The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 569, 13 January 1876, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact j ustice to all men, Ot whaterer state or perimsion, religious or political • • • • • Here shall the Prew the People's right maintain Unawod by influence and unbribed by gam. '

THURSDAY, JAyUARYIS, 1876

Elsewiiere will be fouud the returns from several polling places, which we published—with the exception of Raglan —in jv second edition, and transmitted to all parts of the district early on tho evening of tho election. The Raglan return came in a little after midnight, and oar second edition of yesterday morning' set finally at rest the result of the election. There was, we learn, but little excitement eridenced ut any of the polling stations, a circumstance not wholly to be ascribed to the ballot— for we have seen some pretty lively elections under tho same system in other parts of* tho province -but more perhap3 to the orderly character of tho elector themselves, and to the absence of bitter feeling and indulgence in ordinary electioneering moves, winch lma characterised what was nevertheless a very hotly contested election. A majority of only 21 out of 375 voles polled is sharp work, and considering that Mr McMinn left himself almost entirely in the hands of tho electors, speaks well for his popularity in the district, and we trust to sco him a member for Waikato yet, when tho district obtains its fair share of representation in tho House, as it progresses in wealth and population. A correspondent in another column, a supporter of Mr McMinn, thanks us for tho lair play shown to hia canso. He has no need to do so, though wo thank him heartily for it inasmuch as many active partisans on either side, with less disci imination, have not had tho name graco to appreciate the genuine fair play and »triot

neutrality which have characterised the conduct of the Times from the very first in the matter of this election. We need I not tell any intelligent reader that we are not responsible for the opinions expressed in o«r correspondence columns. They could not be open to all if we were so, and this they liavo been most impartially. If one side has got the better of tho other in thorn, that fact is due to no leaning of the journal to that particular side, but to tho simple tact th.it the advo•c.tk's of thufc party weie rither more hidefatigable or better letter writers of the two. As to the advertising squibs which so largely filled our Saturday's and Tuesday's issues, wo conld only for our own sakes have wished that Mr Cox had received a Roland for his Oliver, and that Mr McMi tin's friends had given him tit for tat in the same ooin. Our renders mv.st, we tlaink, bo heartily sick of tho election by this time, md will be only too glad, whatever the result, that it is over. We can assure them that we are so, -and -earnestly purpose to icmit it to tho limbo of forgetfulne^s altogether, when once the funeral ceremony i#f the official declaration shall have decently buried the past in a vote of thanka by thp? defeated candidate to the" Returning Officor, Till then we shall continue to *ocept with pride and satisfaction the accusations of partisanship, ' whick are being liberally showered upon us by both sides alike, is th» best and iwott :onclusive evidence of strict impartiality on the part of this journal. In so closely a contested election, and with a month or six weeks to operate in, tho partisanship of the only journal in the district, judiciously managed, could have turned tho election one way or the other. We had no wish, how-evw, both candidates being, we believe, good men and true, to exercise any such power, and hence the neutral course this journal took. Extreme and unthinking adherents of the successful party call it *' sitting on a rail," but those who sit on rails, when they once know for certain on which side the bull in, jump down on the other, If they think that this journal is going to do anytbing i of the kind, that it is going to blindly' support the winning side or the party of the winning side, as such, they are vastly mistaken. We shall neither, Nebuchadnezzar like, set up a political brazen image to worship, nor worship one which any ©no else may have set up — not even that of the electors ; but when we see tho feet of clay wo shall bo the first to join the ranks of the iconoclasts. In acting as we have done we have acted as wo shall ever do in such matters, from principle alone, and we shall be found as ready, when occasion calls for it, to sot ourselves in array against mistaken popular opinion as we have shown ourselves now indiffeient to interfere, when interference would have been not only uncalled for but unfair.

It ii none the lesa satisfactory to find that not only hns the Waikato Timks a firm hold upon the good-will and onfidonce of the European settlors of the district, but that it is favourably recaired and welcomed by the natives beyond the frontier line ; and so far ho, as on the present occasion, to be ma<lo their mouthpiece on so important a matter as the promulgation for general information of the lato Proclamation of tho King, which stands in the light of statutory law for the govern - mont and control of the Maori race adhering to him. The following is a litetal translation of the proclamation referred to:—

