CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 939, 29 June 1878, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

The long spell of wet weather has raised the river considerably and will enable (I hope), the Waikato Steam Navigation Company to run their boats a little more regularly. But it has also made the roads in a frightful state ; Duke-street, especially at Smiths' corner is a perfect slough of slush. That the crack street in so flourishing a township should be allowed to become in such a state, does not reflect great credit on the Town Board, or the public spirit of the shopkeepers. With regard to these mud and water holes in Duke-street, it seems as if the Town Board were pursuing a penny wise and pound foolish plan, constantly patching and tapping (i.e., digging holes for the water to soak away through), when a good drain through the street to carry the water down Rose's cutting would be a permanent job, and although great expense at first, would cost in the long run less than the constant patching now done to the road.

Mr Merrick's store is nearly completed, and is built in a very suitable situation. Mr T. C. Hammond of Hamilton, lias done a thriving trade in the book line, in one of the shops under the Masonic • Hotel Next door, Mr H. Smith's oyster saloon and fishmongers establishment, seems to receive a fair amount of support. Another store for Mr Pearson is going up next the Bank of New Zealand. People are exclaiming, when will there stores come to an end? Goods ought to be cheap here now with so much competition. Competition is good, but if it is overdone, the public sometimes suffer, by being supplied with an inferior article, for all must try and get a living, and it is hardly possible that all can succeed when there are so many. The Cambridge Public Library will soon be moved into the immigrant cottage, which was granted some time ago for its accommodation, and whichhas been moved upon the site granted by the Waste Lands Board, next the Post Office. The building will be completed in less than a fortnight, wheu a public reading room will be opened. Mr Dods, the librarian, hes undertaken to supply hot coffee at three pence per cap Our Good Templar friends and others will, therfore, be able to enjoy a social evening, as well as those who frequent the Temple of Bacchus. The detatchment of the C.A. Force, working upon the roads, cannot be doing much this weather. It can hardly pay the, Government to keep them there now as the roads are almost impassible from the heavy traffic of the four horse waggons constantly engaged in taking forage for the horses engaged in ploughing on the respective estates of Messrs. Maclean and Firth. Grass seed has also been carted in large quantities. The ploughing match to be held on the 11th proximo, ought to be well patronised with ao many teams at work in the district. The membtM of the Church of England here, have been expressing their admiration at the superior " go " of their Hamilton brother Church Christians in Bazaar matters. In February last, it was arranged to hold a Bazaar and Gift Auction in October next, and this was intimated in your issue of April 11th, but before a general start was made it was found that some of the Cambridge churchfolks are canvassed for a similar affair at Hamilton. The determination of the ladies' of the Borough to make the affair a success, is to be aplauded, but it hoped the Cambridge ladies' will do the same.—Coesebpondent.