THE Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 531, 14 October 1875, Page 2

THE Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political # * • # • Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and uribribed by gain.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1876.

The debate on the Representation Bill is proceeding. It ia clear that the Government, confident in nujaabers, is obstinately determined to ignoie all protests against a measure which perpetuates the Middle Island preponderance in the House, and debars Waikato from its fair share of influence in the Councils of the Colony. Major Jackson has entered a mild sort of protest by suggesting that a portion of the Waikato should be included in the Thames district, and that the latter should be granted two members, instead of one additional. The proposal possesses the merit of originality, but we very much question whether it will enhance the worthy Major's reputation for political sagacity. We have condemned Sir George Grey's futile opposition to the Abolition Bill, and have ; felt it necessary to say acme severe things of him. But we cannot but admire the firmness he has shewn in opposing the Representation Bill. la this case right and justice are on his Hide. We shall be curious to see how far the Middle Island majority was used to defeat Mr O'Niell's proposal to give a third member to the Thames. X We congratulate the settlers of Cambridge, Hamilton, and neighbouring districts upon the establishment of a regular daily mail between Mercer and Hamilton. At the suggestion of Mr McDonald, agent j W^S.N.Co., the Postmaster at Auckland has arranged for the conveyance of a triweekly mail by the steamers. The down mails will be despatched from Hamilton on Mondays, Wednesdays, an<) Fridays, the up mails being delivered at the same place on the alternate days. These mails, in addition to those conveyed by coach, will provide a daily mail between Auckland and the Waikato, and will be a great convenience to the settlers and the public generally. Petitions to both Houses of Parliament, signed by nearly 100 electors of Hamilton Bast and West, and bearing the names oV all the most influential resident? .riatha district, will be forwarded by the mail this morning to Major Jackson for presentation. They may not reach Wellington before the Bill has paised through its final stage*, but they, with other similar memoi-iala, will at least shew the Government that the settlers of Waikato are determined to assert their rights. • We very moch mistake the temper of the people of this district if the matter be permitted to rest as it is. It is rabbly that the calm waters of Municipal politic! are ruffled by a passing breeze. On Tuesday, however, the surface was stirred by two opposite gales, which once or twice threatened to increase into a atorm. Between the party who were determined to " look after No 1 and their opponents there wai tome harmless warfare, and a few oratorical pellets were discharged, «ometrhat at random. The party who pinned tfreir faith to the cutting, however, secured a hard victory bj tho cattxtig rote of the chairman, and (here the matter ends for the present. Pending tome farther and more reliable information than we at present possess respecting the ultimate coat of the work which has been undertaken, we shall not express any opinion as to the pradenee or otherwise of the step which the Board has taken. We are aware that the matter ha« evoked strong feeling in some quarters, and it is probable that some further action wiU result. At present it would be premature on our part to express an opinion on the matter. We may remark, however, • en passant,' that we we come the newly awakened interest in local affairs on the rart of the ratepayers which the Dieting on Tutidny indie&ed.

Me Bridges, Acting Manager of the National Bank, has been occupying a considerable share of public attention during the past few days. After the dreary debate on the Abolition question, Mr Bridges <s©raes upon the scene most opportunely to relieve the monotony of routine business, and' to afford a transitory grim revenge to the men orer whom he has exercised the terrors of that nice back parlor whereon customer! with overdrawn accounts stand in mortal fear and trembling. Mr Bridges was lately examined before « Parliamentary Commission on the Public Accounts of tne Colony, and he took the opportunity of squaring off some obligations which he owed to the Bank of New Zealand. In gratefal remembrance of his former connection with thatinstitutfoo, and in proof of the profound inviolability of the confidence reposed in him, he kindly rolunteered to tell the (Committee that the Bank of New Zealand had secured improper pecuniary concessions from the General Government of the Colony, and had put pressure upon the Government, to tke injury of the Colony generally, and of the mercantile interest especially. Upon being pressed for specific facts, Mr Bridges suddenly beoame virtuously sorupuloUs and' reticent. Then Mr Murdoch, Inspector of the Bank of New Zealand, writing on behalf of the Directors, absolved him from secrecy, and Bridges was again subjected to the fiery ordeal of another examination by the Committee. Under the gentle and persuasive .encouragement of the " Smiler" he became more communicative, stating that the Bank of New Zealand waa largely interested in the Port Chalmert, Railway, whioh was eonfttruetedby private enterprise upon capital advanced by the- Bank, and that the latter had brought pressure to bear upon the Government to induce them to purchase it at an exorbitant price. Asked to desoribe the process, Mr Bridges became conscientiously tender of the private affairs of some individuals supposed to be involved in the business, and a second time lapsed into reticence. There was another consideration which, .no doubt, largely operated upon Mr Bridges' ingenious mind, viz : the pains and penalties of a libel action. Recognizing Air Bridges' doubts and fears, the Committee endeavoured to further smooth the way by promising, rather valguefy it is true, to give Mr Bridges '• all the protection | they had the power to give." We are told in the telegrams that a good deal of " fencing" then ensued, but no further information j wai extracted from the witness. On Monday last Mr Bridges had the honour of appearing before the bar of the House, having taken the precaution to arm himself with the forensic services of Jjtr Travert. Mr Maoandrew thereupon stated that Mr Bridges had made tbat too common discovery popularly described ai a "mare's nest/' ; the purchase of the Port Chalmers railway having been urged by the Provincial government of Olago, which tras responsible for the only pressure used in the matter^ The statement was corroborated by Massrs, Hejd ju»d Riohardion. Mr Bridges then, througii his legtl mouthpieoe, Mr Iraveri, made the following statement :— ■» "Ob Saturday last he received information of wfcieh he had previbualy ne> knowledge, which had led him to the conclusion that i the opinion he had expressed before the ' Committee, of* presitzre having been put by the Bank of New Zealand upon the Government iv respect to the Port Chalmers railway purchase, had been formed upon erroneous and incorrect grounds ; where- I fore he wished to withdraw the whole of his evidence upon that subject. He also made another statement— namely, that the opinion stated to the Committee was an opinion only, and that he did not know whether he could have proved it or not ; that the evidence was not volunteered but extracted from him in reply to questions ; and that in giving it he did so m the belief that it was upon good grounds." Having thai far made a clean breast of it, ■ Mr bridges appropriately made hi* exit. , But the matter will not, nor should it lye ; permitted to reit here. Mr Bridget hai made serious imputation! upon the character of public and private men, and in the interests of public morality his veracity will be sifted to the bottom, an Act of Parliament being specially passed to indemnify him against legal consequences* perjury excepted. •Mr Bridges, bidi fair to achieve notoreity of a certain sort. We do not propose,' it present, however, to inflict hit biography upon our readers. We have ' already devoted some attention to him in these columns. The generrous, and almost paternal solioitude which he exercises over the happy band of employes, whose superior he is, has often been the theme of flattering notices from our pen. The latest development of this business is that the Bridges indemnity Bill, consisting of one clause, has been passed. The Bill affords him the same protection as is extended to witnesses examined in the Supreme Court. To further complicate matter!, Mr Wood, chairman of the Fablio Accouuti Committee, has suddenly flitted to Auckland, and the general idea is that the affair will end in smoke. We shall rtcur to the master iv a future artiole.

