The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1895.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 278, 23 April 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1895.

The hope that the peace of the world might be maintained for some time longer has vanished. The American and Spanish nations have laid aside the pen of the diplomate, and are about to take up the implements of war. When this stage has been reached, the merits of the dispute between the two nations sink into insignificance, and speculation is naturally rife as to what will be the result of the struggle. There appears to be little room to doubt as to with which nation victory will eventually rest. Population, wealth, energy, and bull-dog courage are the characteristics of ihe American people. On the other hand Spain is a decaying, if not a decayed, nation. The only remnant of its former importance is the pride of race, begotten of the great position which the nation once held amongst European Powers. Britain was mainly instrumental in bringing about her downfall, and it was British troops which drove the army of Napoleon across her, border. It has now fallen to the lot of the great offshoot of Britain to compel compliance with its demands for the emancipation of the Cuban people from Spanish rule, and, if not interfered with, will, without doubt, succeed. There is certainly a preponderance of opinion in Europe that America has exceeded her self-im-posed mission in demanding the absolute freedom of Cuba in place of securing for that unhappy island an autonamous government under the suzerainty of Spain. That, at any rate, was the opinion of the President, but he was over-ruled by the popular voice speaking through the two houses of legislature. The demand was tantamount to a declaration of war, as it was a foregone conclusion that the Spanish Government could not and would not if it eould accede to the terms of the ultimatum. There are situations in which a nation would be irretrievably dishonoured by any other course than fighting to the death against all odds. It never can be chivalrous, and we can hardly conceive a position in which it would be diplomatic for a strong nation to place a weaker in such a position, unless there remained no other course to gain a righteous end. The worst feature of the business is the liability that other nations may become involved. Unfortunately the two nations which are parties to the war are not in accord with all the other nations of the world as to the rights of belligerents in their relations with neutral Powers. By the treaty of Paris a neutral flag covers the goods of a belligerent, provided they are not contraband of war. Both America and Spain hold that an enemy's goods can be seized, notwithstanding that they are being carried in neutral bottoms. If they exercise this right there is danger that the Powers which suffer will forcibly resent the outrage. America has declared that she will not license privateers, this will lessen the danger somewhat ; America could well afford to make this declaration, as Spain has a very small merchant navy to harass. It is after one Power or the other has become exhausted that the most critical stage will be reached. There is a possibility that other Powers may interfere on behalf of one or other of the belligerents,

