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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2156, 1 December 1875, Page 2

A MEETiNa takes place at the Pacific Hotel this evening at half-past seven o'clock to arrange for the reception of Sir George Grey to-morrow.

On bit that Mr Koberfc Graham will be a candidate for the office of Mayor of Thames, being about to take up a permanent residence here. The present Mayor, it is understood, will also be a candidate.

' We have to hand the Australasian Sketcher of the 27th ultimo, which may be called the " Cup Number," as it contains several illustrations of the great race and its surroundings, including a portrait of " The Winner," the " Saddling Paddock,'' "At the Post," and others. Also " Cup Day Costumes," showing the ladies' toilets, some of them said to have been made by Worth, the man-milliner of Paris, and to have cost as much as £700 apiece. The number is a good one. :

It was recently telegraphed from Brisbane that the Marquis of Normanby, the late Governor of Queensland, had given a donation of "£IOO to the National Society of that colony. The Brisbane Courier explains that it was the present Governor, Mr Cairns, who gave the money.

The following appears in the Bay of Plenty Times regarding the authorised prospecting of Kaimai:—" Grahamstown, Nov. ;23rd, 1870. To. A. Warbrick, Esq., Taiiranga. The Prospectors leave by the next trip of the Rowena. The license will be signed on Sir George Grey's return from Kawau on Wednesday. "W". Fbaseb, Warden."

A "casual" to the Thames writes us in. terms of admiration respecting a visit he yesterday paid to the Tararu Gardens. He says—" It is upwards of four years since I last visited the Goldnelds, and finding that admirers of their patron saint St. Andrew had thrown for the day business to the winds, I did likewise, and determined to have a days outing. Guided by streams of gaily, dressed people, and leaving public favor the choice of deciding, I found my destination the Tararu Gardens. I need scarcely say that my surprise was unbounded, when I remembered that only seven years ago Ihe^site upon which your city stands was a wilderness, the only echo that awoke the stillness being the shrill cry of " tui," or the occasional " coo-ec " of the Maori. The creation in so short a space of time of such a health-giving and picturesque place of resortment spoke volumes for the enteprise not only of the spirited proprietor but evidenced a belief on his part of the future of the Thames. In your mines you have sources of wealth, of which there is evidently no lack of spirit and enterprise to delve for, if I may judge by the din and clatter of your batteries and the mountains of unearthed earth which meet the eye ; but in the Tararu Gardens you have grounds which rival in an artistic and picturesque point of view those of the Metropolitan city, and of which the Thames people may feel justly proud."

An unusual air of bustle and excitement was observable this morning on the " Corner" amongst the brokers. The flutter amongst the hawks —we should say " doves "—we found on enquiry to have its origin.in the advent on the market of a • " pigeon "-—not a carrier— reported to have some £2000 to invest on behalf of a Southern capitalist. With a view to at once open up business relations the gentleman, who seemed bent upon executinghis mission with despatch, placed himself under the ciceronesbip of Messrs Me—— and C , who promptly introduced him to several of the leading brokers. Quotations of " selling " stocks were furnished (together with specimens, a point insisted upon by the would-be investor. These being satisfactory we have to report a number of " lines" being placed. The Oclden Calf at once recommended itself as a,fitting investment; while a sense of loyalty—if not pressure-^ induced the purchase of a few Crown Princesses. The stranger "defied" the judgment of his advisers by investing in Ajax's, but was amenable to their blandishment in going in heavy, after several " wets," for Bright Smiles. We trust his investments may realize his expectations, as we are sure it has those of the brokers.

The following unkind cut at the editor of the Daily Southern Cross is from the Coromandel Mail:—lt is stated that Mr Luckie, the present editor of the Cross, is very indignant with the Government that they have declined to give him a salaried office in return for the thick and thin support he lias given ministers since he has been in Parliament. It appears that Mr Luckie wrote to Sir Julius Vogel asking him to use his influence with ministers;, but that the ex-Premier replied that Mr Luckie's conscientious acts should be his own reward. This really, is very unkind on the part of Sir' Julius ; for Mr Luckie has always proved very faifhful to the great loan contractor,! even to the carrying of his carpet bag and descending .to more menial offices. Mr Luckie, it is said, would like to do turn round upon Sir Julius. In fact only the other day he did so in a sub leader, but it is said, the directors stepped in to prevent the repetition of such a policy. Afr Luckie's engagement on the Cross expires shortly, when it is not likely he will meet with a re-engagement. The The fact that the Cross paid no dividend last, year pehaps is the cause. Mr Montrose is spoken of as his successor, when Mr Luckie will probably be offered a situation under, him, as assistant subeditor. Mr Luckie has many good points about him. His convivial and social

qualities are much liked, and he can stand any amount of chaffing and badinage from those above him. When once asked by Stafford in the lobby of the House whether he had ever tasted a beef steak in the parts he lived in before he came to the Colony, he with a charming naivete confessed he had not, but had a sort of an indistinct recollection that he had seen one once at a distance.

The Brisbane correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald takes the part of the Marquis of the Norrnanby in the Hero affair. He says:—"The attack upon Lord Normanby by Captain- Logan and the owners of the Hero, does not receive much sympathy here. Queensland people 1 have nothing to expect from him, and can have no object in taking his part. They were not dazzled by his title when he was our Governor, and are not likely to be, what poor Stuart Donaldson would have called,' kootooing* to it or him. But he was with us for a longer time than he was on board the Hero, and the experience of him by all classes leads to the belief that he was a most unlikely man to take the initiative in offensive conduct, or to. bring into prominence his social or official standing in order to secure for himself and his party exceptional advantages—at least" we saw nothing of the kind during the three years of his with us, whether his relations were with one class or another."

The other day a gentleman of Balclutha who enjoys a drop of good pofter before " turning in " of an evening, and not being quite satisfied with the quality of the article supplied at our local vendors of spirituous liquors, determined to try the manufacture of a " wee drap for himself." Accordingly he procured a quantity of malt and produced six gallons of porter of a very superior brand. The grains, hops, and other ingredients were placed in one tub on the green in front of the house, and the porter in another tub adjoining. In the enclosure were two horses, one of which he observed munch* ; ing his grains which he intended for grumphy. He hastened to driv.e him off to another portion of ; the paddock, The other horse stood by unobserved, and as his mate was being driven away from the grains he coolly walked up to the other tub, and before he was noticed had the whole porter consumed. Six gallons-was not a bad guzzle for a light harness horse, but beyond appearing a little more than ■ usually frisky for the remainder of the day no evil effects ensued. Next morning he appeared as if *he had a slight headache, but upon applying to the tub he found he had followed the example of some of the human species, and had not left a drop for his morning's "nip."— Glutha Leader. ; ■ ■