Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1457, 3 November 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 3, 1881.

We have to bring under notice a novel pioceeding, or, rather, purpose, on the part of the Crown Lands Board, Auckland, which enjoys the double merit, in equal parts, of gross recklessness and utter inconsistency. How these conservators of the " waste places of the earth" should, "all at once," have betrayed ao much malversation in their deliberations we are puzzled to imagine, unless, indeed, we are free to admit, as those more immediately interested are prone to do, that they have given themselves over to a reprobate mind. If so, we have the grim satisfaction of congratulating them upon the completeness of their demoralization, while we cannot but deplore the evil tendency of their actions. The township of Ngaruawahia was at first settled on "a free selection " principle, and on that uncertain tenure a good deal of valuable property has arisen. Of late the settlers have evinced a desire to secure more fixity of tenure, and up to the present time the Crown Lands Board has shown a laudable endeavour to meet their convenience. Some six or eight Crown grants have been secured, the building and other improvements having in each case been fairly, nay, we are told, liberally valued, and the valuations added to the upset price. To that extent both public and individual rights have been conserved, and finally the inhabitants of Ngaruawahia were beginning to entertain faith in the wise and prudent administration of the Board as constituted, which, as the sequel will show, was not well founded. As time went on a fresh batch of applications for freeholds put in an appearance from Ngarua- ! wahia, when, to the consternation of the applicants, they were met in quite a different spirit. Not only did the Board refuse to entertain the question of valuation, but they have even gone the length of ordering the applicants to remove all improvements within one month. Although the penalty for neglect is not stated in bo many words, the presumption, nevertheless, is tfeat these improvements will be confisi eated by the Grown. Herein Jet, us pause U> consider the i^conswteae^

The Board, by its previous action, established the principle of allowing valuation for improvements, and the question now arises why and wherefore is that principle departed from 1 Are we to understand that the Board is a respecter of persons? That is the solution of the question which finds favour amongst the residents of Ngaruawahia, and in their argument thereupon we may just inform the Crown Lands Commissioner that he is esteemed the head and front of the offending, and that indefensible motives are attributed to him in connection therewith. AYe would not have been so particular in mentioning this but for the fact that, throughout other parts of the district over which that gentleman's jurisdiction extends we have heard similar complaints made, with precisely the same conclusions drawn. Furthermore, we are most anxious the Board and its commissioner should be afforded an opportunity for combatting anything or everything that may have arisen in the shape of unjust aspersion, and as long as they continue wrapped up in the official reserve they have assumed in this and other matters of administration, opinions and sentiments of that kind cannot possibly be set right. With respect to the theory of recklessness with which we set out, a moment's reflection upon the nature and effect of the order given for removal of improvements within one month will suffice to sustain the argument. One case we know of in which this order for removal has beon made, the improvements effected consist of a lawn upon which valuable trees and shrubs have been planted, and a fine tract of grass sown. Now, we ask the Board to reflect for a few moments, what the removal of improvements in a case like that signifies. It means simply chopping down the trees and otherwise destroying the shrubs and grass lands. Therein, we contend, consis cs the rocidessnest, for, in effi ct, it moans nothing short of wilful destruction to property. We do hope these facts will be taken into account, and that the Board will not insist in the stupid, and utterly meaningless course, it now proposes to pursue.

Some difficulty is likely to arise in regard to the Waikato County election. On the day for the nomination of candidates, the 27th ult., the returning officer, Captain McPiiekson only received the names of two for the Cambridge riding, namely, those of Messrs. -FintaussoN and Graiiui. lhese gentlemen were accordingly declared elected, and a notification was inserted in our advertising columns, appointing a clay for the nomination of candidates to fill the one extraordinai-y vacancy thus caused in the representation of the riding. On the 29th, Captain McPiierson' received a letter from Mr T. Wells, of Cambridge, inquiring if Mr Kirkwoods and his own nominations had not been received, and a reply in the negative was returned. Then came the intelligence on the following Monday that the nominations had been forwarded in a registered letter on the 25th. Subsequent enquiries disclosed the fact that the letter had reached Hamilton on the 26th, had been sent over to Kirikiriroa same day, and had lain at the latter post-office in a portfolio, (used for the safekeeping of such letters) until it was recalled to the postmaster's mind by the mention of the word " registered " in Mr Wells' letter to the returning officer. In these circumstances Messrs Wells and Kirkwood are taking steps with a view to establishing their right to be nominated with the others, and as a result of consultation with a solicitor, they have communicated with the authorities in Wellington. The case is a peculiar one, and no provision seems to have been made by the Act for any such contingency as that which has arisen. Common sense would dictate that the candidates should not be prejudiced by the blunder of the postmaster, but unfortunately that conclusion cannot be taken as a safe guide in estimating the probabilities of the case.

