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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4900, 31 July 1877, Page 4

Now more than a year ago a petition was presented, signed by the Mayor of the Thames and tun others, to the House of Representatives, urging on them the necessity of forming a railroad between the Waikato and Gr.ih.imstown, and pointing ont that though :i survey of the nished-for line h;ul been mr.do, on the order of tho Govornment, as far back as ."/ uno, 1873, by Mr. D. Simpson, no steps had been taken to carry out the proposals and recommendations contained in the report. AYithin the. last few months a survey hr.s been made by Mr. Stewart, under instructions from tho Government, but Ministers do not seem inclined to proceed with the construction of the line. .Now the necessity of such a lino of rail is apparent. The Thames community is at present almost entirely isolated, having no means, or rather no proper means, of access to the intorior, and consequently everything which would come from thence to Grahamstown has to make a tedious journey, n'« Auckland, of 150 miles, involving tho best part ol two days, instead of being able to journey tho 0-i miles which separate Hamilton from Gragrahamstown in something loss than five hours. That tho line is wanted, and greatly wanted, too, wo have never hoard denied. Apart from tho great advantages, both social and commercial, which would accrue to the inhabitants themselves from such a- lino being formed, it would serve more than anything else to open vip a largo tract of valuable land, and develop many important branches of industry which are either totally neglected or suffered to languish because those who follow them aro unable, excopt with great difficulty and conscquont oxponse, to tr-insport those articles which they produce, such an gum, timber, farm product;;, &c, to a proper market. The advantage of tho line when formed must bu apparent. In considering this it must be remembered that tho country, as will be seen from the survey report, through which tho proposed lino would pass, isi for the most parl. almost level, and in no part whatever do engineering dillicuiuos exist. Indeed, i ! ; has been calculated by those well versed in these matters, that such a lino ae is wanted might readily bo formod, except tho bridge required at Hamilton, at an oxponse not exceeding £'2,500 per mile. Allowing this to be, as we believe it is, a fair estimate, the 57 miles which separate Cambridge from tir.aharnstown, could be formed at a cost of .Cl-12,500, and if it be then said that in tho present .state of Government funds such a sum could not be made to bo forthcoming, then is an answer ready, in that, as we hear, Mr. Morrin, of Auckland, has written to tho Thames County Council, ( 0 c .f,ti.slruct the railway and laid tho money, provided that Government guarantee him i> por cent, on tho cost. This 0 per cent, on the sum above statod would amount to £8,550 a year, and even if that sum were not forthcoming from the profits of tho railway, which might bo tho case for a year or two, yet the balance tho Government would' have to make up would be us nothing coinpared with the bonelils such a line would confer not only on tho districts through which it passes, but the whole of tho North Island and indirectly on tho colony at large. It hi u mistake to auppose t'lal, because largo protits or dividends are not forthcoming from railways, therefore tho latter are

<i failure and tho money injudiciously Hpent. Putting on one siilo the immense .amount of convenience they afford to travellers, they rniao tho value of tho land for miles around thorn by cheapening tho necessaries of lifo, make tho ratepayers better able to pa}' for tho deficiencies of rovoimos —if any—which their construction causes. We see that on all sides members of Parliament arc endeavouring to got lines or branch lines formed in tho particular locality they roprcsont, and especially is this the caso in tho South Island, and yet in no placo that wo know of is a railway moro urgently needed than botwoeii tho Waikato and Thames, it certainly is to bo hoped that the oiler of .Air. Motrin, winch relievos Government from one of its principal dillioulties, namely, the finding of ready money, will be accepted, and that which has for years I»oo2i talked'about, be at last really taken in hand and sot about in earnest. If it were determined to construct the line only from Hamilton or Cambridgo to Ohinemuri, leaving tho rest of tho distance to river carriage, tho cost would be about half of tho abovu figures), and .such a lino would probably be found sulliciont for somo years. Last sossion, Sir George Grey moved in the matter, but had to withdraw, owing to the opposition of the Government. The lion, member for tho Thames now, in this matter, occupies a much stronger position, and tho Government may be at onco .silenced by pointing to tho recent report ■of ■thoirown-oilicersy.and to the undeniable facts of tho case.' Wo observe that Sir GZavgo' Grey -has intimated his intention of aaking the Government whether they intend to 'proceed with tho construction of tho lino, or if they mean to promote it. We hope they will answer that they do. At all cvont-s, Sir George Grey can now cite Mr. Morrin's ofl'er. Wo can hardly conceive that Mr. Whitikor, who ie himself largely interested in the Thames, and who has shown himself desirous of promoting tho welfare of the peoplo of that locality, will neglect this opportunity of having constructed ono of tho most useful railways in the Colony—a line which will realise, as none olse does, ono of tho great objects sought to 1)0 attainod by tho Public Works scheme —the opening up to settlement of a largo district of country.

