine upori : reasonable terms there are those in Coromandel and Auckland who will buy them i out'and will not'allow operations to be suspended.or the mine to be closed for the sake of a few paltry hundreds of pounds,—Coromandel Mail. ■'-'■:'

According to Mr, Murray (says.a Duncdin paper), if any attempt is made' next session to touch the; land fund, the party with which he worked would, atop the Estimates, aud waste time, if necessary/for twelve months,