The Waikato Times.
Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawcd by influence and unbribed by gain.
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1880.
In an article on March 6th of the present year we pointed out how desirable it is that the people of the larger towns of the Waikato should bestir themselves in the direction of obtainingsuitable recreation grounds, and we mentioned that in Cambridge an effort was being made by the Town Board to obtain the control of the town belt, having in view the object to which we directed attention. For some years the officers of the Cambridge Cavalry have been endeavoring to obtain a piece of ground from the Government for parade purposes, and the matter assumed a definite shape at the meeting of the troop on Saturday, at which Captain Runciman reported that he had been asked by the Government to specify what land was required and where situated, and that he had replied asking for a portion of the town, belt, adjoining the Victoria, or Taupiri road. Hitherto the Cavalry have been dependent on the kindness of a private individual for a drill ground, and they are naturally anxious not only to possess one of their own, but one which they would be enabled to render suitable to their purpose. In applying for a portion of the town belt —about 30 acres —they do not, of course, wish to take it to themselves exclusively, but are perfectly willing that it should be regarded as a place of public amusement, where cricket and football matches, agricultural shows, etc., could be held, and consequently their request would not in any way clash " with the interests of the public at large. ' The purpose which the Town Board ; had in view when applying for the j town belt, was, we presume, to turn a portion, if not the whole of it into something of the kind we have mentioned; but the method which it was intended to adopt is one not by any means so well calculated to subserve the interests of the townspeople as that which it is now proposed to carry out, and we hope that the body under whose direction the land will now be placed will see fit to concede what the Government has been asked to do. To explain: The funds j at the disposal of this Board will not be sufficiently large to enable them to undertake the duty of beautifying and otherwise rendering the reserve suitable to the requirements of a recreation ground, or public park, and the land would necessarily have to be leased for a term of years, a clause to be inserted in the conditions rendering it compulsory on the part of the tenant to make certain improvements every year. In the absence of any other means, this course would necessarily have to be followed, but we need not point out that it would be very unsatisfactory; because tenants are, after all, only human, and would minister to their own interests before attempting to do anything for the public good. On the other hand no such preliminaries are required; the matter would be taken up with spirit, the land ploughed and sown I to grass, fenced and planted with trees, and in a few year's, nay months, the residents would have at their command an excellent public domain. From what we have heard we believe all this can be done; and we look hopefully forward to seeing an opportunity for its accomplishment.
Nothing less than a serious accident of some kind will, we suppose, rouse the authorities under whose care the Mystery Creek bridge rests, sufficiently to induce them to take the necessary steps to render it safe for traffic. We have called attention to the matter so often, that nothing but consideration for the public good induces us to take it up again. We had occasion to pass over the road a few days ago, and we say, without hesitation, that there cannot exist a more dangerous piece of road in the Colony. If cai'e be not taken, much of the work done, upon which a large sum of money has been spent, will be rendered valueless. If the Board has not the f unds at hand, surely a subscription might be raised to make the crossing tolerably safe,
We understand that work is to be commenced on the Hamilton-Whatawhata Road at once. Mr E. Wilson, on behalf of Messrs T. Maunders & Son made a commencement yesterday on the first <»o«tion, and Mr B. Coleman, the successful tenderer for the third section, which includes draining and forming the road through the large swamp, has gone out with a large gang of men, and pitched camp. The whole joh will be rapidly pushed forward.
A vocal and instrumental concert takes place this evening at Taupiri, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the expense of lining the Episcopalian Church there —any balance to be devoted to starting a library. Indications are not wanting to show that the concert will be a success, leading amateurs from many parts of Waikato having kindly come fonvai'd to assist the local talent.
