The Waikato Times "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1873.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 229, 28 October 1873, Page 2

The Waikato Times "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1873.

His Excellency tbe Governor, in reply to au address from Tnipiri, on behalf of the 'lhamea natives, is reported to have sairl — '"Jo my Maori friends, I may say that I am rejoiced io learn that they are living at peace with their European friends. The days of war are passed and gone, aud I hope for the future that the two great races — tbe Maoris ;md Europeans — will live together as loyal subjects nf the Qneen." We perfectly agree with bis Excellency in iho belief that the days of war have passed, but. unfortunately for the country the days of JJritinh supremacy have not arrived. The " King" U-^'t'* 1 »• possession (to which there can be no jV.C-rijlc objection) of a large trmcfc of country, over h ich be linn asserted authority. There is no desire »<> disposes cither him or his followers of their Lud, but llure cauuot fail to be a very strong feeling

in the niiuil of uvery ni.m that fi.snmil innb, .u natives. ; claimed by the Queen as subjects, bhoul J not prevent, the prosoeutiou of public works. We allude to the making of railways and the running of the telegraph ,-wire wherever the commerce or other requirements of tlio country may render necessary. We have been repeatedly told for some years past that the last day of Maori trouble was at baud. An apparent last day. does arrive; bright visions of the future of the North Island are conceived and given expression to by all who have not the sagacity to foresee that, so long as temporary quietness is the only object considered by those who have the handling ot' the question, peace for the out-settlers, at suiy rale, is only hanging by a rope nearly as unstable as one of sand. There has been a tendency evidenced on the part of many politicians who have held office for the last few years (when in office) to draw as bright a picture as possible of what is commonly called native affairs ; the moment they leave office, however, the story is different. Southern members shun native business as they would a venomous snake ; they are afraid to leave it alone, and are equally afraid to tackle it. In the first place, if they dare to open their mouths, they are snubbed, and looked upon and spoken of in equally bad terms, as a boy who Ims robbed a turnip field ; the consequence has been that any man who has by diplomacy kept the natives' quiet for a time, has been looked upon as a man not to be disputed with, and as a man capable of confronting any criticism that could be offered. The plea that it would not be politic to enter into details has hitherto been sufficient to keep anything but the froth consequent on internal commotion from being apparent to any but the native doctors. People living on the frontier have a right to request that the new Governor will investigate these matters for himself. We believe that if he would bring the ability which he has made to bo felt in the House of Commons to bear on the native question, that a reform would take place. From his position he is thrown in contact with the men best able to counteract the present tendency to rule the House of Assembly, and through it the people, by the dread of danger that may or may not exist, but in either case disastrous to the country from its intangibility. We have no desire to bring Mr McLean or his followers into disrepute with the people; we believe — probably from being in partial ignorance of facts — that the present policy of putting off the evil day is the best that could be adopted. We are nevertheless paying a very high rate of interest for a temporary or permanent peace as may happen to eventuate. The reply of Sir James Fergusson to the natives implies that which does not exist if meant generally. If our new Governor will apply his energies to enlightening, after personal investigation, the minds of every member of our legislature with whom he comes in contact as to the actual position of affairs, he cannot fail to gain the respect of all uninterested people while he resides amongst us, and his departure from our shores will be a matter of regret to all. He has the powor to penetrate into the inner circle of the native speaking Europeans, and we trust he will exercise it. If he be the man we have reason to believe him, he will create as much disturbance as a torpedo in a small harbor with small craft floating on its waters. The railway scheme is as nothing, postal schemes are as nothing ; men of ordinary ability can grasp those questions. It requires a man of ability, firmness, and unprejudiced by political party warfare to fathom the depths of the hitherto mysterious native question. We believe that it only requires a man to be behind the scenes and have free inspection of the machinery used to smother all who dare to express opinions, for the native difficulty to vanish as nothing, from his mind at least. A Governor has the power to hold the position, which with all respect we tell him it is his duty to assume.

