COMMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1669, 17 March 1883, Page 2

COMMENTS.

A. correspondent, " Father Mathew," waiting in another column, offers , a nufr for the admirers of Mr Redmond to crack. Let them ponder it well before they risk their molars. Perhaps the lessorr conveyed will not be lost upon our own colonials. If the drinking habits of the Irish serve in some measure to keep them in poverty, will not the convivial propensities of the «ftTew Zealand people, if not promptly checked, end in reducing' them to a similary sad condition ? .

Nothing is more 'natural when any little trouble arises with the uatives than that we should look in Mr Bryee's direo-i tion, and ask ourselves what he intends to do. i It somehow i does not enter mto 1 our heads to consider what the natives will do.' The Native, Minister ,has 'carried his point so often! that we^fgh't be'pardone'dif we lapsed iinto tJ the belief that the Maoris were plastic clay,' waiting the hand of the pottey(Bryce) to give, it' 'ti&ahp. ''BafctUe'W&vts Wpprefeiaiß firm- 1 ;

their affection, and sotm set them right in the matter of the Northern Trunk Railway survey, T^ie Maoris n have really acted very foolishly.- Their action "admits of no defence. The Government do not want to rob them of their land-; jdo not wish to disturb them in tlio least ; they are only (o) be', foeated,"' in » manner ,tp which their 1 . European brottrrfeh are subject whenever a railway is inquired to be made through private property, nml have no pretonce whatuvor for''growling. »

'Mr C. 0. Davis, the well-known native scholar, has been in Cambridge for the past few days, canvassing the natives for support for the Maori newspaper, Te Kotimako, This journal is finding great favour with the natives, who, as far as their means will permit, are supporting it. The circulation has now reached about 1500, which number, we hope, will be considerably augmented by Mr Davis visit. Te Kortnwho, we think, should do good service, if properly condncted, and its columns devoted to a right use. Temperance seems to he the basis of its teaching, and the substanceof its doctrine, butwe think an occamatter of the ill-treatment of native horses sional piece of advice to its readers ou the by their owners, would not be out of place, but, instead, might exert a very beneficial influence over the. moral nature of the owners, to say nothing of the material blessings which would accrue to the poor dumb creatures. Instances of cruelty to animals on the part of natives are witnessed every day in Cambridge, some of which might be characterised as shameful and disgraceful. Horses, with barely sufficient flesb on their bones' to hold the frame together, are tied up in groups here and there over the town, with nothing to protect them from the scorching rays of the suu, and tor days left without food or water. They are then taken and ridden for long distances, at a killing pace, with galled backs, urged on with spur and stick, sometimes carrying themselves and their brutal riders along upon only three legs, and without shoes. Such revolting cruelty ought not to go unpunished. If a few sound lessons were administered to the most prominent offenders, these might serve as a caution, and prevent others from continuing in their inhuman course. On the other hand, if such decisions are given as that recorded borne few months in the case of a Maori who, having lidden his horse until it broke its leg, left it to die on the road-side from starvation, the police would be better employed in attending to other duties.

There is something eminently unpleasing in the reflection that Alilner Stephen is not an Apostle after all, but only a vulgar quack. The world sadly wants rousing up, and if only Mr Stephen were the genuine article none were so well fitted to do battle against the hosts of unbelievers, freethinkers, heietics, schismatics, and what-not, that threaten now-a-days to do the churches such harm. But,even the churches won't accept him, let alone the disciples of the modern gospel of reason. The former cry out that he is nothing but common clay, and the latter say "Hear, hear" with a great degree of heartiness. This being so, is it not poetically just that to Chn&tchurch, the very home of churches, should ha\e been assigned the distinction of unmasking the pretender, of tearing the lion's hide off the ass's back? People in other places have been content meielyto bewail their precious guineas gone for ever, but the citizens of Clnistcluuch don't intend to waste their energies on Mr Stephen in that way — they aie going to " run him in." They are not the people to tiath'ck with false Apostles, though some of them have no objection to "profits" of a doubtful character. By the way, Mr Stephen denies that he is a " miracle worker," and claims only to perform '•wonderful cures," by a power which, he says, existed in the world a thousand years before the Apostle 3, and has continued up to the present, "as Ecclesiastical writers had stated. " He says the eaily Christians performed cures, that the Roman Emperor Vespasian, and our Ed waul the Confessor xmie proficients in the same line. Then there was >t Roman Catholic priest named Gasner, who also cured some thousands of people about a century ago, liven His Majesty King Charles the Second cured some 14,000 people of the " King's Evil " by laying hishand upon them. Vrovidcnce, it isquite evident, has bestowed this peculiar gift with the greatest impartiality, for Mr Stephen, when claiming for the Merry Monarch that he exercised apostolic power, feels bound to admit, parenthetically, that he was a great blackguard. But the biggest performer on the modern miracle platform is undoubtedly a certain Dr. Newton, who for quite a number of years has, according to Mr Stephen, been astonishing the weak nerves (and strengthening them too) of the people of England and America. This upostle shows a record of 200,000 cures. Dr. Newton has written a book detailing these cures, by the aid of which Mr Stephen says he is able to tell his patients whether lie can cure them or not. Mr Stephen deprecates ridicule, which, he affirms, arises entirely from ignoian.ee of history, ancient and modern; but he cannot complain of his treatment in this colony. No nigger troupe or circus has ever been treated with more considerate fair-play. The papers have devoted columns to accounts of his many cures without even asking foi? a commission on the receipts. But the farce oan'fc last for ever, and so, after allowing a large percentage of the credulous to be sold, the righteously indignant inhabitants of the Cathedral city have determined to ring down the curtain and turn the gas off.

