The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 726, 10 February 1877, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political # # # # #

Here shall the 'Prcai the People's right maintain. Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 1877

The Rating" Act is one of the most important of the batch of Acts for which the last session of the Assembly was famous, for while the others gave powers and direction for spending the peoples rates, this Act it is which literally dipsitsclauses iutoour pockets for the purpose of replenishing county and road board treasuries, and determines the 'modus operandi' of extraction.

The Rating Act like the rest of its family has a fair share of blemishes. It has faults of principle and detail. The basis of ratingis a patent instance of the former type of defect, where the rate is made leviable on the annual value, and a ready example of the latter occurs to us m clause 9, which provides that where any property is let for any term of less than six months, the owner shall be deemed to be the , occupier, aud shall be primarily liable for the rates, and his name shall be entered m the column of occupiers m the valuatiou list. Now ■ this clause will have the effect of disfranchising a large number of householders m townships. In the case of defining the nature of the rate very gieat injustice will be done to the bona fide settler. By levyino- . the rate on the annual value, " the rent at which such property would let from year to year," as defined by the Act, there will be no difficulty m getting at the bona fide settler and improver. The Act dips straight I into his pocket while it glances off the fob of the speculating laudshark or non-improving land owner, for > who shall fix the annual value or rent of a section of fern or ti-:ree land Like too much of our colonial legislation, this Act unfairly presses on the men who are spending capital i and labour m the reclamation of the ' country, to the great gain and profit of the speculator who dues nothinobut whose land, without a penny .expenditure m improvements, is being yearly increased m value by the unfairly taxed energies of the bona fide settlers around him. Here, for instance, is the reading of the Act:—" The 'rateable value' of any property means the rent at - which such property would let from . year to year,' 'deducting therefrom twenty per centum m case of houses, * buildings, and other perishable proj perty, and ten per centum m case of - land aud other hereditaments, but shall m no case be less than five per centum on the value of the fee simple thereof — provided always that m - valuing the fee simple, the valuer '. shall be guided by the actual selling . price, and not by the provisions of g any Weste Lands Act." Now what c is the annual value of 50 acres o. non-enclosed fern land, what rent would my man like to | ay for it. The annual value less ten per cent on . many a fifty acre section m Waikato ... would not pay the Highway Board the cost of valuing, noticing and J- collecting, and the effect will be that f in scores of cases, the owners of .unimproved land will escape taxation altogether, instead of being as they ought to be proportionately the ! heaviest taxed of all. The two defects we have pointed out are not the only ones m the Act but they will serve to show how much it needs revision to make it fairly applicable to either town or country districts. 5 Objections to the rating valuation j for the several Highway Districts I must be sent m on or before the 5 IS th instant. Under the Rating ( Act, people m making objections p have now the right of not only ' objecting to their own assessment, • as being too high, but can also object to those whom they believe are ■ assessed at too low a rate. This is a privilege they have not had previously, and to enable our readers to take advantage of it we reprint from the Rating Act the form of appeal or objection as set forth m the fourth schedule : — FORM OF OBJECTION TO VALUATION LIST. To the Asseßmeut Court [Name the district or subdivision] I hereby give notice that I ohject to the valuation list for the [Name tlie district or subdivision] on the following grounds : — (1) That my name is inserted therein as owner (or occupier) fir a property described as [Insert description from the valuation list], and assessed at the ratable value of £ : : Whereas— (a) lam not the own<r (or occupier) of such property. Or (6) The ratable value of such property is less (or more) than the above stated. Or (c) [State any other reason for objection] (2) That my name is omitted therefrom whereas ■ am the owner [or occupier] of [State the description and situation of property], and am entitled to have my name inserted iv the valuation £ist m respect thereof. (3) That A. 8., whose name appe.-rs m ihe said list as the owner TJor occupier] of [State the description of the. property m tie valuation lint], of the ratable value of £ : : is uot entitled to re insert-d in the said list, became [State the reasons], (4) That A. B. has been ommitted from the said list; whereas he is owner J [or occupier] of [State the dsecription and situ ition of the property], and ought to be rated m .respect thereof' (5) That the ratable value of the property occupied [or owned] by A. 8., described m the said list as [State the des. cription m the list] and of the ratable value of £ , is more [or less] than that stated m the said list. (6) That [State the inaccuracy m the list which the objector desires to be corrected], Datad this day of 18 A. B. [CJirhtain name and simame m full] of [State residence], N.B. — The obj-otor miy insert m the objections any one or more of the objections numbered above.