We are glad to learn that the settlers Lave at last taken some steps to induce the General Government to take ovpr the management and keeping in repair of the main roads in the Waikato. A meeting of delegates from each Board in the district is called for Monday, the 3rd November, at Ohaupo. We learn that a petition is likely to result from the meeting. We have so often pointed out the necessity of adopting the oourno now being agitated that further remarks are unnecea»ary. There was a sitting of the llesidcnt Magistrate's Court at Ngaruawabia, yesterday. Thomas Murray was fined 5s for I drunkenness. Judgment was given for 12s 6d for unpaid rates against E. McG-ruther, at the instance of the Chairman of the Newcastle Highway Board. ' The time of the Court was occupied till nearly three o'clock in hearing a complaint, Kobert J. Newell v. George and Catherine Gilmore. Tho case was eventually dismissed, each party being ordered to pay their own costs. In the case of Robert Cobaine v. L. B. Harris, being a claim for 7s 6d the value of a whip alleged to be retained by the defendant, it appears that the defendant had promised to return the whip but had n t done so, but was under tho impression that his promise was sufficient. Judgment confessed. The Court would noo allow costs. We have received the first number of the National Punch, published m Auckland. The frontispiece, as is only natural, ii the best executed cut. It appears to us, however, if Punch is to live long, as we trust he will, the allusions point too much to ovents that will be forgotten in a few years, or perhaps months, The cartoons are very creditable, the writing as a rule good, and the letter-press excellent ; some of the jokes aro rather stale, but it is said by philosophers that there is nothing new under the sun. The defects, if they be blemishes, are all easily remediable Wo trust that the spirited proprietors will be abundantly supported, as a Punch conducted re.pectably, and judging by the number before us, this will be, cannot fall to influence public opinion for good. It will be seen in another column that a meeting to form a Waikato Turf Club was held on Saturday last at Hamilton. The resolutions passed at it aro suggestive of tlie' " burying oi the hafchet." Every settlement with auy pretensions to being the metropolis is represented on the provisional committee. We have really at last attained some hope* that there will be unity for the support of the district, altlJough tho action of the whole may only benefit one or two publro**. Wo have always maintained, and do so again, that the particular locality in which public amusements shall be held i it nearly, if not entirely a publican's matter. A very auspicious fire was discovered early on Saturday I morning last at the Auckland Hope Manufactory, Poiisonby Boad, by a party of gentlemen who were returning home at an early hour in the morning. They observed fire in three different places amongst rrfuse tow. The fires were quite distinct, and must have been ignited separately When discovered the flooring liad caught, and burned to a large Mimt. An alarm was immediately given by the Churdi b. II ndjacent, and those in the neighbourhood arousal, who promptly lont assistance in subduing tho flnnii-.. But !... the opportune discovory of this insipient con (^ration i- perty to the value of £10,000 would l incvitnbU hnvr l>.>. n destroyed. The property was insured for £2,000. I licit* » very little doubt but that tho fire was the act of un incendiary. Mr Lusk returned to Auckland on Saturday from the Bay of Island*. He addressed oluctor, during the past week at Russell, Whangaroa, and Kawakawa, at all of which places he was well received and received votes of confidence. There is very littlo doubt that Mr Lusk will receive considerable support. An allotment of aharos in the Naf o ml Insurance Company ha» been made at Dunedin, notico of which will be sent forthwith to th« shareholders. We learn that Mr Lusk will visit tho Waikato again before the day of election and address the electors in as many of tho townships .13 time wHf ullow.

iiis h\L'Cili'ne> tiio Governor visited, the Thames on Saturmy moiMiii^, a cjuipamcd by bis Aido-de-Catup, Sir Geo. t \. Arnoy, his Honor the Superintendent, Mr Hurst, mid other officials. Tliere wore about forty passengerb besides on board the Golden Crown. " ' We learn that a requisition is n enuwe of signature to Mr W. A. Graham to stand for election to 'the beat in the Provincial Council fjr the WniLnto. The abore gentleman lias a large intercdt iv tbo district, and ire fail to sle any likely to mako a better number of our local House of Commons. AH the immigrants by.tho Hydaspes were engaged by Wednesday evening at lull mtes of wages.