The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.
Equal and c\ injustice to .i'J men, 01 whatsoever state or persuasion, rclt(,'>oii> or pulitu i) i lore sh ill the l'rcss the lVopli-'s nirh' maintain, Un.iwecl b\ mfluciuc .itul unlir )ed hv
SATURDAY, SEPT. '20, 188 i.
Nothing could possibly be more unsaikf.ictory than tho unhusiness1 lice manner in which the Public Works Department has humbugged the settlers of the Cambridge district over tho opening of the Cambridge branch line. By the promise of the Hon. JVIr Mitchckon that the line should be opened in July, farmers were induced to hold back their produce that they might, by saving cartage to Hamilton, enjoy for the first time the advantages of railway communication. Then the rime for the fulfilment of tin; promise was postponed till August, then to the middle of the month, then to September, and now we are told that about the middle of October we may expect to see the line opened for traffic. Various excuses have been made for tho delays that have been caused, but no reasonable argument has been urged. By its unaccountable action the Government has caused a loss of thousands of pounds to the farmers in the Cambridge district. The produce which has been, held over in the anticipation of the opening of the line has either gone bad or been destroyed by rats, nnd being now unfit for market a heavy loss lias been incurred. And not only this, but the department had experienced a lo^s, for had the line boon opened even in the early part of August a large amount of revenue would have been derived from the carriage of the harvest produce which has now either been destroyed or sent by steamer. Settlers have stood this shuffling; on the part of the Governmect long enough, and the time has now arrived when some definite understanding must be arrived at.
The election of Commissioners for the Cambridge Town Board, on Tuesday, excited great interest. Tin; result, generally speaking, created neither surprise nor disappointment. 'I ho candidates who were highest on the poll worked the hardest, and those who are lowest cannot be said to have worked at all. Mr Moon had virtually re r tired before the polling day. He tendered his resignation, but on it being pointed out to him that' the Returning Officer could not |
accept it unless tendered two full diiys before the clay of polling, lie consented to allow his name to remain on the list of candidates, and this may account for the paucity of support f xtondod to him. The personnel of the hoard may lie siid to have undergone a complete change ; only ono of thn members of the previous body, Mr Howit 1 , having socured reelection. Two of the members, Messrs Wells and Clark ; did not seek re-election ; the other two, Messrs Richardson and Johnson wore, we believe, anxious to retain their positions on the board, but the ratepayers evidently preferred a change. At certain times throughout the existence of the old body, the action of some of the members afforded dissatisfaction. Indeed at times they were deemed too solicitous for their own interests in preference to those of the ratepayers, ond the course which thoy thought fit to adopt at times was considered decidedly selfish. The result of the poll shows pretty conclusively that the ratepayers were desirous of a change of representatives and a more impartial administration of the affairs of the town. Mr Gillett, Mr Lewis, and Mr Hughes are all new to municipal honours ; they are untried men, but if an exercise of reason and common sense, and a desire for the welfare of the town are sufficient to carry them through, we do not think they will be found deficient ; and with the two senior members Messrs Hough ton and Hewitt, the affairs of the town should not be neglected. Cambridge has suffered a great loss in the retirement of Mr Wells, who for many years past has taken .such a promin ; ent lead in the affairs of the district. The interests of the ratepayers were never neglected under his care, and his services, no matter in what public capacity they were engaged, never failed to give eminent satisfaction. The ratepayers are hope ful that before long, improved in health, and vigorous in spirit, Mr Wells -will once more resume his old position in their mid.st. There is likely to be a division in the new board as to the selection of chairman. Me-ssrs Houghton and Gillett are both named, but there is eve-ry p ssibility of the position falling to the former. We trust that whatever the failings of the board may he, that of " flat " distinctions will not be one of them.
A petition against the removal of the Cambridge pixst-office is in course of signature. "Echoes from the Cafe/ items of English news, etc , in type for this issue, :ire unavoidably held over. A meeting of townspeoDle was held in the Cambiidgo Public Hall, last evening to diootiss the early closing question.
uon. Mr J. B. Whyte has been urging u]-on the Minister for Public Works the necessity of a \ ote for the purpose of putting the Oambiidge K<itotu:i road in repair. On account of the tangi over the chief Miitekmo Piripi, the Land Court at C.unbiidge lias been adjourned till Tuesday, when it w ill be opened at the usual hour.
