AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1343, 8 February 1881, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Bqual ami exact justice to all men, Of \\h.itc\or state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's njfht maintain Una wed by mlluenco and Uiibubed by gain.

TUESDAY, FEB. 8, 1881. It will be good news to our FJarapepe readers to hear that the Government has at length decided to erect the Te Rore bridge on the site originally chosen by the majority of the ratepayers in the Pirongia Highway District. We have received official intimation of this, and understand that the proper plans will at once be forwarded to Wellington for approval. That a deliberate attempt has been made by a few I interested individuals to defeat the wishes of the settlers seems no longer a matter of doubt. Why such peculiarly underhand means should have been resorted to to gain the desired object, cannot be guessed. It is to be presumed the game was worth the winning, or it would not have been engaged in. We are not so charitably disposed as to think that the question of economy had over-much to do with it ; there have been, and there no doubt are isolated cases of high-minded patriotism. But they are too rare to admit of their evidence being taken on trust in a century so full of enlightonment as the nineteenth is. The bridge is so urgently needed that it is hoped no further unnecessary delay will occur in its prosecution.

We are requested to state that theie is no truth whatever in the paragraph in last Saturday's Free Lanr-i under the heading " Waikato Wrinkles" to the eileot th.it the impending: action for libel in Hamilton East, adveitecl to in the Entte Nuns column of ihe Waikato Timi>, hab bepn settled. The action will certainly come on fur hearing at the foithcoming sitting of the Supieme Court.

At the Police Court, Hamilton, yesterday before E. M. Edrrcumbe, E-q. J.P., and His Worship the Mayor. John Philpofc Cm ran, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and with resi^tmsr Constable Mm ray iv tho execution of his duty on the sth in^t. The prisoner ploided iguoranco. The evidence of the Constable- and Thomas Green, groom at the Waikato Hotel was taken to prove the violence of the prisoner's conduct The piisoner who said he was .suffering fiom ill-health was fined 10s or in default 4S hours imprisonment on the fiist charge. For the other offence he was sentenced to two mouths i.npiisoniufnfc with hard labour m Mount Eden fjaol.

The Te Aroha coach, which left Hamilton yesterday morning, met with a nubhap near Mr Suttor's resulence,on the PiaUo Ro<ul, tho tire coming off one of the wheels. In consequence, all the pas&engeM, ten in number, had to return to Hamilton.

The Aroha races will be held tomorrow on the Native course below the town&hip. Tho e\enli> promise to provide pood sport, mid no doubt the meeting will lie well pationisecl. Many Waikato people intend being pi esent.

The Native Commissioners' Court was occupied all clay yesterday examining Wajor Wilson and Mr Searancke, who gave evidence principally as to their knowledge of the circumstances connected with the Pukekura block, also on native customs re Ngatikauerata's claim. The e«idence given by them is considered Unfavourable to that tribe.

The newly appointed Committee of the Hamilton Band have decided to have a moonlight excursion on the river on Tuesday evening- next, the proceeds to be devoted to the Band Fuud. Fuller particulars will bo forthcoming in a day or two.

The Lydia Eowarde troupe, after a very successful peason in the Southern portion of the colony, have arrived in Auckland, and will Bhortly pay a visit to the Waikato.

People desirous of visiting the Rotorua Lakes have no cause to complain either of want of opportunities or of the expense attendant on the trip. Mr Wm. Kelly, of Tauranga— a gentleman noted for his enterprise and public spirit — has founded a sort of Cook's excursions. He announces that he has made arrangements to book tourists from Auckland direct to the Hot Lakes and back, including the 1 liighest-class hotels for £12 each if a party of two, or £10 10s each for any number above two. Tourists travel via Taurauga in the comfortable steamer Glenelg, arid the coast scenery on the way down being superb, the journey of twelve hours or so — almost invariably in smooth water— is a pleasure trip in itself.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board was held at the Council Chambers last night. Present*': Mes«i?B John Knox, (chairman), Jones, Peat a#4 Davis. Specifications for draining the ifanjilton East' Town Belt were received frop» #Jte Engineer, *qd ft w^s fe^lve4 w| l?|

for the •work. The balance of Mr T. Q. > Bandog' account for the survey of the Domain Lands was passed for payment. Several accounts having been pas&ed toy payment the Board ro&e.

