The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 292, 24 May 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1898.

The hich have reached us during the past few months cannot have failed to leave the impression that the Afrikander Bond is a source of danger to the British Government in Africa, because of its disloyalty to the Queen. Papers by tho last mail give tho text of an address presented by tho GraafReinet branch of this body to Sir Alfred Milner, and his reply thereto. These put a totally different complexion on the situation. The principal passages in the address expressed the deep sorrow with which the members of the Afrikander Bond had repeatedly heard their loyalty called in question. It went on to repudiate " with the greatest indignation and contempt the insulting and mendacious accusations brought by mischief makers, and to request His Excellency to clear the character of the Afrikander Bond with Her Majesty the Queen. Sir Alfred Milner expressed the pleasure with which he received these protestations of loyalty, but observed that it would have given him very much more pleasure to be allowed to take their loyalty for granted. He asked what reason had they for disloyalty, considering that in common with all Her Majesty's subjects at the Capo they enjoy freedom of self-govern-ment, justice, equality, and the protection free of cost of the British navy against all aggressors. Sir Alfred went on to explain why in hi? opinion these obnoxious charges are occasionally made. They would never attain any importance were party dissensions confined to the domestic affairs of tho Cape Colony. The cause was the relations of parties with the Transvaal. There is a party which, without the semblance of impartiality, espouses the causo of tho Transvaal, for this reason tho less judicious people accuse them of disloyalty to the flap-, and the charges at once arise against which the Afrikander Bond protests. For his part he did not interpret their conduct in that way. He had boon familiar at Home with excellent persons who, on any international difficulty arising, are always rendy to assume that their own country is in the wrong. He thought many good subjects of the Queen are always ready to sido with the Transvaal, because they have a horror of war which overpowers every other feeling, and fancy they can beat avert it by discountenancing every claim, however well founded, that is put forth by the British Government. The Commissioner pointed out that this assumption is entirely wrong. The danger of war with tho Transvaal does not come in the least from the side of England. Bho ha» no designs against the-

independence of that country and | she does not take action in consequence of many well founded complaints from her own subjects within its borders because she shrinks from the appearance of interference in domestic affairs. Tho danger cornea from tho Btubborn unprogressiveneas of the Boer Government, from its profound suspicion and from its arrogance. Sir Alfred pointed out that the most hopeful way to settle the troubles in South Africa would be for the Afrikander Bond, instead of always taking the part of a Government under which most of them would be sorry to live, to make an effort to induce tho assimilation of the Transvaal administration to those of tho free communities of South Africa. The late Cape elections give hope that an alteration -of party lines will, to a large extent, get rid of racial jealousies. The two prominent leaders, Mr Rhodes aud Mr Hofmeyr, have both professed loyalty, and determination not to recognise any difference of interests between the (wo white races. It is to be expected that when racial diffarencesgive place to recognised community of interost the people of the Cape of Dutch descent will act on this principle with regard to the Transvaal, they will recognise (he hardships imposed upon all but a small minority in the-Republic It is almost incredible that a people who enjoy the freedom and equality which the Cape Government affords, should feel sympathy with a Government that refuses reforms, freedom of judges, and the extension of civil rights to the European population. The emphatic statement of Sir Alfred Milne should have the efiect of allaying the suspicion of the Transvaal people.

