The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 294, 28 May 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1898.

♦ The trend of public opinion in the United States appears to be in the direction of union with Britain, and without doubt the aspiration is reciprocated throughout the whole of the British dominions. On both sides of the Atlantic it has long been recognised that it would have been to the advantage of both nations and of the whole world had there never been a separation. A foolish mother drove a somewhat wayward child from her bosom, the race has suffered and the progress of the world has been retarded in consequence. The mother, however, true to her instincts has treated her off-spring with leniency and has patiently suffered many insults and much peevishness. This has been so because the British people have recognised that this bad conduct has been mainly at the prompting of those of alien blood who have flocked in such vast numbers into the States from all quarters of the globe. It is, however, impossible to overlook that the presence of this large section of the population of alien blood weakens the probability that sentiment would be allowed to influence the nation in.any given direction if self-interest for the time being appeared to point in another. A passing wave of sentimentality may bring individuals or nations together ; but it is only mutual self-interest that will perpetuate an alliance, be it that of individuals or of nations. At the risk of being thought ungenerous, we cannot help expressing the opinion that the outburst of outward friendliness to Britain on the part of the American people originates in the belief that an alliance would at this juncture confer very material benefit on their nation by at once relieving it from a temporary difficulty, with probabilities of unforeseen consequences, into which it has drifted. Let us not be misunderstood ; we do not mean to insinuate that the courting has been one-sided; both have made advances, and both have been mainly actuated by the same motive—self-interest. That the instincts of the two peoples have guided them into the right channel there is hardly room to question. An alliance defensive and offensive between the great English-speaking people, if the power thus created were with discretion and for the benefit of the human race, would bestow one of the greatest blessings which man has as yet conferred upon man. Neither nation has ambitions beyond being allowed to pursue the avocations of peace unhampered by the bad government of other nations or the unrighteous ambition of their rulers. The establishment of free trade between all the divisions of the allied sections of the race would be a first step towards the universal adoption of the principle ; the only fiscal system by which it is possible that the greatest happiuess and prosperity can be conferred upon all peoples. It should therefore be the prayer of all men as it has been that of the Chaplain of the. American Senate, that Great Britain and America may become united as one people for the promotion of their own interests and those of humanity. We believe that if prompted by no higher motive than selfishness the energy, and ability of both peoples would be directed to the ending of war. Once establish universal free trade and there wdl be no longer reason for nations to quarrel over boundaries, spheres of influence and the many other excuses that are made by the strong for the subjection of the weak. Only universal free trade can confer the greatest benefits upon the greatest number, and we believe that the proposed alliance would be the first step in this direction.

The, appointment of Mr Goorge Sylvester as postmaster at Ohinewai is gazetted. On Saturday next the Waikato Hounds will meet at Allwill's Corner, not Gwynnelauds as previously notified. To-morrow (Whit Sunday) is the day appointed for special collections in all the Anglican Churches of the Diocese on behalf of the Melanesia!) Mission. A meeting of the Hamilton Orchestral Union is convened for Tuesday evening next. As the business is important a full attendance of members is desirable. The full programme of a concert to be given by Mrs Whitakerand friends in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, on Thursday next, 2nd Jane, will be found on our third page. The date of Mr Hunter's unreserved sale of live and dead stock belonging to Mr D. McLaren, Ohaupo, has been altered from Thursday, June 9, to Wednesday, June 15. By the'Starof New Zealand, now berthed alongside the Queen - street wharf, Auckland, we are in receipt of a further shipment of 10 bales of printing paper, material, stationery, &c. We remind those in need of furniture of Messrs MsNicol and Co.'s sale of furniture on account of Dr. Perceval at Cambridge on Wednesday next. Full particulars are given in the auctioneers' usual column this morning. In another column we publish the prize schedule for the annual Root and Produce Show, to be held under the auspices of the Waikato Farmers' Club, on Wednesday, Bth June. Entries close with the Secretary (Mr M. Butler), Cambridge, on Monday, 6th June. We notify the public of Cambridge that Pastor Steed's usual Saturday evening service will not be held this evening. The subject he will deal with ill the Public Hall to-morrow will baone of a course on political and religious liberty, which should prove very interesting.

