The Waikato Times

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1303, 4 November 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 4> 1880.

The address which Mr Bowen, M.H.R., delivered to his constituents at Kaiapoi the other day possesses a more than ordinary interest for two reasons : firstly, because Mr Bowen has all through his political career held a reputation for consistency and ability ; and, secondly, because at the present juncture he is one of the very few whio stand aloof from the acrimonious contests of parties, regarding simply the welfare of the colony, and laboring with a single eye to its consolidation. There is a tone of such undeniable candor and honesty running through his speech which is the more refreshing on account of its infrequency in the political utterances of the day. Mr Bowen is not of the sanguine school — who tell us that everything is all right ; that there is plenty of money left from the last loan, and more to ■be got by borrowing when that is done — of which Mr Vincent Pyke is a shining example ; nor, on the other hand, does he take a gloomy view of the country's affairs, hinting at such dreadful contingencies as bankruptcy, repudiation, and the like. The address is a courageous and manly one ; it breathes a spirit of brave hopefulness sobered only by references to the wisdom of thrift and economy. The view which Mr Bowen takes of the Colony's position, to use the fewest possible words, is this : that so long as proper regard is had to the policy of retrenchment now exercised, our future prosperity need not be doubted. This is the key-note of the admirable and somewhat long address which is before us. He begins by saying that at the present time party feeling in New Zealand has fallen asleep ; not that it is dead, but there being none of those great political questions before the country to keep it active it is no longer awake. Mr Bowen may perhaps think that we have now arrived at that period of " political rest " which the present Colonial Treasurer predicted three or four years ago. Perhaps he is right when he says that the one great question — that of financial reform — now before the country is not calculated to excite violent party feeling, but that there are pronounced partizans in the Legislature cannot be doubted. Mr Bowen has little of the partizan in his nature, and is perhaps apt to take other men's measure by his own standard. Further than this, he does not think it possible that there can be party government in a young country such as this ; afc all events not on the lines of the English Parliament, where parties have historical traditions to fall back upon. The attempt in this country to carry out this system of government is foolish, because it leads to misconception in the minds of members who are led to act as they would not otherwise do because they imagine they are carrying out the objects of a system which really has no existence at all. He (Mr Bowen) has opened up a question and combatted opinions essentially unsound, but which have nevertheless become settled convictions in the minds of the majority of the people. During the past year or two the terms " Liberal " and " Conservative " have been so freely bandied about from mouth to mouth that the unthinking have mistaken the shadow for the reality, and from the frequent repetition of the names have at length come to , entertain the belief that they are the designation of existing parties. It is folly to suppose that anything but a Liberal administration could ever hold office in New Zealand ; meaning thereby a Government which should have due regard to the liberties of the people. The considerations which actuate the House in determining on the personnel of the Government are in reality personal more than political. The acceptation of this fact will, Mr Bowen thinks, enable us to see clearly the reason why Governments are becoming more and more amenable to the charges of " weakness " which it is the fashion to bring against them. The Ministry is becoming less like a government than a committee of the House, and no set of men could hope to remain in power for a month, unless they are prepared to give way to strongly expressed opinions of members. It will be seen therefore how much " tact," as it is called, is required in the management of the House ; tact, that in the hands of unscrupulous men, may border on

