SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1881.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1401, 25 June 1881, Page 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1881.

Thk debate on the motion of Mi- Murk ay, the member for Bruce, on Thursday, requires the careful consideration of the general public. It is not that Githcr of the speakers broke fresh ground or laid down new principles which should regulate the governing bodies, but the expressed desire to return to the provincial form of administration under another form. Indeed so disgusted does Mr Oiuiond appear with county government, that he said it would be unfair to handicap the new system he sought to inaugurate by the hated name of " county." The proposals of the scheme elaborated by the mover and seconder of the motion were singularly incomplete ; they reminded listeners of the mode in which Frank rNS'EiN was said to have been formed ; only in this instance the thing that was evolved from the imagination was incomplete. It had height and breadth and an imposing appearance but it was devoid of arms and legs, and, as Mr Reader Wood pointed out, was not provided with any means of possessing or retaining life. No blood was thought by Mr Ormoxd necessary to keep his political FiUNKENSTUN alive. It was a bold proposal doubtless to sequestrate the land from the use of the Consolidated Fund to endow districts with, but it had the misfortune to be impracticable because the land fund is the security given to the bond holder for the repayment of his debt. His proposal to place our railway system under local conti-ol was as wild a conception as that of the member for Parnell that the General Government should endow the districts proposed to be created with the portion of our lines running through such district.

We have hoard that it is probable th-5 works on the ilukuhia station road will bo suspended until after the winter, a circumstance which is owing to the gross mismanagement on the part of the Constructed Railways Department. A grant of •C3GO. it will bo remembered, was puvpu->A ot ■SUippfying n.uw'xi^&'iVji.thg gravel for tlie completion of the road. It may appear to oome that this expenditure could only benefit a fow private individuals, but as we have before explained it will be beneficial to the settlers in the important districts of Tulnkaramea and that lying between Ohaupo and Hamilton, and will as a necessary consequence be the means of affording increased traflic to the railway — traffic a\ Inch at present goes by way of the Waipa river, and which, were facilities for using the railway pro- \ ided, would rapidly increase in its proportions. The engineer for the work has told u^ that if he had been supplied by the Government the necessary plant he could, without any danger to the public or inconvenience to the traJHc, have performed the whole; of the work within a fortnight, while under the present system adopted by the Constructed Railways Department, the work would extend over fourteen weeks. The winter lias now set in, and the gravelling of this road, which might have been completed a fortnight ago, has, owing to the heavy roms, winch at this time of the year might have been expjeted, been not only retarded but likely to be stopped. Although the foundation of the road is sufficiently good in dry weather to receive the amount of metal intended to be put upon it, the rain has rendered the peat so soft that double the quantity | of gravel would now be required to produce the same result as if the swamp were dry. Mr Breakell lias boon anxious throughout to make the job thorough and permanent, and he now considers that owing to the delay it is necessary from a practical point of view to suspend t.ho works until next summer, thus not only inflicting a loss upon the adjoining settlers, but actually upon the .Railway Department itself. If the Avork had been carried out as suggested by Mr Bkeakell it would have been completed before now and the Government would have been in receipt of revenue for the money expended. As it is, a sum of money has been spent on a road which is uncompleted, and is now lying useless. We have from time to time heard many complaints on the score of mismanagement against the Traffic Department, and thi3 instance is a strong evidence of their justice. It is indeed clear that we want better and abler management. Considering that the Railway Department is charging the exorbitant rate of Is 6d per ton for hauljng the gravel from Hamilton to Ilukuhia, and thereby securing to the Government more than two thirds of 'the sum (£300) granted for the .work, one would naturally have thought that every effort would have been put forth to assist in furthering what after all is really more a 'railway thaii a district work; and one "from

vwhich the Department was to reap a twofold benefit. The contractors for filling the gravel and emptying it^ on _the_ Rukuhia station road nfcuty their ; arrangements, , tis, "% 'price, etc., on' the understanding which they had from the engineer that the Government were prepared to carry out their part of -the work , in a practical manner. Under the arrangements subsequently ' made the waggons employed came down to Hamilton by the ordinary train, leaving Rukuhia at about 10.20 a.m., and returning by the ordinary South train leaving Hamilton at , about quarter past two in the afternoon, thus allowing only about three or four working hours to unload the gravel. The settlers felt .satisfied, from the energy displayed by the contractor and engineer, at the commencement, that the railway would be made available to I them during the winter months, at which time it is of course much more urgently needed, owing to the bad state of the roads. They will have every reason to be disappointed and dissatisfied if the work be suspended. Under ordinary circumstances the sidings at the Rukuhia station would have been completed twelve months ago. A station has been laid out here, but so far no provision has been made either for the passenger, or, what is of more importance, the goods traffic. \Ye can well understand that were there a largo amount of traffic on the line the management might consider it necessaiy to take all precautionaiy measures, but considering that there are only two trains per day we fail to see that there is any difficulty in the way of performing the work inquired without interfering with the ordinary traffic or endangering the public safety. Where there are no difficulties everything is easy, but what is required, especially in a new country, is a management which is able to cope with small emergencies at any rate, when such arise.

