Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1449, 15 October 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Emi.il and exact justice to all men, Of whifc\cr state or persuasion, religious or political Here >-li ill tne Press the People's right maintain Unawed by intluenre and unbiibcd b) sain.

SATURDAY, OCT. U, 1881.

Consequent upon the rapidly improving prospects of the New Zeaiand railway returns, coupled with the pa&singof the "Railway Construction and Land Bill" of last session, a fre.sh impetus is likely to be given to the prosecution of lailway works. It was founded upon by the member for Waipa in addressing the Te Awamutu section of his constituents, and some hopeful deductions diawn therefrom. The bent of the hon. member's argument was that thrre was every prospect of the returns summing up four per cent interest an outlay by the end of the current financial year, and that fact, coupled with a correspondingly reduced rate of interest on borrowed money, would induce Government to contract further loans, with the view of completing, or at all events promoting, the through lines. We have evidence before us which goes far to support the opinion that that estimate is not by any means illjudged. Before proceeding further, it would nob come amiss to congratulate our readers on the decidedly improving prospects shown in the last published returns of the Auckland- Waikato line. The information was embodied in a paragraph which appeared in last issue, and showed that traffic receipts for the month had, as compared with the month immediately preceding, increased £1,271. That is a very hopeful state of matters, all the more so as it has been achiered in spite of the fact that the traffic rates are "not by any means well adjusted to the requirements of the district, as hown by the action recently taken by the settlers to bring about a modification thereof. This improved prospect is not, in any way, one of purely local application. On the contrary, with very few exceptions, all the working railways in the colony exhibited creditable advances. The retrogression, it is worth while noticing, belongs exclusively to districts whose pretensions were most conspicuous in the late parliamentary " stonewalling " performance, Thus, for example, Nelson has gone something like twenty odd pounds to the bad, and its next door neighbour, Greymouth, close upon £100. With these isolated exceptions all the other lines are progressive, and here again we hav6 further cause for selfgratula^i

tion, The increased earnings on the whole of our lines show a total of 17 per cent. — the AucklandWaikato portion being equal to 29, while Christchurch and Otago, with all their much-vaunted superiority, do not exceed 13. Taken as a whole, it is North Island lines which exhibit the most marked increase. Wellington, for instance, shews 26 per cent., Auckland 29, Napier 30, and New Plymouth 46, whereas, with the exception of one or two short lengths in the Middle Island, there is nothing beyond 1 3 per cent. These facts alone go far to corroborating the claims set up on behalf of the North Island of having taken a new departure in the march of progress and development of the colony. Again we find the total receipts of the colony for the current year commencing Ist April, to date, the 20th August, amounting to a sum of £343,060; the total expenditure being £197,055, or at the rate of 57*44 of the receipts. For the corresponding period of 1880 the receipts were £316,108, and the expenditure £212,245, or 67-14 per cent. We have thus saved close on 10 per cent, of ex- ; penditure during the past _ year. The secret of that saving is no doubt due to the more complete organisation of the department and likewise, to some extent, the economical reductions to which this, in common with the other branches of the public service, has been sub- | jected. There is, however, another predisposing cause, and that, we believe, is the one to which we are mainly indebted for the saving. The line mileage in 1880 was 1194, and in August last 1304, so that an additional 110 miles was opened in the interim. This we take to be a grand secret in the economy of the whole system. Fragrnentai-y por- i tions never can be made to pay as well, or be worked as economically, as completed lines, and the nearer we bring them to completion the better we will find them doing in both of these respects. In one word, the salvation of the whole railway system depends upon their completion, and we make bold to say there i is not a man in the district, saving ] and excepting a few malcontents afflicted with an utterly irreclaimable temperament, who did not feel grateful at the prospect held out by the member for Waipa of the speedy prosecution of the work. The men alluded to above, let it be understood, are not alone in their hostility to a wise and prudent policy of progress. On the contrary, they are simply the reflex of a section of the Legislature as constituted, who are struggling for power, and who, it will be remembered, literally jeered every word uttered by the Colonial Treasurer in respect of his contention that the financial affairs of the colony had been replaced on a satis- | factory footing. That is the alternative the colony has got to face, and we ask in all earnestness would it be wise, would it be prudent, to do aught that would di&turb the existing state of affairs 1

