The Waikato Times. THURSDAY. OCTOBER 7. 1875. AN APPEAL TO THE SETTLERS OF WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 528, 7 October 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

THURSDA Y. OCTOBER 7. 1875. AN APPEAL TO THE SETTLERS OF WAIKATO.

Equal and exact justice to mil men, 01 whatever state or persuasion, religious or politic a # # # * « Here shall the Prew the Peoplb's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

Firmly convinced as we have been that the question of Provincial Abolition was the keystone upon which depended the future weal or woe of the Colony, and especially of the country districts, we have felt it our duty to give a generous support to the present Government. We have been ever kind to their virtues, an. l being averse to throwing any obstacle in the way of their successfully achieving the great task they had undertaken, vre were a litt'e blind to many minor faults in their policy. We felt that in the momentous | struggle in which the Ministry was enj gaged, and the immense importance of the interest at stake, captious fault-Suding or hypercritical examination of their measures would be ungenerousand ill-timed. So long as the Ministry exhibited a willingness to -grapple with the question in a statesmanlike and impartial spirit, we freely and unselfishly gave them whatever support our advocacy was calculated to confer. So long as their policy promised to deal fairly with the Colony as a whole, without yielding to the pressure of parties in the House, a.,d purchasing political support by improper concessions, they won our admiration and sympathy. But tJbe time has

pome when these are no' longer deserved. The Government, having successfully "surmounted the great uMi^cnlty of the se&sion, and solved the problem .whic)j lay^at the foundation of all political pfogrbss^and prosperity in New Zealand, has, relaxed its vigilance, vacillated, and descended to the level of yielding to the pres. sure of supporters by invidious and unjust concessions. The Ministry of this country is noSy about to perpetrate a piece of gross and scandalous injustice which must alienate every true friend it has had in the Waikato, excite contempt and indignation, and unite in strong and determined opposition a numerous and formidable party. Indeed it would appear that the Government, having gained the point for which it strove, has cast gratitude to the winds, and is about to inflict grievous and wilful injustice upon one of those districts which, through evil and good report, ungrudgingly and unselfishly threw the whole moral weight of its public opinion into the scale, and supported the Government regardless of future consequences. The Act to amend the Representation of the Colony, now before Parliament, contemplates one of the gr jssest act of injustice to the Waikato ever perpetrated by any Ministry. It proposes to give the following additional members of the House of Representatives: Thames, 1 ; Napier, 1 ; Grey Valley, 1 ; Timara, 1 ; Hokitika, 1 ; Wuitiiki, 1 ; and City of Dunedin, 1. Thus the claims of Waikato are ignored, sthd it is contemplated to protract for another j tive years the inadequate representation from which the district at present suffers. A few weeks ago we adduced facts and figures from the Census Returns of 1874 to show that many districts with less thiyi half the population and number of registered electors of Waikato, and some with scarcely a quarter, return a member each to the House of Representatives. It ia unnecessary to reiterate the startling anomalieawe then exposed. Suffice,itFhere to refer to the main facts. Waikato has 772 electors, and inadistrict_s6"'extensive, and sosparsely settled, we arejusified in presuming that registration has been attended with considerable difficulty, and that, in cons - qence, a large number of qualified persona are not on the roll. Compare Waikato with the following" which return one member each : — Wallace, 103 electors ; lavercargil, 489 ; Waikaia, 434 ; Clutha, 483 ; Mount Ida, 344 ; Gladstone, 333 ; Akaroa, 354 ; Avon, 450; Lyttleton, 264 ; Cheviot, 26?; Totara, 113; Collingwood, 259; Waimea, 354 ; Nelson suburbs, 299 ; Nelson city, 379 ; Picton, 487 ; Clive, 257 ; Wairarapa, 326, Ditto, 326 ; Hufct, 457 ; Manawatu, 378 ; Rangitikei, 296 ; Egmont, 409; New Plymouth, 397; Onehunga, 416; Total, 9,283. Thus 9,283 electors return 26 members, or an average of a fraction over 357 electors — not nearly half the number of Waikato — to each member. Now let us take the districts to which it is proposed to give the extra member each, as they will staud should the Bill pass : — City of Dunedin, 3 members, 3,242 electors ; Hokitika, 2 members, 1,035 electors ; Tirauru, 2 members, 764 electora ; Grey Valle^, 2 members, 766 electors ; Napier 2 members, 759 electors ; Waitaki, 2 members, 756 electors; Waikato, 1 member, 772 electors. Can the Government justify their proposals on any principle of common honesty J We trow not. Indeed there appears to be but too good ground for the suspicion that the whole scheme is based upon concessions purchased by political support, and obtained by back-stair influences. Napier has powerful friends in Sir Donald McLean, and Mr Ormond, — the one a Minister, and the other a devoted supporter; Timuru is represented by Mr Stafford, the Fidus Achates of the Government ; Waitaki, Grey Valley, and Hokitika are equally well backed up. Our Auckland contemporary, the New Zealand Herald^ in a carefully written article on the representation says : — "Looking at the repi e»entat>ou of the two Islands, we bare —

