TEh Bay Of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1823, 9 April 1885, Page 2

TEh Bay Of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

"ThaSpiritofthe Times shall teaoh me spssd.' KING JOHN, ACT IV.

THUBSDAY, APEIL 9, 1885.

A leading article, and other matters of interest are crushed out for want of space.

The programme for to-nights "Mutual" ■will be readings and recitations.

The results of the Katikati Sports, held at Katikati, oa the 6th instant, only reached us last night bat too late for publication in this igsue.

A. soiree and concert will be given at the Temperance Hall, on Tuesday next, 14th instant, in connection with the induction of the EeT. A. MaoLenaan to the charge of St. Peters Presbyterian Church. Tea will be ready at 6 o'clock p.m. Tickets can be obtained from members of committee and at the principle stores.

As the cricketing season has now terminated, the football will be on the ground on Saturday afternoon, when all lovers of this \ game are invited to attend.

Intelligence was received in town last night that a boat belonging to a man named John Todd, a settler living at Bowentown, was found yesterday by two Maoris at Kauri point, with Todd's coat and dog in the boat. It is feared that Todd is drowned, as he left Taurangu for Eowentown on Tuesday at 1 o'clock.

Jl Lady's "Wish. — " Oh, how I do wish my skin was as clear and soft as youra ! ' ' said a lady to a friend. "You can easily make it so," answered the fried. " How ?' ' inquired the first lady. "By using Hop Bitters, that makes .pure rich blood and blooming 1 health. It did it for me, as you observe." Read . j »

The s.s. Thomas Russell enquiry which, has been frequently adjourned, was taken on the 2nd instant, and tho master of the vessel exonerated from Iho blame in the striking of the steamer off East Capo island, on I'obruai'y 4. The enquiry into the wreck of the steamer at Oreti Point, Bay of Plenty, on March 13, was adjourned to Saturday, at 10 a.m. It was desired to adjourn tho proceedings over the Easter holidays, but in consideration of the witnesses, who would be delayed in Auckland, the Court consented to sit on Saturday, the 4th April.

The arrival of about 300 natives, from the inland settlements of the North Island, to our own district naturally awakened a little inquiry, and perhaps anxiety too. A yisit to Whareroa settled the question and left the conviction that tho yisit of this large number of natives is merely iii keeping with Maori usage and practise, and is purely a friendly visit and an occasion for returning- former civilities. There seems to be nothing- further in the meaning of the assemblage.

Poia te Wirihaua, a chief of considerable importance, formerly resident at Te Matata, died a few days ago. He was a loyal native, and ever ready to use his influence in this district in support of the Government of the day, more especially at critical times, lie was a pensioner of the Crown, and carried the marks of a wound received in the face. He was wotmded at Te Ta Phi whilst defending- Colonel Wliitmore, CJ3., against Te Kooti.

The party of excursionists to White Island last week were favoured with exceptionally fine -weather, and the island was visited on that occasion by upwards of 00 people. The general impression left upon tho mind of visitors was cue of astonishment at the grandeur and unique character of the scene.

Monday last was observed as a holiday hero, and the magnificent weather induced a good many to go to the Katikati Fair, which was largely attended and proved a success in every way. Such institutions will no doubt become general throughout the Bay of Plenty, and prove of invaluable aid to farmers and settlers, and give im impetus and healthy complexion to all branches of agriculture.

A party who is at present consto.nf.ly travelling be fcweon here and Eotnrun, by the bush road, states that unless a slip, winch occurred some weeks ago, about a li mile on this .side of the Half-way house, 13 speedily seen to, sojno serious accident is likely- to occur at anytime. The passage along "that point on the road is now so narrow, that heavily loaded waggons have to go within a foot of tho edge of tho slip, and should the soil give "way, a fall oi' fully 30 feet into a creek below would be the unavoidable result.

At the Police Court yesterday, before It. W. Brabant, Esq., R.M., and Thomas Wrigley, Esq., Mayor, the case of Police v. Downey for cruelty to animals, was re-heard and the charge against Downey dismissed. Each party to pay their own cost.

It should have been mentioned in our last issue that two shocks of earthquake were felt at Rotorua on Thursday lust, tho 2nd instant, at 3.27 and 4.-10 p.m. respectively. The second shock was the heavier one of tho two, but was of short duration.