: The second 6f the series of swimming matclies proposed^ to bo held at Humiltcm dining the summer months came off on Saturday. The- course was, from the bend in the river above Co.ites' Landing to the Waikato Brewery Wfyar/. There were five competitors, and the first prize, Ids, was wou by M,\- C. Beale.

The gates and posts at the NgaruaWtVii.i budge, which were darned away by the sp-'cidl train on ChrNtnns Eve, have been replaced, but nothing ci nceming* the cause of the accident has yoi, trui&im'i cl

An error crept into our local in last is&uc re scholarship awarded to Jas. Maclauvin. The name of the school at which the boy was educated appeared as Ohaupo ; it should have read Hautapn.

Although falling, the Waikito River is still high for this season of the year. At present it is about two feet six inches above its usual summer level, the rock, below Cambridge bridge being very little more than visible. This is a sure sign that snow on the interior ranges is melting rapidly.

Mr Kennedy Hill submitted to auction at bis Murfc, Hamilton, on Saturday, the privileges in connection with the forthcoming Summor Meeting of the Waikato Turf Ulub. The lots were ( sold as follows : — Gates £81, W. Adams; Grand Sf.and bar and luncheon room £35, R G-.vynne; Cirds, £8 10s, W. Adams; Gaming privileges, £5 10s, W. Adams ; hack paddock, £4 15s, R. Land ; Temperance booth, £3, Mrs VVnvless. The total therefoie realised by the sale, is £137 loi.

The annual meeting of the congregation of the Holy Trinity Church, Ngaruawahia, was held on the 28th ult. The Rev. Mr Davis occupied the chair. The accounts were read, which shewed debit, and credit account was pretty c\enly balanced, and were paid. The chairman appointed Mr U. P. Dickeson as his churchwarden, and Messrs Taylor and Butcher were elected for the people. A vote of thanks was accorded to the lay readers for their zeal shewn for the church in keeping up the services. Votes of thanks were also passed to the choir and

Sunday-school teachers. A somewhat remarkable, if amusing incident, was brought under our notice a few days ago. To those who have spent the best portion of their lives iv this colony, tho eyutem under which in pat>t years a considerable area of land in the North Island was acquired, will doubtless be familiar. Blocks of land were often surveyed iv tho most rough and ready manner, a trifio was paid, and eventually Crown grants were obtained. To advert to the particular case we have in mind, a certain well-known and popular native agent in Waikato received a letter a few days ago from a lady in America, or somewhere else it matters little, to the effect that the writer's husband had, in the year 1831, purchased from the natives, payment being made in needles and pins and other useful agricultural implements, equally valuable a block of land on the West Coast of the North Island, and desiring the agent aforesaid to take the matter up with a viev to the relict of Ca?sar getting 1 that which belonged to him. Now fifty years is a long time to look Lack upon, and maons have treacherous memories. The locality of the cbt.ite sought to be recovered was not very lucidly explained, probably on account of it having been surveyed from a boat, but from the knowledge of old tune events possessed by the gentlemen communicated with, he was enabled to identify it as one which lies in a portion of this island which up to the present time is practically unaccessible to Europ >ans. Under those circumstances our informant intimated to his correspondent that as the old Native Lands Court had ceased to exeicihe its functions, ho could not see his way clear to take any action iv tho matter. " This provoked an answer, couched in the moht peremptory terniH, telling him he must take the matter up. A diligent study of the numerous sfcatu es of New Zealand has, however, couvinced the native agent that theio exists no power to compel him to take action, and although the claimant appeals not to have abated one iota in her determination to get what she considers in her right, she will have to seek for some other instrument to bring the affair to a satisfactory termination.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Highway Board was held on .Saturday. Present: Messrs S. Steele (chairman), Ridler, Gribble, aud G. Edgpcumbe. The minutes and correspondence having been read, the Board agreed to accept an offer from the Hon. James Williamson to make good the ro.td leading from the Hamilton Ohaupo road to the Rukuhia Railway Station nubject to the following 1 conditions, viz : That fho roul work be let by contract, and a memorandum of acceptance of contract be s>ent to the Board. It was read ved to authoiise Mr Breakell to spend LIJO of the Government grant on the H utiilton-Whatawhata road for the erectiou of two small bridge* and topping up ibout fifteen chains of swamp road. Several accounts were passed for payment.

