The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Issue 171, 30 August 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1879.

REPORT ON THE PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT A BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER OPIHI FOR THE MAIN ROAD CROSSING BETWEEN TEMUKA AND TiMAIIU.

Tns changes that are taking'place in men’s minds regarding the Government of the country arc very remarkable, and the Libera! views of the candidates for Ministerial or Legislative honors, as shadowed forth'in ihcir speeches, are a striking contrast to the views propounded by thorn some eight or ton years ago. Particu-’ larlv is this the cose in rcgn-I to thvf administration of the lands of the Grown. There t-« ample evidence in the records of the various Provincial Councils then in (■•'.dsccnce,' to show that there was a very large amount of das - ?, legislation, Ow'mrs ov occupiers were not only largely represented in these Assemblies, hut the influence they were able to bring to boat upon outsiders was enormous. Merchants, auctioneers, and sand brokers, who were the. repras’-nt>.tivos of the larger towns, could ho seem time after time coolly walking out of Iho hiouso when anything affecting the interests of tho body referred to came before them. They could not vote against this-class who were then their chief customers, ami they flid not earn to see their voles recorded against tho wishes of their constituents in favor of runholdo.es. Oonregueutty, uU hough tho nmholdorn were no;: in n. majority, they were virtually tho Council. Tho resnit is well-known Tin shamefully abused privilege of choosing a block for a homestead was, and is, clearly dom/milratcd by the enormous amount of and vc. tamed under tho Proompj Live nights Act. Any one who won’d 1 oysn hi -a n.Mnbl. hi fnv« r of mllding people ! noon the land under too deferred payment j system then would have boon immediaMy 1 put dmvn. Even Mr. Kollesfcon, the ! then Bm,v:*intemlo:it of th« Province, was I ever rca-iv b> throw eld water upon any | scheme of Ibis sort. The people are, * therefore, not wrong in accusing hnn of ! ch.ntrno, when I;o tells thorn that Sir Geo, | Grey has tho newer to settle people ou j defoxTc*! nnymoata, if he chooses. Vv r e ]ino 1 i.-sil iii- >fj i:> say: eg ‘'r IloifeAou ’ 1..- • ; shown his leanings to tho class who jiv>'v so frO'-'iy tidi.od •■ilmes as being !o blame for log.-su,; up the lau-i. uia:»

