The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1897. THE NEW MINING INSPECTOR.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8602, 5 March 1897, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1897. THE NEW MINING INSPECTOR.

Congratulations to Mr Jas. Ooutte ! As an old miner, of high standing and varied experience, and as one whose interests have been wrapped up in the field almost since its inception, his appointment to the position of Mining Inspector will meet with univei'sal approval. It is something like a year ago since Mr Coutts departed to take charge of the Taitapu Gold Estates property, and the valedictory functions accorded him at that time took such a material and genuine form as to leave not the slightest doubt of the high position which he occupies in the hearts of the Thames public. Mr Coutts has served the district well both as a mine manager and as a County Councillor, and he thoroughly understands the nature and requirements of the field. Ho will bring to the office of Mining Inspector a sympathetic knowledge of what is possible in mining and what is not; and he will not be afflicted with any hide-bound notions of enforcing the letter of the law where compliance therewith is an impossibility. We look forward with confidene to a successful career for Mr Coutts in his new sphere. '

A LAB&E number of entries has been received for the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club's sports. The complete list vili be published to-morrow. It is reported that a brilliant meteor was witnessed at Tapu the other night. The fiery body was visible in the sky for quite half an hour, and, contrary to the usual custom, followed a zig-zag course. It was witnessed by a considerable number of residents in the seaside village. The following will represent Tararu I.: Carter, Clark, Cantley, Darrow, Reilly, Harper (2). Newton, Ryau, Wiggins, and Siddall. The Carl Hertz Company grave auotber highly successful entertainment to a crowded houae last evening. They left for Paeroa this morning, and will return on Sunday. On Sunday evening the Company give a sacred concert and an exhibition of cinematographic pictures ffb'ch will bo carefully selected with a view of keeping in touch with the feelings of a scrupulous audience. Mdlle. D'Alton is reported to have a good repertoire of sacred sougn, and Professor Taylor, R.A.M., will contribute several sacred pianoforte selections. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr Bush, S.M., the following civil cases were disposed of.- Elizabeth Rose v, Tukua, claim £1 17s 4d—Judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed, and coats 7s 6d.—Thames County Council v. Orlando G.M. Co. claim £41 12s 6d—Mr Miller (who appeared for the County Council) stated that the case had been settled, and ho would ask that it be struck out—Struck out.—Wingate and Co. v. David McQuoid, claim £8 3s 9d-Mr Miller, for judgment creditor, agreed to accept debtor's offer to pay £1 per month—Order made accordingly.—Elizabeth Rose v. Hannah Williams claim £8 16b 3d—Adjourned until April Bth. Tabauu 11. will be represented by the following in their match against United 11, on Saturday -.—Lynch, Morrison, Ryan, McGregor, Izod, Brown, Muir, Torrens, A mintage, Wilcocks, and Wilson; enuuer- : Griffiths, Bishop, and Irwin. i

Is their match with Tararu Ist to-morrow, th« United Ist will be picked from the following:—Pcaroe, Jordan, Day, Askenbeek, Andrewi, sen., Eggington, Kaye, Thorpe, Feaoook, Kelly, Morgan, and S. McGregor. Edwin George Lowe, mine manager of the Gadman Company, who was arrested by Chief Detective Grace on a charge of the theft of £2 Bs, and also £3 12s, money belonging to the company, was brought up at the Auckland Police Court this morning. Accused was remanded, bail being allowed. The unfinished cricket match between United 11. and High School is still " on the books," but we understand that according to one of the Association's rules, it will count as a loss to both sides if it is not played off to-morrow, that day marking the termination of the allotted 28 days period. Cricketers generally consider that the action of the Association in postponing the matches last Saturday was a mistake, and there is some talk of the possibility of United 11. claiming the match through the non-appearance of High SchooL The latter team has to score 51 runs with 6 wickets.

Mb Freyberg, who was for some time engaged as Timber Expert to the Government, has patented a process whereby the bark of New Zealand trees can be solidified, thus getting rid of the fibre and reducing the bulk one-twentieth, and the weight to one-sixth. The bulky nature of New Zealand barks waa most disadvantageous; in fact, proved an insuperable obstacle to their exportation for tanning purposes. By the process patented by Mr Freyberg, the product can be profitably exported, and samples have already been sent to a firm in London with a view to opening up business. A Wellington firm have the matter in hand. It was at one time believed that the bark of the wattle could not be treated, but Mr Freyberg has just completed a series of experiments, which have been entirely successful.