"OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1874.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 324, 11 June 1874, Page 2

"OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1874.

The dinner and presentation to Mr Mackay by the Cambridge settlers was a recognition of bis services to the Waikato which was only his due. When the hour of alarm or danger has passed it is the habit of humanity to think lightly of it, and in consequence to imder-estimate the pluck and decision of those who have looked tho difficulty in the face and conquered it. In the hour of evil report Mr Mackay, at tfie solicitation of the Gavernmenfc, undertook to unravel tho mystery attached to Sullivan's murder. It is easy after the fact to find fault with the actions of others ; but those who do plucky things have certainly a right to expect from thoae they arc endeavoring to, benefit the credit of having acted to the best of their judgment. There can be no doubt of the fact that Mr Mackay by his presence and prompt action prevented many of the frontier settler? from deserting their homes and seeking shelter in the centres of population. His continued presence in the district restored confidence, theno& the rapid progress the Waikato has made, during the last twelve months- The fact that the Government feel that his presence is no longer necessary, is evidence of their belief that he has finished the work they deputed to him.

A very small poition of the government store blown down during the late stoim at the Waikato Heads has been lecovered. We have received intelligence from, the W»ikato Iliads to the effect that nothing had been heard of the Agnes yesterday morning, although the coast had been searched for wieck. We learn that Captain Steele has made arrangen ents with upwards of thirty families of iinmigranls just arrived \>y the Ilooparell to come to the Waikajo. The majority ol them a,re to be employed at the Piako, and the remainder will be open for engagement by settlers. Application »hould be made at once to Captain Steele, Hamilton. A monster petition against the education tax is being numerously signed. The petition is to the following effect • — " To His Honor John Williamson, Esc^., M.G A., Superintendent of the province of Auckland. The humble petition of the vudersigned inhabitants of Auckland : %heweth,— 'Lhat youv petitioners are inhabitants of the province of Auckland, and as such are alieady, as \ie believe, far too heavily taxed for the purposes of the Government of New Zealand, both General and Provincial. That your petitioneis humbly pray that your Honor will refuse your assent under the Constitution Act to any Act or Ordinance which his for its object the pjacjjng. of, additional taxation on the shoulders of the people for the purpos2S of education. That your petitioners humbly represent that the General Government ia at the present time taking fr mi the people of thia province very great amounts of money annuilly, which, we believe, if properly expended, would yield an simple supply for any necessary purposes of education for those who need, or those who desire a State education. That although your petitioners are desirous \o see the cwise of education prosper, they submit lhat they should not be forced agahißt their convictions, to fubmit to a compulsory, unnecessary, and unjust taxation. That your petitioners ai e convinced that the levying of any such taxation will be impede 1 and hindeied so as to seriously endanger its success, not from any factious feeling among the people, but because they feel themselves Hggi;eved and wronged. That jour petitioneis believe tha,t the surest way to compel the Gvnoial Assembly to teHe UP the question of education, which it is their plain (Uity to do, will be found by your Honor declining to j,sscut to any such bill a- lih\im -I'm '<"l to. Therefore, your petitioners humbly (i ( i 3 «•" ' V r Houor will refuse your assent to an) act which provides for the fddiiional taxation of the puopl • for thcimiposca of a fctate piovimi.il education. Ami your putilioncis will ever piay, A.c."