M'g very much worse. Mr xpresses contempt for what clever management, and says he is a supporter of the present Government because he believes them to be thoroughly honorable men. He does not conceal the fact that they have made mistakes, nor does he claim for them any immunity from errors in the future. • But he attributes these mistakes to the very nature of the heavy task they set themselves to do, and therehe supports, them. Looking back upon the progress of the Public Works system he sees as plainly as eye can see the wretched mistakes which have been made, the jobbery which has tjeen* perpetrated,, but he does not busy himself to talk and wail about them, The present, and still more the future, have cares sufficient to engage us without wasting precious hours in bemoaning the past. What has been the result of the Public Works policy 1 This is a question much more nearly concerning us, and Mr Bowen answers it for us. We have advanced a generation in civilisation and progress owing to the railways. Now that the [time has come when we must perforce adopt the strictest principles of economy, we must not forget the advantages we have reaped, and for which we are now called upon to pay. So far, our railways and other public works have cost us nothing ; they might have been fairy gifts cast down from the clouds. Is there indeed anything strange in the circumstance that we should be called upon to pay for what we receive. Mr Bowen in referring to this aspect of the question says he is amused now that the pinch has come to find people complaining about taxation, who, but for the carrying out of tne Public Works policy, would never have had any property to tax at all. So far we have been able to meet the demands made upon us for interest out of the loans themselves, but the time has come when this practise must oease, and we must boldly face the position, and endeavour to make both ends meet without trusting to borrowed money. If borrowing is to be resorted to in the future it must be for some specific object, and not that it may be handed over to the Government for any undefined purposes, As one of our own members, Mr Whyte, said the other day, there are plenty of people ready enough to acquiesce in the propriety of cutting down the public expenditure and imposing taxation so long as they themselves are not interfered with. It is because of the advantages which we have enjoyed that the present depression is felt so keenly. But we must pay our way, and this, Mr Bowen says, ought to be remembered whenthepresent loan is gone, and there arises, as there is sure to do, a clamor for another. The late session, he says, was characterised by too much talk, the ambition of the younger members being to hear their own voices, and the business was in consequence much protracted. Notwithstanding that the tendency of the House was to discuss mere personal matters, some very useful Bills were carried through. He regretted that the Licensing Bill and the Charitable Aid Bill had not passed, but expressed no sorrow at the shelving of the Native Lands Bill, which measure he thinks would, had ie passed, have done much to retard settlement in the North Island. Speaking of the railways, Mr Bowen expressed his approval of the recent changes in the system of management, which he felt sure would result in permanent good. On the subject of taxation the member for Kaiapoi holds somewhat peculiar, but, we think, just opinions. He is glad to find that the revenuo is keeping up, but at the same time recognises the fact that increased taxation is necessary. The Property tax will, he thinks, however objectionable it may appear to many people, have to be submitted to until the railways give better returns than they do at present. The subsidies to local bodies are doomed, but he confesses that he does not like the system which the Government purpose substituting for them, chiefly on the ground that it would necessitate the keeping double accounts. The Government should manage to carry on all public affairs by means of indirect taxation, leaving the land revenue to be devoted to public works, and local works to be constructed entirely out of rates leviable by the local bodies. Unless, however, the term "Public Works" is extended very much in its application, we can discern a very serious objection to the adoption of any such scheme as that suggested by Mr Bowen. It would be manifestly unfair to country districts, as opposed to large urban centres, because while in the former case the works required, especially in new districts, are of proportionately greater magnitude than in the latter, the amount of rates which could be raised would be infinitely less. This is a matter which will require to be carefully weighed before any decisive measures are taken in the direction of local finance. Mr Bowen approves of the 3d beer tax as not being excessive. He also defends in forcible language what has very unjustly been called " Government by Commission," and speaks in praise of the present Native policy and the consistently firm attitude which the Native Minister has taken up. On the subject of Education, he refers to the great benefits which have accrued from the present system, but does not conceal from himself that it

hm|bcen;^ery costly. He would like toSjjfee to jbhe old Canterbury systei^of rating4>he parents whether they sent their children to the school or not ; this made them take a deeper interest in tjhe education of their offspring. He was opposed to the imposition of fees, because that would lead people to economise by keeping their children away. Mr Bowen seems in this connection to have lost sight of the principle of compulsion, but none the less we fully agree with him in that a rate would be preferable to a fee. In concluding his speech Mr Bowen urges colonists to look the difficulties which now beset them straight in the face, with a determination to meet and 'fight them bravely, sending to Parliament only such men as they can trust and have the fullest confidence in, and really it seems to us that the whole secret of success lies in the observance of these two bits of advice.

I An interesting description of the Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, sent us by Cable from Melbourne by our special reporter will be found in another column.

