The Waikato times

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1297, 21 October 1880, Page 2

The Waikato times

Equ.il and exact justice to all ineo, Or wbate\er state or persuasion, religious or political. Hpre^spalil the Press the People's? ripht maintain Unawed by influence and ujnbribed by gain.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1880.

The annual show which takes place to-rlay under the auspices of tho Cambridge Farmers' Club will'present a falling off in comparison with its predecessors, which, in a rising district ' like ther • Waikato, ' is not pleasant to observe. There is indeed 'only one class in which an increase has taken place over the number of entries last year, namely "roadsters/" which at the last show numbered 20, will have 22 representatives this year. Let it not for a moment .be thought that Waikato camiot' support k sh^w'so ably now as in 18/9. By every method of reasoning the reverse could easily be proved y but then the fact remains, that the lapse of twelve months finds us not 'only not advanced but retrograding. Assuming as a point beyond dispute that agricultural and pastoral chows are admirable, nay necessary institutions, it seems strange indeed that the advantages which they afford are not more eagerly grasped by that class for whose benefit they are carried on, ( and who dominate the destinies of this new country: A very infinity of time and space might be wasted in enquiries into all the causes which operate to bring about this retrogression, whicli cannot but be noticed' and deplored, and we do not intend to set ourselves to any such task, but we may with propriety touch upon a very few of those disturbing elements which are the most power- ■ f ul and most obvious. Setting aside the fact that this year two of the most prominent cattle-breeders and one of the most successful horse-breeders in the district,, who competed at the previous shows, are absent, for- reasons whicli are sufficient for themselves, and which it becomes no ono to question, we lay much of the blame for the comparative poverty of the show upon the Club. For some considerable time members have displayed a spirit of luke-warmness which is deplorable. The fact that the show, as an offshoot of the Club, depends in a large measure for its success upon the collective, nay, the individual efforts of the members, seems to have been completely ignored by them, and if it surprises them to find the institution falling off, we know of nothing which they can be expected to regard calmly. In speaking thus, it must be distinctly understood that reference is made solely to those members of the Club who, so far as the active performance of duties is concerned have been all through as inert as " a painted ship upon a painted ocean." A section, unfortunately for themselves a very small section, of the members, have worked nobly and well : have given up their time freoly to the exercise of their functions : and if the show to-day be wot per se a success, making due allowance for the paucity of the entries, it will be at any rate through no fault of these gentlemen. And now we are going to enter upon much more delicate ground, and may perhaps meet with small reward. But we have a duty to perform, and whether we win applause or incur censure is alike indifferent, to us so long as that end is kept in view. We desire above all other considerations to see this district which we are proud call ours advance ; to see ! everything whicli will conduce to that advanc3inent encouraged, and when these fostering influences are retarded, it becomes our duty to find out the "why and wherefore." If there is one thing more than another which helps agriculture forward, it can surely be found in an institution of the nature of a Farmer's Club or Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and this being so, is there anything except that lamentable feeling of apathy whicli certain of the members have displayed which has served to mar the usefulness of the institution at Cambridge? We fear there is, and that it is to be found in what, for the want of a better name, we will call local jealousy — for we do not really think it is a matter of jealousy so much as dislike — which exists as between the

vajrafys centres of population in yplikato. That the well-directed Snorts of all trueminded settlers have somewhat weakened the influence of this spirit we are glad to know, but it is still potent enough to work much mischief. Let anyone who doubts this look over the namos in the catalogue of to-day's show. It is not beseeming to trace lilie origin of this "feeling" to "its source: It has many sources^ and everybody is best fitted to deal with those •nearest to himself. . We do not see, it must be confessed, how the matter may be mended without the exercise of much common forbearance, and the birth of a determination iii all sections to meet one another upon equal ground, ready to concede what is just an<J right, and to bind together for the good of the whole. So far as the special matter of the show concerns us, and it does in a high degree, what seemed to be a fair solution was adverted to in these columns some time ago, and it is not necessary to repeat what was then written. We trust that this question will not be left, as it has been for years in virtual abeyance ; a healthier state of matters should supervene ; at any rate let it not be said that such is impossible until a trial has been made.