lias done morn kc-m back imlLlemcnt m .• Caidcrlniry than Air. Roilcston, ami it won't c 1... mnv to torn round and ray fcur ClroGivy docs m-t bo it when lie lias vh-i i.-ho no:;. " In M■. K.,;. , o.s£on's day the re wi re hior I 7 r'l ; of < <i■ jc:; 1 nim of acres or 'excellent laud, avliieh might have boon sol tied on, as in Otago, by hundreds of mdnsf-rious families, if this gentleman hau f-avoro 1 luo rnon: is-i!, nut lao'xc.m lio looked on and lot the manhood of Uio province srjk homos else vOicc, and aM because lie con'd, or would, not disturb hia squalling frien Is. What has lie left to taunt Sir George about ? Merely the hill tops. No one knows hotter iliat it is a difficult matter to deal with hilly country, and no one wishes more to perpetuate the tenure of the rnnlioldcrs. It is simply, therefore, claptrap to say he is in favor of settling the land on deferred payments. Why does he do so 1 Because lie sees the people are now enraged at the way I hey 'nave been duped, and are now seeing tho advantages of this system. When, some forty years ago, the agitation for the People’s Charter in Great Britain’ happened, many good men were banished from their cnunlry, under the pita of treason. Now, every point of that charter except one has become tho la,w of the land. So It is with regard to New Zealand. Extension of the franchise, vote by ballot, Triennial Parliaments, no-pvoperty qualification, arc the leading features of Sir George’s policy. Not only so, but the cry for land oa defe 'red payments is now tho cry all over the country. Any one who has visited '.he political meetings held in Christchurch during last week could not help remarking the almost universal cry for land on this system. Hence the wheel-about tactics of the Opposition. Even Mr Ilolle ion and Mr Stevens dare not resist this demand. But the land that is now open for settlement on deferred paym-mts docs not suit the man that lias un capital. What could a man with a- largo family do perched upon the hill-top, away from all markets for produce of any sort ? Moreover, tho snow- stormy that have visited this province during' the last winter show plainly that .comfort is not to ho had in the back cnunfyy. Know 1 the Conservatives in G.mtdf'bnry know full well that their game is nearly 'played out; they know full well that it will not affect thoiv land-owning friends in tide least, unless the Government sell the runs in small blocks. Tills they arc now not opposed ‘o, because they are aware no poor man can afford lo take up land in these localities on deferred payments, consequently their friends will go in and buy lots of three blocks at a trifle, and work them from tuo home farm on the pi'e-empiive right system. A few years ago. if the runs had been put up to auction in ten to fifteen thousand acre blocks, many well-off farmers would have bought them on defer •.•ad payments at a fair valuation, and settled part ox their stock upon them. This was not to ha had. The consequence was that they had to go into the market and liny land at £5 or £lO an acre, and often much more, on which to place their surplus stock, and had to borrow money from capitalists to do this ; hence and-.sorrow- that lias overtaken them. Sir George Grey, however well he means, is not able- to* benefit the working men in BOantsrbury in this way just now. They «U,ve no money and no' work. Small m-rnorsare also bird pushed, and are not ii]|k to make purchases. Pity it is that ImPfpeople did not take up this subject ago as heartily as they do now ; but "it cannot be helped. The next best 4 provision, that I 'no Government can make for the working men is to set apart blocks of land along the' projected railways, and, sell it to those employed on or about tho linos at a moderate rate on long terras oi payment. Something must be done to keep our strong- ansi active working .classes from going away to other countries wh -.S'" land is yet to bo got cheap. Many havc*£ already left—the statistics show this in a .startling manner —yet not to the extent that it will do unless something is done to fix them to the soil. The liberalism of the Conservatives is a sham and a mockery simply put forth to throw dust in the eyes of the electors. We have only to study their past carreer to see this, and they '"know it; bid they soe the Government policy is in favor, and being a very accommodating class—which principle or conscience does not seem to ailed—it costs them hot a thought to say. <{ Well, “gonilcmen, we see yon want it, and we are not going to lose our scats for that. Wc will promise you all j r ou want, triennial Parliaments. Mr Rolleston says lie does not ■ like it, bub wc will vote for this measme if you wish it.” Noble sentiments these for our statesmen, who profess to bo independent, to utter. One thing is clear : the land rings are being broken up; the people will no longer submit to have the lamia locked up, nor will the- 7 ' submit to have tho lands of tho Crown let at a few pence per acre. Tliore it,i iie don*it that our runholdors ar« deeply in debt, but this is not to ha wondered at What -Jo they do to keep out of debt ? Har-1 w ork or i'nxlus!ry in 1 athem unknown. If our hard-working farmers mad 000 i-'inne chance, how great would ho, Inc difference ? if the blocks referred e> wore put into the hando-of this class-of working men at a few pence an acre, woo win nay (hat they would, not manage to live comfort ably upon it ?■ Tho change flint seams to have come over our Conservative or obstructive class is not real, but mcrciy assumed for a purpose. It is to be uoped the elector's will be able to see thrungu it, and imitate tor reform in tuo -adim nun ration of our land laws.

Mr TruxrtiJLT..— Mr B. Turnbull addressed i];o doctors of Trmam on J.hui'sciay evening last. The licill was densely crowded, and Ills "Worship the Major occupied the chair. In answer to questions put to him bv various electors, lie said lie would not give any opinion as to tho advisability or tp ring all tho (lorovnincni money into the banns of or 10 hank until after tho report of a committee oppointod hr- tho House to report upon tho same. He did not think Sir Geo. ! 1 rey would lie elected Premier supposing the Liberals form n majority in the House next session. Lie was not in favor of an incemo tan. He would vole for a redistributt.m of' I seals, on the basis M popxiliition, as far as practicable, lie would vote against insular separation. T'/iuit was generally called tho "Wu.ilcn.l-0-Tllames .Job is no job at al j everythin" having boon sdraipf' tforwwd in the matter, and tho lino opening no about a Tidliion acres of splendid, land, lie w;;s in favor of ;im aniendmcnt of.(ho licensing laws, i Mr Eruee pvoj). wd, ami Mr Moss d roas ! »"conde-l, a vole of thanks for bis address rood of oonlifl.-ricc in him in tho fui ore, i which was carried. una-uimously amidst groat cheering.