A report of Thursday's meeting of the Waikato Comity Council and other matter is unavoidably held over. " Echoes from the Cafe " and other matter of interest will be found on our fourth page. Mr R. F. Sandes, dispensing chemist, has been appointed by Major Mair public vaccinator for the natives in the district surrounding Hamilton. Mr Horsfall's Jenny Lind, by Gemma di Virgi out of Dora, by Sir Hercules, dropped a filly foal by Feve at Cambridge on the 10th inst. The American walnut seed sent by Mr Major, merchant, of Auckland, and distributed by us, appears to be doing well. From several sources we hear of plants many inches high, looking green and healthy. The anniversary of the Waikato Branch of theH.A.C.B. Society will be celebrated by a social gathering in the Oddfellows 's Hall, Hamilton, on Tuesday next, October 18th. The programme will include dancing and refreshments. We were invited yesterday to sample Mr Land's bottled ale. It is undoubtedly a first-class article, and should command a ready sale at this season of the year. Mr Land's bottled stout is highly recommended by the faculty. No less than four informations have been laid against Mr A. Isaacs, of Oxford, for retailing spirits to natives and j others at his wholesale store there. Mr Isaacs has gone to Auckland, we hear, with the intention of getting a wholesale spirit license in connection with his Cambridge business. The county elections throughout the colony, which were to have taken place on Wednesday, the 9th November, have been postponed till Wednesday the 16th of the same month, owing to the first named date being the anniversary of the Prince of Wales' birthday, and a public holiday throughout the Empire. A young woman named Kate Kavanagh was brought up at the Police Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before Mr Northcroft, charged with travelling on the railway without a ticket, and also with being of unsound mind. The first charge was dismissed, and on the second the accused was remanded for medical examination. It is only a short time, about a month, since she left the asylum, where she was committed from Hamilton. The young; lad Hayes, who was thrown from his horse a few days ago at Hamilton East, is gradually recovering, though it will be some time before he will be about again. Mr Aitken, who met with an accident by being thrown from his horsenear the house of his son-in-law, Mr C. R. Johnson, is slowly mending. Our Alexandra correpondent writes :— Mr Every Maclean was here to see the King and Rewi re some land dispute between his company and the Te Ngatihaua natives. Tawhiao and Rewi have eeut for them to meet him and Mr Maclean on Monday next, when the matter will be decided by them. - Mr J. 0. Booth, contractor: met with a painful accident at the Waitoa on Thursday i morning, ( He .was in the - act of placing a fuse, in a, dynamite eap 1 , , for the ( purpose of. f rempymg timber from ',> a drain, when the cap exploded lacerating!

