The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1537, 11 May 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbnbcd by gain.

THURSDA T, MA Y ll, 1882.

Thl ratepayers of Hamilton, in public meeting assembled, haye decided that it is not advisable to expend any of the borough funds in enclosing and beautifying Sydney Square The ratepayers havo a j>erf ect right to do what they like with their own, and however ardently we might like to see the muchnuoded improvement to the Square carried out, we should not consider it right to press the matter in the face of sucli evident opposition as that manifested at .Monday night's meeting. At the same time, exception may, with perfect consistency, be taken to much that was done and said on that occasion. Apart from the personal tone adopted by some of those present, and apart from the fact that very gross and obvious misstatements as to facts and figures were made, we will consider briefly the main objection advanced against the Mayor's proposal. This objection was based on the score of expense, and the arguments relied on were stated with all necessary clearness by the mover of the resolution and by Mr Vialou. Summed up, these arguments amount to this : That whereas many of the back streets (principally in Hamilton West) are unformed and in a state of nature, and whereas it is necessary for the comfort and the health of the townsfolk that a system of drainage at once thorough and comprehensive should be instituted, the borough cannot afford to spend money on purposes of mere ornamontation. Now this saems logical enough. Iletrenchment is an excellent thing at times, and Hamilton is in no position to squander money lavishly. But is this cry for economy and retrenchment an honest one? Is it anything more than a demand that money should be saved over one thing to be spent over another of no greater consequence ? We are not going to refer to what has been done in the past. It will be sufficient for our purpose if we confine our attention to contemporaneous instances. Can any set of men, we would ask, lay claim to a reputation for economy because they refuse to sanction a work the cost of which represents the sum of an unnecessary liability incurred in another direction ? We think not. And yet the retrenchment party in the Hamilton Borough Council, are, according to the opinion of three qualified men, deliberately following such a course ! We refer ratepayers to Mr Sandes' letter, in another column, in confirmation of what is here said. Engineers, being mortal, are fallible, but such a concensus of opinion requires something more than the statements of mere laymen to refute it. If the professional men are right, who is to blame? We are very much afraid the ratepayers can blame nobody but themselves. A most deplorable apathy lias been exhibited for some time past in municipal matters, and the council, as it inevitably- must under such circumstnees, has become demoralised. •No expression of healthy public opinion has been brought to bear upon its actions, with, ,the result that councillors are beginning to forget .the existence of any constituents save themselves. To what other cause can we set down the endless tinkering with the ' forms, of the council, the senseless alteration of meeting nights, the demolition and selection, of- works committees, and the puerile enforcement of points of order; and so on ad injvrjitwni ? ' We do not' wish to i dwell onjthis subject.; is!',unplea- p sant at all times to find (faulty a^dj nothingbut a" strong -serise^'of, jf^e,, hduty," v^e bwe* r , toj' } tlte 'Hamilton portion , of,, our '^eacferij: kas r induced us to refer to the matter.v^j^Rlr, j earnestness;- then, 1 4^tKe fj&ir. ' payerl to f take a^liiilefiadye^^ter^t in4nsf'atfairs vliich, are/of fyitaV

importance to them and to the con^ munity at large, and leave less to others.

Tnis remarkable sc-wrcityjof game in' the Waikato bhis"year,'and the consequent enquiries into the cause, has again brought the small bird pest prorninenty forward, j , yfe have not yet heard the fact of the sparrow nuisance questioned ;** there is a very general feeling abroad that it ought to be removed with the least possible delay. The question which remains to be settled is, how to accomplish the task, it being conceded that any attempt to destroy the birds must be comprehensive. Ought the settlers to apply themselves to the task, or should they seek Parliamentary assistance? In the South Island very determined and fairly successful efforts have been made to destroy the sparrow, and it will therefore be interesting to know the mode of procedure adopted there. In the northern part of Otago a sparrow club has been formed the funds of ■which are provided by subscription and devoted to paying for the heads of sparrows killed, and the eggs deposited with the secretary of the club. By following this' plan that the operations of the club have, we learn, been eminently successful in so far as the destruction of birds and their eggs is concerned, and it is estimated that about 50,000 eggs and birds have been during the season destroyed. Of this number over 31,000 have been paid for by the club in terms of their advertisement offering rewards at so much per 100. After discovering such a satisfactory condition of affairs it is disappointing to hear that the club is to the bad financially some £20. The members held a meeting a few days ago, and in view of this defeciency passed the following resolution-. — " That a petition be drawn up for presentation to Government asking that a law may be passed empowering County Councils to pay for the destruction of destructive small birds out of the rates." In a wealthy district, such as North Otago, this determination must be regarded as an admission on the part of the farmers of their inability to deal with the evil which this evil must have assumed pretty has arisen, and naturally argues that large proportions in that particular part of the colony. We do not think, however, that we, in Waikato, are any better off; the spari rows literally swarm round every homestead, and take possession oi growing corn and stacks alike. We will not attempt to estimate the amount of damage done by them during the season just closing, but if it might be guaged by the blessings out-poured on the head of the sapient Acclimatisation Society, then, indeed, it must have been enormous. Cannot some mode of action similar to that adopted by the club we have mentioned be followed here during the winter? For our own part we are inclined to think that a well organised scheme of destruction by means of poisoned grain would be the most effective, but such a scheme must embrace a wide extent of country. If legislation is obtained, we trust, whatever direction it may take, it will have regard to the need for a simultaneous movement throughout the whole colony. Meantime, the local settlers could do a great deal more than they have ever yet done towards thinning the ranks of this wretched pest.

