THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3051, 25 November 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1878.

A co'bbespondent in to-day's paper calls attention to a glaring instance of " political lying" being freely indulged in by Mr W. J. Speight, a supporter of Dr Kilgour for the Mayoralty. Hitherto, so far as we know, this contest has been carried on without resort to personalities, with the exception of the instance under notice. We have been careful to exclude from our columns any strictures on Mr McCullough's opponent, and we regret that Mr Speight has gone out of Iris way to propagate gratuitously what he knows to be false. It might suit him to raise a party cry just now, but we believe he will fail. The burgesses have no intention of deciding the issue of the Mayoralty on a question of general politics; and in proof thereof we refer. disinterested persons to the names of the gentlemen on Mr McCullough's committee, and to the names on his requisition, ' and confidently ask if such would be there if the issue Mr Speight would raise were at stake. Since Sir George Grey has been surrounded by his present colleagues the Evening Star has been a supporter of the Ministry, because it sees in their policy an evident disposition to correct abuses and bring about reforms. Moreover, Mr McCullough, while in Wellington recently, was so far in the confidence of Ministers as to be consulted on several matters of local interest, in most of which his suggestions were acted upon. We trust that after this burgesses will not require to be warned against the slanderous effusions of a Speight.

Thi uncertainty which prevails as to the intentions of the Minister for Public Works in regard to the commencement of the Thames and Waikaio railway has not been. lessened by recent telegrams from the tfnder Seoretary for Public Works. To commence the work from "Waikaio would be to perpetrate an injustice upon this community such as we do not expect to have inflicted by a Ministry that has given us " The Harbor Board Act" and " The High School Act." We have been led to believe that the railway

as soon as authorised would be commenced from the centre of population—that is, from the Thames Borough, and so carry settlement with it. If matters were ripe for a beginning at both ends, so much the better. The main object of this line is to open up a means of communication between the largo, extent of good land in the back country, and a suitable harbor. The Hauraki Gulf is the Harbor ; the Aroha and intervening blocks of country—with their vast and fertile plains, sloping hills, and swamps that will be immensely productive as soon as they have been tapped by the natural means of drainage open, to them— these are the lands. Even now steps are being taken to open these lands, but their settlement will be retarded for years if the communication is to be made, dependent upon the railway line from Waikato. We cannot believe that Sir George Grey has been a party to any arrangement that places the Thames in so disadvantageous a position. Sir George himself is responsible for having raised our hopes in regard to this railway to the most sanguine pitch. He it was who drew such entrancing pictures of what the Thames Valley might become even in his time by the aid of this railway, and what a contrast the scene would present to his mind as he recalled recollections of its primitive condition when he passed through it ever so many years ago —a decade before many of his hearers ! were born. All who listened to Sir George Grey on that evening when he so forcibly urged the claims of this district to the railway will remember the enthusiasm that his utterances evoked. The men who had been striving for years to have the railway formed felt that it was almost a realised fact; and they who had sat looking on with indifference orjdoubt became inspired with hope. Can it be, then, that Sir George Grey and the Hon. J. Sheehau would agree that the construction of a line of railway from Waikato to Thames should be begun at the wrong end ? We do not think it, and we cannot believe it of the Ministry of which Sir George is the head. The railway, if started here, will carry settlement with it; if started from the other end, settle, ment will have to wait on its completion. Setter that the line were made under the District Hail ways Act, if started from here, than to have it included in the public works of the Colony and brought to our district only after the lapse of years. Two members.of the Ministry —the Premier and the Native Minister— all through last session showed a desire to help the Thames. They knew well enough that this railway, and the opening of the lend were matters of vital importance tc—the subject of long years of agitation in, this district. For ourselves we will not believe that they intend to subvert all they have done by a course of action that would be such a bitter disappoinment—an act that would be keeping their promises to the letter but departing entirely from the spirit. Auckland influences may be strong, but we cannot think they are powerful enough to induce this Government to a departure from what is right; and the slow process of concocting this district with the Auckland and Waikato line by commencing at the Waikaio end would certainly be done in Auckland interests to the abnegation of the claims of this district.

