AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1683, 19 April 1883, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and evict justice to .ill men, Otwhitsoever st.tte or persuasion, religious or political. . Here >,hall the Press the People's riffle maintain, Un.iwed bv influence ,md unbribed by gain.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10,1883.

Some misapprehension appears to exist as to the mode of procedure under the " .Road Boards Act" of last session, and as the time for the election of the new boards is drawing near, a few words of explanation will be welcome. The announcement in last issue that the elections would be postponed to the first week in June, consequent, on the non-comple-tion of the Property-Tax rolls, may appear to complicate matters, but such is not really the case, as the nominations, we take it, must in any case be in by the dates already advertised. As regards those districts which still abide by the "Begulation of Local Elections Act," nothing need be said, as the mode of election prescribed by that act is familiar enough to ratepayers ; but the course to be followed by those who have embraced the 48th and 49th sections of the " Road Boards Act " requires to be detailed. It is laid down in the act that on some day in the first week in May, 1883, to be appointed by the board, and on the same day in every tliird year thereafter, all the members of the board shall go out of office and a general election shall take place. The candidate is to forward a statement of his intention to become such, signed by himself and at least two qualified ratepayers, ten days before the day of i election. The election shall tako place at a meeting duly called by the returning officer in the first week in May, at which the returning officer shall preside, and the votes of the qualified ratepayers present shall be taken by a show of hands. The returning officer's decision as to the result of such voting shall be final and conclusive, without prejudice, however, to the " Local Elections Act " as to^ enquiries into disputed elections. This is shortly the mode of procedure. The first week in May is. the statutory time for holding the election meeting, which will of course, though, not, so far as we can see, necessarily, be held on the same day as the annual meeting for the consideration of the accounts, etc. The alteration of the day of election, owing to the cause referred to, will be made under clause 157, which gives power to the Governor-in-Oouneil to make any alterations -which the exigencies of the ca«e may require. Having been advertised, the statutory meetings called for the first week in May will have to lapse before the June meetings are called, but no inconvenience beyond that arising from loss of tiaie is likely to result. One word concerning the nominations rbay be added. Ra|epayers should remejpj)^ r i,m the,.]?pard

shortly to bo elected hold office, practically, for three years, for although a certain number of members retire annually, the policy of the board is not likely to vary much during that period. It therefore behoves then) to take a deeper interest than heretofore in the election, to the end that the services of the best men procui'able shall be obtained. During the next few years, under the " Roads and Bridges Construction Act," many works of importance are likely to be undertaken, and the greater the amount of -intelligence the ratepayers can manage to engage for their local governing bodies, the better for themselves, for the district to which they belong, and for the colony at large.