VVe learn from Rotorua that the footbridge over the Pueranga creek, on tho track to the "Whakarcwarewa hot springs and geysers, has now been finished aud opened. This is a great convenience, as tho creek had hitherto to bo crossed on the back of a native. The bridge has a span of 62 feet, is four feet wide, and was constructed entirely by tho natives, who celebrated the opening of the structure by a short feast, nt which Mr Johnson, the Government agent .at Jlotorna, was present. The latter gentleman, we may add, has at last succeeded, after a palaver of nearly two days, in permanently fixing all the charges made by the natives to visitors to these remarkable sights, the advantage of which arrangement will be very great. The scale of fees, as agreed upon, now only requires the signature of the Native Minister, but in the meantime the revised charges are in full force. The document is on its way to Wellington, and Mr Johnson deserves great credit for his exertions in this matter, as well as for the general assiduity with which lie is performing his many official duties.

The resolution of the Council against which Captain Macmillan voted touching 1 their threatened resignation 01 masse is a most important one. Captain Macmillan voted as he did on the grounds that if the Council resigned there would of necessity bo a fresh election and that would cost tho County £00, and he considered that in the face of their present financial report it would be unwise to incur any further expenditure If the Councillors would agroo, however, not to stand again for re-election ho would bo willing to resign also and adopt the same course. Under any circumstances it seems to be plain enough the Councillors are bound either to receive a distinct reply to their communications to Government or resign. There should be no half measures ani no compromise.

In the matter of Mr Gr. V. Stewart's rates, Mr W. Kelly, at tho County Council, stated that he considered the rates should be remitted as long 1 as Mr Stewart was doing- the business of the County, for he might state that he found when he employed an agent in Auckland to do work for him ho had to pay him £50 per annum, and Mr Stewart has done much service to the County and was still so doing 1 and was well entitled to such recognition from tho Council.

The following tenders were opened by Mr Pitz-G-ibbon Lonch, C.E., on Saturday, 4th instant, at noon, for additions to a warehouse in Durham street : — J. ,T. .Benett, .£230; David Lundon, £211; Vickery and Seymour, .Cl'J'J ; Mannix Brothers, £190; John Conway. £183.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the directors of the Tauranga and Ivatikafi Permanent Building- and Investment Society was held at their Board room, Spring street, on Tuesday, 7th April, at 7 o'clock p.m. Present— H. S. Brabant, Esq., Vice-Presi-dent, in tho Chair ; Messrs David Lundou, C. A. Clarke, .Robert Home, G. H. Whitcombe, W. M. Commons, and Captain Macmillan. The secretary, Mr Fitz-Gibbon Louch, road the minutes of the last mooting, which were confirmed. One application for a loan was read and granted. Ten investing subscription shares were transferred. Six borrowing shares and one fully paid up investing share were allotted. Amounts* received since last meeting, £291 17s Bd. Cheques issued, £247 18s -Id. Total loans advanced, £8,500. Total shares allotted, 1978.

Cuiied of Diunrtno. — " A younfir friend of mine was cured of an insatiable thirst for liquor, that had so prostrated his system that he was unable to do any business. He was entirely cured by tlio v.so of Hop Bitters. It allaynd all that burning thirst, took away the appetite for liquor, made bis nerves steady, and he has remained a sober and steady man for more than two years, and has no desire to retnn to his cups." — From a leading it.H. Official. Head

£gM. de Molin.iri, the well known French political economist, has suggested that in view of the protectionist policy of tho United States, Germany, France, and Russia, it

might be ad visible to link together the free trrtio countries — Knj/land, Belgium, and Holland— by a customs union like the German Zollverein.

The Governor has written to a distinguished ofliccr in the Imperial service to take the command-in-chief of the colonial forces. His name will not be published till ifc is known that he has accepted the offer made tohim.

Proof of service df Sitnimons Having becni given yesterday, eleven more iiairlea wore struck off the Electoral Ttoll.

The unfortunate man Primrose, who so severely scalded his logs in one of the boiling springs at Rotorua last week, has boon ro-

moved to tho local hospital, where ho is being attended to by Dr Grinders, who is in hopes of tho patient's ultimate recovery, unless unforeseen circumstances ariae.

A force of 25 men, drilled in big gun practice, will be Maintained in earth uf the foul' large cities of tilt colony. The number will be r.iised to 100 in each if occasion should require it, A permanent force of 5 torpedo men will also be maintained in each port, the number to be increased to 12 if necessary. Each naval corps throughout the colony will have a torpedo section of ten men attached to it. The Government have sent au order to England for £50,000 worth of "Whitohead'e Fish Torpedo." This destructive machine ranges from 14 feet long by 16 inches in diameter to 19 feet long by 10 inches in diameter maximun. II carries a charge of SOibs. of gan cotton. The motive power is compressed air. It travels at the rate of '25 knots an hour. It may be fixed at the bow or the siile of the vessel. A .Russian vessel fired one of the missiles in 187S at a Turkish vessel oft" i'.utouni. The Turkish vessel was completely destroyed. The British oio\ eminent paul £25. 000 for this invention, but the secret has become known to other iCuropean States,