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Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3239, 8 February 1879, Page 2

The tenders for the first section of the l'hames Valley Bailway—the reclamation contract—are to be received at the Public Works Office, 4uck« land, this day week, The plans and specifications are now on view at the Public Works Office, Grahamstown. It will be remembered that when the Minister of Public Worko, and also the Premier, were at the Thames, a number of working men waited on them to urge the necessity of letting the work of railway formation in small sections, in order to ensure employment by Bmall parties of contractors. These persons now discover that the outlay of capital necessary to take up the first contract will be far beyond their means, as several hundreds of pounds worth of material, such as siding rails, trucks, and other contractor's necessaries, would be required; and, in order not to lose the opportunity of competing with others, they have enlisted the services of Mr W. Kowe, M.H.R, who has this week laid their case before the Premier and the Minister of Works. They suggest that, as the Government possess a plentiful supply of such material, they should be allowed to have the use of the same from the nearest available point, on condition that they hold themselves responsible for the safe return of the material, with deductions for wear and tear. The request is somewhat novel, and we are not at all sure that the Government will be able to see their way clear to acceding to it. /s to the trucks, they can surely be procured on the spot without very much cost, and we have no doubt that the necessary supply of rails could also be arranged for without much difficulty amongst parties at the Thames. Under any circumstances, we cannot see that the request can affect the first section, as the time is now so short for the acceptance of tenders, and further delay will be very undesirable. We are happy to learn that plans of the second section are far advauced in Mr D. Beere's hands, and that within a fortnight after acceptance of tenders for the. first section, tenders for the second section will be called for.

The balance sheet of the Thames Hospital, for the past six months haß just been issued, The receipts show, from private subscriptions, &c, £257; the Friendly Societies' Demonstration, £106; Hospital Sunday, £60155; Govern, ment grant, £1,000 ; Thames Borough, £280; the total from all sources reaching £2,204105. The salaries paid amounted to £700; maintenance of patients and medicil comforts, £477 13s; property, £280 ; balance in bank and hand, £430 17a. A Government subsidy of £502, and one of £2717s from the Borough was then (Dec. 1878) due.

The volunteers will be glad to learn that the new targets are to be erected early next week, and Major Murray will probably commence firing for district prizes on Monday, the 17th February. The cadet prizes will be fired for on Friday, the 14th,

We regret to learn that no information haß been received as yet as to the whereabouts of Mr J. P, Jones, bookseller, of Courtney Place, Wellington.

We may state for the information of "Anti Friction" that. Mr Jamps is no longer mine manager of the Caledonian Gold Mining Company, having handed over charge to tho underground boss, Mr Comes. If '■ Anti Friction " Wants the post of bailiff of the Big Pump Mr James will, no doubt, be happy to instal him on receiving due authority, and thus qualifying himself for the post.

The election of three members of the Thames Harbour Board is announced to take place on Monday next, at 2 p m., at the offices of the Board in Albert-street, The persons eligible to vole are such as have paid port, harbour, pilotage, and wharfage dues and charges to the port of Thames to the amount of £2 within twelve months preceding the day of election,

The different Thames Volunteer inspections for February will be made by Mijor Murray, as Major Withers has been ordered South by the Government on a tour of inspection.

The resolution passed at the meeting of the United Pumping Association yesterday will be found in our telegraphic news. Mr Morrin took an active park in the proceedings, and expressed the opinion that things may yet be made all right. We are pleased to see such a gentjeman as Mr Morrin exhibit such interest in the matter, the pity is that the steps suggested by him were not taken earlier.

To-day the Colonials and All-comers of the T.C, Club will meet in friendly rivalry on the Parawai ground. The former will be repnjsented by Messrs Geo, Spencer, Burgess, Gellion, flargreaves, Bull, Gudgeon, Cameron, Grey, Buttle, Baxter (2), Gavin,"Hudson; and the latter by Messrs Steadinan, \Vhilford, Lawless, Gough, Potts, Crump, -Bayldon, Smeaton, Munro, Mcl.ean, Murphy,-: Tregonning, Carfick, Paul. Wickets are to be pitched at 2 o'clock sharp, and players are particularly requested to be punctual.

