The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 519, 16 September 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

TEURSDA V, SEPTEMBER 16, 1875

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, roligiotis or political, # * - # * # Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

The proposed site of the Hamilton Railway Station will, -we believe, be found inconvenient and not conducive either to the interests of the district or the remunerative character of the line. The proposed station will be distant a mile and a-half from Hamilton. This may do comparatively well enough for settlers whose farms are situated on the West bank of the Waikato, but to the numerous body of prosperous and progressive settlers in Hamilton East, along the Cambridge road, in the Tamahere and Piako districts, and distributed thickly throughout the large extent of country East of Hamilton, the railway will be of little usp, without, at least, a bridge across the Waikato at Hanulton. Ritlier than incur the expense of puntuge, or a double removal of go. ids, the settlers on that kink of the river will probably prefer to forward their produce by steamer. Tlm,s a large aipourit of fieight will be diverted from the railway, and the profits of the line be considerably reduced. Wo are informed upon competent professional authority that there are engineering obstacles which prevent the adoption of a route through Hamilton for the mum lino, and the detour which it would involve would be inadvisable on the ground of extra expense and delay in transit. But th<j a-lvanta^es of a branch line into Hamilton are obvious, and we believe the cost need not exceed £5,000 or £6,000 at the outbide. Another point in its favour is that the extra mile and a-half of railway would be available at any future time as a part of the main line between Waikato and the Piako or Thames. We recommend the settlers in the districts which are directly interested in this matter to hold a public meeting for the purpose of drawing up a memorial, requesting the Minister of Public Works to place a sum on the estimates for the purpose of constructing the branch line. Even should the Government decline to accede to the request, or the House reject the item,— both of which we deem improbable — there is yet another mode of carrying out the work. The Railway Companies Bill now before Parliament proposes to authorise the construction of branch lines of railways by private companies, and this is just one of that class of works which are contemplated in the measure. The settlers might see their way to jointly guarantee the inteiest and working expenses on the line to Messrs Broaden or any other capitalists disposed to undertake the work. But at the worst, a light horse tramway of uniform gauge with the n-ain line might be laid down by a company formed in the district, and with a fair prospect of reasonable profit on the outlay. Without such important adjuncts, the efficiency and value of the great public works now under construction will be considerably impaired. "What the ribs of the body are to the backbone, branches are to the main lines of railway," says an authority. We may add that what the smaller veins of the body are to the arterial system, so are thes 9 branch lines to the main lines of railway Having regard to the importance of this subject, we trust some of the leading settlers of the district will take prompt°steps to bring the matter under the attention of the Government, and we see no better means of doing so than by a carefully drafted memorial, signed as numerously as possible, and entrusted to Major Jackson, for presentation. Our worthy representative is now in the district, but will return to Wellington in the course of a few days, so that if any steps are to be taken in the matter, not an hour should be lost. We may add that the Editor of this journal will be very glad to render any assistance in his power in advisin" thecDurse to be pursued for the attainment of the proposed end, and in drafting a memorial.

THE beg nning of the end is not far off. Wiser counsels have prevailed in (he Oppo-ition camp, mii \ the policy of

obstruclirm is abandoned Our special telegrams from Wellington, publishen to-day, contain the welcome news that ad Agreement lias been comß to between tbo Government; and the Opposition leaders, by which botb sides of the lloufco wjN unite to dison=s and pass the Abolition of Provinces Bill on its merits, on the understanding- that: the measure shall oome iuto operation on a day after the meeting* of the next Parliament. Tho wordy war is thus ;u, an end, the colony is spared the degrading spectacle of a scandalous misuse of the forma of Parliament, and the business of legislation will again bo restored to a healthy and hopeful condition. Tho Government lias made a concession, which can only slightly delay, without preventing the ultimate operation of the measure. The Opposition will have an opportunity of giving their sorrow words on the hustings, tho Superintendents and Provincial depeiidants will have respite to prepare for decent political death and burial ; and Provincial Institutions will tranquilly glide away into the realms of oblivion, amidst a happy-family-Kko assemblage of monrncra and undertakers. List, but not least, Auckland will be providentially -spared from those awful scenes of revolution and bloodshed predicted by the valorous editor of the *' Star," who burno'l to flesh his maiden steel (pen), and whose fiery soul breathed sound and fury in floods of printer's ink, inflammable Gaelic appe ila, and detonating periods. The " Star" will now " roar ye as gently as any suckingdove ;" Reos, who lives and mpves, and has his being in a perpetual maelstrom of political turgidity will' be themeless, and have to subside into the dry-boneB of musty law ; while the " Friend of the People and tho Champion of the Working Man " d hoc genus hwno> <will present the melancholy spectacle ofc. cillapaed wind-bags, But consolation is loft them. The elections are approaching with the tumult and the babble of the hustings, and they will have rest and' leisure to gathov breath for freish fulminations. But if these worthy busy-bodies entertain any lingering hope that the withered leaves and deciyed trunk of Provincialism majbe revived in anew Parliament, they', are predestined to bitter disappointment. /The Abolition Bill, onc3 passed into law, will be irrevocable. The voice and will of the people at the elections will drown the last appeals of Provincialists ; the grave ' will close over Provincialism ; and the qprpse will moulder into that dust of oblivion into •which have passed the old dead systems of nations, whose name and history have become mere matters of speculation; for the archaeologist and, t the explorer.

