Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1384, 17 May 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justu c to all men, Of \vhatc\ir state or persuasion, religious or politic, il Here shall tnc Press the People's rii;ht m.untain Un.iwed by influence .md unbilbed by jj.un

TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1881.

A result of the late census returns, so far as population is concerned, is now before us. The total of Auckland provincial district, is estimated at 130,877, of whom 100,877 are European, and 30,000 aboriginal. Information of this kind has its relative importance, the retrospective being the one ■which suggests itself most readily as a basis for still more extended operation. The first enumeration of the kind we can find, is dated as far back as the year 1812. The then Bishop of New Zealand, sets down the population of Auckland at 1800. Prior to that date, no official estimate appears to have been compiled, although indefinite allusions to the subject are made in various shapes. .For example, Gonor Hobson, in a despatch to the Secretary of State, dated May 26th, 1841, writes: "The enormous prices given for allotments at the recent sale of Auckland, speak highly in favour of my selection of the town, and the unanimous opinion of all who have visited the country seem to confirm the wisdom of the choice. Yonr Lordships' approval of my pi'oceedings is now only wanting to ensure its prosperity." The position of affiirs at this time was somewhat critical, strenuous efforts bein^ made by the Now Zealand Land Company, whose interests w«re located at Port NjcholSOn, now Wellington, to clepreciajte

the then newly formed settlement of Auckland in the estimation of the homo authorities. In pursuance of that design we find the Governor of the company in a communication, dated January 1843, alleging that " the best part of the town of Auckland has been actually sold, and a considerable part of the locality desposed of for various purposes, by none of which the colonization of the district has been in any degree promoted." And again, it is stated by the same authority — " By purchasing town allotments at the high rates of from £100 to £1600 per acre, settlers in Auckland have left themsrlves without the means of bringing their land into cultivation, or of effecting any improvement, and are now anxiously looking to the local government for the adoption of measures which may tend to draw cipital and labour to the settlement." We cite these to show the difficulties under which settlement was first planted in these parts. Thus placed upon his trial, Governor Hobson appears to have defended the situation manfully. It is worth while alluding to the ground of this defence, as we believe it grasped all the natural advantages out of which the social and material progress of Auckland has developed. He (Governor Hobson) says : " I trust, from the documents now in possession of your Lordship, showing the site of Auckland to be upon the shores of a harbour, safe and commodious, and to be easy of access, and within five miles of Manukau, certainly the best harbour on the whole of the western coast of Few Zealand, into which four considerable rivers are discharged ; and which in its immediate neighbourhood commands some hundreds of acres of level, open and fertile land, possessing abundant water communication. You will be satisfied that this neighbourhood has been well chosen, and that it combines advantages for a large and prosperous agricultural and commercial settlement." Despite its early difficulties the settlement appears to have thriven,— the population, 1,800, in 1842, increasing between that date and following year or so, to 2,500, in addition to which the estimated native population is set down at 50,000. It will thus be seen that in the intervening period of nearly 40 year.s dating back from the present YCar — a period of time dignified under feudal law as the " long prescription" — the white population has increased 99,077, while, accordin to the samo estimate, the native population has decreased at the rate of 500 per annum. The mid-period between these t\\ o widely extended periods, viz., 18G1, shows the white population to have been 21,420. We have here an increase of nearly seventy per cent. The increase for the remaining twenty years dating from 1861, shows an increase of rather more than 25 per cent. The total population of the Waikato, which is now, for sub-enumer-ation purposes, divided into the Counties of Waikato, Waipa, Raglan, and the Borough of Hamilton, is 5.246, which gives an increase of 1,971 compared with the return of 1871, the previous decimminal period. Altogether, as we have shown in a previous article on the subject while the provincial district has maintained a high rate of increase compared with the colony as a whole, or indeed any one of its provincial dependencies, the Waikato discloses a state of affairs even more satisfactory in it., relations to this provincial district.

We are pleased to learn that the Government, atter much shuffling 1 and procrastination have contributed their '•hare towards the erection of the Haerini blidge, near Taurauga. This structure will span the Tauranga harbor, near the mouth of the Waimapu River, and connect To Puke directly with the town. It is iefro«.hinsf to wee some modicum of urtentioti being 1 paid by Go/erntnpnt, late in the day though it be, to tho just demands of the long neglected Tauranga distiicb.

