The Waikato Times THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1489, 19 January 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

H<|u.il and i'\.iLt justice to .ill men, Of whatiocvci st.itc or persuasion, luliginus or lirlitit.il. Ilcic xli.ill tin- In.--. tlic IVtipli-'s ii«lit ninint.iiii, L nawi il 1)> mllucm o .mil unbiiliuil l)j K'im

THUItt'DAY, ,/AiV. 10, ISS,i.

— — — «^' — " " Buhiptok" in the Duwdin Falio writing in anticipation of the late elections, s.ws : -" I hope one thing will not be forgotten. It was said the, l'h'ko Swamp was a good sale. Hero is a fact. The Government <■()(. i" 13,1- "3 2 «s 9d for the land in lH7(i. In I^7B the cupitil value of Hhj 1 mcl w.is valnc.l at £200,300, ,md for taxing purposes under the Lxnil Ta\ Act — that is deducting ,ill iii)|»roveineiits -it wa-> v.ilued at L'lL'fj,lSU, and th» lav p.iid on this. AVho pocketed the difference, £11:5,027 lfis 'MX 1 And what Ministry allowed a land ring to make this hamUomo sum in two years out of ( 'imwii lands ? There's the conundrum for the supporters of the present Ministry." We have here the conventional mole-hill, and the mountain — the former representing thn actual fact, and the latter the bean ideal in fiction. That Go voinment got only £13,152 in. hard caoli, is <mo, tut il«\t io only part of the truth, and like half-truths in general, it simply tends to fulminate the falsehood. Prior to the date of this transaction the country in question was indifferently known as the "great swamp," " the dismal swamp," and the "slough of despond." These appellations are sufficiently descriptive of the chai'acter of the land to show that, in its natural state, it was an impa&sable swamp. Indeed, there is evidence on record to prove that it formed a complete barrier to the progress of settlement in the direction of the Upper Thames. The obviating of that difficulty will surely be admitted to rank as a question of public policy. In that case the transaction stands thus : — Thirteen thousand odd pounds went into the colonial chest, while another sum of equal amount was disbursed in openiug up the country by what now constitutes the main line of road from the Waikato to the Thames by way of Te Aroha. In other words, the price was 5s per acre, 2s 6cl of which was paid in cash, and the other 2s 6d expended in the construction of a main through public road. Again, we have the significant fact before us that under tlio Land Regulations of 1 867, this very block oi land or portions of it could have been seloctod at tho price of 5s per acre, and j r et it remained for yours open and unapplied for. ' ' Seriptor, " ■\\ ith whom an ox-atlornoy Goneral of New Zealand is supposed to be in some way identical, could not have been wholly ignorant of that fact, and yet he does not hesitate to set up this " dog 1 in the manger " difficulty to serve his personal whim or party caprice. The whole subject, however, admits of more detailed explanation, and to that end a\ c are indebted to a correspondent who writes as follows: — "The capital value of the land in 1878 is stated to have been £200,300, but to make it of that value " Scriptor " omits to mention that a sum of £80,000 had been expended in " dead work," on the ground. The land was valued without improvements for Land Tax purposes at £126, 180, but itis a fact that had not the money (£80,000) been exj)ended the land would not have been valued at over 5s per acre, as the increased value is due solely to such expenditure. " Scriptor " makes out a difference of £113,027 16s 3d in tho value of tho land from the time of purchases to the year 1878, and asks who pocketed this difference ? I fancy if he will take the trouble to deduct from his £113,027 16s 3d the £80,000 expended, together with interest on the same, for, not one penny had been recouped the proprietors, there will not be such an enormous fortune for his "land ring" topocket. He also is not aware that many thousands of acres of land, and, some of the very best on the estate, have been p^u'ehasejj reoeatly fxoty

private individuals, at, in many instances, very largo prices, in order to square up their boundaries. In LB7B the Company had been five or hix years at Avork and so far from pocketing, or being able to do so, a large sum of money they were certainly very heavily out of pocket over the whole transaction. I can tell " Scriptor " who pocketed the £80,800 for there was no more to pocket. It was the working men of the district to whom the Piako Swamp transaction has been indeed a blessing, having enabled numbers of them to settle down on land of their own, and establish themselves lorn fide settlors in the place. It is something worth considering also, that the whole transaction was, and indeed still is, to a very great extent, purely a speculation. No one knew, no one possibly could know, whether the land when drained would be worth anything at all ; and up to the present there are 20,000 or 30,000 acres of the estate which would not "feed a sparrow to the acre," and this after an expenditure up to date of over £140,000, against which they can only place a sum of £18,000 for land sold.