Captain Steele has agreed, on behalf of Messrs Grant and Foster, that one-half the settlers shall be placed on the land by the Ist January, 1882. A demand by Mr Rolleston for payment of £4400 of the purchase money immediately the agreement is signed has been objected to.

The number of sheep-owners in the colony is 5980, and the number of sheep 11,693,911.

Mr Pardy, late Sub-Inspector, now ranks as Senior Sergeant in the Police Force.

We are glad to notice that the Kirikiriroa Highway Board purpose reparing the bridge orer the Tamahere Creek, on the Cambridge road, The wheel guard on the western Bide is quite rotten, the hand rails are springing, and one of the panels in the fence on the Hamilton side has been broken down.

Something ought to be done by the Borough Council of Hamilton, to make the approach road to the bridge at Slaughterhouse Gulley suitable for wheeled traffic, as it will form a portion of the new road to Kirikiriroa through Claudlands. The approach to the Peach Grove road should also bo attended to.

We have been shown a specimen of the helmet recently supplied to the members of the different Cavalry troops in Waikato. It is really a very elegaut piece of head gear, and closely resembles those used at the Thames and in other parts of the colony. Whereas, however, in other Volunteer corps there is a difference between the officers' and privates' helmets — in the mounting* more especially — the officers and troopers of the Cavalry have them alike, a blue helmet with white metal mounting's. It is intended that they should be fitted with horsehair plumes, but as these have not arrived the principal ornament at present is a Bpike. The soldierly appearance of the men is much improved by the alteration in tiieir uniform.

Mons. E. Calon, who has recently been appointed bandmaster to the Hamilton Volunteer 1 Band, also teaches the piano and other musical instruments as well as singing, and is also a first-class tuner of pianos and harmoniums. He has in his possession several first-class testimonials from eminent authorities in Australia, amongst them may be mentioned for teaching from P. Giorza, J. Mclntyre, M.L.A., Nicholson, and Ascherberg, and for tuning, from It. J. Paling, &c, &c.

An application was made to the Resident Magistrate, yesterday, by Mr O'Neill for a new trial in the case of Coates v. Wneelan, decided on the bs*; Court day. The application was based on the following grounds : A few days before the receipt of the summons Wheelan had been adjudged a bankrupt, and on getting it, he went to Mr Hay, who was solicitor for Mr Coates, and asked him if it was necessary to appear at thB Court. Mr Hay said under tho circumstances it was not, and he accordingly tore up the summons and did not appeal*. He <saw, however by the Waikato Tim us two days after that judgment had beon given against him by default. Mr Hay, who whs in the Court, absolutely denied the truth of Wheelan's statement. The application was granted.

The Spring race meeting under the auspmies of the Cambridge Jockey Club will take place to-morrow on the course at Mr Fanthatn's. The events are not to be largely contested but there is every prospect of a good days sport. A large number of entries may bo expected to be made in the Cavalry events. With fine weather we expect to see a very large attendance of visitors.

At a meeting of the Executive Council held at Government House on Tuesday at noon, the Acting-Governor presiding, the case of the Auckland murderer Joe, the New Hebrides native, was finally decided. It being proved that the wretched man had suffered from insanity on two previous occasions, and there appearing reason to believe that he was not accountable for his actions in this iustance, it was resolved that he should be repreived, the capital sentence being commuted to imprisonment for life. It was also decided not to interfere with the sentence on Ah Lee

It is a singular coincidence that in both of Mr. Abbot's sweeps the winner, Grand Flaneur, carrying £1000 and £624, goes to Whangarei, but to different owners.

