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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3190, 3 December 1892, Page 2

During the last session an Act was brought into force of more than usual interest to local bodies and particularly so to those in the Waikato where there are proportionately so many absentee and unknown owners of sections and allotments scattered here and there throughout the district. To rate collectors and clerks, the provisions of the Act when carried out will reliave of much trouble and inconvenience in the collecting of rates, and in dealing with the furze question

The short title of the Act is " The Unclaimed T,and Act, 1892." Clause 2 excludes certain lands in

the districts of Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough or Otago, which are subject to any undecided claims under contract with the New Zealand Company or the Plymouth Company of New Zealand. Clause 3 provides for tht*

necessary enquiries being made of the Registrar of Deeds, etc., before bringing lands under the provision of the Act. Under Clause 4, all land, the owner or agent of which cannot be found after, due enquiry, shall be placed in the Public Trust Office, and no title by reason of undisputed occupancy shall hereafter accrue to any person. This does away with a very old time custom under which undisturbed occupation

for a certain number of years (21) gave a title. The sth Clause is really the all important one to local bodies. Under it, as soon as the Public Trustee is made aware of the existence of land having no known owner—and this we take it is the primary duty of the local bodies to look into and report—ho proceeds at once to take the necessary steps

for establishing his title to the land. This being determined the Public Trustee under Clauses 9 to 13 is empowered to deal with these lands by way of lease, paying rates and taxes thereon. Under Clause 14 an owner may como iu and prove his title at any time within 12 years, and in the event of an owner not establishing his title during that period then Clause 15 provides for the transfer of the land after the expiration of the 12 years to the

local body under whose jurisdiction it falls, as an endowment in perpetuity. From the foregoing synopsis it will at once be clear, that local bodies should lose no time in preparing lists of lands in their respective districts, where the ownership is unknown, and the information should be placed in the

hands of the Public Trustee at as early a date as possible in accordance

with the sth Section of the Act. This being done the rents and charges upon these lands will at once accrue to the local bodies and at the expiration of the 12 years

they will be handed over to the couucil or board as the case may be, as endowments.

The annual meeting of members and subscribers to the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at Ohaupo on Tuesday, December 13th, at 3.30 p.m.

Cr. Wilson haying resigned his seat as representative of the Wainpu'o Riding in the Raglan County Council, an election to fill the vacancy will be held on Saturday, 17th December Nominations of candidates will be received up to the 10th inst.

We have received another of cur periodical complaints as to the state of the Victoria road in the Tamuhere Road Board District. Over the Tauwhare bills it is very bad. These complaints come almost as regularly as the " big goosflberry season." Madame Borreson, the clever phrenologist, arrived in Hamilton yesterday and may be consulted at Mrs Hill's shop lately in the occupation of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, opposite Mr Knox's store. Wβ understand Madame Borreson intends giving a lecture on Friday next.

The celebrated drama, " The Shadow of a Crime," will be given in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, on Tuesday, 20th December. The piece has been in rehearsal for some considerable time past, and as the obiec* is a worthy one, it is hoped there will be a large attendance.

A little child of Mr J. O'Neill's, Hamilton East, met with rather a severe accident on Wednesday through being kicked by a horse. The child is only about two year.3 of age, and fortunately was close up to tho horse when it lashed out, so that beyond a severe shaking it is not much the worse, uo bones luckily being broken.

"We notice that Sir E, Jones, saddler, Haiciltou, has removed into more extensive premises, having taken the shop formerly occupied by Mr Davey, almost next door to where he has previously been carrying on hie saddlery business. Mr Jones has been busy for the last day or two opening up new stocks of saddlery, etc.

The Te Awamutu Musical Society's entertainment on Wednesday next, 7th inst., promises to be a success in every way. The programme comprises the cantata, " The Burning Ship," and the amusing comedy, " Ici on Parle Francais." The Society's entertainments are always most enjoyable, and this one will be no exception to the rule.

We learn that upon a recent Sunday afternoon, after the close of the service, at Whatawhata, the Rev. J. Hendrin, Presbyterian minister, made a presentation to Miss S. Calder, of that district. The gift took the form of a handsome work-box, containing a sum of money, and it was subscribed by the young lady's fiiendfcs as a mark of their appreciation of her help as organist and choir-leader at the church services.

A meeting was lately held in Tiiranaki of those interested io again sending Home a Mr Courtney, who has already done good service to the colony by lecturing on its resources, etc., and thereby inducing people of the right sort to take un interest in New Zealand. During the proceedings our old friend Mr E, M. Smith, M.U.R., announced his intention of calling a meeting at an early date in order to procure assistance to enable him to set f jrth on a similar errand. Mr Smith is evidently—in his own opinion, at least —a good all-round man for, not satisfied with being a very necessary and leading official iu tho city and a member of Parliament—to say nothing of a Taranaki ironsand expert—he is umbitions t:i fascinate the people of the Old Country with his flowing eloquence. Uist Ire it observed, like most other latter-day patriots, ho expects "the other felluh " to '' pay the piper,"

We hear that Mr T. M. Hill's tender for the luncheon booth at the forthcoming South Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting at ClaudelnncU on December 16th and 17th has been accepted. Mr Hill'si well-known ability in catering had its due weight with the club officials in accepting his tender, which provides for a first-class bill of fare.

The annual entertainment given by tho pupils of the Hamilton West School will be held in the Volunter Hull, on Thursday evnning, the loth inst. In addition to the usual concert, a short play will be staged, entitled "Fairy Land," the parts being taken by the children. The teachers are now busy preparing the children, and thoy are almost perfect in their respective parts.

We would again remind our readers of the social which will be given in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, on Wednesday evening, in connection with St. Peter's Church. An excellent programme has been provided, and tickets are eoing off readily. There will be a good moon so that the country parishioners will be able t> take this opportuity of meeting with their urban friends, and of which they no doubt will be glad to take advantage.

A meeting of the members of the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute will be held at

Ohaupo to-day. The principal mutters to be discussed are with reference t" the general working of the schools, anil drawing up a petition to be forwarded 11 the Mjniater for Education urging the necessity of lightening the syllabus, especially in drawing throughout all the standards, and geography in the fourth standard. The elec. tion of a secretary in Mr Edward's pltico will also be hold.

We would remind our farming . Friends, and all others who are interested in the use of lime as an aid to agriculture,

that J, A, Pond, Esq, F.C.S., will deliver a lecture in the Salvation Army Barr.icks (late Odd Fellows' Hall), Cambridge, on Monday evening next upon " Lime as an agricultural resource." It will doubtless be most interesting and instructive, and although it is given-under the auspices of the Farmers' Club, the public are invited to attend. Wβ trust there may be a bumper house.

Owing to the counter attractions in Cambridge on Tuesday and Wednesday, Barlow, the celebrated entertainer, did not meat with the support he deserved. At the request of his friends, he appaars again in the Public Hall this evening, and we strongly recommend all who enjoy a hearty laught to go and see his clever performance. In addition to the world-fumed " Blue Tailed Fly "and " Little Fat Dutchmau, he will give a host of other songs, solos upon the banjo and cylophone, and dances, etc, galore. He is indeed a wonder, and at singing and dancing could put down many young men, who fancy they can do a little in that line, although he is about four times their age. We are sure all who attend the entertainment will be pleased.