Tootcu o.—Tim last of (ho i.if ciprovincial foof ball matches took place in Christchurch on Thursday, Canterbury v. "Wellington. The game was a vc"v well contested one. 1) m ing the IGst and.sccmul spoils neither ride bad gamed any adranhige, but dm mg the tAM spell- Bobiusoa slipped whhe touching the hah down in self-defence, and O-alb'wth, who followed up well, seem ed a touch-down, the try resulting in. a goal, well kicked by BagW. During tho last spell Andersen got a touch-down for Canterbury. The try was entrusted to Milton, but the ball having touched one of the Wellington forwards, no goal was the'result. ' ' Toe Weather, —If the beautiful spring weather which ws have bad this week holds good for a while longer, we will soon be able to notice a marked improvement in tho pastimes of the country. At present feed is ve”v scarce, and store stock very low in price in consequence. Aquatic. —The great acquatio contest between Thicket ami Layeock for the champirnship of the world was. to take place on the Paramatta river, Sydney, Yesterday, but up to the time of our going to press "' vo hare nob heard-the result. Tackett was tho favorite at 7 to 4. Hanlon has made a match with Trickctt- to row for £2OOO and the championship of tho world, to take place very shortly. Auction Sat.e.— Mr Williamson sold the lease of the farm ca'lod Temoana, lately occupied by Mr IT. D. Macphorson, on Wednesday last, Mr John Paterson being the purchaser. The B lections, —Wo notice among the gentlemen nominated for Dunedin on Thursday the name of Mr. Thomas Bracken. Wo are glad to sec this gentleman come to the front in politico at last. Wo arc all familiar with him as a writer and poet, and as he is an excellent speaker, a Liberal in politics, and a great favorite with the Dunedin public, he will, wc arc sure, get a largo number of votes.

A Laughable Fracas — Some amusement was caused on Thursday morning last, by two gentlemen indulging in the noble art of self-defence, the result being ludicrous. The field of action was a hotel wellknown in Temukri, -which is frequented mostly by the sous of' the Emerald Isle. It appears from information we have gleaned on the subject that some person, while in a faeolinaa hmnor, wrote out a ■skit on the head-writer and boots, and then placed it in a prominent position in the dining-room. The article averred that the waiter would lecture on different subjects, but tho subject which was supposed to be his esbedal hobby shall be nameless. Of com’aa'tbe “lecturer” was not aware of the fact that lie was to discuss things “spiritual and worldly” till he was apprised of the fact by a, messenger from the Chairman (who had been, appointed, as Chairmen usually are, before the meeting takes place). The “ lamb ” appeared when sent for, .and, happening to cast his eyes towards the mantol-pioce, discovered the paper, acccording to which he was elevated far above the “ highest iUghb of his imagination.” After reading the. paper, there ensued such a ssase as it has never been our luck to witness before or since. We think it only right to draw a veil over what occurred to one of tha u professors.” But ho will not easily efface the scene from his memory, nor the result of it from his face either for a few days, oYur.y Tiiutitfox. —Tho Ohrislchnroh ‘Press’ had a local in its issue, of Wednesday headed “ Appropriating a compliment.” The local notified that Sir Goo. Grey bad appropriated tho coniniimcul which was meant for the footballers. The ‘ Press’, has simple found a “marc’s nswi.” Sir George Grey never hit his seat after entering tho carriage, which he . tool: before any (leunonet,ration in favor of the footballers had beau marie. The Christchurch 1 Press ’ is notorious for tho number of “ «vst»” it manages to find, always having some complaint against Sir George, who is undoubtedly the best friend the colony has. Perhaps the myths arc drawn from the fertile inr.-gination of |WivVf. .= ut.M. Court. —At the above Court on Wednesday, before f McGinn ess, Esq., R.M., 1L Mcßae was charged with creating a disturbance iu tho Crown Hotel. He pleaded not guilty. _ The evidence, however, proved otherwise, and he was relieved of ss. and the costs of the case. Tho name pugilistic individual was charged with assaulting John Napier the 20th inst. The defendant was in the sum of 5a and coats. , >*,

case—Franks v.“ Temnka Road Board—came up for argument at tho Supreme Court, Christchurch, on Tuesday last. The case was decided i.n favor of the plaintiff. Sir. William Fox. —The Timarn Herald on Thursday published $ “true” report of Sir William Fox’s mooting at Wanganui Us authority being the Wanganui Chronicle The marked difference between the report published on Thursday and the one in the Herald a few days previously is accounted for by tho “ unbiassed ” party feeling of the Wanganui Chronicle. Lucky I—Tiio Ashburton Borough Council adverl ised for a Inspector of ATuisapcon for the town of Ashburton. Tho salary wa« placed at the munificent sum of Ifso a-year. There were no less than 18 applications, Certainly times must be bad in whht tho papers are pleased to call “ the richest town in' the Cobmy.” Tim recipient of such a nufgnificeiit salary is to be congratulated. :