It will be seen by our cablegrams that the English Government, in view of the recent barbarous murder in Dublin, and in deference to public opinion, are about to re-cast the Irish policy. The post of Chief Secretary for Ireland has been offered to and accepted by Mr G. 0. Trevelyan, M.P. for Dundee, and lately Secretary to the Admiralty. Mr Trevelyan, who is a nephew of the late Lord Macaulay, is a man of considerable mark in the literary world.

We have' authority for stating that a project for fencing Sydney Square by private subscriptions is afoot, and that the -work will probably be entered on very shortly.

Considerable progress is being made with the survey of the Rotorua Road. Mr Clarke has completed the line about half-way through the bush, and the survey camp has now been shifted to the Ohinemutu end. The Constabulary, despite the bad weather, are making fair progress.

We are glad to learn that the little girl Smith, who was injured by a buggy, near Captain Steele's, on Monday night, is progressing very favourably under the skilful care of Dr Beale.

The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Literary, and Debating Club will be "held *"at the Court-house this evening at 7.30 o'clock. The programme will consist of readings, &c, with criticisms by the members.

A statutory "meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held on Tuesday night, for the purpose of receiving and certifying <to the annual accounts. There were present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. tVialou, Peat, Tippen, McGarrigle and Bradley. < The accounts as audited'were submitted and certified to. This was.all the business.

It is a pity that so little interest appears to be taken in the matter of providing' cheap entertainments i for Hamilton during the winter months f A meeting of those interested was called for Tuesday night, but only a few turned up. A good'rehearsal was, however, had, and steps will no. doubt be taken to get the first entertainment off. , Thqse t gentlemen who ;iyere>elected/members; of .cpjnmittee ought to/e£tiibit more sympathy* >ynth*tKtf ) projeekthjm Aey^ha^

/ We 'are pleased tosee,thatMr.<Vs' Johnson; 7 >'bn?> of -oldest/set-, mffito&a ''taken:ovei tti%:;stables|kt^ th^lai^^Mr^KrW.Mwaifdsl^intehds:

and£ favorably /Jsnown; throughout the district,-' and we have little "moubt that he will meet with the support he merits in his new venture.

A cable message states :— " It has ' transpired that Mr Gladstone* has^agreed to accept the arrangement which Msibeen proposed on the 'motion for the "adoption of the cl6ture amendments, which provides that the clotnre shall not be applied unless supported by two-thirds of the majority of the House.

The roads in the vicinity of Ohaupo, particularly those running through the township, are in .a r very wretched condition, and we are surprised that the Rangiaohia Board, under whose supervision the roads at present are, does not exertjitself to have them gravelled, and made passable for traffic. A few pounds spent during the proper season, would have gravelled the road 3 in the township.

Mr Orchiston, Inspector of Telegraphs, paid a visit to Raglan last Week, with the intention of ascertaining the probable cost of establishing telegraphic communication with that part of the district, and also the probable amount of the revenue. We have not as yet heard his opinion on the matter, but we hope he will see his way clear to recommend an extension of the line in that direction.

The horse which was stolen by the man Conway, aucl brought over here by him from Napier, will be taken back to its owner, overland, by Detective Doolan after the next sitting of the Kesident Magistrate's Court, at Cambridge, the detective having to give evidence in the case of Arnold v. Hoy. Conway himself, who has been remanded to Napier, will be conveyed by steamer to his destination.

