The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1586, 2 September 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or peibuasion, religious or pclitic.il. llcie shall the Press the People's right maintain, Un.iwed by inllucnce and unbiibcd by gain.

SATURJIAY, SEPT. 2, 1882.

+. . As we stated in our issue of Thursday last, the question of supplying Cambridge with water is again agitating the minds of the people, especially the business people of that town. Every one of the community seems to blame the rest icst of his fellow townsmen for not exerting themselves in the matter; but, notwithstanding, no one seems to care to take tho initiative. All the schemes which have as yet been brought forward have been found to have been either unworkable or too expensive to be entertained. To undertake a scheme such as any of those which were described in these columns some time ago, and which were conceived by Mr Gwynneth, a sum of about £5000 would be required and when we consider this, and the fact that the aunual incomfi which the town derives fioiu rates docs not exceed £400, the iilea of a system of water supply for Cambridge must be abandoned forsometime to come, or else some other idea, entailing more moderate expenditure, and not less efficient in the matter of supply, must be conceived. A few of the members of the present board on entering office promised their supporters that they would exert themselves in the matter under review, ami we believe these gentlemen are desirous of keeping their promises. It certainly is the duty of the town board, as the schemes which have already been considered cannot be entertained, to set to work in devising or endeavouring to find out some new plan. A committee consisting, say, of two or three members of the board should be appointed to enquire into and report upon the matter. It lias already been proposed by a few to call a public meeting, but we do not see the necessity for such a step.

The Counties Act Amendment Bill* which was read a second time on Wed*, nesday, provides for'the adding of part of one county to another on a petition of

four-fifth of the electors of such part, ami of the con noil of the county to which part is added. Counties may be abolished and provision made for the disposal of county property. County ridings are to consist of one or more road districts, subdivisions, town districts, outlying districts, or parts of sucli districts. Within six months after the passing of the act, counties are to alter ridings to conform Avitli their boundaries, and if they neglect this, the Government are authorised to do so. When road districts are altered, ridings are also to be altered, if necessary. Counties are empowered to strike a general rate not exceeding three farthings in the pound on the rateable value in counties in which road and town districts are situated, and six farthings in the others. Separate rates may be levied within any riding, providing such rates, together with the general rates, do not exceed in any riding, road or town district, the amount of three farthings in the pound, or six farthings in the other case. Separate rates, after deducting a reasonable sum for administrative costs, are to be wholly expended in works within the contributing riding. Power is also given to levy a special rate, not exceeding three farthings, but that can only be struck upon petition to that effect. Where the Bating Act,, 1882, is i not in force, " three farthings" is to read " one shilling." The council is also empowered to regulate the width of tires of wheels of vehicles •within the county. The chairman may also act as clerk and treasurer.

Sir Julius and Lady Vogel are at present at Sydney.

Mr W. H. Hales, District Engineer, is at present on a visit to the Waikato. He arrived at Hamilton yesterday.

The fellmongery company's building at Ngaruawauia is now almost completed, and work will shortly be commenced in earnest,

The weather has again broken up. Commander Edwin telegraphed on Thursday to expect rain, and his prognostications were fully verified last night.

The Rev. D. Ruddock, of the Melanesian Mission, will take the services at S. Peter's Church, Hamilton, to-mor-row. Mr Ruddock leaves for the Islands in the mission schooner on Thursday next.

We learn that it is the intention of Messrs Banks and Co., of the Thames, to erect yards at Te Aroha at once, withthe intention of holding regular stock sales there.

It is gratifying to learn that the entertainment given by the pupils of the Te Awamutu school on Tuesday last, was as great a succes financially as it was in all other respects. The receipts amounted to no less than £23.

Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. held their first spring sale at Ngaruawahia, on Thursday last. There was a large muster of cattle, about 300 head, principally young stock, being yarded. Horses, chiefly the property of natives, were also plentiful. The attendance of buyers was also large.

Our Te Awamutu correspondent informs us that, notwithstanding the action of Sir George Grey in regard to.law practitioners and their articled clerks, Master Ben Lewis, who was the first pupil in Waikato to secure a scholarship, has been articled to Mr T. Gresham, solicitor, of that town.

In a private letter addressed to a gentleman in Kirikiriroa, Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., states that Mr F. A. Whitaker and himself are r doing all in their power to gee the tolls on the Hamilton bridge removed, and that it is possible they may be successful.