Quits Right.—Mr McCulloch, licsi-cb-mt Magistrate of Invercargill, ruled on Wo tin ns’lay last that No. 10 of the Kailway Byo-hws was had, owing to its utter unreasonableness. The bye-law in question provides mat a passenger entering a train "without a ticket b! all pay full fare from the station from which tho train originally started. Political Nsws. — Mr. Ball an co nas addressed four meetings at Wanganui, Waverloy, Waitotnra, and Maxwell A vote of confidence was carried jat_ each phicoby •*- large majority. Sir William Box lias ivlc.vosscd three, meetings in tho Wanganui electorate. At Wanganui, the r.o-conndsnco amendment was carried by 250 to 40. At Wavorley, a vote of oonfiilcnco was carried, in consequence of the Chairman refusing- to permit an araendmsph; - At Waitoiara, a motion of .conlldeifcb was declare! lost ’ey one votm Mr 'Fox Secured n vote' ox thanks at Patea on Tuesckv,

Tile utmost alarm prevails at the p-Sfhspoct of a bad harvest in Franco. The harvest in Southern France is nearly completed. The quantity is good, but the iialibv is bad. The dual decision of the German Government on the religions questions at issue with the Vatican has been communicated to tho la! icv. All exiled clergy who ask ] >ormis.si<'ii will be alloncd to Geimany. Mmiv mwa will be tacitly suspended, as ;y.. led the clergy obey the common law.

Native ilax I *o committee of Native chiefs have (tv., „.n tip their manifesto in reject to thu confiscated lands. They have decided to test the following questions by law ; —(1) Whether the Acts of the- General Assembly authorising the confiscation of Maori finds are valid Acts or nut; (2) whether those Acts, if valid, authorised the G over anient to confiscate any of the Maori lands by reason of wars, which appeared rHer the 3rd day of December, 1833 ; (3) whether these Acts, if valid. authorise the Government to retain any of the lands within proclaimed districts, which had not been specifically set apart ns sites for settlement before the 3rd day of September, 1863 ; (4) whether the proceedings of the Government under those Acts have been regular and proper, so as to bind the Native owners of the lands taken ; (5) whether, if those Acts be valid, proper compensation has been made to those who hud not been engaged or concerned in the wars. These will not be the only questions to be brought before the Supreme Court, the queries being raised in the interests of the Maori people. In case the decisions should go contrary to their wishes, the Natives intend to appeal to the Great Court of the Queen of England, by which the case will be fully heard and decided. The manifesto concludes by calling upon their countrymen not to to force or to deeds of violence to bring their claims more prominently before the Government. Bout. —One of our medicos bad a stiff time of it yesterday. A young and powerful horse wllicit the doctor is in the habit of riding, took it into his head, when put into harness, to make a bit of a display. His apccaranco corning down the main street at full gallop, with a well-known storekeeper doing duty as picket, brought alarm to many onlookers, who every minute expected to |ee tho doctor come to grief. Ev generalship, however, the runaway was made to turn the corner without accident, and landed the occupant in IN icholas’a stables, to tho great relief of the assembled crowd.

Timaru, August 1, 1879., To the Chairmen of the Tomuka and Levels Road Boards.

Gentlu;mbu, — I have tho honor to inform you that, in compliance with the instructions given me by you, I have made a careful detail survey of that portion of the river-bed of the river Opiiii which 5a adjacent to tho main road crossing between Timaru and Temnka for the purpo.-e of determining where it would be most desirable to erect a bridge for the main road traffic, and now bog to submit the following report, together with the accompanying plan. On reference to tho plan I think you will readily sec that from the nature of, tho'-river-bsd and the means of approaching it in tho locality u nder coa side rat ion, tho question of selection is limited- to tho adoption m one of two sites, vizi, one at or near the present crossing of tho mad, to form a connection with Ihe present bridge, and shown stinted red o the plan',’ and the other about 50 chains higher up tho river, shown by a red line from A 1o B. -

Of the latter (whif.li, fox' the sake of distinction, I will call the “higher site") the present condition of the river-bed for Poni.c distance on either side of it, and tho probable iwi'king of tho stream 3 an far a<? it ia possible to judge now, undoubtedly indicate it best for bridging purposes, but its being adopted for ilm princina! crossing would entail the serious disadvantage of increasing the distance between Tiuiaru and Teundca by lj; miles, besides tho other nbjeetionnl consequences by such a diversion ot traffic.

