THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach Me speed." KlNG JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 171, 25 April 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach Me speed. " KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1874.

The list of claimants to the right of voting for tho East Coast electoral district, preferred during the months of January, February, and March, 1874, together with their places of abode, qualification, and names of attesting witnesses, is now lying for public inspection, in accordance with tho Ordinance, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Tauranga. Eight hundred and fifty names appear on the list as new , ’ claimants this year, out of which seven ’ a F> 1 he’lulrcd and thirty-six are Maoris. At , 1 tp c next election there will not be fewer ' thau\ fifteen hundred electors privileged •ce, exorcise tho franchise in the East Coast District. It is apparent that the

Maoris will be able to return any KinmV they choose to the Provincial Connie simply because they are two-thirds mal 1 numerous than Europeans Jt i s e tainly an indication of the advanced pro' gress of the district that so many electnl' have registered; but then, again, i a it provoking m the extreme to think that• matters of-slich importance the Enrone™ power and influence is infinite!*, oni l ,r than that of the natives. There { q m i a er ever, no remedy possible atthe time, and we can only hope tint ,*« next session of Parliamentsome measl™ Will be introduced dealing satisf-Jf^i with the difficult question °of native ele/ toral rights.

Wk are at a loss to understand what tho stewards of the Tauranga Jockev riolf ‘ or trustees of the race-course, are / not to immediately utilize th« 1 property allotted to them at the Grt“pa ' ihe reserve could be easily laid £ or let for a term of years to a flrmer^S Opportunity* of 8 J* °& to ° of tt3 gEg U Sala B fow r ren g t ? f obligation of being fnmi ill d contribute to the race entrusted SV™ ° f *u® ? >nrse would b © entrusted to persons who had an interest nnli lt fr im i )rOVemeat * If tenders were , a ? d *? r for sucb a purpose, there is no doubt there would be nLny’ competitor ibe season for sowing grass seed is fast passing away, and the racing autborit?es e the D T golden opportunities of putting the Tauranga race-course into RnblLf marketable shape as would consolidate the ground, and furnish a revenue available for future race meetings.

No one can hare failed to notice the extreme beauty of the weather which has lately prevailed »n lauranga. Strangers have invariably been delighted, and spoken almost with rapture of the appearance of the harbour and surrounding country, but particularly the serenity and salubrity of the climate. It is true that the past season has been almost exceptiooably fine, but the meteorological reports for the whole colony show that in no other part of New Zealand is there a more equable temperature, or one better suited for the development and maintenance of a robust and vigorous manhood, the enjoyment of bodily health, and freedom from epidemic or other diseases. Fanned on almost every side by s gentle sea breeze, any possible miasma or malaria is blown away out to ocean ; and the district, moreover, is sheltered from the keen and cutting winds which distress dwellers on the West Coast of the island. The East Coast, and the Bay of Plenty especially, are admitted to be the garden of the North Island, and Tauranga might fairly be selected as a sanatorium so often proposed by medical authorities. Coming immigrants will have cause to congratulate themselves if their lot is cast in such a spot where every natural advantage * 8 com bined to render it a charming place of abode, and in time to come, doubtless, a highly prosperous settlement.

Aithough we have at present two steamers running between here and Auckland the circutn* stance of late has been of no increased convenience, as both the Southern Gross and Murray have been arriving and sailing almost simultaneously. It would be much better if the time of the vessels could be differently apportioned, say, one taking the beginning or end of the week, and the other the middle.

We are at a loss to understand why the old willow trees which have for so many years shaded various tombs in our picturesque Cemetery should recently have been cut down. These willows—weeping willows—were of considerable age, and almost co-eval with the first interments on the ground, and there must surely have been a good reason for their removal. The forms and hues of flowers and trees are the most beautiful because the most natural emblems of mourning. la referring to the adornment of a cemetery, Bryant writes :

“ There the jew drecn even amid the snows of winter, told Of immortality and gracefully The willow, a perpetual mourner, drooped ; And there the gadding woodbine crept about, And there the ancient ivy. From the spot Where the sweet maiden in her blossoming

years Cut off, was laid with streaming eyes, and hands That trembled as they placed her there, the rose Sprung modest, on bow’d stalk, and better spoke Her graces, than the proudest monument.

There children set about their playmates’ grave The pansy. On the infant’s little bed Web at its planting with maternal tears

Emblems of early sweetness, early death, Nestled the lowly primrose.”

Speaking of the Cemetery reminds us of the recent erection of a monument to the memory of Mrs Wilson, mother of Mr J. A Wilson, and lady of one of the oldest missionaries in New Zealand, at a time when the white population of Tauranga did not number more than two or three, and when cannibalism amongst the natives was universal.