Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1880. THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 85, 18 June 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1880. THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.

— ~» In last issue, we pointed out the desirability of the County of Manawatu being divided, by the separation of the four Southern Eidings from the three Northern ones. We now propose to explain the course to be pursued in obtaining separation. Sections 14 to 24 of " The Counties Act, 1876," provide for the constitution of new Counties. It is enacted that any proposed new County must be at least 200,000 acres in extent, and must contain at least 100 County electors. The first step necessary is to present a petition to the Governor, setting forth the boundaries of the proposed new County, and praying that the same may be constituted. This petition must be signed by three-fifths of the County electors for the districts comprised in the proposed new, County.. The petition must be publicly notified in a newspaper not less than one month before being presented to the Governor. The Proclamation of the Governor constituting the new County is to "be laid before Parliament within ten days after its next sitting after the issue thereof," and if a resolution is passed by both Houses of the Assembly, refusing to endorse the constitution of the new County, the Governor's proclamation is rendered of no effect. If, on the other hand, Parliament sanctions the constitution of the new County, the division takes effect the day after the conclusion of the then session of Parliament. We have italicised the word " sitting " because on the meaning of that wdrddepends whether or riot separation can be obtained during the present session. Mr. Macarthur opines that " sitting " does not mean session, but any ordinary meeting of Parliament, aud that therefore, provided the present session is sufficiently prolonged, the separation could be obtained before its close, it energetic steps are taken to present the requisite petition to the Governor. This opinion we think is correct, although at first; sight the language employed seems to imply the session following is referred. Probably the word "sitting" is employed to include Proclamations issued while Parliament is in session as well

as those issued during the re^ cess. Any person forging a signature to a -petition, or: making a false declaration- regarding a signature, is liable to a penalty not exceeding £50, and in case of objections to either the suVect matter of a petition for divi* sion or the signatures to it, a Commissioner may be appointed to enquire iato .the allegations made. After the constitution of a new County, the two County Councils must agree as to the apportionment of the property (real and personal), liabilities, rates due, &c. The above are the principal provisions of the Counties Act as regards the constitution of new Counties. Before any action is taken, however, it would be desirable that a conference should take place of the principal settlers in the four Southern Bidings, to consider the matter carefully, and arrange a plan of action. From what we can learn, the feeling in favour of separation is general throughout the Southern Ridings, provided the High* ways Boards are merged iv the County Council, as suggested in our last issue. We advocate separation because it is certain that iv the future there will be bitterness between the two sections of the district on all such matters as the annual rate, &c, upon which there is a division of interests. The representation is almost equally balanced, there being five Southern members and four Northern. The conseijunce is that the closeness of the voting upon all subjects of importance generates unfriendly feelings between the two sections of the County. The only remedy is separation, which must eventuate sooner or later. Accepting the inevitable, we think the sooner it takes place the better for both parts of the County.

