The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA" SATURDAY, APRIL 20,1875.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 432, 10 April 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times. "OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA" SATURDAY, APRIL 20,1875.

time baok we notified that Sub-Inspector Nv>rthoL-ofb had pi'ooejded overland to. Taranaki. -fiu ,ipj)^ir,s to have routed the ire of the Qjvernpuatj mwj h ive le-irae J that both Uj and Mijoipiare, who oonaented to his doing so, have been suspended. The facts of the case appeal- to be us follows: — Sab-Inspector Norbbcro|'t got leave of absence from Wellington, just after hia receipt of leave, Major Clare vibifcedbis station, and, on beiug asked, rd.iajd no objpctijn to hia proceeding ovorland to Taranaki, as Mr JSforthcroft was promised safe conduct by llewi, who actiiailj^sent a chief with him

through clouded spectacles ; but it app-jars to us that so far 'rora being a subject for condemnation, the Colony i<* to be congr ttnlate 1 on a Government officer being allowed to trtv^l through the country in spite of the ••' aukati." We have no desire to interfere between the Gn r ei'nm°nt an I its officials ; but in this cisc, such pxlpaMp injustice has been done, that to refrain from cunme'itiinsf would be to neglect our duty. Avo cn'Uia officiOs in high places afraid thtt Southern member-* will loose their fear of the Nitive diTuulfcv if srn> of the mysteries attaching to the terra inctnvti -to swept away 1 ? Mystery means pnver, and th* officials at present in troubla were injudicious tn do anything that could possibly be interpreted bv thereat "Mystery Man" into interference with his prerogative. He has supreme power, and exercises it with the air of a Cresar.

Mr Hustings, oue of the highest offij^rs of the Order of Good Templars, in the course of an address delivered in Dunelin, laid down the following as the rules by which GooJ Templ/irs should be guided' :— " 1— Total abstinence from all intoxicating liq.uors is a blessing. 2— No lionise in any form or any circumstances for the salo of liquors to be used as a beverage. 3 — The absolute prohibi tion of the manufacture* import ition, and sdle of intoxicating liqu )rs for such purposes; prohibition by the will of the people expressed in due form of law, with the penalties deserved for a course of such enormity. 4 — The creation of a healthy public opinion upon the subject by the active dissemination of truth in nil the modes known t-> an enlightened philanthropy. s— The election of good honest men to administer the laws. 6. — Persistence in efforts to save individuals and communities from so direful a scourge, against all forms of opposition and difficulty, until success is complete and universal.'* It is of course difficult for reformers to content themselves with a moderate platform ; and pi-obably those who are struggling to reduce the inhabitants of the world to a state ot sobriety have a better excuse than most others for their extreme dogmas. They feel that the weakness of human nature is such that sobriety and total abstinence from intoxicating drinks cannot be dissaciated. Mr Jffastintr's first proposition is one that we could endorse if every man drank to excess. We c<in, however, go this far with him. We believe that total abstinence would prove a very great blessing to a large proportion of the human race. We think, however, that to stop the system of licensing houses is impracticable, and if it were done would be highly injudicious. The result would be that a number of sly grog-shops would spring up in every plncp. The thirst for drink must be oveicome by moral suasion before any such step could be taken with safety. The Good Templars in their zeal, forget that the country in which they exercise influence is not the only one in which intoxicating liquor is manufactured, and the insult of legislation becoming as stringent as Mr Hastings suggests, would bo to transfer the trade to another country. His fourth proposition is the only one we can g» thoroughly with and is in fact the"only one that is practicable, exctpt in very isolated cases. The efforts of every man should be directed to the creation of a healthy public opinion. The duty, more particularly devolves upon the Ministers of Religion, and the conductors of the press ; but on them must not be thrown the whole responsibility. Every man capable of knowing right from wrong is bound to do all in his power to put down the curse of drunkenness ; that it can never be done by prohibitory legislation is clear. When society classes the drunkard with his equal, the pig reform will commence, not till then. We do trust, if only on political grounds, that the efforts of the thinking will gradually reform the people. The colony is being sapped to its foundation hv the evil. When to say " I was tight last night " is considered a disgraceful admission by all classes, society will mend its ways, and not tiU then ; no matter how the State legislates, the clergy and enthusiasts preach, and the press writes.

The next outward mail for Europe and America, via San Francisco, will close in Auckland on Friday next, at 10.30 a.m. Letters and pa pars must, therefore, be posted in the W»ikuto in time for Thursday's coach. It is purposed to have the following religious services in the Waikato to-morrow. Church of England, Hamilton, 11 a.m. ; Ngaru.iw.iliM, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Alexanda, 11 a.m. ; TeAw.imutu, 3 p.m. ; Kihikihi, 7 p.m. ; Catholic, Hamilton, 8.30 a.m. nnd 11 a.m.; Wesleyan Methodist, Cambridge, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. ; Pakerina, 2.30 p.m. Hamilton, 6.30 p.m.; IV 11 a.m.; Alexandra, 3 p.m. ; United Presbyterian, Congregational, Te Awamutu, 11 a.m. A flock of 1,200 sheep arrived here, over land from Napier, on Thuisday morning last. The sheep reached Mr R. H. D. Fergusons station, T.iotaotaia, in excellent condition, after a journey of twentytwo days. The next sitting of the Provincial Council will commence on Monday, May 10th proximo. All members are notified to be in attendance. Licences to kill and snll game are now being issued at the Superintendent's offic", Auckland. The coat of » license to kill is £2 10s, and to s°ll game £5. The season extends over three months, commencing on Saturday, May Ist ; licences to sell will be in force until August 7. No Shilling License;; are issued under the new Act ; but any person in bonafide occupation of any land, not being Waste Lands of the Crown, or some one person appointed by him, may kill game on such la^d without a licence. Every person who shall sell, or expose for sale, who shall have in his possession, or shall in any manner dispose of, any d ad hen pheasants, shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay for every such act a sum not exceeding twenty pounds ; and if such perHon hold a licenc- to kill or sell game, such licence shall, on conviction, become ipso facto void. It is notified in the " Provincial Government ] Gazette " that Major Wilson has been elected a member of the District Board of Newcastle, vice Mr Henry Byron resigned, and alao to be chairman of the Board, vice Mr T. Y. Fitzpatrick resigned. Mr Kennedy Hill announces that he will sell bv auction this day, at the resilience of the late Mr Simpson, Hamilton East, a large quantity of household furniture, books, fowls, ducks, <tc. Notice is given by the Chairman of the Pukekura Highway District that all rates not paid this day (Saturdu3 r , April 10), will be handed o\er to a solitor for recovery. The Right Rev the Bishop of the Diocese will adminster the right of confirmation and preach at Alexandra, at 11 a.m., and in Te Awaumtu, at 3 p.m. to-morrow. We are informed that it is preraatuie to announce that Mr John Shoehan has settled in Napier, and doff? not intend to return to Auckland. We are told on good authority that Mr Sheelun will be in his place during the next session of the Provincial Council, which opens on the 10th of next m-hith. —