THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 176, 13 May 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1874.

il The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KIS-G JOHN, ACT IV.

During the agitation which took place with reference to the construction of the Taupo road, it was constantly urged by us, that a great advantage would be secured to the inhabitants of Tauranga, by gaining access to the Oropi bush. This advantage does not appear to have- been made use of as it might have been. It is true, return drays from Ohinimutu usuallj bring back loads of firewood, but no supply of otherwise useful timber finds its way hither, although an almost inexhaustible quantity is to be found in the splendid forest we refer to. ißata, Ilium, Turin, and many other descriptions of useful timber exists there in great abundance. The expense of carriage

is urged as an objection, but with such an almost infinite supply of material at command, the cost of a small saw-mill should not stand in the way of establishing an important industry which appeal's to be £i going a begging.” When we regard the quantity of timber imported into Tauranga, and consider that, there are immense forests to be found at our very doors. When we call to mind the enormous profits made by those engaged iu the timber trade—a trade hourly increasing in importance throughout the colony, more especially in this province our remonstrance will perhaps not be regarded as unnecessary. We are informed that the Mercury Bay saw-mills are doing wonders. At Craig’s mill about 120,000 feet of sawn timber is being turned out per week. It is estimated that the cost of this at the mills does not exceed Gs. per 100, and it is sold for 12s. a profit of £3 GO a week. We* again put the question; “ will some one move in the direction of utilizing the timber of tbe Oropi forest.”

Tsow that the time of the militia parades is again approaching, it seems opportune for us to refer to an alleged hardship complained of by several of the 3rd class men who, it is unnecessary to say, are individuals between the p.ges of 40 and 55 years. Many of them are robust and healthy—as good, or perhaps better men than others who are much younger, but some, either from sickness, exposure, privations, &c. are, it may be said, prematurily aged, and incapacitated for bearing arms. Doubtless, in times of great trouble, or threatened invasion, it was necessary for every man in the place to shoulder his rifle and “ do his guards ; ” but those times are happily passed away, and are not likely to return. A defensive force composed of the inhabitants of the place is now entirely supplanted by efficient and well drilled volunteer corps. There are also two companies composed of the Ist and 2nd class militia, who are, many of them, well drilled men, and not disabled by reason of age or infirmity from taking their place in the ranks as good soldiers and gallant defenders of their country. But, on the other hand, in the 3rd class, there are a number of —-one may say, without offence—“ old fogies,” mostly civilians, to whom military drills and parades are especially obnoxious, and who wish to be relieved of the custody of Government arms and ammunition for the safety of which they are responsible. Some of these individuals are disabled from bearing arms or even keeping them in proper condition, and they urge the advisability of exempting them from future parades or drill. We certainly think that such a request is not unreasonable ; inasmuch, that the men themselves would be no useful acquisition to the defence of the place—that there is at present, or in the future, no probable necessity for their service, and that the arms and ammunition would be in far safer keeping under the charge of the military storekeeper. We direct the attention of the officer commanding tbe district to this matter.

The Vivian Company gave another entertainment on Saturday night to a fair house, The special fashionab!e|performance, f under distinguished patronage,” which was announced for Wednesday night did not eventuate in consequence of the wretched state of the weather. It will take place this evening, and we hope to see a large attendance.

A numbeb of ladies having determined to get up a Bazaar in aid of the funds of the Church, a committee composed of Mrs Jordan (President), Mrs Tovey (Treasurer), Mrs Tunks, Mrs T. Wrigley, and Mrs Murphy has been formed to carry

out the intention. For some time past there have been no funds available for ordinary current expenses, the whole of the Offertory being obsorbed in paying the salary of tbe Incumbent. It is now proposed to raise atonce by means of a Bazaar, a sum sufficient to provide for the ordinary current expense for some time to eome„f To expect the vestry to carry on the business* required of them without funds to work with, is to do as Pharaoh did, when he required the Israelites to make bricks without straw, and it is to be hoped for the credit of the community, that everyone, directly or indirectly interested in it, will put their shoulder to the wheel, and both by subscriptions and contributions, of work and labor, do their utmost to bring the affair to a successful issue. A subscription list to pay for the working materials has been commenced, and so far, has been well responded to. Nhw is the time for the good ladies of Tanrnnga to show how much can be achieved by vigorous, united, cheerful, and energetic determination, working in a laudable and good cause. We wish the kind promoters of this icheme a hearty success, and all the honor due o them for their enterprise and self-sacrifice.

The complimentary dinner to Captain Fraser passed off very successfully last night. A report of the proceedings, which were of an unusually interesting nature, shall appear in our next issue. Mr Fenton, carrier on the Olimeniutu road has lately received two excellent four-wheeled wagons. Mr Fenton commenced business not very long ago with a two-wheeled vehicle, and the necessity for two “four-wheelers, ” proves beyond doubt, a requirement for increased carriage accommodation and a growing traffic into the inleri >r. Major Roberts returned from his visit of inspection down the coast on the Hth instant. We are exceedingly anxious to see a Budding Society formed in Tauranga, because we believe such an association would be a great boon to the matter should be well ventilated previous to a public meeting being held, we again, therefore, invite discussion upon the subject in our correspondence columns. ! Mr Kennedy of the Gate Pa is the successful tenderer ( £207 ) for the formation of the apto the town of Tauranga from the Game* ron, Taupo, and Thames roads. The approach will be by the Devenport road, s*— ~ The London correspondent of a contemporary records the following coincidence as interesting in connection with the late Tichborne trial:—“ In the books of one of the oldest established wine merchants in London, with whom country families have been accustomed to deal for generations, occurs an entry some sixty years back, of presents of wine made by the” then Sir Henry Tichborne, the seventh baronet, to a person named Orton, residing at Wapping. The connection of the two may be only a coincidence, but at the same time it seems to be a very curious one, when wo consider the manner in which the same names have been connected in the trial j and it may bo that we shall hear more of the circumstances under which Sir Henry Tichborne sent presents of wine to one Orton, at Wapping, at a long time antecedent to the birth of the claimant, ”