We believe that arrangements have been completed botweeu the Borough Council and the New Zealand Insurance Company for again lighting the tower whore the town clock ia placed. The absence of gas at night, for years past, to enable persona at auy time after sniiact to«ec the hour o£ the night, lias been a want very generally felt, and we havu no doubt but the contemplated change will prove ft considerable) convenience, not only to travellers but the general public.

A case of some interest to hotel-keepers Was heard at the Police Court at I'apakura yustci-day, before Captain Jackson. Thomas Ilolywood, proprietor of the Globe Hotel, L'apakura, was charged with allowing a game of chance in the public-house which he occupied. The game ot chance consisted in the raflling of a lior.se. The defendant pleaded guilty to allowing the raflle to take place, and he was lined 40s and costs. The Court also administered a severe admonition, warning the defendant and others that, although a light penalty was inflicted on this occasion, future offences would not be dealt with the same leniency.

Mr. Aloxander Saunders, the agent for tho Richmond Hill Silver Mininj; Company, whose property is located in the district of Xelsou, received yesterday a splendid sample of the silver ore similar to what tho company ,iro operating upon. The Government assay gives tho yield at 5070z3. lOdivts. per ton — a somewhat extraordinary average, but which lias been confirmed by several other profes sional gentlemen. The sample is broken from a paddock of three tons, which quantity will be augmented in the course of a week or two, as the manager is now driving to cue the lode at a lower level. The sample is on view at Mr. Saundera's otlice.

At the Papakura Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, James Grant, of Ouehunga, was charged before Captain Jackson, li.M., with allowiug eighty of his cattle to wander on the Kailway lino at Pukekohe. Sub-lu-specior Partly appeared for the prosecution. Mr. Croabie, Inspector of the Railway line, ami Mr. Lyons, ganger of plate-layers, were examined. Both proved the presence of the cattle on the line, and the ownership. The defendant was not represented by counsel, but urged thai the fence was not a legal one. One side of the fence terminated iu his own land, and there was nothing to prevent hi? cattle going on the line. Mr. Pardy admitted that the fence could not be cousidored a legal one. and on this ground the magistrate concluded to dismiss the case.

Advantage is being taken of tho abundance ot the city water supply, especially in Queen street. During the last few days tradesmen have been engaged making conuectionn with the street mains aud laying pipes through the Insurance Company's offices and through several hotels and warehouses in the lower part of the street at Ijuth sides. Of course), the connections made up to the present are more with a view to being ready for emergencies than through any immediate want of water, but it is pro bable that when the rainy months terminate and tile dry season sets in, a much greater demand will exist for tho water than that which at present seems apparent. At thu same time, it is but fair to state that a general impression prevails that, notwithstanding the reduction iu tho tariff receutly agreed to by the Council, the charges for water for general purposes are still too high, and it is not unreasonably urged that a still greater reduction would tend to increase the consumption of water, and the funds accruiug from it would bo proportionately augmented.

