The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1210, 1 April 1880, 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 unbribed by gain.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1880.

Last Saturday's Herald contained a letter on the Thames- Waikato Railway, from Mr Fred. Strange, which, if allowed to pass unchallenged might possibly be inimical to the interests of the Piako district- This is the more to be feared seeing that the Editor of the Herald has thought fit to take the letter under his wing, and commends it to the attention of the Government. The Herald says that "Mr Strange has evidently an extensive and accurate knowledge of the Thames district, entitling him to speak." Mr Strange may have this qualification, but if so his letter is a wilful misrepresentation of facts, and the Herald shows lamentable ignorance in its remarks thereon. We do not intend to bore our readers with the whole letter, but will briefly indicate the glaring misstatements set forth, and chaperoned by the old woman of Wyndhamstreet. If Mr Strange had said " I want the railway from Morrinsville running up to Ohinemuri passing through, or very close to, my property, and I think therefore that the proper line to adopt is that which will Ue most suitable for me, namely, the line I suggest from Morrinsville to Ohinemuri," he would have written that which he indicates, instead of honestly and distinctly stating. We agree with Mr Strange in saying that the railways should be constructed where they will open the most land for the least cost, and this is exactly what the projected line will do. We are not aware that it is intended that the line shall deviate at any point on this side of the river, but that it should proceed to what is — and always has been — considered the head of the navigation, i.e., the landing above Omahou. By this route direct communication will be established between the Waikato and Waihou rivers, opening up the whole of the country between those natural highways. Presuming that a railway is eventually constructed between the Upper Thames and the Piako country, the projected line is the one which would open up the most country, and would be most easy of construction, because being higher up the valley the length required would be considerably shortened. Any one who has travelled on the Waitoa river must be aware that it is available for steamers adequate to the requirements of the district for many years to come. At present, instead of spending a Comparatively enormous sum of money in the construction of a railway alongside a navigable river, it would be far wiser to spend a very small sum, say £2000, in removing the snags between Paeroa,and Omahu, which in places are numerous. Mr Strange, in writing his letter, has presumed on the ignorance which exists amongst people of this Provincial District in regard to the Upper Thames country, or he would never have proposed such a scheme. What is wanted — what is desired by Thames, Waikato, and Waitoa people alike — is that in the meantime the heads of navigation on the two rivers should be connected by the shortest possible route. To adopt Mr Strange's proposal would result in the indefinite postponement of the further construction of the Thames-Waikato line, besides affecting prejudicially the interests of the majority of the intervening settlers, and at the same time causing increased expense in the continuation of the line through the Matamata district towards the Lake country. Mr Strange "guarantees " his route "to be both practical and easy to construct," and affects to be lost in wonder that the surveyors have not found it out. We believe that the public and the Government will pay more attention to the reports of duly qualified engineers than to the " guarantee " of an interested settler, however highly he may estimate his own opinion, or however much he may deride the decisions of the Government engineers. Mr Strange must surely forget in his attack upon people who wish to sell Aroha land that such attack is really upon the Government as they are the only vendors of land in that district at the present time. We do not think it is desirable that a railway should be diverted from Government property, some 60,000 acres of which are or will shortly be in the market to benefit Mr Strange or any other individual. An assertion that some people "wish to make a few pounds at the cost of thousands" comes very ill from one who, to increase the value of his own property, would divert the line from an immense area of good land, owned by the Government, and nowbeing opened up for settlement, and creates more than a suspicion that he has more consideration for private interests than for the public welfare. In conclusion, Mr Strange's scheme is impracticable and impolitic — impracticable because it presumes that the Government have still a large amount of money to expend on public works, and impolitic because to adopt the suggested line would neither be advantageous to existing settlers, nor to the ultimate development and settlement of tfoe country.