Cambridge public discussion has once more reverted to the question of water supply — a question we might say which has been under consideration for almost two years without any practical result having been arrived at. And, from present appearances, discussion seems the only possible result likely to be arrived at for some time to come. In writing thus it is not to be assumed that, after advocating a scheme of water supply for Cambridge since the idea wag first conceived, we arc now endeavouring to throw a wet blanket on what we have hitherto endeavoured to nourish into maturity. On the contrary, we merely seek to indicate the apathetic state of the public mind on a question deserving the earnest attention and consideration of all concerned. It is openly asserted that it is an utter impossibility for the supporters of the scheme to obtain the majority required by the act, the apathy of its friends being as effective to this end as the opposition of its enemies, From careful observation since the public meeting on the Bth inst., we are forced into the belief that this conclusion is not one likely to eventuate in error. Let us instance in the first place the meeting itself. Though due notice was given, the attendance on the occasion was anything but indicative of general public interest in the matter brought forward for review. Nothing more conclusively indicates indifference than a bad attendance, and, this being so, the meeting referred to was demonstrative of very much indifference and want of sympathy. Had the ratepayers taken an active interest in the welfare of the scheme they would have attended ; but, instead, they showed by their absence that thoy were content with passively resisting the proposition, knowing the efficacy of their opposition at the poll. Now of all shades and f6rms of opposition, this is undoubtedly the most objectionable. When Mr Errington's report was brought forward for review, the ratepayers having had timely notice of the meeting, and having had an opportunity of previously considering the features of the report, should have attended to a man, and there and then given either their positive support or their positive opposition. By doing so they would have decided tho matter at once, but by adopting the course which they did — that of waiting until a poll is taken — they have only put tho town to a lot of unnecessary expense, and their representatives to much avoidable trouble and inconvenience. Certainly if they do not mean to offer opposition at the poll their course is not so reprehensible, but we are seriously misled if it is otherwise than what we have indicated. Again, we feel warranted in saying that the opposition which is beingoffered is mostly of a blind nature, inasmuch as it is based on no sound ba&is of objection. The majority of the lvitepayers have not taken the trouble to ascertain to what extent the adoption of the scheme would affect them. They simply say to themselves, A proposition to borrow £8000 is now beforo us, npon which, if wo endorse tho proposal, we will have to pay interest and sinking fund ; and to do this means taxing ourselves to an extent which wo can ill afford. It never seems to strike people who are in the habit of speaking- thus — they never seem to have enquired into the matter — that, if properly managed and properly supported, the schome would be self-supporting, and that the special rate levied for absolute security for the loan would not require to be collected should the revenue from the water rate be sufficient to cover the working expenses, interest, and sinkingfund. Before blindly resisting a proposal, those who are interested should ' enquire into its details ; they should satisfy themselves that their objection is well-founded — that they are not lending a hand to defeat their own welfare. Whenever the next formal public meeting takes place all should be prepared to take a decisive stand one way or the other; for when a matter of such vast importance as this comes before the ratepayers for consideration opposition should either be positive or not all ; it should not be of an undefined, undetermined, wavering nature. Whenever a proposition comes before us in a denned and complete form let us sit down and analyse it, and endeavour, as far as it is in our power, to ascer-. tain the probable effect of its working, instead of going on some preconceived and prejudiced conclusion. If we find it uncertain and injurious in effect let us at once dismiss .it ; if, on the other hand, we find it likely to have a beneficial effect let us nourish it and carry it into execution despite \ all hindrance. '

The Banks in Waikato will be clpsed on Monday, 23rd iua't. (St George's Day). ' , , His Excellency the Governor was entertained at dinner by the members of the Northern Club on Tuesday eveniug. „ , The Bankruptcy Bill to be brought before 'Parliament next session, , provides that if the Court is of opinion that if a' .bankruptcy is attributable to 1 rash* and ha^rclo«s Sj>poulati6nB| J pr'wju|tififtblQ

extravagance in living, it may adjudge such bankrupt to be imprisoned for anY term not exceeding twelve months, withor without harti labour.

The Maud Graham is daily expected to arrive at Waikato Heads with a cargo of grain for the W.S.N. and' CM. Co. Her cargo consists principally of oats and oatmeal,' with 300 sacks' of seed wheat.

The Assessment Court for the Borough of Hamilton, was held in the R.M. Court-house, yesterday, before Mr Northcroft, Judge. Mr Gelling, town clerk, represented the council. Only a few objections were made, but the reductions were unimportant.

Members of the Hamilton Troop, Waikato Cavalry, are reminded that ( all arms and accoutrements in their possession must be deposited in the store by Saturday, without fail.

The sale of the privileges of the Cambridge Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting takes place on Saturday next at the auction mart of Messrs Clark and Gane, Duke-street, Cambridge.

We are pleased to see that an effort is to be made to establish a cheese factory at Kihikihi. A public meeting will be held at the Alpha Hotel on Saturday evening, for the purpose of taking the necessary preliminary steps in the matter.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Piako County Council was held yesterday, at Cambridge, when a large amount of business was gone through. We arc obliged to hold over a report of the proceedings until our next issue.

No particulars of Mr Bryce's journey came to hand last night. The Native Minister has, we understand, the permission of the whole of the chief personages of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, and will not, we believe, experience any difficulty in getting through to Taranaki.

A painful accident happened on Tuesday, at Whatawhata, to a little boy named Percy Skeates, about 7 years old. He was playing in the Whatawhata bush with some of his schoolfellows, when one of them cut down a tree, which fell upon .Skeates, bieaking his thigh and dislocating his knee. The sufferer was brought into Hamilton yesteiday, and attended to by Dr Carey.

At S. Andrew's, Cambridge, on Sunday last, Archdeacon Willis yue.iched on the subject of parochial missions, and announced a mission to be held at S. Andrew's during the week before Whit Sunday. Services u ill be held on every evening throughout the week, and on some of the forenoons. Special sci vices will also be hold on the Sundays. The hours of the services, and the subjects of the sermons will be advertised next week.

