The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1226, 8 May 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

£qual and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious br political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY, MAT 8, 1880.

The system of village settlements introduced by the Land Act of last session is about to undergo a trial in the Provincial District of Canterbury, and, so far as we have means of judging, the step is regarded with great favor in that portion of the Colony. The absence of some such measure, by which provision might be made for the location of industrious men in districts where there existed a demand for agricultural labor, has been felt to be a serious hindrance to the acquisition of a suitable class of such laborers. Where work is more or less of an intermittent nature it is felt to be above all things needful that ; some provision should be made to secure to the laborers some means of disposing of their spare time in r the dull season of the year on some profitable occupation. Some years ago strong representations were made to the Government to set apart for the purpose of village settlement soma of the reserves in the Cambridge District. Whether because there existed at the time no Act to enable this to be done, or from whatever cause, no steps were, taken in the matter, and the land was shortly afterwards sold by public auction in, at most, two or three allotments. Now, however, that a measure dealing with the question has become law and its provisions are about to be exercised, we think the claims of this district to | participate in its advantages deserve to be recognised. Unfortunately the blundering of former Governments has left in the more thickly settled district of Waikato but little material to work on, but enough may remain to give the system a fair trial, while in the surrounding country ample provision can be made for the future. The Act provides for two classes of village allotments, one not to exceed in area one acre, and the other, called a " small farm allotment" of an area not to exceed 50 acres. The Governor may from time to time by proclamation set aside such por- j tion of the Crown lands, contiguous to railways or main roads, as he shall deem fit, and the Governor-in-Council may also fix the terms and conditions upon which such lands shall be disposed of. It is not necessary for us to enter into an examination of the terms and conditions which have been fixed in the case of the land — 1008 acres — which has been set apart for the purpose in different parts of the midland portion of Canterbury ; it is more than probable that there would be little resemblance, except in form,

between them, and those which would be" laid down to meet our own case. But when a prospect opens of something of the kind being done in regard to this portion of the Colony, we shall return to the subject.

Tuti ill-considered action of the Mangapiko Highway Board in altering the boundaries proposed by the settlers of the Tuhikaramea for their new Highway District three years ago,islikelynowto result in inflicting serious inconvenience to the settlers in the Tuhikaramea District. If we mistake not, the petition of the residents praying for the erection of the new district was forwarded to the Government in 1877,"and was accompanied by the necessary plans, &c. showing the proposed boundaries, the division suggested between the old and new districts being the centre of the stream known as Heather's Creek. The petition in due course was forwarded to the Mangapiko Highway Board for approval, and that body, instead of laying the matter before a public meeting of the ratepayers, recommended the Government to alter the boundaries so as to make the southern bank of the creek the dividing line, thus leaving the stream itself in the Tuhikaramea District. Other recommendations were also made and acted on, which deprived the new district of a considerable piece of country, the occupants of which had signed the petition. The real injury inflicted on the Tuhikaramea people was the alteration of the southern boundary, as by that means the onus of keeping in repair, and possibly re-erect-ing, the main road bridge over Heather's Creek was thrown entirely, arid most unjustly, upon them. To make matters worse, another bridge exists just inside the boundary, so that the Tuhikaramea Board will, unless the matter can be in any way arranged more equitably, have to expend a large sum of money in replacing two bridges just ©n the confines of the neighboring district, and used equally by the settlers of Mangapiko and Tuhikaramea. To do the people of the former district justice, they are fully prepared to admit the unfairness of the position, and last year they gave a practical expression of this opinion by voting a sum of money sufficient to cover half the expense of repairing the Heather's Creek bridge. But the settlers of the latter, while they contend that - they are only entitled to pay half the cost, are extremely unwilling to receive the other portion in the light of a charitable donation, and have not ceased to work energetically in order to obtain the alteration of the boundary. Indeed, were they disposed to accept the assistance of the adjoining Board this year, it is doubtful that it would be offered, because the latter, while they are as willing as before, begin seriously to question whether, in giving such aid, they are not going outside the Act. The Government and the County Council have been urged to take action, and various expedients have been suggested to tide over the difficulty ; but the question still remains unsettled, and meanwhile the bridge may go down at any moment. As the two districts are apparently at one, we would recommend the adoption of vigorous concerted action in order to bring the matter before the Government in such a light as will ensure its speedy settlement.