'Che sharemarkot yesterday showed a little auimation, a firmer tone being imparted to it by news of an encouraging character being received from the Moanatniari mino. Business opened with sale? of the company's stock at .C 7 17s Gd, and prices gradually roso until sales yero effected at X"S 10s, when the market cased off, and at the close sellers were offering at £S f> - with no buyers above £7 17a 6d. Piakos have also participated in tho improvement, and business in this stock was done at 11s, closing firm with buyers at 10s 9d. A reaction also set in with regard to that all but forgotten stock, the Cure, shares in which for several days past have been gradually advancing, but yesterday they rose fully 21) per cent., business being transacted at 10s ; they wero, however, a shade easier at the hour of closing. Other stocks commanded attention, but the above are tho principal mineu that commanded the attention of speculators. The following is the telegram from tho Moanataiari Gold Mining Company:—"Slide in No. 1 wiin.o, SO-feot level is going down much steeper. Twelve pounds weight of specimens therefrom."

At the meeting of St. James's Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association yes terday evening, Mr. William Cooper read an interesting paper entitled, ".V I'loa for Jezebel." The subject ivai treated in an able manner, aud the opinions expressed were tomperato and apparently well considered. 'J , he essayist combated the belief of some that Jezobol was an abandoned aud depraved woman, and held that she had proved herself an affectionate and devoted wife. Her murder at tho command of the. viutorioiis Jehu, ho designated as foul aud lirntal. The opinion <il the Association inclined to Mr. Cooper's estimate of the unfortunate and idolatrous Queen of Israel. This matter having been disposed of, the members proceed' d to suggest subjects to be •submitted to tho Free Methodist Association for the competitive debate which has been decided on. \ ballot was then taken, and resulted in tho selection of the throe following ({iicutaon.s .—" Is tho Kopat-aion of the colony di'sirablu V •' Ij the politird career of Bismarck worthy of our admiration?" "Is an English occupation of Kgypt desirable t" Of eounio il. is perfectly competent for the Free Mothmlwt Association to roject these (subjects and suggest otlieiu.

Mr. Charles O'Ncill, C. E., and member of the Institute of Engineer;), Scotland, has been elected a member of the Wellington Philosophical Society.

A l)oy named Henry Norria attempted to commit suicide by throwing himself from tihe Grahamstown Wharf on Sunday evening. He wa3 rescued by a boatman na:r,ed Thomas Arnold.

The chief Wirimu Ifopihana, or William Hobson, died at his residence, Paeroa, Oliincmuri, a. few clays ago. Ho was much respected by his tribe and by t!ie natives geuerally, and had lately erected for his own occupation a handsome verandah cottage.

Tlio now organ for the Pitt-street Weslcyan Church, recently arrived from hondim by tho ship Yoaomit'.', was landed yesterday morning, and taken to Messrs. Stone Tiros warehouse. It will stand thero until the alterations in tho chapel necessary for its reception arc completed.

State of Her Majesty's Gaol, Auckland, for the -week ending the 28th July, 1877 : On remand, 1 male ; awaiting trial, 4 males ; sentenced to penal servitude, 40 males ; hard labour, 00 males, 40 females ; imprisonment, 2 males, 2 females ; default of bail, 5 males, 1 female ; received during the week, 7 males, 8 females; discharged during tho week, 10 males, 5 females; total in Gaol. 142 males, 43 females.

Mr. Inspoclor Thomson, commanding the Auckland Police Force, in at present on a tour of inspection in the Kaipara district, with a view of affording better police protection in some parts of tho district, including the Northern Wairoa portion. We would also suggest that a constable should lie sent to the Pulioi German settlement, as, owing to the increase of petty robberies and cattle slaughtering and stealing there, a representative of the law is much wanted .13 a resident.

To the Kditor :—Sir, —I havo read in your paper your romarks on scab in sheep, and the suggestion of your correspondent, viz., that the Government should put up public dips at the nale-yards. I havo also read the Auckland Sheep Act. 1 would recommend Ih.-ifc the Auckland Act bo repealed, and the Ulan" Act adopted in its place. Until this is done, or the present Act very much altered, I cannot ace any prospect of this district being free from disease. My inserting these few remarks, you will oblige an— Ex Soimiti'.N .Shkep Insi'ectok.

