The Waikato Times "MONE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1873.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 224, 16 October 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times "MONE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1873.

In another column it ifl our pa'nfnl duty once more to record a disaHtrniw fire in the rity of Auckland. The lists of conflagration* that have visited the chiof towns of our province from time to time is exceedingly vo'nnr'nonH. After each fire, however, the same story, scarcity of water, engines and gear not in working order, ami that, which is perhaps worse, want of dit>e«pljue iv the fire brigade. Latterly, how on r, the fault appeals to consists principally in the want of wnfer, and in the contemptible jealousies that exists between the two brigades. The Wl .svil on the list does not come prominently forward iv thin instance, bnt it is a generally retired opiuiou that had no such jealousy existed at the time our post office w^s bnrned the catastrophe coald uut have taken a pluce in our provincial hiafctry, We must leave to our three urban con-

temporaries the reform ot their municipal institutions ; also that of the manner and customs of their , fire brigades. We have no pretension to understand ! the .notions of the wheels that revolve within other wheel*, in our capital ; and rf we were vain enough to imagine that we did, we should be careful before expressing our opinion to be prepared for any amount of abuse for poaching on other's preserves This ruuch, however, is clear to us: the present arrangements, or more properly speaking, the almost utter want of any for extinguishing a conflagration iv its infancy, are a farce and a disgrace to every citizen iv a position above that of pauper. Auckland derives the profit consequent on conducting the business of the country settlers, and the/, for that reason, have a right to protest against the continuance of the present state of affairs. It is unfair because the Auckland people will not do their duty that every settler who draws his supplies from their port should have to pay an increased price on the necessaries of life. High premiums mean larger profits to those who pay them, and as all supplies are drawn from Auckland, it is the country settlers who actually suffer. The insurance offices, during the year last past, have paid something like £73,000 on Auckland policies. Security from fire in every centre of population is a colonial question, and although it would be particularly unpalatable to erring communities, it is our opinion that it is the duty of the Government to do for the people that which they will not do for themselves, and tax those people to pay the cost. Unless a copious supply of water and efficient brigades and engines are provided before next session of the Assembly, we have a right to ask that a special Act shall be passed to take the management of their own affairs out of the hands of a people who have proved themselves incapable of appreciating their duties as citizens.

A report ia in circulation that Tawhito has thrown off the control of his advisers, and in spite of their opposition, intends shortly to visit the Waikato accompanied by some of lu9 people. We learn that it is intended to inaugurate the Ngaruawahia Boating Club on Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, by launching and christening in the orthodox manner their first boat. A young lady has been asked and has consented to christen the boat. We regret very much that Mr Shillington, [one of the engineering staff, met with a painful accident on Tuesday. He was superintending the repair of the approaches to the punt at Hamilton j his horseibacked into a rut and fell. Mr Shillington of course came off, and lodged on a stump sticking up in the road. He has received some injury about the small of his back. We remind those interested in racing matters that a meeting will be held on Saturday at the Hamilton Hotel, for the purpose of forming a turf club in place of the one broken up. We trust that if it is decided to have races, that they will be fixed for a date when farmers can afford to leave their farms and enjoj themselves. The end of February or beginning of March would be a convenient time. Our attention has been called to a pressing want in the shape of a Post-office about half-way between Hamilton and Cambridge. At the present time there are about 50 settlers who have to ride on an average eight miles to get or post their letters. We are sure that this matter has only to be brought to the notice of Mr Biss, for him to see the justice of the request, ami immediately arrange accordingly. We suggest to the settlers that one of their number who lives in a suitable place should volunteer to undertake the duties of Postmaster. We regret to learn that Mr Muir Douglas, of Tamahere, met with a severe accident. He was riding near the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, when his horse became restive and threw him violently to the ground; he fell upon his arm, which is severely fractured and the elbow joint dislocated. Mr Douglas is most unfortunate ; he is only just recovering I from a compound fracture of the leg. Dr Waddbgton set the limb, and the patient, we are glad to learn, is doing as well as could be expected. We are glad to have to report that a meeting was held in Cambridge on Saturday last for the purpose of adopting means to fence in the burial ground at that place. The following formed themselves into a committee :— Messrs J. Reynolds, Campbell, Robinson, J. Halley, W. Smith, J. Fisher, and James Runciman. The work is being done on the guarantee of the committee, each member of which has undertaken to collect £3. The monthly inspection parade of the Waikato Rifle Tolunteers and Cadets, under the command of |Captain McDonald, took place at the drill shed, Hamilton, on Tuesday evening. There was a fair muster of the corps. The cadets were all present, but as the majority of them belong to the band and have not had rifles served out to them, they were not drilled. The band of the company was in attendance, and plajed very creditably during the inspection. We have received a sample of biscuits from Mr Johns, of Cambridge. Amongst them were plain and fanoy biscuits of »ll descriptions. In our opinion they are quite equal to any of those imported. We find by the Customs returns that £2,220 worth were entered at the different ports of this colony last year. This is not a large amount, but more than it should have amounted to had local manufacturers been alive to their own interests and the public to theirs. The importation of any article that can be produced in thecolonj should be discouraged ; importation would soon cease if the public refused to purchase any not manufactured in the country. A considerable mepting of natives, principally from Raglan, was held yesterday at Karikiriki. Mr Mackay was present, and told those assembled to remain quiet and have nothing to do with the Haubaus. It appears from what transpired at the meeting that some of the King natives really did intend to commit depredations of some sort or the other, but were prevented by the " Zing." Mr Mackay stated that if the rebel natives kill another European or friendly native there must be war without message or asking the culprits from Tawhiao, and that Kawhia would be immediately occupied. After the meeting Mr Mackay proceeded to pay the natives for roadwork on the frontier. The natives assembled from other places will leave for their homes this morning. A writer in the Pall Mall Gazette tells us that in a short time half Europe will be out in New Zealand doing the hot springs, and studying the manners and customs of the> antipodes. What jolly times we ehall have, and seriously speaking, the thing is quite on the cards. These pink and white terraced fountains that now lie in solitary loveliness, are destined at no distant day, to play a very important part in the future of these islands. Once let it be understood that the grand tour is incomplete without our boiling springs, and we shall advance a pat de giant. In this particular line we can defy competition. Our southern Alps are grand, but the heights of the Himalayas are grander. Our lakes have a thousand rivals, our earthquakes, although sufficiently startling for a novice, are wanting, as yet at least, in the elements most esteemed by sensation seekers ; Chili or Peru can beat us hollow. But our bubbling fountains, our cold, tepid, and boiling natural baths, our marble terraces, sculptured by nature's hand and altogether passing lovely, where shall we find their count «rp»rt? They stand without a peer. Wealth fashion, and i ank, invalids, artists, and men of letters shall yet come from all parts if the world, and do homage to their marvellous beauty.— Wanganui Herald.