A sitting of the Native Land Court is advertised to be held on Monday at Cambridge. Some of the officials of the Court have already proceeded thither to make arrangements. We understand it is intended to bring forward some of the Fatetere claims at this sitting. .

From information received by Mr. Ri Kirkwood from Natives, there is a black gelding, rising three years, white star on forehead, one white hind foot, been running at Maungotautare for the last 18 months, supposed to be the property of some settler ; any one having lost such an animal by applying to Mr. RobtKirkwood, Duke of Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge, will receive every information.

The Resident Magistrates Courthouse is just now receiving a thorough overhaul, and is being painted throughout. The improvement will not have been effected sooner that it was required, as many of those who have had the misfortune to lean against the varnished walls carefully bear out. The facade has also been re-painted and the building now presents a very neat appearance. The work is being executed by Mr Geo. Lovegrove in his usual excellent and workmanlike manner.

Mr John O'Grady has had a splendid crop of Hobartowns in his paddock in the township of Ngaruawahia. One root produced the extraordinaryreturn of seven potatoes, weighing fully 141bs. The seven were almost of equal size, and, strange enough, there was not one small potato under the same root.

On dit that Mr. J. C. Firth has sold about 5000 acres of his Matamata property, unimproved at something like £6 per acre.

At the B.M. Court, Thursday, before W. H. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., Robert Harkness, charged with being drunk and disorderly on the night of the sth in- | stant, was fined 5s and costs with the usual alternative.

It will be remembered that the contractors for the Hamilton bridgo, Messers Boss and D unbar, were owing to the high state of the river, unable to complete the work of planking up one of the piers. They, however, left a sum of monej sufficient to cover the cost. The work has since been satisfactorily executed and the money paid over to the workman.

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, assisted by the members of the Cambridge Dramatic Society, gave a performance in Le Quesne's Hall, Hamilton East, on Thursday night. Owing no doubt in a great measure to the very unfavourable nature of the weather, the attendance was extremely thin, and the performance in consequence was marked by an evident want of spirit. Making due allowance for this, the two pieces, "Delicate Ground" and "A Blighted Being" were admirably put

upOiLthe stage, and were appreciated by th« v audience, which;, though small, was well qualified to indge. The -Dramatic Society ifltetid giving another performance at Cambridge on Tuesday next, on which occasion the piece do resistance will be Othello.

We have to draw the attention of the Borough Couucil to the necessity for providing additional facility for allowing the water to drain off the Bridge, At present, after a heavy shower the water stands on some part of the decline to the depth of several inches, to the great discomfort of pedestrians after nightfall.

The indecent assault epidemic in Auckland is not yet ended. A young girl was assaulted by some ruffian on Thursday night, as she was passing the upper portion of Wellesley- street East School, who dragged her to a vacant allotment, and committed an indeoeut assault. The girl's screams brought the police, but the brute had cleared ; phe, however, described his appearance, and it is hoped he will be discovered.

An awfully sudden death occurred in Auckland on Thursday evening. A man named John Metcalfe, aged 55, an iron-moulder by trade, while attending the Evangelistic Service held in the lecture room of the Young Mens" Christian Association, fell forward in his seat, gave a deep sigh, and on being raised, was pronounced dead by a medical man.

A number of influential citizens met at Ellis'a Hotel yesterday afternoon for the purpose of congraulating Mr J. C. Young on his success in so completely clearing himself of the accusations made against him by the Government. After the address Mr Young left for Auckland, and a number of his friends and fellowtownsmen proceeded with him to the s.s. Glenelg, to wish him farewell. — Bay of Plenty Times.

