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Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2334, 2 June 1887, Page 2

The Native Land Court at Alexandra has been adjourned, and will re-open at Otorohanga on the 15th inst. The Auckland Herald has published an apology for inserting the statements made regarding Mr Pyke, M.H.R., by a person named Hodge, at a public meeting at Auckland. A consignment of 20 cases of apples, sent from Christchurch to Rio in March, per Tainui, by the Styx Apple Company, has netted the shippers per lb profit after deducting all expenses. A meeting of the Jubilee .Ball Committee was held last evening in the Library, at Cambridge. The ball promises to be a great success, and will no doubt add very materially to the library fund. "We are pleased to report a further advance in the subscription list for enlarging the public library at Cambridge. Last evening the amount stood at £45, and there are many who have not yet been asked to give. The London Circus gave a performance at Hamilton on Tuesday night to a crowded house. The show is certainly the best that has ever visited Waikato, the performing Broncho horses being alone worth going many miles to see. For sinking a well at the Waikato Hospital three tenders were received, and that of Mr W. Andrew was accepted by the engineer, Mr T. G. Sandes, it being the lowest all round. The work will be started at once, and the pump erected as soon as the well is completed. In this issue we publish the programme of the races to be held at Cambridge on Jubilee Day. It i» a very attractive one, and should draw a big crowd. The general committee meet on Saturday evening next at 8 p.ni. to finally arrange matters. The following Hamilton footballers are requested to meet at Cambridge next Saturday at 3 p.m Messrs Bin don, Gird, GribblOj Gwynne, Hammond, Hinton, Hopkins, Jolly, Manktelow, Mayes, Reed, W. Odium, F. Odium, Pilling and Seddon. MrC. J. W- Barton, in response to a requisition signed by thirty-sovon burgesses, has come forward a 9 a candidate for the office of Mayor of Hamilton, Mr Barton has been a member of the

borough council for some timo, and has in variably evinced a keen and thuughtful interest in municipal affairs. The road between Fleming's comer and Ohaupo, formerly one of the worst, but for some time past one of the best bits of road in Waikato, wants looking after a little if its reputation is to be kept up. In several places holes have been worn, and during the winter months may develop into sources of danger. The county council would do well to give it their attention. A correspondent writes: "Why is it that the people of Hamilton have not taken any stops towards* celebr;iting the ('neon's Jubilee. A.ll other townships in Waikato are moving in the matter. Surely the premier township should t-iko part in such an important event as the oOih anniversary of Her Most Gracious Majesty's reign !" : A special meeting of the directors of the Cambridge Cheese 1' actory was held yesterday afternoon, when Mr J. L. boulter, late'of the (inn of Wells and boutter, of Cambridge, was unanimously appointed for the Province of Auckland. He will keep a small stock at his Auckland store, but the major portion will be supplied direct from tho factory. At the K..M- Court, Hamilton, on Tuesday, Mr Northcroft gave his decision in the McLood-Vincent cases. On tho first case of forcible entry Vincent was committed for trial, and on the second Vincent, Mrs Vincent and their son were committed. For sending a challenge to fight, Vincent was bound over to keep the peace for six months* and for assaulting young McPherson lie was mulcted in the sum of £7 (including cost), in default 14 days' imprisonment. \ ' Subsequent to the meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday, the managing committee met the medical officer, Dr. Kenny, and submitted to him the names of the candidates for the, position of head and under nurse respectively. After going carefully into the matter the doctor recoinujeuded. Miss Saunderson as hbad, and Miss Tyers as under nurse. The committee consequently appointed those ladies, and it was resolved to communicate with them by wire, in order that the hospital might be got into working order without delay. Regarding fast railway travelling in New Zealand, we clip the following from the Yeoman:—Scene: An Otngo railway—" I say, guard, I cannot endure this sort of travelling ; it's much quicker to walk. I promised to meet a friend of mine at a certain time, and I'm afraid I'll be late." "I can't help it," replied the guard ; "if you don't like it you have the alternative, to get out and walk." "If I do that." said my friend, "I shall arrive there about two hours too soon, and I don't care about doing that." Last Sunday night someone entered the premises of Messrs Lewis and Simpson, Cambridge, and would doubtless have carried a quantity of goods away if they had not been disturbed by an individual who, seeing a light in the store, rapped at the door, _ after which the burglar was not long in making his escape. Entrance was obtained through Mr Carter's stable to the back of the store, and thence through an office window into the shop. Next morning the back : door of Mr Carter's stable was found open, and a horse had strayed out. If the door had not been rapped assistance could have been obtained, and the burglar taken redhanded.

