Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1414, 26 July 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal ,md evict justice to all men, Of whate\er state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall tiic Press the People's right maintain Unawed by influence and unbribcd by gain.

TUESDAY, JULY %\ 1881.

Pekiiaps there has never been in New Zealand a motion of want of confidence brought against any Government more disastrous than the one now under the consideration of the House. Irrespective altogether of the bad moral effect which may be produced upon the community at large by the sight of a person of Mr Ohmond's political status and reputation deliberately betraying his friends with a kiss, there remain two most important considerations of a practical nature ; first, the financial position of the colony, and second, the prosecution of public ■works. As to the first of these considerations, we must go back a little in order to thoroughly understand the question. When the Grey Government were ousted from office the accounts of the colony showed a deficit of one million .sterling, and it was estimated that a large annual deficiency must in futureyears have contributed largely to swell that deficit. The Hall Government came into power, and with an a&siduity and intelligence seldom, if ever excelled in the annals of Colonial Parliamentary history, the Hon. Colonial Treasurer worked the accounts of the country into a position, which in 1880 may be called hopeless. In that year, however, it was clearly seen that large permanent reductions muse be effected in the various j public departments before any equality could be restored in future between revenue and expenditure. The Government then promised that a reduction of between two and three hundred thousand pounds should be effected on the expenditure of the Civil Service in order to meet the emergency which at that time existed. The famous all round 10 per cent, reduction was proposed by the Ministry and accepted by the FTouse, and has been carried on until the 30th June last, with the expectation that a more intelligent and fairer method of economical reform would be inaugurated during the present session. Up to the moment of the amendment of Mr Ormond's having been made before the House no such plan has been submitted by the Ministry for effecting this most proper object, but it was understood the same bold firm hands which grasped the reins of power} at a moment whpn the colony was upon the verge of bankruptcy, and rescued it from its financial extremities, had in their minds such a scheme as would have permanently balanced the accounts of the colony. Before, however, any elaboration of the ideas ■which Ministers undoubtedly possessed upon this all-important subject could be laid before Parliament for its acceptance or rejection, Mr Obmond ] took upon himself to move what was practically a vote of noconfidence in gentlemen who had never had * an, opportunity of exhibiting their important j measures, which alone could 'have been a criterion by,, -wfhich the' country should judge whether) they were entitled 1 to confidence or not; As to the second consideration, the' prosecution^of, needed gu^Kc wor^ s > the consequence' of this Amendment will be equally, if riot in'ore' embark rassingi 1$ iBjpalpahJLe^^fts the^Government m^>mT^^:S%:-i>'' majo|^|^threV4t|:^^g||

for them to submit to the House a comprehensive scheme of public works. We all recollect the struggle j that took place last session in reference to the Oiigo Central, the Canterbury Interior, Nelson and" East Coast, and Wellington and West Coast railways. By dint of the greatest exertion those representatives who believed that the public works money had not been fairly balanced as between the provincial districts of Auckland and other provincial districts of the colony, defeated the attempts to vote money for the construction of these lines ; and mark what was the effect of this line of action. In two instances the advocates of these schemes have consented to accept the inevitable and further their objects by appealing to private speculators, assisted by {he broad and comprehensive project which it is well understood Government intended to have brought down had they been permitted. But now these lines, which were calculated to absorb close upon two millions of money, will again be brought into the arena of political log-rolling. It is quite clear that the party which are now using Mr Ormond in a struggle for place and power will, within a few months of their accession to power (if such an unfortunate event should ever take place again), visit the London market with a view of raising money to satisfy the demands of this new and numerically important faction who support the construction of these four lines of railway. It is equally certain that with a more numerous population and greater voting power than the unfortunate and hitherto greatly neglected provincial district of Auckland, the other divisions of the colony specially interested in the construction of these works will utilise any loan that may be raised for the carrying out of their own pet schemes. The Cambridge railway, than which a more legitimate project cannot' be imagined, will be postponed until a more settled state can be brought about in the political atmosphere. It had been intended, we know upon the best authority to propose the construction of this railway during the present sitting of the House. Other works of great importance throughout che colony will also be hung up, and a large amount of depression is almost certain to ensue from the stoppage of the reasonable prosecution of works in the colony, and all this is to be suffered in order that Mr Ormond may gratify a paltry spirit of revenge and insufferable and insignificent egotism. What Mr Ormond ultimately intended to gain by the action he has taken may be briefly summed up^ thus : firstly, he will rush upon the market our Crown lands ; secondly, he will, as occasion serves, endeavour to cause our railways to pass into ' the hands of private speculators; thirdly, he will endeavour to save some £150,000 or £200,000 out of the Education vote with a view of ultimately crushing the whole system ; fourthly, he will play into the hands of Macandrew and Co., for the purpose of restoring the 20 per cent, of the land fund which was won at the cost of such a hard fight last session; fifthly, he will play into the hands of Pyke, Macandri!w, Driver, Bastings, and those whose votes will be cast with him in the coming division, for the purpose of again reviving the great political railways to which we have referred in a previous portion of this article ; sixthly, and herein, lastly, are the reasons for giving effect to the five preceding propositions, he will repeal the Propei ty Tax which presses so grindinoly on men like himself, and re-impose tea and sugar duties. It is not to be wondered, therefore, that the Press throughout the colony, with that keen foresight which usually distinguishes it, should one and all be united in denouncing his ] selfish and retrogressive policy.

