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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2164, 10 December 1875, Page 2

An examination of teachers engaged in the various schools was commenced at the Thames School yesterday morning and continued to-day. There were 22 candidates present, 17 of whom were ladies. The following are the subjects in which the candidates were examined :—English language, including composition, grammar, use of words; history, geography, arithmetic; laws of health j theory and practice of teaching. ' ■ • ■ >

A letter has been sent to the various Lodges of the Friendly Societies in Auckland by Mr E. Honiss, secretary to the Demonstration Committee appointed to carry out the proposed Hospital Benefit, informing them that on Monday the 27th instant a demonstration will take place in aid of the Hospital funds, and requesting the attendance of the Auckland Lodges " to lend additional brilliancy to the occasion and add to the success of the undertaking." It is stated that the steamboat proprietors are expected to run a boat from Auckland on Sunday, 26 th instant, for the convenience of Auckland

visitors, and we can only hope that the Auckland brethren will avail themselves of the opportunity to contribute to the success of a deserving movement.

Two such days of raia as yesterday and to-day are not often known in the month of December in New Zealand, and " the oldest inhabitant " can scarcely call to mind such an experience as that of the last two days. For steady, continual, persistent rain the like has seldom been seen or felt. There were floods of course. The Waiotahi Creek, which at this season of the year is generally a sluggish open ditch through which flows a thick yellow kind of " peas paritch," became a roaring, rolling torrent, overrunning its banks, encroaching upon the crjeek road, and tumbling over the fall into. Campbell street like a mountain torrent. There the capacity of the culvert for carrying off the water was insufficient, and the surplus invaded the water tables in Owen and Brown streets, making itself felt wherever the ground was low. At the Anchor Hotel the water ran into the house, and at the Wharf Hotel the lower part of the house was penetrated. In Shortland the water rose over the footpath in several places, the worst place being between Eichmond and Sealey streets. Considerable damage has been done to footpaths, roads and culverts. At the Queen of Beauty the roadway sank, and at one time it was feared there would be a collapse which would take the creek right into the mine. „..

We are requested to contradict the statement which Appeared in this morning's Advertiser to the effect that the Parawai crew have declared the race which was to have taken place between them and the New Zealand Bank crew, " off." It is true that they wished to row with the new oars, but have conceded the point, and are quite willing to row with tbe ones used by the Bank crew in the late race. The Bank crew, however, we are informed, declare that they will have nothing further to do with it, notwithstanding the concession.

Owing to the weather the performance which was to have been given to-night by the Thames Dramatic Club in aid of tbe Miners' Accident Relief Fund has beca postponed until Monday, and to-morrow's performance in aid of the wardrobe fund of the same club until Tuesday. The dramatic portion of the entertainment on Monday night will consist of the drama " The Sailor's Child" and on Tuesday night will be played by request "Th& Charcoal Burner." Besides the plays there will be a varied performance on each evening of songs, dances, and athletic feats which the Club invariably do wel], and the interest on this occasion will be increased by the novel performances which Mr J. Anderson is announced to give on a Telegraph wire.