Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 419, 13 November 1889, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

• This abovai all— to thine own self bo tru«, And ib musfc follow as the night the day Thou caneb nob thBn be false to any man.' Shakespeare.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1889

Thb special delegate from Ireland anent the Jrisb Uotno Rulo question his been to Ie Arolia, delivereiJ his address, and gonp. Tlje question naturally arises *» What new light has he thrown on this very important subject, or what valuable

information ,hns he 'inparted fchose tesiding in this poition of Ne\V Zealand, wheivby to fonnuiflte their opinions, if *hey have not y<>t male up their minds ns to whetlier they ought, or ought Dot to support the Home Kule agitation in the form in which it is carried on. For our own pait we frankty admit we were greatly disappointed. We had looked forward with much interest in the ex pectntion of hearing an eloquent speaker, (iied with the ssenl and enthusiasm and gifted with the eloquence of an Irish patriot, speaking from the heart, and who would have placed before us something worth the hearing and thoughtful consideration of those present. But as a matter of fact the address of Sir Thos. Esmoude was delivered in a manner al together spiritless, devoid of enthusiasm, and as a tale evidently learnt off by heart ; and whatever definite statements were made were so altogether overdrawn and one sided, as to lose any effect they otheiwise might have had. We refer those who were not present to the report of the meeting which will be found in another column. Paid agitators, no doubt will succeed in deluding many unthinking persons, — more espeoiftllytbosenotconversantwiththecurrent history of events in the United Kingdom — and induce them to believe many statements which are disgracefully false, and what is to them a matter of far greater moment, will gull many unthinking ones in the Colonies into subscribing money for the support of a movement, that beyond the shadow of a doubt aims at the disruption oFtheEmpire; although thataspect of the question— the real object and end in view — is clearly concealei undora plan sable exterior just now. But surely it is only with some, and let us hope a very few, that statements such as those put forward on Friday night last will bo swallowed without question. Ireland is not altogether an unknown land that we should believe its inhabitants are continually suljecled to such gross outiages, injustice, snd system of terrorism by the English Government. And touching on this aspect of the question we -were astonished that such a spirit of unfairness should be exhibited by any public delegate from any one country to another as was evinced by Sir Thos. Esmonde in his address. Not one single word was said in acknowledgment of what the Imperial Government has donp for Ireland, not a word to lead one to suppose such a thing existed as even one Irish landlord endowed with a sense of justice and fair play. Take the example of how tenant farmers were treated in Ireland, as instanced by Sir Thos. Esmonde in the case of Collier. Did anyone ever hear of such a case? Or if it ever did exist beyond a doubt it is fl solitary one. This Irish delegate took good care to make no reference to th<» dynamiting, cattle houghing, rick burning, assassination, and dreadful atrocities cairied out in connection with this agitation. Grey haired parents shot down in cold blood in the presence of their wives and daughters, or while sleeping in their beds ; men and women disfigured for life— and all for what? because they attempted to pay the rents they owed and were in a position to pay. The record of deeds of blood, cruelty, and lawlessness, in connection with the Irish agitation , to whichwe are asked to subscri be in the name of ' poor evicted tenants ' is a sad one indeed, a sad blot on the history of a people, naturally the most kindhearted and good natured in the world, but who have been goaded into the commission o. f crime through havi?ig their minds perverted by the mis-state-ments cf men, to whom the field of agitation is a most lucrative one. What has -become of the immense funds that have been subscribed towards this cause ? What proportion has gone to relieve actual distress, and what to the payment of agitators, and to promote murder and sedition ? Where are the annual balance-sheets and vouchers ? When men are asked to subscribe, even to a race meeting, or such like, they generally like to know how their money has been expended. And why should people subscribe blindly in this case? In li eland there are hundreds and thousands of landlords with hearts as warm and tender as any that beat in any part of the known world, who have spent the whole of their rentals, and also their receipts from investments outside of Ireland, in the employment of labour, improvement of the condition of their tenantry, and the alleviation of distress ; whose names for generations have been beloved and respected by those who benefitted by their kindliness of heart, Bu-t no mention is even made of these by the agitatois. They would have us believe they are all a bad lot. We say also there are hundreds and thousands of tenant farmers in Ireland, who are both able, willing, and desirous of paying their rents, but by a reign of terrorism have been restrained from doing so, knowing if they did, like many who have already so suffered, they might be shot in their beds for so doing. Is that the sort of freedom and liberty we in N»\v Zealand are to subscribe to? IE it is a crime for a man to invest his money in land, and then to let that land, in other words to be a landlord, let us be consistent and attend to the rectifying of such an injustice in this Colony first ; for a person can be evicted in New Zealand as readily as in Ireland (and moj-e so), to-day, for non-payment of rent. Do we wish to establish or support the rule that the rights of property nrenot to be respected. Lot us not allow ourselves to be carried away by mere clap trap or false sentimentality, upon hearing only one side of a question, and that from a grossly exaggerated standpoint. There is another, the suffering and distress occasioned to large numbers who have invested their money