Ws THiNK IT IS TO BK REGRETTED that t\\6 law as it now stands does not t«ke cognizance of sensation-mongers and others who, from selfish motives, originate alarming reports calculated to disturb the public mind, to breed enmity between Europeans and 1 , na* tires, and to retard 'the welfare and progress of the district. A careful anal} bis of the panics that have arisen from time to" titne in the Wailcato, shews not only that in nearly «-\erv instanro they were groundless, but' that they were originated by the tiniid\ the ignorant ami prejudiced, or by boastful und unscrupulous persons who desired to make a cheaply ea ned reputation for courage. The rum mr which gained currency in the neighbourhood of iiutorangi the other day belonged to one of the abovo category. The (Janard that some men wero warned off land on this side the Confiscated BounJary is simply a d.&tortcd and exaggerated version of a caution given by the natives to some pig-hu,nter» whom they ciujjht across the line. Ihe same canard mongers and mischief-makers spread a report that certain tools 'belonging to a party of workman employed in Mr Walker's property had been stolen. We are in a position to say that - the story is destitute of a. shadow of foundation in truth. On Thursday last the tools were found by Mr Walker and Rome of the ditchers engaged in measuring up the work completed. The tools were allowed to remaiu on the spot until Friday morniDg, when two of the men went out to bring them in. Thesr» worthies saw' some natives sitting about a fire, not on Mr Walker's land a- has been stated, but on the native side of the boundary line. Without more ado the two Europeans ran to the Kotorangi Redoubt and narrated a sensational story, beseeching the officer in charge to send out an anned .escort. Jt is needless to say that the Maoris had no hostile intentions whatever, and from what has since trans pired, we have good reason to beJieve that they were a party of friendly natives engaged in planting potatoes. It appears to us that throughout this business there has been a systematic endeavour to excite a panic. The attempts have not consisted ofoie isolated act of timidity, but th^re is an air of conspiracy about it which warrants the suspicion that some deep motive uud -rlies the affair. What that motive is.it is not for us to say. We can only again express our regret that tho law does not provide auy means of punishing these unscruplous persons as they dpserve, 'there is, however, one remedy open to the public, namely, to treat these attempts to create uneasiness and suspicion with, ccntempt and reprobation.

Education is this District is far from being in a satisfactory condition. Wo have reiterated thU f *ct bo oitea that it must, have become aa "teJiou* as a twice-told tale." But, nevertheless, as constantly dripping water may wear an impression in the hardest ttoue, we shall continue to expatiate upon this subject until aome effect is produced. We confess to a good deal of respect for the gentleman who compose the fcJclnol Committee, we beg purdoa, Cou/misaionera, of Humilton Wes 1 , bat when we coma to estimate tlip actu il interest which those gentletnt,n have manifested m the progress of education in this district, we are compelled to admit, that it may be expressed by any unknown quantity. So long as there is an appearance of something being done they appmr to be sitisfled. '"Rest and be thankful" is the motto which they have apparently adopted ior their guidance. We are willing to concede to Mr Danvers the credit of endeavouring to accomplish all that is possible with die means at hie deposit, but where a schoolmaster ia left to pursue the dull monotony ot h s daily routine, without outsido encouragement, and practically without public interest iv his labor?, where indeed he is expected to combine a knowledge of a variety ot useful arta with his scholastic ability, to make hta own desks, bind his own books, and generally to im proviso materials as best he may, it cannot be expected that/ a school can attain a very high degree of efficiency. Whit is wanted ia a more lively interest in the schjol on the part of the Committed. They should visit it frequently, ascertain its needs, and bring their personal influence to bear upon the fiotrd, and should ihit influence fail to achieve any boneu'eial result*, they ought to adopt means to bring th 9 united moral force of the ratepayers to bear. Another mode of lijut;ning the la l0!rjl 0!rj of the to, eher would be to make up a f.»w p-izc^