Our advertising column announces thereopening of our Theatre Koyal this evening for a short season by the Hydes' Gem Burlesque and Opera Company. The performance commences with Halliday'scomedy of "Checkmate," Mr J. P. Hydes sustaining the role of "Sam Winkle." "111-treated II Trovatore" is the favourite extravaganza with which the performance concludes. The company is very strong and includes many old Thames favourites, notably Mr Hydes himself, Miss Jennie Nye, and Miss Lizzie Morgan, and we have little doubt that our townsmen will give these caterers for our amusement a hearty reception; The other characters will be sustained by. the Misses Alice and Amy Johns, Mr Mack Alexander, Miss Marion Liston and Mr J, Wilkinson.

At the last meeting of the Auckland Waste Lands Board Mr J. O. Firth inquired when the Te Aroha lands would be open for sale. The Chairman replied, they were not yet under the Board, and probably three months would elapseere they wereopen for settlement. Mr Firth said that in the Thames Biver there were some very awkward bends. In faet, the current played extreme vagaries, and they might require in several instances to straighten the river, The question was whether they should not make seme reservations for this purpose, so as to divert the river back to its aneientchannel. In some instances it had encroached as much as two miles, and it would be well for the Board to make reservations where these deflections occurred, so as to straighten the course of one of the most important and valuable rivers fer transport of produce in the colony. He was at present having snags taken out of the river to make it navigable, but he did not like to do the whole of it. The Board agreed to suggest that the reservations recommended should be made .--Mr Firth further asked to have the attention of the Chief Surveyor called to the, block of land on the west bank of the Waikato, which he thought they should now be in a position to offer for sale when a demand arose.— The Chairman said that was being done.

The 'Margaret Galbraith,' Captain Fergusson, from London, on the 2nd of Nsvember, anchored at the powder-ground in Auckland, yesterday morning, after a passage of 93 days from the Lizards t'o the Three Kings. She brings a general cargo and 30 tons powder. Her passengers are:—Saloon: C. J. Smyth, M. Williams, and P. W. Lean. Second cabin: Alfred Tattersfield, Horace Hambury, John Belchey, J. M. King, Sarah King, and Robert Oliver. Steerage: John James, James Tooker, George Smith, Mary Smith, Hugh Kirwan, Joseph Flanagban, Michael Carden, Mrs Linechal, M. Knight, Alfred Boye, J. E. McNeight, Margaret Muir, Mrs Shield, Messrs Graham, Stuart, Grey, Kettle, and James Bonning,

The Auckland Working Hen's Club, having received a copy of the circular issued by the Wellington Club regarding the influx of Chinese labour, assembled a meeting of trade delegates for its consideration; The secretary, Mr Hislop, reported that a petition embodying the views expressed in the memorial has been numerously signed.

The Ndson Mail, referring to the Baby Show held there on New Year's Day, says: - "It was the means of bringing together in a tent, specially erected for the purpose, between 40 and fiO of the lustiest, chubbiest, brightesteyed, merriest-looking, anti-immigration arguments that were ever collected under one roof, and, strange to say, Mrs Budge (of Marlborough) and Dr Williams were, even after their decision was made known, suffered to leave the ground without losing a hair of their heads, notwithstanding the fact that they had doomed 48 anxious, hopeful mothers to disappointment. The first prize, consisting of a handsome plated tea and coffee service, was carried off in triumph by Mrs W. Newport, and second, a silver butter ! cooler and a pair of vases, kindly presented by Mr J. Hounsefyhy Mrs Perkins,"