Thh Race Bali, held at the Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, last night, was well attended despite the inclemency of the weather. CovoEßr Hamilton West. — Tho follwwing statement of receipts and expenditure m connection with the entertainment given ou Wednesday night last, m the New School Room, m aid of the funds of the Hamilton West school building, bas been handed to us by Mr John ( Kuox, chairman of the school committeeRtoeipta : £18 15s. Expenditure, printing and advertising, £2 ; carting forms, £1 10; labour, 5s 61 j lights, 10s 7; total, A3 17s. The balance of £14, 17, h<« been deposited m the Bank. of New Zealand.

I. O.G.T.— A degree, meeting of the Morning Star Lodge of the United Order of Free Templars is convened for M nday evening next, m the Victoria Hall. The Bank of New Zealand, it will be seen,, will open an agency at Te Awamutu on the 20th inafc, bo which the business of the Alexaudra agency will be transferred. Fat Cattle are ajain beginning to be sent into the Auckland market from Waikato, Mr A J Anderson, we are informed, starts with 4o head of beef . for the Auckland market of the 13th inst, from Kaniwhaniwhaia, op the Waipa. We (.rust the beef will .not be so hard upon the jaws as the natne of the place where they have beeu fattened, Sunday School Treat. — The children of St Peters Sunday S^feool, Hamilton, : will bo entertained at their usual annual pic-nio, on Tuesday next. A meeting of the parashioners will take place, the same evening,, ia the Church, for the election of Church Wardens, Vestrymen, and for other Church busiuess. A Cass of importance to all employer, of labour m Waikato was decided yeßterday at the fi. M. Court, Cambridge. A labourer named Bowerman summoued Mr H R D Ferguson for £5 7s, wag s due for work done. The defence was thtt the plaintiif although engaged by the day, did not give at least twenty-four hours notice. The plain'iff was consequently non-suited. Inferiority of New Zealand to Fnglish Ghosts. — • The Curistchurch ' .^tar' says :— A paragraph, to the effect that a little girl was recently frightened fo death m Canterbury by a?b iy playing at ghost, ban been .; gibing the round of our contemporaries. J^-The Canterbury referred to is not the lately" abolisbVd province of that name, but the town *m England. Girls here when they see a sihoat dj not die, bun try to find out its business aud learn the last scandal m hell. We giv.* the explanation beoauseit is un- , fiir both ways that any misconception should prevail m tha-mattt-r.

The Weatheb —Yesterday afternoon the Waikato was visited with one of the heaviest tbundersbornn ever recollected m the district. At mid-day the storm commenced at the Delta working up through Hamilton, accompaiied with heavy rain and intermittent thunder and lightening, but it was about four o'clock m the afternoon thu ib reached its bight when a perfect delude of rain poured clown^ and for a' quarter of an hour flash euccteled flash, and peal followed peal m quick succession, the rain falling heavily the whole time. This is now the third weak that this most unseasonable weather has been experienc -d, m which, even a sqially day is counted a fine one. The river which ha-1 fallen again is now rising considerably, and as the ground is now well saturated further rains will run : off quickly, »nd tend to rapidly rise 'the Btieam. Of course, for what we know at present, the rain of yesterday may he purely local and not extend much higher up than Hamilton, hut judging from the telegraph reports from Southern districts m both Islands it is more than likely that yesterdays rain was a general one, and if so we may look for h^avy floods.

The East Coast Natives. — The " Poverty Bay Herald of the 30th January contains the following account of the state of the native mind on the East Coast. — '■' From the Coast we learn that the state of the natives, is on the whole very satisfactory, with the exception of a small disaffected section at Walapu who, led by a few turbulent spirits m that locality, are pursuing a rather obstructive course. The natives everywhere express their sorrow for the death of Sir Donald McLean, and their great desire to proceed to Napier to ' tan-i' over his remains, audit is probable that a few of the leading men of each tribe willjcarry out their intentions m this respect. The road over the Kau-uku or East Cape hill is now completed, it was constructed solely by the natives, who deserve great credic for their enterprise. With the view of defraying the expenses of this undertaking, -they have been collecting subscriptions all along the East Coast, as far as Hawkts Bay, and they likewise impose a toll of Is per head on all travellers who made use of it. The Government how'ver, agreed to pay a lump sum of £50, on the condition that no further toll charge should be levied on the public, and the money was handed to them a day or two ago. Some of the grades are described as being still very steep, but it is a vast improvement on the old track, which was nearly impassible m winter. While Captain Porter was at Kawakawa a few days since, a large ' runanga' was held to discuss the question of surveying the Pukeamaru and Tatutohora blocks situated m Hicks Bay aud on which Government money had been paid. After considerable oopositien. on the part of the Waiapu clique above alluded to they consented to allow these pieces of land to • be surveyed a"d put through the Court, a most important concession as the natives have hitherto been much opposed to allowing lands to the North of the Walapu River to be dealt with by the Natives Land Court.

