The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1614, 7 November 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot \\hatsoc\er st.ite or persuasion, religious or pclitic.il. Hcie shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, NOV. 7,1882.

The people of Wanganui and the southern portion of this island appear to take a much deeper interest in the North 'Island main trunk railway than their Auckland neighhours. Whether they arc prompted by merely selfish motives or not we need not pause to determine ; the fact remains that they are using the most strenuous endeavours to collect evidence in favor of the routes which are advocated by the respective sections. We should be sorry to see the question narrowed down in discussion to one of parochial importance. It is a colonial work, in which the whole of the people of the colony are primarily interested. Whatever it may effect in the way of increasing the importance or adding to the prosperity of any particular sea-port or centre of population, the most lasting and most potential result will bo the opening up to settlement a vast area of land in the interior of this island, so soon as our relations with the natives will allow of the construe- , tion of the line. The question of route is undoubtedly an important one, and we trust that in considering it the Government will not be biassed by the pretensions or arguments of interested persons, but assess them at their true value. Notwithstanding all that has been written and said upon this question of route, we hold that the data produced so far is not sufficient to warrant anyone in coming to a definite decision, and a thorough engineering survey is first of all required. At the same time, it can do no harm, to examine from time to time the evidence brought forward by the advocates of the separate lines. Speaking generally, the opinion of people in this part of the colony inclines to j favor the Mokau route, the reason being that a line taken thence would bring us directly into communication with Taranaki and the West Coast country, the produce of which would find an outlet through the port of Auckland. There are not, however, -wanting advocates (indeed we are not sure that they are in the minority) of a line via Botorua to join either tlio Napier system or that of Wanganui. The opponents to the firstnamed of these routes urge, as against any advantage that' might be derived from securing the trade o£ the West Coast, that the cost would be enormous— far exceeding' the amount proposed to be raised by loan — and the greater bulk of the country through which tlio Hue would pass 1 is \ utterly , valueless for , purposes of sottloment. The^first of these objoctibiieTwiil »»pt : i apply, to the line eastward or Taupo, tijit the 1 second f svill, 4 ,and inj a ;inuch higher degree. There is K not, hoivever, much' to „ choose ./between, broken barren country 'on the one hand, aid a wide area <$ pumice on the other, and' people Wiis '%& i&eniselves calmly fd^pnsiaprOtlieCsut--'ibet m .anjinipartlal'Spirit will j)ro- v * ™£nn,d;fte^4% /^wefeth^ deviland the aoe§^.[. i /t!^QJ^^p^' J of cost, certainty, is not' sororp^apfa , in the ojifffaifo afrjuatfuf Qsie% : 15ut| Poking" atNfcM VStattft 3Pra& A

likerv|to be (liy^|p^[uthGr is much greater way of Taupo. Wrinjijauurtuis 'set itself to iintietlie Goriiiaii^knotlby proposing, by way of compromise, that the .route" be between those before sug>ftosto(jl. At ; the instance of Mr Brovyn^ &E. J; r\bf Wellington, Captain Blako " has furnished a report on this middle routo, awl, accejHiug his statements as, true, tliei'O .j can "'bo no \ doubt/ that thpj, linn proposed; Which should have for its termini Wanganui and , Alexandra, possesses advantages to which the others cannot protend to lay claim. "->The prpposed line" OiiptJ Blake says, " would makW the most direct and nearest way from Wellington to Auckland and the Thames, presenting no serious engineering difficulties, would be easy of construction, and open up thoroughly good country of large and extensive area, fit for settlement in holdings of moderate acreage. It would form a work of great political importance, dealing with the most powerful tribes of the inland and King Country. Starting from Wanganui, I would follow the line of country adopted for Mr Field's road to Murimotu, turning off at Mangaehue.hu, about forty fair miles from Wanganui, then on to the Manganui-a-te-ao, from thence on to the TaumaranuiPa, on the Wanganui river ; from here by the Ongaruhe Valley to Te Kawa Kawa, crossing over lo the Uppar Mokau country, passing through Te Taraka Plains, and on by the valley of the Waipa to Alexandra, making a distance of about one hundred and sixty miles (160 miles) between Wanganui and Alexandra." This line would traverse the Tuhua country, and keeping westward of Lake Taupo would penetrate the lands of the Maniapoto down the valley of the Puniu and Waipa till it reached its terminus. Respecting the quality of the land through which the railway would pass Capt. Blake describes the Puniu and Waipa Valleys and the Upper Mokau country as good lar.d, principally of limestone formation. Between Taugarakau and Ongaruhe the country is rich in coal, valuable timber forests, and good agricultural lands. The Taugarakau Block, of 200,000 acres,is a very desirable one. Much of it is fine open land, while on it are good totara and rimu forests, with coal seams showing out in parts. It also has fair water carriage available. The Tuhua country is as we all know, openly reported to be auriferous, though guarded as it is by the natives, it may be years before any reliable information concerning its wealth will be forthcoming Summing up his observations on the quality of the land through which the railway would pass, which is said to be well adapted for small settlers, Capt. Blake says .* — " We may put it that this line will pass through a country, say about 140 miles long, and averaging nearly 40 miles wide, thus making an area of over 3Amillions of acres it would open up "