A large amount of local matter, including an interesting letter from our Te Awamutu correspondent, is crowded out of this issueMr J. Knox announces himself a candidate for the mayoralty of Hamilton. Mr Hinton has retired from the contest for a seat in the Hamilton Borough Council. We understand that the Messrs Martyn have disposed of their property at Maungawhero, near Matamata, but the price has not transpired. Mr A. Bruce-Suttor sent a fine mob of fat cattle to the Auckland market by yesterday's train. Their condition speaks volumes for the quality of the Eureka postures. The Cambridge Brass and Reed Band will play a series of operatic and other selections in front of the Public Hall this evening. The Cambridge Choral Union held their usual weekly practice in the Town Board Rooms on Monday night last. There were abourt 20 members present, and it was decided that a concert should be held in aid of the funds on the 20th or 21st insfc. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, two applicants summoned < to prove their right to be placed on the electoral rolls of Waikato and Waipa re- ' spectively .failed to appear, and the Magistrate directed that the claims should not be entertained. / " The following gentlemen were elected a committee of management of jfy« Uambridge, Ploughing Olub on Saturday pight Ust> at a meeting of the Olub at Mr Jprkwood's Hotel :— Messrs Geo. Wptts, Wtf> $<Xsh y?l J|." I

Clifford, T. Gemmell, anclß. Fisher.- E. Maclean, Esq., was elected President, R.H. D. Fergusson,~Esq., "Vice -President, and JR. Kirk wood, Esq., Treasurer. Mr Bright was elected secretary. It may be interesting to some of our Cambridge readers to know, considering what has been said from time to time on the matter, that the same tariff is not charged to local institutions for the use of the Public Hall as is charged to professional companies. The latter are charged almost double that of the former. A valuable shorthorn bull, Lord Dufi'eriu, three yeais old, passed through Hamilton yesterday en route for Eureka, having been purchased by Mr A. Bruce Suttor, from the well-known pure herd of Messrs Morrin. Lord Dufferin is a remarkably fine animal with grand points, roan color. He is by Duke of Newcastle, 227, dam Ljdy Eleanor, by Duke of Somerset, 26,01 a q dam Bloomer, by Conqueror, 21,460 gg dam Anemone sth, by Waterloo, 11,028 £%% dam Anemone, by Allanodalc, 7778 jjifgij dam Ultima, by Little John, 4232 gtjggi; dam Beatrice, by Caliph, 1774 gSKSSff dam - bv Swing, 2721 gggSßiJo dd ' lin . b7b 7 Ar S us i 759 gKgsJo'g)?? dam, °y Defender, 194 ES'-i'-iK^SS djin > b y Patriarch, 480 KOBOOOSSSO dam, by own brother to Collins white heifer gffgfffirerSfTgrgg <lani, by Globe, 278 At the quarterly meeting of the Cambridge Public Library held on the 3l&t ult., the following resolutuon was unanimously passed, " That the thanks of theOommittoe be given to the members of the Dramatic Club and other friends who promoted the entertainment given on September 21st in aid of the Library Funds." It will be seen by a report in another columu that extensive alterations are about to be made in the Cambridge Public Hall. No. 2 plan has been adopted. According to this {Jan improvements are contemplated on a very extensive and no less elaborate scale. The small section of land at the corner, at present in the occupation of Mr Wells, whose lease lias now expired, will be built upon A wing will be added to the building facing Duke-street West, and, with the exception of the door, will correspond m appearance with the present front of the hall. This wing will be used as a supper room, and will be furnished with two large tables, capable of accommodating about 100 persons comfortably. This room will also be available to travellers for commercial purposes and for minor gatherings. The space at the coiner between the present front of the hall and the supper room will be converted into the main entrance, forming a sort of portico, supported on fluted columns. The passage will lead from the entrance to the stage, opening on the left into the reserved seats, and on the right into the supper room and ladies' dressing room. The present entrance will be used for the body of the hall. The present floor of the hall will be lengthened 22ft., and the stage, which will be moved back and raised, will also have an