SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1881.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1395, 11 June 1881, Page 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1881.

It is very seldom that a Governor's opening address to Parliament contains anything either novel or startling. On the contrary, it generally is made useful for the purpose for ■which Talleyrand stated that speech was given to man, namely, the concealment of thought. Under sonorous sentences and a hundred periods and labored phraseology lie the real intentions of His Excellency's advisers, hidden from the vulgar eye. "In view," we are

Cold "of the necessity for maintaining the work of colonisation, proposals will come under consideration for giving assistance to companies prepared to construct or continue main lines of railsvays." Very pretty language, but of course the manner in which such assistance , is to be given — which forms the real gist of the " proposal " — is not ■ even hinted. Again, " The ternii- ' nation of the existence of leases of I lands in the Middle -Island, affords an opportunity which has not been overlooked by my advisers for rendering those lands more generally useful to the State." Could anything be more delightfully oracular than that 1 Would it be possible in saying so much to say less ? As we have saidj speeches are cunningly framed, but the one just delivered is about the foxiest that it' has ever been our lot to peruse. Here and there however a crumb of comfort is presented' to weary searchers after light in the cimmerian dar.kness' which envelopes this crafty' document. For instance, we are now positively assured that a Bill will be introduced for the regulation and restriction of the influx of Chinese into the colony. Hero is something practical, and something moreover which we hail with pleasure and unmixed satisfaction. It is now about universally admitted, we believe, that unrestricted Chinese immigration can prove nothing but a curse to the community. Warnings came floating across the seas from San Francisco, from Honolulu, from Melbourne, of the morals, social and physical evil of the introduction of any number of those "shocking examples" of a unique form of Eastern civilisation, which after lasting 3000 years is now, about to crumble into dust. We trust that the proposed measure will be short sharp, and decisive, and that there will be no attempt at dallying with this most important question. An interesting assurannce comes to us from His Excellency in that we " may rely with confidence on his hearty co-operation in giving effect to the deliberate decisions of the Legislature " No doubt this is intended as a gentle antidote to the subtle poison that has been instilled into the popular mind by the oftrepeated statement that " Sir Arthur's autocratic tendencies would sooner or later bring him into direct antagonism with the Legislature." That his action in Fiji gave some color to the accusation there can be no doubt, but His Excellency is possessed of far too much common sense not to perceive that a similar course of action pursued in an extensively democratic country like .New Zealand could result but in the way of his own di.scomforture and loss of prestige. We have every confidence that he will keep his word.

That such an institution as the Cambridge Farmers' Clvb — an institution abated specially for the development of the agricultural and pastoral interests of the Waikato, and as a social rendezvous wherein members can exchange their views on the agricultural science of the day — a means by which mental culture is developed, and a diffusion of knowledge of a useful and instructive character imparted — should bo permitted to pass into the category of things that have been is a matter which indicates a want of unity among Waikato farmers. A meeting of the Club was convened on Monday last — members being conspicuous by their absence — at which Mr Henry Buttle gave notice of motion that at the next meeting of the Club he would move, " That steps be taken to wind up the institution, and that with this object in view the Secretary be empowered to advertise for tenders for the purchase of the whole property in one or two lots ; lot 1 to include the building and one acre, and lot 2 the three acres adjoining." This motion will be brought forward at the next meeting of the Club, and if no opposition be offered to its adoption the concern will be wound up, and the property sold to pay off its liabilities. There cannot be the slightest doubt that if the Farmers' Club had been managed on a sensible basis — a basis consistent with its means — admitting into its fold all settlers who were men of unquestionable reputation and willing and desirous of becoming members, instead of exercising that objectionable procedure of " black-balling," which is wholly unnecessary in such a district as Waikato, where almost every resident, his character, station in life, and intellectual capacity is known to every other resident, it would have developed into an institution worthy of the name. The storekeeper and the politician are equally admissible with the agriculturist and the squatter, but the unfortunate publican is deemed utterly unworthy of the honor of membership. If the hotelkeeper and brewer know little of agriculture, the shopkeeper and the politician know decidedly less. Grain is the production of the farmer, and finds a ready purchaser in the brewer, who, having transmogrified it into beer, finds a ready purchaser in the publican. But, notwithstanding the relation between j this class of humanity and the agriculturist, the latter is disposed to look down on the former as unworthy of his society, and hence his refusal of membership ,to < the Farmers' Club." Members ' who were desirous that their Sons should receive the benefit derivable