The letter from Mr Potter to Mr J. B. Whytb. M.H.R., which we print in another column, opens up a question which, it seems to us, has at least two sides. The gist of Mr Potter's argument is that it is unfair to deprive a ratepayer of his vote because he does not pay that which the Council has the power to secure by an appeal to the ordinary Resident Magistrate's Court. He objects to the defaulter who may find himself in that position without any fault of his own being placed in thp same category as those who are necessarily incapacitated through having committed a breach of the laws of the country. The obvious rsasm .of. the infitoiipa^^A.i^c payment of rates, but it may be questioned whether by this means the Borouoh funds aro more regularly forthcoming than they would be were matters arranged as Mr Potter desires. Tho act of striking defaulters off the burgess roll for the year has very little effect upon those who are naturally indifferent to the affairs of the Municipality, while it treats with a cci'tain degree of injustice those whom circumstances alone prevent from paying their rates in due time. The question is one a\ orth considering.

'■Echoes from the Cafe" and other matter is unavoidably held over through pressure on our space. Mr W. M, Hay has seen fit to publish m an Auckland paper ,1 letter which Mas refused insertion in the columns of this journal. In declining the letter we gave no reason for so doing, but if one were wanting it would be found in the communication itse f, in the absence theiefrom of any evidence of the truth of the assertion which is made. We have no desire to prevent discussion on the subject of the case lately determined at the Cambridge K.M. Court, still less to suppress the views of those who differ from ourselves, but we must be excused if we decline to publish reflections on the truth of our report, which are unsupported by the semblance of argument. Mr Hay has been led away in the same fit of ill humor to say that the leading article which appeared in our Thur&day's issue " grossly misrepresents the fdctd of the case." The second charge is equally unsupported with the first, and being so is just as easily advanced ; but we require something more than bald assertions.

The contractor for the new Anglican (.'hurch, Cambridge, is pushing forward thework, and the building will be limshed iv about five weeks.

In consequence of the sudden departure of the Rev. William C.ilclei 1 for Auckland, theie will be lay service morning and evening at 8. Peter's Church to-morrow, June 26", and no celebration of Holy' Communion 'at 8 o'clock, or Baptism at 3, as announced last Sunday.

The incoming mail steamer, City of Sydney, with the English mails, is duo m Auckland on Tuesday. It is not at all unlikely, however, that she might be heard of to-morrow or early Monday morning.

Yesterday being S. John's D&y,. the members of Lodge Beta, 450, 1.C.,: met at high noon, when the following brethren were elected office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months : — Bro. 0. K. Johnson, W.M. ; Bro. Field, S.W.; Bro. Breakell, J.W.; Bro. Calder, Chaplain; Bro. Edgecumbe, Secretary and Treasurer ; Bro. McLernon, S.D. ; Bro. Coombes, J.D. ; Bro. Locke, I.G. ; Bro. Warren, Tyler.

The Te Rore Bridge will be completed, so far as the timber work is concerned, in about a fortnight, nothing remaining to be done except to lay on. the decking and erect the hand-rails. The earthwork approach lias been somewhat thrown back by the rain, but this will, be finished as soon as a spell of dry weather sets in.

We are in receipt of a pamphlet entitled, "A Native on Abolition," ap-, parently published in the year 18^6 at|bij office of the' J^ew Zealand Tintes, Welling- 1 ton. ' It professes to explain in manner the three great duties' of a state,

nainely^i^ffe'ducafioo^of its -^o'ufch T^lhe employments of its tidulta, and the sup 1 -' port of its affed and infirm, nhould be enrr ed out, but what particular object it nerved in jepublnbing it we oannot liniigih^^ i *__ :

Thoofcan t)an 'O'Brien who' was nrrosted on Monday morning lust by DstertiVe ~ Dool.ttf In C.imbrulge was brought up „ before M-nor, Wilson on ;; r f^4d.iy-and'reAikndedldp(&ight f bfiyd. f x

Up to the present nearly _ 700 "Mines are known to have'been attached to ,the petition praying for the freeing of-tbe Hamilton Bud-re, nn&'lhis number i* on the lists circulated through the Hamilton, Cambridge, Ngaruawahia, Pisiko, and W.iihou districts, those from Te Awamutu, Alexaudra, Harapepe, and Raglan not having come in. The petition and signatures, with the exception of those from Cambridge (200), were forwarded to Wellington on Th.uml.iy, and the remainder will be bent as soon as they arrive. The project seems to have been received w^ih favour, very feAv of those who were asked refusing to sign, and those chiefly on the plea that they were not personally concerned.

Opinions seem to be' very, much divided on the subject of the suspension by the Borough Council of Hamilton of By-law No. 4. The Councillors who voted for the retention of the by-law, include , three business men iv Victoriafatreet Hamilton ; while among 1 those who voted against it, were the two members from Hamiltoti East 'who may be taken as representing the prevailing opinion on that side the river. The by-law, when in force, restricted cattle or horses from straying within a' radius of half a mile from either Post offices, and as this, especially on the east side, embraces a considerable extent of land Upon which cattle miirht be permitted without interfering with the public safety or convenience, iit might meet the views of those who have a very proper objection to cattle wandering in the main streets if the radius wore reduced, or the by-law brought into force only in certain portions of the town.