On our fourth page this morning will be found a detailed account of the battle between the Americans and Spanish at Manila, as well as items of cable and telegraphic news. These were published in our special editions of ■Saturday and yesterday ; but we reprint them for the benefit ol our subscribers who are unable to procure the " specials." To-day (Queen's Birthday) being a close holiday in the post and telegraph office, we shall be unable to publish our special edition to-morrow morning. The afternoon edition, however, will be issued as usual at 1.40 p.m. Mr Levi Sarten is announced as a candidate for the Egmont seat at the general election in the Liberal interest. The Kev. A. IT. Collins, Baptist Minister at Ponsonby, has been elected C'hiirman of the Auckland Conciliation Board. Constable John Watson Forbes has been gazetted Inspector of Abattoirs for the Ridings of Te 4roha, Waitoa and Matamata. LTio tender of Messrs Wilkinson and Co. has been accepted for the painting of St. Andrew's Vicarage at Cambridge. The subject of Pastor Steed's addresses for to-day and to-morrow will be found in the usual column. Mr Steed will conduct a service at Tauwharc on Thursday. A slight error occurred in the handicaps for the Ohanpo Sports appearing in last Tuesday's issue. In the 220 Yards Hurdles read A. Williamson (15 yards) foi Wilkinson. To-morrow (Wednesday) Messrs McNicol and Co. will hold their annual sale of turnip cattle at Ohaupo, -when they will offer upwards of GOO head of cattle of all descriptions. A story is going the round of the press that the judge of the Assessment Court had reduced the valuations of the town of Stratford from £120,000 to £BO,OOO. This is inuorreot; the total reductions make baroly £3OOO The sixth annual meeting of the Auckland centre of the St. John Am bulance Association will be held in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. on Friday next, 27th instant, at 8 p.m. All holders of the Association's medallions and certificates are cordially invited. During a visit to our office yesterday, Mr E. Darby, referring to our Special Edition, soon recocnlsed its advantages as an advertising medium. He remarked to a member of our staff, " If I were only in business in Waikato now you'd soon have ft page ad. from me." Mr Darby Is ono of the happy and select few who thoroughly understand the art of advertising. Messrs McNicol and Co. will hold their annual sale of sheep for turnip feeding at Ohaupo Yards on Thursday next, May 26th. Over 5000 sheep have been catalogued, including fat and forward wethers, hoggets, empty ewes, fat sheep, crossbred ewos, and half-bred and crossbred four and six-tooth wethers. These sheep arc entered by the best breeders in Waikato, and no doubt there will be good competition for them. The funeral of the late Mr J. B. Ilarkcr took place on Sunday afternoon, and it was without doubt one of the largest we have seen in the town for some years. Friends were present from all parts of the Waikato, and the coffin was covered with wreaths, crosses and other beautiful floral designs, which alone testify to the general feeling of sympathy towards Uie aged couple. The body was laid to rest in the Haniiltod West Cemetery, the Kev. R. O'C Biggs conducting the most impressive ceremony of the English Church. A runaway occurred in Victoriastieet, Hamilton, about 11 o'clock yesterday morning. Mr M. H. Pickering drove into the town with a buggy and pair, and fastening the reins on to the break left to do a little shopping. He had scarcely got inside the shop when the animals, startled at something in the street, started off in the direction of tho Railway Station, All went well until they came opposite to the Council Chambers, where they made for the footpath, and, the buggy striking one of the posts, was overturned. The passers-by soon extricated the horses, neither of which was hurt, but the buggy was considerably damaged. The Cambridge Orchestral Society has made a fresh start, and will now doubtless get along much better than formerly, as it will have a capable conductor wielding the baton. At a meeting of the Society held last week the Mayor (Mr Bach) kindly presided, and ho encouraged the members to do their utmost to make the Society a success, .«tating that ho should at all times be pleased to do what he could to forward its Interests. Ho was elected President, the. other officers being: Conductor, Mr J.. Edwards j Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr M. McDermott ; Librarian, Mr T. Hartly ; Committee of Management, Mrs Lowe, Miss Kingsford, Messrs Edwards, McDermott and Hartly. The practises will be held in the Public Hall on Wednesday evenings, at 7-30 p.m. The subscription was fixed at 2d #d pc/ annum.

