The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 255, 5 March 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1898.

This morning we print a cablegram which calls for serious consideration. Mr Hanbury. the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in reply to a question in tho House of Commons, as to the reason of the recent delay of cablegrams between Australasia and Europe, said that the delay had arisen on the Australian land lines, but that the cable companies had recently made a suggestion to extend the proposed Cape cable from Albany to Adelaie. This statement revives the question of the alternative cable route through the Paciiic, which has been under consideration at intervals since 1874, but until the last few years the scheme did not take any definite form. In 1594 the matter was formally discussed at the Colonial Conference, held in Ottawa, in consequence of which tho Canadian Government called for tenders for the construction of a line from Canadian* territory to the Australian Continent. Several tenders were sent in which established the fact that tho cost of construction would be about £1,500,000. Calculations were also made as to the cost of working tire line and the revenue likely to result. The conclusion was arrived at, that with very much lower rates than those charged on the existing line, there was reason to hope that within a few years a Pacific

cablo would be self-supporting. Thoro was difference of opinion as to whether the scheme should be carried out as a private enterprise, under the guarantee of interested governments or as an Imperial public work, each of the interested governments to contribute its share of the cost. The next time prominence was given the matter was in 1896, when it was considered by Imperial and Colonial delegates. They are stated to have gone into the question most exhaustively, and to have submitted a report which has not yet been made public, but it is said to have been favourable to the scheme. The subject was aguin discussed at the Conference of Premiers which took place just subsequent to the Jubilee celebrations in London. On this last occasion it is more or less authoritively stated that the position as to its construction was materially altered by the proposal of tbo Eastern Extension Company to lay an all-British line from West Australia across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, thence connecting with the Capo, St. Helena, and Ascension. This, so fatas we can undeißtand, is how tbo situation rests.

In view of recent events in the far East and on the West Coast of America, it appears to us that the true policy is to construct the Pacific cable. The trade capacity of China and Japan is certain to be very much strengthened within the next few years, and Australasia should with proper facilities come in for its full share. Again, the recent discoveries of gold at Klondyke is certain to attract a largo and industrious population, which should take a large quantity of Australasian products. The one place is very far north, and the other woll to the south, so that the seasons are reversed. It is only possible, however, iu these days, to establish trade relations on a large scale between any two countries where the greatest facilities for its conduct are available, and one of these necessities is cheap and rapid telegraphic communication. We quite recognise that the proposed line to the Cape is of great importance both t 9 that colony and Australasia and that it should be constructed. It would no doubt lead to a very much greater interchange of commerce thau either enjoys at the present time. We are of opinion nevertheless that a Pacific cable is of even greater importance.

The terms upon which the Cape cable is to be constructed are so far as avo know not yet settled, but it is to ba sincerely hoped that nothing in the shape of cable monopoly will be conceded to the Eastern Extension Company. Events develop so rapidly in these days and so many changes are visible on the road that for the Governments of Australasia to voluntarily restrict their freedom of action would be nothing short of suicidal. The cost of the cable across the Pacific is estimated, as we pointed out above, at £1,500,000. This sum apportioned between the Imperial Government, Canada and the Australasian colonies would not add materially to the taxation of any of the peoples.

Lord Salisbury is suffering from influenza.

The public offices in the colony will be closed on March 17, St. Patrick's Day.

The handicaps for the Te Kuiti Sports, to be held on March 16th, arc advertised in this issue.

A meeting of those interested in holding an Athletic Carnival at Ohaupo on the Queen's Birthday is convened for Saturday next, at the Ohaupo Hotel.

It will be seen by advertisement that 'cycling and athletic sports will take place at Huntly, on March 24th. This meeting is fixed to open the new track, which has been laid down by the Club.

We are sorry to hear that Mr John Franklin, the foreman of the Waikato County Council, was thrown from hi 3 horse on Tuesday evening and had the misfortune to break several ribs.

To-morrow, in Hamilton Presbyterian Church, at 11 a.m., the Rev. J. M. Mitchell gives the first of series of studies iu the Book of Job. The subject of the first study is : " The Devil in Heaven."

