The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1869. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 1 May 1869, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1869.

"Measures, not Men."

The honour of knighthood has been conferred on several rather obscure individuals in New South Wales. If colonial honours are to be thus distributed, any deserving person may not unreasonably display as much reluctance as did Richie Monyplies when about to receive the accolade from the sword of James VI., and may in better English than the Lord of Castle Oollops, expostulate as he did, " Gude kens what an honest woman's son has dune to fa' under sic a disgrace.

Owing to some disgraceful blundering on the part of our immaculate rulers, the good folks of Tokomairiro have been put to a great deal of unnecessary expense, in the way of preparations for the reception of the Duke of Edinburgh, and are after all denied the honour of a visit from royalty. Were cruelty to Corporations a punishable offence, we question whether the Provincial authorities would not run a considerable risk, as it is those who originated the mistake should be compelled to refund the disbursements made on the strength of their information. The whole affair is an admirable illustration of the proverb, "Put not your trust in Princes."

At last, after some years of correspondence and investigation, our paternal Executive have come to some terms with Mr. Adams, of Tokomairiro, for the exchange of his land on the flat near Glenore, which goes by his name, and which was long since proved to be highly auriferous. The particulars of the exchange the Government have effected we have not yet ascertained; but we are informed thatvthe Flat is now open for mining purposes, and a rush is likely to be thesresult. We have heard or a party N - that worked on this Flat, and made an average of £B 12s. per week per man, for the three years they were permitted to work on it, and that result x was under very unfavorable circumstances for the want of a gctod supply of water. Such promising ground for the miners will very soon be occupied. The only cause of regret is that the Government did not accede to Mr. Adams' proposal years ago, which would have resulted in great benefit to the district, and not less benefit to the miner, who now finds boundaries on every hand, beyond which he' cannot pass,

The staunchest advocates of Provincialism appear to be troubled ■witn uneasy forebodings. Rumours have for some time bee» current of

a coalition between Messrs. Stafford and Fox ; and the opening speech of Mr. Macandrew would lead us to believe that even he is beginning to despair of the present s} T stem. During the recess he has evidently studied hard to qualify himself for the chairmanship of a road board — a post for which he is by nature much better fitted than for the one he now occupies. He has evidently looked up the subject of roads and bridges with . great ardour, and no doubt deserves praise for his diligence ; but such a course on the part of the Superintendent of a Province, when so many important questions disturb the public mind, looks very much like an abdication of provincial pretentions, and a tacit approval of local self-govern-ment

Accounts from the North continue most unsatisfactory — for it must be remembered that every hour of immunity accorded to the rebels adds to their strength and injures the prestige of the British name. Colonel Whitmore in massing his troops against a single enemy, acted in accordance with military traditions; but unfortunately the war raging in the North is of an exceptional character, and not to be conducted by any of the rules of civilized warfare. We believe that an army of regular troops would prove of no permanent benefit; but if England in this, our hour of need, gave us one-third of the sum she expended in the Abyssinian expedition, and permitted our Government to recruit in Kaffraria and the Punjaub, we might have some chance of terminating a struggle which threatens to be the most serious New Zealand has ever encountered.

It is with regret we learn that Cobb and Co.'s weekly coach to and from Switzers has been discontinued. The reason, we surmize, can only be found in the fact that it does not pay, owing to the few passengers and the wear and tear caused to both coach and horses by a long rough road. This line of road can only be made payable for a coach by the contractor for the mail ; and we were glad to be informed the other day, by Mr. Alexander Matheson, of Switzers, that he had some intention of putting on a coach to carry the mail to and from Switzers, instead of carrying it on horseback, as at present. We trust Mr. Matheson will receive every encouragement to carry out his intentions, and thus keep open for passenger traffic a line of road which links together two of the most thriving mining communities of Ofcago, mid which must become more and more important every year.

The English news by the last mail is of little interest. One item is, however, of some importance to colonists, namely that the Colonial Society had been successfully inaugurated. The ignorance displayed by educated Englishmen on all matters pertaining to the Australian Colonies, would be ridiculous, were it not often attended with serious consequences. "Never too late to mend " is by too many supposed to give a fair picture of colonial society, which, according to that production, consists chiefly of convicts, ticket-of-leave men, shepherds, snobs and bankrupts. We trust the Colonial Society will eradicate such false notions, and obtain for us a share of the interest and consideration at present lavished on the East and West Indies. The presence of the Prime Minister, several of the most prominent Members of Parliament, and the American Ambassador at the inaugural banquet, augurs well for the future career of the Society. It is to be hoped every encouragement and assistance will be given it by the Governments of the several colonies.