Hawke's Bay Herald WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1877.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3824, 17 January 1877, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1877.

In the Waitaki County Council, of which Mr. Robert Campbell is CbairmaD, an excellent suggestion was made by him to the effect that a sub- committee should be appointed to draw up a precis of the Acts bearing on county matters for the information of members. The Council, however, decided that they had not power to do this till they passed a resolution to adopt the -whole Act, the truth, of course , being that they had power to do it, or anything else necessary for the workicg of tbe county system until they resoh ed not to adopt the whole Act. The same illusory objection prevented them front decidiug on the appointment of valuator*. In the end they adjourned their meeting till the Ist February to consider wheher they should adopt the whole Act or tot. The Hutt County Council were unde. a similar misconception as to the necessity of adopting the Act by a special resolution, and were confirmed in it by remarks, to the effect that this was necessary, in the New Zealand Times* editorial columns. Now that the numberless inconveniences and difficulties which the rejection of the full

powers conjures up are known, it is highly improbable that any more of the counties will be induced to commit suicide. Suppose, by the way, that a county, before rejecting the full powers, does anything which the full powers alone enable it to do, will it then be able to reject them ? We should like to hear a legal opinion on this point. If it will not — and this is the strong presumption, — then we conceive that the Hawke's Bay County Council, by arranging for an overdraft, has put it now beyond its competence to reject the full powers. _____________

A Sotttheen exchange in referring to a return laid on the table of the House of officials receiving salaries above £200 per annum, who were allowed to accept remuneration for private work, remarks : — "We find from it that thirteen persons, out of about six hundred employed by the Government, are allowed to receive remuneration beyond their official salary. Of these, seven are in the Public Works Department, and include the Under-Se-cretary for Public Works, the Engineer-in-Chief, the Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, the Superintending Engineer for the Middle Island, two District Engineers, and the Colonial Architect. Each of these officers is allowed to do private work of one kind or another, without any limit as to amount or remuneration, "provided it does not interfere with his official duties." What this proviso is worth may be judged from the fact that numberless excuses have been made for all sorts of shortcomings, on the ground that the Public Works Department was so much overworked ; while, nevertheless these favored officers were drawing handsome pay for private work." . . . The return before us confirms in the strongest possible manner, the impression which has long prevailed that the management of the Public Works Department is thoroughly bad ; and that the controlling authority which ought to be in the hands of the Ministers alone, has long since been grasped by a few of the superior officials." If this is so, the circumstance will also aid in accounting for the increases of salaries among the higher officials in that department, made in the face of much inexorable retrenchment elsewhere.

The Lyttelton Times has the following remarks on the county election bungles in this part of the world : — With respect to the allotment of County Councillors to Ridings, we notice in the New Zealand Gazette, No. 67, of December 8, 1876, at the bottom of the first page an extraordinary notice, unsigned and in small type under the head of "Errata," referring to a former Gazette, and purporting to ' correct the Governor's Proclamation, as printed therein, in respect to Ridings, and actually directing persons to read In Wairo& County, — for ' one ' councillor, Waikaremoana, read ' three ' for ' four ' councillors, Mohaka, read ' two.' In Waipawa County— -for ' two ' councillors, Porangahau, read ' one ' ; for 'two' councillors, Waipuktrau, read 'one.' On page 831, in Vincent County, for 'two' councillors, Manuherikai, read * one.' " We fare not told whether these serious errors were in the original, or in the printed Proclamation, but in either case we are not aware what effect an unsigned notice of this sort can have in a Court of Law, or in the mind of a Returning Officer, Perhaps, Ministers think that Brevier, from its family relation to Brief, has some latent legal virtue in it, which can dispense with such formalities as signatures and seals in altering important Proclamations.

Mb Mubcott, one of the members of the Waitaki County Council, took occasion to remark, that "seeing that free passes on railways were accorded to members of both Houses of Legislature, he did not see why the privilege should not extend to members of County Councils." They certainly should extend to them while travelling on County business.

