Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1445, 6 October 1881, Page 2

Waikato Ti mes AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whate\er stato or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain Unawed by influence and unbribcd by gain.

THURSDAY, OCT. 6, 1881.

We note by advertisement, in another column that the residents of Alexandra are interesting themselves in the Town Districts Bill of last session, with the view of testing its applicability to the requirements of the place. The measure, we may state, was specially designed to meet the requirements of the various urban centres in the Waikato. So much so is that the case that, we have it on the best authority that, but for the energy of the district members it would have fallen a victim to the wholesale " slaughter of the innocents" which marked the closing hours of the Parliament, whose obsequies have now been entered upon. We have already published a telegraphic digest of its provisions, and although slight alterations were made by the Legislative Council, these were so unimportant that we may say, what has already appeared in print furnishes a true synopsis of the bill as it passed into law. The Act is designed to establish Local Boards of Administration, and secure incorporated powers and privileges, without incurring the trouble and expense, and committing townships to the ostentatious display of the municipally incorporated town. The bill, which has been duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor, and comes into operation the first day of January next, embodies the " Rating Act," parts 3 and 4 of the " Public Works Act," and 12 and 13 of the "Municipal Corporations Act," passed in the year 1 87 6. The area embraced must not exceed two square miles, and the petition for constitution must be signed by at least two-thirds of the resident householders ; said twothirds representing not less than 50 applicants. The district so constituted remains part of the County, but not of the Road District, within which it is situated. The effect of, this is apparent. For general-rating purposes, the Town District — the bill now under review — r one shilling per pound on rateable values can be imposed, and under

ih& Counties 'Act a levy to a similar amount may be made. In the bill as originally framed, it was proposed to restrict the latter impost to 6c|. ;, The 1 " Legislative "Council, however, struck that provision out, and the County was left empowered to strike the full rate of one shilling. Provision is made for apportioning assets and liabilities as between the Road Districts and projected Town Districts, after which tho bill goes on to enact that " Boards of Commissioners," of not less than five or more than seven members, shall be established, the qualification for election after the first election being a ratepayer on an annual value of at least £10. Up to £50 rateable value, one vote is provided ; £100, two; £150, three ; £350, four; above that sum, five votes. Main and county roads are expressly exempted from control of the Board, but it has all the powers granted to a Borough Council in respect of auctioneers, cattle trespass, cemeteries, dog nuisance, fencing, fire prevention, licensing publicans, municipal police, public pounds, road or highways, " and any other matter of social economy." We need scarcely pause to say that this proviso secures for the exclusive use of the Board various sources of revenue operated at present upon by the county. In addition to the shilling rate mentioned above, a separate or special rate of one shilling is provided for work to be executed upon a particular portion of the district, such rate to be made and levied on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers residing in the portion so liable to be rated. Briefly put, these are the material provisions of the bill. It is a handy measure, well designed, we should say, to meet the requirements of the Waikato townships. The objection that a double rate may be struck is one calculated to suggest a misgiving. Against that drawback, however, a number of concessions fall to be placed. First of all there are the maintenance of main and county roads, from which the Town District is expressly relieved, and then there are the publicans, auctioneers, pound, and other fees secured to them, so that the debtor and creditor account as between the County and the Town District is much more equitably adjusted than may at first sight appear. Besides, the Town District still remains an integral part of the County, and as such, is entitled to its corelative share of the County fund. In respect of these rights and exemptions, a Town District will be enabled to overtake such work as may be necessary to sustain its commercial importance and character of an urban centre, on easy terms ; terms which might not involve the necessity of going to the full limit of its rating powers.

We hope the relative merits of sorghum and beet for the production of sugar will be fully tested in the Waikato this season. We have seen that Mr Justice Gillies, doubtful of the suitability of the latter, has taken steps to promote the cultivation of the sorghum. We do not for o moment believe that the sombre view taken of the beet venture by this gentleman is the right one, and we have faith that experience will prove him to have been in the wrong. The Waikato has always borne so good a reputation for the growth of roots that, leaving out of the question the successful results obtained last season by those who in a small way cultivated the white Silesian beet, we might take it for granted the sugar industry would be profitable. But we ought not on that account to discountenance the experiment of growing sorghum. Looking at the great variety observable in the soil of this district, it is more than probable that it is favorable to the growth of both root and cane, and none will deny that the discovery that both would thrive would be unwelcome. No spirit of antagonism ought to be exhibited when such an important issue as the establishment of a manufacturing industry in our midst is at stake. There is plenty of room and to spare for the development of half-a-dozen industries, and nothing in the shape of coercion should be had recourse to in order that the pet scheme of one section of the community should ovei'-ride that of another. They should all be allowed the freest scope during the period of adolescence, after which as a matter of course the stronger will take and maintain the lead. We noticed the other day with pleasure that several of the more intelligent and practical of the farmers of this district had made up their minds to give the sugar beet a fair and impartial trial, and expressed a determination, if successful, to enter extensively upon its cultivation. We hear with no less gratification of the intention of Mr J. C. Firth to plant on his estate, at Matamata, ten acres of the amber-cane sorghum. This area ought to be sufficiently large for the purpose of making a practical test, and as the crop is sure to receive the best attention at the hands of Mr Firth, deeply interested as he is known to be in the welfare and progress of this portion of New Zealand, the result of his experiment may — provided the season be good — be taken as a criterion by those whose experience leads them to, regard the soil and, , climate, of Waikato as better adapted to ;tHe growth of sorghum than to sugar beet.

