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Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 50, 22 February 1873, Page 3

We remind our readers that the public meeting convened by Captain Skeefc, “to consider the subject of immigration as affecting Tauranga and the necessity of placing Tauranga lands immed lately ia the market, will be held this evening, at 7.30 sharp, at Harrison’s store. Several gentlemen are expected to speak on the matters at issue, and we hope every man in the district will be present So raise his voice against the disgraceful manner in which the Bay of Plenty is being treated by the General Government. An advertisement appears to-day, calling a public meeting for Tuesday evening next to consider the advisability of establishing a Fire Brigade in Tauranga. We had nearly despaired of seeing this most necessary institution started amongst us, the; public appeared so utterly apathetic about the matter—but better late than never, and we are glad to find one gentleman has been found with sufficient enterprise to ventilate the subject. By an unfortunate mistake a paragraph headed “ Larrikinism” appeared in our last issue amongst the reading matter. We do not identify ourselves in the sentiments expressed therein, nor do we know anything at all about the alleged act of “larrikinism.” It was purely and simply an advertisement, charged and paid for accordingly, Mr John Chadwick called upon us yesterday respecting the late actions brought against him in the Resident Magistrate’s Court to recover the sums of 5j 7d and £8 IBs 7d, alleged to be due for rates to the Trustees of the Town and District Boards respectively. Mr Chadwick has shown us an official notice, dated 28th December, 1871, from the Land Office, Auckland, directed to Mr J. A. Chadwick, of Tauranga, advising him that a Crown grant was ready for delivery ; and Mr John Chadwick informs us that the grant in question refers to a portion of the land for which he has been rated and judgment obtained against him. Mr John Chadwick complains bitterly of the injustice he states he has received in the matter, and has requested us to mention, in order to prevent any erroneous impression, that he disputed the claims, not to avoid any peeurrary liability, but purely on principle. He alleges that as the property in the two districts is at present rated, it debars bis son from electoral privileges, and on this ground alone he declined payment. We hope this unpleasant matter may be amicably settled between the contending parties.

A telegram in another portion of our paper announces the fact that the General Government hare decided to take the best method of improving the general survey of the colony into consideration, and with this object in view have arranged for a public meeting to be held at Wellington early in April next, to which the principal surveyors of the colony will be invited. We understand that one or two surveyors of repute from each district in the colony will, if practicable, receive an invitation to the conference. The scheme is praiseworthy in the highest degree, and we doubt not will be found as beneficial as it is absolutely necessary. Amongst other subjects to be brought forward will be the present state of the surveys of Crown lands alienated by the Crown, of confiscated lands, and of native lands of the colony. Each surveyor, or at any rate each district, should be prepared with a report upon the actual condition of that district, with suggestions for what may be deemed necessary in the march of progress and improvement. The date of the meeting is not far distant, and we hope the matter will be at once taken up by some of our leading settlers. We are not at present in possession of particulars as to procedure, requisite qualification as a representative, &c., &c., but our readers may be assured that we shall lose no time in procuring the necessary datum and laying it heiore them. One thing, however, we do know. Tauranga must not be left out in the cold. The adjourned parade of the Tauranga Light Horse, under the command of Captain Chadwick, commenced on Thursday morning at 6 o’clock, in v the Government paddock. Notwithstanding the unsettled state of the weather, there was a fair muster. In the Eesident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a Maori was charged with stealing a wooden pipe from the store of Messrs Samuels and dacobsohn, Tauranga. A report will be found in column. Petty shop-lifting amongst the natives is far too prevalent, and we are glad Mr i~atnuels pursued the course he did in the matter. It was plainly his duty to prosecute, notwithstanding the small intrinsic value of the article stolen. Faulkner, charged with cattle stealing, Wl rtT e roi! ghfc before the Eesident Magistrate oo -Tuesday next, when the remaining evidence lor the prosecution will be taken. . has been received in Auckland that is Excellency the Governor will probably arrive ere about the 12th of next month, and will emain in this province three weeks. As yet no Preparations have been made fqr accoiding his *ce. iency a hearty t ° ken o £ public appreciation be services he has rendered the colony during i» residence here. We trust, however, that Bir istj 60 ? 6 owen not be allowed to leave our - ores without a public demonstration in his °rp'°f Qr ' j as ’ ur^n S hi® residence, acquired th- S ■ personal popularity, and nnrl fn m * n ' Btra^'on °® ce Fas been careful mav orou SFly constitutional. Sir George Bowen ,i “ ° e incepted as a model Governor—one paying me deference to the wishes of his ParliaU eo ? • an d Ministers, but possessing sufficient -*9ion of character to enable him to act promptly w *\ ea pccasion requires. Vie trust that in t the coming we shall not forget to the parting guest.’ ’ —Auckland Star. Beckham and Bussell inquiry has ter-jj-.j M e learn that the report will be 3,:? lmiD ediately upon the arrival of the Comaaeiooerg at Wellington.

