The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2118, 4 February 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equkl and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state 01 persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by sain.

THURSDAY, FEB. 4, 1886.

The unanimity displayed at Tuesday night's meeting of the burgesses of Hamilton could not but be particularly gratifying to the Mayor, to whom the entire credit of the scheme is due. A number of questions were asked, but these referred to matters of detail rather than to any defect in the scheme, there being no question as to the advantages that would accrue to the borough by its adoption. It will not be out of place, perhaps, to emphasise some of the leading features of the proposal. To take them in the order as brought before the meeting, we will first touch upon the question of the public buildings. For this object a sum of £2000 was named. It was contended that a much smaller sum would provide the necessary accommodation for the offices enumerated, and this may probably prove to be the case ; but as this sum was named when the subject was brought to the notice of the Minister for Lands the promoters of the scheme felt bound to adhere to it in drafting the proposal. If a less sum will suffice, the burgesses may, we think, rwt satisfied that

the Council will take care of their interests. On the other hand it may be argued that in the erection of a block of buildings it will be well to consider not the immediate requirements of the departments it is proposed to provide for, but to take care that ample accommodation is provided for extension, to say nothing of the risk in the future of these offices being closed for want of room. Further than this, in the erection of a block of public buildings it would be unwise to overlook the effect a substantial edifice would have upon the minds of visitors and intending settlers. To be able to point out such will give considerable weight and assist in deciding them as to the locality in which to settle, as they would naturally argue that to be near such a centre as Hamilton is likely to become would be desirable. As to devoting a portion of the loan to paying off the overdrafts ; to say that a saving of 3 per cent, interest will be effected is a sufficient answer to any objections ; and whilst upon this subject we might point out that as the interest at present paid is £90, and under the proposal a sum of £240 will be required, it leaves actually only £ 1 -30 to be provided for. If from this we deduct the probable rentil of the domain lands acquired and improved, say £100, it laves a difference of but £50 to bo taken from general revenue. So that the ratepayers need not allow any bogie in the shape of a special rate to frighten them. There is one view of the case that requires no second thought. Whatever is done should be done with despatch. An opportunity is now presented for advancing the interests of Hamilton such as does not often occur. The Railway Department, in making their dispositions for the new service have recognised the importance of Hamilton as a centre, and the location ofc engine-sheds at Frankton will doubtless soon be followed by the erection of workshops at the same place. The Government is not alone in recognising the superiority of Hamilton's position, and we are convinced that nothing is wanting but a strong united effort on the part of its own peoplw to launch it on a loug voyage of prosperity.

We have at last discovered somebody with a good word to say of the delectable Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act. Lest it should be supposed that there exists anybody insane enough to approve of the measure for any inherent quality, we hasten to quote the language of commendation, which appeared in a recent issue of the Oamaru Mail. Speaking approvingly of some of the legislation passed last session, our contemporary refers to " the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act, which abolishes the anomaly by which Otago was being robbed to maintain charitable institutions in other parts of the colony." It may seem very odd, but we do not like the Act a bit better on this account, though it is pleasant to reflect that it has its good points in some people's eyes. We are quite free to admit that to rob Otago is a fearful thing, almost as bad as robbing Canterbury, but we question very much whether an Act that relieves that much-wronged provincial district, while it at the same time provides machinery for robbing the country districts in all parts of the islands, can be called a righteous measure. We really don't think it can, and we trust the local bodies have fully made up their minds to resist its encroachments to the end.

It is contemplated to establish a Wesleyan Cullego at Auckland.

The Presbyterian Church soiree at Te Awamutu will bo held the third week in March.

There is likely to be an interesting assault case before the R.M. Court at Cambridge to-morrow.

Nothing further has been ascertained of the body of John Turnbull, drowned at Cambridge on Sunday.

The next meeting of the Piako County Council takes place on Thursday, the 11th inst.

Mr H. Oowper has been appointed Secretary and Treasurer to S. Andrew's

vestry. Mr R- McLaurin, for many years in charge of the Hautapu School, has been removed to Papakura, and has been succeeded by Mr Ornisby, of Alexandra.

Miss H- B. Mackay, matriculated and certificated teacher, has been appointed assistant teacher at the Cambridge District School, and entered upon her duties on Tuesday. This ltidy kikes the place of the two pupil teachers, Miss Brown and Miss Fordham.