A meeting of the Cambridge Borough Council was hold on Tuesday afternoon—as required by the Municipal Corporations Act—to finally pass the borough accounts. There were present: The Mayor, and Crs. Clements, lially and Lewis. The Mayor said the balance sheet had been sent to the Auditor-General, but had not been returned, in accordance with the Act. They would, however, do their part by "finally passing'' the accounts, and theu they could not be held responsible for the negligence of the Government officials. He also reported having received a telegram from the Auditor General, stating that Mr Dnrrieu had been appointed to audit the accounts. The American Consul in Honduras (Mr Burchard) gives some particulars of the pita plant. It grows spontaneously in apparently inexhaustable quantities by the margin of the rivers and lagoons of that country at any point below an altitude of 2000 feet. The fibre is susceptible of a very large number ofuses. The people of Honduras convert it into thread for sewing boots and shoes, and into nets, fish lines, and cordage. The finest hamocks are made from it. Small quantities which have been sent to the market have been manufactured into handkerchiefs, laces, ribbons, false hair, and wigs. The difficulty is to decorticate the plant without rotting or otherwise injuring the fibre. We (Herald) learn from Mr Firth that he has parted with the major portion of the Matamata estate, with which he has been so long identified. He retains for himself a piece of land surrounding the hot springs. The purchasers are a company or syndicate, having their head-quarters in London, and their representative will soon be here to take charge. The Matamata, homestead goes with the estate, because the way in which the roads ave laid out render . that, necessary for the working of the property. Mr Firth has taken care that the interests of the settlers whom he has lately established shall be preserved ; and. indeed, it is likely that the new ownership will proceed in the settlement of the property on the lines which lie has laid down already. The usual monthly meeting of the Waitoa Road Board was held last Saturday. Present: Messrs \V. P. Chepmell (in the chair), IT. Burnett, J. Horrell, and S. Seddon. The engineer's report was read. Ro the proposed road leading in a northerly direction from To Mimi, he was of opinion that £101, spent mostly in putting in small culverts, would make, a failpassable road for a long distance. It is supposed the Maoris will give handsome contributions to this work, as were the road opened up it would be much less difficult for them to get to Morrinsville with cattle, gam, &c. Several persons, not Maoris, have named sums they are willing to give if the road is opened up. The engineer reported on the progrees of the works in hand. The property tax commissioner reported having sent a voucher to the Treasury for the payment of 75 per cent, subsidy on the 31st March last, but up to this date 110 word has been received of its having been paid. Rates 011 native lands have not been paid yet. Accounts amounting to £G8 14a were passed for payment. Mr Maxwell, writing in the New Zealand Times of Saturday, says the burning of wood on the Government engines would not be so cheap as coal. The experience of Australia is against that, for where the lines pass through timber country wood is the fuel used. Years ago, when they had the unemployed difficulty in Victoria, the men were sent along the Gippsland line, and all timber within two or thl'eo chains of the railway was felled and cut into suitable sized bil'ets, stacked along the line where it was felled, and then special trains were run to take it to handy depots. To use coal on the Napier railway must be far more expensive than timber, seeing that bv the side of the railway fences thousands of tons could be got, the cost of which would only be the price of cutting. In Hawke's Bay we have no unemployed, but if the proposal were carried out, it would be assistance to many struggling settlers, while the Government would also find it economical to substitute the wood for coal.—Exchange.

