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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3125, 22 February 1879, Page 2

An American paper describes a simple test of wino by photography :— A few drops of wine are dropped upon cardboard and photographs taken of the stain. These when examined under a microscope, will not only reveal what particular kind of wine they represent, but also the exact condition in which the bulk of such wine may be at the moment of observation. It is known that wines have a sort of second life, not only when in bottle, bat also under other conditions, and it seems thßt these photographs of wines possess the same nature, and at various epochs in their vegetative life exhibit in a similar manner the successive stages through which the wine itself is passing. Every year the wine undergoes a transformation, which the photographer faithfully indicates, and which can be studied on the latter, by the aid of a microscope, in its minutest details. It is a fact not generally known that in wine-testing the eye is far superior to the palate as a guide. The dealers of Bor-1

deaux, for instance, in busy seasons have so many varieties to sample that their sense of taste soon loses its sensibility, and the " palate " refuses to serve them, but the eye will preserve its delicate discriminating power unimpaired for days and days together. And this system of photography of wines, which is capable of rendering immense services, will sooner or later be generally adopted.

A TELEGnisi has been received by His Worship the Mayor from the Hon. Col. Whitmore, notifying the offer made by the County Council re the Thames Hospital, and suggesting that the Borough would arrange at onco with the County for a direct grant for charitable aid, or transfer the poor to the County institution. The Colonial Secretary is evidently under the impression that the County possesses an institution for the relief of the poor, from the statement made that the County provides for its own destitute. No doubt but the County will at once acknowledge its share of the obligations the local bodies are under to provide for both Hospital and other institutions for the relief of the sick and destitute in the community.

The Stewart family again performed "If" at the Academy of Music last evening before a large audience. The representation was quite as successful as on the previous evening, and the audience applauded frequently. Especially amusing was Mr Stewart's character of the Irish brewer, Paddy Worts : his make«up and his brogue were exceptional, and in the song, " There's whisky in the jar," he fairly brought down the house. Miss Nellie's make up and acting in the Dundreary character was most amusing, and her fine strong young voice was heard to. greet advantage in " The Union Jack of Old England." The duet between Misses Maggie and Docy, " Save your kisses all for me," was very fine. The burlesque scene was very amusing, especially Mr Stewart's character of the Marquis. The company have had a very successful sea* son here. They left for Auckland this morning.

At a meeting of. the Waste Lands Board held on Thursday, the Chairman said at the last meeting of the Board it was agreed to make certain reserves on the bends of the Thames River for the improvement, of the navigation, and the Chief Surveyor was instructed to report. He now reported that this was a matter which was not being lost sight of, and when the surreys were further advanced, the full information would be brought under the observation of the Board.

In yesterday's issue a correspondent drew attention to the fact that a dead dog was lying in Rolleston street causing a nuisance, and on passing the same place this morning we were surprised to see the animal, which has been dead since Wednesday, still there, tainting the air with an abominable effluvia for some distance around. Some one is surely to blame for this neglect.

We have been requested to state, that Mr J. Brame of Auckland will preach at the Baptist Chapel, Willoughby street, tomorrow.

Members of No. 1 Company Thames Scottish battalion are notified by advertisement to meet at half-past seven o'clock this evening for important business.

Me H. Mclihone, Inspector of Miners' Eights, has returned from an official tour in the Coromandel district. He has laid some twenty plaints in the Warden's Court for occupying and mining without the necessary rights, but the hearing of these cases has had to be postponed owing to the Warden (Major Keddall) being at the Thames.

Members of the Thames Scottish Battalion, Naval Brigade, and St. George's Naval Cadets are reminded of the Church parade to-morrow.

On Monday next Messrs Gellion and Co. will sell at their mart, Exchange Buildings, all the choice pot plants belonging to Mr F. A. Pulleine, who is leaving the district. This will be an excellent opportunity for people who wish to go in for a little " window gardening," or who may be desirous of adding to their conservatories some rare plants, as Mr Pulleine's collection has been carefully chosen, and embraces some very fine plants.

The monthly inspection of the Hauraki Engineers took place at the drill hall of the corps last evenirg under command of Capt. Small and Lieuts. Barlow and Denby. Major Murray, the inspecting officer, having minutely inspected the arms and accoutrements of the men, Captain Small put them through several movements, all of which were performed in an efficient manner. At the conclusion the Major addressed the company, highly complimenting them for their creditable appearance, and said he had no fault to find with them.

These was no business at the E.M. Court to-day.

In the Gazette of the 13th inst. appears a notice to the effect that the Auckland Branch of the H.A.C.B. Society has been registered under the Friendly Societies Act, 1877.

The Bruce Herald, Clutha Times, and Mataura Ensign have been purchased by Mr J. M. Perrier, who purposes effecting considerable improvements in the management of the papers.

The Times, Herald, and Star (Punedin) all have articles strongly disapproving the conduct of Ministers to the Marquis of Normanby, and approving the remarks made by the Marquis on elective Governors. The Age alone contends that an elective Governor does not imply severance from the Mother Country.