in land in Ireland, through non-payment of rent, boycotting:, and insecurity of life and property generally. A class who have suffered much in silence, who do not send out paid agitators, or solicit subscriptions from abroad, Wg admit it is difficult- for (hose who have never lived in Ireland, have perhaps only seen it on a map, and never" had an opportunity of hearing the other side of the matter, fairly put before them, to fully understand the question of -the hour. We admit much yet remains to be done, to further the prosperity and happiness of Ireland, and which must be dealt with ; but nothing to justify such separate and exceptional legislation as is demanded and sought to be enforced by such unconstitutional methods. Sir Thos. Esmonde' said they did not even want the power to levy Customs tariff to keep English {joods out of t'.e Irish market. Wo should think not, such a measure would cut both ways, and if a retaliatory policy were adopted by England, what would become of the export trade from Ireland to England which at the present time amounts to about £12,000,000 per annum in cattle, sheep, and pigs alone, and about another £1,000,000 for fish ; to say nothing of produce, manufactured goods, timber, etc., etc. If Ireland were granted the power to levy her own Customs tariff, surely Scotland and Wales should lie similarly treated. The English nation has ever been to the fore in support of liberty, no matter at what cost ; whether it were the abolition of slavery, relief of distress in Ireland, or extension of the franchise. It is English capital that has advanced and developed the resources of Ireland, built its lailways, protected it from foreign invasion, etc. Ifc ia the English Parliament that has passod such very liberal Acts and provided the fund 3, to enable Irish tenants to improve their properties and purchase their 'freeholds, on terms so easy, that many in New Zealand to-day would indeed rejojee if snen opportunities were afforded them, Ifc is to England we look in a great mcasnre at the present time for protection of our lands and homes in this (Southern hemisphere from foreign invasion. In support of our statement, \s\>, in another article give some most interesting figures respecting the Amount of British capital now being placed afc the disposal of Ireland for bettering her condition. In conclusion : So long as they are well pnM for 90 doing, agitators will continue to create party strife, set class against class, an-1 render the Government of Ireland as difficult as possible. But for such, we fully believe the whole United Kingdom would even now be in possession of much greater local governing powers than they .yet possess.

Desiring to aiHoid our readers thofnllebt information respecting the Home Rule delegates, we repiint on our fourth page toMlny a lengthy report of their recent public meeting in Auckland ; copied fjoni the Auckland Evening Star. On next Fiiilay evening Rev J, S. IT ill , of Auckland, will exhibit a series of lime light views in To Aioha Public Hull. The opportunity should not be lost b}' any who can appreciate a really firht eKiss lime light exhibition. Theie will, be, n0.,, charge for admission, and we hope thero will be a full house. Seeadvt. The usual monthly meeting of the To Aroha Town Board, which should have been held on Satuiday last, lapsed. The Te Aroha Brass Band played a number .of selections in a most creditable manner in the Hot Springs Domain on Saturday evening. The treat w*is much enjoyed by the large number of persons assembled. Monday was pretty generally observed as a public holiday at Te Aroln, instead of Saturday, Prince of Wales 1 Birthday, The ordinary monthly of the Te Aroha District Library Committee, which was to have been held on Monday evening last, stands adjourned to Monday evening next, at eight o'clock. Dr Waddington, from Cambridge, ar rived at To Aroha by train ou Satuiday last, returning home on Monday. During his stay he was consulted by quite a number of patients, who availed themselves of the opportunity thus afforded of so doing. This evening the Anglican Bishop, of Auckland, will hold a confirmation service in St Marks' Chuach, Te Aroha, and tomorrow afternoon a similar service at Paeroa, At the meeting of the Auckland Crown Lands -Board on Tbursiday last, an application from Piako County Conncil for five acres of land near the Waifcoa railwa}' station, for a gravel reserve, was granted. 1 Thomas Monahau, a * millionaire, who recently died in Australia, wa-i one of 390 poor emigrants who sailed for that country from Ireland in 1839. The ship ho took passage in was in such an .unhealthy condition that ninety of tho passengers died on the voyage. The Government believe in 'making widely known the many attractions this Colony offers to tourists. ' They have had a series of four tourists maps prepared have printed of 33,000 of each in English and 12,000 in French. These have been widely distributed over the civilised world, and should certainly attract tho globe-trotter to our out-of-the-way little islands. A lady refers to the time spends in front of her looking-glass as "moments of reflection." As one sign of coming influx of people of sorao means to New Zealand (says the Hawke'a Bay Herald) it may b« mentioned that nearly all the saloon accommodation in the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers has been booked months in advance. Not very long aa"o the Company was willing to make all kinds of concessions to fill its vessels, but the reverse is now the case. A man up town Bays ho has a little machine which has acquired perpetual motion. It is a very simple contrivance, requires no weights, lines or springs to moke it qo — but £O it does, and not only will not stop, but to save his life he cannot stop it, It ia his wife's tongue !

