The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1874.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 295, 2 April 1874, Page 2

The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1874.

In our last issue, we published a telegram to the effect tliat the Superintendent of Taranaki had been informed by the Government that one-half of the proceeds from tho sale of conliscated lands would be handed to the Province, under the conditions that a moiety of the sum shall be spent in the district iv which the land is situated, and the other half dealt with by the Provincial Council in such a manner as the members may think desirable. We are at a loss to understand by what process the Government has secured to itself the power to authoritatively state that the revenue shall be dealt with iv this way ; the error is probably that of the agent who compiled tho telegram. In all probability the Government only intimated that they would bring forward a Bill next session authorising tho proceeds from tho land to be so disposed of. No matter whether tho system is an accomplished fact, or only an intention, there cannot possibly be a doubt as to tho material juslice that would be conferred by its adoption in every district in which uoun'ftcated lauds exist. Progress in the Wuikato has been retarded for years conspquent upon the Provincial Legislature declining to assist in the development of country from the bale of which their exchequer was not benefitted. Although the Waikato lauds aic situate J in the province of Auckland, and the occupiers are liable to obey the Acts of its Council, jud compelled to contribute their quota to the cost of local government, they have always been referred to Wellington whenever material assistance was required. Expressions that hay« dropped hum tbo Hon Mr Vogel end u D to the belief that a change for the better is about to take place. tie, however, has only spoken ir^ reference to the revenue that -vill accrue fiom the investment of the X 2 30,000 j voted for the purchase of native lauds. So loug as i Hie bysUiiu exists of allowiug tho details of Govern- ! •3i<Mit to b< % Ciir'i<<l «»M( by local legislators it will bo I

unfair to leave any purtiou of the colony m tli i position that the Waikato stands at the preseui moment, — its laud revenue swept into the commoii cheat, and dependent, to a very great extent, upoi the local legislature for assistance. We trust that sonic such system will be adopted towards the Wai kato as has been hinted to the head of the proviuc* of Tarauaki. Justice to those who have undortakeit to settle upon the land conquered from the natives and the interests of the whole colony, demand that at least a moiety of the revenue from confiscated lands shall bo spent in the province in which it is situated.

