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The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to aU men, Of whatsoever state or peiiuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's righ* maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by fjain.

TUESDA 7, SEPT. 80, ISB4.

Whatever course the Government may see tit to take with respect to the North Island Trunk .Railway, the balance of published evidence undoubtedly favours the Stratford route. It is possible that the Parliamentary committee is in possession of information of which the public know nothing, though this is not very probable. Many matters of detail will, ofj course, be brought out in evidence, but we take it that the broad facts are already before the country, Mr

Hochfort, who surveyed the Marton line, and Mr Holmes, who explored the Stratford route have both furnished fairly full reports, and though it is quite possible further investigation will necessitate many modifications in the plans, it is not likely that the general conclusions will be found to be astray. An impartial examination of the respective chums of the rival routes, would, we unhesitatingly believe, lead to the adoption of that between Te Awamutu and Stratford ; but but it is much to be feai'ed that the. choice will be made on local rather than on public grounds. For one thing, the only member of the Government who, it may be said, is directly and personally interested in the question, — Mr B.illance — would unquestionably do his utmost to secure the Marton line, which would [ naturally throw a large propor- | tion of the North Island trade into the lap of Wanganui. And the Native Minister would be quite justified in so acting, if, while he is bound by his election pledges to promote the interests of Wanganui, he believes the central route to be the best, from a colonial point of view ; and there is not a representative in the House who does not think that the measure best calculated to push his own district ahead suits the rest of the colony to aT. For the same reason our Taranaki friends, whether justified by evidence or not, would in their loudest tones, proclaim the superiority of the Stratford line. The sole difference between Taranaki on the one hand, and Wanganui and Wellington on the other, is simply this, that Taranaki happens I to be in the right. Having arrived at this somewhat forlorn conclusion, let us for a moment consider the main question at issue. There has been printed at the Taranaki Herald oflice a pamphlet under the title of " notes on the two alternative routes," and though, as may lie supposed, it has been compiled with a purpose, not to say a sel fish purpose, ie is by no means unfair. The statements of the two surveyors are accepted in their entirety, and the conclusions are summed up and briefly commented on. In "reckoning* up" the character of the Marton route, the writer says: — -The most notice- j able featuie appears to be the small amount of country available for so great a length of line for ' construction." An official map issuod from the General Survey Office at Wellington gives in detail the naturo of the country, which is shown to consist of " broken country," the same, only "considerably rougher," "pumice stone plateaus," "sandy deserts," and precipitous gorges. Now for the Stratford route. In summarising its qualifications the writer claims for it that it passes through countrj', a great deal of which is } very good, and the whole quite available for settlement, except along twelvo miles of the line, and here there are coal beds. The line will also pass through an immense \roa of the Crown estate, which will sensibly diminish the amount to be paid for land. Much of this j good land referred to cannot i be settled until a railway is made. "To its junction with the Marton line the Stratford line will open up some one and a half million acres of land, more or less fit for settlement, while the Marton line, with the exception of a few small patches, runs through country unsuitable for settlement until it reaches the Stratford line." The report is a long one, and goes fully into the question, but we have given the cist of it above. The statements are bold, and it may be said audacious, but they are fully borne out by the map issued under the, eye of the Surveyor-General. A mere glance at this map would convince anyone, not being a resident of Wellington or Wanganui, that the Marton 1-, not a peer of the Stratford line. In distance, in cost, in the quality of land opened up, and in its immediate if not ultimate effects upon the settlement of the country, the Stratford line possesses an enormous advantage over its rival. To give so mo idea of the advantage in point of distance, let us quote some of the figures on the map. The distance from Te Awamutu to Marton is "244 miles, to Stratford 1-ii miles, and from Stratford to Marton along the present constructed line 102 miles. Thus the distance to Marton is only two miles greater via Stratford than by the so called direct line, while between Te Awamutu and Wanganui, the distance by the Stratford route is actually some thirty miles less than by Marton ! Viewed in the light of these facts and figures, it is not necessary to consider the nature of the motives which actuate the advocates of the Marton line. It is clear as noon-day.

