The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 479, 15 June 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal pntl exact justice to all men, Oc whatever st te or peisaision, religious oc political ; Htve shall ihe P'C-s tlie Tr. irti/s light maintain, Uuawed by influence and unbiibed by gain.

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1875.

The real cause of the Premier's absence from the colony has boon the subject of unlimited speculation in the columns of the ' JS r cw Zealand Press. Mr Vogel is so Maehiavelian in his diplomacy that many of the newspapers appear to suspect that the story of the gout and German baths only covers some deep and mysterious design, as a prelude to another graud coup d but. All the editors have successively iindertrrin?r<tQ solve tho^problem, and fco discover the grefod'&«>set tha£**%3 beneath. Consequently, ■we havc\gi i eVfc.nurn.bW*of-theories on tho subject, all creditable to tho writes' ingenuity, but leaving the reader in the utmost perplexity and doubt. Some go so fir as to bi sceptic il altogether ragirding tiie reported ilinesi of the Premier, and assert that his visit to th<3 G irnvm baths is nothing more than a luxurious m-ithol of wiling awiy an awkwarl interval, which the great diplomatist requires to elapse before'"* i eojDthkg out to t\ie colony. Mr Vogcl is notoriously aVmarfcyr 'to^vfcUe gout, and it is quite Within the" bouiuls oT probability that his medical advisers ha^ c prescribed a course of treatment at Spa. But the Premier owes much of his political success to his happy knack of seizing xipon expedients and turning circumstances to advantage, and therefore the ciitics. and. theorists vrho have enlightened ur* upon the supposed motives of the 'j-rcat Panjorum like the two disputants in Silr-. Marner, are "half right and half wrong." Mr Yo, f ''(l must be keenly a'ive to the f.icfc tliat his great scheme of constitutional reform 1-4 as yet in an embryo «iai,e. Tho details connected with the negociation of the Four jMi'lion Loan can have left him little leisure to de\ise tho machinery of tho new system which i i ; to replace" Provincial

institutions, though it has afforded many opportu- I nities of eliciting the opinions of English politiciaus and statesmen on the proposed organic reforms. Except Sir Donald McLean, whose own department absorbs his attention, there ia no member of the Ministry qualified to undertake the important task of framing a practically new constitution for the colony. Tno mysterious " barrister of colonial experience" who was to make the grand tour of the colony in order to elicit the views and suggestions of chairmen of highway boards and other local authorities, has either not come at all, or has conducted his important mission in " ways that are dark." No gentleman answering the description has visited the Waikato, so far as we can learn, or, if he has, his left hand has remained in profound ignorauce of the deings of his right. We shall not be far wrong in assuming that the Premier's visit to the German baths will furnish an opportune avenue of escape from an awkwaM dilemma. His colleagues will be in a position to crave the indulgence of the^Kouse for any immature and indifleren^h»sdi2Sgtai schemo they may bring down, and at tH^^siS^slK^N^^Si'ovinciai I party pin the GoverniniJrt^tlQheiK^S^-* 0 / last session, good grounds wil^be affordeH for a dissolution, and an appeal to the country upon the most popular platform the Ministry could take. It is hardly probable- under all the circumstances, that any definite organic changes will become law next session. More likely a scheme will be introduced, a few necessary measures rushed through, estimates passed, and the House dissolved for a new election, Mr Vogel arriving in the very nick of time to become master of the situation, and secure a new lease of office with his position considerably strengthened. In any case, during Mr Vogel's absence the country will learnto a^ppraciate his value, and he will have a read^SHu^for\yvt^^tcomings for which the GoverniSan\fey boVSsbqGslble.

It is stated in somo\quarters tHfct the^ engineer entrusted with the preliminary survey of a site for a bridge over the Waikato at Hamilton is disposed to recommend the adoption of one near the Narrows, about a mile and a half distant from the township. It is to be hoped that the Minister of Public Works will scout any such absurd suggestion. The traffic, and all other circumstances, unquestionably demand that the site of the future bridge should be as near Hamilton as possible. A bridge ; a mile and a half away would be comparatively useless. The maintenance of a punt in the township would be still necessary, and it would secure most of the traffic, thus lessening the receipts of the bridge. The mere difference in the cost of construction on the respective sites would be insignificant compared with the ultimate and permanent advantages accruing from the proximity of the bridge to the traffic.