a the flosh on the fingers of his right hand L ] very badly. He came into Hanilton the ■ same clay, and had his hand dressed by l " Mr R. F. San.les. 1 The weekly meeting of the Hamil1 ton iJebatmg Club was held on Thursday , evening, when there was a fair attendcince of members and visitors, Mr Hume in the chair. The debate on modern 1 scepticism, introduced by the chairman (Mr Fulton) was a very animated one. > A. good order paper is promised for next week. The Cambridge Quadrille As- ' sembly held their second dance in the Public Hall on Thursday night last, i when a pretty fair number of members and ladies took part in the evening's . enjoyment. The assembly has been more of a success than was at first anticipated, and this may be said to be ', due in a great degree to the manner in . which the affair has been conducted by i the committee. The ladies attend by invitation, and the music, which is provided by Messrs Stuart and Johnson, is ' perhaps not the least attractive feature of the proceedings. The great native personage Te Ngakau, with a number of other natives, are at present paying a visit to Cambridge. The object of their visit, it is said, is to negotiate with the Europeans interested in the dispute over parts of the Pukekura and Maungatautari lands. It will be remembered that a number of months ago a Royal Commission enquired into this matter, and that the result of the enquiry was favourable to the European occupiers. Messrs Halley Bros., of Cambridge, intend erecting a wire suspension bridge across the Waikato river at their flour mill, and dispense with the present moans of the wires and cage. Thd bridge will be so constructed as to allow passeffgers to walk over it, and also that a tiam tor the carriage of grain and other material can run across. A very interesting, and somewhat new ceremony for the Waikato is announced to toke place on Wednesday afternoon next, in connection with the new Wesleyan Church in Hamilton. Four well - known gentlemen) the Mayor, James Hume, Esq, Captain Steele, James Gribble E^q, have kindly consented to lay the corner blocks. The Rev D. Fulton, H. Bull, and C.Griffin, will also take parL in the ceremony. Special hymns will be sung. There will be a collection taken in aid of the new chuich. We hope to see a large attendance at the servic?. The ceremony will commence at half-past three /clock. The Hamilton Cricket Club purpose getting np another match inter se on Saturday next, at 2 p.m. The contest will be carried on between those players whose names commence with the letters of the first half of the alphabet versus i those whose names commence with the I last half. The players to represent the latter will be chosen from Messrs Wood, Tonks, Percy, Palmer, Yon Stunner, J. B. Smith, T. G. Sandes, Stafford, Pilling, Langdale, Somerville, Snnms, Pickering, Speed, and McNicol ; while those to represent the former will be selected from Messrs Gleeson, Forrest, J. Edgecumbe, W. Hunt, Ellison, Coleman, Cochrane, Meachem, Brennan, H. Ewen, W. Ewen, Christie, Buttle, Gribble, Barugh, and Coop. The novel programme which the members of tho Cambridge String Band intend bringing forth on the occasion of their benefit on Tuesday evening next, should be a means of inducing the public (o extend their patronage and also of affording every satisfaction to all those who may attend. Instead of the usual unvaried string of vocal contributions which generally characterise such entertaiuments, the members of the String Band will contribute instrumental solos and selections which if we are to judge from the rehearsals are certain to be well received. The vocal contributions will be accompanied by the band which of a Cambridge audience will be a pleasant novelty. As the String 1 Band are always ready to contribute their bervices on occasions of a like nature, we hope to see them adequately rewarded on Tuesday { evening. At Thursday's meeting of the Waikato County Council, Messrs Fergusson and Kirkwood spoke very strongly on the subject of the dog nuisance, the latter stating that the system of collecting fees was so lax that, though he had half-a-dozen dogs, he had never been applied to for the tax, Mr Fergusson said his colleague ought to have paid if only by way of affording a public example, and Mr Kirkwood said he had several times started away with that intention, but had had his mind drawn away to other things. The council intend taking more vigorous steps in this j direction than hitherto. A meeting of the Cambridge Domain Board was held in the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, yesterday evening. Present— Messrs Wells (chairman), Kirkwood, Walker, and Fisher. A letter was received from Mr Reid re the lease of domain allotments, in reply to which the board resolved that having dealt with the matter prior to the receipt of the opinion set forth in Mr Reids letter they could not now reverse their decision. The chairman was authorised to get a copy of the domain plan from Mr Gwynneth, aud also that the engineer's plan be mounted, varnished, and hung in the Town Board office. It was resolved that in future the meetings of the board be held in the Town Board office. Several accounts were passed for payment. The case of the unfortunate man Heyes, who was convicted of rape at the late criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, and sentenced to five years' penal servitude, seems to be warmly taken up not only in Hamilton, but in Auckland as well. The circumstance of the jurymen heading a petition to the Governor has provoked considerable comment in the Auckland press. A subscription list in aid of Mrs Heyes and family has also been started. In Hamilton the friends of the convicted man, believing firmly in his innocence, have also got up a memorial to the Governor,praying him to exercise his prerogative of mercy, which has already received about 240 signatures. This number will probably be largely augmented in a few days, and the memorial will then be forwarded to the proper quarter. Attached to the memorial are the statutory declarations of four members of the Hamilton Good Templars Lodge, to the effect that at the hour the offence was alleged to have committed, Heyes was at the Lodge. A public meeting in connection with the Wesleyan home mission anniversary, was held at the Wesleyan church Hamilton, on Thursday evening, Mr J. Gribble in the chair* There was a fair attendance. The balance-sheet showed that the income for 1880 amounted to £2415 19s, of which £37 4s lOd was contributed from Waikafco circuit. The exbenditure was fof grants made to the Maori and home missions, to home mission station 1 , and in aid of erection and furnishing parsonages, purohase of church sites, assisting collegiate training candidates for< ministry.' Eloquent addresses on the subject of the mission were delivered by the 1 Eevs G. Bond, H.Bull' and 0. Griffin, and the choir eang several hymns r at in terrain. '.The collection amoxxntedM 4%~fa>< *«?'*• ' • -> * l Our * Whatafrhaia dori'espondent writes :^ I rmust . again refer to' - the dang&bt&'sjMtelSf new, bridge, whi<?h-