A public meeting was held in the Rangiaohia Church on Fiulay last, the Rev L. C. Brady in the chair, for the pur pose of meeting the inspector of schools, and discussing the question of a public school for the district. The meeting was well attended, and great interest manifested by tht settlors in the proceedings- It was shown beyond a doubi that a school was urgently required, and the settlers appeared unanimous as to the necessity of united action in the matter. On the motion of Major Jackson, seconded by Captain Bockett, the boundaries of the Educational Dis trict oHUugiaohia were denned and unanimously adopted. Moved by Air Storey and seconded by Mr James Cunningham, "That the Central Board of Education be requested to procure from the General Government three acres of the blockhouse reserve at Raugiaohia for a School site anil teacher's residence "—Carried. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr O'Sullivan for his kindness in attending the meeting A few days ago we drew atteutiou to the liberal crops of wheat which had been obtained by the settlers in the Mount Albert and Whau districts during the present season. We have obtained a few more particulars, and it would seem that good crops hate been reaped by all who have grown wheat in that district. Mr Wilkins cultivated 8 acres, and obtained an average of 45 bushels per aero ; Mr Bray cultivated 14 acres, and obtained an average yield of 36 bushels -, Mr Kemp, a small patch much less than an acre, yielded 20 busheli ; Mr Lindsay, throe or four acres, average yield 52 hushels per acre ; Mr Allen, 20 acre*, average yield 35 bushels. Thus these five ■wheat-growers iv this district have reaped nearly 2000 busheli ol wheat from about 46 acres of land, an average yield for the district of nearly 42 bushels per acre. 11ns result should be very satisfactory, and wo aie informed that Messrs Barradough and Thomas, of the Star Mills, Ockley Creek, aro prepared to purchase the whole of the wheat grown in the Mount Albert and Whau districts at from 6s to 6s 4d per buihel. Meisrs Low and Motion, of Now Mills, aro also purchasers at Gs per bushel. These five settlers will receivo ior their wheat crop over £580, or an average acreage cash return of about £13. — Cross. A public meeting of those interested in the establisment of a public school in the locality known as Taylors corner, was held on Saturday last, m the Redoubt, Te Awamutu. The Rev L. C. Brady occupied the chair. There were also present— Mr R. J. O'Sullivan, the inspector of schools; Mr H. Roche, M.P.C. ; Messrs Walton, Bond, Thompson, Floyd, D. Burns, J. Harsant, Wheel, Thomasson, Canny, and Simpson. The want of a school for the rising generation, between the ages of 5 and 15, was clearly shown ; and the inspector furnished with all the particulars relating to the number of children, the site proposed for the erection of a school house and teacher's residence, and other matters of detail. The meeting accorded a vote\)f thanks to Mr O'Sulhvan for his attendance. The Coromandel News sayi : —^\Ve understand that Mr Engall the ongmeer and surveyor sent out by the English company prepared to work the iron and coal on Mr Foot's land, near the (Miranda Redoudt, has entered into negotiation* with the Provincial Government to which he offer* to find half the money required to construct a railway from Mercer to the Thames. The Government have accepted tke terms and have applied to the General Government for sanction and funds. Thus with a good road opened between Coromaudel and the Thames we shall have direct communication with Waikato. From Mercer to the Thames would only be about 30 to 32 miles, and there would be u coal field and iron district midway.' Captain Porter has returned from Wellington with instructions to have the Pututahi, Poverty Bay, block cut up immediately, with the view of liming it sold as soou as that ik done. The flat part of t lie laud is to be divided into 40 acre and 100-aero sections, and {he hills into oUO and 1,000 ji«to blouLi. If, after kuivuj, u system of drainage appears to be nrcesfury, it will be undei taken. The Mim whiuli the salo of the land will realise will, no doubt, be feomethnm very large indeed, something between £50,000 und £100,000, we should saj. No effort should be spared to secure the local expenditure of the whole or tho greater portion of it. — Advertiser. Tho public of New Zealand will regret to learn of the ■erious illness in London, of the lion John Hall. It was generally mpposed when he resigned his seat in tho Cabinet, tome tw o years ago, that lie would supersede Dr Featherstone as Agent-General ; but the political quidnuncs were for once wrong. Mr |Hall never intended to again accept office until b« was restored to complete health. We believo that he ha* been a groat assistance to the colony and the igent-Geueral for the last ten months, and that to him we are indebted for tome of the vigor whioh has recently be*n exhibited in the New Zealand Immigration department, in England. — Telegraph. We understand that the claims made by a number of gentlemen in Auckland againit the Government for ]o?iei caused by the interruption last year of negotiations for the purchase of land in the Lake district have been settled on condition that the proposed purchases may still be completed, and the land acquired by the Government. Amongst the blocks handed over to the Provincial Government lately aro 220,000 acres in tho Taupo district held on a long 'lease, tho natives positively refusing to tell. The land if, we believe, generally of an infe/ior quality. — Star. The little steamer Fairy arrived at Ngaruawahia yester day afternoon. She appears to be well suited for river traffic, and wo have no doubt will, in proportion to her •ize, command her fair share of the carrying tiade. Mr R. R. Hunt (late manager of tho Waikato Steam Navigation Company) commands her himself. We wish hor every success, there is plenty of room for all. Tho native palaver appointed to take place on the 28th did not eventuate, probably from the fact that tho loyal natives have been sold quite often enough to be very caroful how they travel long distances to hear and see next to nothing. If food were very scarce no doubt tho attendance would be much greater. The olßcoi of the Provincial Government will be closed for the Easter holidays from the 3rd to the 7th of April. The mails via San Francisco will close in Auckland on Monday, the 13th instant, at 10.30 a.m. It will be necessary therefore to post letters and papers in time for the coach on Saturday, the 11th. We have received a copy of the Index to the Acts of the Proyincial Council now in force. It is published by Mr Francis C. Leggett. ThU publication will supply a want long felt, as it is astonishing how little is known of the laws by which we aro governed. It will be seen by an announcement in another colunm that Mr Mud den i» about to commence business in tho Waikato as a solicitor. Our population has increased much of late, and we luppose it ii only fair we should have our share of tho " limbs of the law." We observe that an error has crept into the column* of our sheet almanac. During its compilation the rate of postago to the Australian colonies was reduced, but the fact escaped our obiorvation. Instead of threepence it should read twopence. We have been requested to intimate that Divino Service will be held iv the church, at Ngaruawahia, to-morrow (Good Friday) at 11 o'clock. Mr James Maokay, jun., was expected to arrive at Combridge last u ight. The Hon E. W. Stafford has consented to itand for election to a seat in tho Canterbury Provincial Council. I Mr Waller lias sturted a circular saw and planing machine at Onohunga.