The increasing prosperity of the provincial district of Auckland, compared ■with the other similar divisions of the colony, as indicated by the post-office returns, has already been adverted to in the columns of some of our contemporaries. Taking the tour principal postal districts the receipts were as follow for the quarter ending September 30th :—: — Value of stamps sold and credited to Stamp Revenue : Auckland, £4846 2s 9d; Chriatchurcli, £4657 16rf 3d ; Dunedin, £4756 5s 9d ; Wellington, £2735 17s 10(1. Money Order Commission : Auckland, £380 Iss; Christchurch, £297 3s 4d ; Dunedin, £312 9s Sd ; Wellington, £252 12s. Paid telegrams : Auckland, £4114 8s 2d ; Christchurch, £2967 6s 6d ; Dunedin, £3768 5s lid; Wellington, £2692 (is 6d. The amount paid in money orders in the several districts was :—: — Auckland, £22,339 Is 6d ; Christohurch, £11,952 6s 2d ; Dunedin, £20,702 16s Id : Wellington, £14, 139 0s sd. The amount of deposits in the Savings Bank was : Auckland, £50,521 10s 4d ; Christchurch, £71,510 19s 6d; Dunediu, £58,074 14s lid ; Wellington, £41,550. The amount w ithdrawu was ; Auckland, £45,077 8s 6d ; Christchurch, £70,887 4s sil ; Dunedin, £52,257 12s 9d ; Wellington, £30,120 11s sd. Auckland does not compare well with the two southern districts under the last head, but it must be remembered that there is another savings bank in the northern capital, and the aggregate figures) would place Auckland in as favorable a light with regard to savings banks as it occupies in respect of I the postal receipts. But we find the same increasing prosperity shadowed forth in the railway returns. From the return for the fonr weeks ending September 16th, which are before us, we find the increase in receipts over those of the corresponding period of last year on the Auckland section to be £816 7s 2d ; on the Wellington section the increase was £533 0s 4d ; on the Wanganui section, (consequent on the increase of j settlement on the Plains) £792 8s lOd ; on the Hurmiui-Blnff section, (845 miles) £2,379 3s lOd. The Nelson and Picton sections show a decrease. The average receipts per mile of railway on the Auck> i land railway, (average to 16th September) were £536 8s sd, while the expenditure ! was £376 17a 2d ; on the Wellington I section the figures were, respectively, £605 15s 4d, and £463 2s 2d ; and on the i Hurunui-Bluff section, £810 3s 4d, and | £499 9s lOd. For the corresponding period of last year the results were : — Auckland : Receipts per mile, £528 14s 4d ; expenditure, £350 6s 7d. Hurnnni-Blnff : receipts, £813 19s ; expenditure, £459459 d. In this connection it is well to bear in mind that during the-year abonb 50 miles wore added to. the Hurunui-Bluff section, while the Auckland railway remains in the same disjointed state, with. a large portion of the traffic convoyed on a river parellel to it, and united to a branch (Kaipara) which is running at a loss for the reason that it (loes not tap the country it is intended to benefit. When the Auckland section is completed by the junction of those' portions now under course qi construction, and connected with fche other gyft&mg ob the' Island, fchd returns, which gven now wear an encouraging .aspect, w : ll compare . favourably with those' >of*fche great trunk line of the sister island.

