AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1585, 31 August 1882, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Heie shall the Press the People's right maintain, UiMwcd by influence and unbribed by gain.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1882.

Aftlu many fruitless attempts, the North has at length succeeded in obtaining a grant for the establishment and maintenance of a University College, an advantage which will place u& on an even footing with our hitherto much more favoured brethren in the South. But, having got the money, a difficulty has arisen in regard to the proper &ito for this new seat of learning. Many Aucklanders earnestly hoped that Government House would have been dedicated to the purpose, and it cannot be denied that it possesses numerous advantages. This hope has, however, been dispelled by the refusal of the Government to part with the property, and the foster fathers of the infant university are casting about for another homo. It seems to have been pro-determined, as a matter of course, that the college is to be erected, if not within the limits of Auckland City, at any rate not beyond its environs, and the Domain has been suggested as a place in which a suitable site could be found. It is doubtful, however, whether this will not be as difficult to obtain as Government House Auckland is not endowed with a superfluity of places of public resort, and it is by no means probable that the citizens will consent to sacrifice a part of the Domain on account of an institution from which they, as a body, aro not likely to receive any material or direct benefit — so far, at least, as they themselves are able to see. It is in the highest degree necessary that the situation should be healthful, but wo do not think it essential that it should be in close proximity to a great city. The student, indeed, lias always been associated with quiet natural scenery, flowering hedgerows, green fields, leafy coverts and babbling brooks, and though in this age of steamboats, 1 ail ways, electric cables and torpedoes, man has much less to do with pastorals than with the principles of science,itis,nevertheless, a fact that successful study, be the subject what it may, requires peaceful surroundings. Our readers may easily guess the nature . of the,conclusion wo aye endeavoring to lead up to. It is simply that in considering this matter of the selection, of a site for the Northern University, the

"Waikato lms claims' which ought neither to be ignored norslighted. The geographical position of this district is vastly supeiior to that of Auckland, while it labors under none of tho objections which can be raised to a largo and rapidly growing city, its temptations and its vices. In a young country too, such as this, where, moreover, the national calling is the cultivation of the soil, the necessity for agricultural colleges is greater, or at any rate equally as great as that for Universities properly so called, and a fusion of tho t»vo would produce the most beneficial results. We have been induced to refer to this matter in the full belief that our proposition is a just and fair one. We frankly admit that we ente/tain but slender expectations of its adoption or even reception.

The story of the .attempted assassination of Barlow at Alexandra, whatever other impressions it may have produced, seems to have inspired everybody with disgust. The conduct of Barlow in going to Alexandra just now, when the arrest and execution of Winiata still rankle in the minds of the natives, was unwise and inconsiderate in the extreme. The foolish act of this man might easily have involved us in fresh difficulties with a people between whom and ourselves the most cordial relations exist, and we hardly think much sympathy would have been evoked on his account had the issue been more unpleasant for him than it was. We are more than half disposed to doubt the accuracy of the story altogether. Many do not hesitate to throw discredit upon it, and, indeed, it must be admitted that they have some warrant. The testimony of a native friend of Barlow that lie heard no other shots fired save those which proceeded from Barlow's revolver suggests curious reflections. It is, of course, only natmal to suppose that the natives should promulgate such a version, and we should regard with suspicion anything coming from that quarter, but there still remains sufficient grounds upon which to build up numerous theories, varying more or less from the statement-in-chief. In any case we cannot too strongly reprobate Barlow's action in going to Alexandra at all.

Our telegrams from the seat of war this morning chronicle the continued successes of the British forces. Arabi has attacked the position held by our troops on the freshwater canal, and has been repulsed with heavy loss in life, and several of his cannon have fallen into the hands of the British. Unfortunately for the English troops, the weather is extremely hot. The sun is a more formidable enemy than Arabi, and may, if anything, retard the military operations somewhat. It will be seen that Turkey has at last signed the convention with England, so that no trouble is likely to spring from the Bosphorus.

Mr H. Steele has disposed of his horse Gladiator, which he rode at the hunt yesterday, and which jumped so well over the posts and rails, to Mr R. Gwynne, the price being £30.

A mishap occurred at the Hamilton railway bridge on Tuesday. The south-cast cylinder, which is only a few feet long, fell out of position, and now lies at the bottom of the river. It is expected, however, that it will be raised with very little difficulty.

The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Literary and Debating Club will be held in the Court-house this evening. A short paper will be read on Irish history, which will be followed by discussion.

