THAMES AND WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 110, 18 January 1873, Page 2

THAMES AND WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Tun following memorial has been numerously signed at the Thames : — To bis Excellency Sir G-eorgo Ferguson Bowen, GC.11.G., Governor, &.c.

The memorial hcremider subscribed to humbly showeth :—: — 1. That the memorialists are inhabitants of tlio Thames G-oldfiold, including the highway districts of Parawai, Shortland, Gmhamstown, and Tarnru, and tlie avorage number of the populatio nof the said district or districts for the past five (5) a oars has bcea about twelve thousnnl (12,000). 2. The Thames Goldfleld consists of a rocky, hilly country, wholly unfit for agricultural purposes, and your memorialists ai % e desirous of obtaining the means of direct communication with the fertile and agricultural districts of the Upper Waikato and East Coast, which arc naturally adapted to supply the food requirements of the population of the Thames Goldfield district. 3. The easiest and shortest route to theso districts is southwards, through the Thames Valley, and the most suitable means of communication that of a railway of the estimated length of sivtv-throe miles (63), terminating at Cambridge, Upper Waikato, with a branch line of the estimated length of twenty (20) miles, terminating at ranga4. Your memorialists respectfully represent that the absence of agricultural lands in connection w ith gold-mining is a serious drawback to the stability of mining industry, as it not only increases the cost of provisions to the miner, but, in the event of a temporary mining depression renders inevitable tho departure from such district of a portion of the mining population. 5. Your memorialists would further represent that direct and easy communication between the agricultural districts before-montioned and this permanent goldmining district would greatly increase the further settlement and development of tlie resources of said agricultural districts ; likewise that tho country through which tho desired l.ne of railway would pass is eminently suitable for the location of settlers, as it abounds in good agricultural land, gold, flax, and valuable timber ; and thus such a lino of radway possesses advantages not inferior to any of those already projected throughout the colony. 6. Your memorialists are of opinion that the construction of a lino through the Thames Valley would be productive of tho happiest results, in regard to natives residing therein, by increasing tha value of their lands, and assisting to break down those barriers between the native and European pooulation3 which have retarded the utilization of much of the natural resources of this and other districts ; and your memorialists have reason to believe that no insuperable obstacle would be raised on tho part of the native proprietors to the acquisition of the land required for carrying out tho object sought for by your memorialists. 7. Your petitioners are aware that a resolution recommending the construction of a railway between the Thames district and tlie south terminus of the Auckland and Waikato railway (now in course of construction) has been passed by the Pro* ineial Council and duly forwarded for tho consideration of your Excellency's responsible advisers; but your memorialists do not think that this line, as recommended by the Provincial Council, would meet tho requirements either of the populations of the Thames, tho Upper Waikato, or the Ea^t Coint district. Besides, the 'proposed line would pass through land wholly unfitted for agricultural settlement, w herons the line desired* by your memorialists would in effect open up a large area of agricultural lands, calculated at nearly 2,000,000 ncrci. 8. Therefoic, in consideration of the foregoing premises, jour memorialists humbly request that your Excellency, in conjunction with jour responsible advisors, will cause such proposals to be brought forward during the next session of the General Assembly, under the Public Works and Immigration Act, as will give effect to tho desires of your memorialists as abo\ o set forth. And your memorialists would also respectfully suggest that, prior to tho next meeting of the General Assembly, a report furnishing survey, &c , of the desired railwaj should bo prepared for the information of Parliament on the subject. And jour memorialists will ever pray, &c.

A vatltor curious scene (say* the Tamworth News, N.S.W.) and one which gave n very vivid impression of the pluck of the principal actor therein, was presented ft few days ago. A swarm of hees decided upon changing their quarters, and were pursued by their owner, who evidently did not mean to let them go away very easily, to the vicinity of Cohen and Levy's old store, •where they came to rest temporarily The owner, a weaker vessel, came up in hot chase, banging a tin-pot, subsequently changed for more effective instruments in the shape of ft pair of bullock bells, which were vigorously manipulated with a \iew of winning back the en ant insects. The operator charmed so wisely that a number of tho bees settled upon her hat, from which they hung in crawling pendants, never stinging the wearer, who, nothing fearsome, plied the hell until they gradually occupied tho interior of an umbrella she had in the meantime expanded, when she boro them off in triumph, to the surprise of a number of spectators who stood in admiration of this exhibition o coolness and nerve on the part of a feminine boo hunter.