Mr F. D. Fenton was a passenger to Cambridge by Thursday's coach. The banks in Waikato will be closed from Friday, the 23rd, to Monday, the 26th inst., both days inclusive, for the Easter holidays. We understand that the directors of the Thames Valley and Rotorua Rail* way Company, who are at present in this district, will inspect the route in the course of the next few clays. The contractors for the Karapiro bridge earthworks complain of a scaicity of labour. They are now advertising for "pick and shovel men, to whom good wages will be given. The members of the Hamilton troop, Waikato Cavalry, not having reenrolled under the new Volunteer regulations, airenotified thatall arms and accoutrements in their possession must be returned into store without delay. j The weather has been more or less of a showery character throughout the week, with a moderately high temperature, the result being a noticeable increase in the pasture. There is every prospect of the farmers having abundant feect to carry the stock well into the winMessrs. Thomas, Russell, James Williamson, and J. McCosh Clark,' directors of the New Zealand Stud and f^edi* gree Stock Company, -were passengers to Waikato by Thursday's train on business connected with the company. They werk ■accompanied by Mr G. Maclean, who has been appointed Waikato manager of the concern, •< v ' At a meeting of the Cambridge Wesleyan Church trustees and "members of the congregation, held ■ <m Thursday night last, it was 1 decided to carry out the intention of building a new church op the parsonage site in Queen-street West. The Rev. Mr Carr was authorised to write to Auckland for plans of other ehut'ehes there to submit to the building committee for consideration. ' ■»•.<■> • Mr J. ,o. ,Firth's, Firth's .contribution to' the Mataiira's frozen, meat ' cargo, 1500 sheep, arrived at Oh'au^o frpm Matamata ro&r o& *■ Wednesday j 'and itKence pl #ei?e osans\ ported' to Aucklandf'by '*rail on the twj&j, folld^i^dap^thd" ; respurcespf ;th^ dcmrfcment not to the , tss|; : p