GoLDSBHor/an's Monthly Ctbotjlar, for January, says: '« Unwashed Wool fully maintains itß value, and competi'ion fortius description has been well sustained both for shipment and for scouring. Washed fleece, m good to superior condition, has also remained firm ; but inferior to average sorts must be quoted a shade lower. Scoured Continues to rale at about last month's rates. As is usual towards the close of the season, a large proportion of the lots offered are m inferior to ordinary condition, rmd hence the generally lower range of prices. The usual quantity available, for sale m Melbourne has been Supplemented to a considerable extent by consignments from the other co onies, tlje^great inducements offered here for'disposal having attracted the attention of growers and snippers m New South Wales, Queensland. South Australia, ond Tasmania. Shipments from New Zealand also are beginning to arrive ; and it is evident that this m-irkefc is now fully recognised as being the first m the colonies for the sale of wool. Operations for America have continued duiing the month, but on a more re.tricted scale, owing to the reduced quantity of suitable wool m the market, nearly ' all the best clips having been disposed of either by sale or shipment before the en I of December. The weather has continued very gry throughout the month,, and feed is 6carce over a large portion of Riverina. The rains which feh'last month added to the supply of water on the back stations, but were not m other respects productive cf much benefit, as the hot sun at this season of the year rapidly dries up any spring m the grass a.,d herbage. The . summer is now however far advanced, ' and a favourable change to cooler weather may soon be expected. Buyers are looking forward to the February London . sales, and it is to be hoped that November ; ratei Will be maintained. The continued difficulties between Russia and Turkey, advised by telegram, may have a disturbing effect, but at this distance from the scene of operations we cannot as yet conjecture their influence on the wool market- The indications generally point to firm prices, as manufacturers are evidently- ran bare of stocks, and must purchase freely to meet their requirements."

The following somewhat suggestive piece of information appears m the Thames " Advertiser" of ths 3rd inst :— •" A party of offiortrs from H I M'sship Hertha have been engaged for some days past taking views of prominent localities m Auckland, and . especially from those points which command the city." A Conscience stricken Editor.— An American obemist hai discovered the temperature of a place which is pav*d— thereby somewhat resembling Pall M*U — with good intentions to be 70,000 eg. Fahrenheit. 'Since we have known this,' remarks * 'Frisco editor, ' we have never kept more than five aces up our sleeve at a time.' AC Movements. — Inspectors Brobara I and Thompson, (we learn froai the " Herald," left on Wednesday by the s s Taranaki for Wellington, where it is understood the various police inspectors throughout the colony have been requested by the Government to meet, for the purpose of rearranging the constubulary districts, and transacting other business rendered necessary by the recent extensive reductions made m the A C Force. Partridges m Waikato. — As an instance of the total disappearance of bi ds for a season and their turning up again, we may notice that it was stated at the last meeting ofthe Acclimatisation Society m Auckland, by Mr Williamson, that six coveys of partridges had been seen this -year m Waikato. If these birds be spared by sport.men m the coining eison wo may hope another year- to see partridges reasonably plentiful m Waikato. For the table they are quite equal, if not superior to pheasants, and will make a welcome addition to the sportsman's game bag.

ChT/ROH MeETINQv ALEXANDRA. — At the annual meeting of St Savour's Üburch Mr Aubin submitted a statement of the Church funds. The chairman appointed Mr Robert Ormsby, sen., Minister's Warden. Mr R D L Duffus was chosen Paro<chiil Warden. Messrs R Seceombe, / Hill, Au'un, Roberts, and Edwards were elected as Vestrymen. Messrs Licon and Geo Aiher were re-elected auditors. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr R Ormsby, the lay reader, for his zealous and untiring services during the year. Votes of thanks were also unanimously passed to Mrs Duffus and Miss Elate Allen for ably discharging the office of lady organists, also to the outgoing Chu'ch officers and choir.

ChuuCh Meeting, Tb Awamt/tu At the annual meeting for the election of Vestrymen whi-h was held m this parish, he Rev L C Brady occupied the c'iair. After reading and confirming the mimv es of the last annual meeting a statement of the Church funds wa9 laid before t 1 c meeting. The Chairman appointed Mr Edward Parsons to the office of Minister's Warden.fMrWin Sloane was unanimously re-elected aa Peop'e's Warden. The following Vestrymen were elected j— Messrs H. Roche, Jas Maudeno, Jones, Clough, and Tristram. Messrs J R Roche and J Westney were re-elected auditors. Voted of thanks were passed to Mr W Sloane for zealously discharging the office of Peoples' Warden, and to Measss T and S Morrin for a handsome and liber d gift lo t'<te church of a pair of chandeliers. A vote of thanks was also accorded to Miss Mandeno and Miss Bridgm*n for their kindness m regularly and efficiently presiding at the harmonium.

