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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1998, 31 May 1875, Page 2

We learn that Mr James Maekay, senior, died oa Saturday at Nelson, which sad event will probably interfere with his son's intention to be present at the miners' right enquiry by to-morrow. The death of Mr Mackay, senior, has been expected for some time, he being an old man' and having been ailing for a loDg time.

Befjekbing tq the report that Mr Carpenter, M.P.C., was to be appointed Goldfields Secretary, the Auckland Star says:—When we state that not even a rumour of such a thing has floated about the lobbies of the Council, that such, an office is wholly inconsistent with the declared intentions of the Government, which, as expressed some time ago by Mr Header Wood, embraco but a single paid " Messenger of the Superintendent" representing that gentleman in the Council, this communication respecting Mr Carpenter, like those preceding, has evidently originated in mere spitefulness. It is novr generally known that tke author of these canards is a colleague of Mr Carpenter's who takes this ingenuous method of exalting himself before his constituency at the expense of, his fellow representatives. We can with confidence say that the gentleman so maligned has not been an office seeker, and his conduct in respect of this has been a marked contrast to that of the colleague in question, whoso whole policy has been turned and soured at the cup being taken- from his very lips^ ' \ \ /;:;;• v V", 1 '■:? S '

„ We learn that Mr John' Moore Porrier has assumed the su]>e(HtorshipoftheNew Zealand Times, having resigned the editorship of the Bruce Herald for that purpose. -.;;■■;' .

"It is rumoured," says the Balkrat Courier, " that the Eank of Zealand is in treaty for the; purchase of & picceV of ground near the; Oluß iHctel, ' Lydiardslreet, with a view to erect a branch bank in Ballarat." •

An extraordinary slaughter of sheep by a railway train is reported by the -Mount Alexander Mail :—"On Friday evening last a land selector, who was travelling with a small flock of sheep from the neighborhood of Strangways northwards; had arrired. as far as the railway fence crossing the road near ld*\Kyd and Mackie's mills, when by some means they strayed through the fence on to the line; here they wandered till theyreached ;the arches behind Mr Stewart's farm. At this moment the five minutes to 7 p.m. train from Maryborough dashed through the mob, cutting them down like a knife —a greater slaughter was never committed in. so short a time. Finding some obstruction, the driver stopped- the train^ an examination was made of the line, and a most extraordinary scenepresented itself. iForty-six animals ,had been killed outright—some cut in. twain/others quarl ered, some with their heads off, some only half put, and singularly enough two standing in the midst bolt upright uninjured, although the whole train must have passed over them. The ballasting was covered with torn piecen of wool for some distance ; four other sheep were subsequently found much injured. The loss will be pretty considerable to the owner."

An illustration was furnished ; during a trial at the recent sittings of the' Criminal C»urt as to the strange notions which juries sometimes possess as to the dis-: charge of; the duties which /the law devolves upon them. In the trial alluded to the jury, after they had deliberated for some time as to the guilt or innocence of the accused, sent a message by one of the officials to the presiding judge, that they would agree to find a verdict of guilty if his Honour would promise to be merciful in : passing , sentence.. His -Honour was much amused at tfcei information furnished to; him/but though, no doubt very anxious to get away from the court, h.3 sent back word that, he would be no party to making any bargain of the kind. The jury soon afterwards agreed to a verdict of guilty.—Australasian. ' '..:

A cobeespondent at the Palmer writes to the -E^nd'go Advertiser:—" I don't consider the Palmer and Normahby any diggings at all in the Victorian sense of the word. On the Normanby where I was, two-thirds of the population' were sick, and no one made tucker. My mates brought home in three days 12s 6d worth of gold, and all the promises about gold they know were all moonshine. The heat is fearful here. Were it not for the heat, and the blacks it would be a leautifnl country. The blacks spear a great many horses and men too,. and many die from their wounds."

Ovu (Australasian) readers will remember that at the commencement of the season just past an attempt was maJa by the cricketers of Ifew Zealand to induce a Victorian eleven to visit and play a series of matches in that colony. The attempt was, however, then futile, and it has remained for certain influential Melbourne cricketers to carry out the matter. A number of these have joined together and appointed an hon. secretary, and Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, and Nelson have been communicated with as to matches being played at each city. In Sydney, the idea hate been' warmly taken up also, and the visiting team will consist of six New South Wales players and "six Victorians, and thus be in the truest sense an " Australian Eleven.". It is proposed to start from Melbourne immediately after the next intercolonial match at Chriitmas, and the trip will entail an absence of just two months. Promises have already been received mating this colony's contingent complete, and still less difficulty.is anticipated in, Sydney in collecting the New South Wales quota. Now that Victoria, Neyr South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia have each their annual intersbange of visits, it is time that so large a section of the cricket-loving community as New Zealand contains should no longer remain put in the cold, and it is to be hoped this undertaking w.li become annual in its character. ....

.A- tet.egbam to the. Auckland Star says:—The Tribune is evidently the ministerial.paper just now, and {the only one. Last night it gave it out that the probability is Sir D. McLean frill be chosen to lead the House next "session, and adds quite jubilantly, all the, talk to the contrary, not withstanding-^" We have bo doiibfc the' Native Minister will acquit himself ably and well of a duty* which he has not sought, but from which he has no need to shrink. Lord George Bentinck was a member of the House of Commons for twelve years without speaking or even troubling himself much beyond racing and field sports, yet he became at once a tiusted leader of the Tory Opposition. Sir Donald McLean has thought, if he has not spoken, upon every subject affecting the colonial wel*

fare, and the occasion alone is necessary to bring out his talent and capabilities as adebater and master of affairs generally."

It is some time since we were called upon to record anything in the way.of " selling off" or '* immense reductions " in the clothing department. But we are now reminded that Messr* J. Cosgrave and Co., are calling a sale of drapery and clothing at their establishments in Owen and A bertJtreets. The stocks in these establishments embrai c £20,000 worth of, goods. Cheap drapery and winter clothing will now be the order of the day.—Advt. %.

Tub Largest Shipment of Drapery, Millinery and Clothing ever imported direct from manufacturers to tho Thames is opened this season at J. Mabshali/s, who is determined to sell ■ with tho Smallest Bemunerative Profit and is certain"the public will not find' his goods aurpasssed,if equalled, for value by any house in. New-Zealand. Inspection Solicited.—Advt.