THE HAMILTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1241, 12 June 1880, Page 2

THE HAMILTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

On Thursday last the Herald published the following among its Hamilton "newa" :— "Since the late conviction for crossing the Hamilton Bridge at a trot was made, people go over with horses and traps at a walk, and not without reason. Though something like £7000 was spent on the actual structure itself, it shakes and vibrates so much when a loaded vehicle passes over it that the motion can be seen plainly as well as felt. There is an appearance on the eastern half as though it had slightly settled, the curve being quite perceptible, the centre of the curve about the spot where the principal scour at the piers has been going on. It would be well worth the small expense, if the Borough Council could have the level of the bridge taken, so that in a few' months a second trial would test the fact whether it is subsiding." In the first place, we will state that it is not merely since the late conviction that people have gone over the bridge at a walking pace, although there is no engineering reason why they should. The by-law was in force long before it was infringed by Mr Suttor, and was suggested as necessary by one or two of the Councillors, who are (uiudc'.'.n of the soieiwe of engineering, and

accordingly adopted by the Council in December last. The rumoured instability of the bridge has been a topio of conversation amoug a few people for some months back, and as the opinions so formed have beon made public, many people may naturally feel alarmed, and mayboled to believe that public mon y has been misspent. As regards the shaking and vibrating, this was only to be expected, and is not consequent upon any inferiority in the design or the workmanship, but is due to the extreme height of the structure. As to the second statement, that there is an appearance on the eastern half as though the oridge had settled, the curve being quite perceptible, the centre of the curve about the spot where the principal scour at the piers has been going on, it does not state whether these curves are horizontal or vertical; we presume it means horizontal, and if so they are perfectly correct, as they form a portion of the design. The contract drawings can be seen by any ratepayer at the Council Chambers, and on them it is distinctly stated that "the trusses are to be constructed with a camber of four inches, and the upper and lower booms to be parallel ;" henoe of course the curves, to which attention has been directed, and which are supposed to have been caused by the settling of the pier. In carrying out the details of the work a reverse camber was worked in immediately over the piers, for the purpose of easing the curves. It can if necessary be mathematically proved that the floor of the bridge over the centre of the double piers, carrying the one hundred feet spans should be 1 "994 inches lower than the floor at the centre of the spann. Furthermore we are assured on the best authority that the piers have not moved, and that they are capable of bearing a weight of two tons to the running foot of the bridge. It cannot be denied that the structure requires the most careful attention, because however good the iron work may be, aud whatever test it may have stood, it is quite possible that a small percentage of the bolts may require replacing 1 , If we remember aright, the late Engineer to the Borough recommended that the bolts sh"uld be examined and screwed up ; certainly, the Council not long as?o passed a resolution somewhat to that effect, but nothing 1 , so far as we know, has been done.

We are requested to mention that, consequent on the very large increase of the circulation and general business of the Waikato Times in Cambridge and its neighborhood, the Proprietary have, for the convenience of constituents, opened a bi-anch office at Cambridge opposite the Bank of New Zealand, of which Mr H. E. Cotton has been appointed Manager. Mr Cotton will carry on the Waikato Timks Agency in connection with his commission and accountancy business, and from his long experience in Auckland and other populated centres, clients may be confident that their interests will be well looked after.

The plan of the Tokoroa Block has been laid before the Native Land Court, by Mr Laurence Cussen, District Surveyor, at the direction of the Native Minister. This very desirable issue to negotiations, which have been in hand over six years, has been brought about by the exertions of Mr John Sheehan, M.H.R. The native title will now, at no distant date, be extinguished over the entire Patetere and Tokoroa country, and, most probably, a large number of settlers will shortly be introduced into the district.

The cases to be brought before the Native Land Court, now sitting in Cambridge, should not occupy more than a fortnight in the hearing, and the Court may then be expected to adjourn.

Cambridge presents quite a martial appearance by the arrival of about eighty of the Constabulary from Rofcorua Road Carap into winter quarters. About twenty will be stationed there ; the rest apportioned to Alexandra and Kihikihi.

Erratum.— ln reference to a local in our last issue, Mr Kelly should read "Mr Hetley," who will contiuue the survey of the Rotorua Road.

