The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1702, 2 June 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Hero shall the Pres* the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unoribed by gain.

SA TURD A V, JUNE 2, 1883.

The subject of tho Costley bequests to the public and charitable institutions of Auckland is not one that directly affects the people of this district, and it might seem that some apology is required for introducing it in this plsice. But though it does not concern us so vitally as it does the residents of the City of Auckland and its immediate neighbourhood, we nevertheless are interested to a certain extent. With such institutions, for instance, as the hospital and industrial home we have unfortunately close relations, and anything that bears on their welfare cannot bo void of interest to us. On quite other grounds the public library and institute are concerns in which <ye also have a share, so to speak. The discussion, which has lately been raised in reference to the administration of the property by the executors, is therefore one in which we in Waikato are fully entitled to take part. A short time ago an advertisement appeared in the Auckland papers intimating that on a day named certain freehold properties, the property of the late Mr Edward Costley, would be submitted for sale by public auction. This announcement was followed by protests from scver.il of the best man in the town against disposing of the freehold estate, which, it was insisted, should be, in view of the certain enhancement of its value, retained for the benefit of the legatees, whose respective shares of the noble bequest would probably fail to find such good investment elsewhere. To this the executors very naturally reply that they cannot undertake to administer the property in perpetuity, and, moreover, it appenrs that it was the expressed wish of Mr Costley himself that the property should be realised at the earliest opportunity. In deference to public opinion the executors have postponed the sale in order to allow the governing bodies of any of the institutions benefited an opportunity for purchasing such of the freehold as they may consider advisable. More than this no sensible man can expect them to do At the samp time any ajtion taken upon this determination will be productive of no very satisfactory result. Its most obvious effect would be to defeat tho intentions of the benovolent tebtator himself, because it were bound to happen that, as the value of the property must infallably vary in value, some of the institutions would benefit more largely than others, whereas if Mr Costley meant anything, he certainly intended that they should all receive an equal porBut really what seems to some people to bo a difficulty not suscep tible of reasonable solution, is not much of a difficulty aflerall. The executors want to realise on the property as soon as they conveniently can, in order that they may carry out the provisions of the will. To effect this purpose it is quite clear they must sell the real estate. Having arrived at this conclusion, what is there to prevent the autholities of the institutions to which the money has boon bequeathed forming out of their own number a Trust, for the purpose of purchasing the whole of the estate, and administering it for their joint advantage 1 It matters not what price thoy pay, seeing that the purchase money must revert to themselves. In this way, and in this way only, it seems to us, tho intentions of the donor can be carried out. The Trust, which should be named " The Costley Trust," the better to hand down to posterity the name of its beneficent founder, would administer the estate for all lime, its members holding a life office. The duties of such members would bo light, while the honour involved in the connection with such a worthy office would be eagerly sought after. The chief consideration is, of course, the fact that no matter in what manner the value of property might fluctuate, all the legatees would share alike. So far as we know there is just one obstacle in the way, and it is this : It is said that certain of the organisations advantaged — we know not which — are in such straits as to require the principal of their share rather than the interest. If such be the case, then we can only regret it, but it by no means furnishes a reason why the remaining institutions should not band together to attain the object which we have endeavoured to make clear, and which, we may be allowed to hope, will not be lost sight of in any further discussion that may take place.

A concert and dance will be held in the Maugapiko School-house on Friday the 15th inst., in aid of the library fund. Refreshments will be provided.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Pukekura Road District will be held in the school-house, Pukei rimu, to-day, at 3.30 p.m.

The " N.Z. Mail" says the Mormon Elders are "gobbling up" the pretty girls of Melbourne ,and are said to be a greater nuisance than the Salvation Aimy. *

The number of ratepayers nominated being in excess of that required for the Newcastle Road Board, an election will take place at the School-house, Whatawhata, on the 7th inst.

Messrs F. W. Lang, P. J. Vickers, J. Glasson, J. McMicken and W. Livingston, have been elected members of the Tuhikaramea Road Board, and Messrs S. Hodgson, Jas. McGuirk, Tbos. Rosborough, A. Sherret, and J. H. Thompson have been elected to the Pirongia board.

The Czar, Alexander 'HI., of Russia was peacefully crowned at' Moscow on the 27fch May. The'proceecU inga were devoid of any hostile elements, th« emperor being received with the greatest enthusiasm. ilti It q It is unpleasant to notice, by. a PHblc menage in another column, th*M

portion of the British King's cargo of frozen meat from Canterbury has turned out bad. Sailing vessels seem, so far, to be better adapted to the trade than steamers.

On Thursday last at the Cambridge Police Court, D. Nesbitt, against whom a prohibitory order has been issued, was brought up before Major Wilson, J.P., charged With drunkenness, and was fined 20a and costs, or in default 48 hours' imprisonment.

On Thursday evening next a meeting of the Cambridge Mutual Improvement Society will be held, when an essay will be read by Mr F. J. Brooks, on " Holiday Rambles in the Old Country,' 1 and one by Mr Maurice Keesing on " Novel Reading."

A change in the weather has been expeiienced during the last day or two. Instead of heavy and often recurring showers we now have cold, bleak winds, the effect of which will be to nip off the late feed. The roads will, however, benefit by a respite from the consequences of the rain. The rivers arc goui" down.

The Hamilton Court-house stands sadly iv need of repair. The roof leaks so badly that the floor of the chamber during the late wet weather has been almost under water ; the portico in front is fast falling to decay, and the whole building cries out for a fresh coat of paint. The edifice is a disgrace to the authorities.

