The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1888.

Thames Star, Volume XX, Issue 6130, 28 November 1888, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1888.

To-day has been a very busy day at the Thames, so far as elections are concerned at least, what with elections for the Mayor, for County Chairman, and for the members representing the . Borough and County Councils on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and the Hospital Trustees. The only one of these which has not been decided up to the time of our going to press is that for the Mayor, which is atill proceeding, and the result of which will not be known until after 6 o'clock this evening, when the poll will close. After having occupied the position of County Chairman for nearly twelve years consecutively, it is with a feeling of regret that we have to . record to day the severance ofthe connection which hasso long existed between Mr Brodie and the County Council as their Chairman, as it will be seen elsewhere that at the meeting which was held to-day for the purpose of electing a Chairman for the ensuing, year, a letter was read from Mr Brodie stating that he had some months ago .deteryiiuetl ou retiring from tUo position at

the close of the present term, and thanking the Councillors for the support he had uniformly received from them in the discharge of his duties. Mr Brodie has been the County Chair- J man from the very inception of the County form of Government, since January, 1877, and this fact alone speaks volumes as to his administrative abilities and the manner in which he has conducted the duties of his office in the past. We may say that there is no other instance in the colony where a County Chairman has held office for so many years consecutively, and there can be no doubt but that this would not have been the case here had not Mr Brodie possessed peculiar talents for the office. The position of County Ckairman is no sinecure; to perform the duties devolving on him requires an intimate knowledge—not only of the Counties' Act, but also of the numerous other Acts bearing on local government, such as the several Loan Aofcs,' the Public Works Act, and others. All these Mr Brodie, fas is well-known, has at his finger ends, and this remarkable knowledge has stood the-Council in I good stead on many occasions. Many years ago Mr Brodie earned for himself the epithet of " The Sturdy Beggar," and not without good reason. Through his instrumentality and persistent efforts, the Thames County now possesses many miles of main road between Waikawau at one extremity, and Hikutaia at the other, a considerable portion of the money expended on which was obtained by grants from Government through Mr Brodie's solicitations. There can be no doubt that the money has not been expended as judiciously as it might have been in every instance. But just as Sir Julius Vogel cannot fairly be blamed for the fact that the money borrowed for the public works of the colony has not. always been expended as it might have been, so it would be equally unjust to blame Mr Brodie. In either case the spending of the money rested, neither with Sir Julius Vogel nor with Mr Brodie, but with the Government and the Thames County Councillors. When we look back at the state of the country now known as the Thames County, at the time of the abolition of the Provinces, when there was no road beyond Parawai, and all the lands were in the hands of natives who were opposed to the prosecution of any road works whatever, and compare it with what it is now, it must be admitted there is a wonderful improvement. This is the more remarkable when we bear in mind that the bulk of the lands through which the main road which now exists passes was not available for rating purposes, and that in consequence the income derivable therefrom was very small. All the large works have been accomplished through assistance from Government, and for the obtaining of this we are mainly indebted to Mr Brodie's indefatigable and zealous efforts on behalf of the district. In now retiring from the Chairmanship of the County Council, after so long a term of service, he well deserves the thanks of the community for his unceasing labors in the past on their behalf, and we feel sure that, though no longer Chairman, he will continue to do all in his power to conserve the interests of the County, The outlook for the future is by no means promising, the balance of the loan money being expended, the County now burdened with a heavy debt, and the day of grants from Government passed.away. The County Council has now to depend altogether on its rates and goldfield revenue, so that the greatest care must be taken as to the expenditure of the money in the future, and the most rigid economy exercised. Mr Bagnall, in entering upon his duties to-day as the new Chairman of the County Council, will, we fear, not find the office by any means a bed of roses, and it will be a difficult matter for him to - pilot the coach along as easily in the immediate future as it has been in the past. Mr Bagnall, however, has a considerable knowledge of all the laws relating to County government, can take an intelligent grasp of the situation, and he will doubtless receive the loyal support of t his brother Councillors in carrying out i the arduous duties of his office.