Education in many districts in the Waikato labors under such smws disabilities and obstacles that the wonder is>pw\W th^3s4m^<legree of efficiency can bo imintaJSeil. indjpqa&ntly of the I inadequacy of the* funu&y-thert^ is' aWniount of apathy existing amongst parents which*is truly lamentable. The stimulus to progress which forms so important a feature in other districts is here wanting We refer now more particularly to the distribution of prizes according to degrees of merit and proficiency in studios, mid to that active interest which may be excited in schoUva by the presence of influential residents at tho periodical breakingsup. Iv a former issue we noticed some of the difficulties with which Mr Helms lias been obliged to contend, and we lind that the_§am& .drawbacks _&re experienced by Mr Danvers, the superintendent of the school nndrr the Board of Education in Hamilton West. What i^ neVled is a more lively perception by pa\eSshKhe\W^|knco of education, a heartier inter^staiTHs piWrefcs, and the exhibition of a spirit in irfaking the best of the materials and resources at command. The mere formal conduct of schools, without any direct encouragement from outside, is cheerless labor for teachers, and dull work for scholars. We hope to see some of the leading residents in the various centres of settlement manifesting more genuine inI terest in the cause of education, and if a movement be set jon foot to prdvi.de a fund for the purchase of ! suitable priEe>*^ra*fraTKjbe glacj^to add our mite to- , wards this oi^ecVN^he prtoq&need not be expensive. ScholaiVaft&ch a vahte xdjj^ein wholly above and beyond their intrinsic worth. An ordinary ' prize becomes not only the incentive to present ' active study and emulation, but forms in after years the valued memento of past school days, treasured even in an old age when the memory of early years has faded almost into the dim parifc.

We em fully appreciate Mi' Tennyson's poetic praise of ..the \^ Sp.in^Te-fot^vfr.' >^ o Jv _ Bat the "jewel "wfrieh^ias hitherto sparkled at the head of the leading 1 ■column of this journal does not excite our enthusiasm. The sentiment is no doubt very fine*, but we are of those who prefer <(ood honest Anglo-Saxon to quotations from the dead language. We think the use of Latin, as the nioCfco of newspapers savours somewhat of pedantry. The new motto whicja we have adopted is much more to our liking, Wl is derived from sources quite as re?p^e>^bl^*«as Qvid^.^ not quits so fine from a purely sci^imon^l -jioipt of view, it is perhaps more ha con-*onanee with the duties of journalists, and wo trust by our future conduct to justify its use.

The Sheriff notifies that unless a sum of £91 9s Gd be paid by John FTamilton, before the 9th September, a piece of land containing 50 acres, at Hantapu, Waikato, will be sold by auction. Wo are glad to Icain that another monthly entertainment will be arranged to com<j off in about ten days hencrSk \Hien well selected glees will form pai\ etf t>h~o pro^rcutyne^lt is aLo on the cards, we believe, to" infuse some new talent into the corps of volunteers. As the proceeds are to bo devoted to the purchase of a piano to be used in public ontertninments, we trust this praiseworthy ittompt to enliven the dull winter evenings will be cordially supported. We should be glad to see a dramatic club established in Hamilton. There is surely plenty of histrionic talent available, if some energetic person would only take the lead, and give an intelligent »hape\and direction to the matter. The nati%3 of K&puft^ar&now selling excellent oafs at Arc^Wnckvi_n,t from "^ 8 to 5a 6d per bushel. The seed wAa supplied a year or two ago on the recommendation of Major Miir, and the experiment has been highly successful. We learn th.it the natives purpose preparing more land for next season, and wo trust the time is not fir distant when ths Maoris vvi 1 return t ) that state of things which existed before the war carried ruin and devastation throughout the country, and when thousands of x h^shelsx of^f^ix wei'3 sent down to the Mauuknu v ih canoes, the* natives taking back in exchange loads ofT)oots nnt\ shoes, clothing, cooking utensils*, and other necess'iries. At thai time there was a flourishing trade between the Waikato and Auckland, and the most friendly intercourse' existed between the two races.

