THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 141, 7 January 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “ The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1874.

The Honorable Donald McLean has again communicated with us respecting the location of immigrants in the Bay of Plenty district, and he has authorised us to state that tho Immigration Commissioners are now doing their utmost to forward this most important measure. Air AleLeaa ass area us that besides communicating with the Provincial authorities regarding the location of a number of the ordinary ass.i a tod and free 'uVicii latter class tho colony is now receiving with open arms a very large number—. steps are being taken to throw open several localities in the Bay of Plenty district as special settlements, for agriculturists, &c., possessed of small capital. The Q-overnment, we are informed, will be pre- | pared very shortly to open up this country on very advantageous terms to intending settlers. Let us hope, “ even against hope,” that tho Ministerial promises will this time be promptly acted upon, and forget and forgive the past in the'pr-spect of a more hopeful future. Here again wo desire to express our strong opinion on the class of settlers we want, and those we do not want. We do not want those specimens of humanity who linger about our largo towns at home, so often objects of solicitude to benevolent and charitable societies. We do not want that class of personaomotimes met with, in whose future welfare the country parson is interested, and recommends to emigrate—this, of course, from purely philanthropic motives alone—but which uncharitable persons allege arises from a wish to get rid of a needy or troublesome parishioner. We do not want the host of persons who delude themselves into the belief that a draper’s yard measure and a spado are synonymous terms. Wo do want men of means who, if they do not labour with their own hands, are willing to pay those who will do it for them. We want small farmers from England, Ireland, and Scotland. But most of all, we want that honest, industrious, and hornypalmed class who are able to subdue tho wilderness, and convert our wastes into fruitful fields. To each class we have mentioned we say the land is before you ; we do not hesitate to predict your future: you are the people for Taurangft, and Tauranga is the district for you.

The Tauranga Annual Races will be held to-morrow, January Bth, on the new course beyond the Gate Pa, which has been pronounced by competent judges to be one of the finest in the colony. By the kind permission of the authorities, for the last two years the races have taken place in the Government paddock, undoubtedly also a nice course, and very convenient to the town—too convenient altogether, perhaps, to suit our sporting community. The trip to the new course will afford a nice excursion to townspeople, and also employment to passenger vehicles. Perhaps never before has there been so good a subscription list or so excellent a programme as at the present time, and wo note with pleasure that the prize for the Tauranga Town Plate amounts to tho handsome sum of 80 sovs. There is no doubt that many other good matches will come off on the ground, and that the Tauranga meeting of 1874* will eclipse any similar event which preceded it. \

Some time ago we announced that the Hat ok Plestt Times? would, at the commencement of the new year wa have now entered upon, be published throe times a week ; but we find it impossible to carry out our intention, ai. any rale for some little tirno fo come. One of the proprietors of this journal loft for Auckland early in December last for the purpose, amongst other business, of engaging more labour j but up to the present moment, although he has advertised in the Auckland papers, and advertisements for compositors hare been inserted in Southern journals, we have not been successful in oh'amimr that extra assistance the publication of tho Times thrice a week would necessitate. This may bo accounted for by the number of altnsnae./and extra work that accrues in every printing office about this time of the year. Perhaps, after ail, the delay may prove to bo “all for the best.’ 5 for it has caused us to reflect whether we should be adopting a wiss and prudent course just now in increasing the number of our publication d-yg; and, after reflection we think that such a step would not ba desirable Either kor the public on ioe oubsei.'veb. We sms not singular in this opinion, for a nmnbbr of person# representing all

