The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1373, 21 April 1881, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exa( t justice to all men, Of whatever state or pen>uasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain Unancd by influence and 'inbribcd by gain.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1881.

We are simply reiterating a sentiment expressed on all sides when we say tho Volunteer Review on Monday was rendered an undoubted success. Its surroundings were, without one solitary exception, happy. The weather was grand — all things considered, exceptionally ao — the situation well-chosen, both for display in military operations and the other requisites for military encampment. The troops in performing their various evolutions exhibited a creditable amount of skill in military tactics, and, as was well put by the gallant Colonel in command, if they are not equal to " crack regiments of the line," they are sufficiently well trained in what relates to the " abitrement of arms" to afford the district that sense of security without which peace, order, and good government cannot possibly be maintained. Then again our numerous friends and visitors, many of whom came from a great distance, were afforded ample means for enjoying themselves, and from all we can gather, a considerable amount of the information being gleaned from their own lips, they succeeded in doing so to their heart's content. It is seldom, indeed, that an occasion of this kind passes off without, some hitch or another. Consequently it affords the greater satisfaction to refer to this event as having altogether proved an exception to this general rule. On an occasion of this kind hearty congratulations are called for, and even although these should savour to some extent of self-laudation, they become nevertheless excusable. The district is to a great extent remote, and in many ways it is isolated, and yet, with all these disadvantages to, contend, against the bare fact thatit succeededin carrying through arrangements for one of the

most successful Volunteer Reviews that has yet taken place in this, or perhaps any other, part of the colony, speaks volumes for the energy; taut, and ability existing in our midst, and which, when occasion requires, can be called into active service. These are a few of the more superficial aspects in which the day's proceedings present themselves. As a great social problem, however, they are fraught with considerations which enter deep down into all the more important questions relating to the social economy. Self-preservation is aptly described as " the first law of nature," and naturally enough, this movement presents itself at a glance in its relations to that all-important point. Our geographical position places us in close contiguity with the Native race. Happily the accredited feeling of the Native mind is peaceful — at all events, open hostilities towards the other race have now ceased. The policy of the day is to strengthen the basks upon which that cessation rests, and in that way it is expected that we will eventually succeed in wiping out entirely any root of bitterness which exists, or may have existed, in the Native mind. To do that effectually, it is necessary that everything savouring of the offensive should be carefully abstained from, and that fair-play and honourable dealing towards the Natives should be observed. On the other hand, it is equally necessary that we should be on our guard, and that a sullen acquiescence on the part of the aboriginal should not be interpreted into a fixed purpose to abstain from everything like aggression. There is much sound wisdom in the good old maxim which teaches that the best method for preserving peace is to be well prepared for war, and most assuredly that maxim applies with force and effect to the particular circumstances of our case. We are all sanguine that Maori troubles have ended, and under wise and prudent administration there can be little doubt that that prospect will be realised. The Volunteer movement, we contend, is an all-important feature in an administration of that character, and as such we claim that it ought tobeesteemed bothbythe Legislature and the general public. Looked at in that light Monday's proceedings obtain a significance which cannot be to carefully weighed, a significance not at all liable to be overruled. A body of armed men well disciplined, and otherwise prepared for actual service must operate powerfully on the Maori mind towards checking any incentive to aggression. One word more with respect to the great social aspect of the movement as delineated in Monday's review. It afforded further evidence of the true economy of the railway system. It brought together in friendly competition a body of men, who could not otherwise have had an opportunity of measuring conclusions with each other. The sacred writer says, "As steel sharpens steel, so does the face of a man that of his friend." In that way our railway system has been instrumental in bracing up certain members of the body-corporate, and as the system itself extends so in proportion will the body, as a whole, be sharpened up to a keen edge in friendly rivalry and commei'cial competition.

A settler at Waitoa, who for some weeks past has been labouring under periodical aberration of intellect, jumped off the Hamilton Bridge on Monday afternoon last. He reached the shore little the worse for hia ducking, and is now in the hands of hia friends in this neighbourhood. j I

The Banks in Waikato will be closed on Saturday, 23rd inst. (St. George's Day.)