Matters are proceeding on the Waiuaate Plains — as we have all along expected, and stated, that they would — calmly and peacefully, the HerahVs special correspondent notwithstanding. This individual, by the way, seems to have come to, perhaps been forced into, malgrt lvi, a more reasonable, less sensational, frame of mind. This is so far satisfactory, as an indication that now even sensation-mongers are compelled by the force of circumstances to desist from croaking. This is indicated by his last telegram to the Herald, in which he states that — The canard (which it should be noted was set afloat by himself 1) as to Te Whiti's having declared that he abdicated in favor of Tohu, whioh was looked upon as tantamount to a declaration of war, turns out to be wholly without foundation. Te Whiti daclares he nevar said so. Tohu declares he never said it. and the natives who attended the P&rihak* meeting confirm the statements. I hear that Hone Fihama sought a speoial interview with the Premier and Mr Bryce when they were at Oeo, and assured them that if they pursued their present polioy boldly and unfalteringly, they need be under no apprehension of any resistance or difficulty, but that if they halted or hesitated, then there might be danger of opposition. As he was once a brave and honorable opponent in the open field, much weight is attached to this voluntary utterance on his part. The road-making 1 is going on steadily forward. Care will be taken that when Te Whiti's boundary is reached there will be no pause, but the work will be pushed straight forward with all possible speed and vigor. It is anticipated that Te Whiti will enter a mere formal protest, either by ereoting a fenoe, or in some other harmless manner, but that under no circumstances will any violence or forcible resistance be even attempted. Under the circumstances it is rather puzzling to gather why Colonel Whitmore should be summoned to the West Coast. In the event of war breaking out we always imagined — indeed, happen to know — that Colonel Whitmore would assume command of the Constabulary. Indeed, we have reason to think that both officers and men would regard, being commanded by any other officer as rather a slight, for Colonel Whitmore carries prestige it was he who led the Constabulary on the East Coast in 1868, and again on the West Coast, and no man in New Zealand is so qualified as he to undertake the management of . a campaign. There is, however, no need to speculate onthiscontingency, and the presumption is that Colonel Whitmore is taking a general look round. The firm attitude of the Government has had the effect intended, and the bounce of Te Whiti and the wolf cries of "Specials" have departed as the sparks fly upwards.

The Honorable the Minister for Lands arrived in Wanganui en route for Wellington on Tuesday evening. Thk Honorable the Miniver for Public Works may be expected in Auckland early next week, and, \re understand, purposes visiting Waikato. Bishop Kedwood proceeded to Europe by the mail steamer on Tuesday, to pay a visit to the Holy See. George McLean, Esa., M.H.R. (Waikouaiti), is making a tour of the Waikato, in company with Mr F. A. Whitaker, M.H.R. On dit that a branch of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand will shortly be opened at Cambridge. Borough Council Election. — The nomination of candidates for the seat rendered vacant in the Hamilton Borough Council by election of Mayor, will take place to day. We have heard but one candidate named at present, Mr Vincent, of East Hamilton. The Waikato Cavalry return to-morrow and may be expected to arrive at Steel's cornei, Hamilton-Cambridge^Boad, about 3 pm. It is intended that they shall be met by the Hamilton Light Infantry Band, who will parade the Contingent into Hamilton. The oitizens of Hamilton purpose inviting the whole force and celebrating the event with * ball. It will be seen from our advertising columns that it has been decided to entertain the Cavalry upon their return from the Thames with a dance, which will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday night. We have no doubt there will be a large number of the youth and beauty of the district assembled to welcome our noble defenders back to their hearths and homes. Erratum. — Our reporter was in error in stating that the boy McSweeney, who met with an accident as reported in oar last, was working at Mr Miesen's boot establishment : the lad is engaged at Mr Macmahon'a. A serious accident happened on Sunday last to a child belonging to a settler, residing olose to Hamilton East, named Green. It appears that the child was playing with others and dropped a broken bottle on its foot, severely injuring the foot and severing a large artery. Dr Sandes was at once sent for, and under his skilful care the little sufferer is rapidly progressing. Accidents have been very rife during the last few days. On Tuesday, Mr Jas. Mack, when riding from Ngaruawahia to Whatawhata, was thrown from his horse and sustained a fracture of the right collar-bone. He managed to mount again, and returned to Ngaruawahia, proceeding that night by the evening train to > Hamilton to secure the services of our popular local surgeon, Dr Sandes, That gentleman at once attended to Mr Mack's hurt, and the latter returned home yesterday. Mr T. H. White, architect, of Hamilton, was one of the competitors for the prizo designs for a new Post and Tele* graph Office at Wellington. Though not successful his plans Have been highly commended, and may foe seen fit his offices, Waikato Times Buildings, Hamilton. At the Hamilton Police Court on Tues» day James Fitzpatrick was charged, be», fore H. N. Northcroft, Esq., with a breach of the Railways By-laws, section 31, with being in a state of intoxication when travelling in railway carriage between Ngaruawahia and Hamilton. Prisoner got in at the former station. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s. and costs. The same prisoner was also charged with travelling on the railway Wfcyeen Jsgnruwnhia ami Hamilton

