The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1386, 21 May 1881, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of wh.itever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY, MAY n, 1881.

The announcement that the hon. member for Dunedin — Mr Oliver — has resigned the portfolio of Minister for Public Works, is not altogether a surprise. Rumours of the possibility of a step of the kind being taken have been in circulation at different times during the past nine months, or since the prorogation of last session of Parliament. Mr Oliver never had the reputation of being a " bright star in the political firmament," norwasheeven esteemed a "good party man." It was not his diplomatic ability which was the means of elevating him to a seat in the Cabinet. He owed that precedence to qualities of a different kind. The Government of which he is, or rather was, a member, took office ac a time when the condition of affairs was altogether exceptional. A season of reckless extravagance had to be check-mated, and the administration of the country remodelled in accordance with the principles of a sound economical sy&tein. It was felt a new departure had to be taken, and the national income and expenditure adjusted upon a more equitable basis. Mr Oliver's inbtincts and training were understood to qualify him for taking part in a crusade of this kind. He had been long known to Southern fame as a keen, cautious, and, in some respects, shrewd business man — one who had piloted the affairs of the commercial concern with which he was, and still is, associated, through all the troubles and reactions incidental to trade in these colonies, and placed it on a good safe commercial footing. The crowning feat of his commercial success was the Dunedin-Port Chalmers railway. He undertook its construction at a time when grave doubts were entertained of its success as a speculation, and by dint of what, for want of a better phrase, we shall call "circumnavigation," he got it taken over on his " own terms" as part of the through railway system of the colony. His triumphs as an individual, showed him to possess the sort of virtue New Zealand, as a colony, was in need of, when the Hall ministry took office in 1879. Whatever may be said to the contrary, no one who knew Richard Oliver as a business man, can doubt but that thp allotment of Public Works portfolio at that time, was a wise and prudent determination. We have said that his accession to office, as indeed his entire term, has been an exceptional one. It has been more of a negative than an affirmative administration. His predecessor in office, Mr James Macandrew, had a yea, yea dispensation to control. To every proposal that was made, he managed to accommodate himself, even although it might involve contempt for Parliamentary authority. Mr Oliver, on the contrary, has had the "Kay, nay," policy to contend with. " No " has had to be his response, no matter how eloquently the appeals made for favorable consideration. Under these circumstances, it is not astonishing he should have many detractors. Indeed, were the case otherwise — had he, in his term of office, proved to be popular — friends and well-wishers of the Colony at large might well have trembled for results — the evil day could not have been far distant. It is something to Mr Oliver's credit to be able to say that his worst foes are those of his own house — his own district and constituency being loudest in their complaints against him. That proves he has not been swayed by personal considerations, but that hs has had the firmness to discharge a disagreeable task, regardless to all intents and purposes, of either fear or favor. We cannot say we' deeply regret Mr Oliver's resignation ; at the same time we cannot blink the fact that he did his duty, and did it in many respects with firmness, at a time when firmness was required in the management of affairs.

A bonus of J8250 is offered by Go- j vernnient, on the " first £1,000 of earthenware manufactured in thecolony, on proof that it has been sold at such price as to show that, it is of good marketable quality." We are led to mention this from the fact, that sufficient . has come under notice to warrant the opinion that Waikato'is in many respects, favorably' situa^d r for prompting industry of this y description/ , <At Cambridge a 'work of the* kind' has been established, »and although" 'time has not yGt<- t h.een allowed for the .. / >Ai i/ ;'! ?/?'" /'I l r \tt r,u '

frpr^i developing duttfaT".. a. setiud^slry, a .considerable start has hefen made. In the neighbourhood of Hamilton similar works have been in operation for years, and in that time the proprietary has been successful in" liunutig put a very good servicable quality of workmanship, c6mprising articles , belonging to the higher branches of the trade. Like many ■ other promising /industries in New Zealand, operations have been cramped for want of that great desideratum — accumulated wealth. Still enough has been done to show | that the raw material in all its varieties — the refined as well as the refuse in clays — are plentifully distributed throughout the length and I breadth of the land, consequently, their manufacture on a scale commensurate with that of a flourishing trade may be looked upon as merely a question of time. The subject, we happen to know, has lately attracted attention in a quarter where want of capital is not likely to be a hinderance. In prosecuting operations at the Waikato Coal Mine, attention has been attracted by the nature of the clay seams through which the excavations are being cut. Samples of these have been preserved and forwarded for analysis. They are pronounced superior in quality, for the manufacture of the very finest descriptions of earthenware. On the other hand, we are given to understand, the seams are of great extent, and that hitherto they have been treated as mere refuse in connection with the raining operations. In fact, the assumption raised is that, the establishment of a pottery in conjunction with the mine, would prove a great incentive towards promoting the success of both undertakings. A cheap and plentiful supply of fuel is of great importance in carrying on the work of a potter, and in that way an additional outlet would be secured for the produce of the mine. Then, again, tha utilization of the clays would compensate for the expense of stripping the coal seams, and transform what is now esteemed mere refuse into an article of commercial value. In a word, these industries carried on in this way should operate upon, and stimulate the success of each other. Under such improved conditions, the subject is one which merits special attention, the additional incentive provided for by the Government bonus being likewise kept steadily in view.

