SATURDAY, SEPT. 10,1881.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1434, 10 September 1881, Page 2

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 1881.

Circumstances which have transpired during the past few days show that the project for connecting the Rotorua district with Auckland by rail, by means of private enterprise, is in a fair way towards realisation. The scheme has been eagerly, and even enthusiastically taken up by Auckland capitalists, and the provision directoi'ate of the pi'oposed company will comprise the names of some of our best known and most influential mercantile magnates. The preliminary survey, which has been made by Mr James Stewart on behalf of the promoters, has proved that a practicable route exists, along which, comparatively speaking, no engineering difficulties are found to exist, and which leads, for the greater distance, over practically level ground. The cost of formation, according to the estimates made, is exceptionally low. The line, it is understood, will commence | at Morrinsville, and, following the broad valley of the Waihou, penetrate the Patetere lands, passing within seven miles of the township of Oxford, and thence through the bush lands to Ohinemutu. The first section (about 35 miles) of the line will, we believe, be constructed under the provisions of the District Railways Act, by which the Government is pledged to the payment of 2 per cent, interest on the cost of construction and rolling stock, etc., and power given to levy a rate on adjoining lands sufficient to bring in 5 per cent, on the same amount, thus providing for the payment of interest at. 7 per cent. Recognising

the value of railway communication, the landholders along the proposed line have, without exception, agreed to pay the necessary rate. The natives too have expressed their willingness to assist in the undertaking, and as a practical expression of the favor with which they regard it have agreed to sot aside a large endowment for the second and third sections of the railway, which it is hoped will be built under the Railways Construction Bill, which provides for the granting by Parliament of substantial grants of land, which will be valuable as further endowments. We have snid the scheme is being warmly takpn up, but no surprise need be expressed at this. It would, indeed, be curious were not an undertaking such as this, fraught with so many and such great advantages to the whole of the provincial district, but more particularly to the port of Auckland, efficiently supported. The best evidence we can have of the far-sightedness of our business men is that they have so readily come forward to aid in the prosecution of a work, which, whatever its importance considered locally, is one in which, so to speak, the whole civilised world is interested — certainly the whole colony. The projected railway will, in the course of time, form part of the main line connecting Napier and the East Coast with Auckland, and when constructed will provide a means of access to a magnificent country, the area of which is something like two millions of acres, which is at present wholly unoccupied. The benefits which will flow from the successful settlement of this immense tract of country are considerable, the more especially when it is considered that the task of colonising this land has been undertaken by a large company in England, the New Zealand representative of which, Mr Halcombe, is about to proceed Home, accompanied by one of the directors of the Patetere Company, Mr F. D. Rich, on this special mission. Not only will the railway prove of incalculable utility in thus facilitating settlement; it will give birth in that portion of the province to an important industry. The forests possess a supply of timber which cannot be exhausted for many years to come, and which will find a ready market in the Waikato, or even in Auckland, the description of wood, (principally matai and rimu) being alike scarce and valuable. But by no means the least important consideration is the advantage which would be gained by the provision of access to the Lake District. We venture to say that the number of visitors to that district, attracted not only by the charms of its natural features, but by the wonderful restorative powers of its springs and baths, would be increased enormously were railway communication established. There are hundreds and thousands of the residents of our own provincial district to whom the beauties of Rotomahana and its neighborhood are unknown solely because the means of getting thither are at once expensive, inconvenient, and slow, and if we except visitors from other parts of the world, a large passenger traffic might safely be relied on. In the face of these facts, we doubt not that the Company will meet with the fullest encouragement and support, and we look upon the construction of the Morrinsville-Rotorua line almost in the light of an accomplished fact.

The result of the polling for the election of three councillors for the Borough of Hamilton is that the Eastern portion of the municipality obtains an additional representative at the Council. This is only what in fairness should have been done, and we are pleased that the burgesses resident on the West side took no advantage of the power which they undoubtedly possessed to put in two West candidates. Without expressing any opinion on the choice of the ratepayers, so far as the West side is concerned, we think we may take leave to compliment the East Hamilton burgesses on the return of two members whose presence will strengthen the 2?ersonnel of the Council and materially assist to give a still more practical tone to its deliberations. On the whole, therefore, we think the intei'ests of the Borough have not suffered by the election of Thursday.

