The Waikato Times. UNKNOWN.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 18 March 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times. UNKNOWN.

TLMKDIY, MiECII IS> 1873s

Tin: dilapidated, not feo say dangerous, statoof many of tlie bndg.es in this district culls for immediate action on the part of the authorities — General and Provincial. The different Road Hoards aue helpless to assist themselves, as the amount at w liich they can rate is limited by legislation. They are powerless to get Isold of absentee landholders whose placesof residence do not happen to be known to them. It is true that provision is made for the Superintendent to advance the amount of the rates, but application to him is ustltss, as the invai iablc answer is, " I have no money available." A letter which appeared in our columns not long since is highly instructive as to the position at any vale of one • Hoard. The chairman writes — " There are about 28,150 acres in my district, of these 17,891 paid rate 9 last year, the owners of 5, 150 cannot be found, and about 5,000 acres of town and suburban land aio the proj ei-ty of the Government." This shows that (he practicably rateable property is little moie than one-half oi that thiough which roads have to be mside, and within which bridges have to be constructed ami kept in order. The Road Hoatd grant from the Government ih only applicable to the construction of new works, and cannot bu diverted t> keeping in repair those already in e.\ stance. The consequence of this provisiou is that works necessary in themselves, but not urgently mjuired, were often undertaken by the Honul.s; the money grunted by Government in many cases not having been sufficient to complete these now works in a satisfactory manner, a considerable portion of the rates are swallowed up to ensure their execution, the rates thus- diveifced lessening, of course, the amount that would otherwist: be applicable to keeping toads, bridges, &c, in repair. It is perfectly clear to us, as it mu-,t bo to every settler in this dt->tiicfc, that it is a financialimpossibility for the Boards to keep tbe main line o' roads open. The Government will be compelled eventually to take this duty into to their own hands, and leave on the shoulders- of tlve settlers the duty of making byo-roads only. Out of what fund this money should be drawn we are at a loss to suggest, but cannot help thinking that some of tho loan could be justly devoted to this object. It is ture that the money was borrowed principally for the construction of railways ; wo must bear in mind, however, that the railways will be useless unless the roads to feed them are kept in a passable condition. Aifairs are so bad now that some of the Road Hoards will shortly, for self-protection, be compelled to declare many of the bridges clo-ed on account of being unsafe to cross. AYe have stated tei-ely the above facts, and invite earnest attention of the* authorities to the matter. If the Waikato is to produce anything, keep its settler?, or attract otlii rs, much will have to be done during the nc.\t biA Ul'Jlltllb.

The Jo'ljwmj iiro olllie luinliii''j the ('nee eletlonl districts of the Waikuto, from wluck it will be seen that four members will repiesent us m Iho next session of the Proviciul Council — Laglan — ouc member : Bounded towards the north by tho Waikato River ; towards tlic cast by fie Waikato River aforesaid and the Waipa River to its- confluence with the Wairomo River, and by a right line bearing duo bouth to the Mokau River ; towards the south by the Mokau River aforesaid to the sea ; and towards the west by the sea to the Waikato River, the place of commencement. Waikato — one member : Bounded towanls the north by t'lo Pukorokoro Road, from its junction vvith the GivalSoulh Rjal to the Frith of the Tuames, and by the Frith of the Timing, to the Thames River. ; toivariU the north-oast by the Thames River aforesaid, from* its mouth to a right lino bearing duo east, to the nearest spur of the Aroha Mountain, thence to the summit of bho Aroha Mountain aforesaid, and' by the summit of the first loading range cast of tho Waikato Hirer, and a right line bearing south-westerly to tho north-eastern margin of Lake Taupo, thence by part of the northern shore of lake Taupe aforesaid to the Waikato River ; and towards the sotrth-west b} the Wnikato River aforesaid, and a right line to the junction of t lie Pukorokoro and Great South Roads, theplaceof commencement... Waipa — t.vo members : Bounded towards the north-cast by the Waikato River, from its confluence with the Waipa River, to the north-eastern margin of Lake Taupo-; towards tho east by the eastern shore of Liko l\uipo ■itorcaaid-, a .d .1 line be.innj dm south to tin 30th parallel of south latitude, towards tlio aoutli by the 391h parallel of soutli latitude aforesaid to- the Whangaiuii River ; and towards the west by the Whangamii and Ohur.i Rivers, and part of the southern boundary of the province to the Mokau River, and by the Mokau River aforesaid lo Tnkarau, » right line thence bearing due north the Waipa itiver at its confluence with the Wairomo River, and thence by the Waipa River aforesaid to its confluence wit'i the Waikato JBSver, tlie place of commencement. The following lias been fornarclcl to us for publication We consider it w ill do much to disabuse the minds of people of tho impression that to trawl through New Zealand is beset with diflioultie*of no mean nature : — "As considerable misapprehension exists, not only in-tho neighbouring colonies, but also in the minds of many persons resident in New Zealand, as to tbo possibility of travelling without troublesome preparations through the most unfrequented and interesting portions of New Zealand, I think it would be as well to make some reference to this subject in the W.uk\io Tiur.i. During the pasi: few weeks I have ridden- from the W.uk.ilo district to Napier by way of the Lakes, visiting the principal sights in. that extraordinary region. I loft Cambridge at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, reached Xupior at mid-daj on the follow ing, Sunday, and travelled thence through the Seveuly-m-ilc bush to Wanganui. From Wangamu I went through the magnificent plains of Wdinule lo Taranaki, and from tliencc to Taupo. I travelled nearly tho whole of the way without any companion, taking the chance of finding a guide when required. I do not know that I should bo mclinedj again to> take the journoy alone unless absolutc'y necessary, although an experienced traveller in all parts of the world. I met with nothing of a disagreeable character, except what nng'ifc be anticipated, carrying nothing but a small valise an 1 Mackintosh. The lattei acted the part of a gpod friend, ac I encountered ten.dnys' heavy rain." Tue writer has kindly ollered to supply airj further information upon tho subject as lo st iges, <Le , for the guidance of intending travellers; communications may be addressed oflL-e of tl.is paper. Sunday, the Oth March will be a memorable day for the Presbyterians in Cambridge. For a ftjw weeks past, preparations were being made for the cjlcbration of the first Presbyterian Communion ever dispensed iii AV.iik vktH- On the day fixed, a goo Uy number gathered in. T.iere were forty-two sit down at the communion t.ible, whilst 15 ot'ier membcis weie prevented from attending. After the usiTal pifliininary services, the Rev J. Stcwait, the pastor of tho congregation, dehveied one of his tegular comse of lectures en the Gospel of St }k>hii\ the lext for that day b>sin^ John I, 20, 'A-l. A thanksgiving seivioo was held in the evening, w lran the roo nwas again filled, Mr .Stewart taking for his text Joshua, 1.3., the subject l)cuig " Joshua a study for Chiistian life." From this text was delivere I a most eloquent an I impressive address, which was listened to with great attuution. When it is considered th it this attendance is from only one of settlements in the Waikato. we cannot think otherw isu than the cause of Piesbj frcriauism is at least not losing, ground. On Sunday morning, the Oth inst:mt, the Rev. Mir L»wi-<, of Auckland, preach»d tho- anniversary sermon at the Oketo Wesleyan Chapel, and in the afternoon in the township. On both occasions tne discourses were appreciated by the congregations. Collections were made at the close o£eac'i service for tho benefit of the chapels. On Monday evening Mr Lewis delivered his amusing lecture entitled " Rambles with a Knapsack" ; and on Tuesday evening a tea meeting took place at the OVetc chapel, at which about 150 persons were present. Tables were provided by Mesd vines Adams. McDonald, Cfibbeson, Sjhnackenberg, and Wallis. After tea a public meeting was held, the Rev Mr .Sclmackenberg m the chair. Addresses wore given by the R>v Mr Lovvu, Messrs Hutchison, T. B% Hill, and D. B. McDonald. Mr Henry Duncan proposed, and Mr Allen seconded, a vote of thanks to the ladies for their arduous duties at the tea tables, and to the Rev. Mr