ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 790, 10 July 1877, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

July 4th, 1877 My last week's letter containing report of public meeting here concerning the harmonium, appears to have miscarried. Perhaps it is just as. well it did so, as the meeting wus far from a satisfactory one, and would not have looked well for some m print. At th.it m :eting Mr Mnclaurin Wrongly objected to your reporter's presence or any uotjs beiug taken. In this, however, he was overruled by the chairman, Mr Hope, reaiing the advertisement from the Wairato Tijibs convening the meeting. Mr Maclaurin came with a number of proxies, amongst thorn / one from ' Wellington ' wish a su*^ scriber'a name, dated the 'day previously^ A discussion ensued as to whether proz. ies could vote as to what should be done with the instrument. This question on being put to the meeting, was lost, only three voting for it. The meeting then fell into confusion, Mr Maolaurin Hot giving any reason why he should be deemed the owner of it, only that he had had charge of it and kept the key during Ms residence m Alexandra. Some of those present expressed themselves determined to test the question by law whether the harmonium could be divested from its original object, viz, ' for the bensfit of the public of all denominations.' As it was impossible to get order, the ohairabruptly left the chair and the meeting dispersed. Judging from the tenor of the advertisement subsequently inserted m the Times by Mr Maclaurin as 'custodian' of the harmonium, oalling a meeting of subscribers for tbe purpose of appointing trustees m whom the harmonium should be vested. All here thought at last there was an end of this ' bone of contention,' and a number of the subscribers attended accordingly on Monday last, for the purpose as stated m the advertisement j but alas! it was not to be. Mr Bright was called to the chair, and fairly introduced the subject to those present. Mr Maclaurin then rose and made a very long and monotonous speech, similar to his letter which has already appeared m your columns, the burden of which amounted to that he had always held the key while he resided m Alexandra, and he thought it very hard now that he had left, any one should question his right of disposing of it for his own benefit, especially after all the trouble he had taken, to get a majority of the subscribers' consent to his doing so. It was most painful to listen to, and those who had taken the matter up on public grounds were evidently weary of the pertinacity displayed by the speaker, and were half dumbfounded at this renewal of the claim. Some unsatisfactory discussion having eusued, Mr Sloane, from Te Awamutu, proposed, and Mr Hall seconded, tho following resolution — 'Xhat a committee of seven persons be appointed by this meeting, m whom the harmonium, be vested, and by them aold for the benefit of the subscribers.' After sotno discussion, during which Mr Kobej-ts stated that when he subscribed his money it was a free gift, arid Ue exposed \yheu tlioiiialn^

ment was purohased it then became the property of the public. The instrument, he should say, would be eqnally acceptable and benefit the services of any Presbytetian who mi^hb hereafter f ivour us by his ministry. lie thought Unit, neither morally or legally hud he, or uoy other subscriber, nay right to receira back any part of their inonoy, or receive any per. sonal benefit whatever. The instrnment was now public property for the use, if rsqnired, of all denominations holding divine service io the hall, and no ono had any right to dispose of it. Eventually^ however, persistnnce oarried the day, and Mr Sloane s motion wie carried, and the following gentlemen appointed to dispose of the instrument and distribute the shares pro rata to those who 1 " apply for it, viz, Messr3 Sloatie, Byburn, Hope, Kirk, A Scott, <T Scott, and .Roberts. The usual complimentary vote terminated the proceedings. Immediately after the meeting the committee met, when, I am informed, Mr Sloane proposed that Mr Bright; rvctioneer, be called m and the instrumen, at once be disposed of by pnbiic auction; This, however, was , lost on the casting vote ot the chairman (Mr Hope). It was afterwards decided that the sale be advertised m the Waikato limbs, and' the harmonium be sold at Alexandra m a month hence. So ends the great harmobattle for tho present only, m all probability to be reopened again, a» some of the subscribers not present are now asking by what right the meeting disposed of their interests without notice, the meo?ing having been called 'to Test the harmoninm m trustees lor the benefit of the public of Alexand a. The Ibotba 1 match Gpod Templars v. Tipplers; whioh came off here on Saturk. day afternoon wns one of the most body contested we have had here, neither side any s decided advantage over the djner. Spilled claret and brokeb shina appeared to be alse equal, to the entire satisfaction of both side?, who cheered each other lustily at the end of the game. Mr Oulpan wus the oiptain of the ttadu Waters and Mr Cooper ot the Tipplers, and did good service for their reapectiv, sides. Mr Cuban had, lam sorry-to say, his kneecap injured towards the end of the game— it was not known if seriously Amjn^bt the conspicuous players on each side may b» mentioned Messrs Higginson, Coaroy, G MoFarlane, E Waddiugton, Baker, awl Messrs Rond and Bruce. All, however, played well, and all the spectators rppeared to be of opinion that', 'lookiug oa was the best v of the game.' i S rgeant McGovern's sppointment to the charge of the Waikato Police Force has given general satisfaction throughout this district. -Own Cobbbspondsnt.