from the discussions held at the Club, and who were anxious to bring them thither on occasions of special importance, ,'were^ denied ' t^e indirie geWe and .thisf latter, r however, trivial it may appear, is one of the greatest failings in the constitution .pf i the, Cambridge, Farmers' Club. The Club, some time Dack made- 1 arrangements with the -Waikato Steam Navigation .to carry their f goods, consisting of manures^ seeds,: etc., at a sum under the ordinary rates of tariff, which was a step in the right direction ; but as the farmers "who are non-members of the Clvb — being black-balled, and consequently inadmissable — are debarred the blessings conferred by the reduced tariff of the Navigation Company, they are obliged to compete at a considerable disadvantage with their more fortunate neighbours, who are perfection in every virtue and duly recognised members of the Institution. This is not how a Farmers' Club should be constituted. It should not be constituted for the detriment , of one .farmer,- |ajid the aggrandisement of the other, but for the advancement and fostei'ing of the interests of the whole body. As its name implies,' it should be entirely composed of men of the farming persuasion alone, and devoted entirely to the furtherance of their interests in an agricultural point of view, and for the furtherance of their conveniences in" r a social point of view. The Clubhouse should be a place where the members meet weekly ; where a luncheon could be obtained, and the domestic wants of man administered to ; and where a reading-room and library wore open daily for the special use and benefit of its members. The Club-house was built at considerable expense to the members and consequently it is a pity to hear of its being parted with, and the institution for which it was erected, practically wound up. The Cambridge Farmers' Club is one of the great projects which the Cambridge settlers entered upon when universal prosperity pervaded the country, and we fear, was undertaken without due consideration to the expense incidental to its maintenance in adversity, and it would appear as if the promoters in their inconsistent emulation were not guided by that discretion, which is the perfection of human reason, and should guide us in all our worldly transactions.

"Echoes from the Cafe" and several^ other articles are unavoidably crowded out.

Commander Edwin telegraphed from Wellington, at 5 p.m. yesterday :—: — "There will be a heavy gale from the westward, and very cold weather with rising glass.

Our special reporter telegraphs from Wellington last night, regarding the case Edgar v. Montrose, as follows :—: — "You will recollect that ten or twelve weeks ago, when the case first came on the defendant applied for an adjournment, to obtain the evidence of Mr Hankin, in Wellington. I have just seen Mr Hankin, and he informs me that no attempt has ever been made to obtain evidence from him. He also states he has known nothing whatever about the case. The whole transaction is most scandalous, and it is believed steps will be taken to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister of Justice. lam informed there are other complaints of maladministration, and it is not improbable the whole may be conpidered together. "

The Rev. Archdeacon Pntt will conduct divine service at S. Peter's to-morrow, (Trinity Sunday) morning and evening.

The remains of the late Mrs Charles Ewen w«re interred in the Cambridge cemetery yesterday. A large number of the more prominent settlers attended in buggies and on horseback, to show a last mark of respect to the deceased lady, The impressive service of the Anglican Church was read by the Rev. W. N. de L. Willis, incumbent of the Cambridge parish,

The Australian and New Zealand mails which left Hamilton on the 2oth April were delivered in London on the 9th June. " ,

The usual monthly Sewing-bee held by the Jadies of Cambridge in aid of the bazaar wliioh is mooted in connection with the new Anglican Church took place in the rooms of the Farmer's Club on Thursday evening last. There were a considerable number of ladies present; "The rain which has fallen during the past few days," writes our Cambridge correspondent, has made the streets in this township in a very boggy condition. If the weather for so far has taken such effect on the condition of our roadways it in beyond all conjecture what they will be in a few months if the rain continues. ■ *

Numerous conjectures have been exchanged for the past few days between the residents of Cambridge as to whether Mr. Maddigan would get a< license for his new hotel in Cambridge West. When the news of the refusal reached that town on Thursday, Roirie were apparently highly gratified at the intelligence though it was not contrary to their expectation, ' whilst others manifested signs of decided disapproval of the rerdiot and dissent with the conduct of the Licensing Bench/

On Wednesday Alfred Salmon, son of Mr H. M. Salmon of Whatawhata, met with what might have been, a yery serious accident at Roth well's bridge, on the Whatawhata road. The pony he was j riding stepped on a broken plank and fell, and, but for the smartness of. the boy, both horse and rider would have been precipitated into the creek' below.

R. H. D. Fergussqn, Esq., chairman of the Piako County Counoil has received the following telegram from the Colonial Secretary's office in refejenoe to thePatetere Outlying Diatric*:'— "Time for transmitting Valuation List of !|?atetefe Outlying Distriot will be'extended to June 15, and for inßpaction and receipt of objections until Ist July." ' Official notice of this extesion will appear in our columns by instructions from the Judge of Assessment Courts for the above districts in the usual form.' 1

Professor, anii ' Madame Haselmayer, the great illusionists' ana masioians, advertise in another column that they will open at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton, on Wednesday next, for a short season of two nights, performing ( at ! Cambridge, on Friday and Sa.tur.day.. , entertainment has been highly ipo^en of $y 'the 1 Ai^bt tralian and New Zealand press as being of a high class, and pleasure seekers cannot do better than patronise 1 it. "

"W natife' prisoners from gaol (Baya the 2'«r«rHrt£t Herald) a change appears to have taken place in the natives of this district, ffortferly,, w they"^rere averse tc^, passing j j'theirj fend through n the) NatiW^ Lands, 'Court'," or leasing'it* to Eurdpeans.""" We"" learn that now they are anxious to.qbtain^ titles for their land, and are disposed to trciat ) \f ith Europeans , for either^tjip sale ' or !the' leasing l ofJthesime. f ' ' ,- '

• • -The troupe of gentlemen -amateura, under the title of the Pseudo-Ethiopian Club, will "give their first performance \n the Oddfellows' fiall, Hamilton, WTupsday , next, Jjo, aid of the Junds of the Hamilton S^ncf. ■'>-■—• ' p.-.