The attention of the authorities ought to be directed .to the bad ntato of the footpaths in Victoria-street, Hamilton, just beldw the Commercial Hotel. A few loads of gravel would effectually mend matters.

By the action taken by the Hamilton Borough Council at their last meeting, it would appear that the matter of i Seddon's claim has been shelved. Mr i Seddon will, we suppose, be allowed to take the initiative in any measures towards a solution of the existing difiiculty.

Mr D. M. Beere, Resident Engineer ior Wflikato, r has resigned his position, and it is not known at present whether the Government will appoint a successor. With the several large works now in projrresp, the interregnum, if there be one at all, will probably be short.

Our readers have heard from time to j.time of the ■ large amount pf distress preV«\ling in Wellington, consequent it is to be presumed on the general cessation of Public, Works expenditure and the reductions' iii'the ranks of those employed by the Government. From what we can hear trade seems indeed to bo at a low ebb. Not long ago a prominent settler in Waikato received a letter from ji carpenter in Wellington, to the. effect "that the writer his father and brother were extremely anxious to remove to Waikato if a promise of work could be held out, wages being an altogether secondary consideration. He stated for a considerable time past the family had earned a very precarious livelihood, getting an odd job here and ano her there which brought them in a few shillings a week. This i* a sad picture to have brought before us in a young country like this, and is a striking confirmation that the inflated prosperity which was enjoyed for a brief season by Wellinjjtouand other places has collapsed at length. We have bean more fortunate in Waikato; we had not mounted so high in Our delight and therefore in our affection' we have not sunk so low, if we may be allowed ho to alter the words of the sweet singer of Rydal. We have need, nevertheless, for tho exercise Of much care and forethought.

The annual Cattle Show under the auspice 1 * of the Cambridge Farmers' Club will be held on the grounds adjoining the Club House to-day, and will doubtless attract a large number of visitors from all parts of the district, All stock must be on the ground at 9 a.m., after which till 9.30 a.m. double entrance fees will be charged. The crates will be closed at the latter hour. Entire horses, however, are not expected on the ground till 11 a.m. The price of admission to the yards before noon will be 2s 6d, after that hour le.

The pitch laid down by the Hamiltou Cricket Club on Sydney Square is improving very rapidly, and only requires the application of a roller two or three times to fit it for play. It is securely enclosed by a portable fence of wood and barbed wire. The remainder of the square has been levelled and laid down in grass, and ought to form a pleasant esplanade.

The bridge over Heathers' Creek on the boundary of the Tnhikaramea ami Mangapiko Districts is almost completed, and communication will be restored. The delay in the works, it will be remembered was caused by a misunderstanding which arose between the two Boards as to their liability, the Mangapiko Board claiming that as the water's edge was their boundaiy they could not be expected to erect a bridge which only begun at that point, and which would, in fact, be altogether in another district. However, matters were amicably arranged, and the result is that the lives of people using the road over the bridge are no longer in jeopardy.

".ffigles" tells the following:— "He went to law. On the afternoon of the day of trial he met a frieml, ami said in mournful accents " I've lost my case. By the way, are you a religious man?" "Not mnch," was the discouraging response. ' Well now, lain, aud I prayed this morning that if my claim was unjust I miirht lose my case. I have lost it. But for all that my claim was just. I think Providence must make mistakes sometimes. " " Perhaps. ' ' said his friend, "Providence might see differently if you applied for a new trial and retained Browbeat." He did, and won with costs, and his trust in Providence is now, he says, stronger than ever.

The steps of the Hamilton Courthouse presented a lively appearance yesterday, and the body of the Court \ras crowded all day, the object of interest being the "Battle"' of the Rival Road Boards. His Worship the Resident Magistrate (H. W. Northoroft, Esq.), presided.

