The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1551, 13 June 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and o\act 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 unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1882.

Tueke is one subject on which we trust the Auckland members, however they may differ on mere party questions, will be found unanimous, and that is to secure for the , North a vote for the constructiqn of the main trunk line of railway from the present terminus at Te Awamutu to Taranaki, and to rsee . that it is not on this occasion made, a mere bogus estimate, to, balance 'a proportionate expenditure in' another part of the colony, and nothing more. Aupkjand w ,may, fairly , claim vote as a right, ana itg concession will do ; much*to jjjinoqtholaway ithe feeling in' "the ,^6'fith^sJaWi -that that portion of^ne "cotqny received -a^ sssf - . of £;|he 1f 16kns hitherto raised xojixfc ; liability andshare Qf#hei*fb'iir^ns*\ •^To fhe im^orti^whiSti'th^n^ j s^rviction of Ijhisyline^/will be r^to'} »W%kata; u cp^^lp^nmMi . trftiie';aiid P#sK^t^#Mi|gf^^p|

extensive and not less fertile tracts of land beyond our present boundaries will be, to a far greater extent, to Auckland in the immediate future. ■ - Nor must any one run away with .tile idea that the projected line to the Lake Country, which will connect with the Thames- Wai - kato railway, should, if carried further South than Rotorua, be considered an alternate line to the one we now refer to. As bringing the Lake Country into direct communicntion by a quick and easy route with the northern capital, the proposed Rotorua line is an indispensable work, and will doubtless prove one of the best paying lines in the colony, placing the most wonderfully beautiful sanatorium of the world within cheap and easy access of most people. But it is not an alternative line with the .main trunk line via Te Awamutu to Taranaki, passing through the heart of the King country. Each line has its own special functions to fulfil, and, while the one would doubtless, though by a longer route, connect Auckland and "Wellington by rail, the other will perform the threefold service of doing this more quickly, will at the same time settle for ever the native difficulty, and will open up a country rich in lands fit for pastoral and agricultural purposes, and in parts known to abound with the more valuable of minerals. Moreover, what to many will not count as nothing, it will give to the Maoris the opportunity of becoming a rich and civilised and prosperous people, and even yet save the remnants of a race, which the older colonists have felt was capable of something better than being swept away before the advancing wave of our European colonisation. No matter who owns this vast and rich territory, when once it is tapped by the iron road its lands will not remain unproduc- j tive as now, but give employment to thousands, and pour a continuous flood of products into the ports of Auckland and Wellington at either end. We have said the vote must not only be put upon the estimates, but that care must be taken that it is not suffered to be the mere bogus vote it was some few sessions back. To deal leniently with the Acts of a past Administration it is perhaps only fair to admit that there were difficulties then to the carrying out of this work, which now have ceased to exist. The error of a past Ministry was not so much that the vote being passed the work was -not carried out, as that it was allowed to be placed on the estimates at all when the only effect it had in being placed there was to afford an excuse for larger expenditure elsewhere. The position is now changed. There are no practical difficulties now to the carrying out of this work. The native mind is ripe for it. We find Te Wheoro in his place in the House strenuously advocating the j construction of this line, and stating on his own personal experience and j knowledge that a route free from any serious engineering obstacles could easily be found. The large landowners among the Maoris are beginning to wake up to the knowledge of the value their lauds would be to them either for use, lease, or sale if connected by railway with the principal ports of the North Island, and opened to settlement. At the time that Tawhiao was in Waikato, some very earnest enquiries were made by one or two of the most influential of his adherents then with him as to the possibility of getting assistance from the G-overnment to enable the natives themselves to open xip a portion of the King country by rail with one of the frontier settlements, showing how fully these people had become alive to the advantages to themselves which railway communication would afford.. The time has arrived when what was only a question of speculative discussion may now bo brought to a practical issue. That Auckland is powerful enough in the Assembly to secure this measure of justice to the North we make no doubt. It is to this part of New Zealand a matter of such vital importance that all party differences must be made subordinate to it, and even if purchased at the price of the Otago Central the colony as a whole will be the gainer. Of its political importance we have already spoken. As a question of public economy it would most undoubtedly render one department of the Government, and that a costly one, no longer necessary. But to Auckland its commercial value is beyond calculation. Let Canterbury and Otago enjoy their great pastoral wealth ; let Wellington remain the political centre and capital of the colony ; but open up by railway the vast country Stretching away beyorid'Te Awamutu and Alexandra towards Taranaki, and Auckland may- re t st ,'cqntent to fill the position for which' nature has evidently intended her— the Liverpool of New Zealand.

