The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1178, 10 January 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Hire shall the Press the People's right maintain, TJnawed by influence and unbribed by gain

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1880.

It seldom falls to the lot of a British audience to hear from a Minister hi trusted with the seals of the Foreign Office, explicit details of the policy of the Empire, such as fell from the l'ps of Lord Salisbury, when addressing a vast assemblage in the F^ee Trade Hall at Manchester. Although the speech bi is ties .vith points relative to our foreign policy which have been commented upon in all the journals of Europe, there is ono point rhich deserves our seriou3 consideration at the present moment, for in it may lie the germ of our attitude in the embroglio now existing between the Turkish and British Governments. The statement to whiuh we refer runs thus :: — '• England for a great " raauy years — for 20 years — had " the right to place her garrisons all " O'-er the Principality of Belooubis- " tan. Sha never did it; bur nobody " ever doubted her right to do ic. " Nobody ever doubted the value of ''the pi o vision, and when 20 years " were over, and causes arose which " made it necessary to occupy the " town of Quettah j then the value "of the Treaty provision sprang " into activity, and the town of " Qaettah was occupied." These remarkable words were used in speaking of the affairs of Bulgaria, and if we carry back our mmd -i to the convention of Cyprus, we shall find that by Treaty we guaranteed to the Sultau of Turkey all his dominions left to him by the Berlin [Treaty in Asia Minor. At the same time provisions were inserted which necessitated the carrying out of reforms in that country. These reforms were to be executed to the satisfaction of the British Government; but so little regard has been paid to these stipulations that notes of serious import have passed between the two Governments. Ab one time the British fleet were under orders for "Voarla Bay, and it was only on tho representations of Monsieur De Messurus, the Turkish Ambassador in London, that their departure was delayed, it being shown that should these reI forms take place under coercion of | the British fleet, the Sultan's authority would be seriously impaired. Tiie fleet was delayed ; promised reforms were to be commenced at once. Still there is no sigu of any ' speedy aroeliorat'on of the condition of the people ; nor can suc'ci be expected when we consider the state of anarchy into which the country is thrown. It has beon asserted o\er and over ag.iin thaj the Turk is the most docile of men, and there certainly d>es not seem any reason to disbelieve this attribute, for soldiers and men in civil employment have received no pay for 4c'2 months, even r.itions are interraittingly supplied, consequently they have to live by plunder, they desert in bidi-swith ihnir arms and ammunition to join the brigands who infest the mountainous districts, or rise form binds cinder their own leaders. Taxes arc wrung from the people in the mo^t extraordinary manner — what the brigands leave, the Government officials plunder, therefore tbo industrious peasant has ceased to exist, he simply gro.vs sufficient to sustain life, nor is there any prospect of change as long as the present Government lasts, for their exchequer is empty and the tax payer starving, nor will the bankers, who for years have been ro obliging, m^ke fazther advances. This deplorable sta'e of affairs is now known all over England, irir A. Liyard, the British Ambassador accompanied by several officials, lately visited portions of Asia Minor and £yria, and has brought the miserable state of the country to the notice of the Sultan and his own government, and it is a remarkable fdob that wherever he went people vied to receive him with regal honours, and correspondents in his train forward the pleasing intelligence that people of all classes, even officers of the army, «igh for the country being administered by English officials, enquiring eagerly when we are coming. Is it to be wondered at then, that the Ministers of the Porte so perseveringly refused the demand of the British Government to appoint Baker Pasha Governor of Asia

Minor, seminar what an enormous amount of prestige and power we already possess. Da they not kuow that from iho moment an officer of General Baker's stamp once wields the power the riultan must perforce intrust to hiui that gre»t changes would instantaneously take place ? Would the Osriiunlig, Armenians, Greeks, uud Kurds even submit to be robbed again by Turkish officials when onco they lasted British liberty an 4 security of life p It is the kuowiedge of these facts that galls the Pashas and their clique** who live in Stamboul by the plunder of their subordinates, but whether Abdul H&niud, whose penchant for our Ambassador is so notorious, will bo able to weather the storm which is fast approaching, and so save bis throne, remains to be seen. Bug oue thing is certain, if it took 20 years to bring into activity the Treaty whioh placed the principality of Beloochistan in our power, but few .tears will elapse ere the contention of Cyprus will spring into, activity, placing under the sceptre of Her Majesty, the racst renowned and glorious portion of tho earth's surface.