taking theNvhole lot at once.' 1 The> second consignment were taken down by special train yesterday morning. The she"ep are iin excellent condition, weighing about 801bs. each. • ; . , ! ' Tawhiao's secretary has addressed a,, circular letter to the natives^ announcing" the "Jung's"! ' intention to hold a meeting of all the tribes at Whatiwhatihoe, during April, to discuss matters of general interest to the native race. The letter itself will shortly be, published in Auckland. '_ \ i < ,'"" / ! Ai Thursday's meeting of the, Auckland Crown Lands Board a letter was read from Mr Thomas Wells, chairman of the Cambridge Town Board, w rote requesting the board to withdraw ( from sale sections Nos. 601 to 616 of Cam - hi idgc, as the Town Board proposed to ask the (Government for the sections as an endowment. --It was aggreed to refer the matter to the Minister of Lauds.— There was no other business of interest to Waikato readers. We notice by advertisement in another column that the committee appointed by a general meeting of the paiisluoners of S. Peter's, Hamilton, to organise gift auctions for the purpose of raising funds to pay off the debt of L2SO, with which the parish is burdened, arc asking for contributions. "We understand they are prepared to receive gifts of live stock, farm and garden produce, and, in fact, anything that cau be made into money. Donors will find Messrs Le Quesne and Sandes ready at all times to receive, and gratefully acknowledge their offeiings. The Inspector of Nuisances at Cambridge has been exciting himself to suppress local nuisances, having already drawn the attention of the town board to some of the most flagrant in the centre of the town. There is nothing so objectionahle as an ill-kept pigstye, a fair number of which may be met with in Cambridge ; and these require seeing to badly. The quarters of the Maoris, particularly thote more immediately in the town, also reciuirc an occasional visit. A somewhat painful accident befel Mr Windsor, of Hamilton East, while driving some cattle to Tuhikaramea on Thursday. It appears that one of the animals he was driving made back, and, while galloping down a hill near Mr McKnights, which was very slippery after the rain, the horse fell, and, putting out his arm to snve himself, the rider dislocated his shoulder. While the horse was lying on the ground Mr Windsor endeavoured to get up, and in so doing, managed to put the bone back into its place, and it seems to have set all right again, He is now in a fair way toward recovery. At a meeting of the Worth Canterbury Bo,ml of Education on Thursday, Mr S. C. Farr's motion, of which notice was given a month ago, recommending the Government to allow the School Committee to intioduce Bible reading in the district schools, was withdrawn after considerable discussion. The majority of the members were of opinion that religious instruction could be given out of school houis without any alteration in the act being required. The Rev C. B. Owen, Episcopal minister at Riccai ton, wrote stating that he had given such instruction to children at Riccai ton school for years. The following is a portion of the programme of music to be observed by the Hamilton Band at the Tamahere sports to-day: — St. Patiick's Day," " The rakes of Mallow," March ; " Wear ing of the Green," "Garry Owen," Quick March ; "E\ile of Erin," '•Sublime was the warning," Selection ; " O'Donald Aboo," Grand March ; "Sprig of Shillel.i,"' Jig; "Oft m the 'stilly night,"' " Last rose of summer," " The harp" that once through Tara's Hall," Selection ; " Paddy's Wedding," Jig ; "The Cruiskecn Lawn," "The tune I've lost in wooing," "The Minstrel Boy," Quickstep ; " Believe me if all those endearing young charms," "Gramachrce Ma Colleen Ogc.*' A "swagger," named William Barton, was brought up at the Hamilton Police Court yesterday, charged with stealing two blankets, some tea, sugar, and sundry other articles, the propeity of one Thomas McDonald, of Hopuhopu, near Taupiri, in December last. It appears that prisoner had been employed by Mr McDonald for some time, and on the latter going to Auckland before the Christmas holidays, he was left in charge of the place. When the prosecutor leturned Barton wa9 lion cd, and so also were the articles mentioned above. An information was duly laid, but, though the police have kept a sharp look-out, it was only on Thursday that the " wanted" man was pounced on by Constable Wild. Barton has been wandering about in the Thames Yallcy, and only arrived in Hamilton an hour or so before he was taken in charge. The prosecutor did not put in an appearance, yesterday, and the prisoner was, in consequence, remanded till this morning. The annual picnic in connection with the Hamilton Presbyterian (Sundayschool took place on Thursday, in a paddock kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Joseph Cochrane. The children, to the number of about 100, accompanied by thoir teachers and friends, weic convened to the favni of Mr Cochrano in waggons and traps, Mr C. R. Johnson, coach proprietor, very generously placing a 'bus at the disposal of the committee. All descriptions of amusements were provided, and refreshments ad lib were forthcoming. The following Jadies contributed lefreshments, and rendered valuable peisonal assistance in promoting the enjoyment of the young people :— Mesdames Cochrano, Gelston, Black, Primrose, McDonald, McLernon, Campbell aiul Hatrick, n and Misses Cochrane and Trewheellar. The Rev W. Evans (Cambridge) and the Rev. Mr Raeburn, pastor of the Hamilton Church, were present, and, together with a number of other gentleman, exerted themselves to make the day pass as pleasantly as possible. Mr Evans addressed a few appropriate words to the assemblage at the close of the day, and three hearty cheers having beeu given for their kind host and hostess, the children departed, highly^ pleased with their outing. A concert to celebrate the opening of the Te Aroha Public Hall was held in the building on Thursday night, and on the whole it was a pronounced success. The chair was occupied by Mr Cuff, who opened the proceedings with an appropriate address. ■ The following programme wa« then gone through :—Overture, band » song, "Many Happy Returns of the Day." Miss Strange ; song, " Here upon my Vessel's Deck," Mr Hassett; song, "The Blue Alsatian Mountains," Miss Killian ; comic song, Mr Gordon ; duet, '• The Wind and the Harp," Miss Walker and Mr Burgess; comic song, "Silly Billy," Mast9r Killian; comic song, "Awfully Jolly," Mr Pavitt (encored) ; duet, " The Minute-gun at Sea," Messrs Cocks and Whitehouse ; song, Miss Walker ; song, "Hear the Wild Wiuds Blow," Mr Burgess t (encore, song, "Nancy Lee"); song, ( 'ln the Gloaming"' (by request), Miss Strange; oomio song, Master Killian; song, ,"Maid of Athens," Mr Hassetfc; song, " What is Home Without a Mother," Mr Whitehouse ; the whole of the items w,ere extremely well rendered. The accompaniments, were played, in good style by Miss Clark, Miss Smith, and" Miss Pavitt. A dance followed, andjwas kept up till 4 o'clock, yesterday morning. . :• ! > At a m,ee,ting of creditors in the assigned estate of T. W, Cftrr and Sons', merchants, Te Aroha, held at the offlop of Mr R. K. Davia,- ScherfFa Buildings, Auckland ,> on Mr Davis was ejected trustee, and Messrs, ''John .Chambers, F. Larkins, A. Heather, , and Jplfead (Thames), a commitiiee'iof ' advisers to act with the trustee), and to. fepprt.to ajneeting -to 'be [held* on. *^Ed- j {n^djyjnejst. ijejrorjs

