The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1204, 16 March 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and e\art justice to nil men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unlived by influence and unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 18S0.

"We trust the time lias gone by, never to return, for so-called "proclamations " by Tawliiao to receive the rleferential attention that was bestowed under preceding rryutM

upon the diplomatic utterances of the Court of Te Kuiti. We trust the days arc past for Cabinet Ministers, with bag and baggage and all the paraphernalia of a State pro-cc->sion, to wait submissively in bad accommodation houses or particularly lively whams, on the chance th;it his dusky Majesty will vouchsafe to meet them, if only for the purpose of making some extravagant and impossible demand. We trust, in short, that the last grand parades at Kopua and Hikurangi, and the fiascos that ended them, have, if they did no more, exploded the Maori humbug, -which was created and has been sustained and aggravated for a decade at least by the very processes, in the remedial potency of which — on homoeopathic principles, we presume— a patient and longsutlering people have been taught to believe. If this consummation, so devoutly to be wished, has been achieved, we grudge not the liberal expenditure in Hour, sugar, rum, tobacco, and other little luxuries for which the Maori aristocracy is known to have a penchant. Hard up though the country is, bad as its banking account will show at the end of the financial term, colonists may congratulate themselves upon being so cheaply rid of an incubus to settlement, and a degrading farce which has lowered the dignity of th" 4 Crown and brought the power and mana of the Colonial Government into contempt. We think we see in the policy of Mr Bryce on the West Coast, and in the dismissal of Major Kemp for outrageous insubordination, a harbinger of a new system based upon the golden maxims of just and fair dealing firmly asserted, though administered in a conciliatory and painstaking spirit. And we believe that not only is the Maori mind sufficiently educated to appreciate and respect such a policy, but the European population — even in those districts that are most nearly concerned — sickened with the degrading follies and mystery-making of the past, is ripe for the change, and satisfied that where straightforward and honest dealing will not succeed truckling and trickery must assuredly fail. These remarks, by the way, are preliminary to an announcement which in former days would have been received with profound coni cern. Tawhiao has issued a proclamation. It happens, as it has usually happened on such grave occasions, that the subject matter is not very new, nor the text particularly instructive. But though this precious document, except as a quota to contemporary events that go to make up the substance of newspaper literature, were hardly worth mention, it is several times more portentous than dozens of others on which Cabinet Ministers have deliberated and Under-Secretaries sacrificed reams of valuable foolscap. The preamble, as a matter of course, recites, that he (Tawhiao) by the grace of God and other agencies, human and divine, sways the destinies of these and adjacent islands and the people that dwell therein. That lie has been pleased to call a great meeting ! of his faithful and enlightened subjects, to be held at Hikurangi, whereat certain important matters will be fully debated, and a large store of dried eels, sharks, porkers, and sundry provender, collected in anticipation, Avill be duly disposed of. To this gathering, Kewi, we are told, has received and accepted an imitation. Whether any member of the Cabinet hashad a similar mark of favour conferred upon him we are not aware, but if he have we hope that it was expeditiously consigned to what, in the Ministerial sanctum, may do duty for a waste paper basket. This is the burden of Tawhiao's summons, but there occurs in the document — what is rarely found in compositions of the kind — a piece of good advice which may perhaps entitle this particular proclamation to some little consideration from the Native Minister.. The natives are strongly warned fio-ainst heiufj misled into trouble by the proceedings and doings lof Te Whiti. When the likelihood of an alliance between Te Whiti's and Tawhiao's followers has been suggested, it was forgotten — probably because people are so little given to reflection on native topics —that Te Whiti and Tawhiao are really rival claimants to the Maori headship. Te Whiti's doctrine has never varied — in himself and Tohu the Maori people are to find rest. He has expressly indicated the King movement as a cause of great trouble. It is the most natural thing in the world, therefore, that Tawhiao, on every occasion that otters, should warn his followers of so pernicious a doctrine, and assure them that " Codlin's the friend, not Short." Their pretensions, indeed, are so irreconcilable that very little danger need be apprehended of cooperation. And if they confine themselves to instructing the people in peacefully doing whatsoever comes to their hands, it will be a matter of the utmost unconcern to the Government and the settlers what fictions of sovereignty or prophetic power it may please natives who are gifted with much faith to repose in their chiefs. For our own part we are convinced that if the (government avoid mischievous interference, and simply leave Europeans to trade with those natives who are willing to deal with them, the terrible " difficulty "' will have settled itself long before the Colonial Exchequer has recovered enough from the strain which it has

suffered to open up with roads and railways the long-closed territory.

