TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1849, 13 May 1884, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

THE JUZVUI. The bazaar in did of the Wesleyau Cliutcli funds was held on \Yedncsday and Thuisday, in the Volunteer Hall. The pionioters have more than realised their expectations, the amount netted in the two days being i' 72. This is fioin the sale of goods alone, and exclusive of nearly £20 collected by sonic ladies, so that iiom both these sources about £90 has been realised. Thoie are also goods to the value of £30 still unsold. On entering the hall the first thing that met the eye of the visitor was the tasteful anangempiit ot the goods, which wcie displayed on three long tables. The next thing to be admired was the handsome deeoiation ot the room with flowers and evergreens. Of coinse there could be no great variety of the foimcr at this time of year, but the most was made of such as could be obtiined, and for which seveial Ejanlons wcic laid under contiibution. Tlie stills weie presided o\er by Mesdames CJilli"s, Westney, Rogers, Bndgman and Millar. Miss Mandeno was indefatigable in her eflbits to as&ist in making the affair ci success. Mesdames Wiight, Cook, and Miss Biidgman also gave great assistance; in fact all the ladies of the various denominations gave their cordial suppoit to the undertaking. Mrs Glass presided at the refreshment stall, and Mr and Mrs R. Alexander ior the two days gave their services gratuitously in preparing refreshments. The most atti active portion of the affair was the art galleiy, which was upstairs, the admission to which was only threepence. All who visited it were gieatly pleased ; in fact on several occasions the room was so crowded that there was scarcely room for the gentleman who was in charge to show the various treasures of ait to the visitors. Some of the woiks of art consisted of a view of the Rod Sea, a statue of Perm, Memories ot Youth, a portiait of Her Majesty, By the Sea, &c. A galvanic batteiy, microscope, and a, telegraph \\ue fiom one end of the hall to the other, and over which messages was sent at a small charge, was largely patronised. It was very amusing to watch the urchins — who cheerfully got lid of their spare pennies — getting shocks, and among whom there was a spirit of nvahy as to who could hold the handles the longest. During each evening lady and gentleman amateurs sang several songs. The baxaar was a most unqualified success, and the members of the YVosleyan body have reason to congratulate themselves on the result of the undertaking.

MIhCiXIANEOUS. The annual meeting of ratepajers which was to have been held last weeK was postponed till Saturday, the 17th inst., as the books had not been leturued by the public auditor. The majority of the farmers arc busy carting wheat to the station. A good deal of dissatisfaction is expressed at the rates of freight, 4kl per bushel being the rate from this station to Auckland. I will give an instance of the absuidity of the present tariff. One farmer sent two tons of potatoes to Mount Eden (?) station and they cost him 7s lOd more that if they had been sent right through to Auckland. A business man in Kihikihi among a consignment of goods^ got up a parcel of cigarettes, which measured nine inches square, and for which he was charged eight shillings. That made a considerable hole in the profits. Many people who got coal from Huntly, and tor which they paid the freight, received notice that they had to pay more, viz., on the coal already paid for. With that clearness which characterises the doings of the Department coal was to be charged in the new tariff under Class P ; consequently the station-master at Huntly charged the rate in that class, but in another page is a clause in which it states that •' All goods under Class P are to be charged as Class N (which is a higher rate) unless specially provided for." This is most misleading, and very naturally the station-master thought Class P was correct for coal, but he was soon undeceived, and had to make out under-charge sheets much to the annoyance of the consignees. The high rates of freight are net so much the trouble as the delightful uncertainty as to what it will cost to send anything by rail. One almost feels tired of harping continually ou the same string, but each clay some piece of injustice crops up, and each appears so much more grossly unfair than the last, that it is difficult to refrain from writing about it. We need not look to the department for any justice, for it is characteristic of it to annoy the public as - muoh a3 • possible. "VTennist only look to pur members to 'use their influence to get the tariff, if not lowered, at any rate so revjsejl ; that the people caji^underitand it, ifor r t ai "present jijua-ti, jwoo iq *