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Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1032, 4 February 1879, Page 2

The Mayor stated at the meeting of the Borough Council last night that he had been told by the Hon. Mr Sheehan two days ago that Sir George Grey was coming up in a short time to turn the first sod oi the Waikato-Thames railway at the Waikato end of the line. AmATBUB TffBATBIOAL AND MtJSICAI Entkutainjient.—Our readers will be happy to hear that they will have an opportunity of spending an agreeable evening upon the first night of the races, Mr Le Quesne'sHall having been engaged. An Amateur Dramatic Company, under the leadership of Mr B. W. Hammond, have kindly consented to give their services upon the oooasion. A full programme will appear in out ue*b Issue.

Mr "Georoe Edoecumjje has, for "sale a farm of 210 acres at To Rore, all fenced' and nearly all laid down in grass, with' good house and outbuildings.

Mr J. S. BuckliAnd's Cambridge Cattle Sale and Sheep Fair takes place, to-day, at the sale yards, Cambridge

An alteration has been male in the hour of the train leaving Hamilton mid-day, but no corresponding alteration in the closiug of the mail. Postmaster Bias will do well to to this at once.

L.O.L.—The usual monthly mooting of tho Sons of Ulster will take place on Thursday evening, the businoss being the reception of the Right Worshipful the Grand Master. The usual monthly meeting of the William Johnson Lodge, at Cambridge, takes place on Friday evening, and for tho same object.

Cambridge and Ohinimutu Road.— Tho following, from the ' Bay of Plenty Times,' will not be uninteresting to our readers, whom it behoves to be on the alert, also: —" The road at present used by those who travel between tho two places is 85 miles iu length, and passes through open country the whole way, and is known as Tewhetu track. A considerable portion of it, at the Cambridge end, is already available for drags. The next track is known as the Kakako, and is shortor, but has bush in it. Three tracks, known respectively as the Papanui, the Tahawapa, and Awaho, join at Tapapa, half-way to Cambridge, the distance by which is stated to bo as little as 48 miles, and through a good deal of bush, to be tolerably level. It was by the last mentioned routo that Mr Moss travelled, and it is this track that is now about to be opened up. A few days ago Mr Sheehau instructed Captain Simpson to report on it, and ho is now on his way to Ohiuemutu, under the guidance of William Marsh, a Maori, who is tho owner of the land for nearly half the distance, and permission has been obtained to make the road. Another portion of the road near to Cambridge belongs to the Hauhaus, and it is only with these that any difficulty is to be encountered, but it is believed that no objection will bo raised by them. Government have already handed to William Marsh tho sum of £IOO, to be expended on the commencement of the road. In face of the facts, it behoves the inhabitants of Tauranga, if they wish to obtain the Lake traffic, to be ou the alert, and do all in their power to make the journey as facilo and expeditious as possible. The Lake residents are working their utmost to cut connection with Taurauga and to open the Cambridge routo, and one has already stated that he will give £I,OOO towards it."

Thames-Waikato Railway.—Two important messages were received yesterday, from the Under-Secretary for Public Works in Wellington. The first one was in reply to a telegram sent by Messrs Hansen, Speight, and Carpenter, making inquiry as to the termini of the railway, and was to the effect that there would be stations at Shortland and Grahamstown. The latter will be at the Goods Wharf, and the former near the Duke of Ddinburgh Hotel. The second messago, from Mr Knowles, was to the Borough authorities, who had been anxiously inquiring when the works were likely to be started, as labour was abundant and men waiting employment. It stated that the plans have been received and passed, and Mr James Stewart, C.E., the District Engineer, had been instructed to call for tenders for the first sections at once.— ' Thames Advertiser.'. [The tenders for the Grrahamstown Reclamation Contract are called for, in Saturday's ' Herald.] At a meeting of the Christchurch Local Board, hold on Saturday last, 22 cases of infectious disoascs, of which 16 were typhoid, were reported as having occurred at Christchurch and surrounding districts during the last fortnight.