The Hamilton-Te Aroha coach has now resumed its work, the fine weather having greatly improved the road. The resumption of this service will be a gieafc boon to the travelling

public. The attendance at Mr Buckland's sale ot Mr Ramsay's shorthorn cattle at Rangiaohia, on Tuesday was large, and on the whole the lots submitted fetched fair piice&, considering the depressed state of the meat market. The purebred bull Loid Stephenson was passed in, the highest bidding being forty guineas.

At a meeting of the parishioners of .S. Peter's Church, Hamilton, held last night, it was unanimously decided that the Vestry be instructed to write to the Bishop and ask him to nominate the Rev. H. J. Edwaidb to the vacant incumbency.

The New South Wales football team will play against Auckland on the 9th September. It is proposed in Auckland that the visitors should play Waikato on the 12th. We would suggest that a meeting of the Waikato players be held at once to decide what course to pursure.

The natives we learn are endeavouring to have the land court, which is expected to be held in Cambridge next month, adjourned till November, on account of their cultivations, next month being the sowing season.

Mr Goodfellow, late of the firm of Goodfellow and Evans, Cambridge, is having a new store built in Victoriastroot, on the ground lately occupied by Mr Trewheelar's bakery, which business he recently took over. The new building when completed, will be an addition to the many fine business houses in theupper end of the town, and, when stocked, will be found a great convenience to residents in the vicinity.

The certificates of merit obtained by pupils of the Hamilton West school will be presented at the school this afternoon at half-past two o'clock. The chairman of the school committee, Mr James Hume, will make the presentation, and we expect to see a large number of parents and others interested in the school marking by their presence their appreciation of the excellent work performed by the head master, Mr Murray, and big staff of teachers.

A number of the friends of Mr A. Bach, late of tho Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, and the present host of the Royal Hotel, Hamilton, entertained him at a supper at the former hostelry on Monday evening last. Nearly thirty gentlemen sat down to the table, which was provided in Mr Hewitt's usual good style. The customary toasts, including that of " Our Guest," were received with musical honors, and all present joined in Mr Bach all success in his new enterprise.

Mr Thomas Spurgeon is announced to lecture in the Public Hall, Hamilton, on Tuesday next, the sth prox. The subject is "An evening with John Ploughman," and the lecture will be illustrated with lime light views. Everybody Is mQFg or loss acquainted with the Rev. 0, H, Spurgeon's , book, "John Ploughman's Talk,' with its assumed rusticity of style and /hard practical wisdom, and the fact that", the lecture is based upon this book—that -it is in fact the compoaition'bf "^he, great preacher of the Lohdonj'J^Spacle— should bring ,together, a. large^vucUehce pn Tuesday night, ' ' ",'V^,*"- ' -l- !

We learn that a few gentlemen in Cambridge are exerting themselves in the matter of the water supply scheme, which was submitted and debated at a public meeting about twelve months ago, when the ratepayers were almost unanimously of opinion that something should be done in the matter. We hope, now that the board have the necessary powers to proceed in the matter, those who are desirous of something being done will exert themselves in the right direction. j '

The Cambridge Dramatic Society are preparing for another performance which they intend shall come oft' some tinie next month. The entertainment which will be m aid of the society, will consist of two pieces entitled, " Cool as a Cucumber," and "Turn him Out." The money voted at the last meeting of the Public Hall Committee for scenic purposes has been rightly appropriated, and the stage when fitted up under the direction of a competent person will be one of the liest in Waikato.

The imported stallion, Prickwillow, now in Waikato, is being much admired by bleeders and others in the Cambi idge district. He is e>aid to be one of the best horjes ever imported for getting weight cat rying hacks and steeplechase horses ; and of his class is probably the finest animal we have for some time had in Waikato. Prick willow was selected in England by Major Barlow, one of the most successful exhibitors of hunting and blood stock at the principal shows in the United Kingdom, 600 guineas being the price then paid for him. He boasts an excellent pedigree, and has some distinguished relations.

A service of song, entitled "Eva" founded on Mrs Stowes " Uncle Tom's Cabin," in aid oi the harmonium fund of Trinity Sunday•i) > w u ,'i v3l by the children of the sunday-school, assisted by the members of the choir, in their church on Tuesday evening last, before a large and appreciative audience. The Rev. J. Dukes read the narrative portion of the service clearly and with great force. As the rev. gentleman reached some pathetic scene in Eva's life, the choir sang appropriate tunes. At the conclusion of the entertainment, Mr Sims proposed a vote of thanks to the singers and the leader of the choir, Mr Meacham, and the organist, Mr R. Salmon, for the veiy able and Satisfactory manner which these gentlemen had carried the piogramme through. It is to be hoped that we shall have a few more of these entertainments, which are both instructive and entertaining. We mnst not omit to mention that the rendering of the peicesby the choir gave unbounded satisfaction, and as the assembly left the building all spoke of the very pleasant evening they had spent.