It wiUjbe t s66^.;,£rom.oiir report of Saturday's proceedings at YYhafciwhati- ■ hoe» pUjblishedjjn column, tbat? T^^ f O has declined the proposals 2 N (cUc£J;e4 on tl\e; occasion o£^M/;^rxce's| inweitvteit to%^bf t king,' >l^rMh^<tiie'( iplaceM^a^mlwo. 4ffic«irniab'siilS<jiQn|

l The special strain for Auckland I last night was ne^ly an hour late leaving' Hamilton. There^vere about thirty pasfi sengers, iticlmUnig-tliose from stations^ i abotfe^HamilfcottSN >G v f k f .'tT

' The; mail that usually closes at • Hamilton jon Thursday qt 10 a. m. .frill- • close on Wednesday at Bfp.m.^8 f p.m.^ The -Post and 'JDelegraiphoffice will hiiclosed^jll'dayon Thuvaflay. x\Jll apply to all' ' offices throughout the district.

The churchwardens of S. Peter's Hamilton, ( >-ha,ve. received a fnrthcr^eomrtiunioation iif'om the Bishop in reference to the appointment > v of. t(ie JSiey. Mr 'Edwards' (successor, infrn-nungAhem that the Key. R. O. C. Biggs would not take charge of the parish until the first week iv December.

Bishop Luck^the new Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, expects to reach his destination on the 14th inst. Preparations are being made in Auckland to gire him a fitting reception.

A serious accident was caused in Symonds-street, Auckland on Saturday by boys letting off crackers. The horses attached to a dray were ao frightened that they bolted, and the driver was thrown from his seat and much injured. T lie cracker nuisance Jias -made its appearance in, .Hamilton, ,and should be" promptly put down.

The correspondent who kindly supplied us with a report of tiie conversazione at Cambridge, writes to say that he accidently omitted the. name of Mrs Howie from the list of ladies who supplied the refreshments, and desires us to make this correction.

The Hon; Mr Bryce left Te Awamutu for Auckland by special train on Saturday afternoon, arriving at the latter place at about 10p.m. Since his return to Auckland he has been in close consultation with the Premier. Mr Bryce is expected to return to Waikato to-morrow for the purpose of again meeting Tawhiao to talk over matters affccttni; the welfare of the colony.

The annual show, under the auspices of the Auckland Agricultural Association, commence? to-morrow on the grounds at Green Lane, near Auckland. The train arrangements in connection therewith have already been published, and will be found detailed in our advertising columns.

The proposed cricket match between Waikato and the Auckland ropre sentativea has lapsed, as the rcpiesentatives can only play on the Prince of Wales Birthday, and Waikato cannot collect all its players in time to play on that date ; nevertheless, the Waikato ten in will go to Auckland and play, most likely, Otahuhu on Friday, and the Auckland C.C. and United C.C. on Saturday and Monday.

The following are the results of the racing on the fourth clay of the Victoria Racing Club's Spring Meetiug. Mares Produce Stakes : Calma, 1 ; Segenhoe and Boolka, t; V.R.C. Handicap : Gudarz, 1 ; Gipsey Cooper, 2}2 } Lord Burghley, 3 ; Steeplechase : Kanaka, 1 : Sailor, 2 ; Left Bower, 3 ; Canterbury Plata : Commotion, 1 ; Darebin, 2 ; Sweet William, 3.

A correspondent writes from Cambridge : — Sunday being the sth of November the bells of S. Andrew's, Cambridge, after evening service sent out a merry pe«l over lull and dale, the souud of which carried the thoughts of many far away to the tleav Old Country, where bonfires were blazing, rockets ascending, and the bells of a thousand steeples reminding the people th.it 277 yeais ago the diabolical plot was discovered.