At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, during the progress of the civil case Breakell v. Martin, Mr Gresham commented on the great inconvenience to which his client had been put in coming to Hamilton. The cause of action, if any, had occurred at Te Awamutu. The work, if any, for which payment was sought to be recovered had been done in Te Awamutu, and the defendant also lived there. He thought, therefore, that the case might have been heard at that place. His Worship said that actions were determined at the Court nearest the place where the plaintiff resided. Had Martin been the plaintiff, the case would necessarily have been heard at Te Awamutu, and Hamilton being the plaintiffs headquarters and place of business, he was entitled to have it heard in Hamilton.
Replying to Mr Whitaker, Mr Oliver said the vote to increase the pay of the employe's on the Auckland and Waikato railway had not been given effect to. The Government had not given effect to many similar votes for increases of pay.
The Colonial Secretary, in reply to Mr Whitaker, on Tuesday evening, said the Government had no objection to lay before the House the correspondence having reference to the classification of wool and the provision of a suitable place for the exhibition of samples of the various kinds of wool which had passed between the Government and Mr Albert Potter, of Hamilton, Waikato.
We are asked by Mr W. P. Hunt, of the Narrows, to publish the kindness and courtesy of Captain Cellem, of the steamer Delta, who, noticing some cattle had got into a very dangerous place under a steep bank, on the steamer arriving in Hamilton sent word to Mr Watts, who despatched a messenger to the farm informing Mr Hunt, who, on repairing to the spot indicated by Captain Cellem, found three beasts had dropped over a bank nearly 50 feet high, aud from whence ifc was impossible for them to get back to the paddocks. Mr Hunt and his men drove them into the water, making them swim to a more convenient landing place, where they were able to get once more to their own feeding place. This is uot the first time by a good many that the worthy captain bas done this kind of thing for riverside settlers, by whom he is very much appreciated. The cattle above mentioned were very valuable ones lately imported from Napier by Mr Hunt. The only injury was one beast getting a horn broken.
We learn that the Heathers' Creek bridge is in a very bad state. The piles have sunk so much that it is positively dangerous. The approach on one side has been almost entirely washed away, and at present it is as much as a horseman can do to cross. The matter has been left in the hands of the members for the district, and will bo doubt receive their best attention. No time should be lost as the bridge may at any moment give way.
We are glad to see that the Cavalry Troops are taking steps to procure more suitable head-dresses than those at present in use. At the meeting held the other day the Cambridge Troop resolved to adopt a helmet similar to those in use in the Homo service, and the Hamilton Troop will, at a meeting oalled for Saturday, take the same matter into consideration. It is proposed to appoint delegates from the three troops to oonfer together on the question of forming the whole of the Cavalry into a regiment, and the decisions arrived at regarding uniform and head-dress will of course have to come up at such conference. It is pleasing to notice that the interest taken in volunteering is not by any means dying out in Waikato.
At Tuesday's meeting of the Borough Council, the Mayor took occasion to refer to the statements which have appeared in an Auckland paper regarding the Bridge, which he Baid were calculated to mislead the public. It had been represented that the Bridge was iv a very dangerous condition, but he had taken the best professional opinion, and could tell them that there was nothing wrong. The structure would not require screwing up until it was painted. His authority was Mr James Stewart, the District Engineer, who had characterised the statements referred to as perfect nonsense. He made this explanation merely to disabuse the minds of the public, and he wished the Press to take notice of it.
An effort is being made in Hamilton just now to establish a Rowing Club, and so far the project seems to have received considerable encouragement. Only a few more members are required to enable the institution, to make a pi-acfcical commencement. We understand from the promoters that two boats suitable for rowing* on the river, which it is proposed shall be the field of operations, can be procured at a cost of something like £7 each, while oars can be got for £1 a set. Few better modes of employing the leisure hours of our young men could be devised, and the Club has our heartiest wishes for its success.