Professor Westen, the " Australian Illusionist," appeared at Hamilton Hall on Thursday night, before a rather thin house. The programme included a number of very clever conjuring 1 tricks, a revival of the once celebrated Punch, £nd Judy show, and the performances of marionettes. But the beat part of the performance was undoubtedly that in which three trained dogs were introduced^ and went through their programme to the delight of the younger portion of the > audience' 'especially^ ' The great handcuff and ' ahaokle' trick was , performed with much" 'skill, and elicited the applause of the audience, Altogether, the entertain - mentis well w,orth goinff'to see. There will' be ari/' afternoon ''performance' for children to-day, and auother performance) "in ttie evening.

' At tlie conclusion of the practice i ojf, thes .Hamilton, B^nd on Tuesday uight, a meeting of .the members was convened for the" purpose df discussing matters, con- , nected with the welfare of the band. Mr Gwynne, trustee, stated that there were one or two important things which had been entirely overlooked, and as the band was now in thorough working order he thought it nothing but right that affairs shouFct'be put straight; Whalf he had to say was merely a suggestion, for he did riot in any way wish to dictate to the members, but he thought a deputy bandmaster should be appointed, so that should anything happen to prevent their bandmaster from attending practice, an assistant would be ready to take his place for the evening. Their present bandmaster lived some miles from Hamilton, and something might occur which would prevent him from attending, and therefore he suggested they should appoint a deputyj For his part, he would like to see Mr Simms appointed, for that gentleman had worked hard for the band from, the commencement, and he was very glad to see that he had taken up an instrument again. Mr Hadfield quite concurred in Mr Grwynne's suggestion; and proposed Mr Simms, who was seconded and unanimously elected. Mr Simms said he feared time would not permit of his accepting the appointment, as business sometimes compelled him to be from home for a month together. However, he would do all he could for the welfare of the band. If his services were of any avail they were welcome to them. Mr Gwynne then stated that he would like to see the members appoint a drum-major. Other bands had them, and he did not see any reason why the Hamilton Band should not have one, for it was an essential post. Mr R, Edwards was unanimously elected.

At Cambridge, on the 9th June, the "Dawn of £>ay" Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was instituted by ' Bro. K. Harris, D.G.W.C.T., assisted by Bros. C. Tippin W.C.T., W. Carson, W.T., F. Crawford, W.C., and Palmer of the "Hope of Hamilton" Lodge, No 40, The following officers were installed for the ensuing term:— Bro Mackintosh, W.C.T., Bro. Young, W.V.T., Bio. Riley, W.0., Bro. W. Reid, W.S., Bro. Arnibaldi, W.A.S., Bro. Stewart, W.T., Bro, Johnson, W.F.S., Bro. Carnachan, W.M., Bro. Bond, W.D.M., Bro. W. Robertson, W.1.G., Bro. Mills, W.0.G., Bro. Arnibaldi, L.D., Bro. W. McKearney, R.H.S., Bro. Macrea, L.H.S.

The Oamaru Steeplechase Meeting, which came off on Thursday, at Oaraaru, was carried through uuder tho most unfavorable circumstances. There was a heavy drizzling mist on during the Jay, and the attendance was megre, not more than* feur hundred being present. The Maiden Steepleohaae, of 40sova. ' fell to Mi* Poster's Sailor Boy, TinJight second, and Norice third. Sailor Boy, won the race easily in smin. 3seos. The Handicap Steeplechase was carried off by Clarance, with Chandler second, and Winfield third. Robin flood , pulled the Selling Stakes off, and Agent tho Consolation Race.

Tenders will be received at the A.C. Office, Cambridge, 1 up td -noon of "Wednesday^ the 22nd inst., for the supply of forage, &c, to the Constabulary horses in Waik.ito for 12 mpntLs. Air .T. Moses' announces that he has, just received a largo consignment of choice winter goods, ex Oxford and Peru, direct from London and Manchester. A meeting of parents 1 and householders interested in, the management of the Kihikihi District School will be held at Kihikihi this evening, at 8 p.m. , 1 A concert and ball V ill be held at the School-house, Ohaupo on Friday evening next in aid of the School Fund. Mr Kennedy Hill will hold an auotion sale on Saturday the 18th, of furniture, &r. Sons of Ulster, L.0.L., No 9,,willhold their monthly meeting on Monday 13th inst. MrG.'A. Laidlaw has commenced' the business of general storekeeper, &c, Te Awamutu. We remind those interested that Mr J. S. Buckland will hold a large sale of cattle and sheep at the Ohaupo Sale Yards on Tuesday next, at 1 p.m., and ,on "Wednesday the clearingout sale of Mr John Rendell's stock will be held at Pateraugi. The horses which Mr J. S. Buckland announces by advertisement he will sell this afternoon, at the Cambridge Yards, are, we learn, the best lot of medium and heavy draught ever imported into the Waikato.