The cost of tho necessary works for this site may be summarised as follows, viz.:

Mam bridge, 1320 feet long ; 3 sma ll bridges on the Aat, 80ft,; length of now road, 1 mile 13 chains ; willow plantation, 2 acres ; laud to be purchased., Uacves total ... - £ot>so

At tho other site, besides the works required being much less costly, rm diversion of traffic or now road (except tor the south approach) would be required, and the present bndgo, which spans the north side of the river, would continue to be utilised Tho cost «nf tho necessary protective works on Iho south side would bo a very heavy item, but whether a bridge is erected or not ■a. large expenditure will have to be jnciirtfAd very soon in stepping the rapid encroachment of the river now taking place here ; and in naming tins 1 think' it my duly to impress the Boards with the very -serious import attached to it. and to advise that immediate stops bo taken to have snch works carried out with tho least possible delay, for if strong measured arc not taken to prevent it luo river wHr undoubtedly at any distant date overflow who»*e the river until recently stood, and not only do immediate irreparable damage to a vast tract of laud and tho railway, but in ail probability, from ilis gi-nentl lie of iho country, make a, new and permanent course tor itsolt far inland. l‘ should particularly point out that as tho fall or tho ground 0:1 tho south side is from . tho ■ river, every further encroachment made by it therefore leaves a still lower branch. As showing too rapid inroad which it is making southerly at. 1 this place, I may the encroachment within the last six years is between three and four chains in wioth and that the quantity taken away by the last flood in Juno averages more than 30 feet wide.

To prevent tho present bridge Doing rendered useless -in Hood tunes, as n:o; l-.eeu so often the case, I recommend that tho norih end of it bo extended -10 foal, and that the present protective works be supplemented by fascines, raising of the embankment and ox tending it westerly, and by willow planting. Of the structural works, I advise that the spams of the now bridge should not bo less than •40 feet each, experience having amply proved it to bo very inadvisable to put narrow waterways to our rivers, tho superstructure to bo .an uppertrussed girder principle, giving a traffic way 18 feet wide. Of tho sheet piling for protecting the embankment at the south «ide, a part should only bo driven, the remainder serving to fasten down securely bundles of manuka scrub, which would effectually prevent the scouring away at the base of tho sheetings. This sheeting should extend from D to E.

Particular attention v.'ill require to' be gi ven to the construction oMhe groin at 0, ami tlic opening of new channels also, as shown by rcdvbnes, 'will be very necessary, so as to permit as much as possible of a direct flow under the bridge.

The cost of the works I have indicates! for this site ! estimate as follows, viz. : Nov/ bridge, OGOft long, and addition of 40ft to present bridge - £6,510 Protective works, including groin willow-planting, etc - - 2,410 Total - £8,920 Of the probable stability of the works recommended, I feel confident that the result will be satisfactory, so far as it is possible to judge at present. I have little doubt that tiie connection between the two bridges woipld bo rendered secure by an extension or ftllc willow plantation on each side of it.

It has been but slightly affected by the recent very heavy flood.” It must,'however, bo borne in mind that sue -css iu river engineering, especially of mountain torrents, depends -to a very great extent ou constant attention, and taking of preventive measures In time.

I need hardly point out that advantage should be taken of the properseason for the planting of willows, ns although they will not grow at any time of the year, they have but a slight hold ing if put in late in the season. It will bo observed that the aligmeut of the new bridge does not exceed that of the present bridge. I have deemed it advisable to design it thus, in order that, when a new bridge shall be found necessary on the north side, an unbroken straight line may be, obtained over the river-bed.

For showing the necessity of tiro erection of: a bridge on tins line of road, I have caused an account to be kept of the traffic over this crossing in 14 clays, from the Gl.h of June last, during which period fclwre was nothing exceptional hiking place in the neighborhood. • Tho&retunis give the following averages : —Drkys, buggies, etc : Avon number per clay, 41; highest in u d-.v, 55 ; lowest in a clay, 25. Saddle her-, k : Average, 22 ; highest, 39 ; lowest, 10. Aggregate totals ; Average, 82 ; highest, 121 ; lowest 47.

Besides the above traffic, it is considered that pi; aymge of 4,000 to 0,000 sheep cross weekly throughout the year. It will be clearly apparent hy the plan that, apart from the, consideration in the way of assistance which the Boards are entitled to from beyond 'their respective districts, the proposed works'being upon the main north and south line of road of the Middle Island, they have just grounds for asking the Government for a substantial subsidy on account of the protection which such works arc calculated to give the- railway. I have to apologise for the somewhat lengthy delay which has occurred in sending in this report. It has, however, given mo the advantage of observing the effects of the exceptional heavy flood of June 29, and thus permitted me to to speak with greater definiteness on the proposals submitted, I have, etc., T.IIOS, itOBSKTS, C.S,