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Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1734, 24 July 1874, Page 2

Count de Waldeck, a Prussian artist, now 109 years eld, celebrated the anniversary of his birthday recently by a festive gathering. He seemed in excellent health, and affirmed that he was the the 21st member of his family who had exceeded the age of 100. | Thb Taranaki News complains of the want of a market, in reading which some of the Thames people well regret the distance that separates that 'Province from this district. The News says:—"Many,a time have we and others, in bringing produce to town, been made painfully to feel that we were under an obligation to the merchant or storekeeper who j took our goods. We have seen heaps of potatoes rotting in town, and have known tons of the same to be shot into gullies, for want of a market. We once saw a load of onions brought into town, and the owner, because offered a ridiculously low and incommensurate price for them, take out the tail-board of his cart and scatter them along the road." I By the late news from San Francisco we learn that Mr W. Shaw, newspaper proprietor, formerly of the Thames, has patented an improved type. The improvement consists in the ease with which the type can be drawn out of the matter without injury in correcting. He has also patented an improved bodkin. Mr. Shaw is a gentleman possessed of considsrable inventive genius, and we are glad to learn that reverses of fortune have not stamped out his business energy. We heard something of hit latest invention a long time ago, but ho was naturally reticent of particulars until he had secured patents in the States and for the United Kingdom, which we presume he has now done/

The following curious occurrence, says a Paris correspondent, took place recently at the Salomonski Circus, of Berlin. During a pause in the performance, a fashionably dressed man descended into. the arena and made signs to the acLors, the musicians, and the public. Some important communication was expected; the performance ceased, and profound silence ensued. The new comer then called out in a loud voice. "Is the midwife Hermann here ?" The question produced a shout of laughter ; but as soon as the merriment had subsided, another Toice I from the second tier replied in the affirmative. The querist, perfectly undisturbed, then siid, " Hasten to the Cerlstrasse No.—, where you are expected with impatience." He than retired majestically, without caring about the sensation caused by this unexpected dialogue. The incident was the great success of the evening. To illustrate the way in which the name of the city of Chicago should be pronounced, an American paper publishes the following pleasant verees:— There was a young man in Chicago, And he said, " O may I to your pa go, I And ask for your hand, And your houses, and land P " This tiniii young .nan of Chicago. There was a young girl in Chicago, And she said, " If you don't let my paw g°» Your eyes I will scratch, And your hair I will snatch, And swiftly I'll make every claw go! " Ibis spiteful young girl of Chicago.

The monthly inspection of Thames Scottish Volunteers, band, and Cadets took place lust evening. There was n good muster of each. On tho roll being called it shewed 50 of ths Company, 16 ban 3, and 22 Cadets. The men looked well and handled their rifles smartly and with much steadiness. Admirable is. that law of Geneva (says Montesquieu) which excludes from the magistracy, and eren from admittance into the great Council the children of those who have lived or died insolvent, except they hay« discharged 'heir fathers' debts. It has this effect: it gives a confidence in the merchants, in the magistrates, and in the city itself. There tho credit of the individual has still all ; the weight of public credit;. These is a strike amongst the carpenters in Dunedin, and the tradesmen have formed an ' a>sociation to protect their interests. Two of the associated body waited last week upon Mr Allan, Immigration agent, and asked for information as to the number of carpenters amongst the immigrants who are expected to arrive.,- On being questioned &3 to the reason of their inquiries, they admitted that it was their intention to maintain them at the expense of the society, so tkat they should not accept the 12b per day, which is at present the cause of the strike. Mr Allan stated the number of carpenters expected to arrive was about forty, 21 in tho Indostan, and 18 on board the Castleburn; but he, at the same time, intimated that any person interfering with the free action of the men on arrival in port, would be proceeded against.