A rumour circulated in Cambridge yesterday, that the Messrs Macleans ploughmen had to quit Hora Hora, and that the natives were ahout to cut down the newly-erec-ted bridge. The truth is that one wild old Maori fanatic with some six women to help him threatened direful things; but it means nothing. There were people, however, who believed it might have been more serious but for the Cambridge Troop being so nigh at hand. The Cambridge Cavalry Troop, under command of Captain Bunciman, were put through the sword and carbine exercise at the Public Hall on Monday and Tuesday, by Sergt -Major Carley. The bad weather has hindered all horse exercise, and it is to be hoped has been the cause of the non-responses to the roll-call. There would be an uncomfortable feeling to think the martial ardour of the troop has cooled because of the withdrawal of the capitation, hardly ; but if ho, a sight of the soldier-like appearance of Mr Fenton's helmets must rouse the enthusiasm so easily and foolishly effected. The new bandmaster of the Hamilton Light Infantry Band assumed his office on Tuesday night, and in view of this it would be well for the Company to bestir themselves a little more energetically than they have hitherto done. It will be remembered that at a meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall some little time ago the question of supporting the band was raised and discussed, and an offer was made on behalf of the townspeople to contribute an equal amount with the :

Volunteers. It will be seen that something more than mere resolutions ov promises is now necessary if the band is to rejuiain with the Company. The Volunteers will have to pay a fair share of the expenses, or, naturally, the band will soon cease to have any connection with them. ' *

An adjourned meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board was hel&l last night. Present : Messrs K. Hill (in the chair), Vialou, Peat, Davis, Knox, and McGarrigle. Mr S. T. Seddon wrote suggesting that the Board should apply to the Government to have a road opened along his drain, and to deepen the said drain. It was agreed to refer consideration of the matter to a committee consisting of Messrs Hill, McGarrigle, and Knox. Mr Gwynne wrote drawing attention to the condition of lots 12, 13, and 14 ; the Board having reserved lot 11 it was not possible to drain the other lots, and he asked the Board to make a drain through lot 11. Agreed to ; cost not to exceed £3. A committee consisting of Messrs Hill, Vialou, and McGarrigle, was appointed to arrange for a bank overdraft of about £1 50. The question of making a drain along the boundaries of lots 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41, was held over, pending the result of the committee's negotiations. The following accounts were passed for payment : — J. Hinton, £2 2s 6d ; Dickinson, £2 13s 6d ; W. Atkin, 10s lid ; Wilsons and Horton, £6 7s 6d ; H. Brett, £6 7s 6d ; B. Edwards, los ; Vialou and Co., 10s 6d. The Board then adjourned till the 15th inst.

Mons. E. Calon commenced his duties in connection with the Hamilton Light Infantry Band on Tuesday evening last. Before the practice he addressed a few remarks to the members, thanking them for the appointment. He trusted they would work harmoniously together, and concluded by stating that nothing would be left undone on his part to make them efficient.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, for the payment of accounts, was held last night. Present — Crs. Hill (in the chair), Vialou, Peat, Davis, Knox, and McGarrigle. The following accounts were passed for payment : — Messrs Vialou and Co., 7s ; A, Campbell, 9s ; J. Devitt, lamp lighting and bridge sweeping, £24 Is 6jd ; W. Lovetfc, labour, £12 Is o* ; W. Slurphy, 9a ; C. Rogers, 3s ; Waikato Times, £6 12s; G. Dickouson, £1 6s; Government storekeeper, os ; J. Calderwood, £3 08. Special Fund Account — James Daley, wages, £10 ; Waikato Times, £8 1 9s ;F. Davis, ss. There was another account of £8 2s for advertising, &c, in connection with the poll of the burgesses in the matter of Seddon's claim, bat on the motion of Cr. Knox, thia was deferred, the mover stating that he did not believe the meeting at which the expenditure was authorised to have been legally convened. The Couucil then adjourned.

America is not the only country in the world iv which adulteration ii practised as an art. A few days ago a tea meeting 1 was held at Waneranui, and according to a contemporary, one of the '• hams" sold by auction afterwards proved to be a dumm)' made of totara, greased and smoked, to resemble the gonuiue article.

On a farm in Lincolnshire the entire crops were destroyed by a recent hailstorm. Unfortunately, the owner was not insured, but we bear his neighbours hope to get up a liberal subscription to help him through his difficulties. F.ir more fortunate was a neighbour, who only recently insured for £1500, and his crops to that extent were injured within fortyeight hour?.