A letter has been received from Mr Tom Henderson, of Auckland, by Mr Rhodes, Cambridge, relative to a football match to be played at Hamilton. The Aucklandites w 11 in all probability pLiy Hamilton, after -which Cambridge and Hamilton should finish the series. Nea'ly a full team showed up at the last Cambridge practice, stimulated no doubt by the prospect of the said mutches.

The Pakuranga Block was finished on Thursday, except the settlement of the claimants' names. The next to occupy the Court will be the le Whiti Block, of about 3,000 acres, af ter which the Tokoroa — one of the largest blocks yet discussed — will be brought under the Court's jurisdiction.

A rather good joke, and one too Valuable to be lost, comes to us from Te Awamutu. It appears that on Tuesday last a worthy citizen of that town stood rather long in the sun, and a friend who met him shortly afterwards, and noticing something strange in his appearance told him that lir had the pleura. Startled by the suggestion, our worthy at once went to the Telegraph office and wired to Inspector Kuiiciman as follows : — "Very bad case of pleuro here ; bring Naden at once, and if possible the Chairman." Whether or not this had anything to do with it, our informant states that he met Runciman and Naden en route to Te Awamutu yesterday post haste.

The Property Tax Commissioner desires it to be generally known that the assessors do not in any way obtain information respecting personal property, unless they shall be requested by an owner to assist in filling up the No. 3 statement, which gives the return of personal property. After these statements I have been sent by the owners to the [ Deputy Commissioner's office, they are not referred to the assessors, are not seen by them, and the contents are known to the permanent officers of the department only. It is not intended that a Deputy Commissioner shall consult with the assessors as to the accuracy and complete- [ news of leturns of personal property. Even with real property it does not at all follow as a matter of course that an as. sessor will acquire information as to the whole of a man's landed eseate, because each assessor has to do with land in his own division, but with that and in no other. Assessors do not obtain an insight into the amounts due upon mortgage or real property. Thus it will be seen that unless an owner should wish to disclose his state of affairs to an assessor, that officer will know no more about them than a valuer did under the Land Tax Act, or a Borough Road Board, or a county valuer now does. As a general safeguard, all assessors are sworn to secrecy, and it is not supposed that they would divulge any information confided to them.

The WOT. "Hope of Hamilton Lodge, No. 40," 1.0. G.T., informs us that Isaac Coates, Esq., has presented the Lodge with an allotment, M x 120, Cookstreet, Hamilton East, next the Oddfellows', Hall as a subscription, and wishes through us to thank him on behalf of the bodge for frig magnificent gift.

We have always heard it said that whatever sins Kinikihi might commit there would always remain within its limits "five just men," on account of whom the town would be forgiven. Curiously enough this has received strong verification during the past week. It will be remembered that the Inspector of Weights and Measures could only penetrate into the district as fir «s Hamilton, where the storekeeper from the vai'ious settlements were mipposed to meet him. A number of them, whether designedly or otherwise, have failed to do this, but Kihikihi contributes " five" who did so, and, just and true men as they are, all their weights and measures were found to be correct. Lucky Kihikihi, go on and prosper !

We publish in another column the evidence given at the inquest held at Huntley on Tuesday, on the body of the little boy Jackson. The facts disclosed at the inquiry ought to prove to parents the necessity foi restraining children from playing on the banks of such a dangerous river as the Waikato.

Mr. Isaac Coates of Hamilton East has presented the Good Templars with an allotment m Cook-street 33 feet by 120 feet. This allotment so kindly given by Mr Coates is simply an endowment as the proposed Temperance Hall is to be erected on a piece of ground given by Mr Mnllions near Dr. Beale's residence.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt from Mr. Dickej r , Chief Clerk, Native Land Department, of a pamphet containing a collection from all the more important judgments delivered in the Compensation Court, and the Native Land Court, together with a record of some of the most interesting events in Native history for a period of 200 years proceeding the present time.

A man named William Town was arrested in Cambridge, ye-terday, on a warrant charging him with deserting his wife and family at Gisborne. He will be remanded to Gisborne.

It would appear that larrikinisra is by no means confined to Hamilton. A short time ago a gang of larrikins, or more properly hoodlums, for the performance was somewhat beyond what might be expected of boys, sallied forth at midnight, at Kihikihi, and upset all the outofiices in the township, not even sparing that attached to the Constabulary Barracks. Of course this might have been considered a monstrous good joke by the perpetrators, but thu unfortunate sufferers thereby would have a different t.ile to tell. By a piece of undeserved good fortune these "hoodlums" have so far escaped detection, but for the safety of the inhabitants Aye hope they will eventually be caught, and made an example of. (Suspicion has fallen upon some new arrivals, and they will we hope be carefully looked after.

