THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 154, 25 February 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1874.

The weather here has been splendid harvest weather for the wheat and potato crops, but fearfully and wonderfully hot. The grass is parched to the colour of hay, and cows have fallen off in their milk. Notwithstanding, the fruit crop has been abundant and of good quality, From all quarters of New Zealand we hear of complaints of the “ long continued drought,” and very hot dry weather has also been much felt throughout Australia. The average yield of wheat in South Australia will, it is said, be much under the average this season. The destruction of station property by bush fires in Victoria has been very great; grain _ crops, grass, fences, even homesteads disappearing mainly in consequence of the intense heat. In New Zealand we have been very fortunate ; and, coming nearer home, in the Bay of Plenty district, our farmers have reason to be exceedingly grateful for the bountiful harvest of seventy-four. We learn from our exchanges that in nearly every case of damage done to crops, &c., in Australia no insurances had been made, numbers of small farmers have been and utterly ruined. May not we of Tauranga learn a lesson from this ? It ought to put our farmers on the qui vive to endeavour to establish an insurance company of some description or other. There are many men of capital and intelligence amongst us, and it is a perfect mystery to us why some steps are not taken to make a man’s crops secure against weather and accidents. “ Town and Country ” in referring to this subject says:—"The English agriculturist

finds 't to his advantage to insure, and capital is ever ready to support such insurance offices. It is not considered by such capitalists that farm property ig more risky than city ditto. Even animals and growing crops can be, and are, insured in the old country, and at very moderate premiums. But here the rates charged for insuring hay-stacks and the fees charged for surveying are almost if not quite prohibitive. We do not consider the risk to be run by such companies nearly so great as it was ; roads are more numerous ; 'English grasses, green crops, and roots are more grown ; the country is more thicklv stocked ; and if a Mutual Assurance Company were established, and every farmer had shares in it, the combined and distributed interest would tend to be another protective agent. There is every argument in favour of a Farmers’ Mutual Protective Society, and not one against it.” Wo looks upon a long continuance of dry weather as a silent but forcible plea on the part of Dame Nature for tree planting, as it is well known that the growing of trees in a country makes the rainfall more regular and abundant. Farmers, be advised ; “ establish alocal mutual assurance company amongst yourselves—never mind upon how small a scale at the commencement, and PLANT TEEES,”

An article upon the drainage of Tauranga and the desirability of putting into effect certain clauses of the “ Public Health Act, is in type and shall appear on Saturday. take the earliest opportunity of mentioning that his Honor the Superintendent of Auckland has had the powers of his Excellency, under the Public Health Act, delegated to him for this province ; and that his Honor, before leaving Tauranga, expressed himself desirous to help us immediately in removing fro tt! our midst the foul nuisance of Willow street. We would suggest that our townspeople should hold a public meeting—an indignation meeting it might be very properly called—at an early date. There is not the slightest doubt but that the present members of the Board are either ignorant of their responsibilities and powers, or neglectful of their duty in this all important matter.

On dii, a crim . con. action is pending against a certain gay Xiothario—a business man residing in the Bay of Plenty. The probable petitioner is a coloured brother | the fair one hia waihena—a bewitching sable beauty. Lovers of scan, mag., what pleasures are in store for you 1

We can learn nothing about the new Government buildings—when they are to be commenced, or who has obtained the contract for building ? A fortnight ago we telegraphed to the Engineer-in-Chief at Wellington, requesting to be informed who wu the successful tenderer, but that individual has not yet favoured us with any reply. Peradventure he r Mr E. G. Norris is gazetted a member of the Tauranga North Township Board, vice Mr R. McDonald, resigned.

Major Roberts and Mounted Trooper BI?ke will leave for Napier shortly to take part in th© colonial prize firing at that place. Captain Forster, A.C., arrived by the Southern Cross on Sunday last. He will, we learn, be permanently stationed at Opotiki, but will remain at Tauranga in charge of the Bay of Plenty district during Major Roberts’ absence.

On the return of his Honor the Superintendent to Auckland it will be decided who is to be appointed pilot and harbour master for the port of Tauranga. We learn that three applications for the office have been received. May the best man win say we.

The miraculous cures effected from bathing in the hot springs are daily increasing in number? The latest that we have heard of (says a contemporary) as related by a gentleman who was lately there, is that of a man used to wearing spectacles for some eighteen years, but after spending a week at the lakes, and indulging in a few baths, can read easily small print without the aid of glasses.

Napier and Poverty Bay exchanges are like angels visits, few and far between. The last “ batch ” reached us via Auckland. This must be the neglect, gross neglect of the Napier postal authorities.

The Resident Magistrate will give judgment on Friday morning at ten o’clock in the appeal case of Mr S. Zi. Clarke v. Tauranga Country Board.

Volunteer McCaw, T.R.V., leaves by the coach on Tuesday next to represent the Militia and Volunteers, for tbe districts of Tauranga and OpotJki, at the colonial prize firing to be held at Napier on the 10th instant.

We are sorry to learn that sickness is very prevalent amongst the natives this summer, there have been three fatal cases at Whareroa lately. A number of natives are at present in 10 Pa P a under the care of Dr. Armitage, and several have recovered under his skilful treatment.

The Premier, in reply to a deputation the other day re the Thames Valley railway, is reported to hare said : ** Whenever ready communication can be made between Ohinemuri and Tauranga, it appears to me that it is more important putting tne Thames in communication of places without Auckland than with the Waikato by the branch line under consideration.’*