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Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3633, 22 June 1880, Page 2

It would appear that larrikinism is becoming rampant in this town, Complaints have recently been made to the authorities that windows in various parts of the Borough have been wontonly broken at night- by of larrikins who parade about seeking to do as much mischief : as they possibly can, From the way in which the windows are broken catapults are the instruments which do the damage. By means of a catupult small stones can be propelled against an object with great force, arid with a sure aim, and coupequently this instrument is generally used by the young scamps in their nightly excursions. They do not, however, confine their pranks to merely damaging window'panes, but unhinge gates, and play many other naughty tricks besides.' Onlya month or two ago they took down the ladder which is used to light the lamps on the Goods Wharf, and threw it over into the water, aud< it was seen the noxt day by the master of a coaster floating down past Tararu Point. The ladder was the property of the Harbour Board, who were compelled'to replace it at a cost of two or three pounds, This one has also mysteriously disappeared. It was last used on Saturday evening, and was seen by a gentleman several hours after lying on the wharf with several young men sitting on'it, who probably threw it over the pier "for a lark," The empty beer barrels which are occasionally allowed to. re. main on the wharf over night are generally found; in the. morning to be scattered all ovor it, and on one occasion, one was floating in the water towards Shortland, having been rolled over during the night. Such tricks as these cannot be tolerated here, and we trust the polipe authorities will see that in future they are not continued.

The District Coronor (Dr ftilgtmr). has issued a precept for an inquest on the late fire, to be held at the Wharf Hotel on Thursday morning. Amongst the witnesses who will be examined areVMr;aud.Mrs Stophenson, Mr McCullougli, the local agent of the Imperial Insurance Company; Mr Louis Melhose, agent at the Thames for ! the Norwich Union Office; aud Mr S. Alexander, who was one of the first at the fire,' At the Licensed Victuallers' meeting yesterday Mr 'Stephenson explained that his insurances amounted to £750, but we believe it will also be found that a further policy of £200 stands in the name of Ryan, Bell and Co,, on a second mortgage, making the £'950 referred to in our yesterday's issue.

The anniversary soiree of the Congregational Sunday School, Mary-street, will take place this evening. Addresses will be •delivered by several ministers, and choice selections of music given by the choir,

From our report of the proceedings at the adjourned meeting of the Licensed Victuallers' A'sociation, held yesterday, it will be seen that the price of beer per pint has been increased to sixpence both in and out of doors. It was suggested that fourpence should be cbarged-for half-pints, and that the half.pint measure should be dispensed with, but neither of the suggestions wero carried into effect. Both were simply made to test the feeling of the meeting. The price of English ale was increased to 2s por large bottlo,

MrW. Carpenter writes:-To the Editor: Sir,—There can be no doubt now that a petilion, having for its object the removal of the 11.M., is being taken round for signature. For some time past rumour has been busy on tbo subject, but very few people of understanding or respectability have-fbeeri willing to believe that any one would be guilty of so gross an outrage upon the order-loving portion of the population of the Thames, as such a malicioua document would inflict, if forwarded to Government or Parliament purporting to represent public opinion, Notwithstanding that my acquaintance with people is somewhat extensive, Ibave met but one person who admits having signed it, and he was a plaintiff who lost a caso m Court, On all aides and among all ranks its authors are condemned. Suggestions have been made, that a public meeting should be convened to deal, with the matter, and that a counter petitiou. should bo. signed. Ido not think either oUh se courses, would be wise or nccesml>c buf^ £ tb & : isli<ni >s sent, it would be well if ie|n>™ntaii'anVwere made to the Government by thKi.tt! of the district and membera of local bodies, accompanied with the request to'bejVurnished, with a copy and the names of tliij viersonjLsigning, in order that they report upon it before ««f actibii u.<ftaken,; Your contemporary (the Slur) in'akW the very grave charge, that persons have been induced to sign it under the false' pretence that it was the petition re the Ckristehurch election, and it is rumoured that % authors have adopted other not' • less ' discreditable measures to secure signatures.' : 4tej#,it i 3 said, have subscribed their names pyjoufc reading it, impressed with the beliefs iimtt it, was a document whose purport was io 1 secure" their names being placed on the electoral roll, while people who have lost cases in Court, miners impelled to take out Miners' rights, and others, have had it thrust into their hands, and while smarting under. the first "feeling of disappointment and resentment, hare been male the tools' of the crafty pullew behind the scenes. I approve of'public peti. tions being sent to Parliament or the avowed objects of which aio : : :; to'fsecure the redress of public grievances; nor'would I have condemned the promoters of the petition in question had'they boldly placed'it in public places for signature bo much as,l' do now, but the very fact of its being carrie)! 'round in a covert manner is sufficient to coiidemn'jt, and convinces me that: its object i redreßß of a public wrong,' but the gratiffcafiba of private malice, If people, as been entrapped into signing it, through false 'I charge them, -.in- the'interests of the public good and their at once publicly disavow their cbnoiirrenca in thiß unwarrantable attack upon a public .officer who has sought to make his office reapeoted and to vindicate "the law. •■ •'• ■ . ■ .