An extraordinary case of neglect was reported to the Dunedin police last Saturday, A man named McGrath, a well-to-do contractor, living atßingland, employed his daughter of 14 years to herd cows on a native reserve near the estuary. Up till last Thursday she lived in a tent near the reserve; It was blown away by a strong wind, and afterwards she slept under a flax hush, Food was taken her at intervals by other members of the family. When found she was in a fearful condition, lying on a sack with some stuffing in it; a shred of a torn tent for a covering; dirty, hungry, and neglected. The girl was brought before the Resident Magistrate as a neglected child on Tuesday, and her father put into the witness box. He prevaricated a. good deal, and at-' tempted to make out that when the policeman roused him out of bed at a quarter-past 11 last night be was going down to see after his child. Ijjg&'ght was bitterly cold; and it was raining hJif in fact, the girl would probably have Been killed had she not been rescued by the police. Eventually the heartless old scoundrel broke down, and pleaded that, if let off, he wonld not do it again. The child was almost starved, and had not taken off her clothes for 14 days. She had been in the same lonely place since December 16, and had been obliged on several occasions to teg her food from the neighbours. Mr Mellish, 8.M., said: The, girl will he sent to the Industrial School for two years to be brought up in the Roman Catholic religion. He then said to the father: 1 won't let you go without telling you what I think of your conduct. Ycu ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. You have been bringing up your children as perfect little savages, and what can you expect your children to come to when you treat them in such a manner? It was but little wonder that your son went to the bad. A grosser piece of barbarity and neglect I have never heard of. Now, instead of making anything out of your children, I will take care that you will have to pay for her support for the next two years/

Valuable Discovery for the Hair,—lf your hair is turning grey or white, or falling off, use " The Mexican Hair Renew," for it will positively restore in every cast Grey or Vlhitt hair to its original colour, without leaving the disagreeable smell of most "Restorers. It makes the hair charmingly beau ■ tifnl, as well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald spots,where the glands are not decayed. Ask your Chemist for " Tim Mexican Haik Renewer," prepared by Henry 0. Gallup, 493, Oxford-street, Lon. don, and sold by Chemists and Perfumers everywhere at 3s 6d per Bottle.

Mr John Goonan has received tho appoint' raent of postmaster at Waitekauri.

The total duties collected at the pnt of Auckland for January has now been issued, and. including gold duty, amounts to the sum of £20,057, which shows an increase over the corresponding month of last year of £703, or over the previous month of December, 1877, of £6,782. The increase over December is chiefly due to the items of ad valorem goods, tea and sugar; in fact, with the exception of spirits, there is a steady increase upon almost all dutiable articles. Tea in December, with a duty of 6d per lb, brought into the Treasury £246, while in January with 4d per lb., the item is £2,078; sugar at Id produced £1,034, while at |d it gave £2,000. The difference between Deiembei and January, so far as tea and sugar are concerned, was no doubt in great part owing to the fact that as little as possible of these articles was taken out of bond in December. Ad valorem duties amounted to in December, £2,008; while for the month just closed it was £5,100.

We learn from the Waikito 'limes that Rewi baa been exhibiting in a new character—viz., officiating at a christening. It seems that since his visit with the Native Minister to Katikati his manner to Europeans has become very warm and friendly. As a proof, we are told " that he recently drove into Katikati from his residence at the Pnni to visit Mr Farrell. He was attended by his wife and several of bis immediate followers. Mr Grace, native agent, and a fsw other gentlemen of the neighbourhood, also accompanied him. The special object of his visit was to show his appreciation of Mr Farrell s store by christening the same, according to Maori custom, or, in other words, to give it a name by which the Btore is to be known to himself and people. He explained, at some length, to Mr Grace his reasons for desiring that the store should be called Motaitangatarau, which implies that, as he had so visited it and named it, maDy are henceforth to follow him to do business there." Mr Farrell, at least, will appreciate the honour.

Mr Holland, bricklayer, while engaged in the erection of the Newton post-office had a service-main laid on to a mortar-grinding machine. The supply suddenly stopped, and after careful search an eel, seven inches long, was found jammed in the stopcock of the pipe. The Herald says" The vagary of this fish was the cause of eigUt men being out of employment for the greater part of the day, and the usually equable temper of the con' tractor was sorely tried by the circumstance. It may be a matter for speculation how many maimed, mutilated, and dead fish are now lying rotting in the bottoms of the reservoirs and in the water-mains. Perhaps the presence of these may account for the offensive smell and taste of the water which is sometimes complained of, and not without reason."