In view of the coming poll on the .£9OOO loan proposal of the Piako County Council, it may not be out of place at this stage to point out to the ratepayers the necessity or desirableness of acceding to the proposal. A number of the ratepayers have expressed themselves averse on the ground that they " object to be rated for the Aroha tramway," or, in other words, that they object to subscribe money solely for the support of wiorks on the Aroha goldh'eld, and tram, whjgh they, as ratepayers of the county, can ! derive no benefit. Their opposition to the proposal, we take it, arises from ignorance of its true purport, or Hie real state of affairs through, which it ha* arisen, and we feel certain that when fcbs waiter iH put properly before them in ail,; its issues, they will not hesitate to accord their hearty support. Some two years ago the council was induced by what seemed a most encouraging prospect to undertake the construction of the Aroha tramway. The work was one of great magnitude, but so promising were the prospects which the 'thorough development of the Aroha goldfield

indicated, that the council unanimously approved of the undertaking. Through various causes, which are already sufficiently well known, the. cost of the tramway far exceeded [ the original, and many subsequent estimates, and also the limited means of the council. In undertaking this vast work the council were assured by the very promising prospects which the field afforded in large and payable returns from almost every claim, and it was clearly demonstrated that, let the tramway cost what it would, let it be made at whatever sacrifice, the results would be such as not only to recoup the county for its outlay, but would also prove a considerable source of revenue to the council, and prosperity to the county. In carrying out this work the councillors had more in view than a mere refund of what they had expended. They were encouraged by the prospect which the opening up of a payable goldu'eld afforded as a flourishing local market for the produce of the county. They knew that such a market would stimulate .settlement, and thus it will be seen that though they spent the money at To Aroha, it was with the object and desire to benefit the county at large, and if they have not succeeded, the fault cannot be attributed to them. Through the accomplishment of this great public work, the council now finds itself labouring under a debt of £9000, -which must immediately be paid off. It is proposed to raise a loan for the amount, and that it is to the advantage of the ratepayers that this should be done must be quite evident. Until this debt is removed the council must be encumbered, and the outlying districts must, as a matter of consequence be neglected. The revenue of the county which under ordinary circumstances would be devoted to the forming and repairing of roads, and the construction of bridges, and the opening up of new country, would be hypothecated to the county creditors, and the very object and desire of the ratepayers as expressed by the meeting at Oxford would be defeated. By voting for the proposal, which that meeting expressed its intention of opposing, they would not be sanctioning a loan to bo spent on the Aroha goldfield, but a loan to pay off the present liability of the council that the future income might be relieved and be devoted to the general work of the county. But, after all, though the ratepayers may by a unanimous vote approve of the loan proposal, the power which it gives the council to levy a specially annually recurring rate of a farthing in the £, will not in all probability require to be exercised ; for it is confidently expected that this rate will never be collected. We agree with the ratepayers that the principal part of the liability incurred was in the interest of the Aroha, and so the council in raising- this loan is carefully providing that that portion of the county which most benefited by the expenditure will mainly contribute to wijnng out the loan by hypothecating the gold revenue and rent of tramway. But as these sources of revenue are liable to fluctuation those buying debentures under this loan need a more reliable security, and, consequently, the present appeal of the council to the ratepayers to consent to the security being given in the shape of the special rate named. As the act requires that a majority of two-thirds of the entire votes exercisable must be recorded in favour of the proposal, the ratepayers will see the absolute necessity of recording every available vote in the count}'. The proposal is more likely to be defeated by the apathy of its friends than the adverso votes of its enemies, for unless all who have got a vote to exercise do so, thero is little chance of success being achieved. And in case the proposal should fall through, the necessity of the council immediately relieving itself of its liability still remains ; and it follows, us a matter of course, that it must avail itself of such powers as are vested in it by levying a general rate to the full extent allowable, Thus, by refusing to empower the council to levy what is practically a nominal rate, by way of security, only the ratepayers make themselves liable to the imposition of a general and much heavier rate. The ratepayers will therefore see that this £9000 liability must be disposed of in some way, and the course adopted by the council must be recognised as the most acceptable.