The first portion of a valuable article on " What is a Hereford," from the Agricultural Gazette (London), will be found on our fourth page. The next English Mail (via 'Frisco) will close at Hamilton on Monday, 1 2th. September. Messrs Halcombe and Rich left Cambridge by coach for Auckland yesterday tnoraiug, on their way to England. They will sail by the outgoing mail via 'Frisco. At the Licensing Court, Cambridge, yesterday, .a license was granted to Mr Arekatera, fora hotel at the Waotn. The license fee was fixed at £5 per annum. Mr W. M. Hay appeared for the applicant. A large number of civil cases were disposed of at the R.M. Court, yesterday, at Cambridge, before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M. The assault case of Police v. Kelly was not terminated when our reporter left. A cable message dated Ottawa September 6th says : — It is announced that Hanlan has withdrawn from the sculling match with Ross, which was arranged to take place at Toronto in October next. His reasons for breaking off the match have not transpired. » We learn by cable from London that the Orient steamship Cuzco arrived at Plymouth with a cargo of frozen meat, consisting of 5000 sheep, etc* It is pronounced to be in excellent order. Out discharging the cargo' of frozen meat

'Frisco.

, from the steamship Protos it was found | that the refrigerator of the chamber in i winch the beef was stored had not been 1 working quite satisfactorily during the 1 voyage. The meat was consequently in 1 doubtful condition, and' has only realised fiom 3£d to 4id per lb. The XJrenui correspondent of the Taranaki Herald writes: — "Gold has been discovered on the Mimi and Waitara rivers, north-east of Ureuui, on native land." At the last meeting of the Cambridge Em>t School Committee it was unanimously reHolvod that -teps be taken towards the Pctabhshrnen! of a high school in the VV.iik.ito. We regret to have to record that Mr Superi .tendeut J. Bell Thomson met with a Kerions accident on Thursday, while being driven from Te Awamutu to Alexandra. Particulars of the occurrence will be found in our Te Awamutu Correspondent'& letter. The usual monthly meeting of the Waikatn Couuby, Council called for yesterday lapsed for want of a quorum. The members present were the Chairman, (Captain Steele), Crs. Cumraing and Primrose. Farinacious food, arrow-root, violet powder, are being made from potatoes by Morgan, Ward & Co., in Chrischurch. The process is simple, the potatoes being maahed and cleansed and the starch eliminated Jfrotn the pulp and dried. In a recent copy of the Srifhh Workman appeared a copy of the letter supposed to have been written by Tui, j the Opunake murderer, in which he attributed his position to drink. According to the Workman, the letter was addressed to " His Excellency the Governor of the Wellington Gaol. " Lieutenant Herman appeared before very poor houses at C.tm bridge on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings last. The performances however were of a nature deserving of decidedly more patronage than was tendered to them, but perhaps this was due to the number of social featherings, concerts etc., which immediately preceded the Lieutenants' appearance. Our Alexandra correspondent infoims us that it is Tawluao s intention to go to Kawhia as soon as the weather is settled, and the meeting between him and Rewi and the Ngatituwharetoa people is over. At present the King is at Hikurangi. The intelligence regarding the measures and votes in Parliament of interest to our readers, contained in the reports of our Special Correspondent at Wellington, is of a very reassuring kind. There is a strong probability of the Cambridge Railway and the Town Districts Bills being passed this session. A meeting of electors, convened by Captain Morris, was held at Tauranga on Wednesday night, when that gentleman announced his intention of not standing for the district. A resolution was passed by a lai'ge majority to send a requisition to the Hon. John Hall, Premier, asking him to allow himself to be nominated for the representation of the East Coast in Parliament. There are four candidates — Mr Vesey Stewart, Colonel Fraser, Mr E. M. Edgcumbe, and Mr William Kelly. Further intelligence from New Mexico shows that General Carr and his detachment of American troops were not, as previoualy stated, massacred by the Indians, but were made prisoners, and confined in the fort. From this the Genecal and the bulk of his officers and men subsequently effected their escape, but, in their flight, eleven of their party were killed by the Indians. A contemporary says that "Low Moor, a village about a mile from Clitherhoe, Lancashire, contains a population of about 1,100 souls; there is neither public-house, beer-shop, nor any place for the sale of intoxicating liquors ; neither is there a policeman, prison, pawnbroker, doctor, or hvwyer." The Editor of the Wairarapa Star, conning this over, significantly adds "What a dull life the inhabitants must lead !" Th 6 Cambridge Town Board have consented to have the large room adjoining their offices repaired for social gatherings and such like purposes. The cost of repairs is not to exceed £13, the amount of one year's rent, and Mr Wright, who has obtained the contract for the repairing of the offices, has undertaken to do the other work in connection with the above matter. Mr L. Cussen, District Surveyor, has been engaged for the past few days denning the recognised survey for the Cambridge East township. This step, we believe, has been taken in accordance with the desire of a few persons interested in property about Duke-street, as well as others about to build, some persons having already gone astray through some mistake or alteration of the original survey, and put to the trouble of shifting their buildings. Those who will visit Cambridge on the occasion of the coming races on the 22nd instant, as well as others resident in the neighbourhood, will have an opportunity of passing a most enjoyable evening in the Public Hall, the Committee of the Public Library having already made arrangements for the holding of a grand concert on that night. The Cambridge Dramatic Club have kindly consented to perform their masterpiece, "The Little Sentinel," on the occasion, and several other lady and gentlemen amateurs will also contribute their services. A number of settlers living in the Wairangi (Rangiriri) district have petitioned the County Council to make a road to give them access to their property, the present road being through private property, and about to be closed. The matter will be dealt with at the next meeting of the Council, previous to which it is probable that some of the Councillors will make a personal inspection of the locality. A settler living on the west bank of the Waikato river at Ngaruawahia writes complaining of the apathy of the local body, in not providing some sort of accomodation for getting cattle on to the punt lately placed at the mouth of the Waipa. A few panels of fencing would be sufficient. On the town side matters are not so bad, as a roadway has been formed dewn the bank and cattle cannot break away as on the other side, c&using such serious loss of time and useless waste of horseflesh. There is some chance of the authorities being able to deal with the stray dog nuisance in a more efficient manner than hitherto. A letter has been received by the clerk to the Waikato Council, from the Under-Spcretary, to the effect that where required the services of the police will be at the disposal of the local bodies in carrying out the provisions of the Dog Registration Act. We would suggest, as a first step, that the local bodies interested should request the police to impound all dogs found without collars. The Rev. H. Dewsbury (of Auckland), is advertised to deliver his popular lecture on " Sir Walter Scott, poet and novelist," in the .Hamilton j Hall on Monday evening.!, The. lecturer's fame has reached the Waikato, and we shall now have an 'opportunity of judging, for ourselves. We may expect a. good treat. Besides', the, j lecture, several lady; and gentleman atnateurs will give songs