To rectify this inequality and to give to the NorOi Island a member for every 665 electors (wMch is the Southern average) it would be neresnary ro inoreasn the 30 m«inbers to 34. Instead of thi* the propose i alterations give one member taoh to Hawke's Bay and the Thames, making the representation of tlie North Island 32, while * member i»< to be siren to Nelson, two to Westland, two to Ch'istehurcu, and one 10 Otago, making the representation of the Bouth Inland up to so. Where i« this to end? We shall be told that the South I-land ha* a risrht to increased representation because of increased population, but if popu ation is to be the bam (and we see no other that is pra ticable or beyond Miouteriai caprice and party manipulation) why is it not fairW applied to the whole colony and to eTwy district without, exception. In that case Auckland should liar.> 22 members in th* present Houae ins f o>ni of 16 We do not presume to speak for the whole of the North Island but if the South is to preponderate still more in the fu'ure «han it tas preponderated in th* p»»t the sooner th^ North I-land t.ke« its affiirs into is own hands the b't'er fur its interests, and the nafer for th* liber<ie- and independence of \t§ people. W;th the increase of population, with the exclusive ponoosnion of the land rerenue, and with the inoreasin* tendenoy to class legislation mi'S Innd lawa and general administration, the direrg»»nc» i » between North and South is great already. It will be greater when this B'pri" •entation A'nejidment ActJs pn»-ed, and it wi 1 continue increaainjj with every »d van -age gained polttit'ally bt one Island orer the orer."

Settlers ofWaikato, a gross and scandalous injustice is about to bo inflicted upon you. If you submit to this without an indignant remonstrance your silence will be interpreted as }\cquisence, and further wrongs will be inflicted upon you. Arise and enter an indignant protest against this insulting indifference to your just claims. Let meetings be held in every settlement of the district, to adopt a monster petition to Parliament, and call upon your representative to stand up in his place in the House and do battle for your rights. If you do not seize the present opportunity you will have no chance of remedying this grievous wrong for years to come, Jffow w tliQ time to deomad your

rights. Ii) ft few days it will be too late. Show by. .protqpt, united, and decisive action thai^y^u value and cherish your pohticalprivileg^ tofl.tliat you will not tamely permit jyvgitr interests to be iSGri need to U 'iicbeming *nd aggrandizing Southern majority. Submit to this nnscruploui contempt of your lawful claims, and your rulers will be emboldened to heap any indignity and wrong upon you. You. will be regarded as a jmlitical cypher, as a people whose rights may be ignored and invaded with impunity. Once more we call upon you to respond to this appeal, to enter yo.nr indignant protest against this contemplated wrong, and to emphatically demand another member for the Waikato.

Thr following interesting and highly ira- ! portant piece pt' information appears amongst the fashionable news in the letter of the special London Correspondent of the '* Lyttelror> Times " "It appears that New Zealand was to be represented at the Lord Mayor's b nqtiet in London by Mr Isaac*. ex-Mayor of Auckland. Three thousand invitations, including Mayors and tx- Mayors from all parts ojf th« world, had been issued, and 'h<banquet was to cost about £K(K)O." What a comfort it must be to the ratepayers of \UckUnd , to le*rn that his Worship thr Mayor, Mr Isaaci, was actually to be present * >n propna pernoua"at this mentor banquet. How consoling it m'urtt be under the pressure dPslr&H- rates, water rates, aqd a variety of oth>r mnnrcipul exactions to know that the city' which has bet if c >mpnred by G»vernor Bowen \o Athens Corinth, and other place* of classic beauty was appropriately represented at the great ckie hob-nobbing and guzzling in the metropolis of the world VfTarminjg under the influence of the real turtle, anfl the ctioioo wive, did not Mr Isaacs launch out into praise of th" fra^ranoe of Auckland's main sewer, whose perfume* rival those of ♦' Araby, the blest?" For the " tiro»and-ieventy stenches, ail well defined, and several stinks," which Cougreve rounted at famed Cologne were as nothing to the odoriferous exhalations of Auckland's main sewer. And then think of dining with 3.000 ponderous and obese ablderm?n, the beefeaters, Gog and Magog, the Lord Mayor's g>ld collar, the keys, and all the manifold and wondrous beauties on which Mr Isaacs would be able to wax eloq lent. The mind is dazzled with the mere attempt to pict«re the Jewa aud Gentiles, Turks and heatheiß, Chinese, Tartars, Negroen, black, while, veJJpw, brown, and red, who were present at, tbq great "omnium gatherum" of civic Functionaries, and the Babel of tongues, from the.njiial twang of the Americaujto the deep gutteral of the Tartar that would wake the echoes of Guildhall ! £18.000 for a banquet 1, 3.000 fat, Unctuous Mayors feasting on real turtle and dainty delicacies, and guzzling costly -wines, while many thousands of poor men, women, and children were starving in miserable ■ garrets for want of bread ? £6 worth of deifcious solids aud fluid* to be consumed at one sitting by each individual Maj^br, while* hundreds of gaunt ragged figures , were flattening their noses against coojc-shop windows, or stealing to keep body and soul together ! Truly modern civilization is a grand and wonderful thing.

