A POPULAR APPOINTMENT.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9880, 27 February 1901, Page 2

A POPULAR APPOINTMENT.

Our readers will be pleased to hear that Mr W. H. Baker, B Be, who only recently was appointed Director of the newly>-tormed Karangahake School of Mines, has to day received a cable from the Registrar of the Hobart University announcing his appointment as Direc tor of the Launceston School of Mines. His subjects of instruction will be chemistry, assaying, and mathematics. Mr -Baker obtained a sound elementary grounding at the Thames High School under Mr James Adams, 8.A., and passed through the School of Mines course with much credit, proving him* self one of the mo3t distinguished of many able students turned out by Mr James Park, F.G.S,. He graduated at the Otago and Auckland University Colleges, and secured his Bachelor of Science degree with first- class honours in chemistry, besides securing the New Zealand University scholarship for the year. For two years he was lecturer in chemistry and assaying at the Thames School of Mines, and the results obtained by his students at the annual Government examinations are a sufficient record of the high quality of his work at that institution. The present position is a highly remunerative one, and we offer Mr Baker our hearty congratulations on his appoint ment.

Details of the movements yesterday of the Ministers of Lands and Mines (the Hons. Duncan and McGowan) appear in another column. The Hon. Mr Duncanl arid private secretary (Mr 0. Mewbinny) left Thames for Auckland an the Wakatere this afternoon.

In connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall!, it has been decided that they will call first at Auckland, then in turn at Wellington, Cliristchurch, and' Dunedin. They will probably go to Rotorua.

The Government has decided that the 24th May shall toontinu© to be observed as ;v public holiday.

The Premier has been advised that the death of Trooper J. Farrell was from pneumolnia.

A cablegram) to the Government frofm Capetown states that Sergfc. E l. Fitegerald of the Second Contingent, Wellington, and Trooper Dorri, third contingent, Oxflord, are progressing well in the hospital.

Speaking of federation Mr John Dufchifi of Wellington, saiid one advantage of federation would be that they would have more stable legislation. He though however, that the distance of New Zealand from Australia was a fatal objection, but the attitude for New Zealand to adojpjb was to stand out until it wa sseen how federation worked.

At Cullen's Summer Sale you can buy Ladies' Corsets worth 2s lid for Is 6d Umbrellas 3a 6d for Is lid. Sunshades worth 4s 6d for 1 6d. Bargains for everybody.

At the Police Court this morning before Messrs Wilson and Eadford, Js.P., C. F. Cross was charged with being on the premises of P. Maxwell without lawful, excuse. The accused pleaded guilty and said ho went there to sleep. The case was dismissed.—Francis Trenellyan was charged (1) that on Jan. 11th he travelled on the railway between Paei-oa and Thames with out a ticket?; and (2) that he demonstrate, ed wiibh the guard so as to cause annoyance to the fellow passengers.' On the first charge £he accused pleaded guilty and on the second not guilty. After hearing the evidence of the police and the guard he was fined £2 and costs on the first charge and 14 days on the second.

When, the Auckland contingejtit left Onehunga on Monday for Wellington by the Rotoitd a large crowd assembled on the wharf to witness their departure. .AH present sang "God Sav.e the King." Cheers were given for the. departing troops, and for the boys at the front. "Home Sweet Home" was sung as the ship moved off, followed by the firing of ship's guns.

At the Kaipara Heads yesterday, while the schooner Lady Staubin was beating in she ran ashoro on ihe north spit, and is not likely to get off, The crew are all safe. '

The Thames Jockey Club's race meet, ing, which will eventuate ovi Monday.; March s&h, promises to be a great success. The ' nominations secured and the class of horses engaged are well up to all expectations, and we understand from the secretary that the acceptances are coming in freely. The starting machine will be used. A special train will be laid on returning at 7 p.m., and the Wakatere wall mak"e a special trip from Auckland on Sunday, returning on Monday night so that intending patrons will have everything in their favour. A first-class day's sport may be expected.

A Wellington telegram states that a horse in a trap bolted • yesterday and went through the door of a chemist's shop in Lambton quay. The occupants of the vehicle were thrown out on 1 to "the footpath. One of them named Maud McDonald, aged 12. a daughter of Mr H. McDonald, of Karori, had her skull fractured, and is now in a critical condition .