It is announced by advertisement in another column that a conversazione, in aid of the bazaar fund of the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, will take place in the Public Hall there, on Tuesday first, at 7 p.m. The member for Waikato, Mr J. B. Whyte, will preside. Grove Vowless has been committed tor trial by the Supreme Court on two more separate charges for the larceny of a steer and three cows, the property of Mr Coates. David Combes, at the R.M. Cotirt, on Tuesday last, was charged with being of unsound mind, and threatening to commit suicide. Dr. Carey gave eTidencd to the effect that accused was now completely recovered, and in a fit state to be at large. He was discharged on payment of costfa. We perceive that the Domain Boaul aie about to undertake a work which lias long been deemed necessary, namely, the drainage of the allotments at the north-eastern end of the surveyed portion of the Domain on the east side of the river. Tenders have been called for, and are returnable on Monday next, the 23id hist. The marriage of MrlSheehan, reports the Thames Advertise); to the daughter of Mr Young, of Warkworth, Mahumngi, took place on Saturday nioi niug, and not Friday, as was stated m a Press Association telegram sent throughout the colony on that day. Hoav the mistake occured is not explained, beyond the desire of the bridegroom to .allow the ceremony to pass off quietly. One effect of the mistake was to cause a large number of congratulatory telegrams to come from all parts of the colony before the ceremony was actually accomplished. Our correspondent writes :— •' I notice by advertisement that Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. will hold their next horse sale in their new yards at Cambridge on February 4th. We believe the proprietors have spared no expense in erecting a first-class yard, a want long Mi- in tlio fownoliin. The building is 66 feet long, and nicely fitted with stalls, colt-pens, etc., and has a run of 165 feet for showing off horses. The firm purchased a naif-acre upon which these buildings are erected, and therefore have ample room for carrying on their business." We learn that on Monday several of the contractors' camps in the Waitoa district were in imminent danger of being destroyed by fire. It appears that settlers between Piako and Waitoa were burning off the flax and scrub, when the fire spread with almost inconceivable rapidity. It was only by the greatest exertion of the men employed that the camps were saTed. In Mr Coates camp * the men buried their swags and everything else of value, and then started to work and cleared the ground for a considerable space round the whares and tents, and by that means saved the camp from total destruction. We regret to say, however, that Mr Hines, a subcontractor, was not so fortunate, being away at the time. _The tents, swags, &c, belonging to him'and his men were consumed before assistance could be rendered. The road to Oxford, 25 miles (writes the Star), it> in good condition, and only a bush of some ten miles prevents a junction with the road outwards from Ohinemutu. With ordinary despatch the two roads ought to be connected in six or eight months. If the work were let by contract it certainly might be opened within that period, but Government are employing natives upon it, and travellers tell a sad tale of the kind of "work" that is going on, while the bill credited against the provincial district for " roads and works " continues to expand at a most alarming rate. Surely the Waikato members if they put their heads together, could hit upon some scheme to hurry up the Government. Being well-established in the graces of the Ministry of the day, their demand of greater expedition should not' pass unheeded. Waikato railway traffic is in a fair way for becoming conspicuous. In the Auckland Chamber of commerce, the following colloquy took place on the subject : Mr Nathan complained of the slow rate of speed at which the Waikato trains travelled. He thought some action should be taken in the matter. Mr Clark thought it undesirable to have the rate of speed increased, as that would tend to increase the charges also. The real grievance was the bad traffic management, a noticeable exhibition of which had been given during the recent holiday season. Mr Larkins and Mr Waymouth attributed this to the fact of there being only a single line of rail. Eventually, on Mr Waymotith's motion, it was agreed that " This chamber urges on the Government the necessity of having two lines of rails as far as Penrose." — The motion was carried. We are informed that the crop of wheat, 50 acres in extent, now being cut down on Mr J. B. Whyte's estate, is turning out wonderfully well, exceeding the highest expectations. As one man remarked, " A dog could not get through the best portions of it," and some idea of the quantity may be inferred from the fact that the string used by the binder is costing four shillings per acre. A portion ! of this crop was doirig so badly at first that thoughts were entertained of plough* ing some of it m again ; but it came in time, and promises splendid results., This should be an encouragement to farmers in the neighbourhood. We.also hear, on excellent authority, that the wheat crop, some 120 acres on the Tamahere estate (Messrs A. and^S. S. Graham), is turning • out,, a remarkably heavy one. In fact, good news re the crops are' coming in" all round, and^we hope' ere ' long W t be-'abl«s' to'-give* our. reacts the results of wwjy o| tljewv \ ,