We are requested to state that owning to the football match tliU afternoon Mr Knoxs sale at the reiidci.es of Mr Nappor will commence punctually at 2 o'clock p.m.
In our advertising columns will be found the full programme of the Cambi ide;e Jockey Club's Spring Meeting on the sth December. The usual New Year's Meeting will take place on the lot Janu iry next.
Mr T. A. Bell, teacher of singing in the Waikato schools, has received a telegram from the .seoietary of the I3o«ird if K'Uic.itum to the effect that Mr Bloomfield will auive in W.ukato to-d.»y. and will visit the schooN in the district during the coining week to lepoit on the ringing.
We notice that a move is being inaugurated in »S. Peter.-., Hamilton, to ievi\o the old custom observed at Rogation-tide, of making common prayeis for the averting of judgment*, and for the increase and abundancj of the fruits of the eu-th. Special sermorib will bo preached by the incumbent.
We are afraid that some time is likely to elapse befoie the contr.iet for the permanent way between Morrinsville and Te Arohft will he let. On the lepresentation of his constituent--, Mr Wl)yti» hns been dunning the Minister foi Public Works on the matter, and his reply though indefinite is isaid to be favourable.
An important communication from Mr J. B, Whyfce to the chairman of the Cambridge Town Boanl U published elsewheie. It dealt, with several m.itteis of considerable inteiesfc to the district, including 1 the proposed amendments to the Town District Act, the Kotoiua-C.unbridge road, the Te Aioha-Mouinsville railway, and the proposal that all local elections bhould be held on one day.
The Minister for Public Works has definitely stated to the member for W«iikato that the Aroha railway and traffic bridge will bo opened to the public in a few days. Considering' that thero is littlii possibility of the binge being completed for traffic for the next three months at least, we think the hon. gentleman lias been '-t. etching a point w ithout duly considering the subject of his promise.
Several representations have been made to the Government respecting the action of the Public Woikb department in not completing the cemetery road between Taylors gate and the the Cambtidge Town belt. AtitslafitmeetingtheCambridpeHighway Board agreed that the indttei should bo brought tinder the notice of the department through the members for the district, mid the town board through its chairman took a similar step. Mr Whyte has replied to the latter stating that the work is actually ordered to be done foithwith.
With reference to the.next sitting of the Cambridge Parliamentary Union, the Government and Opposition have come to an understanding that the Railway Timr-table Bill shall be discussed on its merits. The Government has consented not to make it a Ministerial question. The oidev paper has been arranged, also the question of going 1 into Committee of bupply. After the Timo-table Bill is dispobed of, the Government will bring forward the Native Land Bill. The discussion of both questions Bhould afford considerable inteiest, and a large attendance is expected. Since the last meeting more extensive sitting accommodation for the public has been provided.
It would seem from a passage contained in a letter from Mr J. B. Whyte to the chairman of the Cambridge Town 1 Board, published elsewhere, that the proposition made by Mr Wells, to the effect that all local elections, such as for school ' committee, road and river boards, &c, should be held on the one day, is likely to bo given effect to. Mr Whyte states that he hopes to see the matter dealt with in a general local government measure which the Government intend to introduce next seision. The proposition, bs wo have before remarked, is v«ry good in theory^ but wa think in practice it will not be attended with such an amount of success as its promoters seem to anticipate. • .
At the Supreme Court, Auckland, on Tuesday, in the case Arekafcera and others v. E. B. Walker mid other*, Mr 1 Alexander had gireh notice for a 'summons to, show cause why discontinuance filed heyein should not be set aside, j and why warrants to sue should not be filed. ,j M.v Alexandor, instructed by Mr Hay,' ap' peared in support of, the argument, and M$
Heaketh against. After hearing arguments from both siderf, His Honour held that this was mi action instigated by Europeans behind t!ie scenett, and not by the natives themselves. He observed that all the plaintiffs had entered notice of discontinuance, and that the statements on the affidavit of Wiripu, one of the plaintiffs, wore not to be relied on. His Honour could see no ground* for saying that Dr. Buller's conduct in regard to this case was unprofessional, and that he had perfect liberty to protect lu'uißolf, the same a<* a private individual. The suinnkuis wa«, theiefore, dismissed.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1905, 20 September 1884, Page 2
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1,725The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1905, 20 September 1884, Page 2
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