At the Execution ov Woodgate. at Picton the other day for the murder of his illegitimate child by his own daughter, the hangman, if new to his work seems to have taken it kindiy, While adjusting the cap he is reported to have said lo the prisoner, *' Good bye, old fellow, I wish jou a ploasant Jou'ney; You're on'y goiug a few days btfjre us; perhips I might follow you to-morrow or next day myself." He then adjusted the rope, and again said, " Well, how do you feel ? Is it comfortable, oris it too tight?" Woodgate replied, "No." He was still looking upwards, The hangman again said, " Well, good bye. I wish you a pleasant journey," at the same moment kicking the bolt with his foot, and the drop fell, Woodgate dying without a struggle, his legs below the knee and his hinds just twiching twice at an interval of a few seconds. The hangman then faced round, and addressing the spectator?, said, " Well, gentlemen, are you satisfied?" There was no reply, and he again asked, " Are you satisfied that I have done my duty/" Dr Tribe said there was no doubt that no man could have done it moae eflhicnt'y, as the neok waß quite dislocated. The fall was about fire feet.

The Lite Sib Donalb McLean.— Speaking of the family of the late Native Minister, the « Hawkes Biy Herald' say :— * The McLeans throughout their history have been remarkable for their" extraordinary acts of devotiou, for their strict integrity and honourable, principles -—for their biavery and loyalty— for their succour bo the oppressed— an 1 for those acs of gallantry and chivalry which have been characteristic of the Knights of the British Isles. Sir Donald was the eighth member of his family upon whom the order of Knighthood had been conferred Gaelic autiquities assert that the surname of M'Lean was oiiginally M'Gilli vn, and (h»t it was derived from the celebrated warrior (the progenitor of the f imily) Gillian, who was denominated Gillian-ui-Tuoidh, from his ordinary weapon, a battle-axe (m Gaelic, tuoidh), which his descendant* wear to this day m their crests, betwixt a laurel and cypress branch. By inter- marriage, the late Sir Donald was connected with some of the first families m Great Britain and Ireland. [His great grandfather was D maid, of Kilmoluaig, m Tyrie, who married Isabels, Bister of Dona'd Ca_a. ibell, of Duustaffnage, who^e thrd son, Archibald, succeeded his father at Tyrie, and married Catherine, daughter of Donald Campbell, of Scamadale. Archibald, of Kilmoluaig, a_ad three sons, Donald, Charles, an I John ; Donald and Charles died m the West Indies, and John was the father of the late Sir Donald- John's wife, tin mother of Sir Donald, was Margaret MeColl, whose family, by intermarriages, is connected with several noble and distinguished Scottish families.'

The Pulpit and the Press.— At the meeting of the Wesleyau Local Preachers' Association at Adelaide (says the " South Australian Advertiser). Mr A A Scott snd he considered I hat the great question .which was constantly presenting itself to the most thoughtful among them was Is ■}he pulpit losing its power ? Many of them believed that m a measure.it was that preaching was not what it once was '; and the preac'ier was not the indisjen' sable man that he once was, would be admitted by most. It was considered that the pulpit was m a measure behind the times. The Press was now a powerful rival for the position of public opinion, and the pulpit was no longer considered the only authority on religious and moral matters. He thought this result was inevitable, because the Press was not trammelled by past traditions and the conservatism, which hampered the pulpit, but was subject to a sifting and wholesome criticism to which preaching was nob amenable. He hoped however, that as a divinely appointed ordinance, preaching would ever have a great and beneficial influence over man, from the power of the living voice, and m the contact of the living soul with souls. He sympathisd with advanced thought, and he believed

m the gradual unfolding of truth. Tru'h was too. many sided, too complex, too infinite, to be reduced to any concrete v' m l ° P -° beßin any s y atem °f theology. He bad no sympathy with the vulgar denunciation of advanced thinkers as bad men, and of their works as tn.sh. The Cottage 01? Content Hotel, Victoria and Hobson Streets, Auckland, W. B. Langbridge, Proprietor, having been Enlarged and Improved, affords unequalled Accommodation, and will be found a Really, Well-appointed, Firstclass Hotel. — [Advt ]