SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1881.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1407, 9 July 1881, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1881.

It is quite impossible to criticise exhaustively the Financial Statement delivered by Major Atkinson on Wednesday last until his proposals for local self-government are before the country, for the obvious reason that not knowing the duties to be imposed upon local bodies by the scheme, we? cannot tell whether the provision made for the necessary finance will be adequate. But looking at the statement as a whole there can be no doubt that it will be eminently satisfactory to the colony at large. Major Atkinson's " surplus budget " may be divided into two parts — what has been done, and what is going to be done. As to what has been done, there can be but one opinion, and that opinion will be expressed throughout New Zealand by one great sigh of relief that the imminent financial peril of 1879-1880 has passed away, at all events for the present. That a deficit of several hundred thousands of pounds shall be converted in the short space of twelve months into a surplus is without doubt a triumph of finance, and that the colony of New Zealand has shown such almost incredible vitality under the heavy taxation that wa-s necessary to achieve that triumph is a tiling upon which the people may will congratulate themselves. The statement also that a permanent reduction of nearly £330,000 can be made in the civil service expenditure is the realization of promises made by successive Ministries of retrenchment, and up to the present time never redeemed. .Rarely has a Ministry attained to office in New Zealand without a promise to use the pruning knife unsparingly, and still more rarely has the attempt been made to do so. Here we have a proof of that practical statesmanship which the supporters of the present Ministry have always contended was the leading characteristics of its in embers. The prominent feature of the whole statement is this : We arc now able to live within our income for the first time since New Zealand was granted constitutional government. The proposals for the future are, however, in quite another category. With the reduction of duty on certain articles in request among the masses of the people we have concurred, but we fail to sympathise with the proposed amendment in the property tax. We have always contended that having in view the enormous debt that the country has concracted for the purpose of canying out works calculated to add enormously to the value of property, that property should bear a considerable proportion of the taxation requisite to raise the necessary interest. We have also contended that the property tax in its present form is about the fairest means available for carrying out that object, excepting as it does from its operation all those who have not five hundred pounds worth of realised wealth clear of debt ; and die fact that 22,000 people only pay the whole of the tax proves clearly that the majority of the people are not affected by the impost. Weshould prefer to have seen a further reduction in the duties upon articles which are used in the various local industries now in course of establishment in our midst. Th,e local public works scheme, including the power of rating Grown and , native lands, is, we think, & reasonable one, but it seems not to be extensive enough in its, scope and bearings. The proposal to issue £250,000 worth) of debentures, the principal and interest of shall be payable in the colony, seems to require the 'gravest- consideration' before ail opinion' can^he'jpro^u^ced'

on it, and Wife' shall devote an article in a future issue to the discussion of the arguments pro. and con. In conclusion, the assurance that the great work of colonizing by the pro- £ sedition of public works and immigration shall be proceeded with within reasonable limits cannot fail to be hailed with satisfaction, throughout New Zealand. In the' words of the Treasurer it will enable us to face the future with " sober confidence." \

"Echoes from the Cafe" are unavoidably crowded out.

A quantity of interesting matter will be found on our fourth page.

The reckless manner in which the Editor of the Auckland Herald admits mtohis columns the false statements which day after day are exposed under the heading of " Waikato District News" passes all understanding. We are almost weary of the subject, and were it not that in yesterday's issue, among a quantity of twaddle, appears an uncalled for and most unjust attack upon the gentleman in charge ot the Hamilton Post-office, we should have consigned the budget to the contempt of our contemporary's subscribers. The correspondent has just discovered that the public of East Hamilton suffer, and have along been suffering under a monstrous wrong, inasmuch as that letters posted at the Kirikiriroa office for Taupiri, Huntley, &c, lie twenty-four hours at the West Hamilton office before they are forwarded to their destination, and that letters posted in Auckland for East Hamilton residents, and simply addressed " Hamilton," lie at tlu> Wes>t Post-otKce until the following day. Were tins the case, it is strange that the injured residents of East Hamilton have not made complaint long ago, but the whole statement is simply an untruth, and what object is sought to be attained by its publication, unless it be the filling up of a certain amount of space, we cannot imagine. The facts are these: — Letters posted at Kirikiriroa in time to cntch the coach are re-sorted at Hamilton West and forwarded the same morning, and in the same way letters arriving in Hamilton for known residents of Kirikiriroa ( are made up and forwarded across the river on the day of arrival, within ten minutes after their receipt in the former place. These arrangements have been made by the Chief Postmaster, and were Mr Logic to fail in carrying them out he would be neglecting his duty. With regard to the.other matters of complaint, that letters posted on one side of the river addressed to residents on the other should be forwarded the sime day, it is possible that some alteration miy:ht be made, though we fail to see how any good purpose would be served by turning the telegraph messenger into a mail carrier. Such a service would at the best be irregular, and in consequence vexatious. It is a great pity that people, before raahing into print, do not take the trouble to make a few simple enquiries into the justico of their supposed grievances. There 'is nothing English in the spiiit which condemns a man before he is found guilty. Fair play is surely of more value than the few paltry pence which the writing of such paragraphs turns in.

