ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1342, 5 February 1881, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Another of our old identities passed away last week, Alexander Kemble, formerly belonging to Captain Peacock's Company of the 2nd Regiment Waikato Militia. Kemble was 80 years of age, and was partially crippled by the fall of a tree at Howick some years ago, when he received some severe internal injuries which incapacitated him from performing any laborious work. He, however, has managed to get a precarious subsistence for Borne time past by cutting firewood in Pirongia, Le being a man of indomitable energy and independent spirit. The immediate cause of his death was caused by his old injury, inflammation having set in in his intestines or bladder. At the time of his death, deceased was quite destitute, and when he came into the settlement two days previously, in great agony, had no means of obtaining medical relief or attendance. Mr Finch, of the Aloxandra Hotel, however, like a good Samaritan, took him in. Dr Blnnden, of Te Awamutu, was sent for, and everything done for him that could relieve hi« suffering! ; but mortification setting in, his recovery was impossible. My reason for writing thi« is to point out the great neceMity that exists for some kind of organi&t relief that the Government should haf»ia*Mist such destitute sufferers as Kemble. itfhen the poor fellow was walking, or "rather staggering, about the streets, the poli c, or, I Hhould say, the A.C. Force (for we have no constable here), on being applied to as to what should be done with mm, said they had no power to incur any expenses or do anything in anch a case. One of them, however, led Kemble to the Alexandra Hotel, and left him with Mr Finch, where, as I have already stated, he received every kindness ana attention until hut death. Kemble was a man of •trust sobriety, and never known to enter a pnbliC'honse. The general opinion here in that some provision should bo made for oa*N( oj fsbj*,,kind, f $bj*,,kind, and,, tome

quired reUof, ' ws£nfo4fc taking them ip oharge as " vagrant*/' which Kemble had a horror of being thought. Publican* are sufficiently handicapped with taxes with* out baring their houses turned into pro'vinoial free hospitals. lam glad to sat that the character of Kemble was so well appreciated here that bis funeral was attended by all the old settlers and others acquainted with him, numbering some thirty-five persons ; the Rev. Mr Phillipji reading the service. The weather lately has been most pror pitivus for harvesting, and most of thb crops have been secured. At Kopua, the well-known chief Te Tuhi, or Patara fthb name he was known by in old times, when rending at Mangere) has had the misfortune to lose his whole crop — some ten •eras of oats. He was completing the thatching of his stack, when by some means it caught fire. As he had no assistanoe but bis wife (a sister of Tawhiao's) present at the time, he was unable to put out tho flames, and could only manage to pull out a few sheaves, the rest being entirely consumed by the fire. .Bee-keepers should have a fine season, and be able largely to increase their itooks. Hardly a day passes but I observe from two to five swarms flying about. At last I am informed Government have determined to proceed at once with the erection of the new post and telegraphoffice here, the money for which was voted long since. It will, when finished, be a great boon to the public, and, I should imagine, a new lease of life to the unfor- : tunate officer who has so long done duty in the present unwholesome, dilapidated, and unsuitable building. We observe here that you have been writing on the subject of the site of the Te Rore bridge. We are of opinion that it is not very likely that the Minister for Public Works will break faith with the public, and change the site of tho bridge, merely becuuse Mr McMinn has once again seen reason to chsnge his mind. It is, in we all know, one of his peculiar idiosyncracieg to do that. One reason is going about here for Mr McMinn's action in this matter seems almost too absurd for belief. It is that he expects at the next eleotion he will once more be entrusted with the confidence of the electors as member for Waipain the House of Representatives, hence his eyes being opened to the advantages of the lower Bite, which would suit a few at Paterangi, and securo him sundry votes'. If he thinks the Alexandra votes arc safe for him now, he will find himself once more a victim of misplaced confidence. The Government have appointed Dr. Blunden, of Te Awamutu, to inoculate, under the Vaccination Act. I would remind the Government that the doctor's services are also required here, as there are a number of children unvaccinated. It is too much to expect mothers to take their children a whole day's journey lo Te Awamutu. Surely, tho doctor's travelling expenses here can be afforded. Business still continues dull, but the harvesting well over, better times may be looked for. — [Own Correspondent, February 3.]