Last night a well-attended meeting of subscribers to the Hamilton Volunteer Band was held at Gwynnc's Hotel. In the unavoidable absence of Captain Dawson, Lieutenant Breakell presided, and explained that in consequence of the determination to disband the corps, it was deemed advisable to elect a body of trustees, in whom the property of the Band might be vested. On the motion of Captain Steele, Mr Richard Gwynne was elected sole trustee. Messrs McLernon, Knox, and Scott "were appointed a committee to collect subscriptions and confer with the trustee relative to the affairs of the Band. Replying to questions put by Mr F. A, Whitaker, it was stated that the Band was in debt a sum of £23 16s 6d ; the bandmaster's salary was 20s per week, and that it was of importance steps should be taken for raising enough to pay off the debt and provide for the periodical expenses. Capt. Steele Said i he would bo prepared to head the list with a subscription of £2 2s. Other J gentlemen grave a similar promise, and it was decided that the committee should confer, together as to the best means for i organism? a general scheme for collecting subscriptions. ' The meeting then-termi-nated. v '

Messrs Bailey and Humphrey have shipped 62 kegs of butter to London by the barque Ardentinngy (pays tne North Otago Times), and as this is the first exportation of the kind from, we believe, any New Zealand port, it bears signi--ficanca as a test of no email value. The shipping of butter on long sea voyages has hardly got beyond the pale of experiment, and its success means the opening of a never failing market for colonial dairies. Good butter is a luxnrj in London, and commanls its own price. A _ correspondent in the North Otago Times in referring ,to the shipment .says : — Presuming that the butter shipped by Bailey and Humphrey is the owed product or the fresh (?) butter sent in by our farmers from day to ' day, of all colours and textures, v and subjected to all faulty processes of< preparatipn, it will be t wonderful indeed, if the result "will encourage a repetition of the venture Jtf is utterly impossible, under tfyw 6t)sUtt'

stance^, '#£ «arfe butter to b<> 'acceptable to the Lonijbn people, "and I venture to^ af - fiim that the result will be d&appointini? to the exporters. Not only ho, but the seuding of such butter will injure the repi^fctttypn of all butter from New Zealand • and therefore in the interests of the farmer, T emphatically state that the only sure plan of making and curing j butter that will command a ready and profitable market in .England is by the means of a Butter Factory.

The, Australasian' states that Mata, the whilom champion of New Zealand • has been converted into a hack, and Mr H. Haines may be seen riding him up C)lbi s and Burke-streets, Melbourne.

The children attending the Presbyterian Sunday School, H.imiltou, with their teachers and friends, to the number of about. 200, enjoyed a very pleasant picnic on Saturday, in a paddock very kindly lent ipv the purpo&e by Mr Joseph Oochrane. The childien were conveyed to the rendezvous in waggons provided by C.ipt. Steelo, Mr Oochrane and others, who aLo gave tangible assistance in other ways. The Rev. Messrs Evans and Fulton were present. Abundant refreshments was provided, and during 1 the afternoon the young people were amused with various games, dispersing towards evening thoroughly pleased with their outing.

A correspondent at Cambridge^ writes :— " I have a tale to tell, which has all the recommendation of being sti'ictly true. Twelve months ago a valuable gold stud, the property of Mr W. K. Carter, went amissiug under circumstances considered at the time wholly inexplicable. Diligent search was instituted, but no trace could befoundofthemissingtnnket. The affair was well-nigh forgotten, when, on Saturday last, the stud turned up under the following no\ el circumstances : — One of the domestic roosters was being cut up for Sunday's dinner, when a peculiarity was noticed which induced close examination being made of the contents of its stomach. There, sure enough, was the long lost &tud, somewhat worn, as if from friction caused by contact with a gritty substance, but otherwise quite complete for purposes of identification. Judging from the size of the stud, which," adds our correspondent, "was shown to me, I should say the gizzard of the bird must have been rather a capacioub one."