«-mii arle9 Dio kenB’a 8 ’a “ Bloomsbury Christening ” eveniniTT * 6ad &t the entertai «ment on Momtiv r™ delivered by the late Waiter f isF before immense audiences in all ? olr .’ f , En / la “ a and the Australian colonies. recefv»!| d •?! aU c2a?BB8 ’ invariably was eceired with general acclamation. Mr *Montrea£ th t pie - ee in itß entiret T •• and on one occasion after hearing it. Charles Dickens said, well, Montgomery, read that wherever you co re f ad * BO inimitably Ino longer conei^ wimp f ed j eM U » Tel y to place it in inv programme of readings. ’ ' fi private telegram from Auckland wo learn “1 ™ Bra and Eraser have returned from Whangamata. Goldwater’s claim was pegged out on Saturday last. Everything (savs rwi afor Sp n S 13 ?° W r - eady to it*a P goldfield. All disputes with regard to boundaries are settled. On the other hand, wo learn from a gentleman who arrived in Tauranga trom Whangamata on Wednesday last, that nearly all the miners have “cleared out,” and the neaidy deserted. Our readers will perceive tha„ these statements are slightly contradictory, and will readily understand how nest to imposfiible it is to offer an opinion on the prospects of the new goldfield. last (Sesagesima Sunday), the most Kev Dr Croke, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckand, conferred upon the Rev James Simpson the sacred order of priesthood. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a very large congregation. ' °

Although not officially known, it is understood that the report of the Commissioners in re Mr Eyes, M.H.R., of Blenheim, charged with being guilty of immoral conduct, will be to the effect I that such conduct has not been proved. j A meeting was held in Auckland on Saturday j evening for the purpose of forming a political union. There was a large attendance. After some discussion, the following resolution was passed :—“ Resolved that a political union of Auckland colonists shell be formed, irrespective of or class, for the purpose of protecting public interests in the forthcoming elections. The Association to consist of a president, a vicechairman, and a committee of twelve.” Mr B. Tonks was elected president, and Mr Mason vicechairman. The following wore elected a committee, with leave to add to their number; Messrs A. Martin, J. Springhall, H. Havr, J. O. Sexiie, and W. T. Swan. * ’ j

The Coromandel Mail of a late date says : " Owing to press of local matter we have decided on deferring to another issue the completion of a leading article on the critical position of Europe. It would have proved all the more interesting to our readers as the views expressed in it would have been drawn from private letters received by us last mail from the Emperors of liussia and Prussia, Prince Bismarck, and the Pope.” We are anxiously looking forward to the next, issue, and trust that nothing will prevent the publication of the article on “ the critical position of Europe,” especially as the views expressed therein are drawn from the letters of such illustrious personages. The public sale of provincial town and suburban lands at Q-isborne, Poverty Bay, will taHfb place on Wednesday next. The Waikato Times says:—“An Auckland contemporary we think it was which first mooted the question of the inadequacy of the rates of pay awarded to telegraph clerks. The matter has since then been pretty generally taken up by the press of the colony, which on this point have been wonderfully unanimous, Ministerial and Opposition journals alike condemning the paraimonionsness of the Government in the payment of this class of public servants. Economy in administration of public funds cannot be too highly commended, but when that economy degenerates into stinginess it is no longer economy,” The Canterbury public have been warned of the circulation of spurious silver coin, the extent of which is not yet known. At Adelaide, when the last mail left, all the stations were blocked up with wheat, which was selling at 4s sd. Nothing reliable appears in late Melbourne papers as to what the Colonial Postal Conference has decided. A spirit of compromise evidently prevails. It is rumoured that the Hon. Mr Vogel will propose to carry the Australian mails free if assisted to obtain English and American subsidies. The Conference, by latest advices, was expected to rise on the 11th. The firing for the Colonial Government Prizes commences at Nelson on the 4th March. The competing Volunteers will bo under the command of Major Gordon. A large number of both North and South riflemen have qualified, and the event will be looked forward to with great interest by all “ shootists ” in the colony, Messrs Lundon end Conway are the successful tenderers for certain alteration to be made at the Native Hostelry, Tauranga. A tale of incredible horror comes to us from Illinois. It is well for the journalistic mind that it is not often called upon to describe an event of such inky and unmitigated gloom. The time was August, the skies were fair, when, seated in a railway car, a bright, blooming, bashful, and beautiful young bridal pair went forth from Peoria on the first stage of the wedding tour. The husband of an hour was all pride and tenderness ; the bride all bonnet and blushes. As the alow train moved from the station, the fair young being incautiously put her head out of the window, perchance to scent the morning breeze, like Hamlet's father’s ghost, perchance to wave- a last farewell to the weeping friends of her girlhood. Too, too fatal moment! A telegraph polo did not decapitate her —no, ah no ! That were joy compared to . Hastily bringing her head with'n the car, she buried an agonizing face in her hands. The terrified bridegroom is said to have instantly expressed himself, with great presence of mind, in this touching and memorable language; “What was it, darting ? What fr.ghtened it. dear ? Tell its own hubby ’ What makes it cry ?” What, indeed, O vicious fate. She had dropped a lovely and expensive set of teeth out of the window. She never smiled sgaia —until she had seen a dentist.