We are glad to hear that Mr Davies, of the firm of Friar and Davies, Ngaruawahia, has so far recovered from the effects of his late dangerous illness, as to warrant his going on a visit to the Waiwera, where we trust his health will be completely restored.

We learn that it is the intention of Mr R Hewitt, of the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, to proceed shortly with the erection of a block of buildings on the corner opposite his hotel, in Duke-street. This corner, with the very unpresentable buildings which are now upon it, has long been an eyesore to the Cambridge public, and as the building which is to be erected by Mr Hewitt will consist of offices and shops, Dnke-street, with this addition, will be the most compact street in Waikato.

Mr Clarke, the Government Surveyor, has now completed the survey of the new Cambridge-Rotorua Road, and the survey camp lias been broken up. Mr Clarke is now engaged drawing up the plans of the road, probably with a view to the Government calling for tenders for the unfinished portion. Though the two months which the Constabulary were to have remained in winter quarrers have expired, there are as yet no indications of their moving to the roads again.

The farmers, particularly the cattle-dealing class, of the Ohaupo and Te Awamutu districts, express themselves very favourably towards the proposed butchering and slaughtering company; and we have no doubt that when the proper time arrives, when the shares are put in the market, they will testify their approval practically, by applying for a reasonable number.

The Cambridge Mutual Improvement Society held their usual weekly meeting in the Court-house on Thursday evening last, the president, Mr W. L. C. Williams, in the chair. The attendance of members was unusually large. The programme of the evening consisted of readings, which were contributed by Messrs Dyer, Edgar, Moore, Sharp and Bond. The contributions were more brief and entertaining than those which have hitherto been furnished, and each had its fair share of criticism. There was a good attendance of the public.

The contractors for the erection of the factory for the Te Awamutu Cheese and Bacon Factory Company have been making solid progress. Nearly all the outside work is finished, and the work of concreting the floors is fast drawing to completion. The building presents a most imposing appearance from the Rangiaohia road It is curious to note how closely the plans resemble to that forwarded by Capt. Runciman from America, the only difference being that those adopted at Te Awamutu give a much more commodious building. The storing-room, which is of brick, is of large dimensions, and will hold a large quantity of cheese, and keep it in good condition.

At Thursday's meeting of the Auckland Crown Lands Board, the following business interesting to readers in this district was transacted :—Tamalicre. —An application to have certain land reserved as a gravel pit was granted. Land Orders for Te Aroha.—The Chairman said he had received a number of duplicate land orders from the Under-Secretary of Lands for settlers in Te Aroha on Grant and Foster's special settlement. They were all for areas of 3 acres, ami the families for which they yera issued varied from 2t09 in number. The total acreage, in. respect, ( of»>which. the order were iasued s swaya v 18 "acres*, Jia|favour of 27J adults." 'Some cominent^as made on the smallness of !th'elareas,atid. 4 the" ex-5, peusiveness of,the families, bufrfco* action

Mr Graham Berry, who is now on a visit to New South Wale?, addressed a meeting on Wednesday night at Plattsbury, near Newcastle. In the course of his speech he warmly advocated a policy of protection for New South Wales.

The Australian football team sailed for Auckland by the Rotomahana on Thursday. There is very little probability of getting up a match between tiie visitors and \Vaikato, owing to the difficulty in getting a team together here at such short notice. The match with Auckland will be played on the 9th hist.

An important sale of runs took place at Dunedin on Thursday by the Government auctioneer. The total amount of rental realised as a result of the sale was £9000, or, on an average, 8d per acre, which is abont three times the amount they are at present bringing in. The runs were educational reserves, and the sale was on behalf of the School Commissioners of Otago and the High Schools Board of Governors.

A cable message to the Press Association, dated London, August 30, states :—lntelligence: — Intelligence from the Cape states that Secocoeni, the celebrated Basuto chief, has been treacherously i murdered, with a number of his followers. The massacre has created considerable sensation, and is generally attributed to the announcement of the British intention to restore Cetewayo, which is regarded as a violation of the pledges publicly given in regard to the settlement of the Zulu difficulty.

The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Literary and Debating Society was held iv the Court-house on Thursday evening. There was a fair attendance of members, and the chair was occupied, in the absence of the President, by Mr R. P. Sandes. Mr W. Mitchell read an account of the Union of the English and Irish Parliaments from the woiks of Dr Kirkpatrick, and a long discussion followed on the Irish Question, the speakers being Rev. D. Fulton, Messrs Murray, Bradley, McLernon, and Smith.