"Echoes from the Cafe," several letters to the Editor, &c, are still unavoidably held over.

The contractor for the Morrinsville section of the Thames-Waikato line is making good progress. There are now about twenty men and several teams of horses employed.

The heavy rains have considerably retarded operations in connection with draining- the Waitoa swamp. The flooded state of the Waitoa river enabled Mr Strange to bring his steamer above the month of the outlet of the drains to his landing and during last week a large boat went up the main drain, laden with stores, to Mr Coates Camp.

There was a considerable flood in the Piako river lasc week advantage of which were taken and the Piako landing assumed a busy aapeor last Saturday, owing to the arrival of two steamers freighted with material for" the railway and general goods.

Mr Hewson, surveyor to the Public Works Department is now engaged surveying the Morrinsville section of the railway for the purpose of making out the land plans, showing the amount of land taken from each proprietor. This survey will also have the effect of legalising" the portion of the road through Mr Jenkins property to Piako.

At a meeting of the Cambridge Farmer's Club on Saturday last held for the purpose of receiving tenders for the purhase of the property Mr Thos. Wells was the successful tenderer. 'Mr Grrice.vand Mr Well's tenders were equal attheflrat, each tendering for the house. and four' acres adjoining at £1303., ,It wjis agreed that they should re-tender and on the tenders being opened by the cjijair-, man Mr Wells was dnclared, the owner.by; £1. Mr G-riee having tendered £ 1354 and Mr Wells £1355. '

Our advertising columns contai ; a notice to all who wish to ansist in ren-f dering the xduslg xor> the consecration the new S* Andrew s O&muiriuffe. ft v^p^ t

evlty pj^tvfcjce fuUy.afctended. ;, The early praofijjgi"* are. particularly- impQrJnnt, jind evely eveninff which is ftne outfit to be taken advantage ot by each member fiom the beginning.

nlra^ellers to-Piako -need* to exorciBe*cy,atiotj egpeeiayy irf the dark as .the old -track Ihrough -Jsnliins'- property is~ heinic Mipersedcd by a road which ia in oourse of being laid "off find formed A Governmpnt road has not hitherto existed. The track 'winch hS ,!>eeh generally used crosses and reoros^os the line of railway which i<4 formed by ditches, consequently it is now impracticable for vehicles.

It is to be hoped that the new Waitoa Highway Board will without ( my delay take steps to have all the bridges iv the road between the confiscation line and Piako, overhauled. We may almost B'>y that it is at a considerable risk to lift" )ind limb that people travel over those bridges and we apprehend that if any a"cident were to occur the victims would he able to make good a heavy claim ii<ruiu>t the Board for damages.

We would draw the attention of the works committee of the Hamilton Borough Council to the bad state of the main road near the! Council Chambers. If, during 1 the present fine weather, the mud were removed and the ruts filled in with dry gravel, much discomfort to passengers and danger to springs would be avoided. We would also recommend similar treatment to a few holes Which exist on the main road to Cambridge, between, the corner beyond the Police Station and the Town belt.

Mr Kellow, of Wlatawhata, who drove over the new road to Hamilton yesterday, reports that it is in very fair condition. Taking into consideration that nearly all roads in the district are in bad repair at the present time of the year, the state of the new swamp road is matter for congratulation.

Smith's panorama of the FrancoPrussian War will be exhibited in the Oddfellows' Hall this evening.

Tawhiao and party will arrive in Hamilton about midday to-day, and the banquet, tickets for which may be obtained from Mr Gwynne or Mr Gaudin, comes off at 6 p in. The members of the Band are requested to meet in uniform at 9 o'clock this morning at the practice room The Band will perform several selections of music at the banquet thiß evening. Our Te Aroha correspondent writing yesterday morning bays some excellent indications of silver have been found, and there is every possibility of the place turning out well in this respect, oven though it should fail as a goldfield. He complains of the bad state of the road, and the utter ineffioienoy of the present school building and teacher's residence for the purpose for which they were intended.

