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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 122, 29 February 1872, Page 2

AA‘c understand that three tenders have been sent in to the District Engineer for works required on the Upper Tararu road, and that one of them has been recommended for acceptance. The completion of this road before next winter is one of the great wants of the locality, aud wc are glad to hear that there is at length a prospect of having this accomplished. The usual weekly meeting of the AVaiotahi Highway District Board did not come off yesterday, in consequence of the absence of fhc members. A\'e arc informed that if a suflicient number were to get together to form a qnnnnn. a meeting will be held this day.

AVe observe from advertisement that the fares on the Tararu Tramway have been reduced to threepence, which is certainly very low, aud ought to be an inducement for everyone to ride. The train runs as usual—every half-hour. In consequence of pressure, of business at the Police Court yesterday, there was no business done in the Warden's Court, and the cases set clown for hearing yesterday will be heard to-day. when all persons summoned for yesterday will be required to attend. At the Police Court yesterday two cases of drunkenness, one of obscene language, one of permitting disorderly conduct in an liotel, and a ease of stealing money from a box in a bed-room at the Golden Age, were disposed of; the last mentioned ease occupied the Court until after one o'clock.

| A special meeting of the members of the : Thames Mechanics’ Institute Debating Class ! was held at the Institute rooms, last evening. | There was an unusually good attendance, and many matters affecting the future working of the class were discussed. The night of meeting was lixed for every alternate Thursday ; and a plan of obtaining suitable subjects for debate was arranged. Mr J. M. Perrier brought forward the subject of ll AA'orkiug Men in our Colonies.” It was ably treated, pointing out the improved position occupied by the labourer or mechanic here to that held hv him in the old country, calling for no necessity of strikes or trades unions, and avoiding that apparent hostility between capital and labour so frequently talked about. He specially deprecated the use of the term “working men,” ns applied to the labour class, asserting that all classes of the community earning their livelihood by the head or the baud, were working men. Ail interesting debate efisued, in which Messrs Jury, Speight, Carpenter, Brcarlcy, Gray, and Baguall took part. The members of the class arc looking forward to their meeting in future in the new Institute building with increased facilities, and expect the ensuing session to be ouc of progress and prosperity. The Rev. Mr Davies’s lecture on “ Love, Courtship, aud Marriage,” will tuke place this evening, at 7.30, in the AA'cs’cynn Church, Grahainstown. The Rev. Mr Duller will preside. Last night, a hut belonging to Daniel Constant, on the spur above the Golden Crown, was observed to be on fire. Several of the Caledonian workmen were quickly on the spot, and pulled down the chimney, which was all ablaze, thus savintr the hut, and leaving the damage sustained at only the loss of the ehiinnev.

regret to learn that John Sheehan, Esq., member of Provincial Executive, ia seriously indisposed.— Herald,

The University of New Zealand will hold an examination for scholarships on the IHthof May next. Full particulars may be obtained from Hugh Carleton, Esq., Bay of Islands.

A complimentary ball was giveu last night to Captain J. M. Clark, by the members of liis company, at the Drill Shed, Auckland. There were about 100 couples present, and it is described ns a brilliant affair.

Intelligence from the head-quarters of Maoridom reports an almost entire failure of crops, The natives have sown for a second planting, but it is feared the yield will be small. Many anticipate great suffering amongst the Kingites during the ensuing winter from this cause, and as the supply of food is altogether inadequate to last through tlie season, unless it is augmented in some way, absolute starvation will not improbably be the result. Many of the natives have manifested a desire to obtain employment upon public works, and have inquired anxiously when the railway in the Waikato district will be started, and whether they will be able to get work thereon, Maninvhiri however, appears to be rather jealous of these works, on the ground that they will probably attract a large number of Kingites who have hitherto kept exclusively away from European settlements. But it is estimated that, notwithstanding the great influence of the old chief, between 300 and 100 natives could be induced to take employment upon railway works. Nothing would tend more to the permanent pacification of the disaffected natives in Waikato then bringing them into daily contact with their white neighbours, and so encouraging friendly commercial relations. By that means the natives would be brought to recognise I lie fact that their interests and those of the pakelia are to a great extent identical ; that the extension of and opening up of ro.ads, the construction of railways,and every measure taken to facilitate traffic are calculated to increase the value of their own property, and bring within their reach comforts of life which they have prcviovsly had no opportunity for enjoying. The strength of feeling amongst the Kingites in favour of a reconciliation' together with the urgent necessities of their circumstances, will, we trust, overcome the influence exercised by Mauuwhiri and those associated with him, and that friendly relations will yet be established once more between the whole of the Waikato natives and the settlers. J), S. Crux*.

A special meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday, for the purpose of considering his Honor's letter, addressed to the chairman, and other special business. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column. Mr Taylor (late Amos and Taylor) obtained the contract for the repair of the outer T and the extension of the Thames T, the amount being £1.215. This was the lowest tender. The secretary, in answer to a question by Mr Copland, said the piles had been purchased for the watermen’s gridiron, and the work would be prosecuted with all possible speed. Designs for a seal for the Board were invited, and £5 voted for the approved design.— Herald.