The sittiug of the Court to apportion the cost of the Waipa Bridge amongst the various locil bodies interested will be held on Tuesday mwt at Ngarnawahia. Mr S war brick appears on behalf of the Waipa County Couucil, and Mr Theo. Cooper will conduct the case for the Waikato body. There was a large attendance at 'the tentin Cambridge on Thursday night, all being much stirred by Pastor D. Steed's address, which we understand will be continued to-morrow evening in the Public Hall. Tliis lecture will be ono of the most interest'ng yet given. The subject of the lecture to-night is an uncommon one and should draw a good house.

We have received the following over the signature " Indignant Husband aud. Father " :—•' I see by the papers that medical students will be able to pass a portion of their time at the Auckland University. This will be a boon to any young ladies intending to become doctors. The idea of onr wives aud daughters having to consult men on everything is most disgusting." In the second draft of stations read at the Wesleyan Conference, now sictiog at Dunedin, the name of the Rev. Mr Cannell is down for Cambridge. The Rev. F. W. Isilt, whose name appeared in the first draft for that place, has been put on the supernumerary list for another year. VVe hive received a private telegram to the effect that the Hev. L. Hudson goes to Queensland in April, in place of the Rev. J. A. Lnxford, who has been transferred to Auckland by the General Conference of the Wesleyan Church.

On Sunday last a youth named Harold Bastablc, of Hamilton East, was out riding, when his horse ran him agaiust a post. The boy did not mention the fact to anyone, and on Monday morning rode away to work at Mr Douglas' Bruntwood farm. Soon, however, he was compelled to knock off, and on reaching home went to bed. His mother, who was ignorant of the real state of affairs, treated him for sciatica or rheumatism, but he became so bad that on Wednesday she decided to send him to the Hospital, where it was found that his hip was broken. He received every attention in the institution and is now progressing satisfactorily.

The transposition of a few words in our report of the Chairman's remarks at the congregational meeting of the Hamilton Presbyterian Church, made the meaning very involved. The sent ence referred to should have read :- Taking into consideration the sum of £3l 153, received on account of the buggy fund, together with the £2O on account of the sime fund paid out of the ordinary receipts, and the expenditure of £4O on account of repairs and improvements, with other expenditure of an extraordinary nature, it would be seen that a sufficient sum of money had been ra'sed to meet the usual expenses of the Churck, apart from the grant of the free Church of Scotland and the credit balance brought forward from the previous year.

A telegram from Laurtceston states that a woman named Glover, wife of a constable at Trivuna, on the East Coast, murdered her six children, and then disappeared with the seventh. Search parties are out. There are no details.

At Lancaster Park, Christchurch, on Wednesday, T. Clarkson, of the Christchurch Cycling Club, made a successful attempt to break the One Mile pricing cycling record of New Zealand, of 2m. 25., held by A. R. Barker. He covered the distance iu 2m. 1 2-ss.

On Sunday, the 20th February, there was a sports meeting at the Golden Cross, Waitekauii. The local paper reports that there were 400 persons present. There were 25 events, including tug of-war, steeplechases, three-legged and potato races. This is an advance, and not in the rght direction. From the Government- of India the Melbourne Argus has received " first forecast " of the growing wheat crops in the central provinces aud in the northwestern provinces and Oudh. Tn the central provinces the area is less than the normal, but greater than Inst year, The high cost of seed has militated against increase of area. Sowings have been successful and germination has been good. In the north-western provinces an increased area has been sown, germination has been excellent, and the prospects arc bright. India reaps in March, and the final out-turn is known by the beginning of May. So far the outlook is good, and a bumper crop in India would have a considerable influence upon the markets.

An old man, named Amos Webb, died at the Waikato Hospital on Wednesday night. He had for some years lived by himself in a little hut in Hamilton East, which ho had built himself, upon a small plot of land, which he had leased from Mr P. Le Quesne. The old man was terribly crippled, and it was positively amazin? to see the amount of work he could get through in 'he way of digging and gardening, doing most of it upon his hands and knees. For the last mouth or so, he has bsen ailing, and has been looked after by his neighbours, until Tuesday morning, when he was removed to the Waikato Hosp'tal by Constable Maconochie ; but he did not lone survive his removal. He was 75 years of age. The remains were interred in the Hamilton Ea3t Cemetery yesterday afternoon.