The statement in the "Herald" that the Gorton Estate, near Cambridge, has been amalgamated with the property of Maclean and Co., is untrue.

Tuesday next being the Queen s Birthday, Mr. ,7. S. Buckland will hold his Ohaupo Live Stock Sale, on Monday 23rd insfc'at the u&ual hour.

Her Majesty's consent to the i the Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Act is formerly notified in the Government Gazette, and the measure is therefore added to the statutes of the colony.

A cottage at Ohaupq, belonging to Mr Louis Forkert, and situated on the opposite side of the railway line from Delaneys Hotel, was burnt to the ground at about 11 o'clock on Thursday morning. The fire is supposed to have originated m the chimney, which was of wood, but Mr Forkert and his wife were both absent, aud in a very short time the building was entirely consumed, not an article of furniture being saved.

Edwin Charles Shepherd, committed for trial for perjury, was admitted to bail on Thursday in two sureties of £250 each, and his own bond of £400. The two first named sureties were found by Messrs Iwerson and McKnight, of Whatawhata.

At about half-past 5 on Thursday afternoon an alarm of fire was raised in Hamilton 'West, but on enquiry it proved to be nothing more serious than the burning of a large heap of rubbish at the rear of Munro'a blacksmith shop in Hood-street.

Messrs. Jules George Wilson, of Cambridge, and R. C. L. iteay, of Tanrangu, have been licensed to act aa interpreters, tinder the' Native Lands Court Act, 1880, from the 2nd instant.

Judges Brookfield and Fuckeyleft on Thursday for Wellington, in which province they are to hold sessions of the Native Lands Court.

The contractor for the Rukuhia Swamp road has now completed the earthwork, and hag been brought to a standstill for want of the gravel, which has not yet been sent up. No time should now be lost while the fine weather lasts.

Preparations for the Calico Ball to be held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton on Her Majesty's Birthday, are in a forward state. A temporary room to be used as a dressing-room has been erected at the back ot the Hall, and the work of decorating the interior has commenced. It promises to be a great success.

Mr Livingston the contractor for completing" the new Hamilton-Wlinta-whata road is making very satisfactory progress. The worst part of the job, joining the made portions together, will be completed to-day, and the work will then be of a straightforward character.

Mr. J. Maher. President of the Invercar>?ill branc* of the Irish Land League, has received a letter from Mr. A. C. Parnell, thanking him for his efforts on behalf of the cause which he ia glad is so ;well understood here. For better protection, he says, the financial head- quarters of the League has been removed to Paris.

The Resident Magistrate was occupied all day, era Thursday with the hearing of a civil action, Steadman r. Camp, claim £9, 17b, balance due on erection of certain chimneys and extras. Mr O'Neill appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Dyer for the defendant. The defence was that the chimneys were not bmlt according to specifications, and that owing to tuj plaintiff being away, other labor had to be employed to finibh the work. A number of witnesses were examined, sad His Worship reserred. his deoision.

An accident happened on Thursday to a horse and spring cart belonging to'^Mr Bell, baker' and confectioner, of Hamilton East. Mr Bell was taking a •light' load of grdveTiip the old road' from the steamer-landing on the east side of the river, and "when near the top the horse jibbed ' and eventually backed over thtebank, rollingcldwilabout4ofeet. One of ! fche"shaffehvasj broken iri'ttie fall, and the horse managed to • get one of 'its feet fixed l! between tW i 'spring r andthe'bottom j of the cart, Several people who werW cro&tog r ih# bridge* fit I tHe' ! feim'e bad thejp

Daley, and once rendered aseidtance, .The horse was, ■ with wme difficulty, extricated, without having sustained any serious damage.

In our report of Tuesday's meeting of the Borough Council an omission was inadvertently made. Mr MeG-arrigle asked the Mayor if anything further had been done in the matter, of the £110 awarded to the Council from the Waikato County Council. He complained that the case had been placed in the^ hands of their solicitors twelve months ago, and although money had been paid on account of it, nothing had been done. The Mayor said Governments were proverbially slow to move in matters' of this sort, but he was sure their solicitors were doing their best. In reply to a councillor, he said no good could possibly be done by placing the case in the hands of another solicitor. No action was taken.

A meeting of the trustees, committee and members of the Hamilton Band was held in the practice room on Thursday evening, to consider matters relative to the appointment of their new bandmaster (Mr E. Hadfield), who was in attendance. It is gratifying to know that satisfactory arrangements have been arrived at, and Mr Hadfield will take charge on Tuesday night, when it is to be hoped that every member will be present. Notwithstanding that the band has lost some of its members lately, their places have been filled up by two old members, Messrs Wright and Vincent, who have been absent from the district for some months, and who have now returned to reside in Hamilton. The band is now stranger than it ever has been, and under the able leadership of Mr Hadfield, who seems in every way fitted for the post, the Hamilton public no doubt will be treated during the coming months to some excellent music.

