The Thames Star. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1897. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8609, 13 March 1897, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1897. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Just now we are hearing a good deal of light railway and tramway enterprise. It seems pretty certain that private capitalists are quite prepared to undertake the Paeroa-Waihi narrow gauge line on their own responsibility, which is a healthy sign. And it is not improbable that this light railway, tapping as it promises to do, most of the Up-country centres —from Paeroa to "Waitekauri, Karangahake, Owharoa, and Waihi —will become the centre of a net work of branch lines and tram lines throughout the various districts. The rail and tram system will be important not only as furnishing the arteries of trade and traffic, but also—as far as the level and low-lying districts are concerned —by cheapening the cost of coal transport and thus decreasing the price of motive power. We purposely use the term " level and lowlying districts," because we do not think that any rail or tramway system will be of much avail for coal transport in the hills and rough country. That is where cheap natural power, electrically transmitted, must play its part. For the present, however, there is a promise of a big field being tapped in the up-country. The light railway is the pioneer oi trade and civilisation, and forms the middle link of a system which works on the same principle as the blood-channels of the body; the heavy railways being the arteries, the lighter lines the veins, while the tramways represent the capillary tubes. By this method the whole country must be gradually brought within scope, and the cost of carriage of all mining material cannot fail to be proportionately reduced,

It will be remembered that in his recent lecture at the Thames School of Mines Capt. Brain spoke of some preliminary investiga-1 tions which, he had made as to the effect of the Rontgen X Rays upon quartz. He exhibited photographs taken with the aid of the rays, in which blotches of gold in the interior of a piece of quartz were plainly visible. As showing the comparative degree of resistanoe, a steel needle was clearly photographed through a piece of quartz containing no free gold, but when the needle was p»t behind the stone containing the gold, the precious metal showed ita greater resistance by obliterating the needle when photographed. By this means, the presence of fiee gold in the interior of quartz would be made apparent before any other of the metals, unless it were accompanied by free -platinum, which, does not ocour in this state. Unfortunately, the practical value of the rays in assaying quartz oft-hand seems to be very limited. Ii ia | useful only in cases where the precious metal exists in the interior of stone as rough or coarae gold, in a free state. Intensely fine gold, or g»ld in combination with other metals or substances, would not be mad* visible in the photograph by the present apparatus. Likewise, other metals in combination, or metallic compounds of any sort, offer no resistance to the rays. Unless the apparatus can be made much more sensitive or adapted, we are not much nearer to detecting fine gold with the naked eye than we were before. It is something, however, to hare made the most opaque quart; transparent by a simple operation, and this field of familiar science may amply repay further investigation: But the doom of the chemical assay is by no means Bounded as yet.

Ihe man John Eian, whos& narrow escape from drowning in the Auckland harbor was reported in yesterday's^ issue, has recovered consciousness, and is progressing favorably at the Auckland Hospital,

At the Warden's Office during the week, a total of .£lO3 Is 3d was deposited—special claims (6) bringing .£73 ; water races ('*), £5 8s; additional deposits (4), MS l3s 3d ; and a prospecting license .£l.

Foe Corsets, Gloves, Ribbons, Laces and Hosiery go to Cullen's, Cash Drapers and Clothiers. Women's Black Cashmere Hose 9d pair, Children's from 4jd per pair.— [Advt.] The housemaids dross in Tweed effects 6 yards double width for 3s 6d at Cullen's, Pollen and Cochrane streets.—[Advt.J

A eumok has gained currency that Miss Marion Mitchell is not with the Pollard Opera Company. We are requested to state that this popular young lady in still the prima danna of the company, and will be seen hero in each of the operas played. Her engagement with Mr Pollard does not terminate until September, 1898.

At the last meeting of the Borough Council the report of the General Purposes Committee referred to the common practice of horseß and drays encroaching on the Borough footpaths, and recommended that the attention of the police be drawn, to it, vith the request that all offenders be prosecuted. The recommendation was adopted. William Teague, the missing prospector of Tokaanxi, has been found by a Mr Henry Wilcox in the Kaimanawa Ranges. He had been hemmed in by the recent heavy floods which prevented him going up or down the stream, the country getting too rough and precipitous to get out, otherwise than by the creek. He had had only a little sugar and tea for the previous three or four days, and was much exhausted when found. He was seemingly dazed and rambling in his conversation, showing that his long fast and exposure had told severely upon his mental as well as his physical powers. A cohbespondent of the Waikato Argus states tkat the contemplated Waibi Borough has come to au -untimely end through some technical informality in not complying with" the Act. The writer thinks that more gopd than harm has been done "as the County Council may now wake up to a sense of their duties, towards providing this township with a proper drainage system and a good water supply before next summer comes round." The Tapu coach, which left Mr Hawkes' stables for its destination this morningl, met a large slip on the road at Taylor's, near Puru, and was compelled to return to town. The mail was sent through on horse back, but the passengers gave up the journey. Mr McLaren, County Engineer, has been communicated with to inform him of the accident.

The Mamaku correspondent of the Herald writes: "A distressing accident, with fatal results, occurred at Kusabs Brothers' Mamaku sawmills, on Monday last, to a young native ■woman, aged 18 yeais, named Te Pi Allen. It appears that while warming herself at the cookhouse fire, her dress caught fire, and rushing outside, ehe was immediately enveloped in flames- Mr A. Kusabs, who was some distance off, with some difficulty succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but by this time she was terribly burned. She was conveyed to Rotorua by the evening train, and was attended by Drs. King and Beale, the former, fortunately, being on board the train, and both did all possible to alleviate the pain, until her arrival at Rotorua. Though every care and attention was bestowed upon the unfortunate suiferer, she gradually sank, and died on "Wednesday morning.

