THE The Bay of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Issue XX, 17 June 1892, Page 2

THE The Bay of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

'The Spirit of ths Timst shall teaoh mt spud. —lagJoti,AgtiT. _^_ FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1892.

H.Ms. gunboat Goldfinch, which |«ay be expected to arrive in harbour here for the first time, in the course of a day or so, has just recently come across from Australia to replace H.M.S. Tauranga, which has gonejto Sydney for repairs. It will be remembered that when the Tauranga was here, the members of the Old Cemetery Board, having previously obtained tbe consent of tbe officer in charge of the New Zealand station, Captain Burke, conducted Captain Nesham over the naral and military portion of the cemetery, and pointed out to him the various requirements for the proper conservation and care *i the graves of those of H.Ms.f orces \> Dv iost their lives while on duty here iv the now historic New Zealand *ars. According to instructions Captain Nesbani was to furnish a full report as to the condition and requirements, not only of the cemetery itself, but of the retaining wall below, which was built to resist the encroachments of the sea, Home years ago. Time, however, did not serve to complete the full inspection, and it was deferred until the expected return of the vessel in February. Unfortunately Captain Nesbam's health required him to be invalided Home, and the defective arrangements of the vessel required her to be sent to Sydney. Hence the matterfell into abeyance until recently when Captain Bourke, senior officer on the New Zealand station, on going over the papers left by Capt. Nesham and coding that the report had not bee a completed, again cominuuieated with Col. Dowell, Chairman of the Old Cemetery Board, on the matter, and promised that H M.S. Goldfinch should be sent here as soon as possible aud Commander Floyd should be instructed to make a full examination, with a view to the needful repairs b< ing done at a later data. That the retaining wall requires immediate attention is beyond question, as it hus been Bteadily falling into a state of dilapidation for the last four years, tbe seaiii several places having undermined the foundations and the stonework consequently become ruinous. The extent of the encroachment of the «ea upon the cliff just southward of the wall shows how serious would be the damage if this wall were not in existeice, indeed by this time probably half the naval ana military cemetery would have been iv tbe harbour but for this <tefensive breastwork, we hope, therefore, that no time will be lo»t iv perfonniug the necestary repairs. As regard* the graves themselves, they also inquire attention, indeed already most of the graves are without sign of any sort as to whose remains repose there, and of the number there interred, tbe names of a large proportion are lost, while of thy few reman ing graves who*e be>adb«.aHB are ■till in existence, most arc in bo : ast stage <»f decay, tt ts pitabit- c> think that in so' few years ail tract* of these men. trho perished her» in f -*>o ca •<*.*» r ? du.tr. ?h<>u!c oM •■<**■ •

>»tttid <*• T ine, - \x o • ? ♦ #ut»tee- will urge siroogij* cueuesjrabihtj of having plain but durable matte »fsg»d to each gra?e wljere tb-

name of the dead can be ascertained. \n endeavour was made to have this

done some four years ago and a report was prepared by Mr Gt. A. Ward for the Trustees to forward to the authorities in England, but, thongh the matter was brought up in Parliament, nothing resulted therefrom. The Board no* finds itself thrown on the mercy of the naval authorities in these waters, and the present application ; will we hope meet with better success I than the former one. It would be a slur indeed upon the name of the Empire on which the sun never sets, if the graves of her soldiers and sailors are allowed to fall away into the sea for the sake of an expenditure of a few pounds.

The Native Minister has nearly completed the purchase of the whole of the interests of Botorua natives. There were 1100 shares or interests, of which the Hon. Mr Mitchelson has secured about 1000. The Hon Mr Cadman hopes that the native title over the whole of the land will soon be extinguished by purchase.

On the first page of this issue will be found a replace advertisement of W H. Hazard, gunmaker, Auckland, to which we specially draw the attention of sportsmen and others. A number of novelties in connection with guns and ammunition have recently besn added to !£rJElaKLxd'» stock. '' We notice that the Qhinemtiri Gazette in a leading article in its issue of Saturday last advocates tne secession of, the Katikati riding from this coknty, in order that it may join that \pi Ohinemuri 1 * a step which\ our contemporary characterisss as/ 'in accordance with the spirit of \ the times,"\and hopes to^seen performed. The* remarks are^ probably baSsed on a speech made by Mr G. Vi^Stewart, as chairman of the Katikati Boad Board, at its reeen^ statutory meetings when he advocated this secession and spoke of litter want ojE business qualifications in our council. We know that malctotfcents are ; to be found M every body of men, but \e have too much faith in the friendly connection which has'always existed between Taurangafand Katifcati, to think that the tie will be lightly broken.