A meeting of those interested in holding annual sports at Morrinst'illd Was held lust week, whert it was resolved that the spofts be held this year on Monday, December 23rd. The following Committee have the matter in bund.: Messrs M. Harrison, F. J. Marshall, A. J. Rowe, L. W. Nelson, J. Clifford, J. Gordon, Jt. Turnbull, On Sunday last, Rev R, Sommefville, of St. Peters,, Auckland, conducted Presbyterian services both rooming and evening in Te Aroha Public Hall. In 1101 10 morning he prenched an eloquent and able disconrse from Phillipians 4th chapter and 22ml verse, "All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are Croaars household," in the evening from John sth chat>,,anri 6th verse, "Wilt thou be made whole." The Rev gentleman, whose visit was in connection with the interests of the Presbyterian Church in this and surrounding districts, eturned to Auckland by this mornings train. i At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held at Hamilton on Wednesday last, the resolution carried at the meeting of the Board held on October 2nd, to the effect that the services of the doctor be retained Rolely fc the Hospital, was rescinded. A communication was read from Government enclosing copy of the Order in Council, recently Gazetted, altering the representation of tho contributory locul bodies on the Board> to the following : Piako and Waikato Counties, each four members ; Waipa County, four members ; Raglan County, Hamilton and Cambridge Boroughs, one member each. A resolution was carried objecting to tho increase 1 of representatives on the Board. There is a simple way, writes a correspondent- of the Weekly Pious, for eradicating twitch grass, sorrel land other noxious weeds, which may not be very generally known. In addition to the complete destruction of tho weeds tho land is benefitted, and its productiveness more than doubled.. The method is very simple. Cart out some refuse vegetation from any flaxmill, and spread it thick on the patches of.\veeds,say 3 inches or 4 inches thick. Leave it alone for a few months, .vnd every sign of plant life will have disappeared Then cultivate or rake in grass seed, and you wil get a grand crop. Flax refuse is ca si,Jy obtainable for the cost of cartage, and will provo a most valuable fertiliser ttfter doing its work of destruction. The athletic sporte at Paeroa on Saturday last, Prince of W-ales' Bii thday, passed off very successfully. The sports were ! held in 'Mr W. G. Nicholls paddock, and the following were the results, of the various events : — Maiden Race. 120 yds ; piize, 20a. — Lawson, 1 ; Vuglur, 2; Clarke, 3, Hod, Step, and Jump, prize, 20s. — Jos. Dihars 39ft lin , Ist. Ohinemuri Cup, 300, 20U, nnd IOOyiU ; prizes. £5 ; JCI : 10s. First heat (300vds).- Keleher f2oy<ls), 1 ; Lnckwood (25yds), 2 ; Johnson (scialch), 3. Eia^it staged. Hurdle Race, 220 yds,* 5 fliirhtt, 'prize, 20s.— Oaihen 1 6yds, 1 ; [Jatton, Byds, 2; Me Connell (scratch), 3. Cup, 2nd hr>at, 200 yds. — Johnson (scratch), 1; Keleher, 1 8 yds, 2; Lockwo-id, 20vd«s, 3 Mile Race, prizes, £3 and £1. — Case (sontch), 1 ; Cfi.hen, 50>d<», 2; Davison, 60yd I*,1 *, 3 Egg Race (10)s.— Dixon. Old Men's Rice (UK).— Lq<?an. Sick R.ico (10s}.— Won Giiffiths. Local Race (£!).— Won by Lmvon. Barrel Race (lO.s). — Won by Lawson. Cup, 3rd heat IOOy/R — Keleher, 7yds, and Johnson (scratch), ran ti dead heat for Ist and 2nd places, Lockwood biiing 3rd. As Keleher was two points ahead over the first two heats lie took Ist prne, Johnson 2nd, and Lockwood 3rd. Boys' Raee — W, Bettis. The waltzing contest at Friday evenine's ball was won by Mr \Y. Wallace and Miss Agnes Davison.