We beg to direct special attention to thefollowing conununicatiou forwarded to us by Mr J. M. Gelling, town clerk, Hamilton :— As there are many persons disappointed at election times through not being allowed to vote by reason of their name being omitted from the burgess roll through various causes it would be well to know that from the 15th of this month till the 15th of February the valuation lists from which the burgess roll is compiled is open for inspection, and when once the roll is passed no alteration can be made. Societies, such as Freemasons, Good Templars, and Oddfellows should make application at the office to have the name of some person placed on the roll to represent their properties for voting purposes ; this applies equally to firms. If no application is made the local body is compelled to enter the first or leading name of such firm — who alone has the right of voting at elections — and the period above mentioned is the only time at which these matters can be settled by the parties interested, making the claims. The annual meeting of the Presbyterian congregation, Hamilton, was held in the church last night. The pastor, the Rev. Mr Fulton, presided, the attendance being large. The treasurer, Mr Knox, submitted and read a balancesheet for the half year. It showed a total of £130 5s Bd, made up of collections, £45 15s lid ; £95. which included a donation of £50 from Mr. H. Steele, and sundry other small amounts realised from different sources. The expenditure, including £33 6s Bd, for stipend, left a balance to the credit of the church funds amounting to £41 Is Id. The mortgage debt on the church building was stated to be £216 13s 6d, besides sundry other liabilities amounting to £73 19s, against which, there were — Special subscriptions unpaid, £31 10s ; cash in bank. £41 Is Id, leaving a total liability of £229 0s 9d. The statement was adopted, and a vote of thanks awarded to the treasurer for his services, on the motion of Mr A. Campbell. On tiie motion of Captain Kunciman, a similar vote was recorded in favor ol Mr H. Steele, for his liberal donation to the funds. There is great disappointment, writes our Alexandra correspondent, at the appearance of the building for our new post and telegraph offices, whidi is now well advanced in its erection by the contractor (Mr H. Baker). I should say it is the most ugly and unsuitable erection of the kind to be found in the North Island. Built very strongly in its bracings, with a low, almost flat roof, to be covered with sheet-iron, nothing could be more unsuitable for this climate. Evidently it was designed for some of the southern mountainous districts, where railway trains and passenger coaches are not unfrequently blown over. The adoption of such a design in this temperate climate shows at least great incompeteucy of the fituess of things, whoever is answerable for sending it here. It is no stretch of imagination to say that the unfortunate who will have to inhabit the place will, in such weather as the present, have no difficulty in cooking his chop or steak without the aid of fire by simply placing it on the roof. The sun's rays concentrated there would render a fire uuneces* sary. ' Arrangements have been completed for a third Australian Eleven to play a series of matches in England during the summer of 1882. They will play three or four matches against picked elevens of England, one against each of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and 17 county matches. It is intended that the team shall band together about the middle of this month and play three vi rour maLuiiua iieruie tneir aepaibme for the old country. Thirteen players have been selected, and will be chosen from the following : — Messrs Boyle, Blackham, Bonnor, A. Bannerman, Edwards, Evans, Horan, S. Jones, Jarvis, Massie, M'Donnell, Murdoch, M 'Shane, Palmer and Spofforth, In the list the boAvlei-s are — Evans, Spofforth, M 'Shane, Palmer and Boyle — a quintette not to be surpassed anywhere, and moreover each of them capital batsmen. Then add such batsmen as Massie, Murdoch, A. Bannerman, Blackham, Horan, M'Donnell and Bonnor, there is a batting team with the last man almost as good as the first. The Town Districts Act is referred to by the Frcss (Christchurch) as follows: — "It was introduced in obedience to the expressed wish of a number of members from Auckland and Otago. Some such enactment appears to have been in operation in the provincial districts of Tciranaki and Wellington, and the act accordingly declares certain townships called into existence by these Ordinances to be town districts under the new act. But it was felt that a general measure was required ; and the result was that the Government introduced and passed the act we are now considering. The arguments adduced in favour of the bill were such as to satisfy the House, and it passed by a large majority. It was contended that scattered over the length and breadth of the colony there were a number of small townships with a comparatively limited population, which nevertheless required local government of a somewhat more advanced character than the road board system. At the same tim'e it was felt that the machinery provided by the Municipal Corporations Act was too cumbersome and expensive for such small communities. The Town Districts Act was passed to meet such casus. It aims at providing something intermediate between Road Boards and Municipal Corporations. Its object is to give small upcountry townships the advantage of local self-government without calling upon the inhabitants to pay for the costly machinery of fully constituted municipalities."

The Partnership of 0. Newall and Co., asrated water manufacturers, Ngaruawahia, has been dissolved. Impounding notice advertised by Rangiaohia poundkeeper. Cambridge public school picnic is advertised for the 20th inst. Mr Jas. P. Thomson, Cambridge, announces land, etc., for sale. Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. announce cattle sale at Cambridge on 26th inst., and horses on 4th proximo. Tenders for ploughing are invited byMr T. Burton, Stone's farm, Ngaruawahia. Dog registration announcement advertised by Alexandra Highway Hoard. Arlington estate, Pukerimu, announced foi sale by auction. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. 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 foods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must c a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinery, and clothing: at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon.tobearaportionofthelossshould the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garltck and Cranwell will "aim to retain the cofidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether 'they gain"*or lose the "first year. I Country buyers on remitting cash withorder will be supplied with goods ;at co-operatve prices ; just the same as though 1 they made apersonal se- ■ lection. > Furnishing . goods/; such .as carpets, floor cloths.,, bedsteads;" bedding and' general houseTfumiture^th'jrtargestjportioii of, which, is ' turned out at our own factory, willoe marked'at ; the lowest remunerative prices; ;aud a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay ai~the time v of purchase: »'_G. arid G^hayia^realisedthe entir&valuCqf their?s.tock; duiiugVtheirt lato ' cash 'sale/ the'preiiSM'st'ocl: is NEXv^Jtept^aEXPLy-' jßObGHT.r^Ariiaspftction%inyited.'rfGAßUck«tM»D*" ? CRANWBLLfcrtyS|UFu^sfiingArcl^Queen\ ;stwtfA^aa^'4 [^j^^Si^S