Te Aroha News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 23, 10 November 1883, Page 2

Te Aroha News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

'This above nil— to thine own-salf bt» true And it must follow u«j tho night the day, Thou canst not then be fulse to any mm.' — Kbakeipear©.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER. 10, 1833.

The cablegrams dated London 29th ult. brought some strange and unexpected news relative to Maori prorednrp in connection with an Englis'i Society, and the native representatives i in the Legislature seem to have been at ! the bottom of the whole affair. The I cable tells us that " thy Maori members of the New Zealand Parliament have written to the A^ori^ines Protection Society, stating that, the Maoris require that tlie powers at present exercised by the Native Lands Courts should be conferred upon elective Native Boards, i which should also be empowered to i legislate for the Maotis." This would indeed bestow a very wide jurisdiction on our dusky friends. In the next place these veracious u hon. members " complain that the' Government are refusing to permit Tavrhiao's propose- i visit to the Queen. The same cablegram adds that the society in question forwarded the lei ter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that Lord Derby had passed it on to his Excellency, Sir William Jervois. The next day's cable says that Tawhiao's visit to England has been brought under tiie notice of Lord Derby, and that the latter has addressed a despatch to the Governor of this Colony, requesting information regarding the Maoii king, and alpo his opinion relative to the proposed visit. The force of native impudence could hardly further vo than the modest request of " tho Maori members " with relation to the native elective Land Courts, and the institution of petty Maori Parliaments to legislate for the Maoris. The manner in which they have gone to work is too childish to comment at any length on, and partakes essentially of the custamary threat common amongst juveniles who think themselves aggrieved, that they will "goan I tell mother." But to British colonists throughout the world the existence of meddlesome socitiea such as the one that was made the medium of the Maori complaint, is a constant blister. With the best intention*!,

doubtlesftly, a number of persons who know nothing whatever of colonial matters venture to interfere where they can effect no possible good, but only cause intense irritation and mischief, tn our case they would lead the Maoris to believe that on appeal to their society forthwith everything shall be done in accordance with Maori desire. They make the aboriginals think that Colonial Legislatures only exist by the grace of the "Imperial Government, and that Exeter HallHenets must prevail, even though they were to drive New Zealand hack to savagedom. It is high time that these societies should he better informed, and that the Maoris should not loan on rotten reeds in future. The natives probably did not adopt the course they have done oat of their own mind, but some jjiJifc***-^! ass whose powers Foi\e>vil, as middlemen, are passing^wtfy so swiftly, have suggested this la£t r 'move. hopeless though it must be. 'Though Lord D^rby, the present Secretary for the Colonies, can hardly be sail I to be over and above friendly to colonin legislation, he has certainly acted prop»-r! « in referring the matter to Sir William Jervoia, who will rightly appreciate the value of the letter in question, and the mischievous absurdity of the Society that took it up seriously. With reference to the New Zealand Government refusing the drunken Maori potentate permission to proceed to England, they cannot possibly care where lie travels to ; indeed his migration would he ratijer a relief than otherwise. Wh.it, however, they do object to is to fin 1 his sable Majesty funds, out of the public purse, to make the pilgrimage. If Tawhiao puts off his European trip till the colony consents to pay its cost, we are strongly of opinion that he may postpone it sine dit. What effect the fact of his proposal to pay a royal visit to the Queen, having been brought under the notice of Lord Derby may be remains to be seen, but if t\ie Secretary for tiie Colonies wishes to see bio, tic must either pay the New Zealnndei'ss expanses out of the Imperial Treasury, or get his Friends the English Aborigines protectionists to devnto a considerable portion of their society's funds to the purpose. Lastly, as to the enquiries that Lord Derby is said to have made of the Governor, it is probable that the replies will disillusionize even Tawhiao's society friends. He made a regai tour a short time ago, amongst his o\r.i people, and it was hardly such a sncee s as to induce any vice-regal recommendation for it to be repeated in Great Britain. Altogether the whole thing is simply ridicu'ous, but it shows that 111 1 • inclination of tne Maori members for mischief is great, if their powers to effect it are small, and it will add greatly to the q owing public feeling a« as the useleasness ami absurdity of Maori representation in the Legislature as now existing, and towards an absolute conviction that the sooner the present sha-.n ifc swept away the b'tcer, alike for the pakeha and the native.

