The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 16 January 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state 01 persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16, 1886.

Messrs Hesketh and Richmond have given the Piako County Council their opinion as to the validity of the claim of the Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board against the county. This we publish in full in another column. They are of opinion that the notice issued by the board has not been caref ully framed. They point out that the Act of last session has not consti tuted boards under the names referred to in the notice, and they are therefore of opinion that there is no call upon the council to recognise the notice given. The question is also raised as to whether it is essential for the boards to give notice as the Act does not expressly provide that they should do so. Under the circumstances. Messrs Hesketh and Richmond say they cannot advise the council to pay, and they have the greatest doubt as to whether these contributions can be enforced. This is very gratifying intelligence.

Te Kooti is reported to be moving northward in the direction either of Rotorua or Whakatane.

Bain fell heavily in places throughout tho Cambridge district yesterday, but none in the town.

Our report of the Piako County Councils meeting, our T<s Awmauta correspondent's letter, and other interesting items in type are crowded out of this issue.

The gold duty received from the Arbba goldfield for the month of November, was only 2s 3d. This, however, wns an extraordinary month, and the returns have again resumed, their normal average.

Mr H. Oowper has been appointed reporter, canvasser and collector for tbi* journal for thu Cambridge district. The usual meeting of the Auckland Crown Land* Board w.is held on Thursday, but nothing of local interest transpired.

The wharf labourers' strike at Mel bimiit stiil cmtinues. Nuinbeis of men imii.irted to take the place of the striker-" ha\e, on tirnwii, joim-d the union, and yet tlu> '' luiuus/ration jwliey ' stiil continues.

S erg t. -Major McGovern received lufoituatiou last night that tho body of the unfortunate girl Mariou Alford, who was drowned at Cambridge on Boving Day, had been picked up near liangiriri.

During the two months which the Cambridge Cheese Factory has been working this season, the milk accounts amount to £400. This is a very handsome figure, and its distribution among the settleis means something very considerable.

A meeting of the Cambridge committee of the Waikatu Horticultural Show w.i» held on Wednesday evening, when a quantity of business was dispobed of. Mr K. W. Dyer was appointed secretaiy and beveral other arrangements were made for the fmthcotning show, which will be held on S. Patrick's Day.

The Piako County Council has given a subsidy of 2s a-day to the Wai«iongomai punt keeper. As the punt foy some time past has not been paying, the keeper threatened to close it, but now that the council have given him the subsidy, the public will not be deprived of this great convenience.

We have seen a sample of the comb honey turned out of tbe apiary of Mr Jas. Fonest, of Surrey Farm, on exhibition at Messrs Wells and Soutter's, Cambridge. The comb is set in the usual frame, but in different sizes, and is neatly packed in a show ca^e with a glass front. The article is mo&t inviting in appearance, and should command a ready sale.

Mr W. L. C. Wiliiams has consented to allow himself to be nominated as Conservator of Forests for Piako County. The ounty is to be congratulated on securing the services of a gentleman who, from his extensive and practical knowledge in forestry and .irboricnlture,is so well qualified to fill the position and to enforce the provisions of a most valuable piece of legislation.

At the annual meeting in connection with Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cambiidge, held on Wednesday evening last, the Key. W. Evans tendered Ins resignation. Some discussion took place, and it was suggested that Mr Evans bs asked to recon>ider the matter. It was agreed that a poll of the members be taken on the subject and a. committee was appointed to carry out the samf .

At Thursday night's meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, a committee consisting of Crs. Knox, Scott, and Sandes, was appointed to make enquiries as to the advisableness of erecting cattle yards ou the market resene near the railway station lately handed over to the borough, and report to the adjourned meeting on Thursday next.

Now that the Thames River is very low, the passage in the steamer between the Thames and To Aroha is a very long and dreary experience. The other day it took the p.s. Patiki 14 hours to make the trip. On ordinary occasions she generally takes about 12 hours, which after all is not much difference. There is a lot of pleasure in life, particularly on a Thames river steamer.

Dr. Barry, Bishop of Sydney and Primate of Australia, has consented to lecture in the Cambridge Public Hall on Monday evening on "Amusement, its place in the Christian life." The lecture is given at the request of Archdeacon Willis, and will bo in aid of the funds of S. Andrew's Church. This is a treat which is rarely afforded, and should not be overlooked. There should be a large attendance from other parts of Waikato.