If the indications of the native mind on the West Coast of this Lsland wore really as depicted by the " Special " of our Auckland morning contemporary, there would be cause for very great anxiety, and, instead of attending pleasant picnic parties, Ministers would, we take it, be found vigilant at their headquarters in Wellington. F3ut the fact of the matter is that there exists no real cause for alarm. We arc, of course, unaware of the nature of the instructions which this * l Special may have received from his employers ; but, judging from his daily communications as published in the Hero Id, a stranger would be warranted in assuming that the policy of the Herald was one of agitation. Of course this is not so : it is a matter of wonderment that the Herald should permit this " Special " to carry on as lie does. In Saturday's Herald, among the messages wired by this "Special," we come across the following sensationalism :— " Great numbers of " natives continue moving towards " Parihaka. Yesterday afternoon " one party, consisting of 345 " natives, upwards of 200 horses, " and 35 heavily-laden drays passed, " and all day and evening they con- " tinned passing in smaller parties. A " large party is camped at the Stoney " River bridge, and in imitation of the " Constabulary yesterday they posted " sentries and pickets. A numerous " body of Waikatos have reached " Waitara en route to Parihaka, a " native from that part of the Island " told me that hundreds more were " coming. The meeting is evidently "2oiir/ to be an enormous one. "Many of the natives passing this " camp jeered and cursed the Con- " stabulary' and, I particularly ob- " served that natives whose acquain- " tance I had previously made at " Parihaka did not, as usual, stop to "shake hands. It is thought not " unlikely that, underneath the " drays and waggon loads of " provisions, arms and ammunition " may oe concealed, but no attempt "to search them was made. This " morning the inarch towards Pari- " haka was resumed-" Well, what does this amount to? Simply that the meeting of the year takes place in the month of March, this year, on the 17th — to-morrow. Natives will travel almost any distance for a feed and a horero, at most times, and they have a further incentive just now presented to them in the fact of pakeha soldiers being on what they have so long regarded as land which, though confiscated, would, they thought, nevertheless not be surveyed or in any way trespassed on. Of course, they are irritated, it would be .strange were they not. The cursing and jeering signifies impotent anger, nothing more. The Taranaki natives, as we have before pointed out, have had their wings too effectually clipped to do more than flap them ; their generals are in prison, audthey lack the support, moral and physical, of the Waikato natives, without which they will not stir hand or foot. Of course it is sad, of course it is trying to the amour propre of the Herald's "Special" that his proffered shake of the hand should be declined by the noble savage, but ■\ve cannot see in this an indication of hostility to the whole Pakeha race. The supposition "that under neath the drays and wagon loads of provisions arms and ammunition may be concealed " is mere supposition, and far-fetched at that ; and it would be as well if the " Special " confined his attention to what is on the surface. We repeat what we have so often before stated; that the communications of this "Special" have a disquieting tendency, can do no good, and may in many ways do harm,. The closing sentence of his Saturday's telegraphic budget is very amusing, and to those who place reliance in his items of news, and take him at his own valuation, is calculated to still any apprehension of an outbreak that may hitherto have existed in their minds ; it is as follows :—: — " I have arranged to be at Parihaka on the 16th instant !" So there is yet hope that Providence — and the Herald's " Special," — being willing peace will be preserved.

The opening of the navigation of the Thames River, celebrated at Mataniata on Thursday last, is an event, which, looking to probable results, deserves something more than a mere passing notice. It ought, indeed, to arrest the attention of every colonist. No more than three or four years ago the beautiful Thames, winding its way through the magnificent valley to which it gives its name, was at best a stream suitable for canoes and a wateringplace for cattle. The navigation was so impeded by gigantic snags and rapids that even canoes sometimes found it difficult to effect a passage. Single-handed, one man has overcome these difficulties, and to-day a steamer large enough to carry 40 or 50 tons of cargo can plough its way from (frahamstown to Stanley, a distance of about 100 miles. The difficulties which beset Mr Firth in carrying out hifi scheme, have been already referred to, and arc too well known to need recapitulating ; and, after paying the tribute of praise ty> the man who has accomplished it, our chief concern is to consider what will be its ultimate effect. Mr Firth's principal object was, of course, to establish

communication between Auckland aad his large estate at Matamata; but in so doing lie has opened all the intervening country, and has provided a highway to lands, which before were practically inaccessible. The river will also form another outlet for the splendid district of Waitoa, which is being rapidly settled. At no distant date it may be expected that some of the line land of Matamata will be thrown open for the benefit of small farmers, and when that day arrives the value of the river will be fully realised. If on account of the superior advantages possessed by the estate in having water communication a higher pi-ice be obtained for the land, no one will grudge Mr Firth such good fortune, and those who will be lucky enough to settle there will not scruple to pay a little more for such advantages as he will secure.

