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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2134, 5 November 1875, Page 2

This morning there Was a clean sheet at the Resident Magistrate's Court. A concert will take place at the Academy of "Music this evening, when Mrs Mitchell will make her reappearance, after a long absence from 4he Thames, and sing some of her favorite ballads. The Misses Dow will also sing, and other ladies and gentlemen who may be said to be established favorites. Mr Owen will accompany, and Mr J. Heed will conduct. After the concert there will be a select dance, which will no doubt prove not the least attractive portion of the programme. Persons posting letters at the pillar box had better make sure that they eet their letters inside. Yesterday evening a letter was picked out of the gutter from under the bridge.- It had a stamp not defaced, but the envelope was open. It was placed in a dry envelope and put into the pillar box, with a memorandum as to the circumstances under which-it was found. In a recent number of the New Zealand Gazette by an Order in Council an additional regulation under "The Electric Telegraph Act, 1865," was promulgated, as follows:—" Telegrams may be sent to Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand, notifying the arrival or departure of steamers at or from any port in New Zealand, at the rate of 3d per telegram, provided that each telegram shall contain only the name of one steamer, the date and hour of her arrival or departure, and destination. Every such telegram shall be made ' collect 'by the sender, and shall be paid for by the receiver on delivery." . . . : Early this morning there was a very heavy storm of rain accompanied with thunder and lightning. Since Friday night last the weather has been as bad | as any experienced during the winter, [ and considerable damage has been done by the floods and the wind. The flowers ; have suffered considerably in some gardens exposed' to the wind. We draw attention to the notice that the Hauraki Ladies Benevolent Society j will hold their annual flower show at the Academy of Music on Wednesday, the 17th instant. Numerous prizes will be given for flowers, plants, ferns, vegetables, and fruit. No entrance fee will be charged for exhibits, so it is hoped that all who can send either flowers or fruit or any thing to make the attractions of flowers even more attractive" will do so. Even if the exhibits are not considered by their owners good enough for a prize, the judges may be of a different opinion, and besides, even though unsuccessful, they will aid the general effect of the whole show. It is to be hoped then that j exhibitors will be forthcoming in plenty, and that all will devote some part of the ! day to view our local productions and help to swell the amount to be handed over to the Ladies Fund.

The Thames Cricketers' Dramatic Club have fixed upon Monday week, November 15th, as the night on which to give a performance at the Theatre Royal for the benefitof the Thames Mechanics'lnstitute. The piece selected is " The Heir-at-law," a comedy by the younger Colman. It may be remembered that this club was under promise to play for the benefit of the Mechanics' Institute some time ago, but that society, on it being represented to them how greatly the Ladies' Benevolent Society were in need of funds, courteously waived their prior claim in favour of the ladies. It is to be hoped that they will now have a substantial benefit as the Institute is greatly in need of support.

The following letter has been received by Mr J. E. Macdoriald, Superintendent Shortland contingent of the Borough Fire Brigade. The fireman alluded to is Mr Joshua Hartley, who has several times distinguished himself, a recent occasion being at the fire at Burnett's in the Hape Creek:—" Bendigo Hotel, October 27th, 1875. J, E. Macdonald Esq^, Superintendent Shortland I?.B. Dear Sir, — Doubtless you-will have observed a paragraph in the Thames Advertiser of yesterday's ■ date, having reference to "the explosion of a kerosene lamp in my bedroom in the Bendigo Hotel on the night of Saturday last. I would not be doing justice to my feelings did I not in some public way return my sincere thanks for the valuable services rendered by one of your men on that occasion. I cannot just now call to mind the gentleman's name, but this much I do say that had it not been for his timely arrival and judicious action, the consequences might have been most disastrous. You, Sir, will, if you please, convey to him, and your men generally my deep sense of their usefulness.—l am, dear Sir, your obedient servant, H. Mcllhone."

One of the most dastardly cases of cowardice or of hardened indifference which has ever been heard of is given in an American sporting newspaper. A member of the New York Athletic Club, a man of great strength and activity, but no swimmer, bathed^ in the Haarlem JRiver. He imagined' swimming to be easier than it is, and ventured out of his depth. The poor fellow, it seems, came up four times after he first sank, yet all that was done to rescue him was to reach out to him the handle of a cane. On the bank, watching his dying struggles, mas Mr W. B. Curtis', described as "the strongest man in the world," and a famous swimmer. A Mr j. H. Stand, another expert in the water, stood- by Mr Curtis! side, and close by them again wer* 12 more members of the club, all likewise admirable swimmers and divers,., A friend who was bathing at the same time tried to save the drowning man, but grew frightened and swam ashore.-^.N'oone else even entered the water, and thus he met with his death " within r^eaeh; of the .strong hands of2o men whp^aulid swim 50 times the required'distanee for a 25 dollar cup."