The Epsom Sale of Stock.—Wo learn from the ' Herald' that Mr Caultori's sale of thorough-bred stock at Epsom, on Saturday, was not a success, very few purchasers being present. This was, probably, owing in a great measure to the wet weather. After soma pigs and miscellaneous lots had been disposed of, the pure-bred cattle were brought up. King Henry I. was passed in at £IOO. The cows were in low condition, and not the class required for this market; therefore, they failed to bring long prices. Mcdora was purchased for £2O by Messrs T. & S. Morrin, and a roan cow by Mr Paul for £25. Three heifers averaged £lO 10s. The hacks, with the exception of Alice Hawthorn, which brought £6O, were not of much account. Harry Mount, Gillie Callum, and Trcgcaglo 11. wore bought in, there being no bidders for them.

Messrs J. D. & K. Hill held their first sale of live stock and produce at Cambridge on Saturday last. The produce sale was held at Kirkwood's store, immediately after the live-stock sale, Both sales were very successful. There was a good attendance, and satisfactory prices were realised. The sales will be held on alternate Saturdays,

Racecourse Privileges.—Messrs J. D, and K. Hill will offer for sale at their mart, Victoria - street, Hamilton, on Thursday next, the privileges of the racecourse at the ensuing Turf Club Meeting at Ohaupo on the 12th and 13th insts.

Tenders, which will be received up to the 18th inst., for re-forming and gravelling Cook street, have been called for by the Hamilton Borough Council.

There was no sword drill for the Hamilton Contingent of the "Waikato Cavalry Volunteers on Saturday last in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. The drill will take place on Saturday next instead, and the church parade on Sunday morning. Alleged Assault.—Charles Veith, proprietor of the Blue Post Dining Rooms, Victoria street, formerly of Ngaruawahia and Hamilton, was taken into custoday on Saturday night, or early on Sunday morning, on a grave charge of indecently assaulting a Maori woman, who was'lodging in his house. The woman affirms that after she had been asleep for some time in her bed-room she was awakened by being pulled about by Veith, who had stripped ihe bed-clothes off her. The case was brought on at the Auckland Police Court yesterday, bat was dismissed.

An occasional correspondent "writes from Te Aroha, and is anxious to know when some of the money granted by the General Government is likely to be expended on roads in that locality. He says that the best season for road-making is rapidly passing away, and nothing is being done towards either making or repairing the roads. He adds:—"The Piako Road Board are very energetic, and without any assistance from Government, are hard at work preparing for the wet season, whoroas the road between Te Aroha and Ohinemuri is even, at this season of unusually dry weather, in a bad state, and in a few months will be impassable. Trees have fallen across the track in many places in the Rotokohu bush, and from what I can learn, owing to the County Council employes having been discharged en masse, there is not an available man to cut away the obstructions. I believe attention has only to be called to the matter, and the necessaryauthority will bo given to have the work done, and, Mr Editor, this is my reason for troubling you with the commuuicatibu,."

Wk learn from the 'Bay of Plenty Tiwea' that the piece of land whnh Mr Dargaville was alleged to have purchased from the Wairoa natives is about an aero in extent, and, seems certaiulv a most eligible plot for the purpose he intended. It is situated immediately at the foot, and a little to the left, of the White Terrace on Lake Rotomahana> and adjoins the hot creek whioh connects Rotomahana with Tarawera. On the opposite side of the creek is a boautiful spring, the only drinkablo witor in the district. The money he paid in deposit was given to a native who has merely a part claim, to the land. The chief of the tribo is said to have been very angry at his taking it, and to have remarked that the act carried no obligation Avith it. Resident Magistrate's Court, Ngaruawahia.—Before H. N. Northoroft, Esq., and H. Byron, Esq. On Monday, there were a few crimiual cases of no public importance. There was one civil cas, Waikato Steam Navigation Company v P. Worsen, claim £t) 0s 4d. Mr O'Neill for defendant. Defendant paid into Court;, the sum of £3 18s 4d, and pleaded a Bet off for tho balance As the plaintiff did not recover move than tho amount paid into Court, plaintiff had to pay defendant's costs, amounting to £5 7s.