during the evening. The proceeds of the lecture and concert will go toward the new Wesleyan Church building fund. We hope to see a very large house The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Debuting Club w«a held' 6n Thursday evening, wheu there was a moderate number of members and a more than usu.tlly large number of visitor* present. In the absence of the president (Mr Hume), the chair was taken by Mr Smith. An interesting debate on Education took place, a moti n brought down, by a privtte member in favour of lowering the present standard beinsr negatived. Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., in a letter addressed to the Waikato County Council, states that owing to the pressure brought to bear upon the Government by the member for Waipa and himself, they had agreed to go on with the Town Districts Bill, and the writer had every hope that it would be placed on the Statute Book this year. He had made every endeavour to get a grant from Government for the Karapiro Bridge, but so far had been unsuccessful, and as it was very improbable that the Local Public Works or the Native Lands Kating Bills would be carried this session, the only chance for obtaining aid for the work in question was to get it out of the subsides, which he thought would be provided on a more liberal scale than last year, in the case of country districts. At a meeting of the Hamilton Wesleyan Church congregation, held on Wednesday evening, the following resolution was carried unanimously : — "That in the opinion of this meeting the time is not yet come when the Hamilton part of the Waikato circuit should be formed into a separate and independent circuit." The Chairman (Rev. C. Griffin) tried to show how the Hamilton Wesleyan Church would be benefited by separation, but the opinion of the meeting was otherwise. The Hamilton members of the quarterly meeting will vote ae.iin^t Hamilton being separated, though they are in favor of Te Awamuttt being constituted an independent circuit. The Chairman then stated that there was great need for the financial contributions of this part of the circuit to quarterly meeting being increased. It was the feeling of the meeting that an effort be made to augment this by quarterly subscriptions. We are indebted to the courtesy of the Secretary of the School Committee for the result of the recent examinations for Standards at the Hamilton West School. Out of a total of 197 children on the roll, 109 were sent up for examination (the infants of course not being included) with the following result : — 21 were examined for Standard T. , 1 1 passed and 10 failed ; 42 were examined for Standard 11., 35 passed and 7 failed ; 29 were examined for Standard 111., 1o passed and 4 failed ; 12 were examined for Standard IV., and all passed ; 5 were examined for Standard V., and all passed. The apparently unsatisfactory result of the examinations for Standards I. and 11. is partly to be accounted for by the recent interruption in the school work caused by the outbreak of scarlatina, and partly by the change in the teaching staff, consequent on the retirement of Miss Williams. As a whole the return discloses a very favorable state ot matters, and bears strong testimony to the efficiency of the school under the direction of Mr Murray. The members of the Cambridge Total Abstinence Society gave another of their periodical entertainments in the School-room on Thursday evening- last. The spacious room was well filled and the items on the programme were invariably well rendered. The Ruv. Mr Evans occupied the chair. Mr Johnson presiding at the harmonium. The following is the programme: — Hymn, "What Will the Harvest be;" prayer ; opening address ; song, "Happy Moments," WrWaltho; recitation, Miss M. Nixon ; solo and chorus, "I Want to Kiss Papa Good Night;" reading by chairman; song, "By the Might of Whiskey O, 1 ' Mr Trewheellar ; reading by chairman ; song, "The Pilot," Mr Johnston ; song, "Jack's Come Home Again," Mr Waltho ; secretary's remarks and chairman's summing up ; solo and chorus, "Sign the Pledge for Mother's Sake;" benediction. At the conclusion the chairman thanked all present for their attendance at the various entertainments given throughout the season, and announced that the entertainment just closed was the last of its k'nd for a time. The native intelligence published in the Auckland Herald is