Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1460, 10 November 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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. 1 >, 1881.

Judicious manipulation of public works votes is a point which requites careful consideration. It is a question into which the economies of seasonal pursuit, largely enters. During summer the money can be made to do a great deal more than in winter, and the work, as a rule, can be more efficiently performed in dry weather than in wet. Considerations like these behove us to look sharply after the votes we, -as a district, have placed* to our 7 credit, with the view of deciding how^and when they may be expended, to the best advantage. - The subject is one

which, more immediately enlists attention from the local bodies, as we understand the doctrine is now fully endorsed, that moneys of this nature are spent to better advantage under local supervision, than they are under Government auspices. First of all, we have to congratulate our readers upon the fact that, at no period in the history of the district, has it stood so well in the matter of public works appropriations as it does at present. Furthermore, we challenge contradiction when we say that, estimated by eithsr territory or population, this district has secured a money-consideration which compares favourably with any other district in the colony. We shall now proceed to direct attention to a few of the road votes, the disbursement of which should be looked to at once, now that summer is fairly upon us. I*irst on the list, we note, the road branching off from the swamp road to Tuhikaramea, for which £350 is provided. If we are not mistaken, tenders have been invited for that piecp of road. If not, the vote ought to be seen to. For the swamp road, £1000 is provided. There is about £600 of the amount available, and, speaking from persona] observation, we can say that it would, if spent as economically as previous votes on that road, make it very little inferior to the best in the place. For the road leading from Kaglan to Kawhia, £500 is provided, and £-493 4s for the road from the railway station to Te Awamutu. In a previous issue we mentioned the two roads leading from the Raglan district to Lower Waikato — the one at Churchhill and the other at the coal mines opposite Huntley. It might be of importance to Kaglan residents to ascertain if a i*easonable portion of these votes could not be got for prosecuting the work from their side. An allocation of that kind might be of service to the place, as we are aware of settlement in that quarter which is sadly inconvenienced for the want of roads in the direction these roads are designed to go. On the other side of the discrict we have the road between Cambridge and Taupo, for which £1050 is provided; to Rotorua £7000, and to Tauranga £2000. In addition to these there is £16,000 set down for sundry roads in this provincial district, a goodly pioportion of which will come to Waikato if looked after at once. The subject is one which should be maturely considered, and we earnestly invite road districts, and other local bodies, to give the matter early attention. Besides the danger there is of appropriations remaining too long overlooked, being allowed to lapse altogether, the present is unauestionably the season of the year when they can be spent to most advantage.

The residents of Cambridge have projected a wise step, towards giving practical effect to the provision made by Parliament last session, for connecting them with the district railway system. They have convened a public meeting to be held the evening of Tuesday, for the purpose of ui^ging on Government, the necessity of proceeding at once with the construction of their line. It is, too well directed, well sustained energy of this kind, the Middle Island owes much of the prestige it has obtained, and, with the converse, rests the blame for lagging behind, which, in the past, has not inaptly been attributed to the north. We are therefore the better pleased to find that the true spirit of commercial enterprise and progress has at last taken root in our midst. We would seriously counsel our Cambridge friends, however, to bear in mind that a mere spasmodic effort of this kind will do very little towards securing the object in view. I It is only by constant and president endeavour that the work can possibly be done to their satisfaction. A meeting like the one projected is all very well provided it is made the nucleus of a "standing agitation." I If, on the contiary, it simply amounts to a temporary expedient i for giving expression to a sudden outburst of public feeling, then, indeed, it is calculated to produce but very little in the shape of immediate effect. The course pursued by the South Island on occasions of this kind might be advantageously adopted by us. There we find, that each district, for which railway works were provided, ; elected its railway works committee — a body, whose duty it was to collect every discription of information that could be gleaned on the subject, and keep the same, together with their claims, constantly under notice of Government. That was one of the grand secrets of success in the prosecution of their I railway system, and if organised on a similar basis a similar success would undoubtedly attend efforts put forth by this district. To, achieve that object it would be well for the meeting to elect a standing committee, charged with duties similar to those .indicated above. A committee elected in that way, has got a jurisdiction conferred upon it, in matters relating to this question, which no other body can lay claim to, consequently, its intercourse carries a weight in the eyes of the authorities, no other body, however,' will defend its representative, funp-, tions may be, canby any possibility . assert. The committee gets con; ferred upon it a delegated authority , to act for the public on that .beKalf,, and ia virtue of tJiaV jdelega&dn, it is enabled of its own accord, to

exercise all the weight; and influence of the ratepayers " in public meeting assembled." A few energetic men — plenty of whom are to be found at Cambridge — thus accredited, would exercise a powerful effect in bringing to pass the projected railway work without delay.