ft 1 |S TO~M KKGHKTTID /TMAT THBf QUAUFI" Ci.TiqjijQ*' electors Bill should have been allowed- 1& full throutth. The meamre &*ay m>t hare-been entirely satisfactory in its proposed d4*lintf with jity? toine/g . franchise, but tfie ooaees&ioQ which it propned to make to lodaecs: w?t« v oertainly a . matter th it has looif been urgently called for. There are tanhy'tbrf striking anomalies in the present btslji bf representation, bui the exclusion of tU^ lar^e and important class of men let down as " Tbd^gers" i* oneol the most gUrin^. These incladea rery Jarge proportion of men of superior intelligence, who though not qualified by property to exercise tUe franchise, are certainly equally as desirable elector* os cud be foUridin other sections of society. Tuough their ju*t claims hare been ignored m the present Parliament they must enforce attention ere long, and we hope that during the' forthcoming gtneral elections the question will become one of the test points for candidates.

SONS of Ulster, L. 0. L.— The regular monthly meeting of the brethren of this lodge in »nnouuced to take place og Saturday evening at 7 p- m. at the Lodj>e-room, Hamilton E»n»t. Na^auAVfAUii Bbidui.-— The fourth and laot of the cylinders of the bridge i* nearly down to its proper Jevel. and when this is accotjiplis ,ed the permntneut work will commence in can r st.

Tskdbrs. To-morrow is the latest dute filed by J. Stowart, Em} , District Engin-er, for rereiv ing tenders for the comtruciion of tire bridge* on ibe Newcastle and Ohaupo section oi tl>e rainniy.

MbmOßabilu.— This day nine yearn ago, Sir George GK7, terminated bis Governorship of JJew Zoaland. To-morrow it ft mom as theunnitersary of the landing of C »pt»in Co.»k. ia 1709.

Spkllimq Bum. — These amusing competitions have been the rage in Melbourne At one recently heli l between 400 and 50 » person*, conMating of old- and yoHug. ladies, gentlemen and chiliiien, rose en matse to undergo the ordeal of examination.

MR Julius Vooel — There h*« been *ome rather terere criticism in the House regarding the lafgc travelling expenses drawn by Sir Julius Vogel during hi* absence from the colony. The Otago Gnardian suggest* that he should be invited to become a candidate to reprvteot Inve.oiw^il in th« eit Parliament,

Th* Coming O*k«bal Klictiovb.— It will be seen by reference to our adrertidiug c<>lunm» that Mr K. &. McMitin of Harupipi, will be » candidate to represent Wuikito at tbe next election! for the General Assembij. W« undor«Und that it i§ not Major J*i'k»on'« intention to i»«k re-eiection- Other candidatci are mentioned, but it would be premature at preteut to mention tbpir names

Thb Ohinimubi Minib*' Riohw Scawdal. — The report ot the proceeding • of the Committee of inquiry completely exonerates Cipc Fr-iser. Mr Alackay it only blannaolo for some •light c»re«e«BD.fBB id not counting the documents. The report r-t*tei *\to ths rigiits were frundelently obtained by O'Hallontn, ana iisued by Bri^pndfn, the latter h «Ti»g a direct interest in the fraud. ,

Ritjbb Sr»AMBB«.— Th^ •team l«nnch Alert is announced to leave Mercer for Hamilton on Tueadaje, Tour* lays, and Sawniayi, after arrival of tr<uus *t 10 30 a m, leaving Hamilton for Mercer on Aionda 8, Wedne»d.y*, »nd Fri d<j» at 930 a. vi. She »iIJ carry paui.nger«« o-ity. <Ttie Ale^t will make her first trip iroui Hamilton «o Moroir on Fnd*s retuniin^ on Saturday. *he »to ward's arrang lneuta »ro complete, and when i». u known th*t \fr Kidl, the W. 8 N. CVi prori'iore, h»i undertaken to provide cr ature comfort i, ererj vonfidence will be telt hv inter»dinf .ra?elit»n that ihoy will not be neglect d