is quite impassable for wheel traffic. To leave such an expensive structure in its present condition is most disgraceful to those whose duty it is to look after it. I suppose nothing will be done until some serious accident occurs, and then possibly it may be attended to — provided time can be spared to estimate the cost, and then I suppose another month or so will elapse before anything is done. Mr Limmer and Mr Calder, a new settler here, set to work yesterday and laid some ti-tree and earth to enable them to cross a dray, which cost them the loss of half a day beside labor. — Numbers of natives have been passing through here this last week, returning from HiUurangi to the Thames, Manukau, and other partsof the north. — The weather this past few days has been rather cold for this time of the year, but, nevertheless, the country is looking first-class, and the farmers are busy putting in their crops. — As will be seen by advertisement, a concert and dance is to take place on Friday next, in aid of the widow of Mr McKeon, who was accidentally killed on the Kihikihi road. The school has been kindly lent for the purpose, and amateurs from several parts of the district have promised their services. The object is a deserving one, and I have no hesitation in saying there will be a large attendance. " The members of the Cambridge Jockey Club have, it will be seen, resolved to purchase the couise at Fanthams farm, the amount of the purchase money, (£2600) which includes the price of the grand stand, to be made up by shares of £25 each. A largo number of shares have already been taken up. We are glad to observe by the report of a meeting published m another column, that the Cambridge Brass and Reed Band jias been re-organised. As is well-known this excellent musical institution has been practically out oi existence for a long time past, through a want of unanimity between the members and the outside public. It is now gratifying to.learn that, through the endeavours of Mr Stuait, a number of the public have agreed to pay an annual subscription towards the support of the baud, and thus relieve the members from the heavy burden which they have hitherto had to bear. Members who now join the band will have no entrance fee to pay, nor will anyone have a weekly or other periodical subscription to give, so long as they are members, the subscriptions already promised by honorary members being sufficient to defray all expenses.

Mr Buclriand will sell at Messrs Carpenter and Byron's, Te Kowhai, on Wednesday, 19th 111 st , a lot ot first-class cattle and horses. Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co., immediately after the above, will sell Mr Barton's pedigree ewes and lambs. MrV. Granville, M.R.C.V.S., notifies that ho has commenced the practice of his piofcssion in C imbridgc. Mr Adam Laybourn, seedsman, Fortstreet, Auckland, makes an important announcement in our advertising columns. Mr K. Hill will sell by auction on Friday, the 21st inst , the furniture and stock of the Railway Hotel, Frankton. Mr J. S. Buckland will offer for sale at the Ohaupo Yards on Tuesday, 25th 111 st , 50 acre sections in the parishes of Horotiu and Tuhikaramca. Mr J. S. Buckland offers £1 for the recovery of a bay horse, lost fiom the Masonic Hotel, Cambridge, on the night of the races. A juvenile dancing class will be opened af the police station, Ngaruawahia, under the direction of Miss Hammond, on the 24th 111 st , at 4 p.m , to continue every Monday and Thursday.