The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 533, 19 October 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

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

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1875.

Native Bepbesentation is the " bete noir" of Mr Rolleston and other Middle Island politicians. The reason is not far to seek — the Middle Island has hardly any natives to be represented. Were the position of the two Islands reversed in this matter, Mr Eolleston would preach from arery different toxt. -So far, native representation has been a failure. The native members in the House are practically dummies. They do not understand the debates, they cannot enter into the spirit of our Constitution and laws, they cannot sympathise with our customs and ideas, they are incapable of exercising any really independent beneficial influence. The thing is a palpable and extravagant farce, and -reformation is urgently required. Wa ! do not advocate entirely depriving the Maoris of the right of exercising the franchise, but condemn the sham which is perpetrated in the return of Maori members, j It is one of those peculiar instances of class legislation designed to conciliate the native race, which they are not slow to see through and despise. What, in <tbe name of common sense, is the practical good of sending a semicivilized savage to sit in a House whose entire usage and practice are to him an incomprehensible mystery, and whose debates are conducted in a language he does not understand P The most that such a man can do is to occasionally deliver puerile orationi which lose all force and weight by the necessity for interpreting them sentence by sentence, and which, usually excite ridicule by their extravagantly figurative and allegorical nature ; or he may — as the writer frequently observed during fr>*" j^Sf** observation in the Beporter'.r Cff^^^i the House of Kepresentati* o * — contrive to earn his honor- j ariuirv fcfiet whik^uway the tedium of the i Jlsfca-tas,? Joy slumbering undisturbed on the stuF* Conches, varied by gambling on the - Doard of green-cloth." Once admitih© principle of native representation, and it follows that it should be placed upon a fair basil. As it now stands 'the natives are scandalously under-represented. We know that the ! majority of them, and the more intelligent would very much prefer to return Europeans to the House, instead of persons of their own j race. The natives are shrewd enough to ; perceive and despise the hollownesi of the I present representation, and if they would but become more alive to the advantages of registering their claims to vote, and bring their united influence to bear by the exercise of the franchise, and by a thoroughly practical interest in politics, the prejudices of race, and the landmarks created by suspicion and ignorance would speedly melt away, There is a new and vigorous generation of young Maoris gradually replacing the impracticable old men who are the types of a bygone condition, and we predict that the day is not far distant when the^iatives will demand and obtain a far larger share than they at -present possess in the government of the country. It will be well if the Legislative recognise this growing tendency, und make timely provision to facilitate an easytransition to the new order of things.

Alexandra Piratic Hail. — A concert in aid of the building fund of this Kail will be given by the Alexandra Harmonic Society on Thursday the 28th inst,. The Weather.— The beneficial effects of the recent rains are already apparent in-tho refreshed vegetation and the generally improved appearance of the countrj. Agricultural operations have been considerably stimulated by the liberal favours of Jupiter Pluvius, and the feed for stock much improved. Evergreen Trees.— We have received from Messrs Sonntag and Co, Seed Merchants, of California a copy of their catalogue of Pacific Coast Shrubs, and evergreen seeds. The catalogue may be inspected at this office by any settlers who may desire to see it. Cricket. — We would remind the local knighta of the willow that a meeting is convened for this evening at the Hamilton Hotel, for the purpose of forming a Cricket Club under the name of " The United." We trust that some definite steps will be taken to organize on a thoroughly efficient footing such a club as will do credit to Hamilton, and that the approaching crake' ting season will be inaugurated with becoming activity. New Restaurant, Ngartjawahia.— Ngaruawahia is displaying enterprise in respect to houses of accommodation. Besides two hotels, with £rst class accommodation, a restaurant has lately been opened, having for its name the i "Good Templars' Restaurant," and being under fhe auspices and able management of Mr Charles Veith. The premises are -being fitted up in ft I manner that cannot fail to grve entire satisfftct.on to its patrons. At the rear of the promises ' a commodious stable is being erected, and a good I H^ock is also provided fer horses and cattle,