A Wiltshire farmer writes that he has been injured by game to the extent of £1,200, and yet never obtained from his landlord a single penny of compensation. He says that only the day Before writing he had met with a young man farming 80 acres of land in that county, who had lost £500 in seven years from ground game ; the farm is now out of cultivation. He adds — ' ' I can remember a great number of farmers who have been starved out of their holdings within a radius of four miles of where I am living — one in particular, an aged tenant of four-score yearn, whom I had been in the habit of calling for to take to the audit with me. He sat on one side of the fire-place, and hie aged partner on the other. Both began crying ; the rabbits had eaten up their crop, and they had no money to pay the rent with." And yet we are asked to postpone the Hares and Rabbits Bill for another session !

A very graceful and kind-hearted act beautified the last night of poor Adelaide Neilson's appearance in San Francisco, which deserves to be recorded. Miss Lilian Andrews (known here as "Tilly" of that ilk) acted the part of Queen Elizabeth in " Amy Robsart," and acted it excellently well. Miss Neilson lent her a superb set of jewels with which to deck the regal robes she wore. On the last night, the great actress, now gone from our ken for ever, turned to Miss Andrews in the greenroom, and, after complimenting her most highly on her performance, begged her to accept the jewels as a remembrance of her, mentioning at the same time that they were the identical ornaments she had worn when she first played "Juliet" in London, and wibhing that they might bring as good luck to the recipient as they had to the donor.

The Bay of ricuty Times says ;— A number of native chiefs resident in the Bay of plenty and inland districts, feeling dissatisfied with the manner in which tl.e government of the colony has been administered, some months ago transmitted a petition to her Majesty tho Queen cdllin'j her attention to tho wrongs which they believed were being perpetrated towards the Maoris. The complaints were levelled against the Governor of the colony as the head of the Executive and not against his Excellency's advisers, he being considered thg responsible person. They had no doubt that when the matter was laid before her, her representative here would be called to account for his conduct . Our native friends have not yet, it appears received any reply, but they are jubilant that the prayer of the petition has, as they believe, been acceeded to, and they regard the appointment of Sir Arthur Gordon as consequent on their action. They have heard such favourable reports of his administration in the South Seas that they firmly believe his appointment will introduce a change in the colonial policy towards the native race in New Zealand, which from their point of view will be an improvement on the past. We believe the idea of getting up the petition was mooted about the time so many reductions in native officers' salaries were being made, and if Sir Arthur Gordon be a Governor after their own heart we shall regard it as a favourable omen for the speedy settlement of the native difficulty.

The West Riding Chamber of Agrlcultre has discussed the subject of emigration as bearing upon the present condition and prospect of agriculturists. Mr. Edward Herring read a paper on the subject, in which he strongly advocated emigration in order to improve their position, and spoke highly of New Zealand as an excellent field for the Knglish farmer. The chairman, Mr. Lipscombe, an agent for a large estate in Yorkshire, remarked, that the farmers had serious facts to face, and in the face of one having- two sons, his advice to the second son would bo to emigrate. Mr Vincent Pyke is a wonderful man. As a politican, he is little if he is

not inconsistent, aa an orator nothing if he is not dreary ; but he has his "fort/ as Artemus Ward calls it. He is a splendid County Chairman and an out-and-out Otignn litt'e below Mr Macandrew himself. Mr Pyke, it may be as well to state, helped to turn the Atkinson Govprnunent out into the cold, and ient his valuable aid when the time came fcr ousting their successors. The present Government have, however, given deadly offence by refusing to carry on the bogus 11 Obago Central" line, and Mr Pyke took occasion the other day to assure the Councillors of the County of Vincent, when speaking on the subject of the withdrawal of the subsidies, (hat the Government had plenty of money ; that in fact thero was an available balance of three millions from the last loan. He then proceeded to characterise the present position as a " forced financial famine." The councillors apparently took a different viaw of the case, and shortly afterwards reduced the Chairman's salary from £350 to £250.