A paper/ has , been .laid ,on the table i of the House "containing the catalogue of the j^ew^ Zealand wool exhibits, jsgown ,jat l the'\lise^a6ipnal Exhibition-; of -wools held a^'ttie Crystal^ I*alacerLondonv^last year, together with the names' fit th^ei-, .hjbitoys,^istrip|s ,in which^H,e* j|ri- : | iwere^grbw^ljr^h^jtneirs ' desorlflfi^nfaa^lieir, mariret^alue.'-

the best specimen of washed crossbred wool. Silver and bronze medals were also awarded to New Zealand exhibitors for other classes of this , staple. While we take occasion to compliment the colony, generally, on the success of her wool raising, we cannot but admit that the entire credit is confined to only particular parts of the colony, and that the name of Auckland does not appear on the catalogue. The successful wool-growing districts are Canterbury, Otago, Wanganui, and Hawke's Bay. In the matter of wool -growing New Zealand seems to be taking a prominent position, and doubtless the success which has attendedherexhibitsatthe Crystal Palace, will serve to materially enhance the value of our wool in the Home market. We hope the time is not far distant when New Zealand cheese will gain a name for itself in England, and, if not altogether displace, compete favourably with the produce of America and Canada. We, therefore look forward, with anxiety to the ddveolpment of our future factories of the establishment of which we have heard, of much of late.

At a special meeting of the Cambridge Town District Board held on Friday evening last, Mr T. Wells was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.

A small section of land adjoining the National Hotel, Cambridge, was sold 1 by Mi* Carter to Mr Lewis, of Auckland, last week, for £5 10s a foot.

At the nomination for the Waka- | nui seat, on Saturday, Mr Ivess and Mr Saunders were pi'oposed. The show of hands gave Mr Ivess 37, and Mr Saunders 14. A poll was demanded on behalf of Mr Saunders.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, yesterday, an old offender, named John Curran, was brought before Mr Northcroft for being drunk and disorderly. He was fined 80s, or fourteen day's imprisonment.

The adjourned ordinary meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held last night, but owing to the late hour at which the business was concluded, we are compelled to hold over our report.

The establishment of a Debating Society has been mooted in Cambridge for some time past, but we have not as yet heard of anything definite having been done in the matter. Probably the gentlemen who take an interest in the matter Avill bring their energy to bear.

Considering the success which has attended the starting of a cheese factory in Te Awamutu, the scheme so far having made more favourable progress than anticipated, we are surprised that some of the settlers in the Cambridge .district have not as yet mooted the establishment of a like business in that quarter.

The adjourned concert of the Cambridge Musical Union conies off this evening in the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton. The programme which consists of a variety of musical contiibutions, promises to be an entertaining one, and no doubt the Union will be well patronised by the Hamilton public. A. change has been made in the prices of admission to which we draw attention.

Now that the new board of town commissioners for Cambridge is installed iv office, we hope the members will make every exertion to have the remaining unformed streets in the town put in presentable condition. Dining the reign of the old body great improvements were effected in many of the principal thoroughfares, and indeed almost the entire revenue of the board was exhausted in this way. Those places to which we would more forcibly draw attention to are Victoria-street in the vicinity of the post-office, the Hamilton Road between the town belt and the church corner, and Chapel-street. The condition of these places at the present time adds very little to the picturesqueness of the township.