5! ail.— The San FrancisCo Mail closes at Foxton this evening. Got.D.— During the last few days rumours have been rife in Palmerston regarding an alleged gold discovery some fourteen miles from that township, near the ranges, and behind the Fifzhorbert block. After making careful enquiries, the substance of what we have been able to gather in to the effect that several West Coast miners bave been prospecting for some time past in the district indicated, and it is said have struck payable qiartz No further particulars are to hand, and it muy be added that but little faith is placed in the report. Meeting op OREDiTong. — A meeting of credit. r3 in theestf.te of Henry B'own will be held at Foxton, on Monday next. Otaki School —The State School at Otaki was opened on Monday last, Mr Ross in charge. The attendance of scholars was 41. Hf.li) Over. — We have received a letter from Mr Kebbell, County Councillor for Horowhenua Hiding, explaining the action of himself and Mr Hayns regarding the Horowhenua road. The letter was received too late for insertion in this issue, but will appear in next. Reclamation Contract. — The steamer Clyde arrived at Foxton at 2 on Wednesday. She left Wanganui at 5 p.m. on Tuesday with one large punfc and two smaller ones in tow, part of .Mr. Saunders' gear for the wharf contract. Fortunately, the weather was most favourable, and tha little steamer brought her charges safely to yort without any trouble whatever. In addition to the punts, the Clyde brought an engine, and a large quantity of other plaui for the work. Cattle — A large mob of cattle, numbering 176 head, passed through Foxton on Tuesday last for Wellington. Messrs. Stevens and M'Kenzie were in charge. Amateur Christys. — We are pleased to hear that the young men of the township have stnrted a Christy Minstrel Company. A first practice was held on Tuesday night last, when the fuU number of thirteen were present, including four instruments besides " Bruddevp Bones andTambo.*' The practice showed that the singing mombei* all possessed very good voices, which with a little training will doubtless considerably improve. We understand that an entertainment will be given by the company in about a month's time, although it has not yet been decided to what purpose the proceeds will be devoted We cordially wish the new company all success, and should they present a good entertainment, it might be worth their while giving an entertainment in tho sister townships. Repairs.— The Local Board have been making some much needed repairs to the Lady's Mile. Tkbb Saik. — Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co., held n sale of fruit trees at tho Public Hall on Tuesday Ist Considering that a sale had been held only a few Jays before, the result must be considered very satisfac tory. Foxton-.Sandox Road. — Mr 0-e.orgo Nye, of the Public Works Department, has kindly furnished ua with a brief statement of the cost of forming and metalling the road from Foxton to Sandon. He points out that in all probability 8 feet of the present road will be taken up through the erection of fencing, as far as Carnarvon junction. This would of course entail a very large additional cost, as the culverts would require lengthening, and the sandhills would need to be removed. Mr Nye's estimate for forming and rntt illitig the road 14 feet wide (or 25 yards to the chain) is £2,688 for the six mi'es. From Carnarvon to the flandon bush, a distance often miles, the work can be done, according to Mr Nye's estimate, for the sum.of £4,9 -8. It will therefore be iten that nearly £8000 will be required to execute tb's necessary work. Wanoanci Steeplechase.—" Spectator," the sporting correspondent of the Wanganui Herald, in his contribution to that journal of Wednesday last, " tips " Abolition as the winner of the above race, and also of the Maiden Steeplechase. Those who were present at tho Himatangi Races will remember that Abolition won the Hurdle Race on that occasion. The race will be run on the course at Wanganui tomorrow. For the convenience of those who attend the meeting by train, Mr Rotheram has detained the 4.15 train from Wanganui on that day till 6.30 p.m. The Wharf.— The resources of the wharfinger, Mr Batt, are likely to be con* siderably taxed during the next four months, — that is until the completion of the sew wharf. The contractor for the reclamation is now taking up that part of the old wharf which has sunk down, thus leaving one berth only available for working purposes. There are two vessels in port now, and two more are expected daily, all of which will load timber. Then with the steameri running regularly, the wharf

people are likely to have their hands full f some tirao. However, there iB the consolation th'tt the inconvenience will not lost for I>n-/, and when the wharf contract is fininhed, Fox on, for its hizj. will huvo ax p;oo 1 ucoommodaiioii an any po t in New

EAHi'HQtJAKE — A smart phuck of eart'iqtiaKe was felt in Foxton at au early hour on Wedueadiy moruiijr. The shook w*h of sufficient strength to waken most of the inhabitants. The direction appeared to bo from Bou*h to North.

Tub Hi o< ways UATfis.— OurPalmeraton contemporary denies the rtitnovlr that the FoXtnn, Carnarvon* and Saildmi districts are to be specially favoured With the Rate Collector's services at an early date this year. We will not dispute our contempo rary's denial, but we will watch with interest the development of affairs, and see whether in this caso Rumour is the lying dog he is generally rep'reßtirited.

Timher. —The schooners Orpheus nnd Edith Reid, which arrived in port on Wed nesday last, will load up with timber from the mill of Messrs Bartholomew Bros., for Chmtohmch. The Amaranth, which is expected, will be laden with timber from the mill of Messrs Freeman and Wylds.

WAiTAKt EtßCtf.io" if.— The Waitaki election lias resulted in the return of the celebrated George Jones, of the Oamaru Mail, who polled 775 votes ; Mr Reid, one of the Railway Commissioners, polled 666 votfS ; and Mr Roberts 105.

Immigkatiox into the United States. — In the year 1820 the population of the United States amounted to 9,600,783, of whom 7,839,552 were white and 1,761,231 black. At the census of 1870 the White population numbered 33,833,535. Of this increase it is calculated that more than half is due to immigration. Taking the natural rate of increase—viz., the excess of births over deaths — at the rate indicated by the annual mortality returns of the States — viz , at 13.8 per thousand annually — the nine million whites of 1820 would have increased by 1870 to 16,048,151, or less than half of the nctual white population of thot year. The diff rence between these two figures — viz., 17,735,3^4 — may be taken as the net result of immigration.

ExtrAoUdi* auy SC£n*e — At the Supreme CiUrfc sittings at Napier on Tuesday last, Boyd, alias "fintchin, was brought up on a charge of obstructing the railway traffic. He pleaded guilty, but when asked if he had anything to say for himself he launched into the most horrible profanity and filthy language, swearing at Judge Richmond, the gaoler and the police. I\ is Honor remarked that the man must be mad, when wi'h a string of oaths Uoyd declared that it wft« his Honor who was nwl, and not himself. He was sentenced to fifteen years penal servitude, his Honor remarking that he was either a dangerous lunatic or a criminal of the worst class. He added that he would represent the case to the Minister of Justice.