* The County Engineer calls for tenders for the maintenance of various sections of the county roads for the ensuing twelve months. A very keen frost was experienced last night the thermometer falling as low as 2(i degrees, and in places sheltered from the sun the frost was visible on the ground till nearly noon. Yesterday the weather was most propitious for the performance of the Band in the Domain and the place -kicking competition by members of the Football Club, and in consequence there was a large attendance of the public. The Band played seven pieces of music of a bright and tuneful nature, and the execution was much commended by the audience. The forthcoming ball will be held in the Harington St Hail which has kindly been lent by Messrs Bennett and Bp* nee to the Band for this purpose; this change will be keenly appreciated by the dancing section of the public, as the size of the building and the suitability of the floor afford increased opportunity of enjoyment ; as the large number who have already signified their intention of being present would quite orowd any smaller building to the limit of comfort. We hear mysterious hints of two or three very striking and novel fancy costumes that are being constructed for the occasion. The inwards English mail, via San Francisco is not signalled in Auckland at time of going to press. The direct mail steamer Ruapehu howover arrived there this morninec with mails via Brindißi, which will be delivered here tomorrow. ! A movement is on foot in Te Puke to start a library and reading room, and a meeting of those interested in this desirable object is called for Tuesday next, at noon, in Mr Chaytor's store. It has been ascertained that Mr Joe Me Dowell is willing either to sell or lease his new building for the purpose ? and this place would be mort suitable as it is alongside the Post Office, and would be most convenient for people to go into while waiting for their letters.

Apropos of the suggestions recently published, Mr Hoben, secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union, supplies the following information : Shortly after the visit of the Maori team to England, a gentleman who takes a keen interest in New Zealand f ootballj and knew English football authorities, interviewed them as to their feeling respecting a visit of a representative team. The general opinion was against sending a team within about two years, if authorised and managed by the Rugby Union. After an interval, Mr Hoben took steps to form a New Zealand Union, the English authorities being kept posted. On Mr Cluff going Home as manager to the Athletic team he was furnished with papers, and authorised to ap • proach the English Union, and in view of the proposed formation ot a New Zealand Union, ascertained their views as to a team from that Union going to England next year on the formation of the New Zealand Union. Mr Hoben immediately communicated officially with the secretary ot the English Union as to the sending of a New Zesilaud amateur team, the proposal being to Bend 25 men, to leave tbe colony at the end of next season, to play 20 matches in five months, the matches to be ail first class, and include fixtures with each international team — universities leading counties, etc. The secretary to the English Union was asked to draw up a draft programme and plan of tour for submission at the general meeting of the New Zealand Union. The matter is now being considered in England, and full particulars are expected by an early mail, when a general meeting of the New Zealand Union will be called to consider the proposals. There will be no financial difficulties, and the visit of the New Zealand team to England will probably be followed by a return visit of an English amateur team to the colonies.

The Taranaki Petroleum Company will soon resume active operations. Mr Smith, the expert, left in the s.s. Bimutaka, to consult with the London Board.

At a publio meeting in Wellington, in which Dr Lucas, of Canada, took a prominent part, resolutions were carried adverse to the establishment of a licensing district in the King Country. The meeting was convened at the instance of temperance bodies. A New Zealand magistrate, in dealing with a case of furious riding the other day, said that too many riders and drivers were in the habit of thinking that people on foot should give way to them, and it would be well for all those engaged with horses to note that they had to j give way to pedestrians. On Friday last, the 10th of June, the anniversary of the Tarawera eruption, a series of services were held at Whakarewarewa, by the natives, among themselves, throughout the day, and terminated at midnight. It was announced in a cable message lately that the steamer Doric had returned to Plymouth owing to an accident to her machinery. A later cable announces that the necessary repairs have been completed, and the steamer has left for New Zealand. A very severe hailstorm passed over the Tre Awamutu district between 3 and 4 o'clock/6 a Saturday afternoon. The hail was as larae as sparrow's eggs, and many of the pieces ivhich fell were not Eke the ordinary hailstones, hut more resembled lumps of ice in alL|hapes, many of them larger than pigeons' eggs. One gentleman who was unfortunate enough to get caught in it, tells us he could hear tip roar of the storm three or four miles away .-fWaikato Times. I Tawhiao has returned to his settlement at Whatiwhatihoe, where he is peacefully residing with his sister Te Ako and her husband Te Tuhi with no one to bother him, as there are but few natives at present living there. Thej report of his having taken a pension from tbß Government has caused him more troublelthan the pension will be worth to him. The <fld gentleman is looking very unwell indeed. I According to the Evening Press, the Electoral Registrar has received instructions to prepare the new electoral rolls. Evidently! the GoS venunent contemplate a general election at an j early date. . \ j y i We are inl'ormed by the New Zealand Ship- 1 1 ping Compnay that the rates of might on 1 wool by steamer to London have been Ireduced 1 a to the eaine as sailing chip rates- I ja