extra 2ft. added to it. A gentlemen's dressing room will be erected to the left of the stage and extended back to the Post-office fence. The usual monthly meeting of the Kinkiriroa Highway Board was held at the Waikato County Chambers, Hamilton, yesterday afternoon, when there were present : — Messr3 Primrose (chairman), Gillett and Lovell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved Mr T. G. Sandes waited on the Board with plans (fee for bridge over the Komokorau creek near Woodlands, and he was instructed by the Board to call for tenders for the work forthwith, same to be in by next meeting. The becretary was instructed to authorise Mr Sandes to pz-epare plans and specifications for bridge over the Komokorau at Taupiri, plans to be approved by the Public Works Office, the remuneration to be at the rate of 6 per cent on the expenditure. It was also resolved that the selection of the site be left to Mr Lovell and the Engineer. It was resolved to drain and form a portion of the tramway road near Rumney's farm, the members of the Board present to inspect the ground on Monday, the 14th inst., and also to call for tenders for gravelling the tramway road near Taupiri, for about a mile, 12 yards to a chain, Mr Lovell to show the work. Mr B. Brown, contractor for works on the tramway road, wrote complaining that the nature of the ground was more difficult than he had supposed, and asking for an advance of 4s or 5s per chain. It was resolved that while the Board could s not at present entertain the proposal, they would consider the matter when the contract was completed. Accounts amounting to £92 odd were passed for payment. The following tenders were opened : — Bridge at Hmton's Gully : Fonest and Cooke, informal ; Jas. Coombes, £48 ; M. Walsh, £44 ; J. C. Booth, £45 (accepted). Johnston's road : J. 0. Booth, £137 103; W. Jones, 135 10s;.Ewen, £135 ; Jas. Coombes, £136 ; H. Mullions, £75, (accepted); John Wallis, £90 ; M. Walsh, £106 11s. Malcolm's creek road, Jas Coombes, £25; G. Stewart, £15 17s 6d; W. Powell, £10 (accepted). Lamb's Mill cutting : John Mcßirnie, £1 ; James Hutt, 9s 6d (accepted); G. Stewart 17s; Clearing and forming roads in North Suburb, Ngaruawahia : John Hutt. 5s 6d per chain ; G. Stewart, 6s 6d ; J. McBirnie, 5s (accepted). Clearing, ploughing and levelling road north of Ngaruawahia : G. Stewart, 33 7d per chain ; P. Barclay, 3s 6d (accepted). Draining and forming near Kirikiriroaschoolhouse: H. Mullions, £9 10s ; G. Willis, £8 15s ; Willis and Lock, £6 10s (accepted). Our Ngaruawahia correspondent writes: — "I cannot say that there is much to write about just now. The general elections being so far off, we must content ourselves with the county ones. For this riding I presume the tried soldier will again come to the front as the partisan of Whatawhata. It is to be hoped that someone will come forward who will represent the district impartially, and work harmoniously with the Council. For this purpose either Mr Day, of Whatawhata, or Capt. Lindsay — who is really a cosmopolitan — would, t think, secure a majority of votes. Mr R. Lamb is a candidate for the Kirikiriroa riding, and will if returned try and get a little justice done to this long neglected end of that district. 9 ' Church people in Waikato and Thames Valley will be interested in knowing the effect of the Rev. Mr Oalder's removal to the Thames. The following ia an outline of the proposed plan of districts: — Mr Caldsr will take Thames and Tapu districts ; Rev. H. S. Davies will temporarily take charge of Piako, Waihon, and Te Aroha, with fortnightly services, and for the present continue his services at Ngaruawahia, Taupiri, and Huntley. Rev. Y. Lush will have charge of Hamilton alone. The Bay. Mr Jenkinson, lately arrived from Ensrland, will take oUarge of the Great South Road dietriet, lately worked by Rev\ H. S. Davies. Katikati and Paeroa will be pat in charge of a < minister, with parsonage afc Katikati, early next year. It is expected that the district from Huntley to Wbatawhata will be made a separate charge when a suitable man can be found /who .will reside in the district. ' A correspondent of the T^n&ki Badgei' writes,}— lt 'is., jwtonishing ijow the native* are so veil' jniornied upon ajl the topics of the day. 'Sor insUnfle, they, '■*» -' 1 " . . \ ' ' - l -'^' r •<• : .fit,