The Ohaupo road in, many places is in a most deplorable condition. We have received a pamphlet entitled " Mount and Morris exonerated." Judge Beckham will hold a sitting of the District Court at Hamilton on July 20th. The appointment of Mr Robert McWgh, as keeper of the public pound at Cambridge, in room of Mr J. P. Thompson, ia gazetted. We remind the ratepayers of Hamilton West that a meeting will .be held at the Hamilton Hotel, at 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, for the election of a member in the room of Mr J. Knox, resigned. i We have to acknowledge the receipt of a pamphlet published by the authority of the Victorian Department on the School of Mines at Ballarat. brochure is a reprint ofsomedescriptivo papers relating to the institution originally published in the Ballarat "Star." The football match, whichwas to have been played on Saturday was-wqgtpoafid rk consequence of the rain, until SaturdWntepC^ Aar^H^nT^eting a proposal will be submv^acj, s^Vindn»g\ip^the affairs of the old club, and esVlblismag anotjie\on the basis of the Rugby Union. \ H % The letter of a Correspondent at Alexandra which we publish to-day, is worthy of attentive perusal. It is written by a gentleman who vi well qualified to judge of the natuie of the country, and we believe the writer deals with a line of route the greater part of which has not hitherto been examined. The usual meeting of the Hope of Waikato Lodge, LO.G.T., will be held on Thursday evening, the lodge night having been changed to Thursday instead of Tuesday. At the last meeting three new members were initiated, and the ci"» cu instances and piospects of this branch of the order were reported to be in a highly flourishing and hopeful condition. We undorstand thq£ Mbs Knox will shortly visit Cambridge to ins\^bra&l "^teSa-Kd afterwards other parts of the vfoAfc witfl^thV'sam? object. We have received numerous applications from gentlemen in various parts of the Waikato, offering to undertake the duties of correspondents to the Times. We are anxious to secure the most competent staff, and shall, therefore, endeavour to exercise every care in the selection, so that the chronicles of the various districts may be recorded with ability, energy, and impartiality. Our readers will, therefore, excuse any shortcomings on 'this head before our final arrangements have been completed. Sir George Grey has written a letter to the " Wairarapa StandawL"\n the subject of Provincialism, which, S^ianrainl^not vojy creditable to his reputation a\ a^wafesraan^N^A- perusal of a mangled telegraph^ x °f leaves the impression that 'the Superintendent is making an appeal ad captandum vulgus. The pertinacy is not really discoverable. It might be appropos of the medioo vnl times, for it is full of blood, murder, judicial and otherwise; the Inquisition, Tower of London, and the Venetian Council of Ten, with its daggers and poisons. We understand that Mr Lawlor, Revising Officer for the electoral district of Waikato, will hold a Revision Court at Ngamawahia on the 26th inst., when objections to claims flovote, and new gratifications will be dCtK^witiJ^ l^Te woul^ remind those whose names havl^altaa(l>sfceei^W^i?n'Bd that they can either appear psrsonftily^ ii\&Hs)ptarJ; of their claims or by counsel, Vit the claims may be heard and determined in their absence. The costs of the proceedings fall upon the objector in case the claim be sustained, and upon the claimant in the contrary event. The Waikato Steam Navigation Company have made all the neces3aiy preparations for erecting another goods store, on a site a little below the funt landing-place. The dimensions of the new building will be 16 x 32 feet. The requisite timber is on the ground, and tenders have been iuvited tor the work. In order to render the store easy of access, it will be necessary for the Hamilton East Town Board to form a road to ir, and face the bank. The store belonging to Ihe company on the West Hamilton side will be removed and considerably enlarged as soon as the new landingplace is constructed When these alterations have been carried out, the company will have enlarged facilities ant^acbqra^datlton for ifcs.rapidly increasing business^k Tnj^ s&Mon i^Hs?>Jaf advanced now, | that floods nvVbe e*pecfceo\ ana fl^prevent the approaches bein^mad^. The British Government are anxious to find a seat for Sir James Fergusson in the Commone. Sir James has had a good deal of colonial experience, which would be useful to Mr Lowther, the Undersecretary for the Colonies, who has had none : and it is .stated in the Scotch papers that some pressure is being put upon Mr Roger Montgomerie, M.P. for North Ayrshire, to induce him to accept the Comptrollership of the Inland Revenue for Scotland, which has just fallen vacant, and is worth, I believe, about £1,500 a- year. But Mr Montgomerie is under 50, has had but a few months' enjoyment of the pleasures of Parliamentary life, such as they are, and does not seem altogether disposed to vacate just at present the seat for which he has fought two battles. Should there be a vacancy, I presume the Liberals would fight for the seat ; and Mr Bouverie is mentioned as a possible candidate, Kilrnarnock,lhe I borough which he used to represent, being situated lin Ayrshire; But if his Liberalism was not suffiI cient for Stroud, would it suit the Liberals of a Scotch constituency % It did not suit the Liberals of Kilmarnock. We have heani complaints, many and sore, with reference to the mismanagement of the Auckland and Me^^u^ay^4 > *s^eiWj's and business men compkiiNh^a^trary Ti-er^tiSVare charged upon goods, and +Mt\l)e railway officials do not manifest that disposition to facilitate the convenience of the public, which ought to characterise servants of the Government. A case of this kind came under our own personal observation lately. Upon a passenger's personal luggage weighing not more than a hundred pounds, the sum of 8s was charged, or at the exhorbitant rate of eight pounds per ton for a distance of less than forty miles. In another <nore recent case a quantity of timber, urgently required by Capt Bocro, was carelessly thrown down on the line at some distance from the Mercer station, and the railway officials refused to carry it on to the end of the line, so as to facilitate its shipment, unless the cost of removal were prepaid. We know of instances in which parcels are cast out of the goods vans at ©*HS d^nc^>ack ga the line, the owners being conteet^uSto fo^owS^enrly official through m\v\ and\sl«&i«. to [% "^e^J^eightage # charges. Goods waggons are slinntoid off the main line, and left; there, tho owners being pnfc to the expense of carting: away their property to the steamer, though tho railway authorities could deposit the goods within a comparatively short distance of tho l;indi ing stacfc. We trust the attention of the Minister ! of Public Works will be called to these gross ca«es of inattention to public business. We are disposed ; to make Ml aHo%v*jmco foj" ie errors which some officials havo^ra^itl^Nßthe suddenness of their elevation to tiVw rjositiotis, btffc after these feeling have been allowed time to cool, it is as well that thoy should be taught to regard thertttelvea as the servants, and not the masters, of the public.