Our To Aroha correspondent informs us ill another place that the first of the Grant and Foster settlers has arrived at the Aroha to inspect his land.

The Hamilton Highway Board lia'-e re-let the contract for certain much needed works at Stokes' bridge, Whatawhata load.

The natives have almost evacuated Cambridge, a large number ; neariy the last, departing on Saturday.

Captain Archibald C. Turner, Engineer to the Taiirantra County Council invites sealed tenders for the erection of the Haerini Bridge and Viaduct on the Tauranga. Te Puke, and Rofcorua Road,

It is reported that overtures have aizaiu been made to Mr. Reader Wood by Mr. Whitaker to join the Ministry, but that he poMtively refuses, ami intimates that next sefeflion he will be in opposition. — Christchurch Telegraph.

A portion of the gravelling contract on the Cambridge- Hamilton road, between Arnold's and Forrest's, has been re-let to Mr L. B. Ewen, the original contractor being unable to proceed with the expedition necessary to complete the whole of the work before the wet wea fcher seta in.

The Waikato Steam Navigation Couip.'iny'H new wharf and stores at Cambrifitre are rapidly noari isr completion. Littlo now remains to be done, save the eroction of the engine, and tho husinens will be transferred from the old wharf in a very short time.

The Hon. Sec. of the Calico Ball dbNires us to statH that there In no foundation for the report, which has got abroad to tho effect that the majority of these who have accepted invitations intend oominsr in evening dress. So far as ifl known the proportion of thone in evening cos. tume will be very small, and it in particularly requested that when practicable nono but fancy costumes be worn.

The bridge over the Mangaone creek on the Tamahere road, near Broad Meadows, is in a very dangerous condition. One' of the planks 'on .the Cambridge side, being quite rotten, has

broken down, leaving au Ugly bole. This is a matter which should be looked to.

Daniel Milden was brought up at the Hamilton Police Court on Satuiday, on remand oharircd with a bieaoh of the Destitute Perilous Act in that he hud dewrted his wife and left her without adequate means of support in April 1880. The accused plendel guilty and urged in his defence that he had been unable to find employment remunerative enough to allow ot his sending his wife any assistance*. He was otdered to pay the sum of £1 per week toward* the support of his wife in his own surety of £50.

Edwin Charles Shepherd, who was arrested on Fnduy on a charge of perjury in connection with the cases of the boy Muir nrid the girl Hill, was admitted to buil on Saturday. The amount of bail was £BO, in two sureties of £200, and the accused's own bnud of £400. He will be brought before Justices of the Peace to-morrow morning 1 .

The "Lyttleton Times" states that Mr John Oou way has received a letter from Mr James Lillywhite, dated February 11th intimating that, in connection with Mtssis Shaw and Sbrewberry, he proposed viMifcinjr AuHtraliu with a team of ciicketeis at Christmas, provided that suitable terms could be arranged. According to ar/augetnents fit present sujrjrtated, they will come via America ; and after playing a t-eries of matches in New Ze^hnd, from November i.4th to Deoember 15tb, pro on to the Australian Colonies. They expect to open at Melbourne on Boxing-day, and finit-li the tour at Adelaide on March loth.

The increase in grain trade between London and New Zenlaud is remarkable. Messrs John Shaw and Sons in their circular say :—"lfc: — "Ifc is worth noticing; that the perennial rye-jrra^ses are now offeiing from New Zealand, which is quite a reversal of the ordinary state of things."

On and after Monday next the telegiaph and postal designation will no longer be Grahamstown but Thames thin doing away with those distinctions which are so preplexing to people at a distance, und which have frequently confused correspondents. It is not an uncommon thing to see newspapers and letters addressed :—": — " Grabamstown, Shortland, I names, Grahainxtown, Auckland, New Zealand." Correspondence and freight have frequently been sent on to Grahamstown. Cape of Good Hope, instead of to New Zealand, and such blunders are less likely to occur when the whole district is known as the Thames only. Wo would suggest that the banking institutions and commercial firms aa-i*t the poatal and telegraphic departments in the alteration as much as possible by recoginising only the Thames instead of Grahamftown or Shortland. In the case of foreign banks this v/ill be absolutely necessary, unless the confusion is to be perpetuated. — Thames Advertiser.