A bathes serious accident happened to* day to aman named Moßes Ensor, employed filling trucks at the U.P.A tip, in connection with the Harbor works. . Ensor was in the act of filling a truck when a large lump of the mullock fell from the tip, smashing the thumb of his right hand. Mr Eawdon at once procured a cab, and had the man taken to the Hospital, but whether it will be necessary to amputate the injured thumb or not remains to be seen.

A meeting of the Vigilance Committee of the local bodies, re the railway, was held at the Council Chambers this morning. Present—The Chairman of the Harbor Board (in the chair),' the Mayor, County Chairman, Crs Deeble, Brown, Greenville and Carpenter. Some discussion on the unsatisfactory result of the communications with the Government as to where the railway should be started, took place, the telegrams received from the Government since the last meeting being read. After some discussion the following urgent telegram was despatched to Mr Snowies: " Thanks for your telegram, which, however, doesn't answer our question, which is :—Are railway works referred, to in your telegram to be commenced from Grabamstown end, and have any arrangements been made with Engineer in charge with that view. (Signed by head of local bodies)."

The cricket match between eleven of the Tararu School and eleven of, the Kauaeranga Bpysr School on Saturday resulted in a victory for the Tararu team, with four wickets to spare, the winners being largely indebted to the good bowling df W. Me Walters and to the steady plaj Ing of Mr Halliwell.

A feibnd of ours went into the Mechanics' Institute on Saturday and asked a gentleman who was in temporary ch^-ge of the library for Buskin's periodical Fora Clavigera. The honorary librarian had apparently never heard of that journal, and appeared at a loss for an answer. There was a large bundle of herbs- lying in the corner, so he replied, " No, sir, it's the mint you're smelling."

A TBLEaBAM was received from Mr At Porter to-day stating that Mr Oliver Wakefield had arrived and would be down by the steamer this afternoon in company with Mr Porter.

On Saturday night some gentlemen interested in the Waiotahi Creek and Tararu .Schools made arrangements for backing elevens chosen from these schools at a cricket match. The stakes are not high, but sufficiently large to provide a treat for the players. The match is to come off some time between this and New Year's Day.

The following is the state of the sick in the Thames Hospital for the week ending 23rd November, 1878: —Statist!-

cal Nosology.— Zymotic diseases: re* mained (from previous week) 1, died 1; Constitutional: remained 1, remaining 1; Local: remained 7, discharged 1, remaining 6; Developmental: remained 2, remaining 2; Violent: remained I,remaining 1. Total: remained, 12, discharged 1, died 1, remaining 10; out-patients, 51. The dispenser wishes us to acknowledge the receipt by him of a parcel of old linen from Mrs Phillips, Shortland.

Mb Otto, canvassing for the preliminary subscriptions for the Karaka and Tararu Tunnel scheme, reports that the following have been received:—Mr Renshaw, deposit on 100 shares ; Mr Deeble, 500 shaves; Dr. Kilgour, 50 shares; Mr McCullough, 250 shares.

Me McCullottgh's sojb - commitiee will meet at Mr Frater's office at seven this evening, and the general committee at half-past seven. Mr McCullough will address the burgesses at the Academy of Muse at eight o'clock.

Me William Drew, of the Theatre Royal Hotel, has recently added several interesting articles to his extensive and valuable museum of curi< s. One of these is an old flint-lock Brown Bess of the reign of Queen Ann, which was found by an English soldier at a pa at the Bay of Islands after it had be^n stormed by the troops in 1846—32 years ago. The other is an ancient lookirg Sepoy cavalry sabre, a relic of the Indian mutiny. To the "zoological portion of the museum Mr Drew has added a tui, young pheasant, and a large and beautifully-colored lizard, warranted to cast its skin once a week. Mr Drew's interesting collection is well worth a visit, more especially as .almost every article has a story ai'ached to it concern' ing which the worthy landlord is always ready to enlighten hit visitors.