io be presented to the scholars for proileioney wi good conduct. If these p>izea were present rrt juat boforofche breaking up (or the Chri-ttnas hvli(i'tTS, an 1 ifaro attended nirh a roa?onablo Amount of c^rpm^nj, unH foroweJ by a pir-nic or Wtno e'milur " out^n?" for the children, it would iW only he ft r«tl-Ifet»et* d»y in, the o»reer of fho sc) (dura, but Vroui^ be nn iOeentive to ue»iduily and goo r l oond uct during th« wceeding quarter. Such thin|* mny appear aa trifles to the children of a Ur^er growth. bUfc in the fye« of fhe Itttlo on^a they, have an importune© ?nd talue far beyond the m( re worth of the 'prizes, Or the actual cost of the onttrtuinment.

It is RYIDI^t alukady that the windy and truculent Opposition party in the House) are growing tired of talking ngamut time. O«t of the seventeen or eighteen A'dullamitps there af« about eight who are good upon t'icir If gs for *ny longth of tim<», and with all their wordiness and pugnacity theseiijiht talkera moit ere long »top from sheer want of breath, as woll a» paucity of ideas. Sir George Grey, tho leader, has Ion>» since disappointed hi» f> lower*. It was expee'ed that he h*d-/.Tipthin<? to do but sound ht9 trumpet before the ftfimsterial Jeiieho fortUe itrutture to topplt* Avor, and the trumpeter and hie friends to enter in and possess tho city. Bat nf a deal of veritable "blowing" the wbHs defy their eifort^, and tl'o Teteran trumpeter la obliged to 'sorrowf .lly lay aside liis inurnment and dro,> a t^ar over th- memory of departed days. But : — ' Then be will talk -good godj -how he will talk" Grey, FiizVrbert, Wjod, Stout. Keid, Sheehan, and Mm ray, — f heir names should go down to poa'i'rity as the io\)owors of a man who professes saoh admiration for Aruorioan. insfeitution3 that lie would r'vo'utionise colonial it»te«mtjna'iip by reducing tho House of li»preientalives to a Babel of useless ta'k, and smother wwdom amidst fen endless flow of meaninfleos dnvol. If iho comrnoa sen^e of even fiose'who hive been cozened by fro'hy demagogue* into paisin;; resolutions upholding Provincitilism be not insulted by thin' degrading display of the | Oppositidn #c sh*ll be much raiitaken. At »ny r.vte the Opposition, are growing weary of th^ " bittte la campftgne," and. their proposals to the Government, always made on Friday*, are cloirly a part of tho general sdhome of obotraetion'. By procur>ng a respite untif the following Tv 'sday they gain tun* to meod '.heir ora^oriciil Mlowe, tq lm,tch sorno new Satanic plot to thwart the in, jority, and tj obtain a little longer l-aseof ofBo^". It is never a convenient time to beharigod' |]SiiiCe the above was in type we' have received tel-gram.% which app'arin another ■column announcing that the Oppositioa has l< caved iu."J

!?kom a RETtJR.v of iMMiottiNTs who have arrived in the Waikato during the past six months, for' which we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr Bernard, Immigration Agent, we learn that during that period, there hare heen sent to thje district 118 male adults, 44? female adults, 32 pale children, and 32 female children, making a total 0f. 228 soul". Of these there were 33 married families, 35 single men, 1.3 single woolen, and 61 children. The majority of thm immigrants sent to the Waifcato have been; absorbed by Hamilton and Cambridge, but some have secured employment at Newcastle, and a few at Alexandra. The greatest demand for labour has been at Hamilton, -which has absorbed a greater number of immigrants than any other settlement in the Waikato. Besides the 118 male adults above mentioned, the population of tae district <has been increased by the arrival of abou: 40 single male immigrants who bad previously been employed between Auckland and Mercer. Altogether the Waikato'has sh,own great capacity to absorb labour, and though the demand is for the present comparative'y woll satisfied, we belie re. that in the course of a few mouths it will bo renewed.