Councillor Knox, we notice at the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening, moved " That the Hamilton Bridge be declared free on Sunday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., so as to enable people to attend Divine Service." — Councillor Knoxs motion lapsed for want of a seconder, doubts being expressed whether the Council could lawfully proclaim the bridge free during certain hours. "We suggested it will be remembered some time ago that the bridge should be free during certain hours on Sunday, and we are pleased that Councillor Knox agrees with us, and ire feel pretty confident that the carrying out of the proposition is a mere matter of time. In the meanwhile the thanks of the community are due to Councillor Knox.

Mr Price, builder, of Hamilton, is the successful tenderer for the necessaryalterations and additions to the A. C Gymnasium, Cambridge, to adapt it for a Court-house, and the work will be commenced forthwith,

R !Th(|»you™ steaifi&r Diflta will ™>p,va^|miltou molding 1 at^tutlf-pait. 8 KtoSnfc eoriifryinj? visitors td the nsnmbridge 'Show, returning on the) home trip at half-pant 4. Should the weather prove favorable no doubt a great number of our townsfolk will avail theraHelves of this meanK pi* transit, as 1 the river is much more pleasant than the road. ! The members of the Hamilton Light f Infantry Band will accompany the steamer and'piay". Up and do svn ths trip, which \^4ll-|R- ik^ii .prove a_very gratifying source of amusement.

"We 3rd requested to state t^at the st&atueiv Delta will, after embarking intending visitors to the Cambridge Cattle Show this morning from Hamilton "Went, proceed to Mr dimming' s wharf for the convenience of residents in Hamilton East.

The Auckland Stud Company have disposed of, their ( thoroughbred Clydesdale entire Prince Arthur* He tiais been purchased by a gentleman at Opetlki!

Private letters from Sir Julius Vogel state he will return f o the colony shortly and re-enter the political arena.

Mr Juke's horse, Youn? Lincoln, passed through Hamilton yesterday, en route to the Cambridge Show.

The following tenders were received for the erection of a cottage for the Walkftto £aiidjA.Bs6clation at Tauwhare:—W. Price, No. 1 tender, £135; No. 2, £148 ; No. 3, £159. Mr Elliott, No. 1 tender, £127 10s ; No 2, £HI 6s; No 3, £143. Mr Evans, No. 1, tender, £149 ; No. 2, £168 ; No. 3, £161. Me Evan*' tender for £149 was accepted.

The adjourned meeting of creditors in the estate of Charles Cecil Rook6s, of Ngaruawahia, was held yesterday at the , poivft-houqe, Hamilton. ,Jfiv Hay. appeared for the debtor, and Mr Gresham has been retained by some of the creditors. Mr George Edgecumbe was elected chairman. — On the motion of Mr Duffus's proxy, seconded bjf- Mr Finch's proxy, Mr'Sibley, of Te Awamutu, was elected creiifcora' trustee at the usual remuneration of o per cent. — It was moved " That the trustee be required to find sureties." This was, however, successfully opposed by Mr, Gresham,. < Mr Sibley- having notified his willingness to accept the appointment, this concluded the business of the meeting.

The ship Lady Jocelyn, with the settlers for the To .fake block, was to leave London ou September 15th. Th 3 Stttr'* London correspondent wrtes that Mr George Vesey Stewart hus transferred the settlement of the To Puks block to a company of capitalists, which has now been formed, and some of whom go out in the Lady Jocelyn to conduct thetnandgement. The scheme his been, turned into a company with a capital of £200,000, of which £45,000 have already been paid up. AU the shares have been subscribed. Mr Stewart has been appointed Managing Director in the Colony. This arrangement will be much better for Tauranga.