A musical entertainment consisting of the popular service of 6ong entitled "Billy Bray," vocal and instrumental solos, ducts, &c, is announced to take place in the Cambridge Public Hall on Friday evening next in aid of the Baptist Church Organ Fund. Mr Thomas Spurg«on has kindly consented to read the narrative. The musical part of the programme should in itself be well worth patronising.

We regret to learn that 'Lieut. Archer, R.N., rocently residing at Cambridge, met with a rather serious accident when riding betwepn Cambridge and Rotorua last week. When going through the bush it appears his horse stumbled and threw him severely to the ground, breaking two of his ribs and inflicting numerous sevious bruises on his body. He is :it present under medical care at Rotorua, and is fast recovering from the effects of his accident.

The Bank of New Zealand intends to erect permanent premises at Cambridge, similar to, but somewhat larger than the fine building which forms such a prominent feature in Victoria-street, Hamilton. Mr Mahoney, the architect to the bank, has been to Cambridge to inspect the site, which will be at the corner of Victoria and Duke-streets, facing the Criterion Hotel, and near to the present bank building. We understand tha.t building operations will be proceeded with at once.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held last night. The committee appointed to report on Ci 1 . Yon Stunner's motion re the dissolution, submitted a report pointing out that the departmental expenses were not so large as had been supposed, and Cr. Yon Stunner, with the consent of the council, withdrew his motion. The Mayor reported that the Premier had inionned him that the bridge would be freed bafqire the end Qf the year. A full report will appear in our next,

We have received from tne Auck;1 and agent, Mr William Rattray, Queen* street, a delightful novelty in Christmas and New Years cards. The obverse side is occupied by photographs of Purukanui Bay (Otago), Mount Earnslaw (Otago), and the comet as seen during last month, tastefully arranged in panels with floral decorations. On the back of the card are some pretty lines of poetry addressed to friends on the other side of the globe, conveying the kindly greetings proper to the festive season, and a description of the illustration. Nothing could well be more appropriate for sending to friends at Home than the card before ua.

Cable news, per Reuter, received up to Monday morning, fe brjefiy as follows : — The statement in The Times re Arabi's trial is officially contradicted.— A number of men who attempted to lynoh a murderer in Kentucky were fired on by the military. Six werekillod and thirty wounded. — A report lias been circulated that the false prophet of the Soudan had been defeated but it required confirmation,— An amendment by Mi* Gibson requiring that the cloture should only be adopted' by a tU'O'thirds majority of the House of Commons was rejected by 362 to 238. The Irish members voted with the Government.. — Egypt is to contribute to the cost of the army of occupation. Some of the volunteer corps says the Herald object strongly to the day-, light drills required under the regulations of the proposed reorganization scheme foi? volunteers. Colonel Scratchley, it may be said, was' very emphatic iii Jus ,observation,on the neces* sity for, daylight drills. He held that assembling in drill sheds at night was not favourable tp , good jflriJUj,, either for officers or men, and thai it sliould take 'place in the- onen, as nearly as passible imder ( the „ ordinary 'conditions /which yfqu\d ,occur ' in 1 , war time,,,'. Yo/unteers who co'iiUl- keep theip "dressing!'- on an.asphalted flboivmight inafee a po,qr shpw in that Qyev oiidina^ry .ground.i *..*. '„„ ' "v ,J*'-' . :*,/ « !

-„ Mr Bengejr, the teacher Jn^ha^bf ithe^Te : Awamlitu public, schppl,- tnrofj^h theiib^raf pafoxfoagdpex- ' {ehd^td-hfe'lastpopunaf/eiit'erfeiumehv"

l>' aThis&gentlerrmn w desertjitig of^p&,cH/ f credit for tho eavneaWnJntterstn^hicK ire* jj lias worked to forwavd^ttfc litera|y tastes i ? of his pupils, flt whose di%osalKe. halt put + - a ve%valW|bl«J 'collection; -Mr" rßeiige/r Beiige/ ; we *l^trii, giving another | v , of his!p'op«lar entertainments shortly. J

