The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1563, 11 July 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever st.itc or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Un.iwcd by influence and unbribcd by gain.

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1882.

Tiik occasion of the annual meeting of the Hamilton Ladies' .Benevolent (Society seems a fit ono to ofi'er a few remarks on the general subject of public and private charity. The subjectn'san important one, because, with the terrible examples provided by the old world constantly before our eyes, our efforts ought to be persistently directed against the growth oi a pauper class in this new land. We do not seek to disguise our distrust of benevolent institutions of all kinds, not for the reason that the agents are unworthy. So far as our experience has shown us these agents are invariably actuated by a noblo zeal in the cau.se of humanity, and perform their self-imposed task with a thoroughness which would surprise those to whom the blessings attendant upon a charitable life are unknown. Our objection rests upon widely different grounds. Firstly, we think societies of this character ought to be unnecessary, and secondly, uo believe that in too many cases they foster the growth of pauperism. Inspecting the first part of this proposition, it may be said that there is a wide distinction between that which out/hi to be and that which is. True enough. And wo are not disposed to deny that in many cases the exercise of charity is necessary. Out there is surely something out, of joint when this can be said of so young a community as ours ! A correspondent, who writes asking us to aid the cause of the Hamilton .society, says "During sickness the working man not only forfeits his means of subsistence, but incurs fresh liabilities, and unless he be provident and a member of some club has, in addition to the pain of ' his malady, the misery of knowing that his children arc deprived of the necessaries of life." AYe appreciate the kindly spirit which dictated those lines, but wo had rather they had been written with the object of making men "provident," than for the purpose of soliciting aid for those whose hapless condition has been induced by neglect or worso. We believe thab by far the greater proportion, nearly the whole, of the distress existing in the colony has been self-imposed, — brought about cither by the neglect to make, during periods of prosperity, the most ordinai'y pi'ovision against darker days, or by indulgence in habits of intemperance and sloth, and it is in tho direction of changing this' that the efforts of our social reformers should be guided, If, by means of example and precept, by advising and counselling, a spirit of manly independence can bo infused into the improvident class, so much the bolter ; but, failing- this, we must look for assistance to the Legislature. That there exist those who despair of ever making men provident by private means may be inferred from the course which Major Atkinson is taking with regard to his scheme of national assurance. Having said so much, we will admit that there is and ever will be, need for the exercise of private charity. What we desire to guard against is tho establishment of institutions having anything in them of the nature of a work-house. There arc many cases, the result of unfor&cen misfortune, where a little timely assistance may avert evil consequences, and there arc others in w Inch perhaps sympathy is the only thing needful. In these, directions tho society under notice can do much good, and therefore we should be sorry to see it fall for lack of assistance. In the past the public have subscribed withanigejai'dhand, and the society has been prevented from caiTying out even that work which we say belongs to il. With a fuller knowledge of the scope and aim of the institution moi'e abundant help will doubtless be forthcoming. Our desire to lesson the evils of pauperism by removing the incentives thereto should not blind us to the claims of genuine distress. The wise bard of Avon has said, through the medium of one of his finest creations, We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.

Ix our European news of to-day, regarding' the Egyptian crisis it is stated that the work of manning and strengthening the forts and harbor of Alexandria has been resumed, and that the British Admiral, Sir Beauehamp Seymour, has sent an ultimatum to A*ibi Pasha, demanding 1 the surrender of the forts to the Allied Powers within 12 hours. It is also stated that Arabi Pasha has been formally summoned, by the Sultan to StambouL but that the' Egyptian Minister has refused to obey His'< Majesty'.^ commands. ] '' ' ' ; ' '

The first article on tiie Paietere' Country is again unavoidably held over. •

It will bd seen by our cable news that Ociultlll Michael Skobeloff, the eminent Russian officer, is dead.

At the Supreme Court, Auckland, yesterday, a true bill was> returned against yViniata, the Epsom murderer.

A man named Feehan was brought before Cbl.'"Xyon, J.P., on Saturday last, for being drunk, and fined five shillings.

The new culvert at . the foot of Ewen's Hill is now completed as far as the concrete work is concerned, and the work of filling in was commenced yesterday.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Hamilton Highway Distuct was called for Saturday last, at the Railway Hotel, Prankton, but a quorum not being in attendance the meeting was postponed till Saturday next.

