The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 277, 21 April 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1898.

The latest intelligence with regard to the Cuban question is to the effect that the American House of Representatives has acceded to the resolution of: the Senate, with the exception that the existing Cuban Republic shall not be recognised. This last clause in the resolution is stated to have been inserted by the Senate by a Democratic-Populist-Silverite and Radical Pro-Cuban coalition with the object of embarrassing the President. The resolution as agreed to includes an instruction to the President to exercise force in order to compel Spain's compliance with the demand. The President is stated to hold the opinion that the resolution does not deprive him of discretionary power as to forcible intervention. In considering the position it is necessary to note that the Senate decided that America should not exercise sovereign power in Cuba except in so far as the exercise of such power shall be necessary to bring about the pacification of the Island. When

this is accomplished Cuba is to be left to the control of the people. This is the programme which the legislature has sketched, but it can only be carried out with the consent of the President, who has declared that he is opposed to demanding independence. The President has by the constitution almost absolute discretionary power as to his actions so long as he has one third of the Senate at his back. This power can only be taken from him by a two-thirds vote of both Senate and House of Representatives. If he stands firm there is still a possibility that war may be averted. The Spanish authorities are in treaty with the leaders of the revolutionary party in Cuba with the object of arriving at an arrangement by which automony shall be granted to the Island under the suzerainty of Spain. If an agreement is arrived at of a satisfactory nature, the American claim to the right to interfere on the grounds of humanity or any other grounds will cease. As we pointed out above, the American Senate has declared against that country assuming Sovereign rights in Cuba, so that America has no reason for war to gratify her ambition in this direction. Aside from the resolution of the Senate that America shall not assume Sovereign rights, it is very questionable whether the European Powers would consent to her doing so, and very awkward complications indeed might rise if she made the attempt. It was stated authoritatively a few days back that the Powers would remain neutral, but would claim the right to be consulted as to the terms of peace. Even now the American people recognise that it is only_Britain which stands in the way of an European concert with the object of preventing interference with Cuban affairs.

Spain is forced into such a tight place that she is not likely to be over-exacting as to the terms of automony she will offer to the Cuban people, and if these terms are declared satisfactory and ac cepted willingly, all cause for war will have passed away. The President, if he stands to his colours, will accept this as a satisfactory solution of the difficulty, and it is exceedingly improbable that the required majorities could be secured in the Houses of legislature to compel him to do otherwise. There is still room to hope for the reasons we have given above that war will be averted, with all its concomitant horrors and the possibility not to say probability that the game once commenced would not be confined to America and Spain.

The prorogation of Parliament till May 12th is gazetted. The Rev. Entriean will conduct the Presbyterian services at Te Rore and Patcrangi on Sunday next.

The annual meeting of the Hamilton Football Club is convened for 7 p.m. on Saturday next at the Royal Hotel. At his Hamilton sale to-day, Mr W. J. Hunter will offer a pair of double and single harness horses (staunch and quiet), and also a saddle horse. The Waitoa Road Boajd notify that Gubbins' Bridge, on the Gorge Road, is closed to all wheel traffic, pending the erection of a new bridge. Messrs A. S. Litchfield and W. J Smith have been nominated for the vacant seat in the Raglan County Council, and the poll will take place on Monday next, 25th April.

In a paragraph in last issue referring to a horse in the Hamilton pound, it was stated the animal would be sold to-day. It should have been this day week, 28th inst. A social to welcome the Rev. VV. Civnnell, the new Wesleyan minister, will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Cambridge, on Wednesday, 4th May. Full particulars will be advertised later.

At Lancaster Park, Cliristchurch, on Saturday, Don Walker, the Australian 'cyclist, paced by two triplets and a quad, covered a mile from a standing start in 2m. 0 3-53., breaking T, Clarksou's record of 2m. 1 2-ss.

The parishioners of Christ Church, Ohaupo, have, through the Church wardens, presented both the Vicar and the Rev. J. Marshall, who has done so much to help the Vicar, with aa Easter offering of five guineas each. The remains of the late Mr Trios. Clarkin were taken by train to Pan mure yesterday morning for interment, and a large number of friends and fellowsettlers followed the body to the Frankton Station as a last tribute of respect to his memory. We remind Hamilton readers that the Rev. Dr. Duff, of Glasgow, will address a public meeting in the Hamilton Presbyterian Church to-morrow evening. We understand an effort is to be made to induce the rev. gentleman to stay in Hamilton over Sunday. The Cabinet has allocated the following amounts for present expenditure :—Te Kuiti-Awakino Road, £IOOO ; Midland Railway, £I3OO ; Paeroa-Te Aroha Road, £3OOO ; Rotorua-Galatea-Napier Road, £SOO ; Parliamentary BuildiDgs, £3OOO ; North Island Main Trunk Railway, £3OOO. The Hon. Mr G. F. Richardson has filed a declaration of insolvency, his seat in the House for Mataura, is consequently vacant. There are reported to be two candidates in the field, Mr McNab, a Government supporter, and Mr Ward, Chairman of the Southland County Council, who would support the Opposition.