It will be remembered that the Lincoln rains, the property of Mr R. H. D. Fergu&son, Gorton, which took the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd prizes at the Auckland Show, were taken to (Jhristchurch by Mr H. A. C. Fergusson. We are glad to learn that the wool from these sheep has obtained the first award at the Ohnatchurch Exhibition, and we congratulate Mr Fergusson upon his success as a breeder.

Considering the scarcity of game, Mr Ferguason and party appear to have had fair sport on the Gorton and Maungatautari estates. Their bag for the Ist, 3rd and 4th inst. consisted of the following :—43: — 43 brace pheasants, 9 hares, 3 rabbits, 11 quail, 5 brace wild fowl, and one cat.

The following recipe is said to "be of great value to the farmer. It has been furnished the Fieldbuj Guardian by a correspondent, who gives it the name of " black oil" and vouches for its efficacy in curing sprains, cuts, bruises, saddle *nd collar galls, &c, in cattle and horses : — "Take linseed oil, 4 oz 5 and oil of vitrol, 1 oz. ; stir until united ; then add spirits of turpentine, 2 ozs ; stir again until united ; then add one pint of linseed oil. Mix the whole together and put it into a bottle for use."

It is intended to hold, at an early date, a series of evangelistic services at Cambridge. Different denominations, including Baptists, Wesleyans, and Presbyterians, are likely to unite in this movement, and the ministers of these churches have met several times to make preparatory arrangements. An evangelist lately out from England will take a prominent part. There is certainly no lack of gospel ordinances in this township ; but if this effort will be a means of doing good to any, and of rousing the churches to greater earnestness in their Christian work, we wish it every suc-

cess. It does not redound to the credit of the Borough Council of Hamilton, that there are no means of approaching the Public Hall, save l>y wading ankledeep in mud. A few shillings would suffice to make a gravelled path from Victoria-street to the hall entrance, and the sooner this is done the better.

The condition of the road at Ewen's Hill is growing worse clay by day. The makeshift bridge over the creek bed is now little better than a raft, the supports, such as they were, having been swept away by the late rains, and it is a mercy that some vehicle has not before this fallen through. The temporary cutting is in a state simply disreputable. We would again urge on the Board the aclvisableness of making provision for the safety of the public during the coming winter, as it is now certain that the cul- [ vert cannot be completed in time to be of servicebefore next spinng.

A meeting of the shareholders in Wevahiko leaseholds Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Te Aroha, was held in Auckland on Tuesday, to consider a proposal to form the whole into a company. After discussion as to number of shares, &c, it was agreed that the company should be formed ; to be worked under The Mining Companies Act, 1872 ; that the following gentlemen be elected directors :—Messrso.: — Messrs 0. J. Stone, J. M. Clark, T. Morrin, W. R. Vines, and H. B. Whitaker; that Mr F. A. White be legal manager ; that the Bank of New Zealand be the bankers of the company ; and that Mr John James be auditor.

Mr W. Hopcroft senr., informs the Western Star that he sent a small parcel of butter to a friend in the Home Country a few months ago, and received intimation by last mail that it arrived in splendid' condition. The butter was packed in an ordinary tub, and was not subjected to any further preparation than if it had been intended for the local market.

The Rangiaohia Highway Board have given notice to the public that that portion of the Cambridge-Te Awamutu swamp road lying within the boundaries of their district is unsafe for wheeled traffic. It is further stated that owing tothe wet weather the contractor engaged in repairing the road is unable to finish his work. >

Mr Huglißea, it will be seen by our advertising columns is making application for a license for an Hotel at Waiorongomai, Te Aroha. Mr Rea is well and favorably known in Waikato, and was the pioneer barman at the opening of the Thames goidfield, under Captain Batt. We trust he may be fortunate enough to experience as good fortune in , his present venture, as fell to "the lot of the early hotel-keepers on the Thames. '

We are glad to see that the farmers of Te Awamutu, Rangiaohia, and the neighborhood are. not going to lose' sight qf the, proposed cheese and bacon factory. The committee recently, appointed have been making diligent enquiries; and 1 as a result they have called a, meeting of those interested, for Monday evening next at , the Public Hall, Te Awamutu, 1 at 7 p.m.; to receive their reportj .and decide as to future action. We 1 hope to see a largeVzneeting.' \ ,\