Mr George V esey Stewart of Katikati, in a letter dated London, April 22nd and published in the Buy of Plenty Tiny v, thus alluded to the prospects of immigra tion to New Zealand: — There is at present an enormous competition going on for our surplus population, South Africa, lowa in America, and Manitoba in Canada, each offering special inducements, and I regret to state th-ifc in consequence of so many unsuitable persons having recently left for New Zealand with a few pounds in their pockets, and who beinjr either broken-down tradesmen or other unfortunates have, as a matter of course, not succeeded, and sent back anything but satisfactory reports of the colony. Still, the prestisre of my two f owner past successes will tecure buccest. in the present instance. I have, however lo.st by the delay, several desirable families who had been posted tor Te J uke by my agent, and avlio have left for lowa aud Manitoba.

Dr Wallis aspires to be the wag of the House. He is a sly dog-, and he knows it. It is not sufficient for him that the Govern met benevolently send a steamer to Auckland to bring him down to Wellington — where, if speaking has anything to do with it, he undoubtedly earns his " honorarium " — but he objects to the bunk which worthy Captain Fairchild allotted to him, and actually, in the most childish manner, devoted a quarter of an hour yesterday afternoon to relating his woes. It is. no doubt, interesting to the general public to know that Dr Wallis was sea-sick — ill-natured people wibh that the mal dc nvr la.sted during the session — and thitho was placed " too n? ir the keel." but the tax-payers who pay for ! 1* Wallis winkle have reasonable ground for protesting agrainsc so sramilous and absurd an old geutlemnu. Chronicle

Mr Walter Bodilly has "been appointed Clerk of the Re&nlent Magibtiate's. Court at Te Awamutu and Alexandria.

In another column we publish the particulais of a most bvutal case of cruelty to animalb. The circumstances are of a mo&t revolting nature, and arc calculated to excite the most pronounced aversion towards the inhuman -wretch who is guilty of the outrage. The sentence of the Resident Magistrate appears to us totally inadequate to the offence.

A meeting wiil be held in the Public Hall, Te Awamutu, this afternoon, for the purpose of taking steps to suitably inaugurate tlie opening of the railway to Te Awamutu by public dinner or other demonstration. The meeting' is called to test the feeling of the settlers generally on the subject, but we should suppose that on a question of such importance to the district the settlers will be found to be pretty much of the same opinion Wo trust to see the meeting uirinimous and the presuger of a demonstration worthy the importance of the occasion.

Tifh whole ot the furniture of the late Mr Crawford will be bold by Mr K. Hill, at Mr Warren's* residence, to-day, at Hamilton East. Mr John K.\o\, auctioneer, instructed by the Wdip.i Countj Council, will bull on "Wednesday next, tit 2 p.m., by imblic auction, the Hamilton Fern . A Mrsiru. entertainment, including a P.m.irama of the Rhine, will be gi\cn in the Haut.ipu School-house, on Wednesday evening next, commencing at seven o'clock, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the benefit ot the H.uit.ipu and Trinity Presbyterian Church Sunday bchool. A.v entertainincnt of a musical and literal y character will be given in the To Aw.inmtu Public Hall, on Friday evening next, the proceeds, of which will be devoted to the improvement of the interior of the Te Awamutu Public Hall.

The Yorkshire Show. — The sum of £1965 will be given for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Show at Barnsley on the 3rd of August ami two following days. The £100 given last year at Leeds for the best thorough-bred stallion for getting hunters or coach horses is withdrawn, but the master and members of the Badsworth Hunt offer £80 for four-year-old hunting geldings qualified to carry 15 st. to hounds. The Barnsley local committee subscribe £500 towards the prizes given by the society, and, considering the hard times, things appear to be going pretty well in the country of broad acres. "Here, what are you doing there? Come Bustle out of here, and repent too, " said a good old farmer to two of London's great artists who were sketching in his field. "Why, what's the matter?" asked one of the artists. "We are simply painting landscapes." "That won't do, said the farmer. "You're those vagabonds who come painting on fences, and liousob, and stones, ' Use A 1 Bread,' and •Wash Your Head with Potash Soap;' so get out of this," The cwtlictic genUem.e.n. weut,