"THESE ARE LAWS: I— Maori Priests, 2— Maori Tupu. 3 — Miion Prophets, 4— Maori Prayeri. s— Witcbomft. 6 — FohbU over thn dc*d, 7 — Figb+ing nbout l*nd. B— Fialitm^ about wom.n, 9— Selling lancK 10 — Lrai-ing laud. 1 1 - Aui hontj of Chief*. 12 — Cursing. 13— Theft. H — Murdftf. 15 — Striking. 16- Chfttting. 17— Ani;<r. 18— Kot( ux«. 19— Greed. 20— Presumption. 21 — Slubborueu. 22— Government nid. 23 — Hum ilrinking. 24, -Dmeiorn. All these tbiuga are (o come abiolutoh. Signec, Tawhiao. Hiknrangi, December 20th, ISfri" It will be seen that the subjects alluded to above are brought within the lino of prohibition. There can be uo doubt that taken as a whole, the catalogue of offences, moral, political, and social, is a comprehensive and a well chosen one. On tlio ninth and tenth the King natives hold peculiar opinions which, doubtless time and a souse of their own interest* will serve to modify. .As a whole, as we have said, suoh laws cannot but prove, if strictly adhered to, beneficial to the race ; nay, more, they aie absolutely essential to its very existence. The iirst live pave the way to the undisturbed establishment of Christianity with which the mutters prohibited have aadly interfered, while the sixth hai been a custom, not only useless in itself, but too often utterly ruiuou« to the mourners who hate been eaten out of house and home in its observance. So too, the lighting about land and women has been a fertile source of luin and devastation to native tribes in the past, while the reihana or ration sys. tern of moro recent times, prohibited in No. 22, has proved more disastrous to the modern Maori land owner, than ever the kindly offices of the bill brokers have been to many of our own mcc in these piping dn)s of discount. There is a general feeding amongst- the King people themselves, we are informed, th<it these prohibitory l.iws will work well, and that now all things are in Tawhiuo's hands, inatoad, as oi old, in those of a number of petty chiefs pulling- different whjs, troublo will cease, rhat it may bo so must be tha lincere wish of every one who has the true interests of both races at heart.

The Nitw Stkamsu. -Mr G Quick's vw steamer the " Quickstep " left th« Manuluu. on Tuesday, for tba W*li»to m»r, to Uko up h«r btrth ou the Waik»to trade.

