WADE.—PUBLIC MEETING OF THE SETTLERS.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1722, 10 September 1862, Page 4

WADE.—PUBLIC MEETING OF THE SETTLERS.

In many of our agricultural districts, more especially in those north of Auckland, a very excellent system is becoming introduced among the inliabitants, that of holding periodical meetings for the purpose of discussing matters of local interest, and by a united effort accomplishing objects which, however desirable or useful they may lie, could never he achievedcd by one or two isolated individuals.

Mangawhai has already its “ farmer’s club,” and it is hut the other day that wc adverted to the public meetings of the settlers, held at Mataknna and Mahurangi. There were several matters qf local interest which, for want of united action on the part of the Wade settlers, had caused considerable annoyance and vexation. The district, though not a populous one, contains over 200 souls, and these are all dependent on water carriage for the transit of goods to and fro, no inconsiderable amount of agricultural produce being annually grown in that locality ; in addition to which, the valuable stone quarry, discovered on the estate of Henry Lloyd, Esq., is pretty certain to cause the traffic between the Wade and Auckland to be much greater than it lias ever been. The want of a regular vessel trading between these places, which would attend to the requirements of the settlers, has long been a great inconvenience, ns also a public store or shed upon the township, at the landing place, where the goods of settlers living perhaps six or seven miles from the river might he left in shelter until they could hear of the arrival of the boat, and fetch them away with their teams; and although there are two chapels in Wadetown, there is not, as yet, a public cemetery. These requirements formed the chief feature of the business transacted at the meeting which occurred on the first of this month, when a large number of the settlers having collected in Mr. Lloyd’s barn, Mr. W. L. Thorburn was called to the chair, on the motion ot Mr. Wntkinson, seconded by Mr. Andrew Jack. A letter, received from the Deputy-Superintendent relative to a request for leave to erect a public storehouse upon the Government reserve near the wharf at Wadetown, was read by the chairman, in which leave leave was granted provided the said building shall be removed by the settlers when the Government required the land; and a motion to the effect “that the offer should he accepted with thanks,” was then put by the chairman, and carried; a considerable sum towards its erection was at once subscribed.

A tender Irom the master of the “ Speck ” was then read to the meeting, and terms for carriage of goods &c., between Auckland and the Wade being deemed satisfactory, it was resolved “ that the settlers should give their best encouragement to that craft.” The question of providing a public cemetery for the district was then discussed, and the necessity of moving in this matter was unanimously agreed to. A long discussion then took place as to the advisability and feasibility of establishing a public library;—no motion was, however, made, and the subject was allowed to stand over to the next meeting, after which, a vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman, the meeting separated. Wo trust that this will not be the last gathering of the settlers of this district which we shall be called on to report. The Wade has been settled now for many years, but for reasons, which wo have not now space to enter upon, has not progressed so rapidly as it ought to have done. Although there is some exceedingly poor land in the locality, and which, being the first land worked, has given an unfair character to it, there is a very large proportion of excellent soil—both fern and bush, while the Wainui block, a part of the Wade, is known to contain coal more or less throughout. The want of some enterprising settler to lead in the work of developing the resources of this fine district has happily been removed by the return of Mr. Lloyd from England. On the land of that gentleman a quarry of excellent building stone has been discovered: the construction of a tramway from the quarry to the wharf at the Wade township would be a work of no engineering difficulty whatever, and would scarcely exceed two miles in length. Mr. Lloyd, we arc glad to state, is having a boatload of the stone quarried, in order that it may he sent to Auckland. The high prices paid for stone brought from Sydney and Tasmania, and indeed the difficulty of procuring it at all, has precluded many from using it in Auckland. It is to In; hoped that the recent discovery will tend not only to the enrichment of the proprietor, but add greatly to the imposing appearance of the substantial buildings which ttre weekly springing up in this city

Fire and Water Proof. —The Emperor and Empress of France were lately present at the trial of a fire proof dress, invented by M. Bouveru. The dress is described to be both water-proof and fire-proof, and is copiously stuffed with sponges sewn together, lie wears a hernlet like that of a diver, with an apparatus for supplying fresh air, and glasses to see through. At a signal from the Emperor, he set fire to the temporary cottage, and when the fiames had well got ahead he went into the midst of them several times with perfect impunity. The Empress, greatly excited by the scene, cried out repeatedly, “ Enough; oh, it’s quite enough The experiment was considered to be vciy successful.

“ The Garter. ’’ —There are now five vacancies in the Order of the Garter, and there seems at present no chance of their being filled until the year 1862 is advanced. Of course, nothing is known positively as to who are to be the recipients of this most distinguishing mark of her Majesy’s favour, but it is understood that the following nobleman are likely to form the addition to the illustrious brotherhood—viE., Earl Canning, the Duke of Somerset, Earl Russell, the Earl of St. Germans, and Earl Cowley. Of the three first noblemen being nominated we believe there is no doubt; the determination with respect to the other names may not be so positive. —Court Journal,

We have heard of many things on which topers contrive to get drunk, but of nothing so strange as that in the case of James Quigly, who, as reported, was con victed of having got drunk on the testimony of two police officers.

An intelligent farmer, being asked if his horses were well matched, replied, “ Yes, they are matched first rate ; one of thorn is willing to do [ill tjjg work, anil the Qljipr i« willing h<> should. ’<