It is announced that the men.bera of the Cambridge Cavalry Volunteer Corps will give- a ball at that place on Thursday evening* „ It is notified that the parternership hitherto exdating between Messrs J. R. and W. H. Randerson has been dissolved by mutual consent. The postmaster announces that mails to Auckland by steamer will close on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at seven p.m. A meeting of householders of the Kihikihi Edu- j optional District was held in the school-room in ! that township, at 5 p.m. on Saturday last, to elect a new School Committee for the remainder of the year. The former election, which took office in January last, was pronounced invalid, as it returned nine members instead of five. Mr Andrew Kay, of Orakau, was called to the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading a letter from the Central Board of Education, directing him to convene the meeting. After some discussion on the propriety of bachelor householders being members of the Committee, and the necessity that exists for the removal of the teacher, the following residents were duly elected a committee : — Messrs Andrew Kay (chairman), A. W. Co-wan, T. Farrell, T. Anderson and J. Kennedy. Notwithstanding the very fcaclement state of the weather, the meeting v^s wßUattendeih and much interest was t^keir^fls^its j&ffefe^dipg^ by the settlers generally^wn^ wire anxkms^lvjta male teacher should be ptepcuretk.in place of thff^present female teacher. A \tyte of thanks to the chairmen terminated the proceedings. It will always be a congenial talk with the Times to chronicle the commencement or progress of any local industry. The advantages accruing from retaining capital in the district, and working up our own material, not to speak of the heavy freights saved, should encourage the settlers to foster and support Waikato industry to the utmost. Auckland manufacturers derive such sweating profits from the Waikato already that every pound locally spent is a boon. No opportunity, however slight, should be neglected of buying from workmen and makers resident in the Waikato, in preference to sending for goods to Auckland. We hope soon to see the day when every settlement in the Waikato will have* its factories, and its places for utilising the raw material produced in the district. Breweries, shoemakers, tailors, and cabinet makers, we have already, but these are not enough. We want to see a few enterprising capitalists take the lead in more fully developing our coal resources, working up our wool, and flax fabric, tanning our hides into leather, (we mean of course the hides of cattle. Our own skin is sacred, and, besides — we got enough of that at school). But, appropos of local industries, we may refer to the very efficient and satisfactory work lately carried out by Mr W. H. Butler in connection with the renovation and decoration of a commodious dwelling-house in Hamilton East, the residence of Mr SedoNms. The house was remodled -from (tesi^ns Pearson, builder, by whom the erH^rgW&nt w^sfca^med out. The painting, decoratin^s<Waimte; wyro undertaken by Mr Butler, and Uk a spt ! wnen\pf" s^'"' ( * r^^ com ~ pare favorably with the best finished work of the kind in Auckland. The graining is indeed artistic and tasteful, and shews what can be done on the spot instead of going to the expense of sending to a long distance, at great outlay, for such requirements. Mr Hammond's house in Hamilton West, has also been similarly decorated.