without a ticket. To this charge he also pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s. and costs. RAGLAK»!rtre are glad to learn, hoi got a clean bill of health as regards the scab disease, and this is in great measure due to the very practical and energetic manner in which Mr Oldham has cajied out lv's duties. The principal sheep station in the district, that of Te Akau, was always clean, but amongst the smaller flocks there has been a considerable amount of scab. It is time that the local authorities took in hand the repair of the bridge, known as Hall's Bridge, on the Ngaruawahia and Hamilton road. The bridge vants a thorough overhauling, but at any rate some' thing should be done at once to the planking which is in a very dangerous condition, and was very nearly the cause of a being a serious accident to one person who attended the sale at Harris's on Tuesday. Sergeant Doolan, of the detective force, has again made a clever capture of a party wanted by the police of the name of Johnson. The accused had obtained employment in the country beyond Cambridge, but was discovered by Detective Doolan on a charge of forging and uttering, and conveyed to Auckland. Although there is little or no kauri gum digging going on at Mokonui, near Hamilton, neither dasher's nor the diggings further down the river appear to be altogether deserted. A camp of a dozen or more of white tents forms a picturesque object in the distance to the traveller along the Ngaruawahia and Hamilton road, and we learn that the quality of the gum being superior to that found about Hokonui the men are still enabled to make remunerative wages One of the men named Mason met with, to him, a severe loss on Tuesday. A column of black smoke for some hours might hare been seen issuing from his whare in which a considerable quantity of gum had been stored. A fire had incautiously been left burring near the whare and had spread along the ground till it reached the building the dry raupo of which it was cons* tructed readily ignited Although several willing hands were soon upon the spot it was impossible to save either the whare or its contents. Mr Huest, M. 8.R., had a lively meeting with his constituents in- in • ity West, on Tuesday evening. The Grey phalanx predominated, and a resolution wa» passed — " That, while thanking Mr Hurst for his address, this meeting expresses its utter want of confidence in him as the representative of City West in Parliament." It is satisfactory to learn that the opposition of certain natives to the construction of the Cambridge and Rotorua road has been removed and that therefore there neod be no further obstacle to the commencement of the work. From what we learn the natives at either end, interested in the matter were prepared to forgo all opposition at a price. This however is a system which could never be initiated by any Government, for. once established, there would be no road proposed for construction through native land but t*»ere would arise a list of objectors ready to levy blackmail upon the Government. It is however another thing to agree to expend a certain sum in native labour in the construction of the road, and this will probably be done in the case of the Rotorua road, as it was in that of the Waipa and Raglan road and in many instances in the North Island. Doubtless the beautiful weather of Easter Monday was heartily enjoyed by many excursionists on pleasure bent, and among the number may be noted the youngsters of the Paterangi Sunday School, who, accompanied by their teachers and a few friends, took wings, or rather wagons, and flitted to Innisfallen the pleasant residence of E. H. Gubbins Esq. For a quiet country-side school they made quite a show on the road as they rattled along in some seven wagons and other vehicles to the place of fun, frolic, and feasting. On arrival, a fine spreading willow tree was pitched upon for camp, and the children dispersed to enjoy various games of football, cricket, and other merry round parties as fancy inclined, untill the gong summoned all to the shade to partake of the solids and fluids which iorm no mean part of the pleasures of picnicing, the muster showing about eighty heads all told. Under the hearty invitation of the proprietor, many enjoyed strolling about the shrubbernes and grounds surrounding, the shade being very grateful and refreshing. A general muster on the lawn previous to departure was called, and three cheers lustily given by the boys for the kind invitaticn which had brought all to spend a pleasant day at Innisfallen. The work of cattle destruction by passing trains upon the railway goes merrily along. J Mr T. H. White had a fine bullock and a heifer, on his farm at Taupari, run down and killed on Saturday last. Cattle raising has scarcely been aprofitable occupation to numbers of our Waikato settlers, since the railway has been open from this cause. One man, indeed, near Hamilton, has lost £140 worth, and farming is quite sufficiently handicapped without having