-classes of tho community appear to be desirous that wo should still “come out” twice a week if we wil! “ only give more reading matter.” The fact is, and unprejudiced readers will bear 113 out; in tho assertion, that there is not enough nows to be g".' bored hero for a paper every other day. things are very, very quiet ofumes, and a* mat tors stand even now it is frequently hard work “to fill the paper.” We propose, therefore, to continue publishing twice a week as heretofore, but by cutting down Auckland ad v'-rtisemen fs shall bo enabled very shortly to devote at least six columns to reading matter in each is*ue, and shall also publish every Saturday a four column ■news supplement this will represent sixteen columns of reading matter weekly. iu tho event of a paper every alternate day we should rarely, it ever, bo in a position to give more than four columns of news in each issue; thus our subscribers will be the real gainers of four columns of information weekly by tho course we now propose to adopt, and which wo feel sure, after this explanation, will meet with the approval of all whose opinion we care for. A newspaper, especially in a small place like this, must necessarily have some enemies, and the Bay of Plenty Times would indeed be a very milk and watery production if it had not by this time made foes as well as friends. We know that we have made many fast and good friends since our birth, but we are not foolish enough to shut our eyes to the fact that wo have also a few enemies in our midst who will, wo have no doubt, eagerly seize this opportunity to endeavour to injure ua in the estimation of the public. It is just as well, therefore, to mention—in order to prevent any misunderstanding and misrepresentation—that oar pecuniary position by a twice (with the additions we have referred to) or thrice weekly paper would be exactly the same, —the cost of each being as nearly as possible co-equal. We cannot conclude without heartily thanking the public lor the liberal manner in which tho Bay of Plenty Times has been supported, and we can only say we will endeavour to deserve that support. Words would but wrong tho gratitude we owe and should we begin to speak of it we should talk of nothing else all day.

The fields of wheat in the district ore now, in the language of Scripture, nearly “white unto harvest,” and a more beneficent season tins never been previously experienced. In years gone by the Maoris have grown much grain, with which the Auckland market has been supplied. This industry has been resumed. Contracts have been entered into between Taurunga storekeepers and natives for delivery of wheat at harvest time, and there is no doubt that the yield of this year will be in excess of anything known before. It is .gratifying to witness the energies of the native people diverted in a pacific and wholesome direction, in place of, as formerly, the perpetuation of a useless strife with the pakeha, resulting only in bloodshed and the ultimate extermination of their race. JNo p ople more than ourselves and oar Maori neighbours can have greater cause to rejoice that the time has come when swords are turned into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.

It is a great pity that some of our influential settlers consider it necessary to send to Auckland •for their various requirements, and so take money away from the district, which money would be advantageous to the place. The local traders are far from exorbitant in their charges for goods, which are, in many or most instances, not unreasonably beyond those of Auckland ; and every settler ought surely to feel himself bound to encourage, not only local industry, but local traffic and commercial enterprise. If all inhabitants were to import their own goods, trade must inevitably languish, and traders be entirely dependent on Maori purchasers. At all events the practice is objectionable, inasmuch as Tauranga is well supplied with stores, furnishing goods, &c., almost at Auckland prices ; and it can be to the interest of no one that large sums of money should ba spent out of the district.

A meeting of the members of the Town Board was held on Monday morning at the secretary’s office. All the members, except Mr Samuels, were present. The minutes of the last meeting were read arid confirmed. The consideration of some matters respecting the collection of rates was, on the motion of Mr McDonald, seconded by Mr Conway, adjourned until next meeting. Mr McDonald proposed, and Mr Conway seconded, “ That the chairman be empowered to confer w.’th the General Government District Engineer relative to the immediate formation of a main drain across the Beach Bond in proximity to the premises of Mr Pettigrew, taker ; and that the chairman be authorised to purchase nine-inch tile drain piping for that purpose.” The chairman said ho understood that a sum from the Government of about £BO would be granted shortly to the Board. The meeting then adjourned. Mr J. C. Young, Native Lands Purchase Commissioner, baa kindly handed us the following telegram, received on Monday from his Honor the Superintendent, for publication : “Arrangements are now progressing for my visit to East Const, settlements. 1 shall give you ample notice to get the people together to meet mo at Tauranga. —j. Williamson ”

Tiie steamer Southern Cross took away a largo number of visitors to Auckland returning from the Lakes. Everyone who comes to Tauranga got s away in love with the place, its harbour, climate, scenery, and soil, and it is simply impossible that such natural advantages can be longer unappreciated. Settlement—extensive, prosperous settlement must come asthe night follows the dav. ,

We have been favourea ■with an inspection' of a " ally magnificent sample of wheat grown upon the Citato of Metsra Chadwick and Son, G-ate Pa. Large, clean, heavy, flowery, and compact, it possesses all the virtues oi good wheat, and doca credit to the enterprising growers, Messrs Chadwick and Son appear to be model farmers, and spare no trouble or expense in anything they fake iii hand. Such people deserve success, and we heartily congratulate th-a* upon their bountiful liar rest.