Tlie noxt oirwunl Kur >p<> m M>ul tU 'BVUco, will leny» Auckland on October Ist. Thk KiiLW.vi. Wurk wns Irommenreil on Tucai>j on twj new eub-cpntpticts on tl>o Newcastle aud Ohauyo section of the YVaiitutJ railway-

En-gush Mail. — We are r.»qu*sstel by the Postmaster at Newcastle, to stater that the outXuiug Eiifjlislj Mnil via Hivz, will clo*e at Ne^castJoPoit Oißoe, on Tuetdaj, 21«t September, at 7 3C Jt.tn.

New Road.— We are glal to leftm that % roid in tho direction of the Waipa frxn Ilimiltin, i* now being surveyed. "I ha propped roid will open up a largo area of oplrnclid cou».trj, and will be a great boon to the district. Frogeksb. — As a gratifying pruof of thn advanctfinenl, of tho townshi » of Hamilton, and the W»iikato district generally, we may mention that a few da.vs ngo a linlf acre of land in, u go <d podtijnin Hiimnton West, chaDged hufili for the sum of £4 H).

Good Tkm:plah3. — It is announced that on Tuesday evening next, at half p»et neren o'c'ock, Mr C. E Madden iv»ll deliver & free le stu"e oi " Oood Templurr," which will be interipersfd with songs and reoitatiom by members of te Hope of Waikaty Lodge. The Rj^ J. Su.i h will preside.

Hombbtkab "RBQULvrroys.— A Provincial Goternment Gazette of September 13, contain* regulations for the oocupition of waste Linda und<>r the " Homestead Bjttt*m" in the Province of Auckland, in pursuance of elau»e 51 of " The Auckland Waste Linds Act, 1874," which wo shall notice at length in a (uture issue.

Kxtmoitrs. — We learn on undoubted a-ifhoritv that the rumours which, hare appeared in tha "New Z-aland Herald" and other Opposition o gans to the effent that the members of the Ministry are not agreed ©n toaie pointa of the Abolition policy, and respecting the proposals submitted by Sir George Grey, are entirely deToiil of foundation in truth.

Tendbrs. — Mr S. Steele, niairman of the Hamilton District Boari, inviles tenders for certain cutting and formation on the Ohaupo Road and near the Myttery Creek Bridge. Tenders are receivable not later than 2pm. on the 28fh inst. Pinna and specification! of one portion of the work may be seen at the Kiwi Mill, ani of the other at Mr Wilson's residence, near H»<Qilton.

Episcopalian Church. — At a meeting of the Church Commi'tpe held yesterday aftprnoan, » teWram from Mr Price was considered, which announced that it would ba impossible for him to proceed with the coniract for tlie erection of the new church for sometime to come. The Committee being desirous that the work should be no longer dolajod, decided to accept, the tender of Mr Taylor. We understand thut operations will bo commenced as soon as possible

Stuonq Language. — Ihe Auokland "Eobo" indu'ges in Hjine plain speaking regarding tho personnel of the Opposition. It says "Header Wood lias no other political creed than that of self-interest., and would sell kit very soul, as he hiis already a >ld Ina country before now, f>r place and povrsr." In another sentence the "Echo" says the " breath" of the Opposition it " rank with the carrio a from the Provincial fL««hpols.

Signs of Pbogres3 — If any p-oof were wanting of the rapid advancement &ud healthycondition of s a tt ement in the Warkato the Urge aud respectable muster of prosp*rous settlers at the Uhaupo Cattle Sale on Tuesday would have been sutfi< ieit to set all doubts at ro'»t We believe it .would be difficult anywhere in the North I«iand, if not the c 'lonj, o muster upon a Mtnilar occasion such an Unmistakably bona fide representation of the farming "interest " as wa* assemble 1 at th« sale. SflEiiP BRANDS. —Mr John Runcimao, Inspector of Sheep, ha* addressed a printed circa tar to the various sheep-owner < of the district, drawing attention to clauses 32 #3, and 34 of the Sheep Act, 1875. These claused require thit the owners <J kheep sli*ll adopt a braad, which they shall regialer with the Inspector, unlei a penalty for each act of neglect nJI exce iding £5 ; also that all sheep abovi- the age of four months Bhal 1 ba branded with the ownfr's registered brand, «ai ) b-au Is not being loss than four inches in length &n 1 of proportionate breadth, under a pjnalty fyr each sheep not so Grande J of or.« flbilliu^.