Return of sick treated at the Provincial District Hospital for the week ending Saturday, July 28, 1577 :—Remained last return, 81; admitted since, 16; discharged, 17; died, 3 ; remaining, 77 —males, GO ; femi-.les, 17. Arrangement of cases :—Zymotic. 11 ; constitutional, 12 ; local, 35 ; rlevelopmeotal, 0; violent, 10. Three deaths occurred durim,' tho week, viz.-.—Ut, W.W., male, aged 45 years, of dropsy, on July 25ih ; 2nd, J. N., male, aged 60 years, of serous apoplexy, on July 25th; 3rd, M.A.R., female, aged 2S years, of phthisis pulmonalis, on July 2(ith. —O!d linen very much needed.

Attention seems to havo been paid to our remarks regarding the want of cleanliness recently apparent in the public waterclos'jt erected at the corner of Queen and Grey streets. It has been cleaned, and a correspondent now wishes us to direct attention to the want of similar measure's being adopted regarding one at the lower end of Queenstreet. It is true that during this season the nuisance arising from these receptacles may not bo so bad as it will become in warmer weather, but the authorities should certainly see that these public conveniences are attended to frequently.

Further changes are taking place at the Provincial District Lunatic Asylum, as we learn that some of the attendants have already received uotico to quit the Institution after to day, and others during and at the end ot next mouth. Whilst alluding to these changes, we would impress upon the Central Government the absolute necessity there is for at once commencing the contemplated now wing to tho institution, so as to .".iFord something like proper classification of the unfortunate inmates, and leasen the present overcrowded state of all parts of the Asylum.

In thz Legislative Council, on July 24, Colonel Brett, iu speaking to tho Address in Ucply, said that he was surprised that no mention was made in his Excellency'* speech of tho war now occupying the attention of Kurope. He reminded members that when last year he had prophesied war he bad been sneered at : but they had found him a true prophet. He now defied England to keop out of the conflict, seeing that her Queen was Empress over 45,000,000 Mussulmans. The Hon. Dr. Pollen, while admitting that Colonel Brett had been a true prophet as to the war now raging, did not consider that England was likely to be drawn into the Russo-Turkish war.

The following is a list of visitors staying at tho Uot Springs Hotel, Waiwcra, July 29 : , Mr. and Mrs. Stannus Jones, Auckland ; Mrs. Kirkwood aud two children, Auckland ; Mrs. Suodgrass, Hokitika ; llr. Johnstone, Sydney ; Mr. Charles Andrews, Auckland; Mr. and Mrs. Cowan, Otago ; Mr. aud Miss Mary 'Wylde-Broun, Parnell ; James Frater, Auckland ; Miss Fratcr, Auckland ; Mr. Dornwell, Auckland ; Mrs. Gilbert, Auckland ; John J. AVinter, three children and servant, Victoria ; Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin and child, Canterbury ; R. Graham, Esq., Ellerslie; Mrs. Archer and servant, Timaru.

A match between Mr. W. F. Buckland's b and w bitch little Nell, aud a dog belonging to Mr. McLanghlin, for £5 aside, took place at Papafoitoi yesterday. The doge were slipped to a fast hare, but during part of the course Little Nell was unfortunately unsighted, aud Mr. McLaughlin's dog had a single-handed course, which terminated in his favour. After some further courses between other dogs present, a return match was arranged between tho same two dogs, which resulted ugaiu in favour of Mr. Mef.iughlin, after an exceedingly good course. We hear that a very enjoyable day was spent, hares lieiug abundant, and tho courses good. Mr. \V. Pay no acted as judge.

