The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1882.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3961, 8 February 1882, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1882.

# It is very difficult to judge the quality of concrete in situ unless the inspector has tested the cement used, and carefully watched the mixing so that a due proportion of cement of good quality hs£ been properly incorporated with the stone, gravel, and sand which constitutes the concrete block. Externally the work may look all right, but internally it may be but a mass of rubbish, and it would scarcely be the correct thing to break up a finished article, which looked good, to see if it is all right inside. This is one of the risks in having concrete work done by contract —it is very risky. It may be all right under an honest contractor, but it will probably be all wrong under a tricky one unless well watched, especially if the contract price is low ; and even then it may happen that discoveries of bad work may be made when all is passed, and the contractor removed. The Education Board seems to have had such an experience in the High School building. Some of the concrete has proved to be not Al. The concrete steps in the main entrance show signs of inferior material. Other parts have had to be reconstructed, and a path, we hear, has returned to the original gravel and sand of which it was formed. These proved failures throw doubt on the whole of the concrete work, which is decidedly unpleasant to think of. As the High School is considerably above high-water mark, the failure is not of so deplorable a character as it would be in the case of a sea-wall; or, worse still, a breakwater. It would be decidedly unpleasant in the case of a contractor making the breakwater, and getting the money, to find it gradually melting away ; and, finally, absorbed by the waves. It is surely better even to pay more for good work than that cheap rubbish which contains the quantity, but is deficient in the quality which distinguishes sound work. I We have heard of a rather strange idea which the great Wiremu Kingi had just prior to his death. It appears the old chief had 100 sovereigns in his whare, 50 of which ho distributed among his relations, and he kept the other 50 for the purpose of carrying him on his journey into the Land of Shades. After his death search was made for the money, but it could not be found. It is supposed the old chief buried the sovereigns, and, no doubt, some j day a native will " drop " upon Wircmu's " plant," and celebrate the event by a jolly apree. The Mokau chiefs have written to the Government protesting against being held subservient to Tawhiao in respect to their lands. They point out that Tawhaio does not own any lands in Maniapoto country ; that the Maniapotos openly renounced the King at the Hikurangi meeting in April last, and liewi supported their action, and gave them a letter handing over all control o£ Mokau to themselves. They offer to show Rewi's letter to the Government, and they state that they are continuing to work friendly with Hewi. They are very discontented at tho action of the Government. , . ,