Aspboiai meeting of the Board of Works of the County Council was held at 12.80 o'clock to-day, when .tenders were opened for works on the Matatoke road. There were present—Crs Bagnall (Chairman), Dunlop, and Walton. The following were the tenders: —Catting drain > Alex. Fleming, £198 4s 21-d; Jas. McCormick, £198 15a lid (aooepted) ; Thos G-eraty, £200 ; Wm. Delamore, £215 13s 9dj S. MoOormick, £226 16s 8d ; H. Murlin, £246 19a 8d ; Wan. Billing, £252 18s Id. Plank crossing and landing stage, Piako roads A, Boyor (accepted), £29 3s ; P. Trainor, £30 5 S. T- Whitohouae, £34125.

In accordance with the provisions of tbo Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act; meetings of the County aad Borough Councils were held today for the purpose of electing representatives for the ensuing year. The County Council met at 12,15 o'clock, when Crs*Walton, Ooiitts, and JPitkethley were re-appointed on the District Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, and Crs Dunlop and Steedman on the Hospital Trustees, The meeting of the Borough Council was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon t when considerable conversation ensued, after which ifc was re° solved, that Crs Eenshaw, Koefoed, MeAndrew, and Crawford be appointed the Council's representatives on Jthe District Hos« pital and Charitable Aid Board. Or Wood was proposed for the position, but deolined, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his past services, on the motion of the Mayor seconded by Or McAndrew.. Crs Eadford and Beid were re-elected to represent the Council on the Hospital Trustees, and the Mayor appointed the deputy to elect the odd Trustee.

WiIiMAM LIKOOIN, a painter, better known as " Little Billy," well-known at the Thameß, committed suicide yesterday afternoon by dropping from the E ail way Bridge into the rirer at Te Aroha. He had weighted himself with stones, and immediately sank. Some children witnessed the act and gave the alarm, tut when the body was recovered Tery soon attervrards life was extinct. Deoe&sed^jMJ jyfferisg feesjtijs sg'e?ts of jtejr^^Jß^^M

The adpurned meeting of f-ose interested in the formation of a Rowing Club was held last evening, when it was decided that the name of the Club should be the Hauraki Bowing Club, and that the colora should be blue and white. The oommittee submit:ed a code of rules, which were adopted, end the following officers appointed : — Captain, Mr J. Poland j Vioa Captain, Mr W Payne j Hon. Secretary, Mr Asher, and Treasurer, Mr P. McGregor. It was decided to purchase three wbaleboata and three rawing boats, and after appointing a committee of management and transacting other business of a routine nsture, tho meeting adjourned. The Club now consists of 60 members, bo that its success is assured.

Db. A. Q-. PpBOHAS arrived from Auckland by the Sototnihana this afternoon, and can be consulted prefessioijally at the Royal Hotel this evening and to-morrow morning.

Afbopos of the Mayoral election, we oamo acoroas in a Melbourne paper reeeired yesterday quite a new departure in euoh interest ing events, which we mention for the information of whoever may he the successful candidate in the contest going on to«day. The position of Mayor of G-eelong has just been conferred on a Mr W. Humble, one of the proprietors of the Vuloan foundry. When he was installed in the office by the retiring Mayor, Mr Humble returned thanks for the honor, and concluded by inviting the Councillors to meet hiai noxfc Sunday morning at the vestry of the Tnrra Street Wealeyan Church a few minutes before the servioe commenced, and to give au expression of what they felt in matters of religion and religious institutions, and (o attend tho service in the church. He said it was customary in Old England to do that, and he believed it would give a better tone to the business of the cor* poration daring the year. Only one gentleman is mentionod as having accepted tho mvi* tation.

We would draw attention to the advertise" meet in another column from Mr F. C. Dean, Town Clerk, inviting tenders for the purohase of tiie freehold portions of the Reoreaiion Ground, Knuaeranga valley, which etill remain unsold, payments to extend over aeren years. These" tenders are receivable up to 4 p.m. on Thuraday, the 13th prex., and any information that may be desired can be obtained on application to Mr Dean at his office, Borough Chambers, Albert street.