At the services at St. Andrew's Church, at Cumbridge, on Sunday, Archdeacon Willis referred co the death of Mr Gladstone, and said the world had lost ono of its greatest Statesmen. Mr G. F. Mellars, of the Taupiri Sawmills, who has recently leased the old mission property at Hopu Hopu, has a notice in this issue cautioning people against trespassing or digging gum on the property. We remind our readers of the concert and comedietta to be given in the A r o!unteer Hall this evening in aid of St. Peter's Sunday-school. Should the weather keep fine there will doubtless be a large atteudance of the public. The Brigantine Aratapu belonging to the Kauri Timber Company, went ashore near Whangamata, during the last gale, and one of the crew, named Jones, has beon drowned. The Aratapu is badly strained and has 3ft. of water in the hold. The cargo is being discharged. The vessel may get off next spring tides. The annual sports gathering takes place at Ohaupo to-day. Excellent entries have been received, and the handicaps appear to have given general satisfaction. There is every prospect of fine weather (at time of writing), and as this is the only attraction in the Waikato, we expect to see a record attendance. The stipendiary magistrates of Loudou are evidently determined to put down the sale of impure meat in the metropolis. At the Worship - street Police Court recently a sausage maker named Robinson was fiued £SO for having diseased meat in his possession. The meat was then traced to a butcher named Harrington, who had sold it to Robinson. Harrington had to appear at the Clerkenwell sessions to answer to a charge of selling meat knowing it to be diseased ; he was convicted, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. A stalwart young Maori walked into Mr Gatenby's chemist's shop at Wangauui and said he wanted to learn the business. The suddenness of the offer almost took the chemist's breath away, but he thought he would cool the ardour of the dusky aspiraut when he stated that a premium of £IOO was required. The Maori, however, followed up his importunity by planking down the £IOO, and has since signed an agreement for three years' apprenticeship. The young man in questiou is an old Wellington College boy, and he came out with credit in a recent medical preliminary examination. Our Whatawhata correspondent writes :—Much surprise and regret was expressed in this district at the comparatively sudden death of Mr James Harker, as notified in your last issue, The deceased was well-known and respected by Waipa residents, having grown up and entered into business only a few miles away from us. It seems difficult to realise that the sturdy, broadshouldered, young fellow, so often seen walking, or with his " bike " on the Hamilton-Fraukton road, has had his life terminated, and by a complaint, which, as a constant, though unwelcome, visitor among us, we have almost come to regard with indifference. The parents aud relatives of the deceased have our very cordial sympathy. A fatal accident happened in Queen-street, Auckland, on Saturday evening. It appears that Mr Downey, a toy manufacturer cf Princeps-street, Arch Hill, stepped from under a verandah near Hallenstein's with the object of hailing a 'bus. He did not notice a spring cart coming up the street at a walking pace, and he came in contact with either the horse or the shaft, his hat going one way and his umbrella another. Some people who witnessed the accident picked him up and carried him to the sidewalk Thinking he was only stunned, they kept him there for a few minutes, but as he did not appear to recover they took him to a chemist's shop, who telegraphed for a doctor ; as one was not procurable, Constable Fitzgerald started with him to the hospital, but he was dead when he arrived there. Some time ago the Victorian Customs authorities were much puzzled to account for the large importations o a special kind of scent, for which the low duty wad charged on account of its being of a olass that would be used in certain manufactures. The officials have since solved the puzzlo. The scent had beoome a very popular " tipple," and was becoming still more so. As scent, it could bo vended in such a convenient and unsuspicious form. No one, for instanco, would be so base as to expect a lady of being addictod to spirits simply because she seemed immoderately fond of purfumes. Now that the secret is out people with practised tastes in tho matter of stimulants declare this peculiar went to be a fascinating and satisfying beverage. In consequence of this wide appreciation of the scent inquestion.it will probably bo placed under a different Customs classification. Dr. Creighton, Bishop of London, speaking at a clerical and lay conference on " The Promotion of Purity " at the Oxford House Lecture Hall, declared that we had gone seriously astray in our conception to what it was proper to teach the young in order that they should be best equipped to avoid temptation of impurity. Knowledge of physiology, which was essential for the young to have, was withheld from them through "super-refined delicacy." He had even had it suggested to him re cently by a clergy mm, who asked his permission for the irregularity, that certain pnrtions of the marriage ceremony should be omitted because a young lady and her mother desired it, the portions of the service referred to relating to wdiat was one of the objects of matrimony. Such conceptions of what must be known were uunaturally, hopelessly and hideously wrong. The Jews were the purest of the races, and it was largely because better instruction on these matters was given to their young. Parents, he thought, were very often largely to blame for allowing their children to go into the wot Id aud to its temptations without that knowledge on vital subjects which in itself would be a safeguard to them. He advocated the more careful and fuller instruction on physiological subjects, which he thought could well be commenced by teaching in regard to tho propagation of plant life. He also urged that clergymen should speak to boys aud young men individually at confirmation time on such subjects, while every effort should be made to cultivate in the young, interest in physical exorcises, as lazy habits had the most injurious effects. And he believed excellent results .vould accrue from the provision in localities of lectures by Christian physicians, which would give to the young men that knowledge which would enable them to avoid evils which it was essential for the wellbeing of the nation should be avoided. And he urged that girls who had once fallen should have every opportunity of returning to a pure life, instead of being treated as if, for their first fault, it was necessary that they should be relegated for ever to the degraded clas3.

Fresh entries for Mr W. J. Hunter's Cambridge and Ohaupo sales. On our first page this morning will be found a notice from Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Co., notifying the advance in the price of boueduat to £7 per ton. Mr John Doudican, Pirongia, advertises his farm for sale. This is a very desirable property, and those of our readers who want a holding would do well to inspect it. Manning's Eucalyptus Cough Mixture is the best preparation obtainable for the cure of Coughs, Colds, Asthma, Bronchitis, Influenza, etc. Is Gd and 2s J3d per bottle.