Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1310, 20 November 1880, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain Unawctl by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY, NOV. 20, ISBO.

Time alone can tell us whether or not the Aroha will turn out to be that El Dorado which everybody fondly and fervently hopes for, but proof sufficient has been given to show that on the slopes of the great mountain there are auriferous indications. In the success of the field the Waikato is of necessity deeply interested. It is from this district that the supplies for a centre of population, or indeed any considerable congregation of individuals on the Waihou River would principally bedrawn, and theimpetus which would thus be given to agricultural operations would rapidly settle and develop this portion of the Colony. It is right, in view of this, that we should bethink ourselves of endeavoring to obtain the best possible means of communication with the valley of the Thames, by urging on the construction of the WaikatoThames railway, at least as far as the Waihou River, together with the important branch to Cambridge. We are well aware that had the finances of the Colony been in a more flourishing condition both these important works would have been carried out with as little delay as possible, and nothing but that circumstance now retards their prosecutioc Under ordinary conditions, we could afford to bear with a good grace to wait for better times, but in view of the probable existence of a good payable goldfield on the line of route special effort might be put forth to complete a railway, which, in the natural order of things might be expected to yield a handsome return on the capital invested. The total length of the line up to the point we have indicated, would be considerably under 25 miles, and of the formation at least 13 miles, Hunt and White's contract, have been done. The formation has indeed, been made up to within three miles of Morrinsville, and there exist no engineering difficulties between that point and the Waihou. It were unwise to be too sanguine, and we should not be led too far away by reports, however, nattering and authenticated they may be. But as the truth of these reports will be proved in allprobability within a few weeks, no harm can be clone by making the

necessary preparations for setting about achieving our object, for all traffic between Auckland and the Aroha, must, as is but natural, come through the Waikato. The advantages which this route possesses over that via., the Thames are too palpable , almost to need reference ; and none but those who prefer sea sickness to comfort would hesitate about making a choice of route. This of course is true as regards passenger traffic, but in so far as produce is concerned the fact of having to pay road freights will seriously handicap the producers of the district. Of course there are grounds upon which the completion of the line could be urged altogether apart from the circumstances connected with the Aroha, but with a full knowledge, we presume, of their existence the Government has been compelled to pause, and, whatever we may ourselves feel, it is upon the new and special grounds which have arisen that we must base our appeal. When a few weeks have passed away we shall see with greater clearness the direction proper to take, and when seen no time will be lost in taking it.

The adjourned meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, called for Thursday evening, lapsed, none of the Councillors putting in an appearance.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Te Awamutu, before Edward Parsons, Esq., J.P., Timothy Begrleg was charged on the information of Constable Gillies, with having committed a Breach of the Vagrant Act, 1866, Amendment Act, 1869, by making use of obscene and indecent language in the public street at Te Awamutu on the night of the 16th inst. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was fined 40s and costs 7s.

The surface water has washed one or two deep ruts across the roadway on the Mystery Creek cutting, which ought to receive immediate attention.

The Hamilton Highway Board have at length set about repairing the approach road to the Narrows Bridge on their side the river. The improvements though slight are nevertheless acceptable. Something ought to be done this summer to lessen the grade of the cutting, on the eastern approach road.

The weather for the past few days has been very favorable to the growth of grass, though it is the general opinion that a little even would now be advantageous. The roads are in a very indifferent state except of course in those portions of the District, where gravelling has been resorted to.

The new Court-house, Cambridge, is rapidly Hearing completion, and when finished will he one of the neatest and most court-like oourt9 in the Waikato. The bench, clerk's desk, witness box, and dook all arranged according to the judicial authority, and will be a vast improvement on the old barn-like building. Cornelius Coffey appeared before Major Wilson, and Thos. Wells, Esq., J.P 'a, at the Police Court, Cambridge, on Thursday, charged with having smashed a window of the National Hotel, the property of Audus Eaynes, valued at 20s. The prisoner, who was very much the worse for liquor, went in for a general all round smash, and was of course given into custody. He, however, pleaded not guilty, but it being proved against him, was fined 40s and 31s costs, with 20s damages, or in default one month's imI prisonment. He will go to Auckland to serve his sentence.

Our Cambridge correspondent writing yesterday says : — The sensational items floating about Cambridge on the Te Aroha gold discovery are something wonderful. I was told this morning that four naw chums had been offered £1000 a-piece for their claims. As the ground has not yet been proclaimed, I could only express my opinion that it was problematical. Again, I was informed that there was a man in town who was in possession of a piece of gold the size of a pigeon's egg ; a shrug of the shoulders was my only answer. However, there is a strong feeling of confidence in its future prosperity, and all who can go are preparing to be in "at the birth."

A correspondent writing from Cambridge says : — There are few things in which the sympathy of the inhabitants of Cambridge is more interested than in the speedy opening up, and the settlement which will consequently ensue, of the Patetere block. In consideration of the large investiture of money already made by the Company and the benefits which will eventually accrue to the district, it is little wonder that any attempt to interfere in this direction arouses their strongest indignation. What is of no moment to outsiders, who would fain be considered patriots where their patriotism costs them nothing, and who are prone to indulge in empty talk and useless declamation, flattered by the attention that unthinking and uninterested men bestow upon their idle verbiage Vox et prcterea nth'tl is of vital interest to our Cambridge people, and they consequently deeply resent any misjudged interference such as was indulged in by a public meeting held at Grahamstown on Tuesday last. The mutterings of our people are not loud but deep, and they strongly deprecate and protest against the action of the Thames in this matter. Sir George Grey is the chosen instrument for furthering their designs. When will the "old man eloquent" learn that envy and malice are the worst foundations on which he could attempt to reconstruct his ruined political fortunes, and that if he wishes to obtain once more the confidence of the people he must advocate truth and justice, and not allow himself to be made the play of faction or prejudice ? I believe it is the intention to call a public meeting to protest against the unwarranted action of the Thames. If it should be so, there have been few meetings wherein the feelings of the people would be more unanimous.