We gather from an announcement which reached us yesterday that the third session of the seventh Parliament — the session lately current — was dissolved by proclamation, as on Tuesday last. This was nothing but what was expected, from the information conveyed to us by telegraph, and which appeared in last issue. Important events hinge upon it. First of all, it supplies sure indication that Government is prepared to deal with the two Maori prisoners, Te Whiti and Tohu, without having recourse to special legislation. Had there been any doubt on the point, the dissolution would have been delayed, pending the decision. Again, it warns us that writs for the new election may be issued any moment. Indeed, the announcement conveying the information, left it an open question as to whether or not they would bo issued during Tuesday night. That has not been done, and we may, therefore, conclude they will make their appearance to-day or to-morrow at latest. After the issue of the writs, no other applicants can have their names put upon the rolls. Any one, therefore, still proposing to register, has got not a moment to lose. \\ c may state, for general information, that the supplementary roll for Waipa, brings up the total number of electors to 1521, which is an addition of 152, since the principal roll was printed. A number of applications are known to be on hand, and these will be lodged early to-day. In that case we may fairly conclude the total strength of the electoral roll, when finally completed, will not be less than 1550, a fact which goes to show that, under the new electoral auspices, a very decided improvement has been wrought in, the voting-powers of this particular electorate.

The tourist season has unexpectedly set in early this yen, and L.ike House, Rotorua, reports a correspondent, has received the pationage of the majouty of the visitors. It is expected that a great many tourists will vi-rifc the distucb this seasrn. We have to acknowledge the l'pceipt ot £1 from "Sympathy, ' to be added to the fund being raised on behalf of the wife of Hayes, the painter lately committed for a term of impusonment. We shall be prepared to reeen c further aid for the same object. The erection of the new Public Hall, Hamilton, is progressing fast, and so far as the work has gone a most substantial job has boon mado. Ir«. oolebration of its completion, an opening ball is advertiped to take place on the evening of the 30th inst. Ohinemutu is, the Bay of PlentyTimes learns, unusually quiet at present. The natives are away planting, and stores are doing very little. The natives do not 6eem to trouble themselves one way 01 other with regard to the Taranaki complioation, but the kingites, we are told, are watching the movements very keenly, and if a false or indiscreet step is taken by the Government, it might involve the whole colony. The announcement appears in one of the Auckland papers that Mr E. M. Edgcumbe, late of Hamilton, ie booked as a passenger from England for Auckland, per P. and O. steamer "Clyde," which sailed on the 11th ultimo. He pros-ecutos the journey by the corresponding' steamer, Tanjore, advertised to leave Venice on the 21st ultimo, aud Brindisi on the 24fch. At the usual monthly meeting of Cambridge (East) School Committee, held in the schoolroom, on Monday evening, the following resolution was unanimously passed : — "That this Committee pledge itself to take immediate steps towards the establishment of a High School for Waikato, and that the members for Waikato and Waipa be asked to pledge themselves to have a bill introduced into Parliament for that purpose." The ratepayers of Cambridge are naturally disappointed with the intelligence — the correctness of which they are now convinced of — that they will not be represented ia the Waikafco County Council, during the ensuing three years, and that they will consequently have no one to look after their interests in the transactions of that body xintil next election. The Hon. Mr Whitaker, who was communicated with on the subject, has given it as his opinion that, the election cannot be upset, the terms of the Act not having 1 been complied with, inasmuch as there was no delivery to the returning officer, or at; his office, of the nominations. Mr William Johns announces by advertisement in another column that, in compliance with the wishes ot a large body of electors, representing the liberal interest throughout Waipa, he has decided upon offering himself as a candidate for representation of that seat in the ensuing Parliament.. Mr Johns also promises to do what some of the other candidates appear very loth to undertake, that is, to afford electors an opportunity for knowing what his political programme is, and how he proposes to carry it out. He will deliver addresses at the various centres, of which due notice will be given. Mr Johns, who is an old and respected settler in Waikato, is very popular amongst the political party he is now in the field to represent. Mr Conway has received a letter from the organisers of the All-England team of .professionals, who are on their way out to the colonies. Shrewsbury, of Nottingham, is included in the team, but later advices by cable state that he did not embark at Liverpool with the rest, owing to ill health. It is, however, probable that he will come out, via Suez, and join his companions in Melbourne. The team comprise : — Barlow, Lancashire ; Pilling, Lancashire ; Shrewsbury, Nottingham j A. Shaw, Nottingham ; Selby, Nottingham ; Barnes, Nottingham ; MidI winter, Gloucester ; Liily'white, Sussex ; Ulyett, Yorkshire ; Bates", 'Yorkshire ; E. Lockwood, Yorkshire ;Pea,te, -Yorkshire.* \ The bowlers aye Shaw, Peate, Barnes, and Midwinter;, with Barlow, Ulyett; and Bates as first changes.' Pilling ia wicketkeeper. -.' " / -- '. , "■» I'j Referring toM&,. property lately. openedjjop ju \lls Kjng country is. Southern ' cafotemparjary x^tysrkis :'~jf Thejfes.tcpa-', tion, -ot peace may not po\ so exciting , as, the octaimsjxceß^op^of^ublhei; wai,biifCit is , infinitely more important to the mU

