The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 489, 19 September 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1899.

The speech of Mr Lundon at Cambridge on Friday was such as could readily have been expected from a man who follows the business of auctioneer. He made as much as .possible of his own virtues and those of the Parliamentary party of which he aspires to become a member. He also attempted to make as little of the blemishes in the Seddon political escutcheon as was compatible with the supposed credulity and want of knowledge of facts by his audience. He gave a list of the public positions he has held, and laid great stress on the fact that he bad been active in endeavouring to get the CainbridgeKatnai track opened. Tbere are very few men who take part in public matters at either end of the electorate who could not make the same claim to public consideration, and it can be claimed for Mr Herries, whom Mr Lundon seeks to displace, that he has been the more active.

Mr Lundon seeks the suffrages of the electors on the grounds that he is a Liberal and ardent supporter of the present Ministry. He told bis audience that he had arrived at this resolution after carefully considering the merits of the different political parties. He would reserve the right to criticise any measures that he thought detrimental to the interests of his constituents, but if his vote was required to keep the Government in office they would have his warmest support —that is to say his vote. This last is about as curious a reason as we have ever heard put forth wby a man should be returned to Parliament. As all legislation practically originates witb the Government, Mr Lundon's statement is equivalent to saying, " If a measure inimical to my constituents is brought forward I will speak against it, but I will nevertheless give my vote for the measure rather than that the Seddon Ministry should be turned from office." In this Mr Lundon would only be following in the footsteps of several members of the House at the present time. There were no questions asked Mr Lundou at the conclusion of his address. An appropriate one would have been : " Have you signed a document or given a verbal promise to the effect that you will vote with Mr Seddon on any and every occasion when he cho*sies to treat a resolution as a vote of want of confidence ? That several members of the present House, to their disgrace be it written, are so tied is no secret. It was the price of the Government support, These men have acted on the pledge but they have not gone so far as Mr Lundon, they have not asked to be returned by a constituency on the understanding that a contemplated political wrong upon them would be resisted by speech but inflicted by vote. Mr Lundon evidently has the loose political morality which is required of a Seddonian candidate, but is wanting in tact to blurt the fact. One reason Mr Lundon gave for his willingness to hand over his soul to the tender mercies of Mr Seddon was that he .was not qualified to take part in the scandals which arose on the Conservative side of the House. Those who listened to and those who have read his speech will accept this 'statement without demur. A man who is in capable of appreciating the parliamentary scandal involved in his own promised mode of procedure would of necessity be an utterly useless member of the political pack, whose duty it is to search out and expose the administrative and political misdeeds of a Government. It is not wonderful thereforo that Mr Lundon should have defended the Govarnment against the charges levelled agaiust them on various matters of administration. Had he been in the House by his own admission, assuming he had power to discern an honourable from a dishouourable transaction, he would have voted with Ministers in any case.

Mr Lundon, as a matter of course, dilated upon the fact that the country had progressed during the past eight years, and compared the present position with that which prevailed when the present party took office. He repeated the old gag about the scarcity of work and the price paid on relief works. Had he read the speech delievered by one of the Ministers tho other day when deprecating the raising of a large loan, he would have been a little more reticent on this point. The Minister said that the effect of such a policy would be thut labourers would flock to the colony to participate in the expenditure and leave soon afterwards. We are quoting from memory, but this was the effect of his statement. This was exactly the case with the Atkinson administration. The expenditure of borrowed money was stopped, and, in addition, neighbouring colouies had just at that time started en borrowing for public works policies, and the population, as it always will do, flocked to tho country where plenty of work and good wages were procurable.

Mr Lundon's opinions on political questions are only a re-echo of the stale speeches of the Premier and others, and require no fresh comment from us. The manner in which he states he will treat the interests of his constituents, if returned, should be quite sufficient reason for not voting for him.

Fifty thousand sovereigns were shipped at Albany on September 16th for Capetown. We remind our Hamilton readers of the lecture on " The Wit and Wisdom of lan Maclaren," by the Eev. Hugh Kelly, M.A., of Paruell. which is to be given this evening iu the Volunteer Hall.

Mr D. Lundon had a <,'Ood meeting at Cambridge West on Saturday eV-ning, where he received a vote af thanks and confidence.

Messrs McNicol and Co. open their anuual Spring horse fair at their Cambridge Yards at 11.30 o'clock tomorrow, and the sale will then proceed as set forth in the firm's advertisement.

It is understood (Bays the Times) that the American Government have quite agreod with the BritUh Government for the latter to protect the former's subjects in the Trautvaal in the event of hostilities.

The many friends of Mr E, M. Dickey will be pleased to learn that he has eo far recovered as to leave the Waikato Hospital, and yesterday he went to Auckland, whence in a few days he will proceed to Wangauui.

Messrs McNicol and Co. will hold their annual Spring cattle sale at Waihou on Friday, 13th October. On Wednesday, Ist November, they will hold their Rangiriri Spring cattle sale. Entries for both sales are solicited.

