THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 161, 21 March 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1874.

Wi: have frequently urged upon the ' authorities the desirability of abolishing | Militia parades in this district. It is with * much pleasure, therefore, that we are 1 permitted to publish the following letter i lately received by Major Roberts:— Native and Defence Office, Miiitia and Volunteer Branch, Wellington, March 10, 1874. Sir, —I bare tho honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd ultimo, in which, in accordance with the wish of the settlers in your district, you recommend that the Militia parades be held half-yearly instead of quarterly, and to inform you in reply that the Hon Native Minister Ims been pleased to approve of the parades beiusr held half- yearly for the future, and you will be good enough to arrange accordingly.—l have, &c., W. Mottbe, iit.-CoL, Acting Under Secretary for Defence. The thanks of Militiamen for this concession are mainly due to Mr Edgcumbe T who interested himself very much in the matter ; Major Roberta ; and last, but by no means least, tbe Honorable Donald McLean. We look upon half-yearly parades as a step in the right direction, and trust they may be abolished altogether before long. - 1 " ■ js& Ms TV. IT. Cx/AATOZs, Colonial Architect, kindly forwarded us the following telegram in reply to one of ours yesterday : He new public buildings, Tauranga : Messrs Bennett and K-ago’s tender, from Auckland, accepted at £3,450. We are informed on good authority that the work will be commenced at once. “ Tlxs Exceiaexcy will be very glad to meet the Tauranga settlers, but he does not want them to go to any trouble or expense—simply £ turn out ’ of Volunteers : address or something of that sort. Do not have procession,” Such are the wishes - of his Excellency Sir James Eergusson conveyed by telegram to Captain Morris, M.P.C., and handed to us for publication pro bono publico. In another column will be found an advertisement from “ our member,” convening a public meeting for this evening, when, doubtless, all matters connected with the reception of tho Governor will be fully discussed, and all arrangements made accordingly. We hope to see a goodly gathering of tho settlers present to-night.

Otrs Auckland contemporaries allude to the spirit of mischief which pervades the youth of that city, and write seriously regarding the means of checking the continued annoyance caused by boys and hobbledehoys, ranging from 10 to 18 years of age, who amuse themselves by the destruction of property and practical jokes of a reprehensible nature. We are sorry to observe that in our snail community the same spirit prevails, and only a few days since one of our new bank buildings was damaged, the truck was taken from off the wharf, and oilier wanton mischief done. It so happened that there was a witness to the last proceeding, and the names of the parties implicated will be communicated to the police in the event of a similar occurrence taking place. We believe that if the parents of boys were to pourtray to the youngsters the wickedness of damaging property and causing other annoyances to peaceable inhabitants that they might bo brought to look at such deeds in another light, and indulge only in harmless fun and amusements which would not intrench upon the feelings of their kind neighbours, who like to see young people enjoy themselves in a rational manner, and would at any time stretch a point to assist them in so doing. Taking into consideration the small population of Tauranga, the boys are indeed most unruly, and we hope parents will construe these lines with kindly feeling, and endeavour to work a change by mild remonstrance with their olive branches. We should be the very last to be hard on the lads ; we quite agree with the old adage, that “boys will be boys,” but really their conduct at limes is too bad altogether.