The Waikato Times "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1873.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 228, 25 October 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1873.

We have noticed the qualifications of Messrs Dargaville and Lusk to fill the office of Superintendent ; we have now to consider (hose of Mr Williamson. There can be no donbt on the minds of any who have watcheJ Mr Williamsons political career that there are few more able men in the colony. He has | lived more years than either of his opponents ; in fnct his political career may be said to have commenced before either of them donned those garments I which are proper to men. His age ia one of the i | principal charges brought against him by his opponents ; 6<tme have oven had the hardihood to assert that his mental powers are dimmed ; whether this be the case or not, we can only say that the last flicker of light from his mind is more powerful than that emitted from any other speaker's in the province. His addresses have been logical and free from the personalities usually indulged in by mob orators. Mr Williamson doe 3 n>t promise such great things as Mr Dargaville, and differs with Mr Lusk on the education question. He is too old a politician to talk nonsense like the former ; it is to be regretted, however, that he does not hold broader and more liberal views on education. We are prepared to admit that the prejudices of every class in the communify are entitled to respect, but when, as is < he position in this instance, all progress is delayed by humoring them, the case is different. The denominational system might work in the large centres of population, but to the country districts ts adoption means no edncation at all. In the present day there might be found in any of our little townships nearly as many religions as children ; true, the differences in many cases are only in name, yet if denominational education of any sort were allowed to be prosecuted at the expense of the State, palpable injustice would be done to every person who holds opinions antagonistic to the particular form of religion selected to be incu'eated. On the nbove grounds it is our duty to warn couutry settlers against recording their votes in hi 3 favor on the day of the poll. Many attempts have been made to stab Mr "Williamson in the dark, so to speak, by insinuations that his party or clique are his bane, but none have had the manliness to specify who compose that clique or party. It is a rather delicate matter in a public journal to ullude to the private habits of any public man, but although neither of his opponents have bpen indelicate enough to allude in their public addt esses to what is termod Mr Williamsons "great failing," many of the supporters of other candidates have not failed to make the most of it. That which is past should be forgotten ; au error when repented of and amended to Uiu best of a man's ability should bo banished, and in this case a complete reform lms taken place. Mr Williain&ou is an old servant of the colony ; his voice has been heard for many h year from his seat in the Assembly, and few men by their speeches and votes have evidenced a better knowledge of political economy. We I differ from him, as we said above, on the education question, and on those grounds we think that his name ought to be struck out of the voting paper iby every country settler. Intellectually, he is undoubtedly fit, but his opinions on this question show that his mind has been biassed by a bigoted religious party.

His Excellency the Governor armed in Auckland on Thursday. He travelled from Wellington in H.M. ■. Pearl, which left on Saturday. He was, of course, loyally received by the authorities and people of Aucklaed. We regret to learn that he will uot come to the Waikato during hig present vHt, but he has expressed bis intention of again coming to Auckland accompanied by his lady in March next, when, no doubt, we shall be afforded an opportunity of expressing our loyalty to the throne. Our evening contemporary at the Thames states lhat either Mr Dargaville or Mr Lust will retire from the comine contest. He seems to think that the retiring party will be Mr Lust. We hove every renson to believe that there is not the slightest foundation for the rumour, at any rateas regards MrLiislr. ° Mr Dargarille met the electon at Puhoi by appointment on Tueiday evening. There was a largo attendance. Mr Charles Krohn occupied the chair. Afc the conclusion a unanimous vote of confidence was carried on the motion of Mr Krippner seconded by Mr Murray, Mr M. R. Miller reports the sale of Colonel Whitmore's Apley property, consisting of 15,000 acres, with all improvements, for the sum of £30,500 to W. T. Buckland. Esq., of Auckland. The following religious services will be held in the Waikato to-morrow :— Church of England— Cambridge, 11 a m. ; Hamilton, 6.30 p.m.; Ngaruawahia, 11a.m.; Obaupo, 3 30 p.m. Catholic— Ngaruawabia, 8 *.m. ; Hamilton, 11 a.m, Presbyterian— Cambridge, 11 a.m. Wesleyan Methodist— Te Awamutu, 11 a.m. ; Pukerimu, 3 p.m. ; Cambridge, 6.80 p.m. We have been requested to intimate that in consequence of the indisposition of the Rev Mr Stewart, there will not bo any service at Ngaruawahia in the evening.