July 9th, 1877 THE ANNUAL RATEPAYERS' MEETING The annual meeting of Ratepayers for the Alexandra Township Highway district took place at the Public HaU here on Saturday la3t, tnere was very little interest taken m the proceedings those present consisting of the out-going Trustees, two other ratepayers and your reporter only. On the motion of Mr Aubin, seconded by Mr Edwards, Mr John Wilson' took the chair and read the notice convening, tho meeting The outgoing Chairman then read the following Balance sheets and statements of Receipts and Expenditure (First) Financial year ending diet March 1877

Balance m hand Ist July, 1877 ... ... ... £20 0 74 Proposed by Mr E Gi*inonsway, seconded by Mr Edwards, ' That the accounts as read be passsrl' Carried unanimously '* " Tho following gentlemen were fien pro- . posed ond duly eleoted a> Trustees for the ensuing year, Messrs A Grant, J Aubin, Mr C Giiitheiv E L Hope and H Edwards, . tho latter being the only new member appointed ia room of i/Lc Sage who refused to be re-Blected - , > Mesar3 ifi Garmonsway and J Burns were duly elected as fenceviewers and MussraJD tf ill and R D L Duffus as Audi -ow. .'■•:. Mr J Sage proposed and Mr E LHope seconded, ' That the rate for the ensuiog year be ah the rate of 91 m the £ bit MoGuither seconded by Mr J Aubin, propos3d as an amendment, ' That the rate be 8i m the £' On it being put to the meeting the amendment was carried On the motion of Mr Hope, it wes resolved that the rate bo paid m one sun by Bbh December, 1877. . A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the quickest road board mooting hitherto held m Alexandra. . ' NATIVB MATTERS. " There id very little native news just now, all are busy preparing their land for cropping,. An old man at Otorohanga while going to' the river for water, slipped m, leaving his blanket on the bank. His body was picked up by some natives ia a passing canoe, floating on the water ; he was quite dead. ; Young Tutawhiao is still ill at Kopua, but is somewhat better. — OwK Corrbs. POMDBNT... " : P 5J— At a meeting of the Road Board tr uateea after the public meeting Mr Alexander Grant was unanimously re: eleoted chairman.

Receipts £ a d To bollance m hand. ... ... 5 19 8 To Rates received... 30 17 .9 To subsidy from Government 13 4 0 To sale of old timber ...... 7 10 0 To under Dog Nuisance Act 3 4 0 ' Total ... £60 16 5 • EXPBNDITITBB Reparing roads .. 318 0 Do Waipa Bridge... ... ... 5 0 0 Salaries and Rent, 15 9 9 Printing and advertising .... 217 5 Miscellaneous . 10 0 £28 5 2 Balance m hand £32 10 3 2nd— From Ist April to 30fch Jane, 1877 £ s d To balance m hand 32 10 3 To Kates received ..... 19 0 3£ To Road B >ard <!rant ... 28 011 To share of Count) Fund... 18 10 O To Und r Dog Nuisance 4cfc 910 0 To ices for Cattle Impounded 10 0 Total ... ... £108 11 Si FXPENDWJUBE Repair and improving Jiouds 72 16 5 Bridges and cul van a ... ... 8 9 6 Printi g and advertising ... 1 10-0 Postage and Stamps ... ... 0 19 6 Valiutma. , ... 212 0 Commission selling dog collars 118 0 Sundries , ... 0 5 8 Total ... £88 II 1