The contractors for the Hamilton railway bridge have been pushing on the work energetically of late. The middle trusii is almost finished, while the western span only needs rivetting to complete it. The temporary structure between the two iron piers is being taken down, anil ■will be re-erected at the east side. This is neceseary in order to keep open the navigation of the river.

Messrs Clark and Gane announce that they will sell by public auction at their rooms, Dake-street, Cambridge, on Wednesday next, a portion ot the Bushy Park estate, the property of the Auckland Agricultural Association. This is a tnost desirable investment, <rid well worthy of the attention of pai ties w ishlng to obtain freehold land in this rising district;.

Mr J. A. Allen, the Waikato agent of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, has been appointed to represent the company in Now South Wales and Queensland. He was a passenger to Australia by the Te Anau on Wednesday. The success which has attended IVIr Allens efforts in this district well entitles him to the promotion he has obtained.

At the Hamilton Police Court, yesterday, before. His Worship the Mayor, a man named James Fee wasi charged with having been drunk and disorderly in Hamilton East on the pre- % ions erening. He was also charged u ith damaging a glass door in the Royal Hotel to the extent of 10s. Mr Knov inflicted a fine of 5a and costs for the first, and 10s and costs for the second offence. The money was paid.

The Dubbo correspondent of a Sydney paper, writing of the ravages of thought of last autumn, say :—": — " One paddock, in which 23,000 sheep ueic placed after last shearing, produces now only 1,600 sheep, and the reniciinder may be looked for in the heaps of bleached bones scattered mound, and the skeletons to be observed at every step. Another station, which had in* Sept., 1881, 90,000 sheep, now can only muster 5000 ; and these two instances, which are given by way of example, arc only illustrative of the losses on neatly eveiy station station within 100 miles of Dubbo."

Sir George Grey has presented three valuable pictures to the citizens of Auckland. They arc deposited at the Museum pending the building of an Ait Gallery. The subjects of the pictures are (1) " Lot and his two daughters," by William Blako ; (2) "Gill arranging flowers," by Casper Netscher ; (3/ a landscape, by Stodart. The pictures are all of great \alue, and the generosity of the donor will, we feel sure, be fully acknowledged. Advices by the mail state that Mr Mnckelvip, who has already made such munificent presents to Auckland, has pin chased two additional pictures to be placed in the Auckland Ait Oalleiy. Sir Gcoige Giey intends to addtes^ the citizens on the principle which should guide them in establishing their Public Library and Ait Gallery, before he lea we for Wellington.

The Wellington correspon lent oT the Herald, telegraphing on Thuisd.iv night, say? :— As a good tie,il of s'lrpr.oseems to have been oxeitud by the piuelv non-sensational chaiactcr of (he Minis terial programme, I may mention t'nt tl.u opinion in well informed quarters is that the Government having taken steps lo ascertain pretty closely the piesent strength of parties, ariived at the conclusion that they were so strong as not to need any ad ciiptamhtm or sensational policy, either to render their position secure in the present session or to found an appeal to the country in case of de- \ feat. A careful counting of " noses" seems to indicate that Ministers have a tolerably sure majority of ten at least, and probably more. 80 it is thought the coming session will' be more profitably spent in completing last year's programme, bo far as left unfinished, and getting things generally in order, so as to leave a clear field next year for some advanced proposals in anticipation of the geneial election, which must then take place. This version is not, of course, official, but I have reason to believe it a tolerably accurate view of thesituation. Everything points so far to a brief session. It is unfortunate that such foreshadowings almost invariably prove illusory.

The usual monthly meeting of the Kirikiriroa Road Board was held at the Waikato County Council Chambers yestorday. Present : Messrs Primrose (chairman), T. S. Runciman and Thomas. A letter was read from the Rev. H. S. Davies making certain proposals to the board with regard to the action of the latter in entering upon his land and taking gravel therefrom. It was resolved to offer Mr Davies £20 for the fee simple of the land (about an acre) required for a gravel pit. It was agreed that owing to the bad weather Mr Bolton should be allowed to abandon his contract on the road near Taiiwhare, the board resolving meantime to put a new culvert in at the Maungahakaj and to repair all the holes in the road. It was resolved to call for tenders for works on the Tawhai road in accordance with the agreement made last year with the Waikato Land Association. The following accounts, and a few other small ones, were passed for payment:— W. Kelly, £36 ss ; S. Willis, £5 ; J. Coombes, £49 3s ; engineer, £15 8s ; secretary, £6 5s ; J. Davis, £11 Ss.

Mr A. 0. Fietwell, of Cambridge, notifies that he has resumed horse shoeing at his premises in Victoria-street. Special attention is drawn to Messrs. Wells and Souttcr's new advertis. ment regarding 1 their new sLipments of goods per steamer Waihora. Rewards are offered for the recovery of horaea lost from Te Awamutu and Patetere respectively. The Cambridge Town Board invite tenders for the purchase of the material of the old Karapiro bridge. Mr H. Hadficld having resigned his office as member of the Waipa County Council for Tuhikaramea, an election will be held on Saturday, Jujie 16th. Tlie nominations will be received up to tlie 9th inst. Mr Geo. Mason, Claudelands Nursiry, has for sale 50,000 pines, cypresses, 5000 fruit trees, box thorn, quicks, etc. The trees are well grown and true to name. Mr John Knox will sell nt the Hamilton Auction Mart to-day, chests tea, casks salt beef, etc. Aoioxr may be the best in the wo Id, but booneror later it meets its laaton, Ir is reported that oats are scarce in South Carolina, This is a : mighty shrewd