The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1891.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9206, 7 October 1891, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1891.

Thi Auckland members met with a rather warm reception from the public on their arrival home. They have been condemned for their action with regard to the Fayment of Members Bill, tbe Shop Closing Bill, and other measures the labour party caused to be introduced ; but for not exerting themselves to get the railway connected at Stratford is looked upon by the electors as little short of criminal neglect. One of the papers went bo far as to say that "the Auckland members mast simply have f oi gotten all about it, or have thought it of no importance." Mr Shera has taken up his pen to defend himself, saying " If the Auckland press and the Chamber of Commerce had roused the people before in favour of the branch to Stiatford, it would have no donbt helped them, but he does not think for one moment that they would have been successful." He then goes on to say that finding it was in vain trying to get the House to agree to divert the balance of the central railway loan to make the line to Stratford, the Auckland members used their influence to get the Government to push on the work to the point where the line would branch off to the West Coast, and to get a good road constructed from Stratford to the tnnnel end ; and the members ultimately got the Premier to consent to put £65,000 on the Estimates for the work to be done. Mr Shera states that the Premier informed him that £10,000 had also been put on tho Estimates for tbe road ( from Stratford. It is a pity, howejrer, Mr Ballance did not at the same time explain to Mr Shera that the best part of that sum had already been expended by the previous Ministry, and that all the present Government was inclined to give towards the work waa £1000. Mr Shera says, " That when the money now authorised for railway works, roads, and purchase of native lands is spent, there will only be a balance of £88,476 left of the North Island Trunk Railway million loan, and if there is to be no more borrowing, he thinks the best way to apply a considerable portion of this balance would be in the construction of a good coach road between Stratford and the tunnel end of the line." This is what we have more than once suggested, and it would prove for somo years to come of great benefit to the two districts— more so, we think, than any attempt to connect them by a railroad through an unsettled country. Wo hope th© people of Auckland will assist Mr Shera in carrying out the plan suggested, when, with Cobb's Coach connecting, we in a few years should have the country settled, and when a sufficient population was on the land to demand it the railway could be completed.

The Supreme Court opens at 11 o'clock to-morrow (Thursday). His Honor Justice E. T. Conolly arrived from Auckland by the Takapuna on Monday night. The annual meeting of the Bowling Club will be held at the Criterion Hotel to-morrow (Thursday) evening at 8 o'clock. On Thursday the Ladies' Sewing Committee will begin the annual examination of the sewing specimens from the primary schools. The examination will be held at the Education Office. The Taranaki County Council's ovordraft, including accounts passed at the meeting to-day, is £1,484. The Controller and Auditor-General, Mr Fitzgerald, arrived by the through train on Tuesday night. His visit is in connection with the adjustment of accounts between the Taranaki and Stratford County Councils. The Government are in receipt of a report from Major Gudgeon on the condition of the natives on the East Coast, in which he states that the list so far shows 56 cases of typhoid fever, but expects, before it ia complete, there will be quite 300 cases, principally about Waiapai. He recommended that a competent medical practicioner be sent to the district. As previously intimated, an organ recital will be given at St. Mary's Church tomorrow (Thursday) evening, when Mr Ezra Brook will preside at the organ, and among other items will play the " Bridal March," " Festive March," and, by special request, the " Dead March in Saul." The vocal portion of the programme will include solos by Miss Dovenish, who will si g the air, " Come Unto Him ;" Miss I. Hamorton, 11 The Last Chord ;" and Mr F. L. Wobeter, Gounod's " Nazareth." An anthem by the choir, and two hymns complete, tho programme. A collection will bo made in aid of tho choir fund. Mr Murray, Inspector of Schools, has started his annual examination of the pupils attending tho primary schools. Six schools, viz., Omata, Oak ura, Koru, Lower Mangorei, Lopperton, and Frankley Road have so far been examined. The examination work will not be completed till close oath© Uolidayi,