At the meeting of the Hamilton West School Committee on Thursday, the chairman (Mi*. Gwynne) adverted to the circumstance of the falling off in the attendance average during the past few weeks, and several of the members opined that it was owing to the severe weather many of the children being laid up with colds. One of those present jocularly said they could easily reduce the attendance by allowing the school to remain without proper heating apparatus. The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton West School Committee was held on Tuesday, the following being present — Messrs B. Gwynne (chairman), L. O'Neill, McLernon, G-. Edgecumbe, Knox, and Yon Stunner. The usual preliminary business having been disposed of, the Clerk stated that he had gone to town and interviewed the Secretary of the Board of Education on the subject of grates for the school, and had sent in an application for two basket grates The Secretary had replied stating that the Board was unable through want of funds to make a grant for the purpose, and hoped that the Committee would be able to contrive to defray the cost out of the school fund. It was resolved that the grates be purchased by the Board out of the contingency money. Some accounts were passed and ordered to be paid.
As bearing upon the debate in the Council on the issue and conversion of the Five Million Loan, it may be mentioned that the gross amount the country will receive, instead of the nominal five millions, will be £4,875,000, for which it has promised to pay in. fifty years £6,000,000, giving for that perioa four per coat, in*
tereat. Tho price received per £100ato:k would be €97 10s. at 5 per cent; or £81 •js. at 4 per cent. Thus, by Mr. Waterhouce's comparison, New South Wales received £17 11s. 6d. more than New Zealand for every £100 to be repaid. On these terms New Zpaland will pay £6,000,000 for getting £i,87d.Q00, while New Siuth Wales for repaying £0,000,000 would get -C-5,929,000, a diffctencc of no le-»s than £1,051,500 in favour of the sistor colony. The South Australian loan quoted by Air. Waterhome was a loan of £3.291,600 at 4 per cent; and which was tendered for to the amount of £11,996,700, aud the colony got for every £100 bond it gave £93 175., or £12 12 more than New Zealand. South Australia, on these terms, for a promise to pay £6,000,000,. would get £%631,000, or £756,000 above this colony's total receipts for a pledge to the same amonnt.—Nvto Zealand Tones.
The slips on the side cuttings of the mountain portion of the Raglan road have been, we are glad to learn, removed, and the road, though somewhat muddy, is now in very fair condition. We understand that steps are about to be taken to repair some of the worst portions of the road through the Waitetuna Valley.
The old punt at Whatawhata has been at length repaired, and will be sent up by the steamer in a day or two from Ngaruawahia and placed in position. The approaches are still very bad, but as the bridge will soon be commenced the hardship consequent upon this will only be of a temporary nature.
The Newcastle Highway Board are carrying out extensive alterations in the township of Whatawhata. A wide roadway is being formed from Iwerson's store to a point beyond the Cemetery. The contractor, Mr Kennedy, is getting on very well with the work, notwithstanding the bad weather.
A day or two ago it was mentioned in our columns that an effort was about to bo made to establish a Chess and Debating Club in Hamilton. It is very satisfactory to find that the idea has now assumed a definite shape. A meeting of those interested will be held at the Royal Hotel this evening at 7 o'clock. We trubt to gee a large attendance.
Professor Fawcett made a remarkable speech to a gathering of IJO blind persons at the Victoria Park Tabernacle, London. He told them how much he thought it possible for a blind man to do which the blind did not usually attempt. He was twenty-five years of age before the accident occurred which deprived him of his sight, but he very soon determined to pursue his career, so far as possible, without reference to the new privation, following the same pursuits, and enjoying, bo far as he might, the same pleasures. No man, he says, can enjoy more than he does catching a salmon in the Tweed or the Spey ; or angling in a Hampshire trout-stream. No man can enjoy more than he does a gallop on the turf, or a skate of even sixty miles on the Cambridgeshire fens. In short, without sight, in a world of men who see, it was very possible, said Mr Fawcett, for the blind to enjoy most of the advantages of fright. And of this, remarks the Spectator, Mr Fawcett's own distinguished career is a sufficient and absolute pledge.
