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Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 92, 19 July 1873, Page 3

Captain Norris has received from the Acclimatisation Society, per Southern Cross, two dozen house sparrows, which he has turned loose in his garden. We hope that Captain Norris’s example of importing home birds may be followed, and and that ere long blackbirds, starlings, thrushes, Ac., may become familiar objects to our sight, as in days of yore in dear, far off, old England. When the s.s. Southern Cross was leaving the hulk in Auckland harbour, on Tuesday last, an accident happened whereby a man was thrown mto the water. The first mate immediately jumped overboard, and succeeded in rescuing the nearly drowned man. Well done !

Messrs Ellis and Wrigley’s brewery is very nearly completed. We learn that the proprietors intend getting steam up early next week, and that they will shortly be prepared to supply the public with good wholesome beer.

We understand that Captain Austin, of the yincent, intends applying to the proper authorities for the appointment of pilot *o the port of Tauranga. A testimonial to the ability and good character of Captain Austin has been numerously signed in Tauranga. The annual meeting for the election of Trustees, and the transaction of other business connected the Country Board, •will take place at the Ahstrict Schoolroom on Eriday evening next, at 7 o’clock.

Captain Lfoller writes, requesting us “ to publicly return hia sincere thanks for the great *■!; j 6B ® sympathy shown to him by his -needs in Tauranga during his recent trouble*.”

sirmlwim^ 1 folt uit9 certain that it was tnl-Vl npOßß ? b s lo % m term 9of existing Act! to do away with the right of voting by proxyVt Sirs'! Highw,j B °“ « ? ? a psfactory to many anxious inquirers BUthor?t n v OPI w n r°K th r matter fr ° m an “"doubted H Lusk J Prov fore tele 8 ra P hed to Mr H. fnAi! r ial , Sl!Creter - T - asking the question, “ndfn J the a f k n° W - ICdge h } B COUrteß - v in promptly sending the following reply “ Not possible by aay means to prevent proxy voting at Board elections. Jo one can give more than six proxy rotes m addition to his own.” We trust, now nK«c t r» ere 18 DOt tho slightest question of doubt about the matter, that ratepayers who really have ihe interest of the district at heart will bestir themselves and secure as many proxies as possible to use m case of n ed. We totally disagree with tais system of voting in Road Board affairs, but needs must when his satanio majesty drives. Tn consequence, we presume, of the wretched state of the weather on Thursday night last there was but a poor attendance at the meeting convened by Mr Roger Hill to taka place at the Victoria Hotel, The meeting was called ”t< discuss the beet rates to be struck for the ensuing year in tho country district.” Mr Uundon occupied tho chair. On the motion of Mr Hill, seconded by Mr F. George, the meeting was adjourned until this evening, at the same hour and place, when we hope *■ > see our country friends muster in force. There cannot be a doubt but that these preliminary meetings are conducive ot good results, affording as they do an opportunity for rate yers to quietly discuss matters appertaining to the Board previous to the annual election of Trustees, and the final decision as to the amount of ra -s to be levied.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday the charge against George Faulkner, for alleged horse stealing, was heard, and the case instantly dismissed. We are compelled to hold over a report until our next:

A meeting of the Town Board was held on the 16th instant. Present Captains Norris and Tunks, Messrs Satm els and Wrigley. A few accounts were passed for payment. The engineer’s commission and secretary’s salary to 30th June were also ordered to be paid. The secretary was instructed to draw the attention of the wharfinger to the destructive practice now in vogue, of masters of vessels attaching cables to rails of the wharf. The meeting then separated. We are pleased to learn that Miss McGarvev is about opening an evening school for the Catholic children who cannot attend during the day. The school will be a great boon t® many.

Wo have received from the Provincial Government, through Mr Warbrick, some sorghum saccharatum, samples of which we shall be happy to distribute to anyone applying at our office. We are indebted to Mr John Henderson, C.E., representative of Messrs Brogden and Sons in the colony of New Zealand, for a copy of a newly issued publication—" Tbe proposal of Messrs John Brogden and Sons to entrust to a Company the Construction and Management of the Public Railways in New Zealand.” Want of space compels us t j reserve our comments on the work for some future occasion.

“ Quarter Acres ” writes .* —Can the members of the Town Boai’d give good and sufficient reason for holding the annual meeting of ratepayers at the absurd hour of half-past 2 in the afternoon, instead of in the evening when working men and country settlers can find time to attend. Methinks I trace the underhand work of one or two ambitious tradesmen, who have good reason to fear the presence of country electors, but who in their absence would be able again ■ to vote themselves into office by means of proxies. As a sign of the times, and a proof positive of the large amount of building now going on in Tauranga, we may mention that the Government have not received a tender for the erection oh a school house at Wairoa. Mr Hopkins 43l&rke twice invited public tenders, but with no result. Latest advices from the Waikato state that there is nothing new- from the “ King” country. All are busy cultivating. Great competition exists amongst the natives as to who will have the greatest amount of wheat next season. Tawhiao is himself ploughing daily, A petition to the General Asssembly containing result of the Cambridge meeting, and asking that steps be taken to arrest the murderers, is being signed. In answer to ,s Enquirer ” we hasten to state that every person of the age of twenty-one years, who on the 30th June last was in occupation or the owner of rateable property within the town or country districts, and liable to- be rated under the Highways Act, is entitled t * vote at the next annual election of Trustees. New comers look to this, and exercise your electoral rights on Thursday next. Wo learn by telegram that Delaney, charged with horse-stealing at Opotifei, has been convicted of the offence, at the Supreme Court, Auckland, and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. In the poem of “ Renolf and Amohia,” by Mr Domett, there are the following graceful and spirited lines, written in memory of Captain St. George, the s' ;pson of the authoryand well known to many residents in Tauranga : “ (Be thus much said for kinship’s sake) Who sleeps the sleep no more to wake On earth mid loveliest scenes afar. Where Tongariro’s snows disgorge Their flames by blue Te Aira’s lake— Young kindly chivalrous St. George ! Whose honour-fired aspiring brain. Before that instant blighting ball, Flashed into darkness without pain, As in his wonted * dashing style ’ (His comrades said) his men he led Against the palisadoed wall Of that last prophet cannibal. Whose torturing tastes —impostures vile, Our ruler’s sympathies beguiie.”

Coffee ! —Brown, Barrett, and Co.’s Standard Coffee is both delicious and strong. Brown, Barrett, and Co.’s Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any Coffee on account of purity and distinctness of flavour. Note the brands ! Sold at almost every Grocery Establishment in Town and Province. — fAE>vr 1