THAMES JOTTINGS.

Observer, Volume XXV, Issue 29, 1 April 1905, Page 17

THAMES JOTTINGS.

News and Notes From the Goldfields. (Special to the Observer.) RUMOUR hath it that all is not right with one of oar schools, and the presence of Inspector Petrie, on business intent, has caused a little flutter in the dove-cot. I know nothing of the, result of the Inspector's investigations, but believe that it will make for good. Headmasters are inclined to be autocratic, for 'tis theii nature to. But the public schools are not run entirely in their interests, nor do they hold an unassailable lien on the consideration of the Board. And some day they will wake up to the fact. Truth to tell, the headmasters at Thames are a decidedly high standard lot, with, perhaps, the exception under notice, and now zeal has outweighed discretion, with the result that there has been a rumpus, and the Inspector was despatched post haste to act as arbitrator. An unreported incident of the Premier's arrival last Sunday was the sensation caused when the first carriage drove hurriedly into town, being cheered loudly the while. The occupants consisted of two borough councillors, the captain and adjutant, and a pressman, the latter being commissioned to act as advance courier — hence the ha_ste. The burly figure of George Comer, the genial manager of the Saxon, occupied one of the seats, and, as George's back was turned to the spectators and his shoulders somewhat resembled the Premier's, it was quite natural that a mistake should be made. George was primed to "sit up and make a decent job," and he did so, his somewhat elaborate salute fairly breaking. up the crowd — when they recognised the little joke. The rousing cheer that came from the crowd gathered at Hawke's stables was drowned in the burst of laughter when, instead of " our Dick," the face of George Comer wreathed in smiles loomed into view. Of late, rumour has been busy with the name of a young man who is credited with having done the Pacific slope. Many sensational reports were in circulation, and they lost nothing as they travelled round. Stories of large quantities of bullion missing, and dynamited safes, were in circulation, while the names of several young ladies were mentioned as having been left lamenting. It is reassuring to learn that the real position is not so serious as was at first anticipated, and that the sensational stories in circulation are riot a true record of the strange performances of the young man. Still, it is bad enough, though the last mail is said to have brought an explanatory note that has accounted for a goodly portion of the milk in the cocoanut. There promises to be a deadly conflict for municipal honours this year. Ward system abolished, a united borough, contest for the Mayoralty, a plethora of candidates for the vacancies on the council, and an exciting contest drawing nearer and nearer. The present occupant (Mr F. Trenbath) will again contest the Mayoralty, while Mr Arch Burns will prove a doughty candidate. For the nine seats on the council there promise to be plenty of candidates, and robbed of the chance of securing a seat by promising a lamp at the corner, or attention to the footpath near the residence of a favoured burgess, a large number of hitherto eligibles may be expected to fall with aloud and nerve-shatter-ing bump ! Thames appears to be the happy hunting ground of the hawker and the cheap cloth man. Year in and year out hard-faced individuals strike this attractive district, and seldom go away empty-handed. The legitimate tradesman weeps silently or kicks himself violently as he watches these trade harpies go their round with most satisfactory results. And though the aftermath comas along with nnerring regu-

arity, and profane words permeate the atmosphere, the new "snide" man who happens along achieves the same cheery success, or more po. A deep water wharf at Thames I. Where is it to be located? This little problem will be exercising the minds of the members of the Harbour Board very shortly. To extend the goods wharf to deep, water would cost thousands, and there would be no railway connection ; to erect another wharf at Tararu would cost an immense sum, and then the railway would have to be extended some miles ; to dredge a passage way at Shortland would be risky, as there would always be the danger of it silting up ; so there is only Kopu lett. And the clever individuals who have bought up all the available sections in the mill township may be expected to smile largely in the future and " set 'em up again" with vigour. When the Premier arrived at Thames inquiries were made for Cr. J. W. Poulgrain, but that gentleman was not there. But as the procession of cabs bowled along frotu Tararu — where the landing was effected — to Thames, it passed J. W. P., Bible in hand, demurely proceeding to church. There was an audible silence on the part of the processers. Theo Wood almost missed the 'bus. He didn't know anything about the Premier's arrival until the great man had been safely deposited at the Royal. Then Theo, with a sprint that would have put Duftey in the shade, reached the hotel in time, and fell tearfully on Dick's ample bosom. " Theo 1" " Dick !" And there was peace. Since he has taken up his residence at Thames, Mr J. Ensoll, manager of Gas Works, has proved himself a worker. He has kept his hand to more than one plough, and has advocated several reforms and many improvements. A municipal theatre at Thames is not impossible, he says. Cricket at Thames is as dead as door nails. The principal reason is that there is no ground handy. If the Borough could take this matter up they would be conferring a blessing on the young men of this fair district. Our Stock Exchange i 5? now in full swing. There is the vivacious Kilgour, the watchful Sykes, the gay and debonnaire Gillespie, the sprightly Styak, and John Wilson the soulful. Jimmy Baggott came down the other day like a wolf on the fold. After paying the usual visit of inspection to his mansions (" risidinces fit fur a jook, bedad," says he), he hied him to the Stock Exchange and mopped up all the May Queens on the market. A straw sometimes, but not always, indicates the current. King Dick is always thoughtful. Though presssed for time on Sunday he stopped at the old men's home, spoke a few cheery words to the old chaps, then went on and pulled up for a minute to convey his best wishes to Mrs (Colonel) Fraser. Good old Dick j One or two "sweet things" on the races failed to come off, and more than one were left lamenting. The swear words were strong enough to stop a clock. Now a little coterie remarks that a bird in the. hand is worth two in the bush, also, never count your chickens if you know the eggs are addled. Charlie Short put up another driving record on race day. With a party he left Paeroaf or Thames, and though they stopped at Hikutaia to inquire about Host Corbet t's health the distance was covered in 1 hour 50 minutes. , The " ghost " has chucked up the sponge. Barlow McDufFs knock out blow as he was proceeding home after, midnight shift settled the business. Strange the man with the black eye said nary a word until every trace of the injury had been removed, and then the excuse -made gave him away. What with public baths, public library (don't put Thames in the pillory again for accepting Mill. Carnegie's dol. lars) new high school, technical school and local improvements, this progressive district is shaping well just at present. Seddon on Price Bros.' foundry: "One of the niost valuable industrial establishments in New Zealand and a credit to the Thames district."