The recent glut of fruit in the Auckland markets has caused supplies to be directed towards the Cambridge Jam Factory, which is now receiving large quantities of plums, and canning is in active operation.

The Oxford annual races will be held thin year on the 17th March (S. Patrick's Day.) The proeramrae, which it unusually good for a country meeting, appears in our business columns this morning.

Mr Westby, the inexorable dogtax collector of Cambridge, fixes the Bth instant as the last day upon which he will receives fees for registration j after that, woe to all collarless caninet.

Owing to the near approach of the Harvest Festival, the incumbent of S. Peter's, Hamilton, has issued » special request to the members of the choir to attend tho practice to-morrow evening.

The monthly meeting of S. Peter's branch of the Church Society will be held at 8 o'clock this evening in Miss Newell's schoolroom, when a lar^e addition will be made to the roll of members, officers will be elected, and other important matters discussed.

Nominations of candidates to ■erve on the Borough of Hamilton Licensing Committee must be in by the 12th inst., and the election, if required, will be held on the 19th. Nominations for the Waitoa Committee must be lodged with the returning officer, at Morrinsville, on the 13th.

At the public meeting of the burgesses of Hamilton, held in the Public Hall on Tuesday nipht, a motion endorsjng the borrowing scheme of the Council, wan curried without a dissentient. There were about 100 ratepayers present, and the utmost unanimity prevailed. A full report of the meeting appears in another column.

Changes have again been made in the staff of tlie Bank of New Zealand at Cambridge. Mr Seddon has been transferred to Tauranga, and his place has been filled by Mr Cook from Auckland. Mr Seddon left Hamilton for his new sphere of dnly yesterday. A large number of his relatives and friends assembled at the stttion to bid him " good-bye."

The Harvest Festival at S. Andrew's Clnirch, Cambridge, will be celebrated on Friday, the 19th init. The Vettry mo nnft»n{j qvery pro^trnticm for

carrying it out in appropriate and becoming manner. It is expected that one of the Bishops now in attendance at the General Synod will be prevailed upon to be present on the occasion.

The Annual Social Gathering of S. Andrevv'g congregation at Cambridge, will be held this year on the 12th May. It wns found from pa*t experience that holdit at later period of the ye.tr wan invariably accompanied by inclement weather ; therefore, it was determined to select a month wnish can usually be depended upon for its geniality.

Emigration from Italy is assuming proportions which are dequieting the Government. During the first six month* of last year as many as 90,135 Italians quitted their native land, 50,000 finding a home in other European countries, and the rest crossing the seas. It is expected that the total emigration for the year will not be Ipm than 200,000, and this is something altogether unprecedented. i

The honour of being the first European Lady to penetrate into the heart of the long sealed-up King Country belongs to Mrs Cameron, the wife of Mr «T. M. Cameron, Assistant • Engineer, Public i Works Department. She accompanied her husband and party eighty miles into the interior, crooning the big tunnel bill, and going ten miles beyond. At the native settlement of Maramataha. she was accorded a most hearty reception by the natives, to whom the face of a white woman is a sight at once rare and delightful.

"Apropos of resignations from the New Zealand railway service, the Lyttleton Times understands that another responsible officer of the Department has taken a similar course to Mr Back, and has resigned his office for the purpose of proceeding to Victoria. It is stated that inducements to do likewise have been held out to «everal others, and that the services of New Zealand railway officials appear to be sought after by Australian colonies just now." We hope (adds an exchange) they •re fi*hing for Mr Maxwell.

We have to warn our readers against the wile 3 of a sweepist who mails from Sydney a most enticing programme of prizes for distribution under tho heading of '• The Sydney Jockey Turf Club'n Consultation on the Champion Race." The affair is a rank swindle, and has already been exposed by several papers elsewhere, bnt it tieemn the promoters arc shameless, as very many pooplo here have just received copies of the above bait with an entreaty to make it known to their friendb ! We hope they will do nothing of the kind, as of the many thousands of pounds already entrusted to the Name parties no return has reached the public, except a few small prizes as ground bnit to catch more flats.— Wauganui Herald.