The settling for the Waikato Turf Club Summer Meeting will take place this evening at Captain Dawson's Royal Hotel, at half-past 7 o'clock. In our advertising columns to-day appears an advertisement referring to the Commercial Hotel, Tauranga. FroA lung personal knowledge we are in a position to endorse the statements therein made, and can assure Waikato settlers visiting Tauranga settlers on their way to or from the Hot Lakes, that they cannot do hotter than pay host Ellis a visit. At the Bankruptcy Court, at Wellington on Wednesday, the Chief Justice pointed out that not only every trader, but also private individuals who become bankrupt, were liable to have their certificates suspended if no books had been kept.

The Gbeat Patatebe Land Meeting. — The natives are making great preparations for the meeting at Te YVaotu on the 10th mat. fourteen tons of flour went up a fow days ago, and natives are now on their way from Wellington and Wanganui to attemd. The business of the meeting ia to settle disputes regardin g the Patatere and other blocks over which the Government have claims. Major Mair will represent the Government. Tne secretary and stewards of the Cambridge Jockey Club interviewed some of the leading chiefs connected with the meeting, asking them to have the me ting adjourned for two days, on the loth and 16th inst., to allow the natives to attend the races. Mr lizard acted as interpreter, and the natives promised they would use their influence to have it adjourned should it not be over before the day of tne races. The Laid Court is gazetted to be held on the 14th inst., but will probably be postponed in consequence of the native meeting. The Government have also gazetted a Land Court to be held at Wanganui on the same day. This is hardly fair or wise, as some tribes hare claims which they will require to prove at both Courts. The HcraWs correspondent at Grahamstown says it is rumored that the Government have no intention of letting any more contracts at that end of the ThamesWaikato railway, and that the natives j who are clearing- the line near Kirikiri are to be paid off.

Cambridge School Feast. — A correspondent sends us the following: —On Wednesday last a picnic was given to the Cambridge West Sunday School children by their teaohers and friends. About 40 children were present and a number of visitors who had been invited, and enjoyed themselves at rounders and other games till luncheon was provided. The children were then drawn up in. a line and the blessing sung. They then sat down, and were abundantly supplied with refreshments, and, judging from the renewed cries of " Tea, oh !" and the merry smiles upon thetrosy cheeks, I should say they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After this part of the programme was gone through sports were provided for the children, and numerous prizes awarded, which seemed to give them great satisf ac tion. The ladies and gentlemen present also amused themselves at various games till 5 o'clock, when tea was provided, after which the children retired to the schoolroom, and a short service was conducted by the Superintendent (Mr Jones). The children then separated and went to their several homos. Some young people evidently thought it was not time to part, as they kept up the games long after the sun had disappeared. The feast was quite a success, and everything provided was of the best quality, and in abundance. Oreat oredit is due to the teachers and friends who provided for the wants of their guests. It is stated in the > V^Uingtpn - P!rgsß that Mr Vesey Stewart is about to complete arrangements for the purchase of a large block of land in the Poverty Bay district, from the Government, for the purpose of forming another settlement on the same basis as that at Karikati.

Flood at Patateke.— There has been a very heavy flood in the Patatere district. It was confined to three streams flowing into the Waihou — the Waiomou, the Raparapa, and the Kaiahu. One survey camp was totally swept away, the party barely escaping with their lives. Mr Oreagh's camp was also flooded, but the man in charg? just managed to save the traps, &c. The rise of water in these streams was very rapid. The floods came down in a few minutes. A waterspout, it is supposed, must have burst on some part of the watershed. The man in charge of Mr Oreagh's camp was warned by the water coming- up to the floor of the tents, and he at once removed his wiie aud some of the things to a hillock close by. When lie returned for the second load of tilings the water was up above his waist. There is now a deposit of several inches of mud over many hundreds of acres in the valley. The Cambridge Branch Railway Committee meet this afternoon at the Cambridge Farmer's Club to receive an interim report from Mr G-wynneth, who went over the line on Thursday, taking the tramway road so far as the cross road leading to the Narrows Bridge, and inspected the river with a view to ascertaining the best crossing place. Mr Gwynneth, of course, did not commit himself to auy opinion, but it is believed will report favourably on the easy construction of the line. Me J. S. Buoklaxd will offer for sale to-day, at Cambridge, a number of useful horses of various descriptions. His Ohaupo cattle sale will take place on Tuesday next.