fare of the whole colony. "Man," Lord Palmerston said, <- is a quarrelsome and fighting animal." And we fear there in too much truth in the btatement. When a row is about to connnpnce, there is a rush of crowds eager to bee the fray and cheer the combatants, while half a dozen persons would not care to crons the stieet to witness a reconciliation. But we once more hid the colony beware, and remember Waitara. The dawn breaking in the Waikato country reveala a policy far moie glorious and far more profitable Peace-makers are much greater public benefactors than war- makers. Shots at Parihaka may be the prelude of costly and bloody guerilla, warfaie for months or years. Peaceful amalgamation of the king natives with European settlers means peace between the two races, the openinjr up of a large and fertile territory hitherto closed to colonisation, the completion of a railway between Auckland and Wellington, a vast increase of our population and our wealth, and an incalculable impetus to the progress of all New Zealand." In reference to telegrams stating that Sir Arthur Gordon contempl itch visiting Eugland next spring, the Post says :—": — " We have ieason to believe that Mr Arthur Goidon will not return to New Zealand after this visit. There has existed for some time an impression that his assooation with this colony would not bp of very long duration, and it has been rumouied that higher honors are in stoic for him. We shall be pleased to hear that this idea is well founded. For the •sake of Sir Ailhur Goidon hinuelf, we shall rejoice at his promotion ; for the sake of New Zealand, we shall rejoice still more, and we say this with no disrespect to his Excellency, who possesses many high , sterling, and admirable qualities ; but he does not suit New Zealand, and New Zealand evidently does not suit him. Above all we should lnul with pleasure the terinin ition of the present preposterous and indefensible arrangement by which the Goveror of New Zealand is High Commissioner for the Western P icific. We have more than oncn raised a very decided protest ag.iinht this anomalous and inconvenient plan, and we are glad to fiud our views on the subject enthcly concurred in by the English Piess. With Sir A. Gordon's final depai ture we have, we hope, seen the last, of Mich au absurd and impracticombination of olHce-*." It should be clearly understood, suyrf the Wellington eoire-pondenc of the Otago ddily Time*, that Mr Oliver's return to the iUimstiy does not fill up the vacancy which has so long been the subject of speculative curiosity. Ho joins simply as an eighth Minister, assuming all the places to be filled up. The law pormits such an extr.i Minister to be appointed, provided ho does not receive salary ; and it is on this understanding that Mr Oliver lus consented to rojoin his former colleagues. This Te^tores the balance of power in the Cabinet so far as Otago is concerned. In regard to his elevation to the Legislative Council, it was thought, I undeistand, veiy desirable to have another Minister to as-<i-,t Mr Whitaker in the Council work, which has now grown very heavy. Now blood is also ni'ich needed in the Council, and Mr Olivet's former associations with the mo-t atduous department of Government will iend°r him a veiy u-eful acquisition to t-he Upper Hou-e. Suoh, I beh'-vo, are the main reasons which have guided 0«ovi rnmenfc in making the offer to Mi 1 Oliver ; but I hear thjt ho hesitated some time before acceptinsr, in cou'equonce of the somewhat unsatisfactory state of his health. It is reported that for the last reason he had determined to retire from the Dunprlin election, as his health would not have permitted him to face the fatigue and wony of a contest. This present arrangement with him does not at all solve the question as to the allotment of the vacant portfolio, which, I am told, will not be settled for some little time yet.

Mr Win, Powell will sell at hi 3 auction mart, Raglan, on Saturday next, land. The returning officer for the Mangapiko riding-, has appointed the 10th inst., for the nomination of candidates to fill an extiaoidinaiy vacancy, and Saturday, the 26th, as the day of election. The annual meeting of the Cambridge Farmers' Club will take place at Mr Kirkwoods new house, Cambridge, on Monday nc\t. Mr James Win. Graham, returning officer for the Kanoi riding 1 , has appointed Wednesday, the 231 d 111 st., for an election of tuo councillors, and the 16th for nomination of candidates at the Council Chambers, Raglan. Mr Bruno Rage, hair-dresser, of Cambridge, has filed a statement that ho is unable to meet his engagements with his creditois, Tenders will be received by the chairman of the Kinkiriioi Highway Board up to the 7th proximo, for building bridge, etc , at Komakoran creek. Mr T. C. Hammond has been elected trustee in the estate ot William James Sutcliffe. Mr Kennedy Hill will hold his next auction sale of produce, etc., on Satuiday. Tenders for additions' to the school building, at Ohaupo, will bo received by the Education Board, Auckland, until noon of the 25th inst. Mr J. S. Buckland will hold his next Cambridge Cattle Sale 011 15th Novemboi, and the Ohaupo Cattle Sale on the 22nd inst. Tenders, addressed to the chairman of the Waitoa Highway Board, for the erection of two bridges and other work, will be received up to noon of the 26th inst. 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 Sydney 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 mvst be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their draper> millinery, 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 gam or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative pi ices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding , \nd general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &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. — Garuck and Cranwell, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland