The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1903.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1592, 26 June 1903, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1903.

It has now become a yearly custom for the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and members of Parliament to confer together just previous to the House meeting. lb is a very good'custom, no doubt, inasmuch as it affords both parties to the arrangement the satisfaction of finding that they are for the most part agreed a 3 to what the requirements of|the district are, and promises are given by members that they will do all in their power to secure that those wants shell be supplied, with the mental reservation, no doubt, ou the part of Covernment supporters that they will not go so far as to try the stability of the Government or excite the ire of the Premier, who claims for himself the right to dictate as to the candidates constituencies shall support. He has already had the assumption to nominate the man to contest the Waikato seat in his interests three years hence. The retention of their scats, to the general run of members, is much more important 'than the interests of their constituents. The elasticity of their tongues and consciences at election times is simply surprising. Some even go so far as to promise to support by their voices and votes two diametrically opposed political principles, and when they get returned try to fulfil their promises as nearly as possible by talking one way aud voting

another. Mr Seddon forgives talk, no mutter how strong it may be against his political principles and practices ; but for one of his pledged supporters to vote the wrong way is to commit a sin unpardonable, to be punished not only by the withdrawal of Government support, but, in addition, by active, if not insidious, means to destroy the offender's political reputation and hound him out of politics. This is the result of party government as developed in this colony. But this is beside the question, except in so far as the above statement of facts enables us to estimate at'their true value such conferences as that between the members and the Chamber of Commerce, It is well, nevertheless, that the resolutions passed by the Chamber should be brought into prominence. The first was, 'That in the opinion of this Chamber the growing needs of the Auckland provincial district demand that the expenditure of money for railway construction be made at a much more rapid rate than in the past.' The second was, 'That this Chamber respectfully urges upon the members for the Auckland district the necessity for getting the Crown lands of the district surveyed, roaded and opened for settlement, and very respectfully urges upon them the need for considering the present incidence of taxation with regard to Crown leaseholds.' The third resolution suggests that the number of bank holidays shall not exceed 11 per annum, except when a general holiday has been declared and is likely to be observed by the public generally.' The fourth resolution reads : ' This Chamber recognises that the Court of Arbitration has exercised its power with much discretion, and to deprive it of its right would seriously lessen its influence. Therefore, we strongly oppose compulsory preference to Trades Unionists being embodied in an Act.' We hove so often dealt with the above questions and given our reasons for arriving at the same conclusions as the Chamber, that further comment is unnecessary on our part. It is well, however, that the opinions of the Chamber of Commerce should be brought prominently before the public mind.

It snowed at Dunedin all yesterday morning. The Rev. J. T. Pinfold will conduct service at Te Kowhai at 2.30 on Sunday afternoon".

Dowie, of Zion City fame, who is coming on a visit to the Australasian Colonies, is expected to reach Sydney in December.

TVe hear that Mr Cochrane's property on the River Road, Claudelands, has recently changed hands and that the new owner contemplates building a sub» stantial residence thereon forthwith.

An eminent statistician says that the British Empire produces one-third of the world's coal, one-ninth of its copper, oue-eighth of its ircn, one-fifth of its lead, one-ninth of its silver, and onehalf of its gold.

The Premier states that nothing has been decided as to the Government's intentions regarding the Chairmanship of Committees in the Lower House or the Government Whips. It is generally understood that Mr Laurenson, member for Lyttelton, will be oue of the latter. The Minister for Justice has decided that Crown solicitors shall not be allowed under any circumstances to accept employment or appear against the Crown. They will appear on behalf of the Crown when prisoners committed under section 14 of the Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Act come up for sentence. The fee for such appearance shall be £2 2s.

And old nran, who had lived in the vicinity of Deep Creek, Canterbury, for 36 years, died dramatically in his hut there last week. The day before his death he told a miner friend, who had called to see him that he was worn out. and that the sooner he went to his long home the better it would be. For some days he had remained in bed, only rising when he felt hungry, and thus he Btoically awaited the end.

A Southern gentleman claims to have invented an instrument that when placed in the bow of vessels will indicate their distance from land. The matter having been brought under the notice of the Premier, Mr Seddon was at first sceptical about its capabilities. The inventor, however, pointed out that the atmosphere near the land is quite different to that at sea and that sound would rebound from the land; the instrument being a utilisation of these principles. 'The inventor brought recommendations from practical men, and there may be semething in it,' admitted Mr Seddon. If there is, it is claimed that lighthouses will become a thing of the past.

At the annual meeting of the Wanganui Caledonian Society on Wednesday, on the motion of Mr R. C. Bruce, president, the following resolution was carried :—'That the Caledonian Society of Wanganui wish to give articulate expression to the gratitude which they feel to the French press for the chivalrous delicacy of their attitude and procedure in connection with the tragic death of General Macdonald, and also give expression to the hope that the magnanimity of our ancient allies will nnt be forgotten by the Caledonian race in years which are to come.' A copy of the resolution is to be forwarded to the French Consul at Auckland.