A fatal accident is reported from Uikutaia, Uiver Thnmc.j. It appears that three young men working at BajjuiJl's bush, near Hikutaia, were romming in their diot;y from the latter place to their hut on tho river bank on •Suuday nfti'rnoon, after partaking of somo refreshment at llikutaia, when one of their number named John Maeky foolishly attempted, in a playful manner, to capsi::o the hoat, aud, although remonstrated wi;h by hia companions, he succeeded in doing so. He was a. good swimmer, aud his mates paid little attention to him beyond eiidc.ivoiiriii!; to dissuade him from persisting in his foolisii conduct. Tho tide was ebb at the time, aud the accident occurred only about 15 yarda from the river bauk, aud not far from the hut where th= bnshmen live. Whilst tho two were getting the boat ashore aud righting her, Maeky swam out, ss he said, to secure the paddle?. His mates called to him to return, but lie took no notice, and immediately afterwards he dis appeared. The two men, Thomas McQuillan tind D. Lynch, were very diligent in their efforts to recovi-r the body, but they were unsuccessful up 1,, ' :lto '" t ' lo afternoon, when they eiimu on to town to report the sad occuiToncfi to tho police. Doee.ised was a lino young man, and n general favourite with his fellow-workmen hi the bush.

Lieutenant f-tacpok-, 17th Foot, and tudiugmaster Kant, 3rd ihlßSars, too smart ymuiifotHcors, who have been promoted to commissions from the r.uiks sine.; the abolition of purchase, have, after a service of only a few months iu India, passed the ex animation in lliudostauce according to the higher standard of protieiency, the majority oi'oiliccr.i being only too happy to pass the lower standard. Lieutenant Shields, noiv laterproler to tho '2nd Battalion I2ih Foul-, was promoted from qiKuicniiastiT-.-ciVLant iu lnilia, passed examinations in lliudostauce, iu Oordgo according to tho higher sti-.iidard, .-.ltd tho Covernnieut examination in Persian with great trial. An excellent argument ihib agaiutjt. promotion i'roui tho ranks !

A boy was lately picked up in tho streets of Melbourne, prostrate from tho effects of chewing tobacco, and is now in the hospital, not expected to recover.

In thi Supremo Court, Wellington, on the 22nd inai., his Honor Mr. Justice Richmond drew attention to the fact that, a caso which had been reported in the JurUl, and relied on as an authority, had been altogether misreportud in that publication, and he had made up his mind to place no reliance on it in future as an authority on legal matters. He considered it altogether absurd to depend upon the reports, unless supplied by a barrister or pome other duly authorised capable person.— Pout.

The Wellington Po.U says : Mr. Deverill, the Government photographer, has just completed a maguificout set of photographic views of New Zealand scenery for the General Assembly library. They are most masterly specimens of the photographic art, and infinitely surpass any phot.igraphs of scenes in New Zraland übi'j'u ever yet liave come under our notice. The places so ably illustrated by Mr. Deverill comprise almost every part of the colony, and include a host of exquisite l-.iko scones, and some admirable

views of the I'ink and White Terrace at Itotomahana, and .some of thog'.ysers in that neighbourhood. They are of unusual siz?, measuring 15 inches by 12, and it may be imagined what a formidable undertaking it was for Mr. Deveiill to carry about his apparatus ami glass plates of such a size over the difficult and sometime.! almost inaccessible country in which some of his happiest efforts hare hern made.

Tho Auckland Gas Company invite tenders for tho purchase of 500 shares.'

Notices of npplicatiun for letters patent for certain articles appear elsewhere.

The New Plymouth Harbour Board advertise for the KcrvicoH of a iluly .(.laHfied marine engineer.

Crrlitors in tiie estate of J. K. Banks, GraImmstown, are requested to prove their debts before the (Jtli jnox., when a first and final dividend will lio paid.

The Mount Eden Highway District annual meeting will be held this evening, at the .S-jh.-01-hou.ie, corner of Valley Koad, at halfpast seven.

The amalgamated Society of Cirpcntcrs and Joinurs will celebrate their second anniversary on Thursday next by holding a soiree and ball in the Lorne-street Hall ill the evening.

The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Court for the districts of Takiipunn, Wnitakeroi, City of Auckland Kist. Went. and North, Newton, :iii.l l'arnell, will 1,0 hold *t the Courthouse, High-street, on Tuesday, the 4th September.