The Board of Governors of the Timaru High School have resolved to call for competitive designs for a school to hold 2,000 pupils, and cost £4,000,

Constable M. Marsh, of Whakatane, arrived at Opotiki on Friday last, having in charge a European boy named William Floyd, who has been living with the Maoris during the past three years, He is apparently about 10 years of age, and seems quick and intelligent, According to the account given by the natives, be was sold to them at Napier by his mother for 2s 6d and a kit of kumaras, and has since leen living quite contentedly amongst them. He states,that bis father and mother are still living at Napier, and that bis father is employed as a carter there. Great credit is due to Constable Marsh for the capture of the boy, as he was carefully concealed by the natives, who misled Marsh by every means in their power, and caused him many fruitless journeys. Eventually, however,', hearing that the boy was at Kokohinau, he proceeded thither, and was informed by the natives that he had been sent to Whakatane to take the news of the death of a chief. Marsh then started back, apparently to Whakatane, but managed tb' reach To Teno unobserved, where he remained until-midnight, and then, returned to, Mohinatii ®}t3iavii|g previously, ascertained thUffhare in:which the,boy usually slept, closing the door, struckia UYatcl], and found his prize sleeping under a hlan|fet withsome Maori boys, On being awakened the lad made the most furious efforts to escape, and cried bitterly, declaring his wish 'to remain with the Maoris. He was examined before Gr. A. Preece, Esq. 8.M., this morning, and committed to the Training School at of Plenty 2imcs,

A strange tale comes to us from the barque 'Van Dieman,' which arrived at Wellington last Friday. When that vessel was in 28-51 N, and 17'10 iV., she sighted the brigantine 'Ibes,' from Benino for Falmouth, with a cargo of palm oil, showing signals of distress. The 'Van Dieman' was hove-to, and a boat sent to the brigantine, when it was stated that they were short of provisions, water-logged, and had all their sails blown away, But on searching round the vessel this was found to be incorrect, as she had plenty of provisions on board. The pumps were sounded by the chief officer of the 'Van 1 Dieman,' and no water was found in the hold. The captain of the brigantine was taken on board the bar jue, but very'little information could be obtained from him. He was asked if he wished to leave his vessel, and he replied in the negative. He was then taken on board his vessel, and the barque proceeded on her voyage, Why the brigantine should have shown distress signals is not known, but it is thought that she had yellow fever on board, the first mate having died some days before she was sighted by the Bhip.

In a recent number of Tc Wananga there is a leading article setting fortli how advantageous it will be to the Native landowners in the North Island if they permit railways to be constructed though Native districts. The leader gayß: " Good roads and railways are required before land can be of value for what can be done with it. It is not going much too far to say that roads and railways give absolutely a value to land in the same way as the labour and skill of the Maori or of the European manufacturer gives a value to the flax mat or a coil of rope. There is a certain minimum value to land independent of the faoilities for using it, but that minimum is very low. Beyond this there is in some cases a speculative value to land in particular localities, owing to conjectures as to its future value when certain other probable conditions come about, But these other conditions, in all cases, except perhaps where rare minerals are expected to be found, are the probabilities of speedy railway or road construction near the land which the speculator has cast his eye upon. In the South Island railways have made rich men of hundreds, and have brought comfort and independence to plenty who never hoped to be anything] but hewers of wood and drawers of water for others all their days. Railways have enabled com to be grown in such profusion as to be sufficient for the wants of New Zealand and for an overflow into Australia and Glreat Britain. The London Cockney cats Ne>v Zealand bread on london Bridge. Besides this, railways have enabled other railways to be made by the riches they have poured into the pockets of private landowners. What railways have done for the South Island, Sir George Grey's Government hope to see done by the same agents in the North.''