Property owners are reminded by the Property-Tax Commissioner that statements of all real and personal pro* perty must be sent to him by the 17th February. Those who have sent in statements of property as at Ist October last, are not required to do so again. Proceedings to recover penalties will be taken against any person, whether liable to taxation or not, who neglects to forward the statement as above.

In Tuesday's issue we drew attention to some varieties of apples on view in Mr Tucker's shop window, in particular referring to the keeping qualities of the variety known as Braddick s Nonpareil as the best we had seen. We have to retract this statement, as Mr Tucker now exhibits a plate of French Crabs grown by Captain McFherson, at Hamilton, and picked in the month of May List, in a much better state of preservation. From their present appearance it would seem to be quite possible to keep them till this variety comes in again.

The privileges in connection with the Te Awamutu races on the 29th will be sold by auction by Mr Buckland on Tuesday next at Ohaupoat 2 p.m. In reference to a report in another column it will be seen that special trains at low fares are to be laid on to Te Awamutu on the 29th, so that there is every prospect of a large attendance. In view of this there should be spirited competition for the gates, booths, <fee.

The Churchill "mystery" continues to deserve the designation. The report which emanated from Cambridge to the effect that the deceased's description tallied with that of a man named Harvey has been answered by the discovery of Harvey safe and sound. Detective Jones, of Auckland, has been engaged for some days at Rangiriri, Churchill, and Huntly, endeavouring to obtain some clue to the mystery, but without effect, and he has returned to Auckland.

We learn from the Wellington Post that the first lady to volunteer for work in the Zenanas of India in connection with the newly-formed Baptist Missionary Society of Jiew Zealand is the eldest daughter of Mr James Fulton, M.H.R. Her father generously promises not less than £50 a year towards her support, It is expected that this devoted lady will leave for Bengal early next year. Pastor H. H. Driver, of Wellington, is Secretary to the Society, and will gladly receive any contributions in aid of the noble enterprise.

Though the drought may now be said to have fairly broken up, nothing but light showers has fallen in the centre of Waikato. Under the mountains heavy rain has been experienced, and doubtless we shall be favoured with a more copious downfall ere long. We use the word " favoured," but it is not at all likely that those fanners who are now in the middle of harvest will share our views. Rain is, however, necessary if we are to have any more grass this season.

The native libel case, X M< Frazer v. Ngakaru and four others, was heard yesterday at the R.M. Court, Cambridge. Mr Hay appeared for the informant, and Mr Whitaker for the accused. Mr Rutherford, record clerk of Parliament, gave evidence as to receiving the telegram which contained the libel. Mr Frazer gave evidence as to the effect nf the libel upon his private character nnd his business. Mr W. Moon was called, and examined as to his knowledge of the telegram and the statements therein contained. The accused, who reserved their defence, were committed for trial at the next sitting of tbu Supreme Court.

The following special messages to the Press Association dated London January 13fch havo been published :— Sir Arthur Blythe, Agent-General for South Anstralia, has deferred the more important business in connection with the South Australian Court at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, as he is awaitingtha arrival in England of Sir Samuel Devenport, the President of the Chamber of Manufactures in South Australia. — Mr Stead, of the Pall Mall Gazette, will be released from gaol on Saturday.— The Liberals and Parnellites will await the delivery of the Speech from the Throne on 21st inst. before deciding on any policy.

The librarian of the Cambridge Public Library is at present on the wing, looking up defaulters. A few of the patrons incline, as the librarian mildly puts it, to be a trifle long in the wind, and have not responded to his call with that promptness which is characteristic of Waikato people. The extent of th« Government subsidy depends entirely on the vastness of t»B library revßnue, and Air Dods is tlicvef or© very anxious that no subscription should be left unpaid. Monday is the dajr at reckoning, and gentlemen, and ladies might also be included, who have the welfare of this popular institution at heart would do well to see the librarian at once and square iiccounta.

Mr J. F. Edgar, who has been connected with the literary dep.utnient of this journal as Cambridge reporter for the p.u»t four ye.vis, takes his departuic this inorniug for the South, having been appointed to the editorship of the Tuapeka Timo 3. During l»is connecti(»n with The Waikato Times Mr Edgar has mado himself popular with all classes, and enjoys the esteem .uid confidence of proprietors and editor alike. It is the misfortune of writer* for tho public press that their productions arc lost in the general \mtcc of anonymity, but sufficient is known of Mr Edgar's writing- to secure for him something more than a temporary reputation. He will be greatly missed, not only as a valued member of our staff, but in many and various ways, and we are pleased to think that we shall not be alone in wishing him "Godspeed " in his new sphere of duty.

