THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XI, Issue 1351, 18 August 1882, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. "ThoSpirit of the Times shall teach me speed, 1 ' — KINO JOHN, ACT IV. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1882.

Tfflß suggestion made by a correspondent in another column that a receiving box ior letters should be established at the Devonport Road end of the town, is one well worthy of consideration. It would not only be a great boon to the public, but vould tend to lessen the strain on the officials at the Post Office on busy days. We all know what a rush, there is on important mail days at the Post Office to obtain stamps and post letters. If a postal receiving box was erected, say at the corner of Spring and Willow streets, it would be a great convenience to business people and residents at that end of the town. The site would be convenient and suitable, and the mail deliverer could call for the letters, twice a day as he returned to the Post Office from clearing the box at the duarter Acres. We should suggest to those interested^ in the matter the advisability of preparing a petition to the Postmaster-General on the subject. We have no doubt our courteous Postmaster, Mx Sheath, would lend all the assistance in hi» power, as it would not only tend to meet the public convenience, but also to relieve his present limited staff of clerks of part of the pressure of business that always occurs on mail days, What between attending tdthe Post Office, selling stamps, making out money orders, and attending' te the telegraph ' business, they have a busy time of it, and if the suggestion of our correspondent is acted on it will effect good in more ways than one. The sug gestion as to having a licensed vendor of stamps is of course a matter that can be settled without much trouble. If a representation is made to* the Postmaster here, and a suitable person suggested as the licensee, the matter could soon be arranged. It certainly would be a convenience, especially on English mail days, to be able to purchase the requisite stamps without going to the Post Office. The convenience would most affect ladies and children who in the rush for stamps on mail days receive but scant consideration as a rule,from the ordinary public. It is well worth the attention of the residents to bring before the Postmaster-General's notice both the matters alluded to in our correspondent's letter.

The Borough Council seem to make no effort to take over the foreshore, and the consequence is we daily see cutters discharging goods on the beach into drays, and thus evading tbe just revenue the Municipality is entitled to. This fact has been severely animadverted upon lately, more especially aB some members of the Borough Council reap the benefit, and of course the longer the {present state of things continues the better they are pleased. It is, however, a poor sample of the public spirit that should animate public men.

We hear that measles spreading in the town and district.

The s.s. Mahinapua left this port for Auckland shortly aftor six o'clock yesterday morning.

TII6 next regular meeting of the Borough Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Government Buildings, at 2 p. m, on Monday.

Litigation appears to thrive in Tauranga, and each Court-day sees a large, number of civil cases from which no doubt the gentlemen of the legal persuasion profit. Yesterday the Court sat from 10 a.m. until evening, and several cases were disposed of.

Messrs Turner and Buddie sent through to the Thames market this week 60 head of prime fat oattle.

Mr A. Parkinson left Opotiki on Sunday morning with 25 head of fat cattle, which he is driving overland to Tauranga.

The concert in aid of the Wesleyan Church Organ Fund will be held on Thursday, 24th inst., of Friday, 25fch inst., as previously advertised.

Over six miles of open drains have been made, and one mile of ditch and bank and totara posts and wire fences erected on the Whakatane Cattle Company's Btation this winter.

Tenders for the purchase of the buildings, stock, plant, and good-will of Mr J. Merritt's business at Whakatane must be sent in to the Trustee in Auckland by Wednesday next.

Wi Peri, from Gisborne, is at present in Tauranga. "He *is Jknown a* Rees' rigbt.hand nian in the repudiation business ' nn ••"» juast Coast, but the natives here do not appear to see what benefit they are to derive fr6m the services of Messrs Rees and Peri.

Mr P. Paul", manager of the Mount Stewart Fishing Company, is now in town making arrangements relative to sending a regular supply of fish to Tauranga. This Company seem to be making a start in the right direction. We have long felt the want of a regular supply.

The past few days of dry weather have induced the Borough Council to commencethe work of repairing some of the streets, and Willow street is the first to be made passable. This street hai long been in need of some kind of metal, and the shells that are now being laid down will greatly facilitate traffic.

Mr Gt. P. Hilton, who is well-known on the Thames, reports very favourably of the Poverty Bay Oil Springs. He says there is every indication that oil will be struck in quantity, and parafine wax is found at various depths and is dug out like turf. There is also splendid coal, free from sulphur, and which cokes well.