The poll for the £9,000 loan of the Piako County Council takes place on Saturday, October 4th, at the various places mentioned in the advertisement. The subject is dealt with at length in our leading columns.

The annual parade of sire horses will take place at Ohaupo to-day. The Land Court at Cambridge is still engaged over the lists ot names in Mangatautari.

The Sydney University has received the very handsome bequest of £ISO,OOO by the death of MrsChalii3.

The petition against the proposal to ehiffc the Cambridge Post and Telegraph Office has been forwarded to Wellington.

A notification regarding the election of councillors for the County of Waikato appears in our advertisement columns,

Mr John Skinner has been elected unopposed to fill the vacancy in the Ngaruawahia Town Board caused by the resignation of Mr 0. R. Laing.

The Messrs Douglas, Tamaliere, bw fo»fcructed Mr J. S. Burjkland to sell by awcfe*^ on the sth November, the whole of thejj? jiy# §iw4f implements, as per list in another cojuj»»/

The Venerable Archdeaeea $lsrfc preached at both morning and evening setvices at S. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, on Sunday. The Yen. Archdeacon, also held a service at Cambridge West in the

#J#rnoon. , . Tiw dir^tors of the Cambridge Dairy Frodutw at?d Bggon Factory met at Gillett's Na#on4 UnH, Pmw&SQt las fc night, and disposed of » considerate amount of businew, A report of the ppo.ceedings will appear in our next; ibbub, ,

A man vtfiose name yr& have not been able to ascertain, 'employed by Mv Burton at Avon Farm, Waipa, waasavagely attacked by an entire horse on Thursday last, and \yas so seriously injured that.it was necessary to Bend him to the Auckland Hospital.

The Defence Department invite tenders for the supply of rations to the Colonial forces and others in the Kawhia district for the twelve months ending 31st October, 1885. Tenders will be received up till Monday, the 13fch October.

The unfortunate man Davidson, who blow himself up with gunpowder at Northcote, on Thursday laat, died in the hospital on Friday morning. At an inqnost, on Saturday, a verdict of suicide while in a state of temporary insanity was returned.

We are requested to state that Mr AUwill's prize of £10 10s for the beft yearling got by his horse Bonny Prince, and two £5 5a prizes for yearlings got by Peve, are intended to be given annually so long as the sires remain the pioperty of their present owner.

A half-caste named William Smith was arrested on Thursday last at Ngaruawahia, charged with criminally assaulting a little girl seven years of age, a daughter of Mr Birrs, at Ohinewai. The accused was brought before Messrs Rathborne and Lindsay on Saturday, and committed for trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court.

We understand that arrangements have been made to run a train through to Cambridge on Wednesday. We have not been able to ascertain whether it ia intended to make this the formal opening of the line or not, as it is quite possible it may only be an official trip of inspection. Atrangemente are being made by the Cambridge public fora holiday on the occasion of the opening of the line.

Mr Bloomfield, on behalf of the Board of Education, paid a vis.it to the various schools in Waikato last week, and examined the pupils in singing. Weare given to understand that the result is very satisfactory. A correspondent, writing from Ngaruawahia, says the examination at « the school there was most encouraging. The pupils answered every question put to them correctly, and generally exhibited great proficiency in the vocal art.

The Rev. Rainsford Bavin, chairman of Auckland District, conducted the morning and evening services at S. Paul's Wesleyan Church, Cambridge, on Sunday. There was a special service in the afternoon for children, when the Rev. Mr Bavin delivered an address. Offertories were taken up in aid of the Home Mission Fund. Service was conducted at the Wesleyan Church, Cambridge West, in the evening, by the Rev. H. R. Dewsbury.

