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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1988, 19 May 1875, Page 2

We learn that the barometer has been, [rapidly falling fo-day,'having gone'down from 2976 to 2956 since eight o'clock this; morning,; and* there are vindications of a severe gale from west to north-west. The indications are not confined to the ; Thames..

The land lately purchased for the extension of the. Shortland cemetery is being ploughed, preparatory to being laid down in grass.

The brigantine Ethel, 181 tons, built at Mahurangi, was taken up the Thames Biver to-day by Captain Best, to load timber at theWupper mills : for Ly ttelton. This is. the maiden trip of the Ethel, she having left Auckland at sis o'clock last night and arrivedoff Taraau at half-past two this morning. She is expected to carry, about 150,000 feet of timber.

The monthly meeting of the Lodge Sir Walter Scott, was held last night. There was a good, attendance of members and visitors, and the usual business of the lodge having been gone through a supper was provided in the hall, to which about 40 sat down. : Only a couple of toasts were given, and one or two songs by members, and the brethren dispersed.

; About 140 summonses against persons resident on the Thames have been served 'commanding them to appear at the Besident Magistrate's Court in Auckland to show cause why they have not paid their education rate. This means more expense to the defaulters.

At a meeting of the Queen of Beauty shareholders held yesterday a dividend of '£ 120; per seventh" share was declared.

; In the Eesident Magistrate's Court this morning judgment" was delivered in the case against John Eoss for permitting a nuisance on his premises. The Bench ruled that the information > should have been laid under the Borough Bye-laws, and therefore dismissed the case. A Charge of permitting a horse to stray was met by fineing the defendant 2s 6d and costs. We may be permitted to express the hope that Justices of the Peace will.be a little more punctual in their attendance.- To-day the business occupied two minutes, , for which those in attendance had to wait over a quarter of an hour beyond the usual time for opening the Court.

On the 12th of April a veteran officer, Mr John Pollen, eiphty-four years of age, was thrown from his horse and killed hear JDubbo (New South Wales), and the Despatch has learned that the deceased gentleman was at the ; memorable ball in Brussels when' the distant booming of artillery filled the room with consternation, c and summoned the British officers suddenly frtwn the brilliant; scene of happy revelry to a scene of glory certainly, but where they had also to enter upon a work of .fearfuT carnage. Mr Pollen long survived the dangers of. the battlefield, though he came not out unscathed, for he bears to the grave the scar of a sabre-wound across the forehead, and we believe another of a bullet wound in tho breast; but he died at last almost unknown, unheeded, and alone, in the Australian bush.