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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3680, 11 October 1880, Page 2

Active preparations are going on for Miss Mason's complimentary benefit, which is fixed for Tbunday evening, the 21st inst. From the way in which we hear the ladies and gentlemen are studying, and the interest they manifest, a most enjoyable evening's amuse* ment may be anticipated. The two pieces selected for the occasion are Craven's sparkling two-act comedy,, " Broken Vows," and the well known petite comedy, " The Happy Pair." The oasts of both pieces include the fair beneficiire, assisted by Misses Ensor and Harris, Messrs F. Burgees, G. A. Burgess, Cloonan, Gray and Turner. Both comedies are extremely funny and •musing.

This afternoon, Mr Kenrick, accompanied by Mr Brodie and Mr Aitken, will visit the Canadian Gully, Moanatairi Greek, to tee the route of the proposed road. It appears that the Government, from a vote of money last session for trucks and minor works upon goldfields, can contribute to the cost, of certain works, and the County Council having co • sented to pay half the cost of the road asked for, upon, the condition that the Government pay the other, Mr Kenrick will report upon the matter.

The self-reliant membera of the Grahamstown Volunteor Fire Brigade, being affected with that very common complaint, " lightness of the chest," intend supplying themselves with a little of the needful by giving a grand concert at the Academy of Music on Thursday evening next. The services of Mr R. A. R. Owen have been obtained as conductor. Our premier comiques, Messrs Wiseman and James McLiver, have promised to assist, tbe latter having an especially prepared budget of comicalities, while tho former hag composed a new " local" expressly for the occasion. Fireman Wright, in a comic ditty, will recite the merits of " Hot Asphalt," and the following ladies, with others have promised «;o give them valuable aid :—Mrs Penk, (nee Mason), and Misses Probert and Stephenson. We must not forget to, mention that Messrs C. McLiver and J.bbet eon will give their duet " The Pilot," which was so well received at the Volunteer Hall concert the other evening. The performance will be under the patronage of the Mayor and Borough Council, and no doubt the Accident and Library Funds of the Brigade to which objects the proceeds are to be devoted, will considerably benefit thereby.

B. W. HoiHS, Esq., County Treasurer, will be absent from his office for a few days owing to his having to proceed to Auckland to have his books audited. On each previous occasion Mr Hollis has received most complimentary certificates from Mr Durrieu, and will no doubt fare similarly on this occasion. It has been current talk these last few days how it is that an increase of salary, wtien the Council was about it, was not also voted to Mr Hollis, for few public servants are harder worked. The admirable manner in which the business of the County is carried on is evidence itself of the care and attention given to all matters coming under his hands.„

It is with very great pleasure indeed that we make known the fact that Mrs Hume's Christmas tree for an invalid's chair for the Hospital has resulted in £25 being in hand after paying all expenses. This must be very gratifying to Mrs Hume, and equally so to the Hospital Committee, for it will enable them to purchase for the use of patients an invalid's chair. Many times ihe' surgeons have required a comfortable chair for convalescent patients, but the coat (something like £25 to £30) has always prevented the Committee from purchasing one. Too much praise cannot be given Mrs Hume for her almost unaided exertions in this matter. * We say unaided in the direction of managing the the affair, and seeing that everything was attended to. The people who so kindly contributed, Mrs Hume is most desirous of thanking, and especially when it is known that many of the contributors were poor people ;bv > en they worked with a heart for so deservib^ an object and for a lady who took] so much trouble to fulfil the duty she had undertaken. The people of the Thames are still as generous as ever when appealed to in a good cause, and the success of Mrs Hume's exertion will be encouraging to others. Very few can at all realize the amount of labour which this lady has had to perform in this matter, and we shall not be surprised to find the Hospital Committee recognising her exertions in a suitable manner.

Wk exceedingly regret to hear that we are about to lose Mr G-. N. Brassey from the Thames, that gentleman having entered into partnership with Mr J Aj Tole of Auckland During " Nat's " residence amongst us be has helped to make things a bit. lively. . .

Bishop Habpeb laid the foundation stone of a large temperance hotel in Christohurch on Saturday. There were a considerable number of people present. The hotel is to be three storeys, built of briok, and to cost nearly £4,000.

Ova new Governor, Sir Arthur Gordon, will leave Levuka for New Zealand about the 17th of next month.

We understand that the Naval Brigade have been fortunate enough to seoure the services of. Mr Batchelor in the capacity of bandmaster. As the gentleman in question has been well reported of to Captain Wildman as a very efficient musician, he having served in the band of H.M.s 56th Regiment for upwards of 16 years, we have no doubt that the band will make good progress under his control.