To illustrate the strong affinity of the sexes, it is frequently stated that " love will break through stone walls." A young Udy exhibited the intensity of her love quite as strikingly the other day. She asked leave of her parents to have a walk with her lover, but permission was refused. Nothing daunted, she determined to accomplish her purpose, and, if neces- i sary, deceive them. Accordingly .she escaped to enjoy sweet oominuuiim with him she loved. During her absence one of her parents went into her bedroom to speak to her, and proceeded to wake her. Imagine the surprise of the bewildered p.irent. when instead of a daughter, the household mop was discovered, elaborately padded, and clothed in a style that had never besn the good fortmie of a mop before. The lady returned in due time, but jt iq said the tears which her little trick of substituting the mop for her own proper person was the means of causing to flow required a considerable supply of pocket-handker-chiefs to mop up. — Exchange.

The new schedules for the Property Assessment Tax, under the amended Act of last Session, are now being issued by the officers appointed for that pu pose in the variouß districts. These must be tilled in and returned by the 25th instant, on the pain of liability to a fine of £10' », and to be assessed and charged treble duty. Those persons who have already made their returns on the, old schedules will not be fnrnished with new ours, tho former being deemed sufficient. Monday next is the last day for sending in returns, and after that date persons who hays not sent them in will be prosecuted.

The London correspondent of the Wc*ttni Mornirg Xctc* say-*: — It may have been a year ago. It may lnve been last mouth. All that I can vouch f».r is that it happened. At one of our military stations which had threo chaplains there were only two .surplice". There wis a lonjr surplice and a short surplice, aud they fitted a very tall man and a man whose height was Mich that he needed a cushion for the reading do.sk. But the third chaplain was a very weighty man, great of girth and full of flesh. When he had to take service with the tall man, one or the other had to make himself ridiculous. They were in the po-ition of tha Biblical character, whose blanket was too .small for his bed^ S ) the Cjnrnis>ariat officer wrote to the War-office saying that he had a surplice for a High Chaplain and for a Low Chaplain. Would the authorities be good enough to give him a surplice for a Broad Chaplain. ?

Cardinal Manning has an intense dislike of '"mixed marriages," and has almost suppressed them in his diocese. But the other day we were surprised to learn that not only hud a mixed marriage been permitted, but that the marriage was a double one. The Catholic and the Protestant were first joined iv the Roman Church, and then ratified the oath in the Anglican Church of St. Paul's, Knightsbridge. A marriage mixed and double has been unknown m England for years. As I expected, the Cardinal has denied that he permitted any nuch an irr >gularity. He states that had the fact of a Catholic acknowledging heretical rites been known to the Church no marriage at all would have been permitted. He even charges the parties with a braach of faith, and declares them peccarc mortalitcr. More than that, he has written a circular to all his priests disavowing responsihility, and warning them against permitting such a scandal to occur. I really don't see why a Protestant who is a party to a mixed marriage should wish to double it. I The Roman service is in some respects more beautiful than the Anglican and is quite as binding on the conscience as if we begun with, dearly beloved and ended with amazement. But if this view of the case does not commend itself to any man or woman, it is clear that they must not yet engage to contract a mixed marriage. — Atlax

Western London is apparentlyanxious to go in for a Kelly gansr of its own. Last week a lady in West Kensington had to sally forth in the middle of the night, revolver in hand, and blaze away amongst her assailants. On Sunday evening a gentleman wan attacked on Shepherd's Bush-green and seriously hurt, and an auction sale-room was about the same time broken open and a large mass of jewellery stolen. A policeman thu« gave me his version of the the cause:— When the Metropolitan Board of Works "make" ground for future streets, squares, &c, it is their custom to build the cellars and other basement offices first. This has been done to a v.ist extent in West Kensington, and into the retreat thus offered for it, vice and rascal-

w\ &w i <*r *** — dom^thers^htly for all fcorts of nefarioip i)urpo«b«, whilst; it is ■ to purtlje 6riimQ«ls into snoh a perfect labyrintli of retreats. Surely the fact of this being known, ought to prove suggestive. — Western Morning News.