In our commercial columns this morning will be found the firßt fruit market report from Messrs Thomas and Co., of Wellington, and Mr Newton King, New Plymouth, giving the prices current for fruit tn those centres. The quotations, as fruit growers will note, are considerably higher than the prices ruling of late in the Auckland market, and they have to thank the Waikato Fruitgrowers Association for arranging to provide this information. It will be remembered that this was the nrst important subject under discussion at the quarterly meeting last month. Messrs Thomas and Co's report, in furnishing the approximate weights of the cases for the different varieties of fruit, is to be highly commended, as this will be a pood guide to iutending shippers in arranging for packing their fruit in similarly sized cases.

Anniversary services will be held at the Wesleyan Church, Ngarnawahia, to-morrow (Sunday), when Mrs Freeman will preach morning and evening Miss Rimmcr, *of Auckland, will sing at each service, and Miss Nixon, of Hamilton, will preside at the organ. On Monday a concert will be held at the Public Hall, Ngaruawahia, when the following artists will take part:—Misses Rimmer, Butcher, aud Meachem, Revs. Bradbury and Dr. Hosking, Mrs Rothwell, Messrs Meachem aud Hunt. Miss Houghton will recite. Admission to concert, Is; to commence at 8 p.m. The proceeds arc in aid of the Wesleyan Church Trust, .Ngarnawahia. With such an array of talent there should be a bumper house. Miss Nixon will accompany on the piano, and every effort has been made to provide an excellent concert.

A series of ladies' pair-oared races was rowed on Wednesday at Ngaruawahia. The selection committee had chosen four crews, and decided that the winners of each of the heats should com pete in the ladies' race on regatta day. In the first heat the Misses Mallindine beat Miss N. Paterson and Miss G. Butcher. In the second heat Miss N. Aubrey and Miss M. Paki beat Miss M. Paterson and Miss Lockie. This decided that the crew consisting of the Misses Mallindine, and that consisting of N. Aubrey aud Miss M. Paki should compete an Regatta day. These two crews then agreed to try their strength, and resulted in a splendid race wlvch caused great excitement among the onlookers. From t!.:e start Miss N. Aubrey and Mis 3M. Paki took the lead, but on reaching the junction of the rivers, the Misses Mallindine spurted, and not only caught their opponents but beat them, the finish being an exceptionally close one.—(Own Correspondent,)

Regulations made under the Government Valuation of Land Act, 1896, appear in this week's Cazettc. The Order-in Council is dated the 15th instant. The first district valuation roll and the first general valuation roll are to be prepared as on the 31st March, 1898. It is provided that any mpernsing, district or local valuer may at any time during the day enter upon any land or premises for the purpose of valuing the same or the improvements thereon, and the occupier or owner thereof and every person employe 1 thereon shall, to the best of h ; s ability, answer any questions touching such Iml or improvements, or any other matter, and give any information required by such valuer to enable him to make his valuation. Every parson who commits any breach of the las'preceding c'ause of these regulations is liable to a penalty not exceeding ;C5. The valuations appearing in the general valuation roll shall be used for :— Ja) T e ass"ssment of duties of Land Tax and otherwise under the Land and Income Assessment Act, 1891. (b) The advances and investments on mortgage of land by or in behalf of the Post Office, the Government Insurance Office, the Public Trust Office, the Government Advance to Settlers Office, and the Commissioners of Public D-jbts Sinking Funds Office.

On Thursday morning between 9 a.m. and 10 about fifty natives on horseb'ck passed through Hamilton en route for Kihikihi, giving Victoriastreet quite a lively and old-time appearance. For the short time they were here they were busy making purchases at the different places of business. We lesru that !his party beloigs to the Ngatipango hapu and lives at a settlement called Maogipiko, near "Wacrenga, and were travelling to Kihikihi to hold a meeting at Puniu on Thursday night with other natives, and at which certain ceremonies will be gone through to abolish the much-dreaded " Makutu " from the North Island. The party carried what appeared to iu as tambourines, extra large and strongly made. These joined form a drum, which with a bugle, concertina and flag 9 will be used in the incantations to exorcise the evil spirits, and no doubt will be very effective, at least we hope so, as if the natives can only be brought to disbelieve the old and foolish superstition of " Makutu " it will be a blessing to them. To our knowledge many Maoris have died through fright of " Makutu," and would not take any medicine or try any remedy, just simply died of funk. We wish To Warn, who is the boss of the shflfrv, every success in abolishing the " tnana " of the workers of witchcroft.