The "Lyttleton Times" says:— "Mrßryce's let alone policy works like a charm. It has not only brought the natives to their senses, but also compelled the great Maori doctors to confess themselves utter quacks. Mr. Sheehan is now, we believe, a junior partner of Mr. F. A. Whitaker, and would be delighted, no doubt, co 'landshark' the whole of the Waikato on the regular business terms. We should dearly like to hear Sir George Grey's candid opinion of the whole thing. We wonder whether he would repeat to Mr. Sheehan the speech that was said (by Punch) to have been delivered in private by Lord Palmerston to Lord Russel towards the end of their jointcareer:— 'Oh, Johnny, Johnny, what a jolly lot of humbugs we are!'"

Mr. Ballance, M.H.8., addressed his constituents at Wanganui on Wednesday- night. He severely criticised the policy ot the Government, and more especially relating to financial and native affairs. He declared himself a determined opponent of the present ministry. He received a vote of thanks and confidence at the close of his address.

The Rev. Joseph Berry, who is at present in England, is contributing a series of articles to a Home Paper on the subject of "The Resources of New Zealand. " Mr Berry promises not only the advantage of a' wide acquaintance with people and things, but his powers of observation are keen and his judgment upon most matters clear and just.j ust. Hence these papers are likely to convey to the minds of those whom they are intended, a truthful estimate of the capabilities of New Zealand and its adaptability as a field for emigration.

Notwithstanding the increased knowledge regarding the geography of New Zealand obtaining at Home ludicrous mistakes are still occasionally made. A few months ago a gentleman down South received a letter addressed " Canterbury, New Zealand, near Adelaide," and one day this week a resident of Hamilton was fortunate enough to get a paper the superscription on which was: — "Te Awamutu, Wellington, New Zealand," the gentleman in question never having resided in Te Awamutu.

" Vanity Fair" is rather severe on Mr Plimsoll's latest project for preventing loss of life at sea. By requiring that all grain shipped to England should be bagged he would virtually impose a duty of 4d per quarter on imported wheat. And as he would also abolish all the costly machinery erected in America for loading in bulk, he would increase the charge by another 4d per quarter. Thus British corn would be protected and the price raised by eight pence per quarter. "It is rather curious that his campaign for protection to life should turn out to be a partial re-enactment of the corn laws. But. in fact, it is not either by load-lines or by requiring vessels to be loaded in a particular manner that loss at sea will be diminished. Losses at sea arise partly through stress of weather, partly. through the faulty shape of vessels, but mainly through bad seamanship. Mr PlimBoll does not understand this, and is always hammering at the wrong people. First he went at the wicked shipowners ; now he is going at the wicked consumers. Plimsoll and the small loaf must henceforth be his cry. "

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton West School Committee was held at the offices of Messrs Whitaker and Sheehan on Thursday. There wert> present : Messrs Yon Stunner (in the chair), O'Neill, McLernon, G. Edgecumbe, Price, and Knox. The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. It was agreed to expend the sum of £1 upon levelling the school grounds. The Clerk reported that the balance at present in the Bank was £6 13s. Mr Knox drew the attention of the Committee to the fact that, owing to bad fitting doors and other causes, draughts were prevalent in the schoolroom, and a committee consisting of Messrs Price and Gwynne were appointed to visit the school and report upon the matter. Some discussion arose with reference to the children of one district attending the school of another, to permit which it was contended was contrary to the Act. It was pointed out that if a child is lazy or dissatisfied he ceases to attend school, and if questioned is almost sure to reply by saying that he goes to the other school. Sometimes children do go to the other school and remain, but as a rule their stay is limited to a few days, after which they spend their time idling about, or are sent to work by the parents. Such a system as this, it was held, only tended to transform the children into larrikins or street arabs. The committee appeared to be agreed that where children attended regularly at the other school they would offer no opposition, although the practice was in contravention of the Act, but they were disinclined to allow the youngsters to be encouraged in idleness. Ultimately it was decided to request the clerk to bring the foregoing facts under the notice of the Central Board, also desiring that body to instruct teachers to decline to receive children from other districts, unless on good cause shown, aud that when such children cease attending to notify the teacher of the district to which they belong of the fact. This concluded the business, and the committee adjourned.