A son of Captain Russell, Marine Surveyor, Dunediii, - died ou Tuesday afternoon' while- having some teeth extracted by' Mr -J.' Pi Armstrong. The chloroform was by Dr Burns; iwenty^ops^De'ingiTput^ on* a handker.chief?.. The ! rfehfta> f abqulj ilO^years 01d,,-. h'^^been^et'tbl^^A^tronVs place 1 f or iKeT pWrpo|e^fXh>^^l°^'4 (le « l 'y^^

but their services were of no avail. An inquest will probably he held before Mr.Watt, in the course of a day or two. Death was occasioned by paralysis of the heart. Life was extinct within 10 minutes after- the chloroform was administered in the usual way.

The period for receiving shares in the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory Company has been extended to the 29th inst. We are glad to hear that applications are freely coming in from all parts of the district, one of the not least promising features being that small settlers are among the applicants, requiring from five shares upwards. No less than five tenders of sites for the factory have been received by the secretary, Mr John Knox, but they have not yet been considered. All the arrangements necessary for enabling Captain Runciman to proceed to America have now been satisfactorily completed, and that gentleman leaves Auckland by the next San Francisco mail steamer.

Under the auspices of Lord Ebury, and an influential array of noblemen, clergy, and gentemeu, a renewed effort is being made by the Prayer-Book Revision Society to terminate the divisions of the Church by bringing the occasional service into harmony with the general spirit of the Prayer-Book articles and homilies, and deleting those phrases and expressions which may have escaped the notice of the reformers who conducted previous revisions, or which, as the society urge, are the result of such a compromise as might naturally be expected in the stormy periods when the Church of England was struggling to throw off the yoke of a foreign communion — a compromise which has led to much perplexity, to painful litigation, and to contentions which have threatened to rend asunder the Church.

The National Society for Preserving the Memorials of the Dead in th? Churches and Churchyards in Great Britain has now been oyjanised, and has made considerable progress. The object of the society is to preserve and protect the memorials of the dead in the churches and churchyards of Great 3ritain ; a much deeded work, and on all hands an acknowledged want. The rales of the society suggest various ways of accomplishing the work — e.g., by securing a record being made of sepulchral memorials now existing, &c. The late Mr G. K. Street, four days prior to his death, had accepted the post of honorary architect. Honorary secretaries are appointed for the counties of Cambridge, Durham, Lincoln, Middlesex, Norfolk, Nottingham, and Warwick, by whom names of persons wishing to become members are received, and of whom any information may be obtained. The secretary is Mr William Vincent, Lower Hellesdon Road, Norwich. — Church Review.

A Maori wedding was solemnised in St Luke's church, Greytown, recently, says the PoU, when Te Hiwa Jury, of Papawai, became the wife of Murray Brown, of Te Ore Ore. After the service the whole of the natives proceeded to Papawai, where there was great feasting and merriment over the event. The Standard reporter, upon entering the house, found the newly-marcied couple seated at the bead of the table, supported on one side by two bridesmaids, and on the other by the best man. The bride is rather goodlooking, and was dressed in white, and upon the Press representative going forward, she took the pipe from her mouth, rose from her seat, and shook hands m a graceful manner. She appeared to be not more than fifteen years of age. The husband is a year or two older. The presents to the bride and bridegroom were conspicuous upon the ground. They consisted of blankets, counterpane, and Maori coverings, while tied to two upright sticks a number of bank notes, one above the other, fluttered in the breeze. There must have been £20 or £30 altogether. The bridegroom's presents consisted of three horses and horse-cloths, and a bundle of notes, £10 in all.

In discharging the native prisoners charged under the West Coast Settlement Act at the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, on Tuesday, Judge Gillies said : "I understand that the AttorneyGeneral has ordered the Crown Prosecutor to enter a nolle pvosequi in the two cases under the West Coast Settlement Act. I have no right to interfere in the matter in any way, except to express my surprise at such a course being taken. That the prisoners should be brought up on various charges under a special Act, that they should be kept in prison for six months on that grave charge, and that the Crown Prosecutor should then apply for leave to enter a nolle proseqin, seems a very extraordinary proceeding on the part of the Government, more especially when I see that two of the indictments have been quashed on account of insufficiency on the face of them." Then, addressing Rangi, he said : "The Government have determined not to bring you to be tried on the charge you have already been in prison some months waiting for, nor does the Government offer any evidence. You are therefore free to go where you will." The natives did not seem to understand the situation, but they left the box.

