Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 240, 16 July 1872, Page 2

Auction Sales. '- »■ THIS DAY (TUESDAY),. . At 11 o’clock. p * - J ' —■ ?? v ~ IMPORTANT UNRESERVED SALE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE AND EFFECTS. UNDER BILL OF SALE. COURT-HOUSE HOTEL, QUEEN-ST. JAMES CRAIG Has received instructions from Messrs SecCOMBE AND SONS to sell b.y Auction, on the Premises, Court-house Hotel, Queenstreet, Grahamstown, |Tliis Day (Tuesday), at 11 o’clock, The entire household furniture and EFFECTS, comprising Cane and Wood Seated Chairs, Tables. Single and Double Iron Bedsteads. Bedding, Matting, Lamps, Cutlery, Crockery, Kitchen Utensils, kc., kc. 1

No Reserve.—Terms Cash. Political Address. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE THAMES DISTRICT. Auckland, July 12, 1872. GENTLEMEN,- The Parliament will he opened on the 10th instant, and, as I consid.-r it my duty to he present at the opening, I am neeessitated to deprive myß If of the pleasure of meeting you before leaving for Wellington. 1 arrived here from Australia only yesterday, and have to leave For attendance at my Parliamentary duties to-morrow. Anxiety to he. present on the 16th forced toe to Lave the Australian Continent some weeks sooner than I would otherwise have done. Professional engagementsof importance having called me to Australia, I considered it a most .favourable opportunity to make myself acquainted with the system of the management of the Australian Goldfields; and, although my stay in Australia has deprived me of the pleasure of meeting my constituents, it may he found that the general information gained will be of more service to their interests.

After the clone of the last session, I was anxiously moving the Government to proceed immediately with the construction of water works for the Thames Goldfields, anrl' remained in Wellington for some time to accomplish my object. I then came to Auckland with the Honourable the Minister of Public Works, waited upon him for some time, and accompanied him to the Thames, still urging the necessity of a water supply. After some time, seeing that there was no attempt to commence works, I made it my business to proceed to Wellington, and, in connection with other matters, waited upon Ministers, the result of my visit heiog that instructions were given to the under Secretary for Public Works on Goldfields to proceed to the Thames and further report on the water scheme. The delay in carrying out the works is altogether inexplicable to me, and I shall certainly make it my business, in the coming session, to urge upon the Government tne great importance of immediate action. I have earnestly taken an active part in ? r our interests, and my actions during the ast session arc doubtless well-known to you; and several Acts were passed in which the Province of Auckland was specially interested. Among those may be mentioned—The Gold Mining Directors Bill, The Gold Mining Drainage Bill, The Sharebrokers’ Bill, The Mineral Leases Acr, The Auckland Docks Act, The Con tractors’ Debts Act, The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act, &e., &c. During the Session I moved for a reduction of the Miner’s Rights Fee from Twenty Shillings to Ten Shillings, but was defeated. J also moved that the Gold Duty he reduced from Two and Sixpence to One Shilling per ounce, and after lighting that question earnestly, was defeated ; a"d I am sorry I was not supported by some members from whom I expected support. Reducing this duty would he a considerable relief of one of the heavy burdens wlib li are unjustly imposed upon the miners, and all connected with mining interests. But the absence of Petitions, praying for a reduction,assi ted the arguments urged l>y the oppon nts—that the reduction of h Gold Duty was not desir d by tin- tint fields communities. The Goldfields interests are evidently limit r estimated, ami have so few representatives that additional members are necessary ; and especially so for so popu!o"s and so important a District as the Thames. J supported strongly the Public Works Act. 1 have always believed that a largo system of Public Works (and one of tlv first shot Id he a main line from end to end cf each Island, independent of Provincial boundaries), would be the very life of the Colony, especially if carr'.ed on with vigour and earnestness. Unfortunately, 1 cannot point to either vi <r onr or earnestness in the prosecution o'f Public Works since the last Session, although I am aware that some works nro m>im" on in the Colony. ~ _ The important question of education occupied a considerable portion of last session. In my place in, Parliament I said I had taken a deep interest in the education of the people, and that I was as earnestly anxious for the promotion of education as any honourable member in that House.. I would,.therefore, assist by all means in my power the passing of such an Education Bill as may be calculated to I do great good for the country ; but the Bill did not meet with tlr'fc approbation of the House, and was shelved for the-sessioo. Thissession will likely bringforth another Bill, which I trust may be-, wiser than tho former. My idea of an Education Bill is this—lt is, brief-: Let the State appoint Inspectors, whose duty.it will he to report the state ot the buildings used or proposed to be used for schools, the nuirfher of. scholars, the standard of education, the efficiency of the pupils ; and, should t he result of the examination be satisfactr Jr y let Government aid be granted at a rate per head, the minimum numb.ct> 0 f scholars constituting a school beii JD . a l so fixed. The Inspector to examine all schools without distinction of <- jree< j and not to interfere in an}’ way the religious teaching, eachdenomi. nat i on being perfectly free to give such reii»ious instruction as it may think p roper. The State should not interfere with parents in the direction of the education of their children. I will be most hap’py to receive any suggestions, letters, or petitions tending to advance the interests of the District and will gladly use mv best endeavours in promoting the Avelfare of the Goldfields i generally. i Trusting you will excuse me for not addressing you personally, I have the honor to remain Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant CHARLES O’NEILL