The Thames " Star" has the following • — " We regret to learn that the Thames is likely to lose another old identity in the person of Mr Huprh McIlhone, who has been so intimately connected with all public movements on the I hsunes from its earliest days. Mr McIlhone has just returned from a visit to Waikato, where he has been upending a few cKys with Mr Sheehan, and the result of his vi«it will probably lead to his removal from the district with which he has been so long connected. We understand that some rpcogniti'in of hi* past nci rices will be insisted upon by his friends, and that Mr. Comer haa already taken steps to carry this into effect."

Archbishop Steins,, S.J., has replied as follow* to a cablegram despatched to Sydney to him on Saturday by the Very Rev. H, J. Fyne9, V.G-., expressing the anxiety of the clergy and laity about the state of his Grace's health :—: — "Somewhat better; accept possible best wi«hes to clergy and laity.'' The intelligence as to the improved state of Archbishop Steins's health will b3 rereived with much satisfaction by the members of the Catholic Church.

Statutory meetings of creditors in the following bankruptii'ios were held in the Pistiict Court House. Hamilton, on S iturd.iy. The debtors surrendered in both cases. Edward Thomas Hedgecock, cabinetmaker, Cambridge : liabilities filed 6107 1» 2d ; distributed am ngst 22creditors. A^ets £SO, conM.^tiug of book deots, £45; furniture, wearing apparel and tools £25 ; and stock in trade conMating of timber, £10. Mr, James Black, cWk, Hamilton Avas elected creditors trustee. Thos. James North -olicitor's clerk, Cambridge. Liabilities filed £ ' 10 11s Gd distributed amongst 23 creditors. Assets £20 confistinir of household furniture and effects. Mr. Thomas H. Hoy, butcher, Cambridge, was elected creditor's trustpe.

A deputation of the Wellington hotel- keepers waited upon the Premier find Colonial Secretary on S-tturday last iv reference to the Licensing Bill which ia to be re-iutroducpdduring the next session of Parliament. The deputation approved generally of the Bill, but they took exception to certain provisions as to Working Men's Clubs and Family Hotels. They also ur<red that the fees proposed to be charged for licenses were too high. After hearing thp deputation, the Ministers promised to consider the representations.

The unfortunate captain who has just iroue down with his seamen and tnoat ot his passengers, was not, we believe, too accustomed to trips of the kind. No doubt he had the rashnes 8 and impulsiveness of youth on his aide, and we are not astoninhed to learn that he remained cool and collected, and stood by his ve«sel to the last. But wp are satisfied from what has transpired that he lacked the experience and caution of the commander that he superseded. If he was placed in a false position the blame rests not with the dead, but irifch those who promoted youth and experience to an unduly responsible pout. No doubt after their present experiences the directors of the Union S.S. Company will be enabled to perceive that the arbitrary changing about of captains is excessively dangerous and that in navigating the New Zealand coast experience and cautien are the very first requisites. But at what a cost to many a bereaved family, and to the colony as a whole has this little bit of common-place wisdom been purchased ?. — South Canterbury Times,

H. E. Cotton and Co. advertise for a quantity of outs, to be delivered inparcols of not less than 20 sacks at their stores, Cambridge. The demands of Cambridge not requiring 1 weekly auction sales, H. JsT Cotton and Co. will, in future, hold sales on the last Saturday of each month regularly. Mr James Black, of Hamilton, accountant, has been elected trustee in bankruptcy in the estate of Edwin Thomas Hcdgecock, ot Cambridge. On Friday Mr A. Backknd will sell, in the Greyhound Yards a number of useful horses from VVanganui, also some draught horses from the Waikato district. A concert an i ball in aid of the fund for lining the Public Hall, Te Awamutu, will be uiven in the Public Hall, Ta Awamutu, on Tuesday evening next. Tenners are invited for works on road from fole's Hill to Matahura.' Mr W. R. Wnlker, of Cusihom -house- , street, Auckland, advertises a flourishing business north of Auckland for sale, * ' '* i Mr Kennedy Hill* will hold an unreserved s/»le of household furniture 6a Saturday next at the, Royal .Hotel, Alexandra. - ', ' ! The Sepjrefcfpy of the Tamahere Road Board notifies t%?£ i£ js the intention of the Trustees to make a >ai* of <?,ne in the £on the Bth June. 1 / ' ' „ An election will be held ,on_,fch«(l»s 'Tune for the election of two auiiJtors »r tk« Borough of Hamilton- r - . " '