The subject of the proposed firing contest between the Waikato Cavalry and the Thames Scottish Volunteers was brought forward by Lieutenant Johnson at the meeting of delegates at Ohaupo on Thursday. Captain Rutherford explained that he could not give a final answer regarding his men until the meeting of the Troop on Saturday, when lie would lay the proposal before them. We hope satisfactory arrangements will be made in order to the carrying out of this match. Through volunteering a bond of union has been established between Waikato and the Thames, and everything tending to strengthen it should be encouraged.

Tenders were accepted on Thursday tor contracts JN'o. 2, 3, and 4 Waitoa drainage works. The successful tenderer for No. 2 was Mr William Lovatt, contract sum £289 11s 8d ; No. 3, Mr Isaac (Joates, £1041 2s lOd ; No. 4, Mr John Livingstone, £1769 8s 4d. We are informed there was good competition for all the above works, and considering their nature the tendering was comparatively close. Mr Lovett despatched his drays and workmen yesterday, and as he hns only a short time in which to complete the work he will necessarily employ a large staff of workmen.

An order-in-Council makes the following alterations of registration fees under the Land Transfer Act, 1870 : — "That there shall be paid to the District Land Registrar in respect of registration of any transfer executed by any Registrar or Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme *Court in addition to the registration fees, the following fees : If not exceeding £2000, 1 per cent, of the purchase expressed in such transfer; if exceeding £200, 1 per cent, on £200, and \ per cent, on the remainder of the purchase money."

The last New Zealand " Gazette " contains the following notifications :—: — " Samuel Leighton and Edward Walter Puckey have been appointed Judges of the Native Lands Court. The North Auckland cattle district has been declared free from disease, and the special regulations made by an Order-in-Council, May 18th, 1880, has been revoked. Sergeant Charles Chitty has been appointed Clerk of the Magistrate's and Licensing Courts at Cambridge.

A meeting of delegates from the three Troops Waikiito Cavalry, for the purpose of settling matters in connection with the late Review at Te Awamutu, was held at Delaneys Hotel, Ohaupo, on Thursday, there being present — Major Jackson (in the chair), Captains Rutherford and Runciman, Lieutenant Fisher and Johnson, Sub-Lieutenant Wilkinson, and Acting Quarter-master Roche. The accounts were gone into, and it was found that the total cost of the late Review was nearly £300. Of this sum about £60 or £70 was subscribed beforehand, having the balance to be paid by the different Troops on the basis of their respective strength at the demonstration. The "A Troop" will have to find £85 ; " B Troop" £75, and the " C Troop" £63. Even supposing that the men were in receipt of the full pay formerly allowed them, it will be seen that they would have scarcely got enough to defray the expenses of the Review, while, if no pay be forth corning, they will be considerably out of pocket. The Easter Encampment at Te Awamutu had more than a local significance, and ought to have received more substantial assistance from the Government. Failing this — we do not see why an effort should not be made in Parliament to get it — we hope the members of the Cavalry will come forward and bear each an equal share of the expense. Nor should the general public be exempt from rendering some aid ; the Volunteer movement has not degenerated, and we hope never will degenerate into a game of playing at soldiers. So far it has been kept up as a means of defence, and as such, it has a claim upon the support of everybody in the district,

The following weather report is recorded for Auckland during the quarter ending 31st March last : January — weather cool and showery ; wind chiefly from N.E. and W., strong from latter quarter on 18th and 19th ; thunder on the 2nd ; maximum ram recorded on the 13th, *835 in. February— Hot and dry, with generally moderate to light winds, chiefly N.E. and S.W. On 27th and 28th strong winds from N.E , shifting to' S.W., with heavy rain, # 77Oin. recorded on the 28tli — the maximum for month— and sudden fall of barometer, followed by a rapid rise. March. — Very fine and dry ; high barometer ; wind moderate to fresh and variable, at close of month very light ; warm from ,24th to 26th ; little rain, the maximum on 17th, *30in.

Newspaper men are evidently rising in public eateem in the Home country, their adaptability to circumstances and grasp of general knowledge standing them in good stead when responsible men are wanted. The London , correspondent of the , Edinburgh Scotsman^ under date March 21st, writes : — ",I understand that the President of the Board of Trade has offered the post ,of the chief of the Statistical Department — an office, worth £1000 a year, and just vacated by Mr GrifFen, who becomes city editor of a contemporary — to Mr A, J. Wilson, also a journalist, and author of several works upon banking and trade." Black lace scarfs wound round and round the thrdftt, and fastened at the left side with a silver broocn, appear to be more fashionable than ever,, especially for .complimentary mourning, when ,' silver je'ntelleiyr'/and black lace, appear to qastitute aU'the grjefj'VrMoUjs, thought neces'< - cary to profess. -' ' •