Sir George Grey was expected in Auckland yesterday, and will probably address his constituents at the Thames on Saturday.

Procoffi, who has just been acquitted of the Te Aroha murder, left for Australia by the Ringarooma on Tuesday last.

The members of the Wesleyan congregation at Cambridge had a pleasant picnic on Good Friday at Gwynneland's, Mr Fanthams property.

We would draw the attention of the Boards interested to the state of the Tamahere bridge. Immediate attention is necessary to insure the safety of the public.

The Rev. Henry Bull left Cambridge on Monday for Australia, where he will represent the Wesleyan body at the triennial Conference to be held in Adelaide.

The bazaar and gift auction at the school-house, Te Awamutu, on Saturday night, in aid of the Kihikihi Church Fund, was well attended by the Volunteers. Mr J. S. Buckland kindly performed the duties of auctioneer, and the various articles, not always of a kind most useful to the purchasers, were disposed of at fair prices to the gallant soldiers who thronged the building.

Smith's panorama of the FrancoPrussian War was presented to a crowded house on Monday night at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East. The music was excellent. At the close ot the panorama the hall was cleared for a dance, •which was kept up with spirit till a. late hour, everyone being delighted with the evening's amusement.

The following tenders were received for contract No. 1, Waitoa drain; age works, on Friday last: — Arthur Graham, £1930 17s } Isaac Coates, £1339 13s 4dj J. Livingstone, £1224 6s 8d; Smith and Grimes, £lldO; Voysey and Bolton, £1071; B. Montague, £986 15a. On Tuesday last the tenders were considered, and that of Mr Montague accepted. The successful tenderer, who

At the Cambridge R.M. Court on Tuesday, before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., Piwiki, a Maori, charged with maliciously wounding and doing grievous bodily harm to James H. Wallace by striking him on the forehead and eye with an axe at Cambridge on February 23rd ultimo "—and from which Wallace is still suffering —was committed to take bis trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court.

prosspled 'to't^ite of the worij^With'tt laiget,stafl of men yesterday, evidently intends to make the most of his time.

The Oxford Hotel, township of Oxford, Okoroiri, which. w_as opened on. Friday jast, is likely to iprove a great convenience to visitors.to the Lakes arid the travelling public generally, and the spirited proprietor, Mr Montague,' is lively to be w.ell rewarded for his enterprise. ] i '

By a telegram received from the Thames, in Hamilton, it appears that the main body of the Volunteers arrived home between 10 and 11 o'clock on Tuesday morning. They are exceedingly well pleased with their trip to the Waikato, and speak in high terms of praise as to the hospitality shown to them during the stay in camp at Te Awamutu.

The Magnet Variety Troupe made their second appearance before a Hamilton audience in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday evening. The attendance was very limited, much less than the quality of the performance deserved. The trapeze business was good, especially the daring feats of Mr Beake of Auckland. Mr T. A. Bell presided at the piano, and added gteatly to the success of the musical portion of the entertainment.

We draw attention to the announcement by Mr J. S. Buckland of the important sale of township allotments at Oxford, on the Okoroiri property of Messrs Maclean and Co. The township is situated in the centre of what must some day be a very important agricultural district, and a section may be regarded even now as valuable property. It is understood that when the railway is taken up the valley the route will he through Oxford. The sale takes place to-day, at Cambridge.

The team to represent Waikato in the forthcoming cricket matches in Auckland will be selected from the following : —C. Stafford, J. B. Smith, J. Wood W. Tonka, Cotton, Gleeson, Sheeth, Grierson, E. Pilling, Fitzpatrick, W. Hunt, A. B. Stubbing, and 0. F. Pilling. The team will leave on Tuesday morning next, the first match to be played on th« following day againbt the Otahuhu club.

On Easter Monday morning before the Review, prizes were awarded to members of the Hamilton Troop for cleanliness of kit, arms and accoutre' meuta. The first prlza (15s) fell to Corporal Manktelow, the second (10s) to Sergeant Coombes, and the third (os) to Trooper Alexander. The awards, which were made by Captain Whitaker, were intended to encourage a spirit of emulation in the Troop, and on Monday'the wisdom of the proceeding 1 was made manifest, the Hamilton Troop presenting a very clean and soldierlike appearance,'

Official telegrams from Parihaka report that the usual monthly meeting was held on Sunday, when about 1800 natives were present. Heavy rain fell. Te Whiti delivered an address,concluding Bomewhat abruptly on account of the inclemency of the weather. He Bpoke in his wonted downcast and despondent strain, saying " the times are dark and I cannot throw any light on what is going on now." He told his followers not to be disheartened about prisoners who died as they were all before arrest, and added, "no evil can happen to us or them, though some may be stiuck by the hand of Misfortune ; the evil among us is not of to-day." Te Whiti's whole tone seems to have been one of subjection to the hand of adverse fate, and was wholly peaceful.

An esteemed subscriber sends us the following :—"When riding home on the night of Sunday, 10th of April, I was surprised to see about eight or twelve men across the road. As soon as I approached them they started howling, shouting, and waiving sticks and paper parcels in the air, endeavouring to stop my progress along the road. Luckily I was mounted on a capital horse, and had the good fortune to have a heavy riding whip loaded at the end. I made at the crew full tilt, and fought my way with no great difficulty. What was my surprise on reaching the other side to find two young fellows being driven along the road in an opposite direction to that they wished to proceed. They said that they had attempted to pass two or three times, but were unable. One of them was riding a young colt not long broken in. I proposed that we three should turn and fight our way through the lawless fools, which we did with success. I write this m the hope that " Pauvre Diable" will give them a few sharp cuts in the Entre Nous column regarding such questionable proceedings on a public road, which I doubt not will make them ashamed of their conduct. I can enter into a good lark with anyone, but never at the danger of life or hurting another's feelings. When I spoke to them they said they did it for a lark. They work on Lovett's contract on the Swamp Road, and I could give some of their names if I wished, but refrain from doing so, trusting that they will take warning after reading this in the Waikato Times." All Paris had been deeply stirred by the shocking fate of a little girl of nine, named Georgette Babin. While walking home from school with her father, after the recent snowstorm, she fell into a yawning sower of great depth. Cries for help were heard for a moment, and then ceased. The child had clung, doubtless, to the edge of the subterranean platform, and had then been swept away by the force of the current, ■which was swift and swollen. The people who flocked around could scarcely restrain the father from jumping in after his child, who must have been instantly drowned. One man was lowered with ropet> iuto the sewer, and remained immersed for 20 minutps. Others ran along the platform to explore, but unnvailingly. The poor child's body has not been caught by any of the gratings, and has probably been devoured by rats.

Members of local governing bodies in the Countjes of Raglan, Waipa, Piako and Waikato are invited to attend a meeting to be held at the Waikato County Council Chambers, Hamilton East, on the 25th instant, at 11 o'clock, for important business. Messrs W. and G. Winstone have on sale a fine cargo of guano at very low quotations. Tenders for improvement to the school and additions to the teacher's house at Te Rahu (Te Awamutu) will be received by the Education Board, Auckland, up to the 29th inst. All accounts against the Waikato Volunteer 'Review must be rendered at once to Seigcant-Major Carley, Te Awamutu. Trinity term f6r girls in the Lodge School, Hamilton, commences on Monday, qth May. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit .to the public. It has been a great success in bydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great.gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear aportion. of the 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 fair trial; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at 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 largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be niarked at the lowest remunerative .prices, and a discount ot five per cant f will be allowed to those who pay af the time of purchase. G. tt, C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new And .cheaply bought. An inspection is invited.-rGARUCK and Cran wkll, City Hali Furnishing Arcade Queen* street, Auckland