The Waikato Land Association intend pushing on draining operations at their new centre of operations, Woodlands, with the same energy which characterised their action at Eureka, and which transformed the latter place from a wilderness of flax and rushes into smiling pasture land. In another column it will be seen that the manager invites tenders for fifteen miles of drainieg.

The polling for the election of members of the Newcastle Highway Board under the provisions of the Local Elections Act came off on Saturday The following candidates who were duly nominated received the number of votes Ret against their respective names :—Messrs P. Corboy, 52; K. Fitzpatrick, 51; W. Bailey, 50; W. Washer, 33 ; C. Day, 28 ; W. Johns, 25; A. Crawford, 25 • J. Braithwaite, 15; J. Kennedy, 5. The first five have therefore been declared duly elected.

On Friday evening last a most successful gathering took place at the little Minsion Chapel, Cambridge West. There were about three or four sittings down to tea, the number present being exceedingly large. Several instructive discourses were delivered, the speakers being Messrs Da\is, Hill, J. Jones and the E,e7. Mr Bull. Numerous aongs and recitations were also contributed by a number of ladies and gentlemen present, and by a number ef young people. The object of the gathering was to increase the sitting accomodation of the new church.

Mrs Luhrs. the wife of Mr Luhrs, conti actor, of Hamilton East, has been missing from her home sinco Sunday morning, and despite every effort of the police, zealously aided by the neighbours, no trace of her has yet been found. The unfortunate woman ha« been suffering from mental derangement for some time, and on Sunday morning at 5 o'clock she paid she would take a walk in the garden. Not returning, her husband went to look for hpr, and not being successful at 9 o'clock he informed the policp. A little dog which had, it is thought, followed her, returned about two hours afterward*, and fears were then entertained that she had made away with herself. Yesterday the police got a boat and examined the river for some distance, bufc could find no trace of the missing woman. The search will be renewed to-day, but there seems to be no doubt that Mrs Luhrs has come to an untimely end. Very general sympathy is felt for the family in their sore trouble.

A few days ago we referred to the retirement of Mr W. Hunter from the firm of Hunter and Nolan. We are pleased to learn, on good authority, that Mr Hunter has purchased a portion of the property of Mr J. T. Edwards, Ohaupo, immediately adjoining, the residence of Mr J. S. Buckland. Mr Hunter, we believe intends erecting a handsome house on the property, and it will be good news to many of his old friends to hear that he intends to take np his residence amongst us. Mr Hunter is one of the oldest residents of the province, and has witnessed all the many ohanges which have passed over the colony from its earliest days. It muafc be a source of gratification to him to know that he retires from active life leaving the members of <hiB Own family to oarry .on the extensive business which he has by his energy and business capacity established, his eldest son, Mr R, J. Hunter, being a partner in, and sole auctioneer of the Auckland firm, and his second son, Mr W. J. Hunter, having the control of the Waikato business.'of which he is the principal - .

partner. M. Gamhetta is the most rapid talker and writer among European «ta estn'ed ; in public speeohes ho has. at tidies delivered one hundred, and eighty, words a minute, and when he puts pen to paper — which is rarely—he Write* at the rate of forty words a minute. Stenographers find it no easy matter to keep up with him. < " '. ■

Mr A. Budkland will sell at the Hay- 1 maiket on Friday next first- class unbroken draught colt, horses, etc. , ,i : MrLamplugh invites tenders for the' erectjon,of a cottage at Cambridge. .., , Mr J. A.'Douglas offers arre^ard" for the recovery of a buggy t yoke-bar,' lost at Cam-! bridge' ort the 4nd tnst. ' " h 'Members of S. Andrew's cnqir,'lCain'brMke; are -notified that in futurepractie'es are, ,ftfed-tor 'dvary; Tuesday and Thursday (-from yta^ay,,.,, - ti- i' t r - x,i. . i, t A reward ia offered to the'finde,r of & portmanteau, lost or stolen from the Hamilton! Junction, and^addressed "RJr Elraes, Cafci-' bridge." . i (vnfiaptain McPherson advertises that'the! ' owier of a cow winch ibro.ke jntpjhif paddpckjOp* ' the nth,inst.. canffiava her on .payment,of adver-? Risingan^payfekpehs^:'"' ™>*''<* &r,a<* ■