Ths anniversary soires of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School took place last evening, and went off very successfully. The tea tables, which were presided over by several ladies belonging to the Church and Sunday School, were well patronised, and the fullest justice was done to the refreshments provided by Mr Scott, in whose hands the catering had been left. The following were the presiding ladies : Mesdacres Kennerley and Brown, Missts Brown, Carter, Maxwell, Simmon da (2) Smith, Taylor, Trusoott, and Winter. The pnblio meeting which followed was,addressed by Mr D. Goldie, M.H.R, who occupied the Chair, Revs. A. J. Smith, Keail, Cook, and Lyon, and Mr J. Renshaw. Mr John Dan by read ihe annual report and balance sheet. Special hymns were rendered during the evening.

In consequence of Friday next beiug St. Andrew's Day, a publio holiday, the estab* liahments of Mr J. Marshall, draper, Albert street, and of the Cash Drapery and Clothing Company, Willoughby and Pollen streets, will not be closed to-morrow for the usual Thursday half-holiday, but will close at noon on Friday instead. We understand that the other drapers will observe the same holiday. 6

A PBBiIMiSABi trial of the plant of thy Newberry'-Vautin Go. took place yesterda afternoon, when everything was found to work smoothly and satisfactorily. About 30 tone of stuff are shortly to arrive here from the West Coast for the purpose of being treated by this process, while it is probable that testparcels from this district will also bo put through in the course of a few days.

It is commonly supposed that the Ear in London is the most overcrowded of professions, but certain disclosures mad a at Westminster County Court on 2nd October Beem to show that the medical profession run the Bar very close in this respect, to say the least. A Dr. Humphreys, whose committal for non-pay-ment of a judgment debt was asked, explained that though he had a practice in Camden Town "he had so much opposition that he could scarcely get a living." I'he competition was so great, he said, " that some of the medical men attended patients for 2Jd per weak!" And the Judge showed his belief in the existence of this state of things by refusing to make any order.

The opening of a branch office of the famous firm of Thos. Couk and Sons, tourist agents, appears to have been quite an event in Auckland, judging .by thenotioea appearing in the city journals. Although moat persons have heard of the firm, and read of their marvellous doings in the matter of travelling made easy, colonials have yet a great deal to learn, but the opening of the New Zsaland branch under the management of Mr E. E. Bilbrough will supply all necessary information. It is possible for an individual on pleasure bent to leave Mr Bilbrougb's office with coupons that will take him half over the gbbe, and without the expenditure of any money beyond that paid the firm, if we except those little extras all travellers allow themselves. For instance, were tbe chef of our staff about to visit the Sutherland iTalis, he would be supplied with obupona that would take him by any line of rail or steamers he wished to travel with, by private and Government lines of rail, and to the beat of hotels he would iind himself led by obliging guides, his luggage taken in charge by carriers, and a guide ready to esoort him by the beet and most direct route to the latest wonder in the South Paoih'c. All these se.rvioes would be rendered without the expenditure on his port of any of the current coin of the realm. To thoie about to travel we say try Cook and Sons.

It will bo seen by reference to our adver* tising columns that Mr J. McNicol, auctioneer, intends holding cattle and horse sales, one at Ohinemuri in the Frozen Meat Compaay'i yards to-morrow, Thursday, at one o'clook p.m., and the other at Waitoa, on the following day, Friday, 30th mat. A large numberof store stoers, fat cattle, spayed cows, choice Hereford steers, fat wethers, ewes, and lambs will bp sold, and at Ohinemuri 30 good horses, comprising draughts, roadsters, and packers.

Apuopos of the recent discussion on Sunday labour, we quote the following from a Scotch paper:—"Sunday being a splendid day for harvest operations, the weather being dry and bracing, some of the farmers in the district to the northward of Broughty Ferry, took advan« tago of it for harvesting. Several reaping machines were kept hard at work during the day, and a large quantity of the crops was cut down."