Alleoid Pmsohation — Abont the |only dis-epntable proceeding that took place at the diction on Tuesday, wai the cm* of » Tote* < who polled at Alexandra in the rooming, aadU personated a mar of the urns surname, but with' different initials, later in the day »t Ohaupo what makes the matter more ueriom for foim U th» it it said that in effecting the latter fete hs made a false eta-utory declaration. We wonder which name ho will plead to before the R.M. Tm Cpnnivokam: xvd Gall Tistimonial.— Mr George Neal, of Cambridge, desires us to ■ acknowledge the following ascriptions towards the fund being raisnd to suitably acknowledge the g%Uant couduct of Kobort Cunningham and J imes Gall in the late rescue of M isa Caley and other* from drowning in tho Wafkato river :— Tack and Stewart, 10i; John Buchanan, IO» ; J. H , 5a ; Hnfley and Co, 10* ; Major Hay, 10s ; J. W M., .•->•; J. .8., 5s . p. Hewitt, 6s ; \. Bnedder«, 5i j David Carnachin, 5a ; A. Robinson, 10b ; Waikato Times, £1 1« ; D. Caley £3 ; J. C. Firth, Esq., £2 ; George J. Neal, 10s ; William Walker, 10s j Rev J. Smitk, 6s ; H Buttle, 6b ; G. E. Clark, ss ; W. M.ooa, 6* • F. Hick., 10s ; E. B. Walker, 10«. CRrcKBT.— Tko Tarauaki club since their' amral hare been playing the various local clubs- Go Saturday thoj played a Thames eleven at Parawai, when tho game wai deter, mined on the result of the first inning* in favour nf Taranaki, tha scores boing Thsmes 59 Taraaaki 84. The Thamet in their ascend inning scored 82, but a.s there was Hot time for the Tn^anaki's to take the bat f seOond time tho match was de«iJed v as mantiotfcd' above. On Monday tho Taranaki .nen played the Manuka* club. The wickets were pitched on the ground near the race course, Ellcrilie. In tha first innings Taranaki tcored 29 and Manukau 24. The bowling of Messrs Cloary and Oarwood for Tawnakt, and of Lynch anl Pilling for Manakau w«s considere* very good. A banquet was given to the Taranaki men on Monday evening, at the Star Hotel, Albort-street, Auckland— Mr Gorman's new home— whore an agree iblo evening was spent. On Tuesday, hewever, tho Taranaki men met th«ir match in the Auckland U.C C , tbo former a.-oring 73, the latter 128. NbwXkab'sDav Laarikinb. -Elsewhero will be found a full report of the judicial enquiry into the disgraceful proceedings which took place at Cambridge on Now Year's morning. Tho prosecution was made by the constabulary and grpat credit is due to tho Revd Mr Neill for bringing the matter into prominence as he did. If such a practice has prevailed in Cambridge, ai we w re assuTed it has, so that it has becou*consuleied to be a inaiter ot right by tho scum of the placn to annoy thtir more peaceably disposed neighbours for tho extortion of money and ilnnk, it was lugh time that such practice was put down by the strong arm of the law The example made of the three Chines, aad toe innu Martin, aad the exposure made of others will, we trust, have such effect that it will no longer be necessary for Mr Randerson or other* to advertise a matter so discreditable to the district, that persons attending tho Wes'oyan church iervice c m ouly do so at the risk of having their horse's bridles, whips, stirrups, &c, stolen out of mere wantonness and asischief. Thh Waipa and Kaglan Road. -Ho iven helps those who help themselves and nothing is more likely to settle tne long pending question of opening a practicable read from Raglan to the Waipa tlun the aotion of tho settlers themselves taken on Tuesday. Not only has an actual commencement been made in tho organisation of means for ascertaining the most practicable line of road, bufcjhe general and united wterett shown by the settlers in the matter is siioli as no Government ij likely to overlook. The impression Iwloug prevailed that fie Ko Oraugiline was by far the be-t of thoso yet known, but it may bo quite possible that anoLher j rzttts and a great step >o wards the final settlement of the matter, worth sheets of foolscap and an ocean of talk, will be tho pr.it tical action taken by the settlers ihemsMves. No doubt the disuppjintiaent at tho non-return of Mr McMum for ttje vVuipn seat will be very great ut Raglan, for he has so identified himself with the Jioglun and Waipa toad question that the settlers have naturally om tto rom.cut his return ti the Am 'mbl v with tli-» ultimate construction of th it io.id, but they will w« behove find Mr Cox equally zealous on their belialf. The work tuJtoJ ii one of such iinportanco to the entire di.-tnct that nny neglect on the part of its repre (tentative in forwarding it, wore such likely, whica we believe it is not, would very deservedly moot with gpneral clissHtufaction and raise a perli-uf Btorm of reprobation. Piako bvr\>ip— Hfcmring lo ths Piako Swamp trans'ictton, tho " Cross " Bays it is woll to quote the statement of Sir Donald McLean, which has not beon gainsaid, and from which it appears that, not only wh« tho land a long timo open to selection at ii an acre, without auyone making an offer, but tho Superintendent of Auckland approved of the arrangements for sal*. The Native Minister said :—• The honorable member for Auckland City West had bov-n constantly repeating to the House statements regarding the illegality of these transaction* 5 but ho must bo quite well aware that under the Confiscation Lands Act of 1866 thb Government had ample power to deal with this matter. What he admitted tho other day uns that it Wuiild -equiro an Order m Council to validate the action takon under that Act; but ho had not the slighte#t doubt that jtlie- Government bad full legal powei to enter into those arrangements, and validate those arrangements afterwards by an Order in loui.cii, es was done repeatedly in connoaion with the confiscated land in tho colony from the first tune tho Government had such •and at it* disposal. Tho honourable grntleman said that this Knd ought to be retained for the u»e of Her Majesty's subjects ; but it has been pointed out in the Hou"e that 'none of Her Mnjoity's subjects would avail themselves of tho oppouuuit> of taking possession of it while it was open to them at the upset price of 5s nn Here.' No one was desirous of taking up tlna large trnct, of swamp country without tho means ot occupying it ; and, when application was made for tho purchase of it, it was with grout difficulty the Government were able to obtain the piioti fuod, inasmuch as there was little or no dry land included in it. Hie Superintendent of the province ga>o hi* full concurrence, and was authorised to select any portion of it suitable for agricultural settlement to the extent of 23 per cent, llje grater portion of the land iras 'only fit for pastoral purposes. ' " TttEATYKNT OF IMMIGRANTS BV GOYBBNhrnt —it is kbi>ut tune, as Mr Mo Minn said in one ot his recent speeches, that tho immigration si-hemo, which on th<s whole has bo^D a success, should be §o mo what drawn in. Wo are not only getting an excess of labor in the colony, but the Government seem to havp got too much on their hMidi to be ablo to attend, for a reasonable tune after arrival, to tha necessities of those already introduced. This is exemplified in tho casa of the immigrant lamiiu-s forwarded, to Waikato. Tlieso have for a titan sholior in the co'tages erected for tho purpose, but the care oE the Government wl'ich introduces and locates theio peOp.e Hhould scitrocly stop here, A pitiable case occurring a short tune since at Hamilton, has been brought to our notice, whnro a woman with already two or three little ohildron depond* ing upon her would have been, but for the kindly interference, when none to suon, of a medical man have beon lelt without any proper attendance at her confinement. The husband was unloi away working in tho swamp, and owiug to the vory severe winter we have expenoi ood tho men thus employed have, wiiulost tiuio week after week, had hard work of it to keop body and soul together and provide for their families, In auoli a case as this especially tho Government, it will bo thought, »houl I have ptovided medical attendance for tlio immigrant some little tuna after arrival— the litllo stranger baing an immigrant for whose passage the Got•rument ppid nothing and therefor* a clear gain to the coiony. Mr H Ellis, the Immigration Commissioner, wan wo understand written to ou tho cftso in question, but we regret to say that the (lotttrmuciH did not, on the score of humanity, s.e its way to do what most people «ill consider was its duty to have done in the mnt er. It might be a» well for the authorities to reconsider their determination ac a guide to future aotion.