Mr 0, H, Stewart writes:—To tfao lEditdr: Bir,-I perfectly agree with ia asserting that'Dr K —, although well, np in doctoring patients, and killing tilnejn hiß way, has very little'musical knowledge fs'yond. hearing his amiable Jady \, and hearing :vbieh, ! of course,' he very gallantly 'dubs himself a jftltlge'of what he knows little about; but Mr' Cw tonic sol« fa system I pronounce a complete humbug. Mind,,l do,not.blame Mr Qrigg for (jetting what hocan frbm-the shuffling Government of Ntv 'Zealand'.'; but, for all that, >lotiio'.aoj fq is a humbug, Tl or,;,more politely sp6ali|ng( only fit for babie>,~ or trouble all thn ,\yorl;l to learn that that is of .ho service', when the proper method could be'learnt in half tho tune.' No adult of caramon' sense would waste' an hour over it. " : -'- ' ' '77-

' Surprised '.writes:-To the Editor,—Sir, I glory in jyour leading article of Saturday last, showing up the- impositions obv• the mining in'erest. You really deserve veneration from that much oppressed community in all countries since the -opening up of California to mining interests,- Has ; there been a set. of cormorants ready-to pounce upon'■ • Ihoiminer— from the merchant to the great, land;owner, and lastly the petty Government official ? r Now, sir,'mining men are the miost' industrious, persevering men we have in bur' midst—your real mining men; ; I don't mean JPaddyl from Cork, just arrived-from the:; field'- of; potatoes, but men,'no matter what nationality so long as they have served ten years as an apprentice— and it takes all thatto learn ihe'art of-mining, little as it is thought of in this country, and all over .Victim, where there has. been an alluvial field, atowusbi?'hasbeen,formed :and; very nearly desorted.-, AVell,; this field- ia of ,fen or twelve years' standing, and; grown in,a 'large place; but what was ,it mining- men came ?-a, swamp. '/l ' may;safely" 'say" that mining men have built the' Thames, or at least have been the means of so'doiug, Wei', why should one or two, vipers of society be the mems.o.f oppressing those busy bees in the hiVe of industry ? Can anything be more ridieuious'than thatoue 01 two of theroptile classshould be put into power tCv'Oppress' the people that give us bread by ti#sweut of their brow? If I want an agent Ihave to pay that agent out of my own pecket. But I suppose every succeeding Government must place all their aunts, uncles and cousins into billets.'at,-the country's expense, ■•■'■;.•■■ ,' : ' : .} ■.;"

, Mr W. J. Barlow, write? :~To the Editor s Sir,—The ukase'of Captain;J. Stormont Small, in yout.yesterday's issne, completely terrified me, accusing me of prostituting yOur columns by attacking, his serenity. By jove! he is always in strife without my.attempting to.slir. it up.' Ever since I had the honour of his /illustrious confidence (some four years),; he has always been bringing some deep project to, a head. j \Vhem- friendß fall out there's .often the;d— ■• tppay and no pitch hot. >Ir me " straight out 5" thereon I congratulate him on having forsaken his general tortuous' mode of procedure. It appears, theD, that I was building castles in the-air when I imagined';'that I was eligible for the position of second captain of the Hauraki Engineers under tho present regime, i.e., Captain Small and Kent. Denby, When a good mechanic applies.for a job it is not considered egotisiia or vanity in him to inform. his patterns, that he is master of his trade. In- the same manner when Captain J. Ftormont'frnall notified that'he 5 -' should take nominations for a second captain. I deonied myself not only eligibly but eutitled, to !'the .billet,," 3s poet "Wisemiri hath it. The billet wap, however, a creation of the captain's fertilo imagi* nation, no such grade being allowed the corps. True, Captain J. Stwmont- Small stated thatlhe would entertain no other nominee than your humble servant, but : fickleness undoubtedly came to his aid, Far be it from me to style a real live captain a villian af the deepest dye for such trilling personal insults. As the erst-, while friend af my bosom is ready with ai aoswor, I will for the present content myself with reminding him that I was elected lieu, tenant by a fairmajorHyiu the tcctb : ( if an opponent. Mr Small was elected to his lieutenancy by a majority when none else, opposed him. Again, his captaincy' was secured when no other candidate handicapped him. By my resignation the Captain's henchman,.of Tararu redoubt notoriety, .becomes elevated. Allow me to remind that military star that his election was gained under false pretences, it being promised that a corresponding siop in rank for his immediate senior would eventuate, a condition never, complied with, lam afraid, Mr Editor, I shall tire your' patience; but so long as you Seel disposed for letter* of personal con. troversy, I am not 'he one who noed back out of it. ." : ■ The of ourWaikato couteinporary as follows to that journal soon be lively now. Brodic, cftifMg Pump'. as hiß friends q ill him, flspmp; and haa kindly given his sanction policy."