Mr. Stuart announced in the Municipal Council last evening that he intends withdrawing from the contest for the vacant seat for Napier in the General Assembly. The tangiior Sir Donald M'Lean today promises to be numerously attended. Already a good many natives are in town, and about a hundred of them are encamped near the boai sheds. These appear to have a good supply of provisions with them, and also of fire arms. The railway authorities, we learn, have made provision for bringing down a large number in this morning's train. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Napier Municipal Council was held last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Councillors Williams, Swan, Tuxford, Neal, Vautier and Lyndon. The rate lists for the year were laid on the table, and were adopted by tl*e Council. On the motion of Cr. Swan, seconded by Cr. Tuxford, the Town Clerk was appointed treasurer to the Municipality. On the motion of Cr. ' Williams, seconded by Cr. Swan, Cr. Neal was added to Cr. Lyndon as the councillors to sign cheques.— On the motion of Cr. Lyndon, seconded by Cr. Neal, Crs. Vautier and Tuxford were appointed to sign contracts. —On the motion of Cr. Swan, seconded by Cr. Tuxford, it was ordered that tenders be invited for the supply of stationery to the Corporation for one year. — A letter was read from the Municipal Engineer, calling the attention of the Council to the fact that he has been paying rent for the offices in which he is engaged in work for the Corporation. His Worship undertook to see to the matter. The Council then adjourned. A fatal accident occurred yesterday afternoon on the railway to a woman named Mary M'Mahon, residing in one of the immigrants' cottages a short distance from the Napier railway terminus. The unfortunate woman, we understand, was about crossing the railway line to get to her house when the train, which was proceeding to the Spit, came upon her. It is very probable that she slipped aiid I fell down, the wheels of the train passing over her. The train was brought to a stand within 50 yards, and then it was found that the poor woman had one of her feet and one of her arms nearly severed from the body. Inspector Scully was quickly on the spot, and had the woman conveyed to the hospital on a shutter, in which he received very good assistance from Mrs. Groom. Mrs. M'Mahon died at tke ] hospital in the course of the afternoon, \ and an inquest will be held on the body this morning. Mrs. M'Mahon's husband, we hear, is 80 years of age, and is lying ill in one of the immigrants' cottages. The Lingards gave their fourth performance last night to a very good house. The comedy of " David Garrick" was rhe opening piece, but, with the exception of the excellent acting of Mr. and Mrs. Lingard, and also that of Mr. St. Lawrence, there was evidence of a want of rehearsal. The farce of " Lady Elizabeth" followed, and created much amusement. To-night the glorious comedy of " Our Boys," which was produced on Monday night to a crammed house, will be repeated, and we would certain! j advise those of our readers who