Ouft Alexandra correspondent writing uiulci* date yesterday says: — A large meeting takes place at Hikuraangi tomorrow. Rewi with Te Henheu, the Taupo chief, with a number of other "Big Guns" are to be present. le Reinga or Raurua, Manuhiri's daughter, has gone down to represent the King* ites at Paul's Parliament in Auckland. The Thames Easter Review.— lt has been fully decided that the Waikato Cavalry Volunteers shall visit the Thames at Easter, in a body. Major Jackson, the officer commanding the Cuvalry, has telegraphed to Major Murray at the Thames, asking him to provide barrack accommodation for 150 men and horses. It is finally understood too, that the Government has consented to allow the time occupied in the review to count as the usual May drill. Mn Magtiinity, secretary for Telegraphs, while visiting Kihikihi on Thursday last, called upon Rewi at his residence at Puniu. The great chief expressed much pleasure at the visit, and presented the visitor with a very handsome greenstone pendant. More Large Potatoes. — Mr John Gibson, of Te Awamutu, brought to the store of J. 11. Koche a sample of his potato crop on Friday last, consisting of a dozen potatoes averaging over lib. each, the largest weighed 21b. 60z., and three I together weighed (ilb. 4oz, They were such a very even lot that with the exception of one, several parties were mistaken in guessing the heaviest. The general crop is expected to yield over 12 tons to the acre. The Choral Society held their first rennion this year last evening in the Wesleyan Chapel; the attendance was small, only eight ladies' and six gentlomen including Mr Bell, the conductor, being present. We understand that the secretary, Mr Laishley, has sent to Melbourne for copies of H.M.S. Pinafore, which i^ is intended to rehearse, and, if possible present this season. A concert in aid of the Hamilton Wesleyan Bazaar Fund will be given in Le Quesne's Hall on Tuesday evening, 23rd instant. The concert will, we have reason to think, be of more than ordinary merit, many leading amateurs, ladies and gentlemen, are devoting a great deal of time to practising for it, and, judging from what we have heard at the practices, the public have before them a very great treat. The programme will appear, we believe, in Saturday's Times. The Lyttlcton Times, m a leading article, professes itself astonished at the letter of the private secretary of the Attorney - General to the Cambridge Club, when Messrs Kinloch and Naden had declared that peluro- pneumonia existed there, says :—": — " Some explanation clearly is required. No doubt, when a more extended report arrives in ordinary oourse of mail of what Mr Whi taker's secretary said, the rublic will be in a better position to judge, assuming that is that he detailed the evidence at his disposal before deciding to which side the weight of it leaned. We can all hope that his judgment is correct." The Hon. Mr Rolleston arrived in Auckland on Saturday, and in company with his colleagues the Premier and Attorney- General, was deyutationised yesterday by the Chairman of the Thames County Council and others, Mr Sheehan, their member, introducing the Thames deputation. It is understood that the Gove nment have resolved to open a road through the Komata block. The Hon. J. Hall goes to Taranaki on Wednesday to meet Mr Bryce there. Mr Rollexton remains till Wednesday in Auckland for th^ purpose of disposing of various educational matters. He then gees to , the Thames and on to Taurauga via ! Ohinemuri and Katikati. Yesterday, before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., Wm. Davy was charged with the larccnv of Ja bottle of brandy, value 3s, the property of Mr James, of the Railway Hotel, and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour. Frederick Vincent was charged with neglecting to provide for the support of a certain illegitimate child of which one Martha Proctor is the mother. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Sergeant McGovcrn stated that on the 13th May,;lS79, the defendant was adjudged to be the putative father of Mary Proctor's female child, and ordered to pay 10s per week for its support, and to find two sureties in £30 each for the due performance of the order ; also to pay £5 for the expenses of the confinement, and 17s cost of the prosecution. Prisoner served six months penalty, and afterwards settled in Cambridge at his trade as a saddler, earning about £3 per week. He made arrangements with Mr Proctor for paying so much a week. Prisoner, however, I suddenly left Waikato, and neglected to comply with the order, and was arrested at Kaipara, tinder the assumed name of Johnson. Prisoner was sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour in default of finding two sureties of £o0 each for the duo performance of the maintenance order. Wm. Raul charged with being of unsound mind, was remanded until Wednesday at the request of Sergeant McGrovern. Two 'arrests on charges of embezzlement were made in Auckland on Saturday night. One Mr Frank Foxton. a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales, who is accused of appropriating £52 of the Bank's money. Further defalcations are suspected. The other charge is one against Thomas Hankon, a junior clerk in the railway department. The amount is not yet named. A xew arrival, named Hubert Hind, was found floating in Auckland harbour on Sunday. He was only 22 years of age. Though having no relations in New Zealand, he left a wife and family in Ireland unprovided for. Suicide is suspected His Honor Mr Justice Richmond has entered upon the ordinary businebS of the Supreme Court. At the iiujnest on the body of the Lite William Chester, who was killed at Te Awamutu on Monday, by his horse falling on him, deceased dying next day, a vevdjcjfc of accidental death w.as returned. Tl)£ dec«.isft4'\s fu'uer.d, which took place on Saturday afterupou, Ayus fapgely attended, I