Two "not guilty" verdicts marked the proceedings of the 'Auckland Supreme Court on Thursday. Harry Millbank, a youth, was charged that on January 12, at Pokeno, he did wilfully wound a cow belenging to a farmer named J. Hill. The defence was that accused was driving the cow past a gap in the fence, and in attempting to strike the animal with the back of a sharp axe, he struck her with the blade instead, inflicting a deep wound on the back. The cow fell into a ditch, and was unable to drag herself out. When the animal breathed the wind could be felt coming through the wound, and she had to be slaughtered, Evidence as to accused's good character was adduced by Mr Cotter, and the jury found the prisoner not guilty, and said it was an accident. His Honor, in discharging accused, said he hoped it would be a caution to him, and make him more careful in the future. James Troy pleaded not g-iilty to a charge of having, on January 25th last, at Albert street, broken and entered the dwelling of Elizabeth Sneller, with intent to commit theft therein. Francis McKenna stated that he saw accused and another man enter the house during the absence of the proprietress, who deposed that she subsequently missed certain articles. Prisoner said he had frequently been at Mrs Sneller's. He did not break into the house, and denied that he took the missing: things. The jury found the not guilty, and he was discharged.

Pianofortes carefully tuned far 7? 6i periodical visits at reduced rates. J. Gaioo fhaaes Music Warehouse, Pollen street.— rAnv"

-Steam to and from Auckland.—The P.S. Terranora leaves Goods Wharf for Auckland Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, returning 1 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, See time table. —[Advt.] Quality tells. For style, quality, variety, and durability, the spleudid ranges of new dress goods cannot be surpassed—Court's Beehive Stores. Popular cish prices.— [Advt.]

Dress Goods—Our •• Queen" Coatings, Serges, and Cheviots are unequalled; Idye perfect; wear guaranteed. In blacks and navysfrom 10s 6dthe dress, Geo. Cullen and Co, Pollen street and Cochrane street—[Advt. Ladies will find the most charming and dainty jackets aud capes, for autumn wear, at Court's Beehive Stores.—[Advt.]

Cloth and felt braided tinder-skirts, splendid variety, Couii's. Popular cash prices. Beehive, Pollen street.—[Advt.] Exquisite designs in fancy black dress goods, the best selection in town to choose from. Call and view them at Gourt's, the cash draper, Pollen street.—[Advt.]

Undee-skibts, -wool vests, &c, for ladies and children, at small advance on English prices—Court's, the popular cash draper, Pollen street.—[Auvt.] Lovely designs in dress fabrics, suitable for autumn costumes, at Court's Beehive Scores, Pollen street, all at keen cash prices.— [Advt.]

For Real Good Value in all classes of Drapery and Clothing, go to Geo. Cullen and Co, Pollen and Cochraue streets—[Advt] Blankets — Our 19s Gd All Wool Colonial Twill Blanket, full size, wear guaranteed, is the best value obtainable for money. Geo. Cullen and Co—[Advt]

Macintoshes—The very best and only reliable makes kept in stock. Our 50s Gent's Macintosh, with extra deep Cape, ia double sewn throughout, and guaranteed thoroughly waterproof. Geo. Cullen and Co, Coohrane street and Pollen street - [Advt] The question of to-day, How can I make money '! One way is to buy your winter 4ranery from Gourt's Beehive Stores. All goods at lowest cash prices. Hence, money saved is money gained.—[Advt.] Good grazing for horses and cattle, four miles from town. Plenty of grass, Good shelter trees, and clear running streams, Is 6d per week. Every care taken, but no responsibility incurred—Apply W. Wood, Pollen street.—("Advt.l Ladies, note this—a few choice designs and colors in costumes, one of each shade only, direct importation by A. Court, Beehive Stores, Pollen street. [Advt.] Still they cojie.—Two more large crates of English crockery per s.s. Pakeba, and 30 crates of Mason's patent screw-top fruit jars just landed (January 20th), three sizes, and selling at (juet fancy) ss, 5s 3d, and fes 9d per dozen. Best stone chiua cups and saucers 3s 9d and 4s 6d per dozen, dinner ware, &c, equally oheap. Also J. Edwards' celebrated Alva pattern of dinner and tea ware (sole right secured for Thames), cups and saucers 4s 6d per doz., plates 3s, 3s 9d, 4b 6d, os 6d p»r dozen, W Wood.—[Advt.

Sent It To His Mother In Gebkant.— Mr Jacob Esbensen, who is in the employ of the Chicago Lumber Co., at Dcs Moines, lowa, says:—"'lhave just oent some medicine back to my mother in the old country, that I know from personal use to be the best medicine in the world for rheumatism, having used it in my family for several years. It is called Chamberlain's Pain Balm It always does the work." Tor sale by J. E. Hansen, Chemist.—Advt.

Dr. W. B. Bush, Oakland, Fla , -writes:— "I emloy Sander & Sons Pure Volatile Eucalypti Extract as a local application in chronic inflammations and rheumatic pains ; internally in nephritic as well as in pulmonary gastrio and catarrh. It is sometimes difficult to obtain the genuine article. I employed different other preparation!-, they had no therapeutic value and no eflect. In one case the effects were similar to the oil caniphora, the objectionable action of which is well known."—This is certatnly a most striking evidence of the superiority of this excellent preparation over any other.—lnsist getting Sander & Sons Eucalypti Extract, or ©lea you will be supplied "with worthless oils —[Abto.]