The Huntly and Wningaro teams meet at Ngaruawahia to-day, and fitteens representing Hamilton and Cambridge meet on Sydney Square. A large party of natives, mostly from the Waipa and Waitetuna, passed through Hamilton yesterday on the road to Tauwhure, to attend a tangi over an old native of some standing amongst the Maoris. The Admiralty Court at Aden has concluded au inquiry into the wreck of the steamer China. The Court suspended the certificate of Captain Dehorne for six months, and sevi rely censured the second officer, Mr H. S. Crawford. The Bridge Hotel at Matawhero, Poverty Bay, owned by Bloomfield Bros, (licensee, Mrs Maguire), was totally destroyed by fireearly yesterday morning. The building is insured for £6OO, and furniture for £270, in the New Zealand Office. The Presbyterians of Ngaruawahia intend holding a cake and apron fair in the Ngaruawahia Hall on the afternoon of Friday, June 3rd. The proceeds are to go to the funds for reroofing the manse. In the evening a social will be held, the programme consisting of musical selections by local talent and dancing. Since the last sitting of the Government Land Valaation Assessment Court at Invercargill, nearly fall tho objections have been compromised, and Judge Keddel to day reduced tho valuations in all cases before him save one, that of an acre suburban section in Wyndbam distriot. There were 225 objections. The majority have been compromised. We were sorry to learn last evening that Mi?s Trubshaw, of Tamahere, who is not long out from England, had the misfortune to break her leg through falling from a horse some time during the afternoon. In the absence of Dr. Brewis, Dr. Kenny, who happened to be in the township, was driven out to attend to the sufferer, who was brought into the hospital about 8 p.m. last evening. The Taupiri Athletic Meeting came off on the Queen's Birthday in Mrs Lovell's paddock, and, considering the unpleasant weather, was well attended. The events were keenly contested, but resulted in a complete triumph for the Welch family, who supplied four winners, with four brothers competing. Throwing the cricket ball and putting the shot were also won by the same family. Mr E. B. Cox as starter and Messrs J. Bailey and T. T. A. A. White as judges gave every satisfaction. An important land sale of residence sites at Waihi was held by Messrs Mackay and Pratt at their Auction Mart, Paeroa, on Thursday last, when the firm disposed of a b'ock comprising two acres, situated between the Waihi Postoffice and the Stirling Hotel, together with several buildings erected thereon. Bidding .started at £l5O, and gradually rose to £275, at which figure the block was sold to Mr John Flett, Waihi. Messrs Mackay and Pratt have several other property sales impending in the Ohinemuri district. At a meeting of the'presbytery of Hawko's Bay yesterday, Dr. Sidey reported that under the will of the late Mr. James Anderson, the elder of St. Paul's, Napier, tho following sums were assigned for Church purposes:—£soo to found a. a scholarship for students for the ministry ; £SOO towards a new church for St. Paul's congregation, and £l5O for an organ. The reversionary interest in £3OOO after the death of three ladies in Scotland, and the residue of his estate are left in equal parts for church extension in Hawke's Bay and the poor connected with St. Paul's. We understand that Mr M. S. Laurie, late of the Ohaupo Hotel, has purchased the farm of Mr McLaren, situated at Ohaupo, at a satisfactory price. The property consists of about 530 acres, all improved, and is close to the railway station and saleyards, with all the necessary buildings suitable for a comfortable homestead. The sale was effected through Mr Roche's agency, this being the third property Mr Roche has passed through his hands within the last six weeks, and he attributes his success in a great measure to his advertising in this journal. His advertisement appearing in another part of this issue com - prises some choice properties still for sale. We call the attention of our Cambridge readers to the advertisement in another column of the concert to be given on Tuesday next, in aid of the funds of the Cambridge Library. The services of Mr Edgar Walton, of Auckland, together with all the best local talent, have been secured, so that a good entertainment may be looked for. The Cambridge Library has, however, special claims upon the sympathy and practical support of the public. It is a well managed country library, its birth being contemporaneous with that of the town, and from a thing of nothing at the start, it has grown mainly by good nursing into having a pood habitation of ,its own. With 2100 volumns on its shelves, many of which are valuable books of reference, a good reading room, well furnished, with papers, etc., and _ the nucleus of a museum. The committee are not getting up the concert to pay off the debt, for the library has none, but to help to keep the institution in health and vigour, and so maintaiu its usefulness.