We regret to have to record the denth at the eaily age of 50 of an old resident of Hamilton, and one who was greatly respected and beloved in the circle of her friends, Mrs T. Trewheellar. .She had been in bad health for some eighteen months, and her death was therefore not unexpected. She leaves a large family to mourn her loss.

The Rev. Mr Fulton will deliver a lecture at. the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton East, on Thursday evening next on "The life of Robeit Burns." The chair will be taken by Capt. Steele, and the proceeds will be devoted to the harmonium fund.

A correspondent writes :— Sir,— l would like to draw the attention ot the proper authorities to the great convenience it would be if the doors leading to the Hamilton I'ost-ollice boves were opened evciy Sunday. They are sometimes opened now, but, as a rule, they are closed after 5.30 p.m., and are not opened before that time. By leaving the door open, say from 11 a.m till half-an-hour atter church service, the officials Avoulcl render great service to country settleis.

At the Supreme Court, Auckland, on Wednesday, John Davis was found guilty ot rape, committed at East Hamilton, on the 29th of May, and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, the Judge expressing regret that the age of the prisoner prevented his ordering him to be flogged. On Thursday Wm. H. Barfield, charged with " sticking up " the National Bank, Taurauga, on the 3rd of May last, was found guilty and sentenced to be kept in penal servitude for four years

It has been rumored in Wellington that the 10 per cent, reduction upon Civil Service salaries will be re-imposed, but only from those above £200 and upwards.

Sir William Fox has been facetiously nicknamed Licensing "Bill" by the funny men about the House.

Mons. Calon has called at our office, anil still denies the statement that he offered his services to the band. He maintains that the first advances came from members of the band, and that he only yielded after much pressure, and then only because of his sincere desire to see the institution prosper.

The Fire Prevention and Pire Brigades Bill introduced by Mr Stevens this session is, with the exception of some slight verbal alterations, identical with the bill introduced last session, to provide for the establishment of fire brigades and to make provision for the further and bettor protection of life and property from loss and damage by fire in the several municipal corporations. The amendments are these : — For the word ' Council ' is substituted 'City or Municipal Councils.' In the clause referring to the enrolment of fire police and members of the fire brigade the words ' shall be sworn in before a Justice of the Peace' are omitted; and in the clause referring to payments by Insurance Companies of one-third of the cost incurred for fire prevention purposes, there are added these words — 'and provided, further that such fire brigades, engines, material, and appliances shall be provided and kept in a thoroughly efficient and serviceable condition.'

My Hewitt, of Cambridge, made the vestry of S. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, a handsome offer the other evening, He informed them, through Mr Wells, churchwarden, that he intended ordering at once, from England, a large stepl bell, weighing Bomel6cwt,, for the new church} but if the vestry could see' their way towards ordering a peal of bells he would contribute the cost of this bell towards the peal. The vestry resolved that Mr Hewitt's handsome offer be accepted and a peal of six bells, with all;the necessary fittings, be ordered by the outgoing English mail. A "peal of bells fund" was opened at once, and ajsum.of over £20 subscribed by the members of thd yestrjr then present. , \Mr .{Hewitt^btj.^ js'ince^ .increased his gift^tp §J.pO, _ jojtfjthe 1 fu)rtiher condition tb&j; a s c^iming^apßfirafiis {io dost somej^O),^ ob,tft«j9d r ,^ith

Wi,t • , j >the pail. The, peal will weigh about 31 c\Vti^i;lie tenor bell weigh ng 7 cwt, and the others in proportion. This peal will require a chamber 10 feet square, which is somewhat less than the clear space in the bell- chamber of St. Andrew's. _ "We 'trust We Handsome offer of Mr Hewitt, and the-prompt and spirited action of the vestry, will receive their due appreciation in a rapidly and fully subscribed bell fund. The total sum required is about £350."

Business Was practically commenced at the new wharf of the Waikato Steam Navigation Company, Cambridge, on Thursday last, the Delta having then discharged her first cargo at that station. The hoisting machinery has been made to work satisfactorily, and the new stores witli their superior accommodation have been completed.

The members of the Cambridge Fanners' Club hold their usual monthly meeting at their Club-rooms on Monday evening next, when it ia anticipated that the institution will be practically wound-up and its property offered for sale. At the last meeting of the Club Mr Buttle gave notice of motion that at the next meeting he would move the Club cease, to exist, so the meditated step will consequently take no one by surpiise. The Club-house, with the adjoining three acres, is admirably adapted for residence purposes, and, it is not at all unlikely it will be thus appropriated.