Lqndon Echo observes as follows ionbrfrningt tho prospects of the Colony : — New Zealand hns made marvellous progress during 1 the last few years, but, like its neighbours, it has been spending- money a little too freely. People ■and .Parliament are just now sorely.exercised about ways and means, taxation atid ' retrenchment. Great reductions are to be * effected in the Civil Service ; publio works are either stopped for want of funds or curtailed now thnt the winter is over, and out of the last £5,000,000 loan, when prior engagements had been met, only about £BCO,OOO remained available. What is wanted is more capitalto develop the splendid resources of the country. There are goal mines, the produce of which is beginning to be used for local service, but they want development; the timber of tho country is second to none, kut. the trade im it is at present limited, and so with the other riches of the land. Whether the New Zealand farmers will be able to compete with America, and make their exports pay, remains to be seen. There are 13,000 miles to get over instead of 4000, and at present most of the New .Zealand trade is in sailing ships, which 'take a hundred days and upwards between the two countries. But if there is a pro1 fi table trade to be done in meat, we may soon expect to see steam communication between the Colony and the Mother Country greatly extended. The country is a magnificient one, und has we believe, a great futuie before it, but unless capii talfollows emigration they must be sore disappointment for many who have been taught to believe in New Zealand as a land flowing with milk and honey.

Here is an old story raked up in the Australasian, and to give it a modern tinge made to apply to New Zealand : — In a New Zealand township theri* is a corner section unoccupied but fenced. On that fence sat habitually the ancient inhabitants. Here they sat and spat. Conversation there was sometimes — expectoration always. The civic fathers, to show their consideration for the trains of the gentler sex, met in conclave and made a by-law. And then the police requested the gentleman to yet off and move on, but in vain. They still sat fast. Now there was some technical difficulty in enforcing the by-law,- but the ovor.-fer thought he could make it operate. He went to n«» lawyer, but he painted the top rail liberally with a pigment of soot and suet. Next day the constable, like tho Lovito, passed by on the Other nide and troubled nobody. And thus it was that the wives of several old inhabitants wanted to know of their husbands, that evening, why they had been using their apparel to clean fry-ing-p«WB — apparently on both sides. There is now no by-law more rigidly obeyed (except in Parliament) than that against sitting on the rail.

Captain Runciman notifies Cavalry Volunteers th.it the usual half-yearly drill of tin 1 Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers will commence on Monday, ist November, at 10 a.m. Messrs Hunter and Nolan arc advertising a large number of cattle tor sale at Ohaupo tomorrow. A Presbyterian IW.aar will be held on 24th and 25th November at Te Aw.imutu. Mr Gallagher, of thr Thistle Hotel, Auckland, announces .1 Derby Sweep on the Melbourne Champion X.ice, to be iun on Ist Jauu.irv next. Visitors to Cambridge are requested to \isit the Wcsleyan lia/aar now being held in th.it town, where borne superior article;, are tor sale. Messrs Cotton and Reynolds, auctioneers and accountants, Cambridge, make an important announcement in our advertising columns. Tendcis are imited for painting and papeihangjng a j>K-roomed house, and painting a store at Kihikihi. Mr C. J. W. Barton, collector for the Newcastle District Hoard, notifies that all rates unpaid on the 31st instant will be sued tor. Tub new Pure Cash System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a gre.it success in Svdncy and Melbourne, and when stnetlv carried out the customer who huvs at an establishment where the goods are m irked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great q liner. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cas.h as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder m a co-operative .society, without the risk of being called upon to bear aportionofthe loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a tair trial; whether they gain or lo.e the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods .it co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the large-it portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative pri( es, and a discount of five per < ent. will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purch is<>. G. &C. hiving realised the entire v ilue ot their stock during their late cash s lie, the present stock is \i \v and chi'mt Y ijou .11 r. An>inspc( tion h invited. — Gvriicic wd Cit wwi'.i 1., City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Quccnstreet, Auckland.