The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1897.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 94, 13 February 1897, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1897.

The unbecoming proceedings, to put the case mildly, which have taken place several times during the past year, should be a clear indication to school committees that the in traduction of new blood into the Education Board is necessary, that at present at the service of the district being too heated on personal grounds to be any longer of use. Heated blood is always calculated to bring any deliberative body into contempt, and we are sorry to say that it has, in no inconsiderable degree, had this effect upon the Board of Education. Circulars and counter-circulars have been issued commenting on tho unseemly proceedings at the Board table. The public and members of committee have too much to do in looking after their own business to devote their time to the attempt to grasp the niceties or "Hastinesses " of their statements, and are very naturally and properly inclined to exclaim, " A plague o' both your houses," and dismiss tho disputants from the public service. The opportunity is now open to the Committees, aud it is to be sincerely hoped that they will give some of the aspirants for office a trial. In considering as to their selection they should put aside the idea that there is any real reason for the cry which has been raised, " Town and country." The country schools, of course, require a larger proportion per capita than tho town ; this they actually receive, as it is only by the earnings by capitatiou grant of the largo schools that those sparsely attended in the country are kept going at all. There are three candidates for election whom we should bo inclined to select. They are Mr ITobbs, Mr Bagnall and Mr G. M. Reed, Junr. The first has been a member of the Board and did good service, and having been a member of the House, has some grasp of public business. Mr Bagnall is a representative man and has done very good work as chairman and member of local bodies at the Thames, and was until recently a very useful member of the Auckland Crown Lands Board. Mr Gr. M. Reed is a solicitor, who, until recently, resided at tho Bay of Islands, where ho was chairman of the local school committee for some years, and has in conseepjence an intimate knowledge of the difficulties country committees have to surmount.

Mr Wilfoud's election for Wellington Suburbs has been declared void, in consequence of a letter written .to the Premier and given to a man named Mulvaney to deliver. Wo printed the letter in last issue, but it is well, now that the decision of the Judges hinged mainly upon it, that it should be again brought to notice. It reads as follows :—" Dear Mr Seddon. Let me introduce this Mr Joseph Mulvaney, who is a supporter of myself in Karori, and who did a good deal for Dr. Newman on the last occasion. Mr Mulvaney has considerable influence in Karori and has to ask assistance from you as a night watchman's billet or anything else that is suitable. Will you do what you can ?" This letter is not couched in the clearest English, such as should be looked for from Parliamentary candidates, it is nevertheless understandable. It lifts tho curtain and affords the public a peep behind the scenes. It is only the application of the same principle as led to the appointment of the Sergeant-at-Arms, valuers for the purposes of the Loans to Settlers Act, membership of the Council, and to inspectorships under any number of Acts. If the man Mulvany had found the Premier at home, ho would in all probability have got a billet of some sort, and the letter would not have fallen into the hands of those it was not intended for, and Mr Wilford would have retained his seat; ho has now lost it, and in addition is proved to have brought himself within the penal clauses of the Corrupt Practices Act, which it is to be desired on all grounds will bo enforced against him. The Attorney-General wo presume is the proper person to set the law in motion. Will he do so ? There are two Judgeships likely to be in the gift of the Ministry shortly.