The Lyttleton Times says:— "At the recent Sydney Industrial Exhibition a considerable amount of interest was excited by an exhibit of what was termed ' skinless ' oats. Messrs George King and Co., of Cashel street, have juot received a sample of the cereal, which appears to be fully entitled to the name given it, as it is entirely free from husk. Messrs King are not in possession of advices as to price, quantity procurable, or locality in which the sample was grown, or indeed of any particulars in regard to it. Its freedom from husk would probably tender one of the processes of manufacture into meal unnecessary,"

The New Zealand Pastoral and Agricultural News (published by Messrs Moss, Raine, & Co., land, stock, and station agents), has the following remarks in reference to the Property Tax : — The tax, is we believe, unknown in any other British colony, but it is almost universal among the American States, where it seems to have worked well, and to have been, for many years, accepted as move suitable to a new country than an Income and Property Tax, Avhich many of our public men desired to have instead. It has been held by some that the tax would operate against investments from abroad, and would affect seriously the value of landed property. We regard such fears as groundless. It has not produced this effect in the United States, and there seems no exceptional reason why it should do so here. When the present depression has gone by, the Property Tax will answer, probably, the beneficent purposes of the Income Tax when first imposed in England, and enable some colonial Sir Robert Peel to reduce, by its means, the indirect taxes which, in many cases, press heavily on consumption, limit trade, and diminish the general wealth and comfort of the people.

The Hon. Sir Samuel Wilson has sold one of his pastoral properties in New South Wales, consisting of about three millions of acres of laud, leased from the Crown, together with about a quarter of a million of sheep, and some hundreds of cattle and hort.es. The station was sold for ten yearly payments of £40,000 each, and was bought by Messrs. M'Caughey & Co. This station was bought five years since for less than £100,000 The phylloxera has beeD discovered in a vineyard at Ritiro, near Messina, but prompt measures have been taken to prevent its extention.

Mr Walters announces th.at unless further inducement is offered his splendid entne, Hippocampus will be withdiawn from To Awatnutu.

The adjourned meeting of the Good Templars Lodge will bo held to-nijfht, at 8 p.m.

Mr L. R. James is preparing to cater for excursionists leaving 1 by early trains on Saturday, Monday, and Tucbday next, liieakf.ists will be ready tat 7 p.m.

We beg to draw attention to the sale of 2,000 half-bred wethers by Mr J. S. Muckl.ind, to ,irri\c .ibout the 20th of this month o\orland from Napier.

W. Macgregor Hay, Esq., solicitor, notifies that Angus C.impbcll, a. bankrupt, intends to apply tor his dischaigc at the nc\t sitting of the District Couit, on or attei the iOth nist.

The new pure casli system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prcne a benefit to the. public. It lias been a grc.it 'Uicccss in Sjdnoy and Melbourne, and when btrictly carried out the customer who bujs at an establishment where the goods .ire m. irked low to ensure .1 rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery milhnary, and clothing at such pi ices tor i ash :is giicb the bujer the advantages ot .1 shareholder in .1 co-operati\esoc iet\, without the nsL ot being called upon to be.ir.ipoi tion ot theloss should the year's business pro\e unsatisfactory. Gailick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence whi( h the public h.i\e hitliei to shown them, and are detei mined to gi\ c the pure ( ,tsh s) stem a f.ur trial; whether they nain or lose the iii^t m"i Country Infers on remitting cash with ordei will be supplied with goods at i o-o]>tT.iti\e pines ; just the same as though the\ made a pi isonalseleition. Furnishing goods, stu li as taiptts. floor cloths, bedste ids, bedding, and geneial house turniture, the largest poition ot wlni li is tinned out .it our own tat toiv, will be marked at the lowest renmner itn c pi i< cs, and a di *< mint < f fi\e per tent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time ot purchase. G. &C. h.aing realised the entire \alue of theii stock dining their late cash sale, the present stock is \i w am> t hi vit y norc.H i . \n inspe< tion is in\ ited. — G \ui i< w \\r> Cr \\\vi rr . City Hall Furnishing- Arcade, Queensieet, Am kland.