On the occasion of the Home Mission Anniversary of the Cambridge Wesleyan Church, special sermons were preached on Sunday last, in the morning by the Rev. W. Morley and in the evening by Mr R. D. Stewart. Large congregations were present on both occasions, and the sermons, which were of the most impressive character, were listened to with absorbed attention. The mission fund will be substantially augmented by the collections. On the following Wednesday the annual public meeting was held at the church, Mr E. B. Walker in the chair, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Morley, W. Evans, H. Bull, and C. Griffin, and Mr R. D. Stewart. The attendance was somewhat meagre, owing to several other meetings taking place at the same time.

Mr W. K. Carter started on his second trip to Te Aroha yesterday morning, having on board his coach about half-a-dozen passengers. The enterprise of Mr Carter in starting this line is I deserving of support, because it is in the highest degree important to Waikato that some regular and efficient means of communication should be established between this district and the Aroha, It is to be

hoped that the traffic will amply recoup the expenditure involved, but if not the settlors ought themselves to subsidise the Ydntutfe.

We are in receipt of the New Zealand Country Journal for the current month. It is exceedingly well got up, and contains in addition to much matter useful to agricultural readers a wellexecuted lithograph of the imported thoroughbred stallion Leolinus, the property of G. G. Stead, Esq., of Chriatchurch.

Mr Thomas Butler, the successful tenderer for carrying the mails between Hamilton and Cambridge for 1881, has just returned from Auckland after making the arrangements necessary for running his coach. He intends to make Kirkwoods hotel his terminus at Cambridge and James's Railway Hotel his terminus at Hamilton, having secured stabling accommodation at both these places. Mr Butler is well and favorably known along the line of route, having some years ago acted in the capacity of Jehu for Mr Quick and afterwards for Mr Carter.

At a public meeting held at the Delta Hotel, Ngaruawahia, on Thursday, it was decided to hold the annual race meeting on Boxing day, this year. Particulars will shortly be advertised.

In another column we publish a list of the nominations for the Waikato Turf Club'B Spring meeting, to be held on the Ohaupo race course, on Tuesday, the 30th inst. Erom the large number of entries in the Hurdle race and Handicap, some splendid sport may be looked forward to.

We understand that a tennis tournament will be played by the members of the Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club on the Club's court this afternoon.

The usual monthly meeting of the Cambridge Highway Board was held on Wednesday at the resident of Mr Main, Hautapu. Present : Messrs. Graham, (Chairman), Main, Martyn, Smith and Bnowden. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. No accounts were rendered. Plans and particulars of a deviation of the HamiltonCambridge road from the southern end of the Tamahere bridge to a point beyond the top of Ewen's cutting were submitted by Mr G wynneth C. E. and the secretary was instructed to forward them to Mr Percy Bmith Chief Surveyor for confirmation and signature, and when that had been done to take the necessary steps under the Publio Works Act to have the deviation legalised. The trustess resolved to meet yesterday morning, at Camp's corner, to make an inspection of the district with a view to settling- what works require immediate attention. It was unanimously resolved to establish a publio pound at or near Hautapu, for which purpose Messrs Graham and Snowden were deputed to endeavour to make arrangements with Mr Camp to accept the office of poundkeeper, and to permit the erection of yards on his premises, and the Chairman was authorised to confer with the County Council to obtain their sanction and to take what further steps are necessary to legalise the institution. The chairman was also authorised to employ a man to fill in the ruts at Crawfords Gully. This was all the business of importance, and tho Board shortly afterwards rose.

"William, you have again come up unprepared" "Yes, sir." " But from what cause ?" " Laziness, sir. " " Johnson, give William a good mark for uprightness." " Bates, you proceed." "I have not prepared, too, sir." "But why not?" " From laziness, sir. " "Johnson, give Bates a bad mark for plagiarism." — Ex.

A Woman's Valor. — Visitors to Paris cannot fail to have seen in the central market an old woman seated behind a goodly array of cabbages and cauliflowers, wearing- the order of the Legion of Honor on her breast. Her name is Anette Drevon, and her history is a remarkable one. In her young days she was cantinicrc in a regiment of Zouaves who served in Africa, in the Crimea, in Italy, and on the Rhine. She was present at the taking of Magenta, and during melee saw a couple of Austrian soldiers lay hands on the flag of the regiment to which she belonged. Undeterred by the whistling of bullets, the courageous Frenchwoman rushed forward to save the flag, killed one Austrian, wounded the other with her revolver, and returned triuniphaxt with the standard she had saved from the enemy- For this act of courage she was decorated ; but it was not her only one. During the Franco-Prussian war she followed the 32d Regiment of the Line as cantinicrc. One day after the armistice had been proclaimed she was grossly insulted by a Bavarian soldier near the gates of Thionville. The plucky cantinirre, finding expostulation unavailing,drew out her revolver and stretched the aggressor dead on the ground. For this she was arrested, tried by a court-martial sitting at Metz, and condemned to death. On the day when she was to be executed, Prince Frederick Charles happened to be passing through Metz. Having learned that a woman was to be shot, he inquired into tha circumstances, granted her a respite, and four days later sent her back to France pardoned. Since then Anette has established herself as a market woman, and, aided fey a trifling pension allowed her by the State, managed to keep the proverbial pot boiling, and to live, as she is proud of saying independently.