A well-known native named Pene Ngahiwi died at Cambridge on Saturday morning from consumption. His death was the occasion of an extensive tangi on the part of his fliends. Pene is the son of the Native Minister, Hohaia Ngahiwi, of Taupiri, and during his life he attained to the honour of an a&bensorship of the Native Lands Couit. He wa-> bumght down to Taupiri yesterday, where another tangi is to bo held.

The chairman of the Hautapu School Committee has culled .1 public meeting for the purpose ot considering the matter of the lemoval of the hchoolhouse to the new hite on Mr Morgan's propeity. The meeting will be held at the sclioolhousu on Monday evening, October (ith, and the attendance of all interested i«t invited. Considerable interest is at present being manifested in thi.s mattei, and the feeling against the proposal of the board to move the present building is becoming very strong.

An interesting report of a meeting of the director* of the Thame» Valley Land Company appears elsewhere, and contains many points of interest. The hesitation on the part of purchasers is .attributed to the stagnation of trade, which for some time evicted in the colony. It is exppcted that when the railway through the country is completed theie will be no difficulty in dis posing of the land to settlers,. The report refers to the death of Mr Morton, who came out to take charge of what was expected to be a useful undertaking, a special settlement for the maintenance of young men who might stay there until they learned their business. ThU. institution had not fulfilled anticipations and has been abandoned.

A runaway, which was nearly "being at'endcd with disastious, if not fatal results, occurred at Hamilton on Saturday. A horse and dray weie left standing at Mr Knoxs store when somethingsUi tied the animal, and he bolted down the hill in the direction of the bridge. A buggy with two occupants had just turned on to the badge approach when the runaway galloped round the corner behind them. The driver of the buggy managed to poll to one hide ju^t in time. As it was, the wheel of the dray almost grazed those of the other vehicle. Considering how narrow the road is at this point, it is nothing shott of marvellous that a senous accident was avoided. The runaway wa-. pluckily .stopped on the bridge by a Lid named Rayson, who, after first checking the speed of the horse by evtending his arms, gr.isped the reins and held on until his purpose was accomplished.

The following special messagas to the Press Association dated London September 26th, have been published :— The meat by the Coptic has arrived in splendid condition. The shipment of Queensland bepf by the ship Duke of Westminister is damaged, and the greater portion of it is unsound. The John Elder's cugo is averaging s{d. —Sir Gavan Duffy, in writing to the Pall Mall Gazette, says that a dissolution is the simplest remedy for the present political deadlock in England.— The two gunboats for the Queensland Government have made a trial trip, at which they averaged 1(H knots per hour. The guns were also tested with excellent results. — The death of Mrs Challis is announced. She leaves a larere legacy to the Sydney University, — Mr Henry I'orbes is maturing plans for exploring the south' eastern portion of New Guinea-— The Australian cricketing team declined an invitation to play a match at Bombay on their way home.

At the adjourned annual meeting of the Hamilton Oiicket Club, the secretary read a statement showing the financial position of the club. From this it appeared that the total receipts for the year amounted to £11 5)s Gd, being an increase of £3 17 »5d over the revenue of the previous yoar. The balance in hand was 10s 3d, The balancesheet wat adopted. The mooting then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year. Mr J. B. Why to, M.H.R., was elected president and Mr Whitakor vice-president ; Mr W. Yon Stunner was re-elected secretary and treasurer ; Messrs Forrest, Bindon, Kirk, Stevens and Seddon were elected a general committee, and Messrs Forrest, Kirk and Stevens a match committee, The subscription fee was fixed at <ls, ns heretofore, and a resolution was passed to the effoct that no ono who has not paid his subscription before the the Ist November shall be entifclod to uso the materials of the club until his subscript ion is paid. It was resolved that the secretary write to the various local clubs, intimating that the Hamilton Club does not intend to give, nor does it expect to receive, dinners at any cricket match, as many members are dobarrod from playing on account of the expense thereby incurred, Messrs F. H. Templei? and Sharp wore ' elected members of the club, and it was I decided that Wednesday and Saturday be , practice days.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18840930.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1909, 30 September 1884, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,373

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1909, 30 September 1884, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1909, 30 September 1884, Page 2

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