The Abolition Aot. — A Wellington telegram states that His Excellenoy the Governor has assented to this Act, .Railway Bridge, Ngabttawahia.— The work of sinking the cylinders for the Railway Bridge at Ngaruawahia, >nras finished during the .latter part of last week. The- laying of about 6,000 yards of earthwork will probably be commenced next week. Altogether the work is progressing very satisfactorily, and 'will doubtless be completed within contract time. Teotting Match. — A trotting match between Mr Bobert Roches chesnut gelding • Barney " and- Mr Culpan's oelobrated trotter '•Tim" came off yesterday afternoon, at Te Awamutu. Xhe distance was about two miles. The latter won by about 40 or 50 yards, comiug in to the winning post in splendid . style. "Barney" was the favorite and was well backed, and * tolerably large Bum of money ohanged hands. Time— 9 minutes, 5 teconds. The Courts. — A sitting of the R ML Court will bo held by W H Searancke, Esq, R M, this morning, at Hamilton. Four cases are set down for hearing, none of which are of any importance, j only one being defended. Mr Searancke held a sitting at Ngaruawahia yesterday, but the only case on the list was, we ore informed, settled out of Court. A sitting will be held at Gam* bridge to morrow, but the oases set down, for hearing are few, and of no pubjiq importance. Waiiato Tvbst Club. — Pursuant to advertisement, a meeting of the Committee of this Club was held on Saturday evening at the Hamilton hotel, Mr White in the chair. Present : Mesßrs Burgis, Martin, Claude, and Silver, hon. sec. The accounta not "being in readiness,' it became necessary to adjourn the meeting -antil to-morrow evening. Meanwhile the Committee j will inspect the proposed race- course on the pro"perty of A Cox, Esq., and report »t the Ijext zneeting as to its suitability for tlie forthcoming race meeting. Immigration — On Saturday last Another batch of immigrants arrived in Hamilton per steamer. They consist of 42 male addts, 12 female adults, and 31 children, and inolude 31 single men, 1 single woman, and 12 families, total 75. Mr Coates has engaged 15 men fer his Bwamp contract, and the remainder of the male immigrants who are principally agricultural " labourers will be distributed between Hamilton and Cambridge. For the above information, we are indebted to Mr J S Bernard, the courteous and energetic Immigration Agent. Railway Whar* Ngabuawahia.— The contract taken by Messrs Martin and Brittain *ome six months ago, for the cousbraction of the Railway Wharf %t the junction of the Waipa and Waikato Rivers, was commenced on Friday last. Everything accessary for the preliminary work is on the ground and about a dozen men have been employed. The cost of construction will be £3,000, and the work will be pushed on vigorously till completed. The road for the branch line from the wharf to the site of the Railway Station is completed and if ready for tht laying of sleepers and rails. Ebthetainmbnt ax Kihieihi.— An entainmerit is announced to take place in the district school-house at Kihikihi, on Friday the 29th inst., for the purpose of raising funds for providing school prizes and treating the scholars to a pio nic at Christmas. The objeot is a most laudable one, and will doubtless be liberally supported by the settlers. In this matter Kihikihi has taken the initiative, and we hope to see her example generally followed by the School Committees throughout the district. A few simple prizes may be made the meant of inciting emulation amongst the scholars, and an ° outing" will be a red-letter day and a happy relief to the monotony of their daily routine of study. Cathclio Concert. — We would remind our readers that a Concert in aid of the Funds of the Catholic Church, Hamilton East, will take place to-morrow evening in the school-room. From a cursory glance at the programme, which appears in another column, we are confident that a genuine treat is in store for the audience. It is now some time since the people of Hamilton East, had an opportunity of attending an entertainment on their own side of the river, and it is probable tihey will muster to-morrow night in goodly numbers. We understand that the Ethiopian Ministrels will present a completely new budget of songs, melodies, and, local hits. The " Spelling Bee" is in competent hands, three tempting prizes being offered to competitors. We trust that the ladies and gentlemen of Hamilton East will not be afflicted with the same unfortunate modesty which prevented all but a very few entering the lists at the last ""Spelling Bee," and rendered the duties of the pronounoer and umpire somewhat onerous. Should the entertainment prove successful, it is intended to organize an amateur dramatic company to perform about five weeki hence in Hamilton Bast in aid of the same fund. Important Nawa.— A mild, meek-eyed inditidual. came into our office yesterday morning, and stated that ho had some important news to .communicate. The editor sniffed some* thing portentous, rubbed his hands gleefully, and requested the gentleman to take, a chair. He sat down gravely and waited while the editor was making the necessary preparations, A pencil was sharpened, and a slip of paper headed thus :— "IMPORTANT NEWS." He then assumed an attentive and respeotful attitude, and putting on his blandest smile, requested the visitor to begin. He did begin. He said " Mister, there's a black hen in our street" — Then he paused, and appeared to be meditating instant flight. The editor, in soothing tones, requested him to be calm. He commenced again. " Mr, there's a blaok hen in our street, and " — Here he tried the handle of the door, and was evidently violently agitated, The editor said :— ** Friend, do not be afraid. Editors are not cannibals, nor vampires, nor basilisks, nor anything else but harmless, inoffensivo, and muoh- abused oreatures. XJalm your fears, and proceed with your story." The man put the door slightly ajar, and resumed. He said <* Well, look 'ere. It's this :— Thtre's a black hen in our street, and she's gone and laid a white egg " ! 1 ! He said no more. Ht just opened the door and took a fljing l«ap outside, ducking his head to avoid an ink bottle which the unerring aim of an offended editor font after him,