The WaikAto Argus. GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 475, 17 August 1899, Page 2

The WaikAto Argus. GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1899.

—♦ The situation in France as depicted by our cablegrams tbis morning is of a very disquieting nature. It is now generally recognised that Dreyfus has been the victim of a conspiracy concocted by men holding the highest positions in ibe national army. Gross perjury has been proved against some of these men, and every right-minded Frenchman blushes for bis country. The people are divided into two camps, those in the one would have allowed the unfortunate Dreyfus to rot in the Isle de Diable rather than that the honourof Frenchmen should be dragged in the dust by the exposure of the misdeeds of the heads of the army, which the majority of the people have hitherto worshipped as being the embodiment of all that is honourable and brave. Their faith in their fetish has been shaken, if not utterly destroyed. The rank and file of the army can bui feel tbis loss of prestige, and there is the danger that a man may come forward who will work upon their feelings with th 6 inevitable result that a revolution would follow. The people have every reason to argue that the nation under any other conceiveable head or form of Government could not take a lower rank among nations than that to whiob the revelations over the Dreyfus affair have reduced it. The Daily News gives details of a plot to seize the editors of antagonistic papers and substitute an Orleanist for General de Gallifet, and adds that there was a pre-aranged understanding with a portion of the troops. Another element to be considered is the Patriotic League, who are said to have been preparing a Dreyfusard massacre of St Bartholomew. These men appear, if the report be true, to be utterly oblivious of the fact that as far as restoring the honour of France or the Army, the murder of every man who is favourable to justice being meted out, would utterly fail in its object. If the honour of France is to be restored it will be by according a fair trial of Dreyfus and the exemplary punishment of the villians who have plotted and lied. Of the shooting at Dreyfus' counsel, the Temps says " perhaps the outrage was the one thing needed to restore Frenchmen to their senses." Let us hope so. The Rev. Dr. Parker speakiDg in the City lemple, alluding to the Dreyfus case, said :

" Dreyfus stands today the most illused man of these nineteen centuries. But it is not Dreyfus that will need restoration. How France will be restored to the confidenoe of civilisation I know not. Shame upon shame be to those who, even if the verdict had been just, have heaped indignity upon indignity on the miserable victim of the wrath of the army, in whose behalf I cannot conceive of any honest man speaking one word. A case like that of Dreyfus does not bi'long to a nation. Jt belongs to humanity. It belongs to civilisation, which should speak out fearlessly and unmistakably. I would not give three months' purchase for the tranquillity of the nation that has acted as France has acted in this case of Dreyfus. Honour to every duke or carl, king, prince, author or journalist who has sent some message of sympathy to the man who has borne this invisible load of sorrow. If I were sending a message to Dreyfus it would be to keep up his heart, trust in God, and have faith in the people."

At Mr W. J. Hunter's Cambridge sale on Saturday next he will offer a large number of choice well-bred young cattle, dairy cows, fat bullocks, ewes in lamb, hoggets, pigs, etc. Mr W. Allen will exhibit his newly-imported gramophone in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, on Saturday evening. A notice of this machine appeared in our last issue, and wc have no hesitation in saying that those . who visit the hall on Saturday will be astonished.

A break will leave the Hamilton Hotel to convey patrons to the concert at Hukanui to-morrow evening, Intending passengers are advised to book early, as Hukanui being so famed for providing enjoyable entertainments, there is sure to be a good number attend from Hamilton.

The Rev. S. Potts, late of Westport, who has been appointed to the charge of the Methodist Obureh at Ngaruawahia, arrived in Waikato yesterday. He will relieve the Rev.' Dr. Hosking of that portion of the Waikato circuit embracing Ngaruawahia, Taupiri and Huntly.