have not seen it to avail themselves of this opportunity. Mr. Sufcton intends addressing the electors of Napier in the Oddfellows' Hall after the departure of the Lingards. The meeting will probably be held about a week hence. Mr. Sutton proceeded to Wairoa last night, for the purpose of holding a meeting there. The Waipawa Church was opened for Divine service last Sunday morning, the Yen. Archdeacon Williams preaching the sermon. The church is a pretty structure, with a very fine roof, constructed on a new principle. The building, which will hold 200 persons, was erected by Mr. Phillips, of Waipawa, from designs by Mr. Cooper, of Napier, who was the architect. A very handsome font has been presented to the church by the father of Mr. Grenside, churchwarden, who inaugurated the font by having one of his children baptised in it last Sunday. The following gentlemen have been appointee! as Chairman and Wardens of the Patangata Road Board : — Chairman : James Tod; Wardeus : James Lawrence, William Rathbone, William White, Alfred Dillon, James Tod. The only business at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday was a charge of drunkenness against John Stanley, who was dismissed with a caution. J. A. Smith, Esq., was the presiding J.P. It is notified that until further notice the new building next the Clyde Hotel will be the temporary office of the Wairoa Council, and that the clerk will be in attendance on Saturdays from 1G a.m. until 3 p.m. for the transaction of public business. At the Waipawa Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, John Doors was brought before W. Rathbone, Esq., J.P., on a charge of vagrancy. The prisoner had been for some time prowling about the Waipukurau district, sleeping in sheds and getting food in any way but by work. He was sentenced to a month's hard labor, and was brought to Napier yesterday afternoan by Constable Strudwick. Mr. Ormond arrived in town last evening. We hear that Mr. James Rocnfort has consented to stand for the vacant seat in the Municipal Council of Napier. Mr. Rochfort's practical experience as an engineer and surveyor will, no doubt, command a large measure of support. Mr. H. R. Holder, whose past services in the Corporation gave much satisfaction, will also be nominated. Messrs. Routledge, Kennedy and Co. will sell, at their auction rooms, Tenny-son-street, to-day at 2 p.m. (instead of 11 a.m., as previously announced), the whole of the bankrupt stock of Mr. T. Meehan, Port Ahuriri. On board the Eangatira are two pairoared outrigged boats for the Napier Rowing Club. These boats are to replace those broken on the Arawata some time since. As they are the first boats of their class that we have had in Napier, and are fitted with sliding seats and some other improvements, their advent will probably create some slight excitement in rowing circles. A correspondent sends us the following from Petane : — " The only business of any importance at the meeting at Petane on the 13th instant was that the chairman (Mr. Twigg) proposed a rate of 2d in the pound, which was amended by Mr. Spence to Id, and carried. After the meeting a number of the free and independent met to discuss the merits of the several candidates in the field for the General Assembly vacancy; all who have come forward seemed to have their admirers. A feeling, however, of great distrust prevailed, caused by the manner in which Petane and the north had been hitherto humbugged, the fairest promises being freely given, and as freely broken. However, I think all present were unanimous in promising their votes to the man who will give the best support to the harbor bridge, and in whose electioneering promises they oan place most confidence." Mr. Guinness, the Chairman of the G-reymouth County Council, remarked in his opening speech : — The duties of the Council, if the whole of the Act was adopted, were very numerous, and he was strongly of opinion that the Council should allow the whole of the Act to apply, and take full charge of all local affairs within the county, and leave nothing for the Road Boards to do. According to the Guardian, there is a riding in Amuri which returns three members to the County Council. There were four candidates, including a Count and a Knight. The number of the electors amounted to the remarkable number of ten. The successful candidates polled seven, four, and three respectively, the Count, unfortunately, only polling two. Neither the candidates nor their seconders were present. The same authority also states that the whole of the County of Cheviot is owned by one gentleman, a squatter well known in that locality. This is not bad, even for Nelson or Marlborough, but as regards the latter statement, which evidently refers to the Hon. W. Robinson, the Guardian is in error, the Murlborough Exp?'ess having pointed out that though the gentleman referred to owns a large slice of the county there are yet a good many other freeholders within the boundaries of Cheviot.

It is stated by the West Coast Times that Mr. Henry Young has purchased Learmonth and party's 600-acre lease at Mount Rangitoto for £500 cash, and £5000 in paid-up shares on the formation of the company. The lease adjoins the prospectors' mine to the south and west, and is situated between that claim and Hudson's lease. The latter is named the New Zealand Silvermining Company, and is to be registered under " The Joint Stock Companies Act, 1869 ;" capital, £40,000, in 800 shares of £5 each. The promoters (fifteen in number) reserving to themselves 2000 paid-up shares, and £1000 each on formation of company. The correspondent of the Argus writes : — A few days back " A Cantab," writing in The Times, created quite a flutter amongst housekeepers. He had visited Smithfield Market, and bought a sirloin of beef at 7d per lb, brisket at 4d, legs and loin of lamb at 6d, and hands of pork at sd, the meat being delicious. Such a statement made the mouths water of persons who pay at their butchers lid and Is for sirloins, 8d and 9d for briskets, and Is for legs and loins of lamb. Smithfield was inundated by an unusual class of visitors for a few days, and great was their wrath to find that what Cantab had spoken of as if it were an ordinary occurrence was quite exceptional, and only applied to one Saturday evening, when the meat had to be got rid of owing to the warmth of the weather. Average prices at Smithfield approach much nearer the usual butchers' charges. Sheep are being brought over alive in large numbers from Canada, and it is thought, if a constant trade can be kept up, it will considerably lessen the price of mutton at home. Mr. E. J. Von Dadelszen has been appointed Superintendent Collector of Agricultural Statistics for the Wellington provincial district under the Census Act Amendment Act, 1867.