BAY OF PLENTY LETTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 2537, Issue XXXI, 13 October 1888, Page 2

BAY OF PLENTY LETTER.

[FIIOM OUK OWN COItItEsrOXDHNT.] Taitranua County Boundaries. Our Comity Council is fully determined to enforce its claim to the small portion of the To Aroha goldfiold, which has recently been found to lie within its boundaries as defined by the latest maps issued by the Survey Department. This newly acquired fragment of country will probably prove a very valuable find, as the success of the new method of treating the Waiorongomai stone iscousidered almost a certainty, and there exists no doubt at all as to the richness of the ore. Should these goldtields now develop as many experts are inclined to prognosticate, both the Waikato and East Coast districts will benefit very considerably in having a local market for much of their produce. Land Cultivation.—The farmers in these parts have this year more land in crop than I believe ever before, the low price of stock having put an end to the old style of graziDg pure and simple. Sheep too, appear to be thriving better than heretofore, and in consequence flocks are increasing in number. At the Oporiau Cattle Company's station near WhaUatane, there have just been completed about the best yards, pens, dips, etc., in this island. Dairy Operations.—The Tauranga Cheese Factory is just commencing operations for its fourth season, the syndicate of farmers who have been working it for the last two yeivs being well satisfied with the results obtained, though these have not been nearly as good as tiiey migh . have been. Special Settlements. — News has been received here of the arrival in New Zealand of Mr George Vesey Stewart, of special settlement fame, and though much is beard against these settlements, a visit to one such as Te Puke,, for instance, would amply prove tint when i lie settlers are j.idiuiuusly selected and j placed on good land, there will be little e misc. for complaint. T n years ago Te I'ukc was aroidless wilderness of tutn busiu-s and fern ; to-day it is a settlement of .some .'i 10 souls wil.li farms and ho nesteads that would compare favouiably with any in New Zealand. Tows AM) I'm.pit.—There, was quite a scene in t'■ e lJ.irmi:»!> Council last week between the Mayor and one of the i oiineiiloi's, who happens to be the incumbent of the parish anil lias a decided taste for politics and the. typical Irishman's loveof a "shindy." The atl'air arose over a proposal of the Mayor's that Tauraiiiia should follow the early example of Hamilton, and issue licences for horses and cattle to graze in the streets, at a small annual charge ; whereupon the parson impute:! to the Mayor a variety of mean motives, he being a prominent farther, and the meeting separated in anything but a Christian frame of mind, judging by the expressions used. And after all, the proposed action would be utterly, illegal, as has already been proved in a southern law court, yet neither Mayor nor councillors knew enough of their "Act" to discern it. The Act gives the corporation power to impound strayiag cattle, but not to legalise their wandering at large,