A horrible case of suicide is reported in a telegram from Hawera, dated Sunday. It says :— George Mackay, aged twenty-three years, a carpenter, who was lodging at Kirk's Hotel, got out of bed at S o'clock this morning, and deliberately cut his throat; with a razor. The windpipe and arteries were severed — in fact, the head was only held on to the shoulders by the vertebrte. Death ensued in three minutes. His mate, who was sleeping in the same room, endeavoured to snatch the razor from him, but was too late. Mackay only arrived from Glasgow per the Westport, and since then has Avorked at Messrs Hilley and Neing's, saw-millers, Wellington. From a letter written to the deceased by his sister, it would appear that he had a friend at Wellington named Grant. Mackay was a very sober man, but subject to fits of melancholy, the only attributable cause being what he considered his incapacity for work.

American's great showman has addressed the editor of the London Daily Telegraph thus :—": — " My compliments to editor Daily Telegraph and British Nation. Fifty millions of American citizens are anxiously awaiting Jumbo's arrival. My forty years' invariable practice of exhibiting best that money could procure makes Jumbo's presence -here imperative. Hundred thousand pounds would be no inducement to cancel purchase. My largest tent seats 30,000 people, and is filled twice each day. It contains four rings, in three of which three full circus companies give different performances simultaneously. In the large outer ring or racing track the Roman Hippodrome is exhibited. In two other immense connecting tents my colossal zoological collection and museum ,are shown. In December next I visit Australia in person, with Jumbo and my entire niammoth combination of seven shows, via California, thence through Suez Canal.' , Following summer to London. I shall then exhibit in every prominent' city in Great Britain. • May afterward ; return Jumbo to his old position in Royal Zoological 1 Gardens. Wishing long 1 life* and, prosperity to the British Nation, -the 3)aily Telegraph, and Jumbo, I* am the public's obedient, servant. P. T.Barnum.'\ ,'.,

The^dejtth of, General garibaldi recalls toTmind the\ enthusiastic 'reception which the liberator 1 of-Qttaly received when i£,1864 h^yisited^tlie capital of the British' Empire.'* |An, eye witness records his impression <Jf 'thVsce'ne thus :— " The if regular^facade" r of Westminster P*laceand Al3be^,^ith:tfieir many loftytowers rising qp afe^inlit|»a^gqlden IJack-; eround-loffered a ? pic'ture^worth - travelling"

Cross, it did one's heart good to behold for once a grand and genuine enthusiasm expended in EDgland upon a man that deserved it. Cabinet Ministers on the verandah of Whitehall joined in the same ovation with the cordwainers in the crowd below. And it was impossible not to love your nation better for loving Garibaldi so well ; for this man, if any, is a hero who merits all the praise that humanity can bestow. Sprung from the people, genuine in his instincts of freedom, free from the slightest stain of self-Seeking or desire of base gain, devoting his life a hundred times over in conflicts for liberty on both sides the Atlantic, and achieving the deliverance of Southern Italy as much by the goodness of his character as by the power of his sword, here was a man whom a free nation might worthily honour to the uttermost, and who in return would breathe again into his admirers something of Ins own spirit of old Roman virtue and Macedonian courage."

Mr Ward Beecher, the celebrated New York divine, has had a somewhat practical confutation of his favourite theory that children may always be trusted " if you only trust them enough." A bright-eyed, pleasant-faced boy knocked at his door, it seems, the other night, and with the candour and readiness of boyhood explained to Mr Beecher that two gentlemen " down the street" were quarrelling dreadfully over the proper spelling of a word, and had sent to borrow Webster's Dictionary to settle the question. Charmed with the frankness of the ingenuous youth, Mr Beecher handed him at once the quarto volume. The boy hurried off, and, in the words of the American chronicler of the incident, " though the clergyman has never learned how the orthographic difficulty was settled, he is paimully aware that his library is minus one dictionary."