The cattle disease, called ' Winton disease,' appears to be almost identical with a disease that broke out in the Pictou district, Canada. Professor J. G. Adami, Professor of Pathology and Bac> teriology at Montreal (and formerly of Cambridge), was appointed a few years ago to investigate the disease. His report has now been published, and in it he gives credit to Mr Gilruth, chief of the veterinary division of New Zealand, for tho experience of investigations carried out here. He also gives at length a conversation that took place at Montreal between Mr Gilruth and himself. The results of more recent experiments with tho disease in New Zealand have not yet reached Professor Adaml.

We bavo been requested to draw attention to a dangerous hillock which exists on the County road between Frankton and Whutawhata near Dins* dale's bridge. This seems to be the remains of a former ditch and bank, and comes out unpleasantly near the edge of the roadway. On Moudny last as Mr Bert Fao, of Whutawhata, was returniug from Hamilton with a trapload of goods his horse swerved at this point and the wheel was carried over the hillock, with the re3ult that the trap was immediately capsized. Fortunately the driver was thrown clear, but both shafts of the trap were broken aud the vehicle generally damaged. It seems strange that on a road carrying so much traffic as the above an obstruction should be allowed to remain as a constant menace to tho travelling public.

During May 1878 persons arrived in the colony and 2111 took their departure. The figures for May, 1902, are 1701 and 2109 respectively. Dr Hall, of Whangarei, was yesterday fined ss, without coats, for using insulting language to Mr W. Corns, Mayor of Whangarei. The case excited great local interest. If his parliamentary duties will permi'. the Premier will accompany Lord Ranfurly on a trip to the South Sea Islands on a man-of-war prior to His Excellency's departure for Home. Three thousand sheep will bo carried to South Africa by the subsidised steamer Cornwall, to the order of Messrs Bannatyne and Co. and G. H. Scales. The steamer will leave Wellington on Saturday. At the Magistrate's Court. Tt Aroha, on Tuesday, an old age pensioner had his certificate suspended on account of his love for intoxicants. Five years must elapse, and numerous conditions be complied with, before a certificate can be renewed. The Waitoa creamery, which Jis at present closed down, has had a most prosperous season. During the winter suppliers were paid IOJd per lb for butter-fat and during the height of the season. A substantial bonus was also paid to the suppliers.—News. On Wednesday afternoon the police raided a Chinese laundry at Pilmerston North, and after carefully searching the,, premises discovered 15J packets of opium (about 7f|b) hidden away under tubs ; on the roof pipes and other requisites for opium smoking wee found. The opium was confiscated by the police and a summons issued. At the Hawke's Bay Gun Club meeting at Napier on Tuesday the Open Handicap of lOOaovs. was divided between Messrs Gorrick and Chavannes, who killed all their birds in two nominations, and Messrs Eccles, P Mason, Whittle, Riohmond, Fleminß, and Colquhoun, who each, killed all their birds in one nomination. A sweepstake match was divided between Messrs King, Fleming and Chavaunes, who each killed all their birds A question which we (Te Aroha News) consider would be a wise oue to discuss and prove beneficial to the whole county is that the Waitoa Road Board and the Piako County Council should be merged into one body and at once con* sider a borrowing policy to plaoe the roads of the county in a better condition. Tho present ' patching system ' is simply throwing money away. We would like to hear the opinion of the Road Board on this question at its meeting on Saturday. A trial demonstration of Miller's water motor took place at the Cliffs, near St.. Ciair. Dunedin, ou Wednesday. _ A. wooden float, suspended ftom the Cliffs, floats in the water, four corners haviog ropes attached, which, passing through blacks, were joined to ratchet chains, which pass over a cogged wheel, ou a spindle. Every movement of the float thus exerts power. At the trial a float, weighing about a ton, was used, aud the power was utilised in driving a small dynamo, lighting a 25 candle-light lamp. A cable to the New York Sun, dated May 23, from London, says ; ' There are serious rumours current in reeard to the health of King Edward. These stories have teen in circulation several days. They are to the fact that he had a sadden attack of pain at the opera just after returning from France. A few days later, while he was in Scotland. His Majesty experienced similar attacks, which resulted in two occasions, it is said, in fainting spells. The King is under careful treatment and observation, but it is thought an operation will be necessary within a short time. In the meantime 1 he is able to go about as usual.' SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS Lost in Hamilton : Opera cape. Waikato hounds at Kihikihi tomorrow. Hamilton Ragby Union is authorised to charge Is for admission to S3'dney Square on Saturday, July 4. Why pay rent ? One hundred pounds will buy a four-roomed cottage and full quarter-acre section in Main Street, Hamilton Weßt. Easy terms arranged. Apply sharp to W. Thompson, Land Agent.