There was not a meeting of the Cambridge Road Board on Saturday, only the Chairman and Mr Butler being present. The following interim accounts were passed for payment : —W. Souter and Co., £5 3s Id ; The Clerk, £6 5s ; T. Peunell, £4 3s ; The Waikato Akgds, 19s 6d ; W. Nioholl, £7 2s frl

A young man named William Dallas was arrested at Waitara on Friday evening, on a charge of attempting to murder his wife. The landlady of a boardinghouse where they were staying heard the pair quarrelling. It is alleged that Dallis attempted to stab his wife with a pair of scissors.

A miner, named R. Hancock, employed in the Martha mine, at Waihi, met with a nasty accident. It appears that he was working on the surface filling in, when a fall of earth took place, the debris coming down on top ot him. As a result, his collarbone was broken, and other slight injuries sustained, but he is now doing well under the care of Dr. Potter.

Arrangements, are being made for a chess match between Thames and Hamilton, to be played next Thursday evening. The match will be played by telegraph 8 or 9 aside, and will commence promptly at 7 p.m. The following are to repsesent Thames in the order given :—Pope, Hall, Allen, McKenzie, Lough. Pierce, Aitkon, Wilson, Quick and Cave.

On Sunday evening Dr. Cowie, Primate of New Zealand, administered the rite of confirmation to 23 candidates (12 males and 11 females) at St. Peter's Church, Hamilton. The candidates had all baen specially prepared by the Vidar Rev. R. O'U. Biggs. There was a good congregation aud the service was a most hearty one. His Lordship also preached at 11 a.in. and offisiated at the Holy Communion at 8 a.m.

The Imperial military authorities at Capetown have commenced enlisting recruits for the mounted infantry regiment which is being raised by Colonel Baden-Powell for service as a frontier force upon the Bechuanaland Protectorate borders, adjoining the Transvaal. A small contingent of the force has already left for the north, and the remainder will be despatched northwards as they are recruited. One-of the finest collections we have ever seen in Waikato of that beautiful spring bulb, the Narcissus, is now on view in the window of Mr J. H. Edwards' stationery shop in Cambridge. The collection comprises thirty-three varieties, and includes some of the latest and best sorts, The narcissi were grown by Mr M. McDerniott, of Cambridge, so well-known as an enthusiast in floriculture in general and a most successful chrysanthemum grower in particular.

Mr W. J. Hunter has received instructions from Mr B. Comer, Pukekura, to sell on the farm on Wednesday, September 27th, the whole of his firstclass dairy cows, horses, furniture, etc. The auctioneer would call special attention to the cows to he offered, as having seen them himself he can highly recommend them. The horses are also grand workers, smind» and good. Luncheon will be provided, and the sale will commence at 12 o'clock.

'On Sunday evening at the Hamilton Presbyterian Church the Rev. J. M. Mitchell preached a forcible sermon on the Dreyfus case, in the course of which he attributed the present unhappy state of Fiance to the lack of religious training and, consequently, the utter disregard of Christian principles on the part of those in authority. At the conclusion of the sermon Miss Gilmour, of Auckland, sang the solo " Come Unto Me," in a manner which was highly appreciated by the large congregation.

A meeting of the committee of the Hamilton Horticultural Society was held in St. Peter's schoolroom, yesterday afternoon, when the pr'zo schedule was revised. The following additions and alterations were nude :—lu Section B, cut flowers, Cla«8 26, collection of panaies, was struck out and a class for aweet peas, six varieties, was substituted. Iu roses, open to all coiners, a class 12 varieties was added. The foregoing comprise the main alterations. It was arranged that the committee should meet again in about a month to make final arrangements about the Show. The Waikato Hunfc v Club races take place at Mr J as. Taylor's paddock, Cambridge, to-day. The entries are large, and as the gatherings of the Club ure very popular, we have no doubt there will be a large attendance of the public. As we have not had the pleasure of seeiug any of the horses performing during the winter, it would be useless for us to attempt to elicit any of the probable winners. Ac the time of writing, rain is falling, unci there ie every prospect of a showery day ; this is much to be regretted, but we doubt very much whether it wi'l mateiially affect the at tendance and can predict a real good day's fun. At the conclusion of the church service at Marsh Meadows on Sunday last, the Rev. J. M. Mitchell, speaking of the departure of theßunciman family, referred to their long and honourable connection with the district. Is may be, ho said, very trying for them to leave the old homcsteid which they had made and round which there gathered eo many sacred and hallowed associations. At the same time the severity of the trial was to some extent mitigated by the fact that they were respected and esteemed by every settler in the district, and they would take with them to tkeir new home the good wishes of them all. In welcoming the Messrs Scott to the district aud wishing them all prosperity, Mr Mitchell said he could not cherish a better wish for them than that when they became known they would be as greatly beloved as their predecessors. The congregation then sang feelingly, " God Be With You Till We Meet Again," and on dispersing shook hands with the family and bade them an affectionate farewell. The Riinciman family remove to Cambridge this week.—(Communicated).

For Bronchial Coughs take Woods Great Peppermint Cure. Is Gd and 'is 6d. The certified balance-sheet of the L'ukekura Road Board is now open for inspection at the residence of the clerk, Cambridge West. Members of local bodies are in a position to form a good idea of tha circulation of a newspaper. All the Local Bodies iu Waikato, Waipa, Piako and Raglan Counties advertise in Tue ARGUS, Verb Hap.