The mild creatures who try to persuade themselves that man has no propensities excepting those which may be discussed in family circles are (writes "B,uffler"in V unity Fair) trying to raise an outcry against football. At present this splendid game is the only one in which the youth of our savage breed can give vent to their fighting propensities. Barring the absence of lethal weapons, every scrimmage is a hand-to-hand h'ghfc, with all the excitement of battle and none of the bloodshed. Young fellows are trained to run swiftly, to charge with bravery, to bear pain silently, and to stand cold and wet and other experiences common in warfare with stoicism. Every great open space is really a trainingground for hundreds of fine soldiers, and I confess that I never see a rush of a dozen lithe and joyoiis players of a good team without thinking what an ugly crew they would be iv a rough-and-tumble fight. I am willing to let the mild family moralists steal my Sabbath, my tobacco, my freedom of speech, but j they must leave our best game alone At ! present the best of our men are as well made as any Greek statues with which I am acquainted, and I should be sorry to see them developing into positive philosophers with negative calves.

Mr. Hugh King, of New York, having recently written to Mr. Michael Davitt, to inform him that one of the New York branches of the Land League has set aside a sum of over £120 to form the nucleus of a fund for him on his release from prison, and asking for instructions as to its investment, has received a reply dated from Portland Prison. Mr. Davitt says : — ''The Governor having kindly granted me permission to auswer your letter of the Bth (February), I am gratified at the opportunity of exchanging a few words with one of my numerous New York friends. But I confess it is not without considerable embanasment that I approach the task of replying to the inquiry implied in the facts with which you have made me acquainted. Few men have ever honestly engaged themselves in the service of Ireland without counting upon reward for their labours coming in the shape of hard knocks from her enemies rather than in that of substantial recompense fiom her proverbially impoverished people — the latter mode of appreciating sacrifices made or work done on their behalf being the prerogative of countries more favoured in worldly wealth and political fortune then ours. While I have not much room forcomplaint in regard to a due share of the ordinary 'compensation' to which an Irishman may confidently look forward from his endeavours to benefit his country, I am, it appears from your letter, in a fair way of finding myself in the pay ot both sides to the Irish question, and of enjoying in consequence that unpleasantness of mind which must necessarily arise from such a circumstance. The squaring of the 'hardknocks account' does not trouble me very much, but to face the future with debt upon my shoulders from the other side is anything but an enviable position to be in. Service in behalf of one's country is never truly noble or elevating unless accompanied by the conviction that we are the creditors, not the pensioners of our fatherland. lam wholly unconscious of any pecuniary' loss sustained by me that should call for such action as that of the Fifth Ward branch of the Irish National Land Leagxie on my account, neither can I imagine any contingency in my personal affairs as likely to arise pending my release from prison that will need any monetary assistance outside my own rosources. I experience, therefore, some_ difficulty in supplying you with directions you allude to touching the disposition of the sum of money you mentioned as been voted on my behalf. For good or evil to her cause, I have for the past 15 years considered myself as engaged for life in the service of Ireland. If, therefore, while I am temporarily incapacitated from the performance of what I consider to be my simple duty (irrespective of all consideration of reward, save the honor of knowing that I am labouring for her welfare), auy circumstance should arise iv which the money in your hands could be made to represent auy of the aid which I would gladly render if at liberty, you could not meet my wishes regarding its use more accurately than in applying it to whatever purpose might advance the interest or well-being of the people of Ireland." The letter was permitted to be written, and that to which it is in reply was allowed to be received, by the consent of the Home Office, outside the ordinary prison discipline. — The Times.

Mr J. S. Buckland will sell at Ohaupo this "day several thousands of African box thorns and thorn quicks. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G> and C. will certainly prove a benefit to, the public. ,Tt has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and' when strictly carried out ' the ' customer who at -an establishment •■where" the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must ■> be a great gainer; G. and >C. sell their drapery, 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 ofbeing called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the jo'ar's. business prove'-' unsatisfactory. andCramvell will aim, to -retain the.confidence , which the public h'aye^bitherto shown them, and ' are lo ( glve v th / e r pure • cash- system a fair triali^whether they gain'or ipse" the first year ;Country buyeri'on will ' > be"suppliM' < w|th" I goo3s i "at\c6^bperatve^ prices ; just the'same as thoughjthey ntade a'personalse-