OitfMnwi piMnurOvnAMi John Run. fcima .'■ health} m regret to find,, it not so satisfactory as;wt could' har« wished. ' At an amateur coJtjntoi 1 of ▼•gatablai, he grew darinf th« past filter or spring, a remarkaole oarrot , tbs> account of which etept into the issue of thit journal of the 18th of jSrorember last, and that otrrot or the paragraph relating thereto, Mr John Rtmcitaeii htt not stupeeded in digesting to this d«y. An eight foot carrot, though only a itringer, it not indeed easy of digestion er#n br a less bilious man than o«r worthy frifnrl. In hit cite the effect hss been somewhat remarkable, and the symptoms, just as a man kitten by a mad dog rares at sight of wator, seem to derelop with greater intensity when Mr John Runcimaa takes his seat as a member of the Cambridge Farmer*' Olub. On one occision the indigested carrot canted him to table a resolution at the club condemning this journal for omitting tko pubhoation of (a certain report which would be of general imtereat t» aurionK tural reader*. This ti»e,y iradoxicallj enough, Mr John Runcimait'i tljieat* attumes the form ofendearounnK to pr«»ent us frea* publishing a simiUTly ii.terettiog jepd*fc'beo*ase, forsooth, we pufclish^d oorrectlj a report of hit speech at the l&tt meeting, in %hfcli he recommended the barbarw practice of burning all the straw grown on a farm to preveU the apread of weedt, as though tbe seed* of such could not be destroyed bj the fermentation caused by the proper turning of the Manure. At tat meetiog on Tuesday cttning, Mr John Eunciman tpok« #ith the Tieir of exolading our oorretßondeot from the meatifigs of the Olab, but was cheofoaated bj adirtot--1«iol«tio« proposed, seconded, and oarried by his brother member! txprettite Of their wishes, that m the iuter.lt of the Club and the outside public, tbe reports of their proceeding* should be published. Apart from any personal feeling in Ihe matter, we cannot bat congratulate ths dab 6n baring refused to allow tliemselres t> be plated in a Kilae position by one of their members The proceedings ot the Carnbndgo Farmers* Club are, we know, looked for witti much interest by a Urge number of tho tettlert, and it is just one of the peculiar fuuotioas of such institutions, and one of the most valuable of them, that tbpy »er?a as public instructors in the art and practice of agriculture iar beyond the preoinots of their own Club room. We look upon such institutions »s deserving of all encour»g«inent, and in a district such as tlit*, as public schools of thought Mid experiences, wLich circulating out from small beginnings, will gradually extend thsir beneficial effects into the farth«st parts of the district. But this they can only do by oourting publicity instead of sitting in darkness, as Mr John fiunciman nould hare them. We hare mentioned tho abore oircumttanoe at an apology for tbe absence from thi* issue of o«r oorreipondent't usual repor\ When readmitted after Mr Runciman's unkind personal remarks, he was too exoited and nervous to take down his usual notes. We shall, howerar, be in pouosien of * precis of whit took place in time for publication tv our next.