Stanley, the discoverer of Livingstone, is at present on the Upper Congo, in command of a party consisting of 236 persons—2oo Zaupiharis, a few whites, and the remainder West Coast natives. He is in the enjoyment of splendid health, and the only inconvenience he sufters arises from the heat and other little unpleasantnesses peculiar to residence in an African climate. He is agent for companies which have invested a large amount of capital in opening up sections in Africa, and who only desire to secme for themselves all the advantages which may accrue from the explorer's labois. It is expected that in a few months the w orld will hear some interesting, if not startling, news from the little camp on the Upper Congo. It appears that he is very reticent as to his proceedings, and the exact nature of the woik he is> engaged in.

Admirers of Mr Oscar Wilde, who has just arrived in New York from a voyage of discovery hi search of the picturesque, should be delighted (says a Home paper) to learn that, after many disappointments, he has at length found the " true Ameiican" in the Far West, and "sublime brandy" at the Golden Gate, lint it was only west of Chicago that he "found America." The Philistine New Yorker is too closely akin to his English cousin. At San Francisco, too, Mr Wilde first saw the Chinaman, and was conquered, probably recognising in him that element of colour which, according to his creed, is the supreme joyousness of life. " I learned many things from the Chinese," Mr Wilde modestly adds. " Their plays are pageants ; every actor is mobt nobly and beautifully attired." In his opinion the Chinese have a most decided and artistic value, which hitherto lias been somewhat unaccountably ignored. The unhappy Mormons do not please him. They were "a most uniutellectual people." President Taylor and his three wives proved to be charming, but their tabernacle is "in the shape of a, tea-kettle, and is decorated with the ornaments of a gaol." Mr Wilde believes, however, that his coming has been productive of good, and s>ome at least of the seed has not fallen in stony places. The next mission of the apostle of aitheticism will be to tho backwoods of Canada and Australia.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday a number of bills were advanced a stage. The Pharazyn Disability Removal Bill was thrown out on the voices. In the House, on the same day, the Protection of Telegrams Bill was reported from the Legislative Council with amendments, which were agreed to. Replying to a question, Mr Dick said the subsidy for libraries would be proposed on the Supplementary Estimates, care being taken to secure the interests of country libraries. He also stated that Government did not intend to press the Bankruptcy Bill this session. It would be distributed during the recess. Mr Bryce obtained leave to introduce an Amnesty Bill. A bill to amend the Counties Act was introduced by message from the Governor, and read a first time. Tho Borough of Hamilton Boundaries Bill, and several others were read a second time. Mr Dick moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. t He said the measure differed from that introduced by Sir George Grey and parsed through the House, inasmuch as an examination in general knowledge, as well as in law was required. The motion was carried. Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Road and Bridges Construction Bill. The bill makes provision for advancing money to local bodies. Mr Montgomery opposed the bill, and criticised its financial proposals. Mi 1 WynnWilliama opposed the bill on account of his objection to special taxation, and because of the immense amount of power which the measure would place in the hands of Government of the c]ay. Mr Sutton supported, and Mr Bathgate condemned the Bill. After further debate the motion was carried by 34 to 14, and the bill was read a second time.

At a special meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council on Tuesday night, it was unanimously resolved to accept the tender of Mr W. D. Campbell, civil engineer, of Auckland,.for the preparation of plans of the proposed drainage scheme. The following were the tenders received, with terras.:.—Boylan and Lundon (Auckland) £35/and 4 pe.r cent, for supervision; W. D.,Campbell,.£2s, 4 per cent.: G. F. Hosking, £15 15s, 5 per cent. ;T/G. Sandes, £35;" \k- per .cent. < "Mr Campbell was io l£ Hartiiltpn. 3 ont.Tues-, days-and, acqo.mpaniec|. tjjnthe towjicjerkj, he made a personal; inßpeg^oii^of^fehose" parts of the 1 b6rougbiwhich,.requij?B tb^JSe' arairie^eis oilqpjmon^h'aj #$$«$& 1 need< w>Vbe;neattypo cos?%as vh&tagg