Our Cambridge correspondent writes: — ""We have succeeded in wipinir out an evil which threatened at one time to become dangerous. Its history is contained in a nutshell, the cracking 1 of which will not bore your leaders very much. A few weeks ago an itinerant journalist pitched his tent in this place. Amidst a flourish of trumpets, he professed his willingness to sacrifice soul and body for the good of the district. Big as the promise seemed, experience has proved the sacrifice small, inasmuch as that the devoted journalist in question possessed but little in the shape of eithei a soul to be bayed, or a body to be kicked. The deficiency, however, was not apparent until a considerable amount of support had been pledged. In the meantime, the lack of brain-power, coupled with a similar wantof discrimination, became only too palpable. Whatever he attempted to do was done with such a total disregard to the interests of the district that the inhabi tints saw at a glance energetic measures would have to be adopted for the purpose of counteracting the evil. Then commenced the wiping-out process, which was duly consummated on Saturday. The last gasp was characteristic of the whole cai oer. It wasliketheimpeninent thief railing against his righte©uB doom, and as an example of impotent rajre, nothing could well surpass it. Seeing that he has succeeded in working out his own downfall, and that his teeth are now completely filed, it might appear invidious to pass the tirade under strict critical review. Still there are one or two features I cannot allow to pass altogether unnoticed. He makes a point of having paid all just and lawful debts, and by way of reiterating the boast challenges anyone to speak to the contrary. Evidently this man thinks that in doing this simple act of justice, ho has clone something meritorious, something entitling him to be canoni/ed. ludeed, it is put forward in Mich a way as would lead to the belief that this is a new feature in the man's character, and that hitherto his observances in that respect have been honoured in the breach. The tirade is altogether a vulgar one, and I believe you will agree with me in thinking 1 that tho district is to be congratulated in having wiped out what was a blemish on its fair fame."

Retrenchment Neckssaiu . — The writer of " Echoes from Pall Mall, " in the Leader, says : — The extent of the indebtedness of the Prince of Wales is said to be £40.000, and it is rumoured that he has applied to both the last and the present Premiers to get a vote for this amount, and to let him have £10,000 a year more. It is the Prince's misfortune that he owes so little ; and if his debts were greater his case would, perhaps, bo stronger, for the £40,000 may be staved off from year to year. If the Queen will not relent he must economise. It would be curious to leain His Royal Highness' views about retrenchment. He must have heard the word often enough, and should understand its meaning. He knows how to drive a bargain too. tie brought with him some wild beasts from India, and they were ' deposited ' at the Zoological Gardens in Regents Park ; but the officials there knew that they were bought and sold, and that the price was a stiff one. He might have made a profitable speculation in kangaroos, but he has foolishly let blip the opportunity. ''

Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. will dispose of 200 head of mixed tattle, .it the Okete Yards, on the ist March. In consequence of the Ohaupo Races being held on the 17th and 18th instant, Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. will hold their next Ohaupo sale on Saturday, the 19th instant. Their days of holding regular sales is also announced. Mr Alfred Buckland will sell a choice lot of cattle at the Remuera Yards on the 10th instant. The usual monthly meeting of the Sons of Ulster, No. 9, will be held in the Victoria Hall this evening, at 8 o'clock. Mr Adam Laybourn, of Fort-streefc, Auckland, has just landed, ex Loch Urr, a shipment of English and Dutch clovers and Turnip seed. , The quarterly licensing meeting for the District pf Raglan and Kawhia will be held at •the R.M. Court, Raglan, on Tuesday, ist prox., at noon. Mahoney and Son, architects, will receive tenders until Saturday next for the erection of a two-storey building in Cambridge. Plans, &q., at Duke of Cambridge Hotel. . r ( The new pure cash system now being initiated by (i., and C. will certainjy prove a benefit to ' the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strjetly camed j out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery milljnary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operativ ( e society, witnoutthe risk of being called upon to bear aportion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown thorn, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial j whether they gain or, lose the first year; Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection.'^'turnisnirig goods, such' as carpets, floor rloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the: largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the, lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of fivA'pe? cpt\U fyill be allowed to those who pay af the time of purchase. G. &C, having realised the entire value of their stock duFing their latp cash sale, the preient stock is nbw and crtEAPLV BouGHTi' An inspection is invited.— Garlics jAnd CRANWBLt, City Hall Fun»sh,it)g A,rca.d.c Queen*