Akothbb petition is being largely signed by the ratepayors of Farawai Biding, the prayer of which is that their district be merged into the Borough. This time there is every probability of Farawai becoming a portion of the municipality, the recent amendments in the Municipal Corporations Act greatly facilitating the carrying out of the wishes of the majority.

Akothbb requisition, we believe, is being signed asking a well known citizen who was at one. time a member of the Borough Council to allow himself to be a candidate for the Mayoralty.

At the interview between the Hon. Mr Whitaker and Tamati Paetai on Saturday, re the disputed boundary of Mr Alley's land at Hikutaia, a satisfactory arrangement wag made, Tamati agreed to acoopt 350 acres further up the valley and leave Kakaramea in six months time. Great credit is due to the Attorney-Q-eneral for the amicable settlement of this Texed question. So badly had the land been surveyed that at one point the boundary was half a mile out.

We hffcve been informed that ft number of gentlemen waited on Mr W. Carpenter, and solicited him to become a candidate for the Mayoralty. Very forcibly the interviewers pointed out to Mr Carpenter that for years he has taken a prominent part in public matters, and has always shown an interest in the welfare of this community, and was therefore entitled to some* honor at the hands of the burgesses. Our informant assures us that after a great deal of hesitation, Mr Carpenter promised to contest the seat at the next election.

The following is the State of Sick at the Thames Goldfield Hospital from 3rd to 9fch ,0/ctober, 1880:— Statistical Nosology —Zymotic Diseases—remained 2, admitted 0, discharged 0, remaining 2; Constitutional— Remained 1, remaining 1; Local—remained 8, admitted 3, discharged 2, remaining 9; Violent—Remained 3, admitted 0, discharged 1, remaining 2.—Total, remained 14, admitted 3, discharged 3, remaining 14. Out Patients, 30.— T. Aitken, Dispenser.

The New Zealand Times says that since the prorogation of Parliament the Government have beon in communication with Sir Julius Vogel with respect to his dual position as Agent-General of the Colony and chairman of the New Zealand Agricultural Company, and, in conformity with the wish of Parliament, the alternative of his retaining the chairmanship, at the expense of the Agent-Generalship, was placed before him. Several telegrams hare been (exchanged upon the subject, the Government maintaining a firm attitude, and the probabilities are strongly in favour of Sir Julius Vogel relinquishing the position he has so long held of Ageut'Q-eneral,

The anniversary services of the Grahams* town Wesley an Sunday School was commenced yesterday morning, the Rev. B. Taylor preaching the sermon, taking for hi* text Matthew XI, 25 and 23 verses. In the afternoon the rev. gentlemen also spoke to the children on subjects of great interest to the young. A very choice selection of hymns were sung by the children, Mr H. Meachcm presiding at the harmonium. The sarmon in the evening was alto given by Mr Tavlor. To-morrow evening the soiree will take place, when addresses will be given by tbe clergymen of the several denominations on the Thames. We may fairly anticipate a large gathering at the soiree. '

Them: has beea some little reference lately in the columns of our Auckland contemporary to the newspaper free pass system, or as our American cousins term it, " dead* headism." The little tempest arose out of the Lingards' doorkeeper refusing to admit the Star reporter in consequence of an adverse criticism in that journal. The evening thnnderer was, of course, exceedingly wroth, and slashed out fiercely. The Free Lance, whose iron heart had been melted towards the Lingards by a little jobbing, oast all the blame on the unfortunate doorkeeper Ikey Isaacs. "J. D." also sticks up valiantly for the deadhead system, and shows tbe expense newspaper proprietors are put to in sei ding reporters to criticise theatrical performances. The Observer, whose maiden virtue will not allow it to accept a free pass, takes the row as a text for glorifying itself.

The Echo, Dunedin, referring to Hon. Mr Dick's speech upon the vote for Dr Pollen, says:— Let us state wherein he (Kir Dick) states what is not the fact: (1.) Dr Pollen did not claim to resign when he attained the age of 60. (2) Dr Pollen claimed to count the years he was minister and member of the Legislative Council as time served as Civil Servant, and co to increase his pension. (3.) He claimed to be a Civil Servant for a time when he was drawing no salary. (4.) The laßt two years of the time he claimed is the term during which his pension is to be calculated on, and he received no salary during the last two years. (5.) Tbe Act is precise that the pension is to be calculated upon the last two years salary. (6.) The argument used by the late Attorney-General is not that which Mr Dick states. If there is any doubt about this, let him publish the opinion given. *