Waikm's Swamp.— We learn that the men who were employed sometime ago |'ditching ia Mr Walker's swamp, and who discontinued work owing to fear of the natives, returned work a few days ago, having recorered from Iheir fright. >y^ IMMiaEA.NTB foi WnriTo.~Mr Ooatei, who has undertaken a contract for the Piako Swamp Company, being in want of labour, has re* quested the Immigration Agent to procure him twelve able-bodied men, and other settlers in the district have made similar applications. There is also still a - want of female servants. In compliance with the demand the Immigration Officer had forwarded an application to Auckland for about thirty immigrants per British Empire, who art expected to arrive in Hamilton on Friday or Saturday. Engagements await almost all of them, and the remainder mil no doubt easily obtain employment jT Nbw Stiiicbb ioi th* WiTKjSo:-We take the following from the New Zealand Herald: — "Facility of intercourse between Point Russell and the Upper Waikato has, from the foundation of the colony, been an object greatly desired by people of business, agriculturists, and others interested in the development of trade south of Auckland. During the war several iteamera were placed on the Waikato for the conveyance of ' troopi, materials and stores. The greatest importance \{*i attached to the preservation ci water communication between Mercer ond Ngarnawahia. But though the steamers supplied by Government were of as small draft as could then be procured, the navigation of the river was greatly impeded by snags. We observe that Mr George Quick if about to bridge this distance by a new steamer to be especially constructed. The plans and specifications have been prepared by Mr William Krrington, C E, and may be seen at his office, Canada Building!. The new vessel will measure 90ft on the keel and have 16ft beam. Her di aught of beam will be only ldin. Her eugines will indicate 80*horae power, and are at t present being negotiated for. Everything abou , the new vesiel will be of first-class quality. The people of the Waikato and of Auckland are familiar with the genuine enterprise of Mr Quick, manifested for many years past in promoting the trade south of Auckland. This enterprise cannot fail to give him a new claim to their support. To the people of the Upper Waikato the increasol facility afforded to trade will be a great *tt4 a valuable assistance,"

Good Tikpla* Lobafc, NGAiurAWAHiA.— We understand that a Good Templar lodge will be oponed t>t Ngaruavraliia, on Saturday evening | next, at 7 o'clock. About seventeen persona have signified their intention of beooming mem* j hen. .. ; TxoTAOltOA.— lt !• notified that the assessment list for this district lie* at the resident* of Mr Fergusson for signature, and that a copy may be teen at the Post Office, Cambridge. I The board will meet on November 13th. to consider appeals. <y=^ PtDiSIKUNiiM.—Wd laarn that Mr Bom of Alexandra, has definitely undertaken the feat of walking fr,ora the Post office Alexandra, to ' the Bos*t office, Auckland, a diitance of 103 miles, in 48 oonsecUtire houn, carrying 66 lbs. A conaiderab^Wiutn has been stakes on the event; bat the betting is at present about even, Mr Bon was' formerly in the Irish Constabulary, and has been accustomed to athletic exercises. His height is about 5 feet 9 inches, and his frame is well knit. He i» oonfident that he will accomplish the task. There is also another Biohmond in the field in the person of Mr Xenearny, who is prepared to undertake to emulate Mr Danrer's fo»t For * w«gar of £50. " Public Wowca.— The contract for the cutting down of the hill between Hamilton township and Nb r 1 Bridge waa signed on Tuesday, Mr NealQ being the successful tenderer, and work waa commenced the same morning. The towns of the contract are lOd per cubic yard for excavating^ levelling aod formation, according to the engineer's plan. We believe it is estimated that this part of the work will cost about £174: The work is to be finished by the Ist January, and the contractor is to be paid aoto the amount of rates available for 'tftpcn&tttrto. The contract for the gravelling E*i begn let to Mr Aiddl«r at £1 7s per chain, yth& w# are -informed that there are about forty* '*i^kt" ( ch*i»M'- of road to be gravelled. Mr McPherson is the succeuful tenderer for 1 gr*v*lling fifty chaiui of road in Hamilton East. i