appear t3 consider tbeir grievances similar to those of the Irish people. They Bay " Maori all the same as the Irishman ; Maori striving to keep their land, and the Irishmen striving to keep their laud too." The secret of their being so well posted up in passing 1 events is that they are constant readers of the newspapers. I am informed that Te Whiti had a rather animated discussion with Mr Rolleston, and one which Mr Rolleston did not altogether relish. During the discussion Te Whiti took Mr. Rolle^ton's hut, and was about to cut it in two with a knife, when Mr. Rolle&ton objected, saying his hal would be no good to him if it were cut in halves. Te Whiti said " You object to havo your hdt divided because it would then be usele«s to you I aho object to have my land divided because it would be u>*ele9^ to me. This is enough." Mr. Rolleston could not get another syllable out of T e Whiti who considered his argument unanswerable.

We draw attention to an important notice re the thoroughbred horse Leandei. A vocal and instrumental concert, in aid of the Hautapu school, will take place on Friday, the nth inst., in the school-room. Messrs W J. Hunter & Co. will sell at the Ohaupo Yards to-day, 70 store cattle, &c, &c, at one o'clock. Messrs W. J. Hunter & Co. will hold their next Cambridge C-Utle Sale on Friday, the nth inst., instead of Thursday, the ioth, when they will sell fat and store cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, &c. Mr Rowland Buckworth has been appointed rate collector for the Kihikihi Highway District. A meeting of the Kihikihi Highway Board will be held at Andersons Hotel on the 10th inst., for the purpose of striking a rate of gd in the £ for the current >car, payable on the Ist December. A meeting of the creditors of Frank Il.uker, a b inkrupt, w.is held in the Courthouse, Hamilton, yesterday, when a icsolution that the debtoi be discharged was passe J Bankrupt notifies that he intends to apply for his discharge at the next sitting of the District Court. Mr Isaac Coates notifies that having purchased another steam thieshei he will be piepared to undertake the thrashing of large or small quantities of grain nc\t season at lowest rates. Tenders are invited up to the 10th inst for the pin chase of the glass and eai thenware, ironmongery, and hardware stocks at Hamilton House (Mr N. R. Co\'s). Mr Wm. Kincaul, Lite of Auckland, notifies that he has opened in C.unbi idge with a laigc.ind varied assortment of millinery, drapery, &.c. &.., at ins Emporium, Duke-street, Cambridge. Two first-cl iss milliners aie engaged We would direct special attention to the advertisement in another column. The new pure cash system now be.ng initi ited by G and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne and when stuctly carried out the customer nho buys at an establishment where the goods ate m trked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinciy, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-opcrati\ c society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the j car's business pro\e unsatisfactory. Gailick and Ci an, veil will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hithcito sho vn them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether they gain or lose the fiist year Country buyers on remitting cash with ouler will be supplied with goods at co-operati\e prices , just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding „ *nd general house furniture, the largest poition of which is turned out J.t our own factoiy, will be marked at the lowest remunerative puces, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entue value of their stork during their la^c cash sale, the present stock is ni wandw and cm U>ly nour.iir. An inspection is invited. — Gaktick wd Cr\nwi li, Cttv Mall Furnishing Arcade Onsenstreet, Auckland