and 'i general quarrel arise over the settlement of the terms of peace. Householders are reminded that the annual election of school committees takes place on Monday next. The Waikato hounds will meet for the first time this season at the Kennels, Bruntsvood, at 11 a.m. to-day. Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R. for Waikato, will address his constituents in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, on Tuesday, 3rd May. The annual meeting of the Waikato Licensing Committee will be held in the Court-house, Hami'ton, on Wednesday, Ist June, at 12 noon. To-morrow evening Pastor Steed, Cambridge, will give an address on " The Seventh Day Adventists : Their History and Work tor Hamulity." The Pev. Father Luck has requested U 3 to state that mass will be celebrated at Ohaupo to-morrow morning at 11 a.m., and that there will be no service at Pirongia. \ It will be seen by advertisement that the bridge at Cowley's Gully, on the Cambridge-Ohaupo Road is declared by the Waipa County Council as being dangerous for heavy traffic. Regarding the Trades Conference, the fact is not generally known that the whole expenses of the delegates are paid by the Government. This has been the practice for some years past We are pleased to hear that the Rev. T. Scott, of Cambridge, is recovering from his late indisposition. The Rev. Robert Sommerville, of Auckland, will officiate at Trinity Church tomorrow. Major Kemp's funeral will take place to-day at Wanganui, the attendance will be very large. On Thursday night it was estimated that 1000 visiting natives hail arrived to take part in the ceremony. The Rev. Dr. Hosking will preach at Hamilton on Sunday morning and evening. The evening subject will be " The Problem of Poverty, and How to solve it." He will also conduct service at Whatawhata at 3 p.m. Mr Pennefather, an English barrister, at one time private secretary to Governor Jervois, who for the last seven years has been law lecturer at the Adelaide University, has been appointed to the Acting-Judgeship in the absence of Mr Justice Williams, Full particulars of the clearing sale to be held by Mr W. J. Hunter (in conjunction with Messrs McNieol and Co.) on behalf of Mr J. H. Scott at Paterangi on Thursday, May sth, wiil be found set forth in his usual column this morning. The sale will commence at 12 o'clock. A young man named Charles Lawson, whose parents reside in Greystreet, Auckland, met with a painful accident on Friday last, loth inst. He was working on the line at Poro-o-torao, when a fall of earth occurred, which broke his leg between the knee and the ankle. The sufferer was brought down to the Waikato Hospital yesterday morning. Mr W. J. Hunter will hold his aunual turnip sale at Ohaupo on Tuesday, May 3rd. Over 500 head of cattle are entered, amongst them being some very choice bullocks, two year-old steers, speyed cows and heifers. Some 2000 sheep of various sorts will also be offered at this sale. Mr Hunter wants for this sale 200 1 to 1^- year-old cattle, mixed sexes. The annual meeting of the Waikato Rugby Union will be held at the Royal Hotel, Hamilton, this evening, when the statement of accounts and annual report will be presented. It is to be hoped that there will be a good attendance of delegates, and that efforts will be made to get all the clubs in the district to join in and make one strong Union, instead of dividing into two, and thereby detracting to a great extent from the iuterest of the competition. The business at the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, yesterday, was agaiu of a very light nature. Several undefended cases were, disposed of in the usual manner, and Hugh Kelly was charged, on the information of James Devitt, dog registrar, with having an unregistered dog in his possession, and refusing to register the same when called upon to do so He pleaded guilty, and was fined ss, with 12s costs, and 5s for the dog collar—22s in all. A telegram from Wanganui dated Thursday says railway traffic was interfered with to-day, owiug to the breaking down of the engines on the north and south trains. The Hawera train, due here at half-past eleven a.m., did not reach town till half-past twelve p.m., and the Pa'merston train, due just before the northern train, did not arrive till halt - past two this afternoon. ,■ The through train to Wellington, which should have left here at five minutes past one p.m., did not get away till a quarter to two p.m., in consecjuence of the south line being blocked. We have much pleasure in drawing the attention of lovers of music to the excellent programme (in auother column) of the concert to be given by Mrs Whitaker and her friends on Thursday evening next. The performers include the well-known singers: Miss Garland, Miss Butcher, Miss Rcid, Mrs aud Miss Whitaker, Rev. A. M. Bradbury, Mr Meachem and Mr Lloyd, while Mr Macassey is billed for a recitation. Their merits are too well-known to require more than a passing notice at our hands, and the concert promises to be one of the most enjoyable entertainments of its kind that has been presented for some considerable time. On Wednesday next, April 27th, Mr W. J. Hunter will hold a large clearing sale of furniture, horses, doubleseated buggy and harness, etc., at the residence of Mr G. S. Dixon, Cambridge. The furniture is all in good order, and the baggy horses sound, quiet and reliable, the two ponies being exceptionally good and suitable for polo. Immediately after Mr Dixon's sale Mr Hunter will offer a lot of furniture on account of late Mrs Brooks, senr., and Mr G. Rich, by the kind permission of Mr Dixon. The sale will start punctually at 1.30 p.m. on account of being such a large one. Anyone in search of good furniture cannot do better than attend this sale, as the various lots to be offered are in splendi I condition and as good as new. Dr. Duff, of Glasgow, Scotland, who was one of the Free Church delegates to the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland on the occasion of its jubilee, celebrated a few weeks ago, addressed a public meeting in the Presbyterian (Jhurch, Hamilton, last night. The church was well filled, and the address was listened to with the greatest interest. Dr. Dufi* is a most fluent speaker, and possesses a charming manner, which, combined with his forcible and entertaining style, cannot fail to make him a favourite wherever tie goes. The doctor dwelt at some length upon the patriotic spirit shown by the people of the colony, of the natural advantages of the beautiful island home which he described as a fair and fertile land, and lastly upon the church of his fathers, and the great missionary work it was doing throughout the world. In doing so the spL-aker was by no rneaus egotistical, he did not for one moment lose sight of the good work the other churches were doing, but said they were all labouring for the one cause with the one end in view—the levelling of the world. The address was a most interesting one, and the speaker, who treated his subjects in a light, happy style, was frequently applauded.

On Thursday, April 28th, Mr YV. ,1. Hunter will hold his last special horse sale of the season at Ohaupo, when over 200 horses ot all classes will be submitted. All the principal breeders of Waikato will be represented, which is a sufficient guarantee of the quality of the horseflesh to bo offered. These iu seiion of good draught and harness horses would do well to attend, and we are sure that they will have no trouble in suiting their requirements. The sale commences at 11 o'clock. In our advertising columns will I e found the programme of the Waikato Auntcur Athletic Club's sports meeting, to lie held on Wednesday, May 11th. The feaure of the gathering will, of course, be the football tournament, which is sure to cause a great deal of excitement. The names of the players will be received at the Hamilton Football Club's meeting this evening, and the team will be at once chosen by the selection committee, and the names published by us. The Old Buffers Bike Rice is causing a large amount of interest, and this event promises to be one of the day's attractions. A number cf the veterans are getting into trim, and from what we can learn' Dexter's time for the four furlong go is in danger of being lowered. The members of the Committee, too, are all in steady woik, and as there is a fine of £1 for non-starters, there is sure to be a good fisld for this event A large Dumber of entries are promised for all the races, and there is no doubt an excellent afternoon's sport will be provided. Entries close for all events on Saturday, April 30th, with the Secretary, Mr C. Blackburn, Hamilton West.