Truly orchardists have an anxious time before them. The American blight was bad enough, but the codlin inolli, which has shown itself at Hamilton, and is reported to have obtained an extensive hold upon a Cambridge orchard, is f.ir and away worse. The hortiuultutal society established in Waikato should take steps through the member for the district to move the Government to bring some btiingent legislation to hear upon the subject of its eradication. Whilst upon this matter it will not be out of place to draw attention to tho easy way the present law is infringed in respect of the importation of apples from San Francisco, simply by shipping to Sydney, and then forwarding on from that port to New Zealand. A short time before Christmas, a large parcel of tins fruit came into Auckland. Many of the storekeepers at Hamilton had this fruit for sale. It seemed to be quite well known that the fruit was American grown, and the way in which it was brought into the market was certainly no secret to some.

The residences of Mr H. Waite, tinsmith, and Mr o Syke c , at Mount Eden, Auckland, were destroyed by fire on Thursday afternoon. The fire broke out in Mr Waite'a kitchen, and owing to the dry weather, the building was destroyed in a i very short time. Very little was savdff.' 'l'he flames communicated with Mr rf ykes's honse, but before it was destroyed, *a great portion of the contents had been removed. The insurances are : — Mr "Waite's house, £300 in the South British ; house and furniture further insured jointly for £500 in the Royal. This will not nearly cover his loss. The South British had also a policy of £450 on MrsSykes's residence, but the furniture was uninsured. Mrs Syke's was ill at the time of the fire, and had to be removed to a neighbour's house on a stretcher.

The ordinary meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board will be held on Monday next, the ISth hist., but the adjourned annual meeting was hold on th« 14th inst. to elect the chairman in accordance with the statute, and to receive the accounts for the year ending 31st December, 1885. Mr Graham (Mayor) was ib elected chairman. The accounts showed that all rents were paid up to date with the exception of 10s Gd, and that the oveidraft has been reduced from year to year to £8!), last year's revenue being £127 13a !)tl from rates, and from other sources £20 ss, a total of £150 Od 9d. The expenditure amounted to £89 10s 2d. It is expected that the present year's surplus will clear off the overdraft, and that the balance will be changed from "debit" to "credit" ade.

The members of the Hamilton Boating Club and those private individuals who have boats on the Lake have a real grievance, .which, we are glad to hear, they have placed in the hands of the police. Dm ing the late dry, hot weather the boats have been moored in the water and secured with padlocks to the posts put there for that purpose. Last week one of these locks was deliberately broken, and the owner of the boat had the pleasure c f seeing a number of youths of both sexes seated in it, gaily enjoying the freshness of the evening breeze. On a subsequent day the club's boat was taken for a trip without leave, and it is quite possible the same thing has been done on other occasion*. Possibly, when interviewed by the police, these youthful pirates may be led to see the error of their ways.

During his visit to Cambridge the Minister of Public Works may be said to ha\e " scored one " against the deputation of gentlemen who waited upon him. Mr Wells and a few other gentlemen, Mr J. B. Wbyte being of the party, took Mr Richardson down to see the courthouse. Every defect of the old temple was euumerated, how the presiding justices were constantly being iuflicted with severe colds swooning fits and nausea, how the public were frequently suffocated out i»f the building and how the want of sufficient accommodation so seriously affected both public and officials generally. \fter a patient hearing, Mr Richaid«on asked, "Have you not previously set forth these complaints to the Minister of Justice?" " That we have, and \ cry frequently too, for the last four or five years," replied tneof the gentlemen. "And what reply did he give you?" asked Mr Richardson. "That owing to the stringent nature of the retrenchment policy which tha Government were obliged to exercise in every department they could not reasonably entertain the request for the present." " Now," concluded Mr Richardson, " this is one of the effects of the retrenchment foiced on the Government by the Opposition ; you cannot therefore blame the Government, but the Opposition who have deprived them of the means of letting you have what you require. Your member here is one of the strongest retrenchment men we have." Mr Whyto politely informed the Minister that what he had said about him was perfectly true. He was in favour o£ retrenchment, but on the usual Parliamentary principle— in other people's districts, not m his own.