It is a somewhat curious fact that there are no fewer than 13,978 persons in New Zealand, who — according to the last census returns — have not the courage of their opinions. At any rate, they object to state to what religious denomination they belong. There are also 8357 persons who are of " no denomination ;" and 1329 " unspecified" cases ; whilst only 272 have been bold enough to declare themselves aa having no religion. Of professing Christians, the Episcopalians show in greatest force, their number being 200,816 ; and there are 113,038 Presbyterians, with an extra 70 who describe themselves as " reformed," Next in numerical importance are the Catholics, who (iucluding those of the Greek Church) number 67,039 souls. The Methodists are sub-divided to a considerable extent, the sub-denominations, including the Wesleyan, Primitive, Free, New Connection, Bible Christians, and " others. " The Wesleyana number 39,544, and the other branches 7113. The Baptists form the next important body, numbering 11,476 ; and there are 6699 Congregational Inpependents, and 5793 Lutherians. Of less ■ known sects, we have 489 Unitarians, 232 members of the Society of Friends, 121 Catholic Apostolics, 271 Latter Day Saints, and 7 Mahometans. The total number of Jews is 1536/

Some years have passed since Dickens wrote oor"thatf r "that portion of the Abruzzi which abuts on Waterloo road," wishing by this description to convey the idea that the worst scenes of Italian brigandage were repeated within the ( sound of Bow Bells. London, however, is now (says a Home paper) suffering from a far .worse epidemic of ruffianism, and outrage than- it was then. The, / Thames Embankment has " been for months past infested by gangs of brutal roughs, who haye^ttackedunoffendingpassengersand .belabored jfch'em so furiously that, in some cases,- dVath' o ,hasltfolloyea. ;Mr ' Jiiaticfc ;Haw,kins,, matters ia hq&likelyTtp erj-on f^he has parsed two' or tßree ex|j|edMgly : severe ftfentenfe?— inv J bne^instencei^^teri; years' penUl,:>"er^»fwfteh;^t>||ayi:i>e 1 e^!Ci|<tnqt^M;i)a?mg;tHe, s tiJiVsW\F^btaa^^^*ny|rdS(icl ]

Sir William Harcourt declares that each of the number committed suicide. This is au hypothesis, in support of which no evidence is forthcoming. There is too much reason to fear that murder continues to be, , as it always has been, com-j' moner in Bugland than is generally aup-' posed, and that for every case of detected homicide there are many other eases in which no detection follows. The Grand Jury at the Old Bailey have just made a presentment which commends itself to public feeling. They attribute the frequency of violent and brutal outrages to misplaced judicial leniency, and they add that in cases of serious bodily injury the same corporal punishment should be inflicted which is now added to terms of imprisonment for robbery with violence.

A number of hotelkeepers give notice of their intention to apply for a renewal of their licenses. Mr Lovell, Taupiri, gives notice of his intention to apply for a transfer of the license of the Taupiri Hotel to Mr A. Ellis. Messrs Jackson and Russell, solicitors, Auckland, warn people against cutting or removing timber from the Kuranui-Whaiti and Patetere district. The Piako County Council notify that they intend striking a rate of Is in the £ on property in the Te Aroha outlying distaict. Mr J. S. Bucklahd will sell at the Ohaupo yards on Tuesday, May 23rd. Cattle sheep and horses. Mr W. Johns, Te Awamutu, expresses regret for using towards Mr Sloane any expressions calculated to injure and offend him, Mr Sloane himself disclaiming any intention to reflect on him or his family. The time for receiving applications for receiving shares and tenders for land in and for the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory Company, has been extended to the 29th inst, at 4 p.m. Mr John Knox will sell at his Mart, Hamilton, on Saturday next, a choice lot of furniture, live and dead produce, and sundries. Ml' W. Dibsell gives notice that lie intends to apply for a renewal of his license of the Waihou Hotel, Te Hawana, Te Aroha. Mess's Veale and Balcke give notice to apply for the license for the Te Aroha Hote I, Taupiri Mr A. W. Ellis, gives notice of his intention to apply for a license for the Taupiti Hotel, Waihou. Miss M. Doran, Cambridge, notifies that having secured the services of Mr Morris Moses (late manager for his brother in that town), she intends adding clothing, outfitting, and boot and shoe branches to her business, and placing the whole under his management. Thc_ dressmaking and millinery will still be carried on under the same supervision .is before. Further particulars will be published in a future issue.