The following nominations have been received of candidates for seats in the Hamilton West School Committee : Messrs J. Hume, R. F. Sandes, J. Frear, P. Munro, G. J. Mann, T. Qualtrough and John Knox. Nominations, however, are receivable up to just previous to the election on Monday night. Nomination papers can be procured from the secretary, Mr J. Knox.

St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, was yesterday the scene of a very pretty wedding, when Thomas Wynyard Brown, eldest son of Mr Thomas Brown, of Otahuhu, was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Louise Victoria, youngest daughter of the. late Mr E. B. Walker, of Moanavale. Miss May Brown, sißter of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid, and Mr Norman Banks was "best man." '1 he ceremony was performed by Arch.ieacon Willis, and the church was fairly filled with the fviends of the happy couple. The bride was attired in a handsome white 6atin dress trimmed with chiffon, and the bridesmaid's dress was white cashmere trimmed with lace.

In response to a deputation the Wellington County Council has decided to submit a vote of £2OOO for a crematorium to the ratepayers. It is stated that with the assistance of a blast from the destructor furnace and the use of the drainage machinery engines, the cost of the fcheinr, apart from the mortuary chapel, would be only a few hundred pounds.

Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Co , the well known manufacturers of Westrield manures, by advertisement on our first page, notify a reduction of 7s Od per ton on "A" super, the price now Icmg £4 15s per ton (subject to the usual discount for cash), at which figure orders aieuow being booked for next turnip season. The firm's manures are ton well ■ known to farmers in this district to need any comment.

The New South Wales Cricket Association has recommended to the Cricket Council to commence negotiations with the English authorities for an Australian team visiting England next year. It has also recommended that instead of pooling the takings at intercolonial matches, a percentage be devoted to providing a capital fund for financing international teams, the profits from international tours to be equally divided between the participating colonies.

A very enjoyable game of polo was indulged in on Saturday last at Cambridge. Messrs Banks and Hewitt chose sides, and the team of the latter proved victorious. The final game ef the season will be held to-morrow (Friday) in Mr Taylor's paddock, commencing at 3 p.m., as will be seen on reference to our advertising columns. We understand it is the iutention of the members of the club to have a little jollification for a wind-up of the season, to which their friends are invited.

A very quiet wedding took place yesterday in Hamilton at the residence of the bride's parents. The contracting parties were Miss Maria Caroline Knox, the daughter of Mr John Knox, a very old aud respected resident of Hamilton, aud Mr Colin Robert Munro, head teacher of the Arapuhoe School, Northern Wairoa. The officiating minister was the Rev. J. M. Mitchell. The young lady was born iu Hamilton and has lived there all her life. We, in common with all who know her, wish her long life and prosperity.

The vestry of St, Andrew's, Cambridge, have resolved to endeavour to raise a fund forthwith to paint and repair the vicarage They have asked the vicar to invite the parishioners to make special offerings on Sunday week, the Ist of May, the occasion of the Primate's vifiit. It is seven years since auy painting was done, and the old kahikatea roof of the verandah which has served for twenty years requires to be replaced. All the help that can be given will be needed to do only what is barely necessary.

The Hastings Standard reports having received information of a deliberate attempt being made a few nights ago to wreck the train between Hustings and the Tomoana Freezing Works. Three sleepers were found on the line by butchers proceeding to work at 5 o'clock in the morning. It is thought that the perpetrators had a design upon the special train, which was to have passed through at an early hour iu the morning. The police are investigating the matter.

A painful incident took place in the Magistrate's Court, Thames, on Monday afternoon, when a witness named William Bennett was giving evidence in a civil case. He had been in the box about a quarter of an hour when it was noticed that he was in a fainting condition. He was at once taken from the witness box and laid upon the floor, and the usual steps taken to bring about his recovery, notwithstanding which he expired in a few moments. The deceased was 65 years of age and a widower ; his wife died suddenly in Auckland about a year back.

A meeting of the Good Templar Hope of Hamilton, Lodge No. 189, was held on Tuesday evening. The L.D , Rev. Dr. Hosking, installed some new officers, initiated two new members, and re-admitted one. The utual routine of business was proceeded with, and Rev. Dr. Hosking read an essay on " The Rise and Progress of Good Templary." Sister Roffey was installed Chief Templar for the next sission. Arrangements were made for holding a public pound social at the next meeting on May 3rd. There is the likelihood of a District Lodge 1 eing initiated in the Waikato in the near future, in which Rotorua, Cambridge and Hamilton Lodges will join. A writer in the last number of the Naval and Military Magazine, gives a rather gruesome example of the Gourkhas' fighting qualities:—"A terribly wounded Pathan unfortunately passed not far from a couple of Gourkhas, who, chatting pleasantly together, were following in the rear of the force. He seemed at first to have got by unnoticed, when one of the Gourkhas, with much the air of a man who has dropped his pockethandkerchief, stopped suddenly and retraced bis steps. Passing in front of the wounded man, he took his beard gently in bis left hand, and, raising the patient's chin, with a swift drawing cut he severed his head from his body. He then rejoined his companion, taking up the conversation at the point at which it had been interrupted. Neither then nor at any future time did either make any allusion to such a tiifling event."