On our fourth page this morning we print a report of Thursday's meeting of the Cambridge Borough Council. Carrol, tho vitriol-thrower, has been before the Court at Sydney, unci is remanded to Auckland The annual meeting of the Waipa Amateur Athletic Club i 3 convened for Saturday next, 20th inst., at Finch's Hotel, Pirongia. Owing to damage to the bridges, it has been considered necessary to close the Matamata-Gordon Settlement road until further notice. The annual meeting of subscribers and members of the corporation of the Cambridge Public Library will be held in the reading-room on Wednesday next, commencing at 1.30 p.m. Family and exhibitors' tickets for the Horticultural Show can be obtained from Mrs Gwynne, Messrs Dey, Manning, LeQucsne; Sandes, and the Secretary (Mr E. L. Hope), Hamilton. Commandant Booth, of the Salvation Army, was accorded a reception by a crowded gathering in the Opera House, Christchurch. The Mayor welcomed him on behalf of the citizens. According to Sergeant Kicly, of Masterton, the numerous prohibited persons in the district formed a mysterious organisation, known as " The Society," the main object of which was to procure liquor, to be consumed by stealth in the park. The ratepayers of the Mangapiko Riding, Waipa County, aro reminded of the meeting to be held in the County Chambers, Ohaupo. on Tuesday next, 16th inst., at 12 o'clock, to consider the question of closing tha road running between Sections 82 and 326 in their district. Officers of the Post and Telegraph Department, Duncdin, have presented the Hon. J. G. Ward with an illuminated address aud Mrs Ward with a jewel casket. Reference was made to the consideration invariably shown to requests emanating from the Department by the late Postmaster-General. Jane Simpson was fined at Wanganui, £SO and costs £5 lis for sly grog selling to a Maori woman. Defendant had been thrice previously convicted of a similar offence. Magistrate Kettle said he would have sent her to gaol but for the fact of her being a widow woman with a daughter dependent on her. Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the Waikato Farmers' Club will be held on Monday next, at the usual place and hour. In addition to the ordinary business, Mr W. Tucker will read his paper on "My Trip To Christchurch, and What I Saw There." This will be an important meeting, for the Root and Produce Show arrangements will have to be made at it. On Monday next Mr and Mrs Hugh Ferguson, of Hautapu, celebrate their silver wedding, and we understand they have invited their friends to commemorate the occasion by meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall at Cambridge and spending a social evening together. We trust they may be spared to celebrate their golden wedding and that many of their guests may also be present ou that occasion. The Minister of Education has telegraphed the Board of Education to the effect that sixteen scholarships will be granted in addition to those gained at the late examination, in accordance with the strict regulations bearing on the matter. This is as it should be, and io is to be hoped that the necessity for this action will be taken as a warning to those on whom will devolve the drawing up of the papers for future examinations. The only grantees for scholarships in this district, arc Alfred J. H. Bongo of Waihi, and Millicent A. L. Short of Te Aroha. A meeting of the Tamahere Road Board was held yesterday, when there were present : Messrs Wheeler (chairman), Rhodes, Barugh and Eurzo. A report was received from Mr Pavitt as to the condition of the Victoria Bridge. He stated that the bridge would require to be re-built, as the earth had all been washed from underneath the piles by the heavy rains, and estimated the cost at £65. The Board agreed to have the work done under the supervision of Mr Pavitt. Accounts amounting to £3 Is were passed for payment. Lord Glasgow has been interviewed in Sydney. He said he noticed a good deal of improvement in New Zealand during the past few years, especially in regard to commerce, which had made some strides. In reference to federation, he said he had not taken up tho subject. Personally, he did not think New Zealand ought to come into the union, but for Australia federation was greatly to be desired. Now Zealand was too far away, and could not well be included in any defence scheme ; in fact, her iuterests in every way were not what he called separate, but at the same time they were not identical. Lord Glasgow refused to be drawn on any subject verging on politics. The career of Miss Ellen Terry, who has been before the public for just over forty years, forms one of the most interesting personal histories of the stage Mr Walter Calvert lias compiled a "souvenir " of the famous actress illustrated with a number of excellent portraits. An incident is recalled of Miss Terry's early days at the Lyceum which may be worth repeating. "Romeo and Juliet" was witnessed one night by the impetuous Sarah Bernhardt, who afterwards went behind tho scenes to congratulate the performers. " How can you act in this way every night ? " she exclaimed to Miss Ellen Terry. The latter in her simple, natural way, explained : "It is the audience—they iuspirc me,"