Nkw Immigbatiov RKatrnTioits. — The new regulations respecting tho nomination of immigrant! by resident* of the Odonr have coma into operation and muke' provision* for tho following rliisiffl, which alone wi.l be accapted : -Agricultural labourer*. BJcb as farm servant*, natfie*, fliephord*, c&rven'erg, country mechanics ; •in r ;li women suitable for do t.estio service such at cbr/k?, h uteiuftidn, general sorvatiO, dAi;y tnai,!§, &0. Huniod men must be under 4"> years of age, singlo men under 4o yoari, a*id einglo wonen botwfim 16 and 85 ye&va of sgn. Free pasißges will not be granted to nnre tlian three children in one famih, and any number in rxecss of that must bft paid for at the current n\«» of piss^sre.

Accident. — A groom named ETrjdertok Jennings in tho employ of IVlr Quick, met with an noexlent, yesterday, which jeopardised his life* While carting gravel for Mr Gwyune, lie was standing on one of the shafts, from which h» was duludged by a sudden jolt caused by tho vehicle pacing orer an inequality in tho road. He fell under a wheel which pa«*ed o?er kis right thigh, severely crushing and bruising the limb. Tiie •uffai-orwas pramudy attended by DrOaey, who I found Hut no bones tToie broken, And that the inj irtes were of a inu h leu aevoro nature than tul^ht hare been tfippoaed under the circuin stanrea. Tlie sufferer u doing well, and it w hoped will bo able to reiurne hid employment in in the couyao of a few da?a.

PUKSEIUtJ MOTtrAL IMPROVEMENT SiCrKTT. — The usual fortuig^tiy meeting of this S>ciety wn» held on Friday evening last, nnd was fairly attended. Mr Henry Turner Was vo'ed to the ohair. Tho bu*ine*s of tho evening conuia'ed of readings aud recitations. Mr Ghme commenced by reading an article on the subject of " Thinking," which "was attentively listened to and heartily uppreciafel. Mr Join Fleming followed with ft recitati'fn on •' PriJp," and Mr Sturg^a with % aoug " I*l find a way or ra>ke one" Theno two gentlemen aequited themselres ea'ijfactorilr. Mr Henry Buttle th^n gave a recitation " Hforatius" fMtn <MaoauJay's Lajs of Anci^nfc Rome. Another recitation by Mr Hugh Pitzijerftld, brought the ra^etin* to a clo c. Spblmug Bbbs— Though this modern amuse meat h»« not yet b*en regularly esUblwhed in the Waikat ), we hear that sereral impromptu affairs of the kind hard boen got up, a*' which the competitors hare aoquitt«*d themselves with considernble crethfc. Ig ia a noteworthy f*ot thut at thewtmls of ot thoj;i*apbic!ilskilt,the 1 iJie9 usually carry off the palm for pr >fi ien"y Prom a perusal of ihe reports in the PrM»of " Spelling Bees" recently held in various parts of the Colony, we obferre th>»t the laiies iiave won a large majority of the prize?. The fact is ere litable 16 the ftir sex, and discloses a marked im provement in female education in these days, as compnred with those of our fo"efath* > rs, whon imperfect spelling was regarded &3 a pecu iar ferainiae fault, and as inseparable from the boarding-school curriculum.

Ball at Alex vndba.— The Ball at Alexandra on Wednesday ni^ht was in every way a great success. Upwnrds of 9J persons attended, including the elite and beauty of that township and the surrounding district]). The ball-roo n was very tastefully decorated with flags, fern?, and nikan leaves, fc'ie ceiling beinjj festoon' d with fernft. An effioi nt band discoursed vaott ex cellent rnusio. It consisted of two fifes, a trombone, nnd a drum, >>nd inoludod ture performers from Hamilton. A supper-room waa lai 1 off at tbo end of th«i hall, where an ex "rile t tprctd was proriJed to which ample justice was doae by the company. The programme rontai led ino*t of the farorite modern bail-room darnvg, and the j >you« dance was prolon^ai 'until tie parly soneu shine cii lin at t lie wind >w peep." , The hall is u.>w ouo of the esbabluhe I uiatitu- | tions of Alexandra nnd is creditable alike t<> t!ie enterprise »»nil frool taste of the A'exA »dria s. [ Wo trmt at th>j rent ball giv.^n in Umuilton the oxamp'o of Alexandra w ill be fo K»vr >1 in tlie maMer of th* baud, which uddj so trnic'i ihe 7. 8' of the enjoyment o i such occasions.

