The Waikato Times..

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 700, 9 December 1876, Page 2

The Waikato Times..

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatever btate or pei suasion, leligious or political ***** Here shall the Pres-s the People's right maintain, Unawerl by influence and unbribed by pain.

SATURDAY DECEMBERS, 1876

It will be seen from the Wellington telegram we publish elsewhere, that the portfolio of Postmaster-General and Commissioner of Telegraphs, nofc that of Native Minister has been apportioned to Mr Ormond, We were, it seems, correct, when in our issue of the 28th of November, we pointed out that it was scarcely likely and certainly not desirable that the office of Native Minister, as was stated would be the case by the Auckland press, should be administered by Mr Urmond. As the miter e%o of the present holder of the office that necessary reform in the department, nothing less than which will satisfy the public mind, could scarcely have been looked for from Mr Ormond. The present system of purchase of Native Lands if persevered in would lead from discontent to disaffection. It is satisfactory neither to the Maori nor to the European, and it is exceedingly desirable that when the present system of monopoly of purchase is swept away, as in the next session of the Assembly it most indubitably will be, that thej then Native Minister, in bringing 1 to tho woiking out of the new system of free trade in native land such administrative interference as may still be necessary, shall enter on his duties with a perfect freedom from the prejudices of the past. Indeed, from the later of the two telegrams there is little doubt but that the adminstration of Native affairs will be made more a departmental than a Ministerial Office, and will be simply tacked on to thatof the Colonial Secretary. We shall not be at all surprised to learn before our next issue, of the resignation of Sir Donald McLean, and the amalgamation of the management of Native affairs with the duties now performed by Dr Pollen ; for this time we are inclined to to think that our Auckland contemporaries, and others are nearer the raai'k that when they gave the Portfolio of .Native Minister to Mr Urmond.

The explanation ailorded by the telegram of the Resident Minister in Auckland to the Chairman of the late meeting of Kinkiriroa ratepayers shews that the blunder which places them, and the electors of the Cambridge Hiding also, under such unfair disadvantage did not originate in Auckland, but in Wellington. Such as it is, it must, it see ma, remain for the present, the remedy resting with the County Council, which, by clauses 30 and 60 of the Ac t,may from time to time, by special order, alter the number of the ridings within the County, and their names and boundaries, subject to the condition that the number of ridings shall not be more than nine, and from time to time, by special order, may alter the number of the Council, and the number of the Conncillors to be elected by each Riding. By *• special order" is menta that the resolution to do so must be adopted at a special meeting, and be confirmed at a subsequent meeting held not sooner than four weeks thereafter, public notice of inch subsequent meeting being given in each of the four weeks, and a notice of such meeting having been sent to each Councillor. Meantime the elections will proceed. Saturday next is fixed for the day of nomination, and the following Friday for the elections, incases where a poll is demanded. In another partof to-day's issue we give the boundaries of the several ridings in the Waikato Counties, and the notices of the several returning officerß.

Oambkidok Spikin — A. meeting is railed fi.r Mond-iy evening at the National lintel, to arrange th? annual Cambridge Sports. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of £7 1(K subscribed by the employees of the Wuikat? S^amp Cotnpany, m aid of the widow *ud family of the Ute Mr Liatham.

Waikak-) Caitle The Committoe are notice 1 to meet after the sale at Ohanpo, oa lues<Uy, for the psrposo of winding up th» business of the late show.

Hamilton West Spobts. — The meeting for the appointment of a committee to carry out these iports is called for this evening at seTen o'clock, at G Wynne's Hamilton Hotel.

Death o» J Breen, Esq. — We regret to learn that Mr John Breen, C £„ lately employed on the Government Works, at Ngaruawahia, died id Auckland early ou V\ c Inesday corning. The deceased gentleman hid bjea suffering from cancer lv the root of the tongue.

Tb Awamutu Races and Rbvibw.— What, between the renew and the races which follow, lg Awamutu it likely to bo the centre of attraction in Waikato today. Major Jackson will acs as Judge and Mr Walton as starter for the hors« races, which take place in the afternoon.

Education. — At the meeting of the Central Board, on Thursday £125 vu voted towards tie erection of a ichool at the) Cross Ko»d, Te Awamutu, the district contributing £50. The appoin tmenfc of Mr Maclaur.nj as teioher mbt with approval. Mr Athol't tender of £40, for labour and vails for the Hautapu was approved.