WAIKOTO DISTRICT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7364, 26 June 1885, Page 6

WAIKOTO DISTRICT NEWS.

[VBOM OCT! OWH OOHSMPO fDiSTa.] " ■ EAMiiffON, Thursday. Thi willingness of the Government toco, operate with the people ol Wnikato. in the ° b j e ° fe or establishing a collegiate school or High School proper in Waikato, haa eivea the liveliest satisfaction. The peacbgrove reserve of 139 acres, contiguous to Hamilton, which ia to be vested in the Borough Corporation, is one of the best pieces of soil in the country. At the meeting jesterday, Mr. W. ' A. Graham stated that many at a distance bad already expressed their intention of sending their sons to the High School when established. Amongst these was the Hon. Mr. Hill, of Fiji, a gentleman with £12,000 Sryear, who would probably himself settle in this part of the country. Mr. O'Sallivan, the Inspector of Schools, had also told Mr. Stoat that he would remove his sou from Dunedin and place him at the Waik&ta school. Another new settler in the Waikato (Mr. Glastford) had been about to send his sons to Australia, but hearing that a High School; in Waikato was certain to be established, bad sent theta temporarily to Auckland instead. It is the intention of the promoters of the movir menfc here who met yesterday to pu«h the matter on as quickly as possible, and get the necessary buildings for a start erected during the coming summer, As the Herald pointed out in a sub-leader on Monday: " The' existence of such a school means keeping settlers there (in Waikato), who are sufficiently wealthy and independent to either remain or go further afield. If their children can be educated there, they will remain; if not, they will go elsewhere. Latterly many intending settlers have travelled through this promising country, but the education difficulty stares them in the face and some only remain, where, if facilities were offered, many would settle !"

The masonic ball last night was a grand success, fully fifty couples being present; Cambridge, Alexandra, Te Awamutu, Nga' ruawahia, and other parts of the district were duly represented.

Cambridge, Thursday.

The establishment of some means to cops with fire should it break oat in Cambridge is being earnestly taken up by the public. The committee appointed to report on the matter have recommended the purchase of one of Merry weather's "Little, Volunteer "• fire engines, which, with extras, would cost about £500. There are, however, no funds, the only source of means for a water supply and engine being the possibility of raising a loan of some £3500. This a large majority of the ratepayers are willing to do, but but could not legally carry out the present Act requiring a majority of ratepayers on tha list, not a three-fourths majority of those voting. So confident, however, are our leading men that the Act will be amended in this respect and that the loan will be sanctioned by the people of Cambridge, that Messrs. Wells and Souter have offered to provide the engine, Sr.o., and to take their chance of payment from the proposed loan. Meantime till the loan is raised and water can be led into the town, there would be a temporary supply of water from a number of private brick tacks of some 28,000 gallons. The matter will be brought forward in a few di»ys for a final decision by the Town Board and Fire Brigade Committee. The fire question has become one of life and death to a large part of the town, over which the Insurance Companies refuse to take risks and renew policies.

Whatawhata, Thursday. Tobacco-growing is proving itself to be * speciality to which Waikato farmers may well turn their attention, soil and climate being exceedingly favourable for the growth of this plant, and a ready market being obtainable in Auckland, Ho better land than the Waipa alluvial fiats could be found for tobacco; and wherever settlers in any part of the Waikato and Piako districts have grown small plots, the yield has been very targe, and the quality good. Mr, Bree, ox To Mata, baa just harvested 7001bs, of sale able leaf from half -an- acre of ground, wbiob at the price offered to him for it by th( Auckland Tobacco Company—3d pgr lb.— will give the handsome return of some £if per acre. .

[BY telegraph. OWN COBBBSPONDENT. ] Ngabuawahia, Thursday evening. A woman named Connolly was locked up for drunkenness on Tuesday, and liberated the same day. She has since mode charges against ■> the looal constable, Hammond, of having kicked and otherwise ill-used her when taking her into custody. At the request of Mr. R&thbone, J. P., Dr. Beale went down to-day and examined the woman's body, andl has reported that there are no marks what* ever or bruises upon her. Sergeant MoGovem was here to-day investigating the matter, and is quite satisfied that the charge ia groundless. The old lady was carefully and tenderly conveyed in a cart to the lock-up.