PATKR/4L SOLICirrrDK. — Thts patrbtia o of SuprrinU'n It'll* a hm pis«ed ino >\ privtrh " Vox's Bjjk of Martjrrs," is a goo I b ) >k, bu' itrecor's n t liin j like f'io lo!>a;-;tu!Fi'ri:ij self. ab-)«"gAti 'ii <<f th« Njb c EL'ht who luve t»i\ ea thuir MTvioei lo eitfht urigr.it l ul pronucea for » few j)ilt'\v emol'iru-ntd an 1 perq i kites' l( Broth r Williiin F.ix wo rd but ci>n ( <ile a record of 'he bleeding sncnfioes of New Ze*luii l's lSuperintendent's the Pox of M irtyr notoriety wmi 1 would hare to hide hia diiniui«lie i head. IL-re is one example which wo giv«j oa un loubteil tuthoritj. Thd Suj)enn endent of WelliiiJtoa ha* * ion-in law wlio is a solicitor. Tlu l*ro»ineiul Solicitor of Wellington was lataly gathered to his ftithi'rs. To fin yioAnej t'nn nud.j the Superint(snd«'i)t'a fortunate aoh-in-liw vr,\s promptly appointed. In ftiot t'le funeral b*kM meat* served, for tliecofigr*tulit >ry dinner of ih-» suocd-xor in ofli'e. But hare oo nes the rub: the office wns not oon>in-ied us a politicil oip m it had bfen before. It wa» actu*l.r mtde a ////'- appointment, at £400 a yaf. If this bo noc a touching instance of parental solicitude then we should be glad if somejrn* would give it a n ime. To hia flonor Mr Fjtzherbart be^O'igi t!ie credit of hating inrcnteJ a new mothoi of prjviiing mirriige t-ettlement?.

NuVhL Entertainment.— Wo mentioned »onvtime »go that ako uke, had been utliz.'d by a New; Zealand firm (or w>>od engraving, and tlmf Iha proprietors of the Sydney Pun ih had ordered a s ipply of the wood to bei u^e I in their bu-ineB3 The artist Mr Gordon h*» siiice co no before the pu> lie in a new role, thit of a ciricaiuriat, in a unique entertainment end led '"Mural Fantisiusgoria, " wherein he draws i> the pre senee of the audience iv ihe spiea of a fe*r minutes the likeness^i of any threi well kixosrn chrtracters. Tlie fice9 are generally druwn to liftsaize,but sometimes of exaggerated dim 'nsfon. Mr Gordon was formerly well know in Wellington as r lie author of several life-like cartoons, drawn on the hoardings and dead-walls during elections and periods of popular excitement. Ilia drawings, th >ugh necessarily, hasty and r jugh, were not without a certain touo'i of true genius They exhibited freshness, baldness and originality, and a decree of vigor rarely posseted b/ an amateur artist. We trust that Mr Gordon will meet with success in the new career whic v i he has entered upjn. Messrs Gul!y, Uojte, Barraud, C)llte, Mundy, and otliora have alreidy doae much to ni>ike known the piotur^squoneis of New Zealand icenery, but Mr Gordon has clnsen a different branch of a t By careful stu ly,. ws believe, his originality and boldness of traatinent will enable him to achieve »omo degree of eminence as & caricaturist, more especially as be is a young man.

