NEWSY PARS,

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10200, 2 May 1912, Page 2

NEWSY PARS,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

With regard to ai statement made to the effect that it is the cow which has made New Zealand, a well known resident of humorous proclivities remarked that the man who said that "Made aai Irish Bull." Mk' Francis MciKenzie, proprietor |of the Northern Luminary, has been tlire&itened with a writ claiming heavy damages iby a doctor, of Olhaewai. It is said tine libel complained of waia damaging- to the doctor in his professional Capacity. lit is stated thiat the Hon. J. B. Clallan will be appointed leader of the Legislative Council, with a soait in the Clabimeit on Parliament assembling. 'The Bon. Mir C'allan is a Dunedin lawyer of note and was for years mtemaber of*the -wlell known legal firm of 'Callan and Gkvllaway. An Auckland correspondent states that the police have made some startling discoveries in connection with the pilaging of cargo and from the evidence secured it would seem that there liia.ve been wholesale thefts extending oiVui 1 ai long period. Interesting develofmente are expected. At th'ie annual muetihg of householders of the Thames district a lady was elected member of one committee, but at Karamu tliey went one better. Tij^ujnjen showed a ladk of interest and a, dommittee of ladies Was elected. The new committee consists of Miesdaines Charleston (chiairWoman), Mforomey, Groves, Butcher, Kirk, Strong and Miss Haddock. Otf Di'. McLaren (son of Mr J. M. MlcLiaren, of l i!araw!ai) the S'au Francisco Examiner has the following:— "Dr. Malcolm McLaren, a mining engineer of London, who has just returned from a vi&it to Alaska, whither he was sent to- inspect some mining properties in whicih British capital is interested, is staying at the Palace. "The territory is certainly ai land -of incalculable wealth," said he, "but you will ha.ye.to change your mining laws if you want foreign capitalists to invest in Alaska-. I ami not specialising, but I will say this much : Your mining lawfe are the cause of much of the present day litigation) that, is ever J discouraging foreign investors, e-s-' peciially Bntishei's, in putting their surplus money into your enterprises. Your own people in the north realise that fact ag much as We Britishers do." D!r. McLin.yen represents half a: dozen big English syndicates, whose interests on this hemisphere have kept him trailing and away from home for five years." A "dead beat" struck Thames yesterday, and being received with the hospitality dwaicteristic of the people of the district, had an enjoyable, timie. He was pushing cm to secure work, and as he fondly rubbed his ragged beaa-d bis eye importuned. Rei strulak a. well known hostelry and breasting tlie bar, s<aid in- a husky voice, "Hiow is it for a drink, boss I I'm swaigging and I'm tired." The owner of the premises drew a long beer, which the thirsty one simply poured down his nedk. "How is it for another?" he breathed as hie returned the pewter. "No," said the landlord, "I've stood you one; now push oca and get to your destination " "Dion/t get crusty, boss," was the cool reply; "don't get angry, for 'I'm giving you all a turn. And let me tell you too, that I don't thinlk much of your beer, it's too' sour. And if you Won't give me another drink givie- me ba<dk my sixpence. " "Your sixpence!" replied: Boniface; you* never had sixpence— I gatfe you the drink." "Yon did., did you, and you won't give me another 1" "Not another drop," was the reply. "Well, I heard that Thames Was a good pla.de to strike.," Was the reply, "bint., blow me, after—hie— this—il'mi satisfied it's the meanest place I ever landed in!" and off he went!