■Mr Benrier is again in temporary charge of the Cambridge post and telegraph station, Mr E. B. Reynolds being absent on sick leave.

The Town Surveyor has been engaged for the past week laying off the unformed thoroughfares in Cambridge for Constabulary operations. The timber for the Karapiro Budge is at present on its way from Auckland, and the work may therefore be expected to commence at an early date.

Many natives have expressed m strong terms their disapproval of Mr Bryce's Native Reserves Bill, now before the House, and having committed their reasons for dissenting to paper, have forwaided them to Wellington. If the bill becomes law they declare they will never allow their lands to pass through a land court to have the titles interfered with.

A number of the Armed Constabulary have been told off to repair and put in becoming condition the military graves in Waikato, which have been referred to frequently by the public as being in a most diagraceful condition. Wo hope, out of regard to the brave who have fallen, the Government will not be backward in spending a few pounds in this long neglected work.

The Good Templar Lodge has been re-organised in Cambridge. At a meeting held in Cambridge Ea&t schoolioom, on Thursday evening last, the member roll was re-opened and considerably augmented. Mr Collingham was appointed W.V.T. ; Mr Chalmers, D.V.T. ; MiDaws, W.S. ; and the Rev. T. G. Carr, Chaplain. It was agreed to hold a weekly meeting every Tuesday, in the Oddfollows' Hall.

The following tenders were received for the erection of the fellmongery plant for the Waikato Fellmongery Company :—F. G. Taylor, £198 13s ; A. Lockie, -C 220 I9s ; G. T. Worthington (woodwoik only), £ISO. The tender of Mr Taylor was accepted in part.

A concert and dance in aid of the funds of the H.iutapu school will be held in the school house on Friday evening, 28th inst. A number of the leading amateurs of the Cambridge district have promised their assistance, and a good evening's entertainment will result.

There seems to be no lack of woik ju&t now in the building line in Waikato. Mr W. Sloane, of Te Awamutu, is about to erect a very large store, which ■« ill probably be one of the best and most commodious in the distiict. At least this may be inferred from the fact that something like 20,000 feet of timber v ill be used in its construction.

The return football match between the boys of the Hamilton West School and the Union (juvenile) Football Club, Hamilton East, was played on Sydney Square, on Saturday, and resulted in a victory for the former by four touch-downs to nothing. Masters H. Breakell and H. Ewen distinguished themselves for the victors, and E. and W. Potter played a good game for the Union Club.

Owing to the inclement state of the weather only three of the members of the Hamilton Cricket Club were present at the meeting called for last night, and the meeting was adjourned to next Monday at the same hour and place as before notified.

We regret to have to record the sudden demise of Mr Edward McGarriglc, storekeepei', Hamilton, which took place at an early hour yestei day morning. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for sonic time, and last week he proceeded to Auckland to consult Dr Plain es, who warned him that his state was critical, and advised his speedy return home. He returned to Hamilton on Friday last, and placed himself under the caie of Dr Bdgelow. But medical aid could do nothing tor him, his complaint, congestion of the lungs, being too aggra\ated to be susceptible of relief. The funeral will take place to-morrow. Mr McGanigle was one of the most useful and painstaking members of the Borough Council, in which his death will create a vacancy.

A meeting held at Invercargill on Saturday to arrange for welcoming Sir Julius Vogel was considerably enlivened by a speech by Mr McKay, a member of the Town Council, in the course of which he strongly denounced Sir -J ulius' career in this colony, stating that it was simply contemptible. If he again enteicd the politicnl area it would be a great calamity for New Zealand. As a member of the Corporation, he would object to any expense being incurred in connection with the reception, but would be willing to vote half-a-crown to procure a pack of cards for Sir Julius Vogel, in order that he might make another start in the colony. Mcssis Mclvor and J. Mitchell combatted Mr McKays statements —the former pointing out how well Sir J ulius had served Southland in connection Avith immigration, and the latter praising his scheme of Government life insurance, which alone would entitle him to their gratitude.