LewU for his presence^among them th.it pvi'innj Tiii" 1 incetunj win quite a »iuws-, and full< answered the expectation* of iv pu'iulei in Us iia proceeds. In Mr Shcchan's opening rdlress in the matter of Heretauug.i, before tho Native Lands Alienation Commission. Napier, he thought fit to state that he had been instructed' bo believe that Mr Ormond had taken advantage of his high official position, and had brought influence to bear upon tl.c natives in order to induce them to sell Ileretaunga. After Karaitiana had given his evidence, Mr Sheehan frankly acknowledged that he had been wrongly instructed, and bogged, to retract the accusation aga n->t Mr Ormond. This, coming after Karaitiana's cross-examination, in which the old chief had endeavoured to make it appear Mr Ormond had used bis influence wrongly, entirely and most satisfactorily exonerated our 'Superintendent from fcha foul blander. — Napier Telegraph. The following bills passel by tio Provincial Council and reserved by the Superintendent of the province of Auckland for the signification of tin* Governor's pleasure thereon, intituled " The Aucklan 1 Representation Act, 1872," " The Haiuuki District Fire Rate Act, 1872," " Tho City Endowments Leasing Act, 1872," " Tho Tturpo Road Act, 1872," " Tho North Shore Reserve Act, 1872," " The Education Act, 1872," "The AVark worth Rjad Act, 1872," "The Mangaw ai Harbour Improvement Act Rjpcal Act, 1872," "Tho Ihumatao Rjad Act, 1872," ' TheJKaivvha Road Act, 1872," " The St. Stephen's Road Act, 1872," " Tho Oruavvharo- Road Act, 1872," " The Appropriation Act, 1873," and " The Industrial School Act r 1872," having been laid before the Governor, his Ktcolloney has not been advised to to exercise his power of disallowance fn respect to them. A hVe broke out on Saturday morning last in a malt kiln attached to Messrs. Whitaon & Son's brewery, Parnell road. The fire was discovered by a man named Mvir r in charge. About fifty bundles of malt had been placed the previous nyht in the kiln to dry, but the fire was not lighted until the next morning. Later iv the moining Muir went to turn the nialt, when he observed a portion of the n>attmg on lire, which rapidly extended to ,the malt. A strong w md was blow ing at the time in the direction of the brewery, but fortunately the efforts of those present were | successful in conhnmg the tire to the malt house, which* with its contents, weie destroyed. The building belonged to Messrs. Brown & Ciwnpbell. The Superintendent invites tho inhabitants of Auckland to observe- this day (Tuesday,) as a public- holiday, in honor , of the departure* of His Excellency Sir George Y. Bowen from the colony. The ofliees of the Prov incial Government will be closed. A 3 acht i nee for the Commodore's cup tool phce in harbour | on Saturday morning. There were seven yachts entered for , the race, but only five started, the Energy, Spray, Fleetwing, ' Sibrina, and Ripple. The race w.is an exciting one, and was I won b) the i3pi.iv.

•l aiuos \\ ilion \ui-. li'uimht iijj m o.iitody before VV» X- I Se.irancLo, Kvj , K.M. ,al .Ngumiwahu, \estorday, charged « ith ha\ nijj a! tempted to p.Hs a cheque for .Ul2, well know ing the same not to ha\e bcon lus p-.-operh. Mr Harper, of Hamilton^ lo^t mi pocket hjok ou the d.iy of the (Jovernjr's visit ; this cheque toriued part of the Bum of £G7 lt>3 contained therein. The attempt to pass the choquo waa cloa.r[y proved, oncl the cheque sworn to by tho prjieoator as Ins property. The prisoner was committed tor trial. Tho remainder of the liuiwy w.i* recovered with the exception of throe .tl notei An ticeident of a serious naturo happened on Saturday morning lust to a nun turned Martin Sheridan, who was engaged on the railway vork3 at Mechanied' Bay. In rather a- foolhardy manner he attempted to jump into one o( the three trucks when m motion, when lie missed his object and fell aci % 033 the rail, the three trucks passiug oror hid left leg an I arm, fracturing both. Th» man was at onco conveyed to the Hospital by his follow workmen. His injuries are of such a nature as will confine him to his bed for many weeksin our report of tho Te Awamutu Show we represented Major Jackson, M.11.H, as having stated tliat the prizes taken by him in sheep w ere with slieep purchased from Mr. P. Leslie. We should have said one prize wot taken as above. Constable Molloy, who wa3 in charge of the Howick station at the time of the Foulkos' tragedy, lias been «umm.wjl; ili3innai'd h\ Ah- Bvohaim