Wo are glad to hear that Mr J. W. Olarebroußh has almost recovered from his recent eevere illness. Although able to leave his bed, the dootoft have deemed it best for him to remain in the house for a day or two. Mr Clarebrough is expected to be able to get into town either to«day or td s mofrow> should the weather be fine t

Mr McLeod > representative of the well known tailoring establishment of M. Murchie, Auckland* is at present stopping at the Tauranga Hotel for the purpose of taking orders for suits for the incoming summer season. All orders entrusted to Mr McLeod will receive the best of attention. Samples on exhibition in Room 9, Menzies' Tauranga Hotel, till further notice.— [A dvt.]

The new fire bell, which arrived some days ago, is now in Mr J. W. Clarebrough's shop, in Wharf street, where it has been an article of curiosity for some days. The bell is of American manufacture, and weighß 1401ba. We have not yet heard anything further as to the site on which it is to be erected, but suppose the Council will wait the return of the Inspector from Auckland before commencing the work.

A correspondent writes -.—There is a! grand opening in Opotiki for a young ladies' private school. Residents her c who -wiah to give their daughters a finish m ing education are obliged to send them to Tauranga or Auckland. If an efficient lady teacher, who could impart a thorough English education, and teach music and dancing, would open a school in Opotiki, she would immediately gat from 25 to 30 pupils.

At the last meeting of the Thames County Council, Cr Eraser moved that, inasmuch as there has beenaconaidorable addition to the population at the several mining centres in the Ohinemuri Riding, it has become necessary that some provision should be made for accidents occuring in that district ; it is therefore resolved that Crs —be appointed a committee to inquire into and bring up a report on the advisability of appointing a branch Hospital at Ohinemuri on the most suitable position for the same.

Great complaints were made in Opotiki on Tuesday, August Bth, because the Staffa did not return from Ohiwa (where she had gone for Captain Baker to pilot the lona over the bar), but went on to Wbakatane and loaded maize for Tauranga. The postmaster at Opotiki was not advised of the Staffa's movements, and consequently he did not make up the mails. It la said the Northern Steam Shipping Company are too parsimonious to advise their Opotiki agent when the Staffa sails from Tauranga, and it is never known when she is to be expected at Opotiki. She is frequently expected there, and at the same time she has not left Tauranga, much to the chagrin and disgiist of the business people in Opotiki.

We have seeji some very neat plans for a cottage for Mrs Sellars in Elizabeth street, drawn by Mr G-. Arnold Ward, of Harington street, architect, who opened tenders for its erection last Saturday, that of Mr William Seymour being accepted at £146. The cottage is in the form of a T, and comprises three rooms and a scullery, also a verandah and ontranco lobby 6ft x 4ft. The architect has introduced kahikatea for most of the internal work, in preference to second-class kauri. All the rooms are to be papered, and the ceilings and mouldings, &c, in the. passage, and two principal rooms are to be varnished. Many persons are under the impression that " it won't pay " to employ an architect to design a small building, and get ,tendera and supervise, but the most casual of critics, of designs and prices must speedily b» convinced tbat money spent in procuring professional assistance means money saved.

It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns that Mr Herbert Oram has opened his now and handsome hotel (the Prince Arthur, Hobson street, Auckland). The building i» very complete. The basement consists of a roomy kitchen, laundry and servants' bedrooms, also spacious and cool ale and wine cellars. On the ground floor is a spacious commercial room, handsomely furnished, billiard room 25ft x 18 ft fitted with one of Alcock's best tables, and two private parlours. Ascending to the first floor is an excellent dining room, 25ft x 18ft, communicating with the kitchen and bar by patent lift and speaking tubes. This flat also contains two suites of private rooms and drawing room. The second floor is devoted to bedrooms, all furnished in a auperiar manner. Here also are bathrooms, with hot and cold water laid on, douche, plunge, and shower»bath, also tap to connect with the hose in case of Ire. The structure from without presents a very handsome and imposing appearance, and being situated at the corner of Hobson and Welltsley streots, commands ono of the most lovely prospects in the city or neighbourhood. Mr Oram lias been long and favourably known in Auckland as a courteous and obliging host, niicl we have no doubt those who patronise his new hotel once will not be inclined to change their quarters.