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Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1095, 1 July 1879, Page 2

The resignation of Mr Sfcoufc, the Attorney-General has, it will be seen by telegrams received yesterday, been followed by that of the Colonial Treasurer, Mr Ballance. Coming at this time, just as the Session is about to open, such a split m the Cabinet cannot but be most embarrassing to the Government. That the Ministry will quite easily secure the services of a Treasurer of equal ability to that of Mr Ballance, we do not for a moment doubt, but to replace the Attorney- General is a far less easy matter. There are few lawyers of the party to chose from, and their hope would. seem to lie m the return of Mr Maccassey. The proverb sajrs that it is ill swopping horses while crossing the stream, and this is just the predicament m which these resignations, cbming at the present time, place the Ministry. A still later telegram asserts that Mr Macandrew will resign to-day.

Te Awamuxu Ploughing M^toh.— A double-reined bridle has been presented by Mr J. D. Hunter as an additional prize for the best kept set of harness at the ploughing match, which will come off on the 11th inst, m Mr Buckland's paddock, at Ohaupo. We would impress upon the public the fact that entries must be sent m to the secretary, Mr J. H l . Mandeno, on or before the 9th inst. The prizes are liberal and numerous, and the field selected central and convenient; and, doubtless, should the wet weather ever come to an end, the attendance, both of competitors and spectators, will be large. The notice m reference to Monday's meeting 'of the Diocesan Society, at St. Matthew's, only reached us on Saturday.

The Ploughing on ■ Courtney's Farm. — " The following is a detailed account of the putting off of the ploughmen from Courtney's farm, referred to m our last, issue : — Major Tuke withforty men of the Armed Constabulary, who were unarmed, left camp at Oakura this morning, at eleven o'clock, and were marched to Mr Courtney's paddock, where the natives were ploughing, arriving there about noon. Major Tuke authorised Mr Carringtoh (the interpreter) to tell the natives that they must leave the field, and not plough, there, if they did not, he should have to take the ploughs and. the carts from them. Walter andTukino were the only ones who spoke, the latter replying that there was no law to compel them to leave the ground, and that they would not give up their ploughs. Major Tuke then ordered six men to take possession of each of the ploughs, who at once commenced to unyoke the bullocks. The natives gave up the implements without further demonstration. The -ploughs were put into a cart, and the bullocks yoked up again, whea the men 'drove them off the land, and took them to the native village at Tapaihae. The natives appeared very sulky, and, with the exception of the words mentioned above, would say nothing and they were left squatting oa the ground. Large numbers of persons went out this morning to Tapue to see the law put into force. Everything passed off quietly. Major Tuke went prepared for a struggle with the natives, yet none was attempted." 'f-SB Auoklad Bishopric.— Some time ago (says the • Herald ') we quoted a paragraph from the London c Tablet ' stating that the Key. George Harold, P.P., of Wicklow, m the Dublin Diocese, had been named by His Holiness the Pope to the Bishopric of Auckland. We have made enquiries, and ascertained that up to the present no intimation has been received here as to whether the Rev. Mr Harold has accepted the appointment.

Educational.— At the meeting of the Board of Education on Friday, an application for the enlargement of the East Hamilton School was deferred for the present ; so, also, was the application for a teacher's residence at Hamilton.

Twenty-five of the Armed Constabulary, under Sergfcs. Sfceele and Dunn, will leave Cambridge to-day for Auckland, en route for Taranaki. The men thus drafted are nearly all old hands m the force, the recently recruited members being left m the district. To enable ,the former to be sent away the garrisons at the JGhikihi and Alexandra stations were called m, and others have been sent to fill their place. Constables Webb, ttooch, Foster, and Dunn have been promoted to the rank of second-class Sergeants. The officer commanding the district is advertising m another column for applications from thirty men as recruits to fill the place of those sent to the front.