It is announced by advertisement in another column that the annual concert and dance in connection with' the Roman Catholic Church, Cambridge, usually held on St. Patrick's eve, will take place in the Public Hall, Cambridge, the evening of the first day of the Cambridge race meeting (Tuesday, 2nd prox.) This popular entertainment will, we understand, be conducted under auspices similar to those previously given, which in itself is a guarantee that it will prove a success.

It is gratifying to notice that the Auckland Harbour Board have met the promoters of the proposed Freezing Company in a public spirit, and exhibited a desire lo advance as far as lies in their power the general interests of the province. The application for a lease of part of the board's property was favourably entertained. On the objects of the company we shall have something to say in a future issue.

The stewards of the Cambridge Jockey Club have communicated with his Excellency the Governor, requesting the honour of his presence at the Autumn Meeting of the club on the 2nd and 3id pi ox. The invitation was issued consequent on hearing of his Excellency's intention to visit this district in the eaily pait of next month. Should Sir William see his way to accede to the invitation, the Cambridge Jockey Club will have every reason to compliment themselves ou the fact.

At the R.M. Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before Mr Northcroft, R.M. Robert Lamb, of Ngaruawahia, was. charged with a breach of the borough bylaws by driving over the Hamilton Bridge at other than a walking pace, on the 4th inst. Defendant did not appear, but forwarded a letter explaining that he was in a hurry when he crossed the bridge, and thought the by-law had been rescinded. Sergt. McGovern s.iid the police had no desire to press the charge, and the case was therefoie dismissed. A lad named Patrick Crosby was charged with having, on the sth hist, wilfully damaged the property of the borough by ploughing up the gravel in Gallowaystreet. After hearing the evidence of Kelly, the contractor for the road, and others, the bench dismissed the case, considering that the damage done was not wilful. Judgment was given in the case LeQuesne v. A. Smith for £o 6s 3d, with costs. Mr O'Neill made an application on behalf of a man named Wilson, who was a short time ago oidered to pay 7s per week towards the suppoit of his illegitimate child. He said the man could not pay that amount, and if he went to gaol his other children would be thrown on the State. Tho Magistrate said he would leave the matter in the bauds of the police. A few civil cases were disposed of.

One of the socialists recently tried at Lyons made the following explanation concerning the aims of the party to which he belonged :—Anarchists, hes-aid, are citizens who, in an age when freedom of opinion is preached, consider it their right and duty to proclaim unlimited freedom. We do but proclaim aloud what millions are thinking in their hearts. We claim for every human being the right to do just as he pleases, and to satisfy all he desires, no other limit than is imposed by natural barriers or the necessities of his neighbours. We boliove such liberty is inconsistent with any authority whatsoever. In the eyes of the Anarchists evil does not dwell in one form of Government more than another ; history shows it is the Government idea which is at the root of the human misery. Our ideal is the substitution of frecdon of contract, constantly subject to revisal, in place of legal or administrative tutelage. The Anarchists propose to teach the world to do without Governments as it is already begining to do without a Deity. There can be no liberty without equality, therefore all proprietors must be abolished. Capital is the common patrimony of humanity. We would establish actual and real equality—to everyone according to his faculties, to everyone according to his powers. We demand bread for all, science for all, and for all independence q,nd justice.'

All claims against tliß assigned estate of W. Jaggs, Cambridge, must bo lodged (proved) with the collector, Mr T. P. Thomson, before the 30th inst., or they will not be wcog nised. Those interested in resuscitating the Hamilton Choral Society, are requested to attend a meeting in the Public Hall on Hay the Jrd. Mr Wt Pr Bngkland advertises two farnu in Wftikato for safe. Ful| particulars will be found in »n ftdyertispment in anqfher polumn, Some English chomistg and . salary reformers have started a movement to - make bread from the entire grain of wheat, and not ' from the inner portion only.- The movement has the support of, the first physiologists of the day. Jks inquest was held at Wells, Yorkahivo, by thg S,Q,unty coroner, on the body of Richard Scurrah, {jjftpksmitl}, aged 68 years. The deceased, who lived in ahovel near the village, not having been seen for some clays the house was broken into by the police, who found him dead in bed. On the premises being examined upwards of £3000 was found upon a beam in the kitchen, and mortgage deeda to several hundreds, of pounds were ( also\ *foWd in an old chest. r As the deceased had ho relatives,, toe whole of the property will go tp the Orpwp, ' , r» ■-