TJle new hotel building erected for Mr Robert Kirk wood in Duke-street, Cambridge, will shortly be completed. The exterior of the building is complete, but the inside is not yet finished. The building apparently, when finished, will be an attractive one, and one capable of affording excellent accomodation to the traveller.

There are at present being printed a number of catalogues foi the Cambridge Public Library. This is a want which has been for a long time felt by the subscribers to this institution, and it is therefore gratifying to know that it is being administered to.

It would be well if the suggestion recently made by Mr Kirk wood at a meeting of the Cambridge Town Board, th.it that part of the road immediately between the bridges, outside Cambridge, should be fenced, so as to prevent people from riding or driving into the river, were carried into effect. The cost is comparatively trifling, and the step a highly commendable one.

A pretty general topic of conversation for the past few days among Cambridge people is the 12th of July anniversary, which is to be held there on Tuesday next. The brethren intend meeting in the Public Hall at 2 o'clock, and marching through the town in full regalia to the Wesleyan Church, where a lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Mr Bull, and one appropriate to the occasion. The remainder of the evening will be spent in the Public Hall, where tea and various problems will be submitted for the digestion of the brethren and their friends.

At the temperance social gathering held in Cambridge oil Thursday evening last, Mr Morns intimated that it was desirable that Cambridge should adopt the Auckland principle of providing a coffee stand for the accommodation of country friends. Having a coffee stand is one tiling, but keeping a coffee stand is another thing entirely. We are afraid that the supporteisof this philanthropic movement would have to subsidise their object, if success morally not financially is their desideratum.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waikato County Council, called for yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum. The only members who put in an appearance were the Chairman (Captain Steele), Crs. Cuinining and Primrose. The Cambridge members (Crs. Wells, Fergusson, and Kirk wood), all sent apologies for non-attendance.

After placing an ample amount to the reserve fund, the London actuaries hove telegraphed that the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department can, with absolute safety to the institution, divide the sum of £.30,000 in bonuses among insurers, coi responding in round numbers with the valuation made by the Government Actuary.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Dtbating(Jl<-ib,on Thursday, there was a good attendiiucc both of members and wbitors. The chair was occupied by the President (Mr 0. Laishley). The Chairman bi ought down a motion in favor of excluding the Chinese, and the Secretary moved, " That smoking is not conducive to the health and happiness of mankind. " Both were productive of considerable argument, the members joining in the debate with spirit. The former motion was carried on the voices, but the debate on the latter was, at 10 o'clock, adjourned till next Thursday.

The second social entertainment of the Cambridge total abstainers took place at the Cambridge East Public School on Thursday evening last. There were a considerable number of adults and children present, the large room being completely filled. The chair was taken by the Rev. Mr Evans, and Mr Evans, jim., presided at the harmonium. The programme, which was both literary and musical, though remarkable for its exceeding brevity, was decidedly entertaining, instructive, and amusing, consisting principally of songs, recitations, and addre&ses. The latter were contributed by the Rev. Mr Bull and the Rev. Mr Evans, the former being illustrative of the different grades of colonial debauchery and its most effective remedies, and the latter pregnant with the humourous illustrations of the speaker. A paper was read by the Rev. Mr Willis relative to the duties of the wife in particular, and intemperance with its ruinous effects in general. The programme consisted of several other songs and recitations, and the evening was brought to a close by the National Anthem.

The Hamilton East School Committee has lately taken up a somewhat lofty position, ' certain members, not conteat with one chairman, having appointed out of their number an '- Executive Committee," and another presiding officer. The oljject kept in view was, we understand, the more efficient discharge of the Committee's functions, which consist in sweeping the school-room and other important duties of this nature. Like many other people when they rise in life, the Committee has been falling out among themselves. The "Executive" called a meeting the other day and carried certain resolutions, discharged the Secretary, and ' accepted a tender, all of whiclx business the Committee at a meeting held subsequently, ignored, the whole of the resolutions being rescinded. The result is a dead-lock. .Mr Potter is the Secretary of the "Executive" party, which has possession of the books, while Mr Field is Secretary of the Committee proper — which has control of the banking account. The good things are therefore' pretty , evenly divided, i >

! Many -Russian young ladies of ■position' > appear !to have been' beguiled into more" or< 'less i complicity ' with the Nihilist party. It is said that an intimate friend of the Duchess of Edinburgh, a.y^ung lady T^hOjOnly the other dayVas one "ot J ths partly' 'whd 1 bfficially received, tl/4 ! I)'ucjiess pn iler 'arrival jn^St^jPeterathe pangs "jaf[ re-