The Waikato Times. UNKNOWN.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 15 March 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times. UNKNOWN.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1873.

Tun native meeting 1 just pasb, at which His Excellency the Governor took a conspicuous part, has very little political significance. In fact wo tv^ron that the representative of Her Mejesty c mili'soendel to racefc the small native fry who •were present, and who, for the most part, attend :d as a matter of course — many for the sake of the food doled out — others because they felt it incumbent upon them to show gratitude for past favors— others iv order to personally learn what was g->iii£ on. Und mbledly fche meeting 1 has done much to cement the friendship existing between the Oovernraeut ami certain parties of tli3 n-itives --friendship based on self- interest, and self-interest only. Tbo dignity of the (,'i-owu has been without doubt, to a very great extent, jeopardised. Why should the representative of Her Majesty travel a number of miles to meet and receive addressos from nonentities, ilo ti.crtLj subjected himself to listening- to absurd demands a.id eu,u illy absmd speeches of compliment palpably h illow and unmeaning. We have been long 1 rnon^h in connection with the natives for them to have learned the -respect that is due to the viceregal office. In this instance they have not shewn that rospect. Why is this? In our opinion it simply arises from the fact that the Governor bas ji t sufficiently respocted himself and hi 3 position. Kespect for oneself begets respect from others To dance attendance on a lot of uninfiuential natives ia calculated to lower the dignity of tho Crown. It has done so ! It must not be forgotten that Sir G. ¥. Boweu, only a few months bai-k, waited on the pleasure of th< % Kin;* i.ativos. 'i \icy th )ii^ht fit to treat

The resident engineer baa or -will shortly receive instructions to make the necessary alterations to the punt at Ngaruavvahiu. Mr Harper, of Hamilton, had his pocket picked by one of | the crow d collected to do honor to the Governor. About £6 1 in cheques and notes were absti acted. A man named James Wilson 13 in custody on the charge of attempting to pass one* of the chequed. The taste for .accurate information on pissing events is evidence x>f ihe ad trance of * a population. We were much gratified, on that account only, at the eager demand on the part of the natives to secuie copies of our last lhsue. We printed the addresses in the native Inupuige, and to this is owing then ea^Ui^t 'jL " ] -'\ our u-pun f l li<. iuLii' 1 ! tie uuction from tUu above facts is, that a newspaper caiefully ci ited and published in Maori would effect a great deal of good Halt* our tlifliculties with tile natives have arisen from our not understanding thorn and they not understanding us. A Maori newspaper, not in the hands of the Government, would do much towards establishing a. proper feeling between- the two races. The WaJc* Maori, if not admitedly worked by Government, ould have done great good. Worked as is by avowedly Government oilieials, its power and influence is reduced to a minimum.. Tnose who have miluence with tho natives should endeavour to nrgc them to produce tho necessary funds to establish a Maori newspaper in this district. If it is to be useful it must be edited bj an European, assisted by an interpreter conversant with native history aucl native customs. There was a> public soireo held in tho Volunteer Hall, Te Awamutu, on the evening of the 4th inbtant, for the benefit of the Weslcyan Church. Tho weather was everything that eov»ld-bo deaired, but the number present was not so large as was anticipated. The tables were tastefully spread with the good thing* of this life, nml presided 'over by Mesdaincs Bridgman, Short, Cowan, and W. Bndgnian. Those present having done justice to a good cup of tea, the tablos woto cleared.. The Rev J. Law oucupied the ■chair on the occasion, and the meeting was opened with singing and prayer. The chairman then introduced the Eev «T. J*. hew is, who gave his popular lecture entitled, " Rambles with a Knapsack." At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks was proposed to -the Rev Mr Lewis by Mr Bsrry, and seconded by Mr Cooper. A vi,te of thanks was also proposed to tho ladies who had furnished tho trays, by Mr Bridgeman, and seconded by Mr Smith. The pronouncing of the benediction ly the Chairman concluded the meeting. On Sunday evening, March 2', th& Eev. J. J. Lewis, of Auckland, conducted divine service at the Weslejan Church, Cambridge. The rev. gentleman preached an eloquent discourse from St. John lcli 29 v. On Monday evening there was a public soiree held in the above church. About 100 persots sat down to a sumptuous tea, provided gratuitously by Mesdames Reynolds, Gerraus, Walker, Getnmil, and Law. After the tables were removed and the seats arranged ,-the Rev. J. Law occupied the. chair, and began tho meeting by giving out tho 7(39th hymn The Rev. T. Stewart (jJresbytenan- minister) engaged m prayer. The chairman having made a few remarks relative to the objte} of tho meeting, called upon the Rev. J. J. Lewis to deliver his lecture, entitled " Rambles with a Knapsack." The lecture was deeply interesting, and elicited frequent applause. At the conclusion a vote of th.mkd was proposed to the rev. Lecturer by Mr Stewart, and seconded by Mr Johns, which was carriod by acclamationi Mr Trewheelcr in a few humorous remarks proposed a vote of thauko to tho ladies who' had presided at the tables, which was seconded by Mr Joseph Buttle, and carried by acclamation. The singing of tho doxology by the choir brought a very pleasant raeeting to a close. By the Phoebe on Wednesday, Mr Lipstine was a passengor. For some time past he has been engaged in various mercantile and speculative operations in the southern provinces, and for the last few weeks, as be informed us, he has been making an ar-jements in the Kelson province for working a Utge deposite of plumbago or graphite; The lode is described xr being about eight feet thiek> and the material in the greatest abundance. The discovery has been made in the Collingwood district, upon Government q found, and a lease for 21 years of 75 acres has been eccuied for the purchase of working the plumbago deposits. The situation of the mine is about three miles from the sea coast. The lode of graphite or plumbago, is enclosed on either side by ■male, which is abo reputed to be of value as an artiale of export. Considerable quantity of the material, both of plumbago and shale, has been brought on to Auckland, and a sample has been left at our publishing ollice by Mr Lipstnie, for inspection by the curious. — Cross. A public meeting was held at Otahuhu on Thursday night "\jt !io iiiiniOi.i vi iiii'i'i tiiinwij the of the settle! h a? to who is the most suitable person to fill t lie ofiicc of Superintendent during the next term. The selection of eligible candidate did not form part of tho business, as might have beeu supposed from- fche adver-fcisenient), A» resolution was proposed by Mr H. S\ Andrew &, beconded by Mr W. Woodw tird, and carried, to tha following effect :■ — " That the electors- of this provinco are 1 respectfully requested not to pledge themselves at present to any candidate for the Superintendency." A resoluion in favour of the abolition ol the provincial system was proposed by Mr Albin Martin and negatived* A Iml named Komrorthy, residing in Grey street, was seized on Wednesday afternoon last with cramp in the stomach. The boy had acknowledged to hio parents that h( had eaten somo berries which he had found growing ueai the Barrack wall. Ho was hurried off to a chemist's shoj where a strong emetic was administered. Tins caused bin \o YOimt, and ho if now out of danger. Parents would dc well to e.Hitkm then- ohidron .ig.iin^ eating wild berries.

\\\ loam mat, it l.s tho intention oi this Government to erect an obelisk ovor tlie gravj of King Potatau at Xgaruanalna. Aa evidence of the improvement that has taken place m the manners oi the people, we may mention that the police only found it necessary to lock up • Vivo people for drunkenness during the Governor's- visit to the W&,iLa£o. We are authorised to state that it is tlie intention -of the G-overnment to have the suburban lands of Ngaruawahia re-surveyed at an early riatc, and that immediately afterwards they will be offered for public competition. This w ill bb an act of justice long withheld' from those who havo purchased land at er\ high prices in the township. The prices paid by them wero regulated by the belief that the Government would keep faith with the public by carrying out their impressed intention of selling the land for settlement. The progress of »he- seitiers in the township has been greatly iftarded by the long delay that has taken place.