The appointment of Mr Mitchelson to a seat in the Cabinet, to the future portfolio of Public Works in fact, is certainly a surprise, nn i is as tjritifyin;* to this portion of the colony as it will be doubtlessly irritating to the Mouth. Whether the choice is tin best tint could have been mi io f-Tin t ,c Auckland district may perhaps be a mri't^r of doubt, but that the Premier recognised its just claims to ie in the Government is proved by his selection. A great many, not only in this particular district, but in othe.s, regret that Captain Morris was not th»» chosen one, but no dou ; >t there we, c .easons, probably of his own, why the position was not accepted by iiim. As, of course, is well known, Mr Johnston**, the present Minister for Public Work*, only holds his seat till a successor is appointed, and Mr Mitcielson will shortly rei^n in his stea 1. During his term of office lie has developed nothing particular in the shipe of ability, but has been just what he is in his private business, a plo Iding, steady, business man. He made no enemies, neither did he gather any warm friends in his Ministerial capacity, but if rumour is correct relative to his succeeding Sir Dillon liell, as our Home Colonial Agent, be will doubtlessly fulfil his duties well. As mignt naturally be ! expected, a great deal of sn ps,s" V;i> felt at Mr Mitchelson bi»in^ selre'e : In the first place, he is compat itiveiy an untried man, his political career fia* been only a short one, and his abilit es have hardly been tested up to the , present lime. At the same time »>ft :.as proved himself capable in his private business of achieving success, and as a private citizen he has earned a host of warm and enthusiastic friends. He is literally a sou of the soil, being N<m Zealand born, and his elevation to bis present position gives an additional proof that political prizes are within the reach of all. ft is certainly singular that one of the most unaum* departments of the Government shoiil . be allotted to one whose political expiMence is so brief, but there is the satisfaction of knowing that the new broom has had little entanglement with re-i tape, and it is probable that a muc i more straightforward policy may be th-> result. The translation from the wilds of Kaipara to the magnificence of Wellington will be «reat, but if the new Minister possesses the sound good spns* with which he is credited by those who know him best, he is not at all likely to have hia head turned thereby, ov to do anything but reflect credit on tho office that he will hold. Though unexperienced in politics ho is a thoroughly practical business man, and will* in all probability, prove to be th« right roan in the right

place. In his appointment justice has been done to this portion of the colony, and the wisdom that dictated it will, without doubt, be -prbvcil in time to come.

Since our l-.i^t i^ue the t:x|Mctiti ms of the moat Stinguhu- luve b-jeu reached, «»<id in a large mujoiity of i'usm exee ded by the really excellent returns of umilgnm now nt hand at t'.ie battery. The columns of thin paper have from timo to time been very careful in no way to mis load the public by faltfe e«tim*tfts of quality of quartz to' bo crushed. Many .1 time ha>e we been twited with not pub H«hing various report* received from people who, .ire have not the slightest doubt, were perfectly sincere in what they thought themselves, but whose judgment •md wunt of experience, was upt to circulate u rather ovei -exaggerated ruport of the field ; the mmmg 1 report" published ti> these column*!, since our taking over the pa^er, have alway*. been cuivlully weighed bo tore being iysufid to the public, and nothing that w.ib in the slightest d calculated to upset the « j qudibnum oi u oatient and long- suffering mining com.uunity, has ever seen d «.y light throng" the medium of this journal. Now ti I Che returns ura to hmd, we are abiv to share conscientiously the extrom^ plea sure and gratification the pubic J\v! vthe returns of amalgam, far exceeding general expeditions. All th- armi^j noents of the tramway find battery fire now complete and in good working ord"r, th • batt.-ry is reducing quartz at the r te of on ■ ton per Ktumpor in twenty-four honis. Bv the excellent Hrr:ingempnts f imti ited >m i carried out bv Me^rs Filth and C! irk, oC posting am il^am returns daily for th ■iiitht'tictton and use of th© public, investors by adding t(»^ether thod-iily cleatjiiigup, allowing, say a fourth or' am.ilg.im and one t"n per stunpei cm very nearh get at the actu.il return from the various parcoh now being treated at the bitten 1 This arrangement Ims on.' leiity no d advantage, viz., every person who wnhes c take the troubJe to find out how th ; -.tuff 18 shaping from day to day, his only t< go to the battery and he will find the returns posted at the building. A certain amount of doubt has from umj tj tiuu* exercised tl»e mindn of a port D.i of t.i general public as to tie course t!ic pioprietors of tlie battery w mid f,ui"MijvgHidiu< the tiiling.s, wlnc'i >ve;*a iJway" considcied wou'fl be of a payable natur . Messrs Firth anil C ark c.i.uy in f.»r tiltUaual <inum.»t of gr>»vi ; no .*nd oi bets wore wa^eivd *•* to the riciness of the t«iiing,aud the en >r«nou foi tunes, tiuit would be am soil by ti • g-ntl'-iii'ii above refcrreii to. We i\.\\great, tidtisf.ictitm in placing b«.'forc! the public a fow parlii u.ars «if thj lundsom and honorable mannor in which Lhe proprietorn of the bittery iiave acted. TiK>y have at once .set .it rj^t the very delictte qu^'-tion of tailings and their tieatiuynt b\ wiling yesterday iv rep! tu a t'.e^r.im i 'nt by th ' bitt t\ vi in ig r to t't * ro! jkv-in^i'ff-ot: — "B'ln.vL'lf lo lx? w t^'i-i i a, often i-. r ']nir d ; tu'in^s t. » i>? tu •en for the b_«n lit ot t.u c. iiu.Mii.es." T.i 1 ; B une teiogr.im conveyed t:id *<iti-fai*t ry announc:m j nt th.it twelve additioua' berians w.mld be imin'diitely add;d to the already very complete plant. Tii 3 line of conduct ado{>t"d by th i piopriet*>r give gr.-at assurance to investor ; it shows tiie uphhc how t») doal ivit i cle<ir-hin'K i d and straightforward Ijujii.^s m -n, wii . on-'y require to he deaft Luvly with to fieal fainy with other*. We predict that, by the end of the w.*;;k, 20\X)oz. of amalg'im will be on hmd. At the end of t').i month's clf«rin/ n» and ivtoi tin^r, over 200') )Z.'i)f jD^Jted gold will b.» read\ t>>r t'B.'oit. wliijh leturn our reader •.vdl agr^e with iv is tic yon 1 s.itisf ictory for a u-w h' -!d t » yse'd after tho tir t aionthV <.-rus!jin»^.