; Mr F. A. Whitater announces in another column that he will meet the electors of Waipa at Te Awatnutu in. the Public Hal on Saturday next, for the purpose^ of .giving a history, of the last three 's?s3i6li3. i i , , f A quantity of matter, interesting to amiciiltiiral leaders will be found on j our fourth page. ' We are in receipt of the current number of the Illustrated New Zealand Herald, which is fairly up to the standard. Among others there is a well executed engraving of the New Catheural at Cliriatchtirch. We have to acknowledge the receipt of the October number of the Auckland Penny Time-table, containing a quantity of information interesting to visitors and travellers in this province. The Cambridge Choral Union having now attained a considerable amount of proficiency under their talented and energetic tutor Mr Bell, they contemplate holding a'concert in a few weeks time They however do not intend that ib shall clash with the String Band entertainment, which will precede it. Mr Spurgeon, who preached at Cambridge last Sunday in aid of the Baptist Church now established there, has been invited by a number of the Baptist brethren of Pukekohe to deliver a sermon in their midst. The rev. gentleman left Waikato by train yesterday. The schooner Bannockburn, from Melbourne, has arrived at Waikato Heads with a cargo of bonedust consigned to the Waikato Steam Navigation Company. The Borealis is expected shortly with a similar cargo for the same consignees. A new villa residence is being erected in Chapel-street, Cambridge, by Mr Carter for Mr Asher of Duke-street. According to the plans the new building promises to be not only a large but an exceeding handsome one, and will be finished in the course of a few weeks. Thedangerous man trap at the Hamilton end of the Tamahere Bridge, oaused by the improper placing of the approach fence, is about to be removed. The fence will be converted into a real safeguard by continuing it to the side of the cutting. Extensive improvements are about to be undertaken by the Kirikiriroa Road Board on the road between Woodlands and Taupiri. At yesterday's meeting i tenders were accepted for clearing, draining, and forming it. Mr T. G. Sandes ' has been appointed engineer to carry t^t certain works now to be undertaken. Owing to the continued absence of the Rev. William Calder from Hamilton, divine service will be conducted at S. Fetei's by some clergyman from Auckland on Sunday next, October 9. It is hoped that the Rev. Vicessimus Lush, incumbent elect of the parish, will take this opportunity of visiting Hamilton. Our readers will look with interest for the definite announcement in Saturday's issue. Travellers along the Piako road will be glad to know that the Kirikiriroa Road Board intend taking steps to replace the present ricketty and inconveniently situated bridge in Hmton's Gully with a new structure. Complaints regarding this particular part of the road are of daily occurrence, and we are glad that the Board recognise at last the necesbity for making some improvement. Those who purchased sections at the sale of suburban land, Ngaruawahia, recently are very desirous of fencing and occupying their allotments, and many intend building substantial residences at once. Those on the eastern bank of the river are, however, deterred by the excessively bad state of the roads leading through the lands. They have accordingly memoralised the highway authorities in their district, and the latter, recognising the force of the application, have agreed to make the necessary enquiries with a view to doing the work. It appears that some of the youths about Hamilton, who are m the habit of frequenting the neighbourhood of the Tamahere Bridge in pursuit of rabbits, have, in their endeavours to penetrate into bunny's strongholds, dug some very dangerous holes along the side of the road, which the Highway Uoard have to repair before an accident of some kind occurs. It would be well for these rabbit hunting gentry to confine their operations for the future to places more remote from the public thoroughfare, or they may get into trouble. Considerable progress has been made with Mr Walsh's contract for the railway extension from the Hamilton Station to the river. The holes are rapidly filling up, and the work of preparing for the permanent way has been commenced. A fence has been erected along the side of the excavations, so that no danger need be apprehended by those travelling along the street after nightfall. Several intending tenderers for the work of erecting the Hamilton Railway Bridge have been on the ground dui'ing the last day or two, providing themselves with the necessary data to go upon. Tenders are to be in by the 12th ot this mouth, and the work is to be completed in eight months from the date of acceptance. A large portion of the material is, as we have before recorded, already on the ground ; the remainder left Home in June last, and may therefore be expected to arrive very soon. Since the Native Lands Court has terminated at Cambridge the few natives who came into town for the purpose of transacting their business with the Court have cleared for their respective homes. So few were the natives who had business to transact with the late Court that their absence is no more noticed than was their presence felt. The Cambridge String Band under i the leadership of Mr C. D. Mackintosh, contemplate holding a concert on the 18th inst. in aid of the funds of their own inRtitution. Doubtless the members of this now talented combination of musicians : will secure thelbest procurable vocal talent, both in the distriot and out of it, and thus make their concert irell worth attending. As the String Band has always displayed a generous readiness at local benefit entertainments when asked, and thus cob* tributed considerably to the success of the same in a musical point of view, we hope that when they have now undertaken to treat theraselros, a liberal patronage will be extended to them on the occasion of their benefit. A few days ago it was mentioned in these columns that Mr Douglas, of Bruntwood, Tamahere, had purchased from Mr Graham, of Awhitu, another of the Biscathorpe rains, imported by Messrs Grant and Foster. On Monday last the sheep was sheared, and his fleece of clean woof weighed 221ba., besides which there were 21bs. of stained wool which w*a j not included. This is a result gratifying to the owner, whose efforts to improve the character of the flocks in the district we have had occasion to refer to before. The ram noticed above was a four-tooth in February, 1880. Queen-street West, Cambridge. has now assumed a more town like aspect since the contractors have finished their contract with the .Town Board. A ,few mouths ago this street, like many others in the .same neighbourhood, had not been relieved from its natural condition, and those/who resided in it were continually complaining to the Board of the neglected

