The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2217, 23 September 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equ<tl and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 23, 1886.

The delegates from the various local bodies in the new hospital district of Waikato met yesterday and decided to resist payment of the contributions demanded by the Auckland Board. Mr Lake, the member for Waipa, who was present at the meeting, strongly deprecated this course, and we are inclined to think that on the whole he is right. It is quite certain, indeed, that the Auckland Board have the power to enforce their claim, and to resist it simply means putting off the evil day. Mr Lake is quite decided in his opinion that the Waikato will form a portion of the Auckland District until the 31f>t March next and such, no doubt, was the intention of the Legislature, though the Amendment Act is most vague upon this point, and affords ground for endless speculation. The member for Waipa took a most active part in framing the new Act, and has all along identified himself thoroughly with the question, so that his opinion is entitled to the highest respect : we cannot forget that it is mainly to his exertions as a member of the Auckland Board that we owe the separation of Waikato : but at the same time we regret very much that the delegates did not see their way to obtain a legal opinion. The present Amendment Act no more resembles the Bill than chalk resembles cheese, and we may well excuse the House if in the thick of the fight they failed to detect many anomalies which are patent enough now. The main object which Mr Lake and Mr Whyte had in view was the rescue of Waikato and Piako from the maws of Auckland and the Thames, and it would ill have suited their book to squabble over details and so imperil their cause. Doubtless the Government will devise means for overcoming the obstacle which apparently precludes Waikato from electing a board until November, 1887. The action taken with a view to securing th« adequate representation of the two boroughs in the board has our cordial support. The " grouping " clause, as it at present stands, is a most mischievous one. Mr Lake was instrumental in getting it inserted, but in a very different form. He never intended that it should operate in the case of Hamilton and Cambridge ; he simply wished to provide against the undue influence of ship 11 boroughs lying contiguous to out another and to large towns, but it

was knocked out of shape in committee, and we suppose he, having in view much more important interests, shrank from touching it again.

" Under which king, Beuzonian," might be adopted as the present motto of the Cambridge Borough Council. At the last meeting there were again " two Richmonds in the field," and the rival chairmen, or rather mayors, persisted in their endeavours to conduct the business of the meeting. No compromise being arrived at, the meeting broke up without transacting the business for which it had been called, with threats from either side about legal opinions, legal steps, &c, for which somebody, it is to be hoped not the ratepayers, will have to pay. Seriously speaking, the Cambridge public are getting sick of this unseemly bickering and the anticipated Order-in-Council, which will remove the difficulty, is anxiously looked for.

The Kirikiriroa school will break up to-morrow for a fortnight's holiday. j

Mr Justice Higinbotham has been appointed to succeed Sir W, F. Stawell, as Chief Justice of Victoria.

The Hon. John Bathgate. M.L.C, died on Tuesday afternoon at Dunedin. Mr Bathgate was formerly Minister of Justice in the Vogel Government, and subsequently filled the post of District Judge at Dunedin.

The articles of association of the new company to take the place of the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory Company have been signed, and it is expected that the concern will be in working order in a short time.

The following tenders were received on Tuesday for fencing on the Claudelands racecourse:—J. Coombes, (ac* cepted) £8 11s ; Frear and Wilson, £10s 5s ; Talbot, £1014s; Handyside, £16 2s. For clearing and ploughing race track: J. Coombes, (accepted) £5 4s; Winter, £6 6s.

To the Editor.—Sir,—Would you kindly allow me space in your journal to call the attention of the Hamilton Borough Council to the beautiful trees in Greystreet, Hamilton East. The lower branches want lopping off sadly. If done without d«lay it would possibly prevent some fatal accident.—Yours, obediently, Absolom.

His Worship the Mayor of Hamilton was a passenger to Auckland by yesterday afternoon's train, for the purpose of seeing the Minister of Lands, with a viow to acquire for the borough further endowments, as albo the site for the proposed abbatoirs, near the railway station, Hamilton West. Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., was also a passenger by the same train.

In the report of the Cambridge Borough Council, the word chairman is frequently u*ed when, strictly speaking, the term mayor ought to he adopted. Such, however, was the word actually used, the councillors of the new fledged borough, having scarcely had time to accustom themselves to their new position, naturally using the term to which they were accustomed to as Town Board Commissioners.