Referring to Sir Julius Vogel's candidature for Falmouth, the Home Xcws says :— " It is to be hoped that the alternative between sitting in the House or resigning his Agent-Generalship will never be put to him, .as in one case this country, and in the other New Zealand, would lose." Opinions differ on this majitor. If the writer, had been better acquainted with public opinion in the colonies, he would have been aware that there is rather a strong feeling against our Agent-General's aspirations —so strong that should the Imperial disqualification law be waived, it is unlikely that Sir Julius Vogel would be allowed to represent this colony, and at the same time sit in the Imperial Parliament. And there are very excellent reasons for the objection. Leaving out of view the fact that the Agent-General's duties, for which he is substantially remunerated, are multifarious enough to occupy his undivided attention, it is very qnestionable whether the real interests of the colouy would be permanently served by its official representative becoming identified with either of the great political parties which prevail in England. Another ex-colonist mentioned as a candidate is Bir James Fergusson, ex-Gover-nor of New Zealand. He holds an influential position among the landed aristocracy of Ayrshire, but has nevertheless been defeated on more than one occasion. The Home Xcws says :—": — " With his antecedents lie is sure to come into office, if lie can but secure a seat in the House. He would assuredly have done bo at the time of his unsuccessful contest of Greenock, and his party is little likely to forget the services he then rendered. He was for some time Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, a post which has since proved a stepping-stone for many good men, and few of those who have come after were thought better than Sir James Fergusson." Unless a cable message received recently was misinterpreted, the Government have found a snitable reward for Sir .Tames in the Governor-Generalship of Bombay. In that case his candidature will of course be abandoned. "Trooper," of the "Waikato Cavalry writes that the Cavalry are highly indignant at the slight put upon them by Colonel Leckie reviewing them. He says they ought not to be inspected by a man who uses iufantry instead of oavalry words of command : — Herald.

The banks in Waikato will be closed on St. Patrick's (to-morrow). A meeting of the Waikato Council is convened for Friday, 26th March, at 11 o'clock. The Hamilton Rifle Volunteers, with band and instruments, will parade at Sydney-square, to-morrow morning at half-past 9. The examination of candidates for certificates under the Board of Education will be held cit Auckland, on Monday next, 22nd March. Mr R. H. Bartlett, the well-known photographer, of Auckland, announces that prior to leaving for England the Rev. Mr Berry arranged with him for a series of views of Waikato scenery. Mr Bartlett purposes commencing operations at Cambridge, and working down to the Waikato Heads. Persons desirous of getting their residences photographed, should leave orders with Mr R. Kirkwood, Cambridge, or at our offices. A special meeting of the Hamilton contingent Te Awamutu Cavalry Volunteers is called for next Thursday evening, at Gwynne's Hotel, at 7 o'clock, to arrange matters re trip to the Thames. A meeting of the Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers will be held at the Public Hall, Cambridge, to-day, after Mr J. S. Buoklaiul's sale, to arrange preliminaries re trip to the Thames. The Town Clerk notifies that no further notice will be given to persons who have not paid the rates for year ending 3lst March instant, and that all defaulters will be proceeded against after the 20th instant. This step is imperative on the Borough Council, as local bodies are compelled to take means to get in the rates before the 31st March m each year, in order to secure the £1 for £1 (subsidy, which will be lobt by the amounts remaining unpaid on that date. It may be as well also to state that under the Municipal Act, 187b", persons who have not paid the rate before the 31st are disfranchised.