Prior to the meeting held on Wednesday evening Mr j. P. Campbell, chairm.m of fcho Cambridge Town Bourd,sent a telegram to Mr Whyte stating that a mooting was to be held for the purpose of considering the Town District's Bill, and the question of the Railway Communication for Cambridge, and asking Mr Whyte if he could afford the meeting any information on these questions. Mr Compbell leceived a reply yesterday which rend as follows :—": — " llegiet exceedingly did not get your telegram in time to reply. Government havo publicly promised to pass Town Diatiiots Bill if pos&iblo. I am doing my utmost for the railway with every hope of success.— (Signed) J. B Whyte.

The building trade appears to be tolerably active just at present in Te Aroha ; a new residence for Mr Smith, of Waitoa ; a chapel and school-room, and some large stables for Messrs Moore and Morgan being in course of construction in the township. Considerable additions to Allwood's Robin Hood and Little John Hotel have just been completed, converting it into a comfortable house of 14 rooms, including some particularly clean and well-furnished bed-rooms, and one or two cosy sitting-rooms. The good worknuuiship of Messrs Grant and .Son, (iccoiatoi'S, and Mr J. Brown, carpenter, have done wonders in the tianstormation of an old shanty into a really first-iate hotel, and is deserving of all praise.

We are pleased to learn that the untiring efforts put forth and the skill nuhvsrmio r \xni\i Wcitor&ff -nSse'Jr"£&B3 Easter encampment at Te Awamutu are no 1 - to go unrecognised. The officers of the Auckland Battalions have purchased a handsome gold locket for the purpose of presenting it to Mr Roche. It is suitably cngiaved, aud has been forwarded to Te Awamutu, accompanied by the following loiter :—'' Auckland, June 21, 1881. Dear Sir, — I am requested by the Officers of the Auckland Volunteers to request your acceptance of the accompanying small momento of out 1 late visit to To Awamutu, as a slight token of our appreciation of your unremittting kindness and great attention to the wants of the Volunteeis under your command. I have the honour to be, dear sir, yours tiuly, E. Withers, Major Commanding Auckland Volunteer-*. On behalf of the Officers of the Auckland Volunteers. Quaiter-master-Sergeanr Roche, Te Awamutu Troop, Cavalry Volunteers." Some interesting facts about the Bank of England were given by MiBirch, the Governor, the other night, in replying to the toast of hid health, given by the Lord Mayor, at a banquet hrld at tho Mansion House. Mr Birch said the business of the Bank of England had no parallel in any other estabhahmont in the world masmuoh as it combined with an ordinary banking business the management of the National Debt and the issue and payment of the greater portion of the note circulation of the country. Some idea of the greatness of the work might be f owned from the facts that there were no less than 236,500 accounts open in the public funds, that the number of Bank notes isMied during the list year was above 13 \ millions, representing a sum of £338,000,000, and thero was a similar amount cancelled An a r curate register of every operation was kept, 80 that any note paid into the bank within the last minute or two, with information as to the channel through which it had found its way back to the Bank, and this not withstand the register represented 77 million of notes stowed away in 14,600 boxes. It was generally thought that the Bank was extravagant.in cancelling the notes which came in, but the matter had been well considered, and it was calculated that if they were to keep a register of the notes their present system was the cheapest.

Mr Joseph ' Moses' advertisement appears on our fourth page. A portion of our Gazette notices will be found on our fourth page. The partnership hitherto existing between .Thompson find Andrews, plumbers, Cambridge, has been dissohed, and the business u ill in future be carried on by F. Andrews. Mr A. Bucklaiul will sell at the Remuera Yards, on Thursday nest, dairy cows, store and fat cattle, fat sheep, pigs, etc. The Hamilton Barough Council notify that the lcu.es ot certain Borough endowments will be offered ior sale on the 16th of July pro\imo. , ■ , The annual meeting of ratepayers of tli,e Xo\\n of Ng.iruawahia District will be held at the Delta Hotel on Saturday, July 9th. The new pure cash system now being initiated by (x. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, ■ and -when strictly carried _ out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must bo a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery nnllinary, and clothing at such prices tor cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder of a co-operative society, without the risk.of beijig called upon tobcaraportionofjhelosssh'ould tho year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlfck and Cranwell will aim to retain tho confidence which the? public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to'give the pure cash system a fair trial ; 'whether they gain or lose ihe first year. Country buyers on remitting cash witK order will bo supplied, with goods at co-operative prices ; 1 just the same as^hougji they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods,' such as carpets) flopr cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which f i< turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lo\yesl;femunerative prices,and a djscountof fiye per cent, wilt'be allowed to those who pay'at the time of purchase. 1 ' G. '& C. havitlg realised the entire value of their, stock duringi their late cash salej the present Jjtpcjk is,NH\v ,and ciihavly. bought, An, inspection is invited. — GARLick'ANb CRA^VLijCifyllaUFurDislung- Arcade Queen*treet, Auckland