In tbo Magistrate’s Court on Monday last one drunkard was treated in the usual .manner,.

It is customary for newspaper proprietors through out Now Zealand and the Australian Polonies to miss the publication of one issue duriim the yearn, order to afford their employees an opportunity cf taking a holiday. ■< All work and ,m piay makes Jack a did! boj and the adage mar he as appropru-t-dy applied to printers ne to school coys. Our compositors, who have been constant It m bu-m-ss, require a holiday, and wo are unite *ur> iheie is no one in Tauranpa who wid begrudge it t.iem. The Bay of Pi.knty 'Times will not be pubr -’ -'d on Saturday. Should any important telegrams arrive wo ’shall, however for.awn h oubiish an extra. *

The Amateur Dramatic Club announce per- • ormances on the evenings of Friday and Saturday nexr, at Fraser’s Hall. This little Thespian corps has already earned a woil deserved reputation. We shall doubtless see a full house, especially as the programme is quite new and most attractive.

*• Everybody and his wife ’’ will bo pleased to loam that Captain Crapp has consented to act as judge on the rare course to-morrow. Major Eoberts 13 unavoidably detained in Auckland. V\ e regret fro state that Mr David Asher, who has previously ably fulfilled the duties of the clerk of the course, is unwell, and will bo unable to act in that capacity this Meet. We have no doubt, however, ho will bo well represented by some other gentleman. The Stewards request us to mention t hat sett ling wjli tnke place on Saturday next, at the Tauranga Hotel, at 8 o’clock.

_No Auckland exchanges came to hand by the "V in cent;, which arrived here early on Sunday morning last. We are indebted to Mr Thomas V\ rigley for files. They contain, however, nothing of interest to our readers, except particulars of the late races. Ihe results wa published. “in our telegraphic column on Saturday.

Bj telegram we learn that tho bill against Sergeant Forster, AO,f. r embezzling Government oafs, was thrown cut by the Grand Jury. A meeting of the Church of England Vestry was held at the Court house on Monday evening, Wi:en some routine business was transacted, and arrangements made for receiving subscriptions promised by parishioners towards the Church Building Fund.

Lieutenant "Wiy, IS at ive Oommgent, had been trande; red from Te Teko to Ntho o te Kioro. Lieute; ant Biuett, of the same c rps is now stationed at the former named place

A visitor to the late Pe Teko annual carnival writes : —“ In the evening the votaries of terpsi chore were to be found wending their way to the commodious reading-room of tho cantonment. It may here be noted that this building has iatelv bteu erected partly by the Government and partly by tho contributions of the members of the Contingent of both races, which is truly a gratifying pieoa of intelligence. The pen that indites these lines is not eloquent enough to describe tho cordial fraternising and equality that was displayed in this room on the evening of Monday. Had the Duke of Edinburgh or Anthony Trollope beeh blessed with the opportunity of witnessing any such festive gathering when they were in New Zealand, they might have imbibed a very wholesome and lasting idea of the eternal truth that God has formed of one blood all the races of men that dwell upon tho earth. Amount the male dancers conspicuous for their adroitness in solo dancing (hornpipes) two persons may bo indicated— Aoooana, a Maori from apier, and a haif-easle gentleman, racy of tno soil. Amongst the ladies it would be invidious to indicate any superior prowess, and it was remarked by one or two colonists of twenty years standing that never till then had they been tally cognisant of the graces of the native race. Ladies ~f both races, and of a variety of intermixture of the two bloods that would require taree figures of decimal fractions to express ejeaceij, graced the assembly. Most of your readers will be astonished to learn—which, however, is nevertheless true—that certain Maori and half-caste young ladies of the Bay of Plenty can dance as well and behave themselves as modestly in a ball-room as their more favoured white sisters. They owe their instruction to one of themselves, who would be the last to admit that she herself is facile princevs amongst her sisters and cousins.” _