At a meeting in Wellington, attended by 14 clergymen, representative of several churches in the city, it was decided to adopt " no license " and reduction vote at the coming election, as the basis of united action. The Chairman stated he had waited on Bishop Wallis, who had, in reply to him, said he was not a prohibitionist. His sympathies were with temperance, but he did not feel warranted in joining the ministers oi the various churches at the present time. A large congregation assembled in Trinity Church, Cambridge, last Sunday morning, and seeing a stranger in the pulpit supposed him to bo the Rev. John Erwin, who, according to announcement in our columns, was expected to preach. A smile came over the faces of many in tho audience when the speaker announced that he was not Mr Ki win, but had come at the request of the clerk of the Presbytery, as his substitute, in consequence of tho Southern steamer being uncertain as to arrival in time for tho train. The preacher was the Rev Robt. Wylie, of Onehunga, who delivered very able and impressive discourses, which were highly appreciated. The Rev. Mr Erwin airived in Cambridge yesterday, and will occupy the pulpit next Sunday.

A meeting of the delegates and officers of the Waikato Rugby Union will ho held in tho Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, at 8 o'clock on Monday evening. The business will be the arrangement of return matches with Kotorua and Waipa and the consideration of making other inter - un'on fixtures.

AVe remind our readers that Professor Elston and the Empress Needle Company only remain in Hamilton one week more. Therefore those who have not already paid a visit to the compauy's exhibition should not lose the opportunity of doing so, and learn this most artistic work free of charge by purchasing one of the Empress needles at a cost cf 3s 6d.

In this issue Mr John Hall, of Otahuhu, directs the attention of farmers in Waikato to his shipment of new clover needs now landing ex direct s.s. Indraghiri and s.s. Papanui. Mr Hall also slocks the choicest samples of Akaroa and Taranaki cocksfoot, Poverty Bay and South Island ryegrass ; these have all been extra-machined, and are, therefore, free from all deleterious and obnoxious weeds. Price lists and samples can be obtained on application.

We notice in the advertisement calling for tenders for mail services for the throe years January Ist, 1900, to December 31st, 3 902, that alternative tenders are called tor service between Hamilton and Raglan twice a week as at present and three times a week. It will be remembered that some months ago a requisition was forwarded to the Postal Department asking for increased mail services for this district, and should the tender for the tri-weekly service be satisfactory, no doubt the wishes of the residents in this respect will be acceded to.

It does not appear to be generally known that persons who cannot write must have their claims for enrolment on tho parliamentary rolls attested by a justico of the peace, postmaster or registrar. Ordinary claims can bo attested by an elector of any district, not as formerly (prior to tho Amendment Act. 1896) only by an elector of tho district in which the clainmant seeks to enrol. All claims must, however, be attested by a witness, who must sec the claim signed, and the truth of its contents must bo declared to before tho witness.

During last week (writes our Te Awamutu correspondent) a fire took place in Mr R. Griffiths' dwelling, which was quickly extinguished, but not until some damage was done. Mr Griffith, who is insured ' with the South British Insurance Company, reported the matter to the local agent for the company, who at once visited the scene and reported to the head office in Auckland. The South British, with its well-known promptitude, forwarded a cheque through its agent (Mr D. Bockett) two days afterwards for the amount of damage claimed.

The sound of the axe and fall of forest monarchs is heard on every side (writes our Waingaro correspondent). A considerable area is intended to be added to the grazing capacity of this progressive district during the ensuing fall. The " social pests " are here, at all events determined to try and pay their share of the interest on the money which those who had the unbounded impudence to call them so have becu borrowing since they obtained the power to increase the colonial debt, and yet by a juggle of figures claim a yearly surplus.

A plucky arrest (writes our Huntly correspondent) was made here on Tuesday. L. Williams, the prisoner, was employed at the mines. Being dissatisfied he left his work and about 5.30p.m. entered the manager's office, and asked for his wages. On being told he must wait, he became abusive, and seizing a theodolite hurled it at Mr Tattley, striking agaiiut the door the instrument was completely wrecked. Returning to his home Williams pro cured a gun and uroceeded to a clump of furze, commanding Mr Tattley's road home. ' Meanwhile Constable Howell had been put on his track, and catching sight of him prepared to make the arrest, A double-barrelled gun pointing in his face with a threat to shoot did not act as a deterrent and the prisoner was pluckily captured. Williams afterwards declared he wished he had been a little quicker with his gun. He was brought befoie the Bench yesterday, on three charges, viz., (1) assault ; (2) damaging theodolite ; (3) intent to shoot. He was remanded and sent \,o Auckland for safe custody.