Convicted —J. R Davies, for perjury in connecdon with the sale of some shares iv the Sandon Flour Mill Company, was convicted at the District Court at Wanganui on Monday last, and received a sentence of nine months' imprisonment in Wanganui G-aol wi*h hard labor.

Education. — We extract the following paragraph from the report of the Canterbury Education Board : — The expenditure on the maintenance of schools— including all incidental expenses, but not departmental expenditure or the cost of inspection and drill instruction— was £40,274 4s 2d ; on salaries alono it was £34,417 14s Od. Under the head of salaries are included the bonuses paid to teachers according to the value of their certificates', and the al lowances for the instruction of pupii teachers and for teaching music. The average attendance for the year 1879 was 10,65^. The schools were thus maintained a*, a cost of £3 16.3 2^d per child, and the cost of instruufion only was at the rate of I*3 os lid. These figures show in each case an improvement on those of the year 1878, for which the rate of the cost of maintenance was nearly £3 19s 3d, and of instruction oniy, nearly £3 6s 3d. The number of teachers employed at the close of the December quarter was 3o 1 (230 adults aud 121 pupil teachers), besides 33 sewing mistresses; giving an average of 32.42 children to each teacher. A new scale, reprulat nsj tho number of teachers to be employed in each school, and their salaries in proportion to the average attendance, has been adopted, and is being 1 brought into forco throughout the district. It is modelled on the scale prepared in 1877, from which it differs chiefly in making special provision for mistresses of infant schools. and ia allowing a higher rate of salary to female teachers in sohools with an average of less than 70. The scheme of augmentation allowances hae also been revised so as to adapt it to tho present system of classification.

New Zealand Finances. — Although it ia not always pleasant to be taught lessons of self-reliance, the result is wholesome. And if the change of Ministries and parties in England should spur financial reformers in Now Zealand to set to work to bring order out of confusion, the colony would be the gainer. What we hear of New Zealand finances lately is very unfavourable. Thn deficit for the^ year must be considerably beyond the estimated deficit, and the receipts from land Bales and railways were placed much higher than it will be found they have realided. It is not surprising, in theae circumstances, that anxiety should prevail in Borne quartern regarding the financial future of New Zealand. There i« perfect confidence in the resources of the colony, which are ample to meet all dem>inds ; but the debt is heavy, and a hitch, such as a bad year's revenue or a large deficit ncy, might produce serious embarrassment. The best friends of New Zealand, then, are those who give her a word of warning in time, that the peril, if possible, may be avoided. The rapidity with which her future has been mortgaged, in order to meet the demands of the present, was sure to causo doubt and anxiety in the long run ; but it is merely a question of time for wise financial administration to put things right, if the task is taken in hand at once. — Home News.

Parliamentary Notes. — Tbo oorrespon. dent of the Wanganui Chronicle, telepraphiug from Wellington uuder date June 16, has the following : — '' The Civil Service Horomission report will recommend the immediate dismissal of Mr Oonvers, for being a member of a private firm, to whom he gave a large railway order, which should have been tendered for ; and thnt Mr Lawson's services should be dispensed with, on the ground of incoinpetency. The report shows that the number of peraona (adults) employed by Government and receiving public money, is 10.863, and of these, in round numbers, eight thousand depend entirely for the r subsisteuce on the Govern ment. The balance, such as postmasters, &c, who receive pay indirectly from Government, are recommended to be dismissed at the rate of one in ten, and those who depend entirely on Government to be dismissed nt the rate of one in ten. There is a desperate row on at present, on accouut of the report of the Commission being divulged. Mr Sheehan is politically lilled. If Mr Bryce's startling revelations last night as to how the Lands Purchase Department vu lyittmatically euobrtd wm

not enough, fresh aud damning evMenon U4B jjst br,f>n dJHiuterrod £ro:xi the mortuary vaults of the Native Office. Fut example, one instanoe } though I could fill a column easily! A Maori c'hiel dies, a doffiu and* burial n->ce«i'ate ten pounds from a paternal Gf- 'veinnient. Then a statuette in marble it carved, that it* £200 ; then, strange to «»y, 8 >me £4) in roqui.eJ iv about three months f >r m die .1 oomfurte for this felinelived chieftain, who, it appears, his consumed cod liver oil, autibilLus pill*, boruX, aud many other of the strange things, only to be found in a pharmacopoeia.

Spahkow Nuisance. — Tha Aahburton Guardian says that the furmers of Couftenay have decided to opet a orusadd against th« sparrows, and a Quantity olpdiedned crushed grain is to be laid out for the pests. At a meeting of the farmers of the same district they decided to support the Chrwtohureh Corn Exchange in its. protost against the use of sugar instead of; malted barley in the manufacture of beer.