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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2439, 28 February 1888, Page 2

A large swamp fire was raging last night in Mr Williamson's swamp. A society lias been formed in Adelaide to foster the eight-hours movement. The Hons. Messrs Mitchelson, Fisher and Fergus will probably leave for Auckland at the end of the week. A Wellington telegram states that if tobacco is burnt near standing wheat affected by the Hessian fly, in a few minutes every fly is dead. James Raynes, of Te Rapa, farmer, was brought before Messrs J. Knox and Seddon, J.P's., this day, and committed to tho lunatic aslylum.

Members of the Waikato Horticultural Society, are reminfk'd that the annual mulling will be held this morning at 11 o'cloi:!; in the Hamilton Borough Council Chambers. We are desired to state that during Mr Pannell's absence in Auckland for a few days, Mr F. von Stunner will be ill attendance at the baths, to bo at hand if rerpiinui. Major Wilson gave a very interlonntr lecture on Maori customs in the Public Hall Cambridge, hut evening, _in aid of the Public Library, a report of which we will givo in our next issue. The Hamilton West School Committee m it last night to nominate candidates for I ho vacancies on the Auckland Board of Kducation. Tiie following gentlemen were selected Messrs Monk, O'Neill, and Upton. The funeral of th 3 late Mr FG. Thomas, who died at the Waikato Hospital, from the effects of n severe accident, took place on Sunday afternoon, and was very largely attended by settlers on horseback and in vehicles, from all parts of the district. An unusual spectacle is to be seen on one of the small towers of the Wesleyan Cluucli, Hamilton, which has been taken possession of by an enormous swarm of bees, ff left undisturbed the busy workers will, 110 doubt, provide an excellent supply of their delicious product for the next annual soiree. The number of members belonging to the Baptist Church, at Cambridge, is steadily increasing under the teaching of Pastor Griffiths. It is only a little time since several persons were admitted, and on Sunday two more were baptised. The pastor is very popular, ho is energetic in attending to his various duties, which doubtless accounts for it. The Kihikihi annual concert and social (usually held on S. Patrick's IJay), in aid of the funds of the Catholic Church will be held this year on Thursday, March lot.l). As a choice party of Auckland vocalists have promised their assistance, amongst whom is an old favourite, Miss Swan, those who desire a pleasant evening will not be disappointed. A ladies' committee has been formed to supply and attend to tho refreshment tables. The neighbourhood of Cambridge is again infested by an insect pest. This time it is the turnip crop that is threatened, and indeed very seriously, for nearly everyone's are affectod. Many of the farmers say it i.s similar to the cabbage blight, and is caused by the dry weather, while others say it is a species of an aphis, and is new to the district, but all of thein agree that if we do not have rain at an early date the root crop will be worthless. If anyone doubted the strength of Pour made from Waikato wheat, ho would at once believe after viewiner four loaves of bread that were upon the altar at St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, on Friday last. They were baked in Cambridge, the (lour was made in Cambridge, and the wheat from which it was made was tjrown in Cambridge. Bettor bread it would be difficult to find ; so there is no excuse for the inhabitants of tho town if they do not support at least one local industry. The preacher at St- Andrew's Church, Cambridge, on Friday last, must either have delivered an old sermon that was composed for more prosperous times, or he has a much better opinion of the state of the country than the generality of its inhabitants. The occasion was a Harvest Festival, and the reverend gentleman alluded to the "present prosperous condition of the colony." We should be heartily glad to tiiink he was right, but in tho present bankrupt state of things we really cannot do so.

As a portion of the public appear to be unrler a misapprehension, we would call attention to the regulation which forbids the enclosure of letters in parcels sent unrler the parcel post system. A'.l parcels containing letters are charged double letter postage on delivery, the rule being as follows (page *\~i of the Postal Guide): —" Parcels may not contain any letter or communication of the nature of a letter, money (coin or bank notes), or a packet or parcel intended for delivery at an address other than that borne by the parcel itself." The service of Thanksgiving for the harvest will be held at St. Stephen's Church on the afternoon of Sunday next the ■Ith prox. The sermon will be preached by the Rev. R. O'O. Biggs, and membors of St. Peter's choir will assist at the service. It is hoped that the parishioners will by their thanksgiving offerings enable the vestry to reduce the debt on the Church. Gifts of choice fruit and grain will be received on Saturday, and all willing to assist in the work of decoration are invited to meet at the Church at 10 a.m.

The cricket match, Tuhikaramea T. Paterangi, will be played at the latter place on Saturday next, commencing at 11 a.m. sharp. The local team will be chosen on the ground from the following members of the Club, who are requested to attend : —Messrs Attbin, Alexander, Burdekin, Case, Collier, Crookes, Goodfellow, Gerinann, Graham, McEarlane, Morrison, Mackay, Richdale, Ryburn and Smith. The following will be the visiting team Messrs Barton, Davis, Drabble (2), Fergusson, Goble, Hoi man, Hatfield, Lang, Lane, Reid, Swanson and Shepherd. Seats will be provided for

ladies. Prospecting at Maungatautan is being vigorously carried on, several parties being out, both for syndicates and private persons. The natives are keeping a sharp look out, and do not intend letting pakehas trespass on theirland until Tawhiao has given his consent. A meeting is now beinsr held at Whatiwhatihoe to decide the matter. Almost daily specimens of stone are brought into Cambridge, and Mr Ward the chemist is being continually bothered to "just take a look at that with your glass," or "just drop a spot of acid on this," until he must almost feel glad to lie revenged as is generally the case by saying " nothing in it."

At the Archidiaconai meeting to be held at Te Aroha to day, one of the questions to ba debated will have reference to the New Zealand Alliance, which virtually means prohibition. Another subject that will also be discussed, is "social purity." The Presbyterian Assembly recently held at Christchurch passed the following resolution "That the Legislature be memorialised by this Assembly that power be given to magistrates and judges to prohibit the publication of details of cases which come before the Courts when in the interests of morality it is desirable that such details should not bo published, and that such memorial embody also a request for the suppression of gambling, especially the totalizator, and the disgusting exhibitions of pugilism which are becoming common, and that the various congregations be recommended to send similar petitions." And as we feel sure that our local clergy are at one with the Presbyterians on this subject, we anticipate a similar resolution being passed at the Archidiaconal meeting.