The cumulative vote is vigorously condemned by the Tuapeka Times, which saya it has been instrumental in doing more injury to the cause of education than it could ever have done good. It has enabled men to find their way on to committees who know as much about education and respect its influence as much as do a tribe of New Guinea savages. Any low vagabond who takes a fancy to sit on a school committee can get himself elected without the slightest difficulty by bringing to the meeting a few droughty plumpers ; and it is very often the case that men such as this head the poll. Respectable men never take advantage of the cumulative vote by putting the full number opposite their own name; they are more likely to divide their favours over the other candidates, and trust to the good opinion of their fellow-townsinm for their own return. One vote for oj)ti townsman ought to be the limit, ii nd the man who cannot get returned under this arrangement has no business on the committco at all. By abolishing the cumulative vote we would put an end to the practice which now obtains of dragging to the poll Chinaman, bar loafers, and parasites—a reform much needed in many a district."

The annual meeting of the committee of the Hamilton Brass Band was held oil Friday last. Present: Mr W, A. Graham (in the chair), Messrs P. Munro, b.

Tucker, and J. S. Edgecumbe. The hon. sec:atary (Mr R. Edwards) read the report and balance-sheet., which wore passed, excepting a .portion of the report which had roforenee to the band" joining the Volunteer's, recommended by the secretary, and which was struck out, as some of the committee thought if the band joined the Volunteers it would be the means of breaking it up. It is a pity that the suggestion was not agreed to, especially as the band are at pre.-ent £19 in debt for the uniforms, which Captain Reid (who was present by invitation), said he thought he would be able to pay off by. giving a dramatic entertainment under the puspices of the Hamilton Volunteer Corps, thus freeing the band from debt. It was also reported that several of the instruments required repairing, but as the band have no funds in hand nothing could be done in the matter. If the band had joined the Volunteers it would in no way have interfered vvitli private engagements, as they would only be required to play for the corps on inspection parades and field days. The members of tho band are, however, willing to do all they can for the Volunteers, by playing for them when required.

The following papers relating to the dissolution of Parliament were laid on the table of the House by the Premier on Tuesday Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. —Referring to the conversation I had with your Excellency today, when I intimated that I had the honour to advise your Excellency to grant a dissolution of Parliament, in consequence of a resolution carried in the House early this morning disapproving of the financial policy of the Government, I have, in compliance with your Excellency's request, to state in writing the proposals and advice ' of the Ministry. The present .Parliament, as your Excellency is aware, expires on the Gth day of August next, and the Representation Act on the Ist December, ] BS7- The Parliament was elected on an appeal to the country by a Ministry of which the Hon. Major Atkinwas Premier. No definite question of policy was then submitted to the people. What happened after Parliament met it is not necassary I should relate; it is enpugh to state that the present Government had not had an opportunity of submitting to the constituenccs its policy or administration. As the Parliament necessarily expires within a few weeks, the question is really of what date the new elections should take place? The Cabinet unanimously advise a dissolution as the only remedy _for_ the existing difficulty. I propose to intimate to the House that a dissolution has beengranted by your Excellency, and in older to ailow the election to take place under the new Representation Act I shall ask for supply for such a period "as will enable this to be done. I also propose to state that the Ministry will do all in its power to promote the passing of the Representation Bill, and to take such means as will insure, the elections being held, if the bill becomes law, under its provisions at the earliest possible date.—Robert Stout, Premier's office, 28th May, ISS7." " Memorandum for the Hon. the'Premier:—With reference to his memo, to the Governor dated 28th May, 18S5, the Governor concurs in the advice tendered by Ministers respecting a dissolution, and in tlie couase which they propose to adopt with a view to_ the election of a new House of Representatives. —War. F. Drumiiond Jekvois, Government House, 30th May, 1857."