not always to be relied on, as readers of that journal will have observed. Con u >dering the flource from which some of this news springe, this is not to be wondered at, because everyone must know that a large percentage of what is picked up at street corners, is never to be relied on. Not long ago a statement appeared in the columns of our contemporary, under the heading " Waikato News" to the effect that a native meeting had been held at Raglan, at which Tawhiao was present, and at which many wonderful things i were done and said. Among others, a resolution had been passed to throw open the harbour of Kawhia. Proceeding- upon this valuable intelligence the Herald launched out into a sub-Jeader expressing delight at such good news and descanting upon the innumerable advantages thab were to accrue immediately. Now the plain truth is that the correspondent who supplied the important information had simply (as often happens) been made the butt of waggish friend, Tawhiao never having been near Raglan at all I We need scarcely add that bogus statements of this kind are not likely to be productive of any good. "Phaeton" writing of Ariel, the thoroughbred entire lately purchased by Mr J. S. Buckland, saya :-—" That game old horse Ariel has, I hear, run his last race, and will forthwith be devoted to the stud. Ariel was bred in 1872 by Mr Alfred Buckland, and was got by Dainty Ariel out of that game mare Una. It would take up too much space to go through the whole of his performances, so that I shall only state the principal ones. As a two - year-old Ariel did not perform over well, but as a three-year-old he appropriated the Auckland Derby, and Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap, defeating a good field in the latter race. In 1877, among other races, ke won the Auckland Cup. At the Canterbury Spring Meeting, in the same year, he was defeated by that great horse Mata in the C.J.C. Handicap, Ariel being second. He, however, revenged himself on the following day by winning the Canterbury (Jup, 1\ miles, w.f.a., beating Templeton, Mata, and others, in the fast time of 4min. llsecs. The bettinjr in this race waa 10 to 1 against Ariel, and be won easily by three lengths. On the third day of the meeting he waa just beaten for the Metropolitau Handicap by Templeton, to whom he was conceding slba. In 1878, he ran third for the Dunedin Cup with the >steadier of 9at. 71bs M aluo third for the D.J.C. Handicap with 9st 71bs. He, however, won the Forbury Handicap, H miles, on the third day. In the same year he,won the North Otago Turf Club Handicap, carrying the crusher of lOst. libs., beating Fishhook (to whom he was giving 71bs. and & year's age), and several others. < He also won the Auckland Cup for Mr. A. McDonald. He broke down badly after this race, and it was feared would never be got jight again, but ere he quitted the post for the, paddocic he was yet to make another attempt to, put another feather in his plume, which he

successfully accomplished by winning the Auckland Cup in 1879 for slr M. Edgar, thus winning that event for the third time. In the Auckland Cup last year he ran third to Foul Play and Maid of Honor, after being greatly interfered with through Libeller and King Quail falling. In this race he wrenched the sinews of one of his legs in jumping over the fallen horses, and his owner has now wisely decided on giving the old horse that rest which he has so well earned. Ariel has shown himself on all occasions to be one of the gamest and most consistent horses that ever looked through a bridle. He has not only proved himself to be able to carry steadiers, but has also shown himself a steadier of the first water ; and I have little doubt but that, if properly mated, he will get as good a one as he has proved himself to be. The horse's breeding alone, to say nothing of his performances, should secure him a season anywhere. From this il will be seen the principa performances of Ariel are :—1876.: — 1876. wou Auckland Derby and Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap ; 1877, won Auckland Cup and Canterbury Cup ; 1878, won Forbury Handicap ; wou North Ofcagro Turf Club Handicap and Auckland Cup, 1879, won Auckland Cup. This grand horse Ariel has, we are pleased to iuform our readers, been purchased by Mr J. S. Buekland, and it is his own intention to keep him for stud purposes in the Waikato.