Thb Catholic Mission was brought to a close on Sunday, when large congregations attended at all three services. Large collections wore made both for the Mission and for Father Henneberry's individual benefit, a sum of £4O being collected at the evoniug service for the latter object. In the afternoon, a procession, accompanied with flags and insignia, paraded the principal streets of fi'aat Hamilton, and marched round Sydney Square. About 170 persons took part in the procession, amongst whom was a body of 25 horsemen, who formed an escort for the reverend fathers, and some 70 children, wearing the insignia of the temperance order—a greon sash and white rosette.

A meeting ot the Hamilton Borough Council was keld last night. Present: Thq Mayor and Councillors Hume, Gwynno, Gaudin, Dawson, Potter, Knox, Cox, and Beale. On the minutes of the special meeting, of Tuesday last, being read, Cr. Potter objected to ordinary business being tacked on to special business as illegal, and contended that having failed to appoint a Clerk, the special meeting could go no further, and could not authorise the calling of fresh tenders. Cr. Knox admitted that it would be forming a bad precedent. Cr. Potter moved " That all the business be expunged from the minutes of Tuesday's meeting." Cr. Knox seconded. Cr. Gaudin moved, " That the minutes, as read, be confirmed." Cr. Dawson seconded. For the amendmeut:* Crs. Gaudin and Dawson. Against: Crs. Hume, Gwynne, Gaudin, Potter, Knox, Cox and Beale. For Cr. Potter's motion, Crs. Ghvynne, Gaudin, Potter, Knox, Cox, and Beale. The minutes of the special meeting were, therefore, expunged, and those of the ordinary meeting confirmed. A letter was read from tho Punt Lessee, calling attention to the dangerous state of the staging on tho East side of the river. A 1 letter was received from Mr Jas. Stewart, disapproving, after personal examination, the appointment of Mr Elliott, as Clerk of Works, and recommending the appointment of Mr Butter tvorth. The Engineer reported that the first tier of piles was driven, and seven piles for the second tier. The excavations were sunk thirteen feet for the concrete embankment, also, that forty feet piles driven met no more resistance than thirty feet piles, when driven in the second main tier; also, reporting that Mr Elliott was absent from duty four days, without notice. The amount I claimed as extras, by tho bridge contractors, was £73 16s 4d. It was resolved, on the motion of Crs. Knox and Hume, that that portion of the Public Works Act relating to the eradication of gorse be brought into operation. Tho solicitor of the Council was instructed to take the necessary steps to lease the wharf frontages on the west side of the river. Cr. Humo proposed, and Cr. Dawson seconded, that the recommendation in Mr Stewart's letter be complied with, and that the Clerk of Works receive notice of dismissal. For the motion: Crs. Hume, Dawson, Cox, and the Mayor; against: Cra. Knox, Potter, Gaudin, Gwynne, and Beale. Cr. Potter then moved, that tho Government bo requested to take the responsibility of erecting the bridge, and stand in place of the Borough Council in all and every respect under the contract, the Council paying the £/,115, as per agreement, together with the expense of supervision. For tho motion: Crs. Totter and Gwynne. Against: Crs. Hume, Gaudin, Dawson, Cox, Knox, Beale and the mayor. Cr. Cox moved, " That the Clerk of Works receive his discharge, and Mr Butterworth bo appointed," seconded by Cr. Hume. Against: Crs. Gwynne, Gaudin, "Potter, Knox and Beale. lb was ultimately resolved, "that in erder to insure the 8000088 of the completion of the Hamilton Bridge col tract, it is advisable provided the Goueinment undertake the whole responsibilities in reference therto, that supervision of the whole matter be placed in the hands of Mr Stewart, the District Engineer. ; ' Cr. Potter brought up the question of the Thames-Waikato Railway, urging that some undercurrent was at work, to get the junction elsewhere than Hamilton, and recommended that a deputation be sent to wait upon the Premior, to urge the interests of Hamilton. Cr. Knox believed the Government never intended to carry the extension further than the West side of the river. Had the Government intended to make the extension part of the trunk lin» to the Thames, He thought they would never have asked a poor borough like this to purohase the land for the lino, from the station into Hamilton. It was resolved telegraph to Sir George Grey, inviting him to come to Hamilton, and turn the first sod, at the Waikato end. The meeting then adjourned to Monday next.