Several times I have referred to the probability which has for a long period existed, of the road on the Hakamarata range, becoming in a short time almost impassable owing to the heavy traffic which would be put upon it by the Waikato Steam Navigation Compauy, in performing the cartage requisite in the carrying oufcV>f their operations at the lime kilns on the top of the range. lam afraid that the probability is not likely to exist much longer, but will very soon become a disagreeable and unfortunate reality. Travellers say that the road in the part spoken of, is in a dreadful state at the present time, and they generally ascribe it, chiefly to the heavy traffic which is being done upon it by the company just instanced. Adopting this as a correct theory, the settlers in the Raglan district have just grounds for complaint. They do not go so far as to say that the W.S.N. Co. should not use the road, but they affrm (and I think with good reason) that the Gorernment, or the Waste Lands Board—who took the initiation in the matter, should have, forseen what would happen, and prior to leasing the property, have made proper provision to prevent,or at least to lessen the-injury now being ctone. F,or many l-years'the Raglanites exerted themselves 1 to induce the Government to .vote a.aufficient sum of money for the construction ' of this road, 1 fond It does'seem hard that after all this, any person or i company pi peraons 'shouitlcbraa upon the scone,' and in pursuit of personal, gain completely dentroy it.-**'Td theW personally little blame can,

however, be given. It is certainly gratifying to see fresh industries springing tip, and we should, as good colonists do all in our power to encourage and foster their development, Imt in this case it is being done at the risk of working irreparable harm upon the a\ elfarc and prosperity of this district. Of course nothing will do this to a greater extent, than any thing which will destroy our inland com-~ imuiioatioii with Waikato, which doing damage to the Hakamarata range must effectually produce. Now, how to mend the evil is the question. Most likely it will be found that the cause cannot be removed. The residents here would do well to give attention to this matter ere it is too late. An apathy appears to be manifested by a great number of them in reference to the subject. This is a short-sighted policy ; for ultimately it must be productive even of more evil to the district than at present. Would it not be advisable to see what might be done in the way of induting -the Government to place such a sum of money on the Public Works estimates as would be sufficient to provide funds to metal this portion of the RaglanWaiparoad? At the present time the Government keep this road in repair, which circumstance should afford the residents still more confidence in making the application. 'There is an unlimited supply of stone available for the purpose on the top of the range, 30 that the carting would be an easy affair. The stone has already been tried as regards its suitability for the work, and it macadamised excellently. If the road was metalled, and it was made compulsory that persons doing heavy carting upon it should use broad tiers upon the ■wheels of their vehicles, we should soon overcome the existing evil. —[Raglan correspondent.],

We are in receipt of the following circular fiom Mr Banister, the Secretary and Superintendent of the Grand Interuational Juvenile Industrial Exhibition at Sydney : —Sir,—Will you kindly allow us, through your columns, to address a few lines to the young people on behalf of the intended Juvenile Exhibition, to be opened on the J)th November, ISS'J, in the Garden Palace, Sydney ? Young Friends,—The Schedule of Regulations and Prize List is now published ior your information, and we hope you will carefully read them through. In diawing your attention to it, allow us to tell you great care has been taken in framing them ; much attention has been given to embrace all supposed ai tides that may be prepared for exhibition. But should any omissions have been made, or any pait not quite clear to you, apply by letter or personally to the Secretary, who will give you every information. If you desire to exhibit any articles not enumerated, it can be enteied in Group 23. We hope every young person, who is able, in your district will make an attempt in some form to prepare an exhibit, and thus show the colony at laige that they have energy, talent, and industry. Do not look on with indifference ; do your best to make the Juvenile Exhibition worthy of your native land ; and then in after life you will have the gratification of being able to say that you took part in making it so. Many are already at work,—the simplest specimen of industry will be acceptable,—let all work with a will and enthusiastic. The object is a good one, and intended to show to the world that the young Australians are an industrious and an intelligent community. Remember, much depends on you to make the exhibition a success ; for without your handiwork it would be a failure, and you will have to share in the disappointment. The committee will do their part, and trust their young friends will do theirs, and every colonist do their best to help in the good work ; let no one stand aloof, for when the busy and interesting event is over, and you have not taken some part, you will feel a remorse that you had not in some way contributed to it; it will then be too late to share in the honour. Bear in mind there is dignity and honour in labour. The committee nre anxious that the young people should take the matter up warmly, and set a good example to otheis in making their homes hives of industry and contentment ; that in years to come it may be the theme of many a pleasant hour —the Grand Intercolonial Industrial Exhibition of Sydney, 18S2.