.state in which it' was kept, and thus succeeded in bringing about the necessary improvements which have recently been effected. To the Town Board this street has proved a perfect white. .elephant, as many* hours have be«n taken up in debating what should be ' done with it, there being a constant misunderstanding between the contractors and the local representatives. Since the street has been finished the footpaths have been substantially gravelled, and now this once troublesome thoroughfare is more of a credit than a trouble. At the Hamilton Police Court, Tuesday, before Mr H. W. Northcroft. H.M., Cornelius Begley was brought up charged with having been drunk and disorderly on the previous evening. He was further charged under the Vagrant Act with using obscene language in the hearing of a female. Sergeant McGovern called witnesses to prove the offence, and His Worship fined prisoner, for the first offence, 5s and costs ; in default, fortyeight hours' imprisonment ; on the second, £2 and costs, 27s ; in default, one month's imprisonment with hard labor in Mount Eden gaol. The money was paid. — Cecil Danvers was charged with having been in delirium tremens on the previous evening. Sergeant McGoveru stated that the accused was very violent, and his family were in dread of him. It had therefore been necessary to arrest him. Since he had been in the lock -up he had been much better, and was now apparently all right. Mr Danvers, the Sergeant further remarked, seemed to feel his position keenly, and he would ask that he be discharged. In answer to the Bench, accused said such a state of things was not likely to occur again. His Worship then discharged him. The Hamilton Band Quadrille asfernbly took place at Le Quesne's Hull on Tuesday nitrhfc. This is the first of a series of dancer and the Band may be congratulated on its success. Although 8 o'clock was the appointed horn- for the first, dance the company did nol arrive until neaily 0, at which time tbe hall was filled. It was arranged to break up at 12 o'clock punctually, but it was not to be, and the e'irly morning hours had passed before the sounds of music had ceased, and the company dispersed to to their several homes. It has been suggested that at the next assembly the ladies be admitted free by invitation, and by so doing 1 it would obtain the favor and goodwill of the fair sex, and tend to increase the attendance at these plea-ant little entertainments so conducive to good feeling among small communities in country districts, The Band is very much indebted to Mr Bell who kindly presided at the piano, and assisted thernmaterially in their first endeavour. Mr Audus Eaynes, the popular proprietor of the National Hotel, Cambridge, has leased for a term of years the Waotou Hotel, on the road from Cambridge to the Lukes, and about 35 miles from the former place. The Waotou has always been looked iipon as a natural halting place on the road to Rotorua, and the want of a convenient and well appointed hostelry for the accommodation of travellers has been very much felt. The present building is large enough for the purpose, and under the supervision of Mr Raynes it will be converted into a first -class hotel. It contains six rooms, and has excellent stabling and paddock accommodation attached. We trust the venture will prove as profitable to the spirited proprietor as it will be grateful to the tourist and traveller.