The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1669, 24 April 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1874.

We learn that the Naval Brigade will not celebrate the Queen's Birthday with a ball this year, but a company dance will, be given, at which it is expected their comrades of. the Auckland Brigade will be present. The fact that the usual ball will not come off will be a Bource of disappointment to the ladies of the Thames, who look forward to the birthday ball as a treat at the commencement of winter.

If If our streets are not exactly paved with gold there is sometimes gold under foot where least expected, ftr. Jame3 Macky, junior, yesterday presented us with a very fine speci men which he picked up in the road immediately opposite our office. The specimen is a good sized one, portions of two quartz veins, and one—milky white—is fairly impregnated with gold. In the formation of Williamsonstreet a large quantity of mine debris was used, and the specimen -referred to must have esoaped notice at the mine and got shot down for road metal. If there arc many such specimens it would ,pay well to do -a little fossicking. . • . .

Om of the prettiest piecas of local, industry we have seen for some time we saw tit the ■hop of Mr. Cookson, jeweller, yeiterday. It consists of a pendant for a watch-chain. The 6to»e is of greenstone, with mosaic bars of golden quartz inlaid obliquely ; the gold mounting is most intricate, there being at the pendant point,, just uuderneath the ring, a buckle ring, containing a small diamond and a ruby. On one side is a small shield con' taing the following inscription :—" Presented to Frederick Clarence Dean, Esq., by the Tararu Highway District Trustees, March, 1874." This valuable triaket has been made to the Order of the Tararu Board as a gift to Mr. Dean for valuable Bcrvices rendered to the Bourd gratuitously. The honorarium voted by the Board was spent as above stated. „

A meeting of, No. 1 Bayals was held at the Volunteer Hall lastni°ht—LieuteuantQuinton n thd chair, Captain Lipsey having been suspended. There was a good muster, and the following resolutions were unanimously carried :—"That; in consequence ot Major G-ordon'a conduct to JSo. 1 Company during his annual inspection at the Thames, this company tender their resignation to the Government." ■••■■•" That Lieut. Quinton be requested to forward the above resolutions to the officer commanding the district as early at possible." While inking vhe abovo step a general feeling of regret was expressed by the men that i»o. 1 Boyals should be broken up, and confidmqe ; was also expteased in Captain Lipeey. As we understand the matter Captain Lipsey took the shop he did, of calling in the arms,. at the request of the company ; and as he is responsible to the Government for all the property of the company, his action appears justifiable. Moreover,',- Major 'Gordon advertised Captain Lipßey as "the officer,lately in command of No. 1 H.R.V."'before suspending him, which discourtesy the company appear inclined to reaent. The feeling is in favor of an inquiry, which would posßibly show whether Major Gordon was justified in taking the course he did.

We understand that the English Opera Company at present performing in the South will shortly visit Auckland province, probably • <SX,tßntoi9£'<thsir journey to the Thames for a . ■fho"rtie»iori^ r llhe prima donna of the com- ' panyV/-3lrti>/ ellay, is highly spoken of as a *' DMudfuljK'tfgeV and clevur actress. The tenor is Mr Henry Hallam, not altogether unknown to some of ou'e readers, having visited the with "the greatest comic singer in the world" —Harry Kickaids. Wo »ro informed by one who has recently heard Mr. Hallam in opera thut he has wonderfully improved sinco his season at the Thames. The basso of the company is also well known here —Mr T. Eainfor •, whoso magnificent; voice many would like to hear again. Miss Hattie Shepparde is;stage directress, and the company coiupmrs some other .very good people whose performances ■ are frequnntly commended. Should'our anticipations of a visit from this company be realised a treat is in ■tora for the admirers of English opera.