Farm at Hokonui. —Mr K. Hill will offer for sale on, Saturday next, a firstclass farm at Hokonui, belonging to Mr Eyers. The farm is fenced ; one-half of it is laid down in grass, and there is a comfortable cottage erected upcn it. The Fun and Frolic Troupe, "vre regret to say, woro not ;>atromgod as they

deserved to be on Thursday evening in Hamilton. The performance consists of a mixed < entertainment of bongs and acrobatiu performers, and the Thames papers speak well of the character and ability of the Several performances given at Grahamstown. Last nisfht some mentbei'd* qi the troupe kindly volunteered their sei vices on the ho ozontal bar, and thus assisted in making the promenade concert for tha East bohool funds, iv G Wynne's gardens, ani the least Hamilton can do in return is to give the company a full house at Le Quesne's Hall, where the company will perform again • to-night. The troupe is advertised to appear at Cambridge on Monday, 'luesday, and Wednesday next, where, no doubt, they will receive a more liberal patronage.

Oambbidob Jockey Club Races. — We would remind those who have entered horses for the handicap races, that acceptances must be with the secretary, at the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, by 8 o'clock this evening. The acceptances for the f ublicana' furse will be received up to a | quarter of an- hour before the lace. ' Mb S. Beight will offer for sale to-day, at noen, in front of the Town Hall, Cambridge, the Grand Stand Bar, the Good Templar Booth, the gates, cards, and horse paddock at the Jockey Club Meeting of the loth mat. We regret to learn that Mr Robert Waite, late looal manager of the National Bank at Hamilton, the business of which institution waH conducted in the premises now occupied by the Union Bank of Australia, is dead. Mr Waice, who had been removed to Nelson, had been lingering for some twelve months beyond hope of ultimate recovery. The hotelkeepers on the road to Waikato, we are informed, are considerable sufferers from the visits of a class of men with large appetites and small purses— the travelling swagsmen looking for work. They generally on the up-country journey pay their way, but by the time of their return are penniless, and visit the hotels about nightfall, when, from pure Christian charity they cannot be refused a bed and food That there can be any such at the present time, when Waikato farmers are orying out for laborers and there are none to be got, we cannot understand; but yet it is so. The p.s. Delta will run an excursion trip to the Cambridge .Races on the 16th inst., leaving- Ngaruawahia at 6.30 a.m. and Hamilton at 9 a.m., returning as soon as fche races are over. On the last occasion that the Delta went to Cambridge there was but a pqor attendance, only seven shillings being taken in fares. This may have been caused by the want of a proper landing at Mi* Fanthara's farm, hut this year the Cambridge Jookey Olub have made a landing, which is under half-a-mile from the grand stand. Thi Lincolnshire farmers, Messrs Grant and Foster, paid a visit yeßterday to Mr Maclean's property at Okarire.

The Waimatb Pluns.— We wore told that the Waimate Plains were to be occupied in f orco by the Government early in January, buy there seems to be some hitch in the matter, for it is now asserted that the Native Minister, Mr Bryce, positively denies all intention of immediate action. It is, however, stated that^ matters are only deferred. The I'osfs Idawera correspondent wires, that should the report prove oorrect, that nothing will be done re the Plains until after the Gommision as reported, it is intended to hold meetings throughout the district and ask Major Atkinson to resign, as it was upon the distinct promise of immediate settlement of the Plains, that he gained his seat. The Premier, who has been South, returns at once, and it is stated that his return is in connection with the deferred occupation. Major Atkinson is expected here to-morrow. The Rev. L. C. Brady will preaoh at both services at St. Peter's, Hamilton, tomorrow, and Mr Calder will preaoh at Hamilton East in the morning. Mr W. H. Kelly has been again successful in his tender for haulage on the Hamilton branch line. Notification to this effect reaobed here to-day. The rate, £4 los per week, is considerably lower than the previous one of £9 per week for the same service.