' Tab chairman \of-th© Hamilton' " Weire School "Committee naY put into effect the suggestions offered in our leading columns a short time since in referonce to the establishment of a High School, taking advantage of -Mr O'Sulliyan^B presence in Hamilton ' yesterday to* tiim on the matter. It appears the first step to be taken id to ascertain how many pupils have passed the fourth standard, and if from 30 to 40 of these can he guaranteed at £8 per annum", which is the scale fixed by the board ; this being satisfactorily, settled, there is little doubt but that the authorities will help the matter forward, _Jt is , thought, that the Diatricfe High School will be carried on in connection with the other school, <probably the head master having control over both.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Highway Board was held on Saturday. The board decided to grant £10 to make an outlet drain through lot 44 to drain the road near the properties of Messrs Bxelby and Dellicar. The secretary to the Tuhikaramea Highway Board wrote, stating that application had been made by that body to the Government to have a goods shed erected at Rukuhia, and desiring the Hamilton Board to second their efforts, more especially as many of the Hamilton district ratepayers were interested in the work. It was resolved to accede to the request. The board's engineer, Mr Sandes, reported re the proposed road from Mr Aitkin's property to Col. De Quincy ! s, estimating the cost at over £200. The board came to the conclusion that the expense was too great, and it was suggested that a cheaper road might be taken from near Mr Brown's. The matter was then deferred. This was all the business of importance.

Many of our readers who find pleasure in listening to the instructive discourses of Mr Thoa. Spurgeon will be glad to learn that that gentleman has arranged to pay another visit to this district shortly. Now that tenders have been called for the erection of a Baptist Tabernacle at Cambridge, and as funds are required tor the purpose, the members of the chinch, especially the church committee, are making strenuous exertions to meet the liability. At the request of the members of the church Mr Spurgeon has kindly consented to preach in the Cambridge Public Hall on Sunday next, when a special collection will be made at each service in aid of the building fund. Considering the deserving nature of the object, and the celebrity of the preacher we have no do.ubt that the proceeds of Sunday next will be a handsome addition to the sum already collected.

At the Police Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before His Worship the Mayor, Thomas Williams, for being drunk and disorderly on Saturday night, was fined os and costs, with the usual alternative. Before Mr Northcroft, R.M., George Anderson, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness in a public place within the Borough on Sunday night, and was lined 20a and costs, with the option of 48 hours imprisonment. The same prisoner was further charged, under the Assaults on Constables Act, with unlawfully assaulting and resisting the police in the execution of their duty, to which charge he also pleaded guilty. Sergt. McGovern stated the circumstances of the case. The prisoner, who was mad with drink, behaved in a most violent manner, and was taken to the lock-up only with the greatest difficulty. In answer to the Magistrate, prisoner said he knew notlv ing of the occurience, as he was full ot liquor. His Worship inflicted a fine of 40s and costs, with the alternative of 14 days imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol.

The North Shore Regatta, which takes place on Thursday next, promises to. be one of a very attractive character, .ami is expected to supersede in interest any former one. Numerous sailing and one or two pulling boats have been built for the occasion, and as the former are of a high class order, there is no doubt some very fine sailing will be witnessed. The greatest novelty and attraction of the day will prove to be the Maori War Canoe Race. The intending competitors will arrive from various parts during the next til roe days, and the club have procured and already fitted up the naval shed, situated at the North Shore, for the accommodation of the natives while they remain here. The club, profiting by past experience, has made ample and full arrangements for the conveyance of passengers to the flagship. Five of the Devonport Ferry Company's boats have been arranged for, and a steamer will leave the Queen-street Wharf for the North Shore every five minutes so as to prevent a crush. — Herald.

The Rev. H. J. Edwards, late incumbent of S. Peter's, Hamilton, preached his farewell sermon in that church on Sunday evening. Referring to his departure, the rev. gentleman expressed his deep regret at having so soon to sever a connection, which, from its felicitous commencement, he had 'anticipated would have proved beneficial to those over whose spiritual welfare he had to watch and pleasant to himself. He said that ill-health alone compelled him to take the step he had, and he trusted that, though his ministrations amongst them had not been of long duration, he might have been the means of cooing some little good whilst m the parish. He spoke very strongly on the importance of regular attendance at ])ivine Worship, and exhorted the membeis of the congregation to assist their pastor, whoever he might be in the performance of liis duties, and urged the choir more particularly to persevere in their work, which should be to lead the congregation in their praises of God. He thanked all who had helped him, and especially the lady who so ably presided at the harmonium. He concluded in the words of S. Paul (II Cor., xm., 11), " Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Amen." The Rev. Mr Edwards and his family left Hamilton yesterday for Auckland. They were accompanied to the station by a number of the congregation, who took the opportunity of expressing by their presence, the general regret felt at the departure of Mr Edwards from the district, , , j