Tub Opposition Phoposua It Ins been known that the Opposition leaders ia the Uouae, having grown weary of obstructive tactics, hive made Tarious proposals to the Government vrtth the Tie*' of providing an avenue of escape from a dilemma. This course has been in a great measure ewing to the f »et that the Superintendents in tho Opposition partj were unable to agr p upon any important point. Passing over a number of informal propositions, thf one that wai reduced to writing at the request of the Government, wbo distruitflvl intangible propo«als, was as follows:— "That the Abjhtion B 11 b i passed this session, with a provision that it should only take effect on a day to be named by proclttnatiou of the Gorerr.or, but that no such proclamation shall issue should a resolution of either House of the Legislature to the contrary be introduced within one m >nth after the raet-t-mg of the next Parli-unont, and passed before the close o f t e session That the Provincial Administrations shall continue untiL the Act is procl timed. 'Th-it appropriition for departmental purposes shall be continued by the Assembly af present rates. That public works alrea ly authorised by Provincial Councils sh«ll be un iertaken ; but that no Provincial Council aha'l meet again un ess the Act lapse." T«U wm palpably on>y another mode of staving off the question Fortyeigh Goveroment supporter met, three, Messrs Pyke, Ja<:kaon, ah<l Kichmotii bein^' absent, and ihe lollowjng resolution was unanimously adopted :'— " Tiiat thii paity cannot asient to tne proposals wnich have been submitted to it irom the Opposition, ljut are willing to consider any other proposition that nuj be made to the Government ia any furtffer negotiatibns, an 4 that these proposals should be submitted tj au'ithn 1 meeting of ttib party, to bo held on Moudiy.' • v

A CovTßADrcTrov.— We regret that the Auckland Eoerxing Star in it» anxiety to serve its pa ton S r Georga. Grey, and the party who fight under his banner, has ba i the bad taste to impute .unworthy motives to journals whose vieV»do*not coincile with its own. Ihs Star in ita issue of Monday last accusii the Waikato TtMiwof biing "a thick and thin iupporter of the present Government," of belnf " influenced by the Piako Swamp Companj ," of almitting that the figures quoted by Mr Wilson, in a letter to thu journal som-tima ago, we-e " uninsw«>rable," an«i of supporting the Government b»cause We "dare uot do otherwlae." To each and all of these H»tements we g.ve a most anqualified contradiction. Th«»y are as untrue tt they are exhibiti-ms of intemperate julcxiriW and rash assertion. W e hare «ivea * general support to the pjlicy of the General Government because we be.ieved it to be the best fur thu district *nd the colony as a whole, because wrt knew that a cwtinua.ee of the existin? Provincial system means injustic, negt ec t and in HlfdreaM to the Waikato. We dare <l'o all that may be prudent and proper, but we shou'd ba bliud to the interests of our constituents, and to our own if vr* were fjolhh enou.'h to initHtethe eiatnple of tie Star, by seeking to uphold au effets and rot»en systeai ; aud Wo shiuld be cudty of a gross breach of jouroa i3tic dccc .cy and of the rule* of ordinary courtesy if we ' darfd " to impute improper motives to Journals which difter from us in the policy which thej advocate To sny thit tie policy of this journal lias b"en improp-rly influenced by (he Piiko Mwani,* Company is to as3ert what i^ palpably absurl. We should be sorry to believe tint any journal coul i ba wrongly influenced by the pitronage of any company, aiid if such a thing were possible with us, as we h>pe it nevrr may be, the support we receive from the Piako Swamp Cempany i 3 too insignificant to swa'v our judgment. As to our remarks on Mr Wis >n s letter, w« defy ths Star to wrest anything hUe an admi-sion thit the letter xvia ••uninswerable." We comp'im >nted Mr Wilson on ah painstaking, and expressed an opinion that his conclusions appeared to be very striking," thit wa3 all. We did not eire t> follow Mr Wilson through his inize of figures, for several reasons. Mr Wilson ny rowed his criticism of the B>ll to a few isolate 1 cUuses lie did not touch the tnuin questions at issue at all. He de ilt simply wi'h oue source of reve iue propose I to be beatowei on the Highway Dia-iliot-under thy Local Government Bill. Even admitti >q th*t Mr Wilson 1 * exclusions wer^ accurate, whic i vro are not prepared to oncede, the m*iu defec s wh eh 'ie allied had alrealv beeu brouglit prominently und-.>r the notice oj th' Government, ard A-ere certain to receive attention at ihe p-oper time. We shall not retort upon the Star vvi h its own weapons. We io not care to u-e them. Our desire is to avoid those imputations upon the motive* of contemporarie3 which tend s.> much to degrade oloaiil journalism, and to loir r the tone of any community or sectim of a ommuniiy. which U co mistaken as to take its tone from them.