It is a singular commentary (says the London correspondent of the Argus) on the ridiculous <covp de theatre by which Lord Beaeonsfield attempted to make up for the numerical weakness of the British army in Europe by the assistance of a detachment of 8000 native soldiers from India, that the Ministerial papers hare suddenly discorered that the forces of the native princes are a disturbing element in Indian politics. The British army in India, European and native, is 200,030 strong. The native princes could bring into the field 3C0.C00 men. The rulers of Nepali and Cashmare have large armies,; and they are independent princes, who! help to guard our frontier, but who might assail it.' The Nizam has'so.oGD well trained troops, and the three Mahratta States between 50,C3D and 60.C03. Scindiah has 22.CC0, and the other feudatory princes nearly IC3.CZO amongst them. Uniil recently it was the fashion to deride these native soldiers, and to represent them as armed with weapons whicid were only dangerous to the persons who fired them off. Now we are told that the Indian foundries tura out excellent cannon and rifles; that every improvement which European skill can devise is introduced into native tactics; and that if only the Nizam and the Mahratia princes desired to strike a blow they might be extremely dangerous. There is ro doubt that the despatch of a small Indian' contingent to Malta gives the natives of Hindustan a no ion of their prowess which they never entertained before.

At the dinner given t) the Hone, J. Sheehan and Colonel Whitmore by the volunicer officers of CKago, on Prince of Wales Birthday, Mr Shcahan, replying to the toast of " The Ministry " made the following ren-irka on volunteering:—He, for one, had always opposed sham volunteering. In the Provincial district of Hawke's Bay, at Napier, he had seen on parade at a monthly inspection seven men and four officers all bundled up in skirmishing order—(laughter)—together with fifteen members of a band. Now, that was sham volunteering which was calculated to lower the tone of the Force. He held that no system of education would be complete until every child was as well informed in military drill as it was in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Until the lion should lie down with the lamb— a time that he confessed he felt doubts about—they must breed a military spirit in their children. True they had not Spartan mothers, but they could trail the youngsters to the details of drill, and must make them think of something besides getting money, they must propagate a national spirit 'and a love of a national home — (Heir hear.) If such were done, he thought there would be no need for paying Volunteers, because everyone would be vied to arms. The men composing their forces would be scattered all over the country, and when danger arose they would be available for service at a very short notice.' When a man was once completely up in the mysteries of military drill he'would never forget them. He should not take up their time further, for, although a Volunteer, fighting was not in his line. He was a man of peace, and would leave it to his hon. friend, Colonel Whitmore, to put on the paint.—(Laughter.) He came in more as a military hospitil-r-for carrying off the dead and dying. When he heard some time ago that the army of the South was mustering, and that a bloody engagement would take place on the Eorbury Park, he became much excited, and went down with some friends of his to take a flag of truce. Unfortunately, however, he arrived on the ground late, and the enemy were then in possession of the field. He was glad to say that he did not see any dead bodies, but only the usual accompaniment of " dead marines," and of course he hoped that in the inside of their own border they would never have anything' but " dead marines." He was of opinion that the time had gone past when the Volunteer force of this Colony would be called upon to put down internal trouble.—(Cheers.) In proposing the toast, the Chairman had said they would hear something from him, and if he meant by that as io the intentions of the Ministry, what they intended to do, he believed he would leave them as' wise as they were when he commenced. At a festive gathering he did not think it would be well to introduce that disturbing' little element of politics. j

The London correspondent of the York Herald says:—Some months ago it was stated that there was good reason to suppose that the Prime Minister would resign within a short period. It is now said that failing a dissolution his lordship will not continue to hold the seals of office after next February, while should a dissolution take.place earlier, his retirement from office will occur at the same time. It is generally agreed that the Marquis of Salisbury will, under ordinary circumstances, succeed Lord Itaa* consfield.

" Experience is a dear teacher."—Old maxim. Not half so dear as a pretty school inarm.