Mr 11. Percival, of Whangarei. has retired from the contest for a scat on . the Board of Education. Mr W. T. Lutener has been appointed dog registrar for the Huntly Riding, and also for the Rangiriri Subdivision of the Whangamarino Riding, Waikato County. The third wool sale of the season, under the auspices of the Auckland Wool-brokers' Association, will be held at the Wool Exchange rooms, Queenstreet, Auckland, on Wednesday, 24th February, commencing at 9 a.m. Mr 'Douglas, of Auckland, has written the secretary of the Waikato Farmers' Club that he will attend the meeting on Monday night, witli the object of explaining the position in which he stands witli regard to the Sugar-Bcct Industry. The lad, Heyman, who was arrested near Rotorua on a charge of stealing a horse belonging to Mr 0. F. Pilling, of Raglan, was brought down by the Express train yesterday by Coustablc Forbes, Ho will be taken on by Constable Tapp to Raglan, where the case will be tried. In connection with the Permanent Artillery we notice that Sergeant Joseph Webb has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major, and wc congratulate him on his advancement in the service. Mr Webb is a son of Mrs Webb, an old Hamilton resident, and in the early days he was a prominent member of the old A.C. Force. The first consignment, some £4O worth, ot books for the Hamilton Library have arrived. These will be covered and put on the shelves of the institution with all possible speed. Thanks to the energy and application of Mr P. E. Stevens this first step in the direction ol improving the library has been made, and we hope ere long to be able to notice further advancement in connection therewith. We learn from Lichfield that further deaths among the sheep have occurred in that district, apparently from weasels. Messrs Clifton and Ross, of the Stock Department, proceeded by train to Lichfield yesterday to investigate the matter, and if possible to definitely ascertain the cause of the unaccountable deaths which have from time to time taken place among the flocks of the Thames Valley Land Company. Mr R. Witheford is at present in the Waikato making inquiries on behalf of an English firm who have some £250,000 waiting investment, in connection with the sugar-beet industry. He saw Capt. Runciman yesterday afternoon on the subject, and he recommended him to approach the Waikato Farmers' Club, who have a considerable amount of data on hand in connection therewith. The sugar-beet question is now_ being taken up in more than one direction, and we doubt not that before long the hopes of our farmers of seeing a factory at work will be gratified. Mr E. B. Peat's friends to the number of about twenty-four assembled at the Frankton Hotel on Thursday evening to tender him farewell on the eve of his departure. Host Spencer had provided a tasteful supper, and after justice had been done to the good things the chairman (Mr George Edgecumbe) proposed the health of Mr Peat in felicitous terms. The toast was suitably drunk with honours. In replying Mr Peat thanked those present, many of whom he knew had attended at great inconvenience, for their kindness to him during his seven years stay among them. He said he would always look back on his stay in Waikato with great pleasure, and he hoped if any Waikato friends were in the Bay of Islands district they would look him up. The rest of the evening was devoted to social enjoyment, several songs, recitations and readings being given, and the gathering broke up just before midnight with " Auld Lang Syne." Mr Peat and family leave by train this morning. On Thursday evening before the close of the meeting of Lodge Beta-Wui-kato, No. 12, the W.M. (Bio. R. W. Mears) referred to the early departure of Wor. Bro. R. B. Peat, 1.P.M., for the Bay of Islands. On behalf of the Lodge he expressed regret at losing Bro. Peat's services, and referred to the great assistance he had been to the Lodge during his connection with it. Owing to the short notice of his departure the brethren had been unable to arrange to mark their appreciation of Bro. Peat's worth, but he had much pleasure in informing Bro. Peat that the Lodge intended to piesent him with a P.M.'s jewel, which would be obtained and forwarded to him as soon as possible. The W.M. concluded by wishing Bro. Peat aud ins wife aud family long life and prosperity. Wor. Bros. G. hdgeeumbe, D.M., and G. W. Sare, P.M. G. Supt. of Works, also bore testimony to the general satisfaction, Bro. Peat had given in the discharge of his commercial as well as his masonic duties, and joined in wishing him future success and prosperity. Bro. Peat, who said he was a poor hand at making a speech, heartily thanked the brethren for their kindly expressions towards him. His regret at leaving the district whete he had made very many friends and in which he had received great kindnesses was only relieved by one thing, and that was the hope that the milder climate of the North would prove more suitable to his wife, who for the past three winters had been almost a confirmed invalid from rheumatism. After the meeting the brethren adjourned to the ante-room, when Bro. Peat's health was drunk in bumpers with musical honours. ____________