I his fi-iqieutK bten w-'rle I si\, the C/V.v, t'l.il the climate of Am Kl.iiul i» too cold toi the 01 inuo 11,1 1 , c, »n-l t ln-a---crlion hll b,en nenr'v it-, firijii'iith ronti'itlu-teil It would -ci'iii, houncr, tint the invM-tible ' hi\c o! I u h ' is about to settle the point in ilis,)iit(> Yorterd.i) there wn? exhibited m tlio wmdo v of Mr II Kxird, seedsman, Vioton* sheet <v t<"l vsubsf initial jU'oot lh.it tlio sweet or L;sLon orange cm be grown in tlio neighbourhood of Auckland with great success nnd piofit Tie proof consist sof a small branch oi an orange tree contciimus; no fewer than fifteen large-sized oranges. Tlio oranges were m different stages of growth aud ripeness, but they spoke most eloquently of what could bo done heic in the matter of orange growing if our settlers would devote some attention to the subject, The branch that was so loaded with fruit was but a, small one, and the tree from which it was taken would probably have contained some 300 to 500 oranges in all. It was grown by the Key John Wai ran, of Ouehunga.in tho open air, without shadow or shelter of aay kind. The treo from which the branch was taken was seven years old, and may, therefore, bo expected to increase the fruitfulness year by year for at least the next dozen years } and a few aores planted with suoh trees, and in full bearing^ would bo a property of no mean value. TJie subject is deserving ot the attention of every small settler in the province. The following gentlemen paid an unexpected visit to the Lunatic Asylum on Monday at oneo' clock : — P. Wilson, E»q , M.P.C , J. Crispo, Esq., J.P., M.P.C., J. Shepherd, Esq., M.P.C., W. P. Moat,Esq , M.V.C, M. McLeod.Esq., M.P.C., 11. Koche, E?q., M P. 0., and found the entire establishment in a most satisfactory state, showing that the- governor, wl'o has been connected with the Asylum for upwards of twenty years, Pr Aickin, the medical officer, the matrons, inspectors, and wardens bad well and faithfully performed their Tarious duties to the poor creatures committed to their charge, and by every means in their power assisted in lessening theii afflictions. Many of tho inmates, particularly those whose labour could in any degree be utilised, appeared in a verj happy state. The provisions, meat, bread, butter, &c were thoroughly good, and cleanliness prevailed throughout the establishment. All that ii required in tho way of mv proveinent is more power of classification, so that the mosl refractory patients should not bo able to disturb and rondei le^s happy the more peaceable ; and a good comfortable pavec j.ird ia very necessnry for tho female inmates. All thes< improvements could be made if funda were forthcoming ! P ty it is that with all our wealth we bave not a few Pea Imdys amongst us, who ore disposed to contribute part o; t' eir wealth to so desirable and philanthropic an object to alleviate tho sufferings and add to the oomfort of tlieii afflicted fellow creatures. — Crosf. The graveyard attached to the church at Te Awamutu, i< in a most disgraceful state. The ground is full of the grave: of those who were killed or died from disease during the war. Tho fence is down ; the cattle hove free ingress one egress an opportunity that is availed of by the pigs, whkli root up the graves. It is now more than a month since money was obtained to repair the fence ,but as yet nothing has been done. It is a great pity that those whose business it is to see to this matter should be so dilatory. The present abate of the burial ground is a disgraco to the population. The Auckland people are again behind the age, and art allowing another province to reap fruits which they themsolves ought to. gather in. We are told that the Messrs Fisher, the wholesale butcher in this cityi have actually been obliged to send to Napier for a supply of beef. Ol course, it is well known that the cattle raised in the Hawke's 13ay province are superior to those fed in tho Auckland district, but there really seems to bo no reason why suoh should be the case. Tho advantages ofclimatenreallinfavoi of Auckland, but there appears to be a kind of sluggishness in tho province which prevented even beef being grown with advantage. As the Auckland graziers have failed in furnishing ths quantity of meat required in this large seaport town, the enterprising firm we have named has been compelled to establish a branch business at Napier ; they have also purchased six hundred of entile in that district, which thoy intend for killing to be salted, down and sent to tins place to supply shipping. Under other tht^n existing circumstances all the demands of the port might lune easily been filled by graziers in thin province had they any enterprise. — Herald, June 8. There is no question, says a. X J overty Bay contemporary, of such vital importance to this district as the one now under consideration — the speedy alienation ot territory now ljmg worse than idle in the hands of native owners- us time goes on tho retention by them of the possession pjf these wlnl^e elepbanta will continue to \)t> a frightinl source of evil to them, and of harassing trouble and anxiety to the settlers. Doubtless the same disposition to sell exists in othei places within knowledge af tho Government, but indubitably the disposition of the natives m this district to sell their lands, amounts to an eager desire, inasmuch as t hey arc voluntarily importuning the Government to buy. We have authority for stating that within tho lust fortnight applications have been sent from this to Wellington to, dispose of two excellent blocks of land, somo portions of which are admirably adapted for settlement ; one is on tho seaboard north oi Gisborne, in the direction of Hikurangi, and l>w>g between tho Mangatn nnd Wainpu volleys — the other is beyond Makaretu, in the direct ion of Hniigaroa. This latter is &aul to contain about 30,000 acres, and would bo a valuable possession. „