WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6065, 26 April 1881, Page 6

WAIKATO DISTRICT NEWS.

[FROM -oraOffX CORRESPONDENTS.]

Hamilton-, Monday. A vacancy having occurred in the Hamilton Borough Couucil, in consequence of Mr. Mullions having neglected to take his seat for four consecutive monthly meetings, the returning officer has been authorised to take the necessary stops for securing the return of a councillor in Mr. Mullions' place.

The Hamilton Borough Council has decided to accept none of the tenders received for screwing up and painting the Hamilton Bridge, which were bused on the somewhat costly plans and specifications furnished by the Government, but have applied to the Government for fresh specifications, according to which fresh tenders will be again invited. The attention of the Hamilton Highway District Board needs to be called to the state of the bridge near Stokes's, which is in a really dangerous state ; indeed, too little attention has been given of late to the whole of the old road from Hamilton to Whatawhata. It must be understood that, though the new road is the direct line of communication between the two townships, there are a number of old settlers who have necessarily to use the old road. Now that the Government have provided the funds to complete the new road, the highway trustees should surely be in a position to keep the old one in repair from the general rates. Losses of cattle from the scarcity of water have been very common during the present season in all parts of Waikato. Carcases of cattle may be seen in the shallows even of the Waikato and Waipa rivers, where the unfortunate beasts have got bogged in attempting to slake their thirst, and on the margins of many of the Waikato lakes also. On Saturday Mr. G. Kelly, of East Hamilton, received a message that a valuable mare, worth some. £45, which had been running on Mr. Douglas' run at Tamahere, had been found dead the preceding morning in a large drain, attracted by the water.

Mr. Thos. MaeSarlane was. a passenger by the train to Auckland tin's morning. Mr. Macffarlane has been some days in Waikato, with the object of inquiring into the claims of landowners, whose landsi have been taken for railway pnrposes, and coming to a definite arrangement with them severally. In all cases,, it ie said, arrangements, mutually satisfactory have been come to, but these cannot be finally concluded until the proclamation taking the land, which forms the Government's title ■to it, is published. The descriptions of the lands taken are, I am informed, by this time on their way to Wellington, so that the .publication ill the Gazette may be shortly looked for. . • Piako, Monday.

The race for £20 a-side. between W. Hyde, of Hamilton, and Daley, of Auckland, came off on. Saturday, on the Piako racecourse. The distance was one mile, and the running madeby Hyde was very good. Daley never had a chance, for Hyde won easily. There were a, good niariy spectators, and some little money shaaged hands. '. ■ ,