Lovers of the English national game have been naturally under the impression that the sole object the Selection Committee kept 'in view, regarding the' proposed tour South of an Auckland cricketing team, was the upholding the honour of the province, but from what we can learn such does not appear to be the case. Cricket, indeed, appears to be quite a secondary consideration, the first ; being the pleasure of those players who are lucky enough to reside in the City of l Auckland, Ab.out ; the middle of October intimation was received by Messrs Browningand Wo«dj of Waikato, thatthey ■had been included in the , representative /team. ?' readily accepted, and made the necessary arrangements* to enable •them ,tueui>to* leave .home, w,hicli>they could only Ho^ak great incpnvenience. This w,e have means ojt knowing, and naturally sttrprised/us to h*ar : on Saturday that an alteration had? been madeip, p^*oioQf^im^v¥m^ Wood «i d Browning belngrelcgated to the position & ' c 'if 'i rW, /the'; slightputiupon 1 these I'geritleraen and the ? dSttictV|tflfeyWepYe^it,Wthe%>Vele|tiofa. .^m^ilillm^^Mbi^lyi^klh^d; - theTteam.CMe^^^^ ||^t^|l^eirAB¥p|rjo|&

Mt^a- little . excitement was ,c^te'din'\ Cambridge, yesterday morning fthrough.an unusually philanthropic de'ntonstration on thtcpafti'of^a number of ; [natives^ who, : chaHtably "ificlined, wenn desirous 1 of assisting a fdvr* o|^ theft aboriginal countrymen who rectftfply arrived "from Maketu, East Coalt? TJSj who belong to Major Fo|!s tribe",' it appears, arrived in "Cambridge about a week since, and being somewhat short of capital, their forlorn (?) conditiou,seeins to have. torched, the hearts of a liumber of the natives' interested in the land before the Court" at present sitting at Cambridge.' 1 The' -sympathisers, gathering in state at the public hall march down Duke-street to the Maori quarters apjoining Mr Isaacs' premises, where the visitors were located, carrying sticks onNvhich, were tirraiiged 1 of £1 notes. On arriving "irt front of their guests a shawl was spread, which before many minutes" well 'spotted with silver, and the sticks with the £1 notes were stuck in the ground. About thirty of the dusky donors, including -both se_xes, and all ages,- carefully vested themselves ,of all cumbrous garments, and treated the gazing multitude to a number of melodious airs Avith physical illustrations. Major Pox, on behajf of his people, thanked the cheerful givers in the usual Maori fashion for the money, which amounted in all io about £12. 4

The Auckland "Star" says : The progress of the Industrial Branch of the Government Insurance Department seems to be as rapid ,as ever. Nearly 8,000 policies have been issued since its reestablishment in March last. In a short resume of its leading features, given in the Star at that time, it was mentioned, among other things, the prompt payment of claims would distinguish its dealings. We are glad to find that in no case has more than seven days elapsed after death before payment of the amount lias been made by the ; Department. ,, ln. Newton recently a death occured, when the amount due on the policy was paid within five clays of the receipt of proof of death. A still more prompt settlement was made on Saturday. Tho death of two persons assured in this branch took place at Parnell. Tlic necessary proofs of death were only received at the Auckland office on Tuesday last, and were forwarded by the Southern mail of that day and immediately on their arrival at the chief office, in Wellington, instruction were sent, by telegram, to Mr Douse, the Auckland Superintendant, authorising him to pay the amounts due on each policy immediately. These instructions were duly carried out, as Mr Douse discharged each claim in full on Saturday morning, being within twentyfour hours after the receipt of the necessary documents at the chief office. Jt is not surprising, therefore, that the working classes generally place such confidence in, and are largely availing themselves of the advantages offered by the Department.