Mr Joseph Cochrane met with a nasty accideut yesterday. He was proceeding along Albert-street, Hamilton East, when two dogs engaged in settling their differences ran under his horse's feet, causing it to stumble and fall, rolling over its rider. Though much bruised and shaken, Mr Cochrane was, after a short time, able to remount, but whether he has sustained more serious injuries we have

not heard. A peculiar case is to be heard at the R.M. Court, Wellington, on the 29th inst.—The police have laid an information against the Gear Refrigerating Co. for having sold native game out of season. It appears that the game sold is native pigeons and ducks, and that these have been kept in the company's refrigerator from before the close of the shoooting season. The police contend that under the Animals Protection Act sales after the end of July are illegal, even though the game is in the frozen state.

In a previous issue it was inadvertently stated that the hours on which the Hamilton Public Library would be open were 3to 5 and 7to 10. This should have been 2to 5 and 7to 10 p.m. Thus it will be seen the ladies and others who were members of the circulating library when Mr Jessop had it, can still avail themselves of the collection of books, the hours being suitable for anyone. Over a thousand volumes are now open for selection, and two books may be borrowed at one time if 5s per year extra is paid.

A fire broke out in the offices of the Auckland Brick and Tile Company, Railway Wharf, Auckland, at an early hour on Tuesday morning, and spread thence to the store of the North New Zealahd Farmer's Co-operative Association. In the latter place, a large quantity of manure, &c, was damaged principally by water. Both building and stock of the Co-operative Association were fully covered by insurance, we are glad to be informed by the manager, and the damage done to the manure, &c, will not cause inconvenience, as stocks just landed hav9 been stored elsewhere.

A very great deal of interest seems to be taken in the welfare of the Hamilton Wesleyan Band of Hope, which is proved by the numerous attendance they always have at their fortnightly meeting*. At the meeting on Tuesday evening last, in the schoolroom, the room was full to the doors, the Rev. Mr Dellow in the chair. A capital programme, consisting of reading*, songs, recitations, riddles, and a dialogue was gone through by the members of the band and a one or two friends. Now that a string band has been organised in the band there is some excellent music given, which is a source of attraction.

Certain larrikins were on the rampage in Cambridge on Sunday night. A number of townspeople had their gates taken off the hinees, leaving their gardens open to the depredations of the numerous cattle which, owing to the absence of a ranger, now nightly prowl about the town. The gates of Mr Hewitt's magnificent garden, on the Hamilton road, were among thohe interfered with, and extensive damage was done by the intruding cattle. Messrs Clements', Gemmell's and other residents' gates were opened, and other wanton mischief perpetrated. It is to be hoped that the offenders will be traced, and made to pay roundly for their so-called fine.

After Messrs Gillett and Hughes had left the Cambridge Borongh Council meeting on Tuesday, Mr Houghton requested Mr G. W. Russell, who was present, to net as the council's delegate at the hospital and charitable aid meeting at Hamilton. He urged Mr Russell to comply with his request, stating that Mr Russell and Mr Wells were probably the only two men in the town who could efficiently represent it in the matter, as they had both carefully studied the Act. Mr Hewitt endorsed Mr Hough ton's sentiments. Mr Russell said he would take half-an-hour to consider, and let them know his decision. He would not like to take the position if it was likely to be in opposition to the wish of the other councillors. Mr Russell afterwards accepted the invitation.

The Prince of Wales has (we learn by cable) invited Alderman Staples, Lord Mayor of London, to open a fund for the purpose of establishing an Imperial Institute under the permanent presidency of the Heir Apparent. He considers this would form a singularly appropriate memorial of the Queen's Jubilee, besides stimulating emigration, expanding trade, and drawing closer the bonds which bind together component parts of the British Empire. The Prince is confident that most itnpoitant collection-, in the Exhibition now open would be fr.^lv placed at the disposal of such an institute. The Lord Mayor hrva signified hi< entire concurrence with the Prince of W.tW proposal. The Press regard the Imperial Institute as a felicitous and oppoitune proposal. The Tunes considers that such an institute is essential to diiect men not identified with colonial interests, and make them familiar with the w.mts of the colonies, in order to avoid catch-penny devices, which are profoundly irritating to the colonies, as inst.inced by the neglect of colonial wines. The Hamilton Domain Board invite teider.s for clearing and ploughing, sowing, harrowing, and rolling.