Those of our readers who take an interest in the welfare of the Maoii race, will bo glad to learn that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand have received from the R.W.G. Templ.tr MalHns, of England, a large supply of Good Templ.tr rituals, constitutions, and odes, in the Maori language. These were published as a renult of the principal members of the Embassy joining the ordor on their recent visit to England. The G.W.C. Templar has forwarded copies to the chief* Topi.i Turoa, Wailri (Taupo) ; Taniati Wiiomu, Meicer ; Hiri Ropi.i, Waipawa (Napier) ; Major Te Wheoro, Koekoe (Waikato) ; and Pepa te Awaroa, Waiktito. It is expected that a Good Templar Lodge will soon be in active operation in every Maori settlement.— Herald.

The residents of the upper portion of Cambridge have frequently complained of the inconvenience of the present dituation of the Post Office. In order to remedy the grievance they feel on account of the distance and the loss of time in travelling to the office, we would strongly urge the erection of a letter-box at Mr Reids store, which could be cleared twice a day by the letter carrier at convenient hours. The position suggested would be a very central one for that end of the town, and in addition to this, Mr Reid could be licensed to vend postage stamps. We commend this proposal to the notice of the Postal Department.

The usual meeting of the Waitoa Road Biard was held last Saturday. Present: Messrs Chepinell, Gould and Smith. It was reported that the arrears of rates en Native lands amounting to £65 5s 7d have been paid, and also £1000 (if the Maungakawa-Waiorongomai Road Lrmn. The engineer repoited on the progress of the works in hand. The following tenders were reeeiv ed for Johnson's creek extention drain :— Collins and Voysoy, £485 ; Hogan and Courtney, £470 Ss 9d ; H. Candwell, £390; J. Shine, £497 14s 8d ; 0. McCabo, £4<J9 ; J. McLeod, £892 10* ; J. Wiseman, £377 (accepted) ; IX ¥. Rj-an, £448. Accounts amounting to £450 2-> were passed for payment The cases of information and complaint l.iid by a T.un.ihere farmer against a Cambridge resident were called on yesterday, Mr H.iy for informant and Mr O'Neill for Mr Whitaker for defendant. Mr Hay said tint the defendant h.id given a written apology to the informant which was consideied satisfactory and had ako paid the costs. He asked His Worship permission to withdraw the information and the complaint. Hib Wor-Irip allowed the withdrawal to be made at the same time commenting upon the stringency of the law, which left no alternative but imprisonment for the use of such language. The following special messages to the Press Association, dated London, February Ist and 2nd, have been published : — The success of the Victorian loan U practically assured at £10(5.— The Standard states that prodigious applications liave been made for the Victorian loan, for which tenders close to-day, two brokers alone having applied for the whole of it.— Tenders for the conveyance of mails to Australia will be received up to the 30fch of April 1 — Mr F. J. Garrick, Agent-General for Queensland, has answered the statements made by the Duke of Manchester regarding the labour traffic in that colony.— The Times praises Mr Baker's Federal Postal scheme, and considers it will accomplish a great deal without encroaching on local freedom.— The Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society, established at Glasgow in 1820, are making business advances to Australia, and Messrs Gibba, Bright and Co., of 93, Pitt-street, Sydney, have been appointed agents for the company. —The Servian Government have at length decided to disband the reserves called out during the recent difficulty with Bulgaria.

The question of charitable aid, is (says the Herald) still in a very unsettled and unsatisfactory state. The United Charitable Boards recently applied to (lovernment for an advance contribution from local authorities. To that recmest tho following reply was sent by a Wellington official :—•' The Premier directs me to say the Audit Department will not pass such advances, and suggests you Bhould arrange with a bank. Failing this Government will try and help." The Board did "know a bank," but they do not know a bank manager who would make advances on such slender authority, and the financial position remains as before. t In two counties in the provincial district the Counties Act is not in force, and the Board have requested the Government to stop the contribution to charitable aid from the amounts coming to the Highway Boards in such districts. An interview took place on Tuesday between the Mayor ot Auckland and the Mayor of Newmarket relative to the payment of the contribution of the Newmarket Borough. Some of the Newmarket councillors are opposed to paying anything towards charitable aid, and the Government decline to pay over the subsidy to the borough till the matter was settled with the Charitable Aid Board. Yesterday Mr Suiter arranged with Mr Waddel that he would support the payment of the contribution as soon as the subsidy was paid over to the Newmarket Borough. A meeting of the Board will take place to-day at ten o'clock to consider the financial situation and other matter*. __^_______ — _