The Waikato Times. UNKNOWN TUESDAT, JULY 16, 1872.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 33, 16 July 1872, Page 2

The Waikato Times. UNKNOWN TUESDAT, JULY 16, 1872.

AmdnioT tin.? multitudinous dut.ios which de- j volvo unon newspaper writers not. the least, ! important is thatof attempting by persuasion, 1 and if necessary by coercion, to improve tho ; political anil social tone of the people into whose hands their paper is placed. The political tone ! of a people is formed in the first place by laying- bald facts before them for their consideration, and afterwards by drawing such ; deductions from those facts as are reasona- ; able and just. By these means the people ' become united in thought and action, and j consequently a power in the state. ' A paper j conducted on the above principles' will, of; e<nu'se, come in for some share of unpopularity . wilh those who differ with the writer in its : euiumns, but in a much less degree thu.n when it becomes the duty of a journalist to tread ; rather roughly on the toes of a section ot the population. We have had occasion to allude in rather strong terms to two abuses existing in our midst—political or religions processions and the conduct of certain of our population at a recent public meeting. We learn from a correspondent that our expressions •with regard to Orange processions were inter preted to mean that we only objected to the parades of this organisation. Such being the case, we explain that we object to auy public demonstration having, if not for its object, the effect of insulting a section of the community. With regard to certain people who, at meetings of Town Boards, &c., by their mis conduct are in the habit of bringing disrepute upou the community, we would inform them that it is our intention to hare a reporter at every meeting in the district, and in future to give the details of such conduct with tlie name of the guilty party, in order that the blame may attach to individuals and not generally to the whole population.

The annual general meeting of ratepayers in the Hamilton East Highway district was held in the Koyal Hotel on Saturday the 13th inst., at 3 p.m. Mr. .Joseph Mullins was voted tu the chair, and J. K. McDonald elected secreta; y. Captain Cumrniiig, chairman of the late inis+ees, read the balance-sheet and report, which showed that a sum of Ml 17s G/jd had been received. s-.nd the expenditure—s6/ 13s (>d, leaving a balance fox - the incoming trustees of ,U 4s o£d, besides a considerable amount of rates still unpaid. He stated rLat ou the trustees taking officc they had not a penny in hand, and had to procure a district map, assessment list, ic., causing a considerable outlay before iLey could collect any rates. They had also proceeded as economically as possible in not having any paid collector or secretary, and that the money had been spent so as to secure the greatest amount of goorl to the district. Considerable difficulty had been experienced in collecting the rates, but he hoped their successors would be able to gather them. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A proposition was made to discontinue the cattle rate, but an amendment was moved —that it be continued,—and, on a show of hands being called for, it was carried. Capt. Cumming proposed that the rate be one penny in the pound value to sell. Mr. Tippin proposed as an amendment that the rate be one half-penny in the pound value to sell. The amendment was lost and the original motion carried. Messrs. ilighley and White were appointed scrutineers. Several were proposed as trustees. Oa tiie votes being taken, Captain Cumming, Messrs. E. Pearson, R. Williamson, H. Mullions, and VV r . Vincent were declared duly elected. Messrs J. K. McDonald and J. Mullions were appointed auditor's for the ensuing

[ year. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a termination. There was one of those bourn present (who seem to he .111 institution j at all ratepayers'annual meetings) who would persist j in speaking out of order, the/eby considerably ' retarding the business of the meeting. At a meeting ! of trustees, held sub.se'juent to th j general meeting, i Captain Cutnming was elected cL.kinan and Mr 11. j Mullio'is secretary and treasurer. There seems to be quite a panic in the matrimonial market at present, if we may judge by what has ; transpired du: iiig the last week, in which two of I Eve's fair daughters, living not 100 miles from ! Auckland, were considerably non-plussed by their I respective suitors not coming to the scratch. One, ! a buxom widow, had her ears shocked by the bridegroom expectant telling her he e.;uld not stand family quarrels, iwl they had better "cry a go," although the ring had been bought and the license obtained to carry out the ceremony. In the other c;tsc the marriage trousseau and f jast had been prepared, but oil the auspicious day the lady received a telegram stating that her deceivor's health would not permit him to be present at the ceremony, while in the meantime the " gay Lothario" was making the best of hid way out of the diu&ncfc, and will no doubt endeavour to " let seas roll between them" ere long. We believe this is> not the iirst time he has played the same trick. An active canvass has been instituted by some who desire io taste, and those who wish to retain, the sweets of otlice in the Hamilton and Kirikiviroa Highway Districts, and a keen contest is anticipated at both elections, which take place this week. The directors of the Hamilton Flour Mill Company have issued invitations to a cold collation to celebrate the opening of the Hour mill, which is to take place on Saturday next. A large number of settlers are expected to be present The annual meeting of the rate]jayers of the Cambridge North Township Highway district will take place ou Friday, the 19th insc, at 12 o'clock. That of the Cambridge district 011 the same day at 2 o'clock. The Kirikiriroa ratepayers are called together for Tuesday, the 23rd iiist., at 2 p.m. The Town of Ngaruawahia District Bo.ud will hold their annual meeting on the 2:sth July, at 3 o'clock. The Newcastle District meeting is appointed for Saturday, the 20th inst., at 2 p.m.