Tawibi.— The nMrEpiwopulChuohat Taupiri was opened on MiiJav iaat b.\ the K^t B Y At • w Jl (who dcliytreii »d iuipre-o ye «Brmon) there WBte betw^n 6i?»nd 70 penon* present. The church, which has b**en erected by aubtcriptioni, has coht £70, winch sum »• not fuilj mioh-trKoH yet, and when rue bui.ding hui been complete! it irtll cwt £30 i»- adxlitiou, io that further «übsei iptioiiK am ur^utlj !>«eaed to kmil the (jf«o<l object in »jfw. Bubicrif.ti.ut may be for WttHed to the H*t d. Y. A»hwell or Mr lho# H> WiuU of T»opiri.~ (Oorw»pondt«t.) '

J^'TERTAIXMIKT —We undent* and that pro* parationt are be;ng makJe td tfivea grand literary and musical rate taintfj'-nt 'in «id of tbe fund* of tho Catholic ChapeV Hamilton East. Father, Golden, and Mr Silver haV»'the m-ittor in hand, ; ' and .numeroui proroi»«i of a»ri>taoQe,h»T« been, feoeired. It' would be premature to mention the programme, bat w« anderatand that a Varied and choice selection of «on^s and read* inpi ui'l be Mven, and that a " Spelling .c« " will probably form one of the attractions.

Mind You* v\ ats. —W* underhand that thf cutting on the main rond running through , Mr Claude's property and p»»t Mr White's towards Taupiri hn« been suffered to Jail into a imut dangerous state. On Saturday afternoon, a bupgy Whi nearly capmed in the owting, and h»d it not been for the pnew>nce of mind displayed by the gentlemen who were riding in it, a serious if nor fatal accidtat matt ba»e oooured Those who ure respoa-ibls for, Mie due repair of the road should sf-e to the matter .at onoa

MiRTiNa at Gambhidob-— At the public meet Qg held at Cambridge to devise me an* of obtaining a resi cut melicil man for the cistrict. about forty families were repr<sonUd. M»jar Care occupel the chair, and conducts i the prop»'eding» with hu uiual cour. e<*y a.id|p.actic 1 ability Various propositions were ditcum d. and ultimit ly a subscription li*t was opened, wh*n £45 w*a obtiiued >n the room A committet, con isti ig f Major Wilion, Me ar« Uuke and Richardson, w ■ appointed to canvasi the iacriut, and we understand it is pro '<'sed to guarantee a sim of £1 O per an nnm 'or twt» yeir-t in additio i to fess, •to anj m dic.il man who will reai io peroiaiMaily ia the township. J

Thu ttcpR«SBNTATioN* BitL. — A. correspondent of the New Zealand Herald sayi— " 'he Represent ition Bill n universally o >nde,mned ot ratHer deapisjd. an 1 it i% believed the Go-, vernment will never be aide id hare such ,an ahartion pat-.MI. Ihe trutli is th it % number of »up,ior'.ers of the G- 'vernment vf u> re r«*en* am*l ctmstituenciei wh eh wouM hire had to f»e supp^-sed on % >v real ren.lju-tinent, waite i on the Mi istry ami persiadutl or .f»ice I them to the course they hive adopte I, wh'C'i is felt to he making bati worse." Xhe E^ho aaya — " And so tho re -a. f just meat of the 'leprfsen^ation Bi listo be only a «ham atter all Th«, iiove nm<mt his broken faith with the C-lony, -aid tet >c Province of Au kUud U lo be sold like a bullock in -mitutiaM. "

A. Staosa I'm***— -There h a man in Greymouth, who prowls around nocturnally an t takes any trifles lie may find lying promiscuously aboqt. According to the Star this man stole an article the other day weighing about 150 Ids. It mutt ba dangerous to leare any ordinary goods about while this Muscular Chr'stun is at Urge. A house, a ship's anchor, a horse and cart, or any nth-r am ill artisie of merchandise must be trifles light as air to nim. Hud he iir^d in the days of Samson he would tiara bean a good way «• head of him io taking the gate« of G>i*«, and if he were to ch-ince to fin I hU *Af to ilie Sphinx, he would curry it away "as an Italia" image seller does bis plaster of Paris busts. If heiould be taught to dive he might be utilized for r/tifling sunken ships, and as a hodman he > would be simply inraluable. We would suggest that be should b» employed to rain the next Now Zealand loan of Four Millions.

Auckland ... Taran&ki Wellington ... Hawke's Buy 16 member* 3 „ 9 „ 2 „ 15,483 electora 1.32H 4,799 „ 1,0i6 Total ... Marlborough. N»lson "WWland ... Canterbury... Ot»go 30 2 members 7 „ 3 „ 13 19 „ 22,624 987 electors 3,811 1944 8,192 „ 14,265 „ Total ... 44 29,299