The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1897.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8611, 16 March 1897, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1897.

NOTES AND COMMVISTS.

Whangarei is juat now setting an example which Thames cricketers would do well to follow. Twenty years ago this northern colossus had a splendid cricket team, -with batting and bowling talent galore, but to-day the old 'tins have gone and the young 'uns are not following in their earlier footsteps because there is no ground and no facilites for practice—precisely the same position as we enjoy at the Thames. But the Whangarei people are not as dormant as the local "enthusiasts.'' 'I hey are even at this moment shaking off their apathy, a scheme being agitated by Mr G. JS. Alderton. proprietor of the looal paper, for raising the necessary funds. It is proposed to form a County Cricket Club with a subscription of 10s payable at ouce, and out of this money four acres will be immediately laid down at Kensington, which will provide room for two pitches next season. The ground will be available for all clubs throughout the County on payment of the usual playing fee for a match. The object is t« make a central ground on which all clubs can play their matches, and the " pioneer syndicate" which is to find the money will not be out of pocket for their expenditure and labor. The movement is meeting with ready support in Whangarei, and the ground is to be " put down " this year in preparation for next season*

We are quite convinced that if anyone could be found here who would accomplish the ioitiatire and organisingl work, the venture, whether it be taken in hand by a particular club or by a syndicate of cricket devotee.l!, would be heartily backed up by players in general. Times are now more prosperous at the Thames than they have been ; a fee of 10s or £1, fixed as necessity demanded, would not prove excessive; and " just a little patriotism " is required to make the thing go. The Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, which—after a successful period of incubation—enters upon its active career to-morrow, is a forcible testimony of what can be accomplished by co-operation iv athletic circles. There is no necessity why our cricketers should not be equally as successful as the original promoters of the amateur movement, to whose zeal and energy the greatest credit is due. At present most of the principal townships of any importance have far better cricketrgrouuds than the Thames possesses, and the example set by Whangarei—and also at an earlier stage by Kawakawa—is easy of adoption if those interested will but co-operate.

Tub Te Aroha News predicts that the brave little community of "Waiorongomai is on the eve of experiencing a change from the monotony of undeserved neglect. The News chiefly pins its faith to the Cadir.an claim, which is valuable both from its present status aud prospects, and by repute as an old-time gold-producer. Our contemporary adds that the great low level tuunel on the Aroha Gold Mines Company's property ".vill soon resound with the din and racketof rock-drills drivenby costly andeuormously powerful machinery ; electricity will illuminate the scene, and a paatiug locomotive Mil complete the industrial picture. Access v/ill alao be given by the new pack track to the Kauri Timber Company's camp in the " hinterland," a fact that Waiorongomai tradespeople ought to take every possible advantage of.

Wh are informed that Mr Durham, the lately appointed Inspector of Meat, had again occasion yesterday evening to condemn a bullock as unfit for human consumption. The animal, after slaughter, vas found to be very much diseased, the liver, lungs, and mesenteric glands being full of tuberculous matter. It is gratifying to find that the food supply of the town is subject to strict supervision, as people will partake of their meals, when meat is one of the articles to be consumed, with greater satisfaction. In all cases where cattle are condemned the carcases are immediately burried.

Tkk slip on the Thaines-Tapu road luined out to be not a very serious affair, and no difficulty was experienced in promptly opening the way to traffic- A large boulder constituted the chief portion of the " slide."

The Rotomahana will leave for Auckland at 7 o'clock to-morrow evening instead of (5, in order to allow Auckland visitors at the Ainatour Athletic meeting plenty of time to see the sports. The p.s. Patiki will act as tender.

Ladies will find the most charming and dainty jackets aiad capes, for autumn wear, at Court's Beehive Stor«s.— [Awr.]