Owing to an interruption in the wirea wo are unable to give our readers the uouitl tele graph im 1 cable column. The wired vorked ail right at 7 o'clock, at 7.5 communication ceased. Pa Idy, the valuable wcll-bre 1 Irish Better dog belonging to Mr Thomas Fen ton, whs kille 1 by falling lown a shaft in the Werahiko mine ye^ier lay . The log ha i followe ] a puny ot visitors to the mine, an i miih have walkel into the drive afier them Visitors should not allow valuable do 3M 3 M to enter a drive, as several instances of log* being lost in the same m .inner uccurrel at the Thumaa. " Uciiui=cjit in pace," so aay so am of the boar lers at vVulker's Hotel. On la-t evening a social tea in I us, vets V song wjih Jiel lin the Public Hall. Th.« bin! ■- ing was very tastefully decora;* l loi the OivaBion. The tea (which was com-nvuee i a, halt-past six) reflected gieafc ere lit o:i those who got it up, ample provision being made for all com- rs. Punctually ai eight o'clock tfie sei^o of n.jng com- : mencei. The Rev U 1\ Vln-shall yccupieUhe ! the chair, an 1 ope no i sUo ajot.n ,v:i>ii afe v suitable remarks. T^ie piece solectol wan fiat known as >l Eva," an is founded on the story of " Uncle Tom's Cabin." Mr Whitehouse waa musical conductor, Mi Ashby pro- i Biiing at the hamnoniuiQ. The parts werp principally supporw I by mcuber.-' of the I bun lay-school. Mr Ilott did thy necessai.v reading, xhe whole aifair passe! off mo.se successfully, anl was much appieciate'l by a large and attentive au hence. Ac the close lie v. Ferguson aldressel- the meeting, anl moved a vote of iha:ik-* to tho^o who eon-ducte-t ani %ok part in chis very successful •neeiiihj, tlie votd oeihg SB^on lv i by Mr vV. 11. ILurkins. In our columna will be found an advertisement announcing the sale on or about December Ist of residence an'l business sites between Te Aroha and Waiorongoinai. The positive assurance the public novr possess that the Te Aroha reefo aye highly payable, renders it certain that an advance in the price of property, must take place, and a very favourable opportunity now presents itself to I get in in time. We hear that very liberal [ tennn will be given to purchahers. A dinner was given by Mi* H. H. Alams last Tuesday week to the employees in con- ; uecuon with the. Uattcry an I tra'iisvay, al j Jbawiesa' Hv>lol, Waiovono;omai. Mr MoCrea ! occupied the ohair, Mr Smurden, vice-chair- > man. About 80 sat down to one of the best I *• spreads " that ha« been given in the district, and to which ample justice was done. After dinner the usual loyal toasts were proposed anl warmly responded to. Next was " Prosperity and happiness to the energetio pioneers of the Goldfleld, Meaws Fifth and Clark," which was received with much enthusiasm. Mr W. T. Eirfch, 'responding on behalf of tho aforesaid gentlemen. Tlub was followed by " Th« Piako County Counoil," coupled with the name of Mr W. T. Firth, the toast being warmly received, and Mr W. T. Firth again responded. Mr MoOrea then proposed the health of the energetic manager of tho .battery and tramway, Mr H. H. Adams. Mr Adam* responded, and in the course of hia remarks, *%i*\ ho not only ViW JKhsui^i 9ue<v*M '6t

Outside the main building . is '(erected ft circular saw, which is to be useol for outsttg firewood. A choice selection of jewallerf cnd/wsf&et will bo shown for three day? ofilyin pretmijai adjoining Mr Clarke, grocer/ by Mr MojA^aou, of Hamilton. Froz&.,hia adv«rtisem«ij[(l '. it will be seen Mr MoLernbn tntenSs ojptning an establishment in Te Arohal. We H'a^&jio doubt this announcement will meet wira"^« approval of the inhabitants of thia''dftt*iot,