At a meeting of the ratepayers of the Newcastle Highway District, held at Ngaruawabia, on Wednesday, at which 25 were present, it was decided after discussion, not to abolish the pasturage fees on the run, and it was agreed to call for tenders for the right to collect the same. In reference to the matter in dispute between Mr Bomfrey and the board it was resolved to submit that gentleman's claim to aibitration, he having agreed to such a course.

The standard certificates secured by pupils of the Hamilton West schoohvere presented on Thursday. There was a fair attendance of the parents and friends of the children, and the presentations were made by Mr Gco. Edgecumbe, in the absence of the chairman, of the committee Mr James Hume. Out of 90 pupils who went up for examination in standards only six failed to pass, a result of which the master, Mr Munay, and the other teachers have good reason to be proud. At the close of the proceedings the pupils of the school presented Miss Elizabeth Davies, late pupil teacher, with a silver locket and chain, as a mark of their esteem, on the occasion of her leaving the school. Mr Meagher, on behalf of Miss Davies, warmly thanked the children for their present.

Thursday's news from the scene of hostilities in Egypt is not of a very startling nature. The Highland Brigade has gone from Alexandria to support Sir Garnet Wolseley at Ismailia. The reports of the victory at Kassassin are fully confirmed, except that it is now said no guns were captured. The enemy's loss was heavy, while that of the British was 7 killed and (51 wounded. Avabi was completely routed, and the railway is now in the hands of the British. The heat still continues to be oppressive, and to some extent interferes with the transport of supplies. An attack on Fort Mcxs is thought to be imminent. Sir Garnet has been placed in possession of the plans of Arabi's position at Kafradowar by a native renegade.

The certificates obtained by the pupils of Cambridge We&t School were presented by the chairman of the committee, Mr Howie, on Wednesday evening. The teacher took the opportunity of preparing a small entertainment for the children's parents and friends, consisting of recitations, songs, and pianoforte music. The whole programme -was gone through in a most creditable manner, and a pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent. The recitations were well rendered and much applauded, as also were the songs. Mr T. \V. Hicks gave an address, in which lie spoke highly of the progress of the children, and the efficiency of the teachers. The teacher in his report stated the increase of the school had been slow but steady, from the opening on the 25th October, 1880. The average attendance then was 34 ; at the present time it is 50, with 70 names on the roll. The school had been examined twice, and the number of passes has exceeded the general average of New Zealand, the last being 86 per cent. All in the standards were presented excepting one, who had attended less than half-time. The entertainment concluded with " God Save the Que«n."

In the Legislative Council on Thursday, the Sheep Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. The debate on the Land Bill was adjourned. Several private bills were advanced a stage. The Gamine; and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee, and after much discussion Mr Steward consented to report progress. If an opportunity presented itself, lie would again bring the bill forward ; if not, he would re-introduce it next session. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment aud the Mortgage Release and Chattels Security Act Amendment Bilis were read a third time and passed. On the motion for the committal of Mr Toles Libel Bill, Sir John Hall opposed the bill. _He objected to newspapers being relieved of all responsibility on account of publishing libels uttered at a public meeting. He talked till the adjournment, thus practically shelving the bill for the session. The House then went into Committee of Supply, when a number of items were passed. In reply to a question Mr Bryce said the head-quarters of the Native Lands Court would be removed to Wellington. He said it was necessary that the Government should have an opportunity of conferring constantly with the Chief Judge. Sir George Grey, and Messrs Hurst and Sheehan deprecated the removal, and Mr Peacock moved that the item £500, for the removal of the office to Wellington, be struck out. This was lost on a division by 36 to 31. Mr Bryce, in reply to a question, said he had not had time to consider the report of the Volunteer Board, which was only ' made just before the opening of the session. He was not prepared to say to what extent the Government would, adopt the recommendations contained in it. The items £195,533, police, and £250,513, education, passed as printed, after Messrs Macandrew and d 9 Lautour had drawn attention to , the insufficiency of the salaries paid school teachers when compared with , other civil servants. The items, conveyance of mails by sea, £58,690"; conveyance of inland mails, £25,190 ; "working railways, £547,500; were also 'passed as printed. {

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