this additional tax put upon the settlers. We trust that Mr Whyte, the member for Waikato, will move again in the matter in the coming session of the Assembly, and carry it somewhat further this time than the mere asking of a question from the Government, and that other members of the country districts will assist him in his praiseworthy endeavors to induce the Government to undertake the fencing of the line through settled districts, and, at any rate, where lines like that of the Auck-land-Waikato Railway are constructed on a serpentine system of engineering 1 , where often neither cattle nor engine driver can see the danger till too late. New Good Templibs* Lodge. — A lodge of the above order was opened in the Oddfellows' Hall, East Hamilton, on Monday evening, the 29th instant, by Brother O. S. Ellis, G.W.S. Brother H His addressed the audience in a few pertinent remarks on the benefits derived from the praotice of good templary, after which he proceeded to institute the lodge. Nineteen members of the order were present, and it was expected that a hrger number would have been present, but that they were not was explained by the fact that the picnic and various other causes had prevented a larger an attendance than there was. After the institution, the lodge proceeded to the election of officers as follows :— L.D., T.C. Hammond; W.C. 11.,I 1 ., Robert Harris; V.T. Swarm; secretary, W. Mybrea; F.S., Hy. Tristram; treasurer, H. Palmer; marsha)l, T. Davis; chaplain, R. Hill; inner guard, W. Merliss; outer pruard, J. Proctor; right arcfc supporter, sister Palmer; left baud supporter, Sister fifmith; deputy marshall, Sister E. Roffer; ag»is T tant-secretary, W. Kevell. Votes of thanks were accorded to Bro. Ellis, of the Grand Lodge, for his kindness in coming from Auckand to open the lodge, and also to Brother and Sister Palmer for their untiring exertions in promoting and organising the new lodge. It was decided to hold the next meeting at the Oddfellows' Hail, on Saturday next, at 8 p.m. About twenty persons were proposed as now members. Air Evil Qua^ter-of-jusT-Hoto.— Yes. terday afternoon, about 3 o'clock, tbfl inhabitants of Hamilton were wrought into a state of excitement. A runaway horse, without a rider, came gailop'njr down Vipfroria-atrppt at a furious par I**.1 **. Mr 11. K>lly, frith a dray liulen with

shingles, was coming up the street opposite Mm Gelling' s shop, and, seeing that all other efforts to stop the animal were fruitier, gamely- slqed his horse and dray broadside on to the runaway. Bat his intention was better than bin lack. Striking the horee in the cart the runaway galloped on into space, where no one could see ; bnt horse, dray, and load were completely flung round by the shook, as on a pivot, and overturned. A willing orowd gave every assistance, and, the cart being turned completely over, the shafts were drawn up and the horse at once released. The excitement was at its height when smoke, suspiciously near the township, was seen rising, and Jackson, of the Alabama coach, came tearing into the township announcing that the house of D. D. Hyde was in flames. The orowd immediately made a start for the new exoitement; the gong at Gwynne's gave forth its discordant notes ; a man on horseback, with the local fire-engine on one arm, tore furiously down the street, regardless of horseflesh; sleek citizens, who had not tried legs or wind for many a day, started gallantly to the scene of the fire, but arrived puffing and exhausted to find after all, and fortunately, that it was only a small shed, used as a workshop, and not Mr Hyde's house that had taken fire. It appears that the boy had lighted a fire outside the shop to enable our local tinsmith to do some soldering work, and a spark having fallen into some dry ti-tree piled up adjacent, the whole caught into a blaze, and it was with some difficulty that two pigs in a sty close by, which was burned with the shed, were saved.

Mr. Kennedy Hill will sell by auction, at his mart, on Saturday, loth instant, allotment 229, Hamilton East, with six-roomed concrete house erected thereon. Mr Baker will give his original musical entertainment entitled "An Evening with Tom Moore," in tbc Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East, on Saturday evening next. Mr Baker has had a most successful season in Auckland, and judging from the critiques of the Australian and New Zealand Press a great treat is in store for the good folks of Waikato. Mr Baker, it will be seen, notifies that he will be in Cambridge on Wednesday evening, and Alexandra on Saturday week, 10th instant. We notice by advertisement that Messrs W. H. and L.M. Grace have commenced business at Cambridge and Tauranga as licensed interpreters and native land purchase agents. The Cambridge offices arc situated in Duke-street, are new, being a portion of the buildings just erected by Mr E. Hewett, of Cambridge, and we understand that MrL. M. Grace proceeded on Saturday last to Tauranga to open the branch there, which will be under his personal supervision. Mr William H. Grace will conduct the business in Waikato. From the long connection the Messrs Grace have had with Maori matters and their well-kuown integrity and perseverance we have every reason to believe that business entrusted to them will be successfully and expeditiously pushed through and completed. John Runciman, Esq., Inspector of Cattle and Sheep for the Waikato District, notifies certain provisions of the Diseased Cattle Act, 1871, for public information.