Fish-freezing is the newest form of the preservation of fresh food. It is already being practiced in India. Fish are frozen up in solid blocks of ice, and can then be delivered in any part of India, while the surrounding ice can be used for the ordinary purpose of cooling drinks. The fish are suspended in wire nets in the freezing water, and are found in excellent condition after five or six days of such enclosure. The same treatment has been tried and found buccessful with flour. In this way fish are now being sent from Bombay to Lahore and other parts of India. The experiment is novel as to frozen fish, but it was tried some time ago at Glasgow with salmon eggs, when two million salmon eggs were frozen up with three feet of ice round them, and arrived ready for hatching in New Zealaud after 110 day's voyage. As some hundreds of thousands of those eggs were actually hatched, the Glasgow experiment may be held to prove that the fish frozen in Bombay undergo no physical change whatever. But it is seen that it may be possible to give another development to this process, and to equalise the supply and the price of fish by staring the surplus stock of one time when fishermen are fortunate for the demands of those days in which the fresh supply is so insufficient as to compel a considerable rise in price.
Atlas in the World says:— " I hear from an authentic source that it is more than probable that M. de Lesseps may find himself supplauted, and his Panama Canal project superseded in a way he does not expect. A new scheme, said to have been already seen aud approved in the highest quarters at Washington, is not to make any canal, but, in lieu of it, to construct a ship-rail-way, by means of which ships of any size can be transported bodily from ocean to ocean in about half a day. The idea is to construct immense docks or tanks, like graving docks, into which ships will sail or steam, and in which they will be securely fastened by hydraulic appliances When the ship is hard and fast in her cradle on a level keel, the motive poM'er will be applied, and the cradle containing the ship will be hauled forward on a gently-inclined railway, with several pairs of rails, and the whole mass will be steadily run across the forty miles from ocean to ocean at the rate of six miles an hour. The existing Panama railway will be incorporated with the ' ship-railway.' The plan—which is patented—is already in operation in France, where heavy canal boats, with full cargoes, are transported from one canal to another over the intervening space of land with the greatest ease and safety. The proposed ' shiprailway' will be made in a third part of the time required for the canal, at less than a third of the cost; and a tariff less than a third of the estimated canal-dues will leave a handsome profit for the projectors, who are an association of French and American companies.
Thkre will be no drill of the Hamilton Light Infantry Volunteers this evening. Mr Kennedy Hill will hold a large sale of trees, &c, at Mason's Nursery, Frankton, at i p.m. on Saturday. Mr T. H. White invites tenders for the erection of additions to a house at Ngaruawahia, for Mr Rathbornc. Mr. T. S. Bucklaxd holds a largo and important sale of fruit trees at Cambridge next Saturday. Mr J. S. Bi.-cki.avd held his fi.-st cattle sale in Cambridge since the removal of the restrictions on Tuesday. A number of cattle were brought forward, and very good prices rcilfsed. Thu usual monthly meeting of the Cambridge Farmers's Club will be held on Monday next, in the Club House, Cambridge, when Francis Hicks, Esq., will read an essay on " Wheat Culture." Notice is given that Messrs McCann and Norgrove, butchers, of Cambridge, h.i\c dissolved partnership. Mr H. E. Cotton, accountant and commission agent, of Cambridge, will receive all moneys due to, and discharge all claims against, the late firm. The Town Clerk invites tenders for supply of gravel at per cubic yard, to be delivered at such places as may be decided from time to time. Tenders to be in by noon of Tuesday, the 29th instant.
A COUNTRY boy, coming to school in the city for the firßt time, was asked by the teacher where South America was situated. He scratched bis head and said; " Down in father's 'tato field." The teacher thereupon corrected him by telling wheie it Was. He looked up with a broad grin and exclaimed: " What yer asked me fer ef yor kae.w ygrself."
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Bibliographic details
Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1243, 17 June 1880, Page 2
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3,366The Waikato Times. Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1243, 17 June 1880, Page 2
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