Some time ago, Mr W. C. Breakell offered for competition, to the children of the Hamilton East School, two prizes of 10s value each, for the best recitation of Gray's " Elegy in a country Churchyard," and the "Parting of Wolsely from Cromwell," in Shakespear'a play of Henry VIII, the donor nominating Captain McPheraon and the Rev. William Cafder as judges, But owing to iw-

forseen engagements, the former was unable to be present last Monday, when the act took place. We regret to say that only three scholnra made the attempt, and they were girls ; the boys not being ambitious enough even to try. Eva Allen took the prize for Gray's "Elegy" and earned it well, making only two unimportant slips in 120 lines. Mildred Bastable • and Isabella McDonald were e<jual for the Shakespearian piece, and having tried to work off the tie oy a repetition of the piece were again found to be equal, it was resolved to divide the prize between them. The recitations were really very creditably performed, and show clearly the pains taken by both teachor? and pupils, and we hope we may hear of Mr W. 0. Breakell's example being followed on the West side.

The French correspondent of the Morning Advertiser says : — A wine grower near Cugneaux in the department of the HauteGaronne, on testing his new wine found it had a peculiar flavor. He had the vat emptied, and found at the bottom the corpse of one of his vintners, who had been missing since last September. The authorities have forbidden the sale of this extraordinary wine, but will allow it to be made into brandy. Lovers of French brandy, who object to human alcohol, would do well to take beer for some time to come. There is a tale told about Horace Greely, of the New York Tribune and James Gordon Bennett of the Herald. Both were horribly bad writers. Greely one day wrote to Bennett asking him a question, and sent the letter by a boy. Bennett puzzled over the note for some time, but could not make it out, and sat down and wrote to Greely to " interpret" it. When Greely received the reply he conceived it to be an answer to his question, but he could not read it, and at last he examined "D — tbe man, I can't make out what he means." " That's just what he said, sir," interrupted the messenger. Better still is the incident that happpned when the Tribune office was removed to Grubb-street. Greely always put off everything to the last moment, and it was not until the day before the removal that he sent to a painber for a sign -board, with " Editor's Office removed to Grubb-street, round the corner," on it. The copy was in Greely's own hand. writing, and the poor painter spent several hours of anguish in trying to decipher the hieroglyphics. He went to the office, but as soon as the clerks saw it was Mr. Greely's writing they ''gave it up" and he could not manage to see the great journalist himself. The night was half through, and the board had to be up by daylight next morning, so the rai nn c r wrote what he conceived to be the copy. In the morning New York was oonvulsed by seeing a huge board on the old Tribune office, with large letters announcing. " Editor's gone on the spree round the corner."

The " Warrnambool Standard" states :—": — " The defaulting secretary of the Warrnambool Permanent Building Society H. T. Read, has been arrested in Timaru, N.Z. When he left Warrnambool in 1877, previous to the investigation which disclosed his defalcations, it was understood that he ■vnpnt to London, and the Building Society declined to incur the cost of arresting him there and bringing him back to this colony. Towards the end of last year, however Read went to New Zealand, and shortly afterwards received the appointment of librarian to the Mechanics' Institute at Timaru,. This has been known to many of his former acquaintances for some time, and it also became known to the police, who set the law in motion. At their instance depositions were taken and a warrant issued in Warrnambool on the 4th March last. The fact was known to us at the time, but at the request of the police authorities we refrained from publishing it, the proceedings being taken privately, and not in open court. Constable Cornin was sent over to New Zealand with the warrant, and was in Timaru on the 17th March. On the previous day, however, the arrest of Read had been effected by Detective Kirby, of the local police force. The accused was brought up at the Timaru Police Court on the 17th and committed to goal, to be forwarded thence to Victoria. He applied for bail, but was refused,

Notice is given that the Hamilton Borough Council intend, on Tuesday, 18th instant, to levy a general rate of one shilling in the £ upon the annual value of all rateable property within the Borough. Mr Kennedy Hill will sell, at Alexandra, on Saturday next, 15th instant, the furniture and eftects of Major Mair, who is leaving the district. Messrs Dey and Trench solicit a continuance of public favor in the business they have purchased from Messrs Small and Coates. .Notice of the sitting- of certain Assessment Courts appears in our advertising columns. Owners of unregistered dogs will be prosecuted after the 15th inst.