The following is a statement of the assets of the' estate : — Moore : Store, stock, and" alterations, £3132; extra stock, £4000 ; book debts, £2500. Lavery : Ironmongery business, £2243 ; extra stock,,£lsoo; Butchery business, £1070 : book debts, £800; Saw-mill, £1500; stock, £500 ; book debts, £500 ; bullocks and dray, £100 ; Waiorongomai jtore and house, £023 ; stock. £1500; book debts, £900; hill store and stock, £300; house and land, £1260 ;>l5OO acres land, TeArohsT, £6750; at-.Grant/and Foster's block, f £0750 ( sharp in * Cox's steamer, £96 ; mining / shared, £700. The following is a list of creditors :—: — Auckland Agricultural Company, £629 ; Auckland Timber Company £378 ; Arthur and Co., Glasgow, £1002; Banks and Co., Thames,, £l72 ; Bagnall Bros. , and .Co., Thames, £215 ; Brown, -Barrett, and Co., Auckland, £130 ; J. S. Buck land, Hamilton, £159; A. Clark and Sons, Auckland, €144; Clark and Gane, Auckland," £45 ; Coloni.il Sugar Company, £117; K. Y. Cox, Shaftesbuiy, £353 ; H. B. Cook, Thames, £37 ;J. Can* and Sons, North Shields, £346 ; F. Dann, Thames, £32 ; G. Foster, £23 ; J. Oilman, Christchurch, £50 ; H. K. Gilmore, Auckland, £2(j ;J. C.Gould, Te Aroha, £Sl ; A. Heathei, Auckland, £765 ; Hassett and Jenkins, ,Te Aroha, £G7 ; Hart and Co., Auckland, £140 ; W. J. Hurst and Co., Auckland, £108 ;W. F. Hunter, £76 ; Kempthorne, Prosscr, and Co.; £39; James Lavery, Te Aroha, £1134; W. McArthnr and Co., Auckland, £1881; G. MeCaul, Thames,- £176; T. and S. Mor,iiii aud Co., Auckland, £1948 ; MearsandGp.. Thames, £121 ; R. Mackie, Te Aroha, £291 ; J. T. Morton and Co., London, £236 ; J. and J. Macky, £IS7, Mennie and Dey, Thames, £30 ; L. 1). Nathan and Co., Auckland, Phillipps and Sons, Auckland and Thames, £167';" A. and G. Price, Thames, -C 197 ; E. Porter and Co., Auckland, £370 ; J. Read, Thames, £537 ; C. H. Staffoul, Te Aroha, £380 ; Sodles and Rogers, London, £200 ; J.B. Smith, Te Atoha, £95 ; Thames River Steam Navigation Co., £643 ; Thompson and Sinclcrir, Thames, £100 ; ihornton, Smith, and Futh, Auckland, £365 ; Union Bank, Gisbonie, £109 ; J. and T. \V. Walker, Wolvcrhamptoii, £793 ; W. Wilson, Te Aroha, £172 ; Fisher and Co., Auckland, £24 ; R iK. Murray, Dunedin, £15 ; J. H. Hudson, Auckland, £16 ; Union Oil and Soap Company, £11 ; Bycroft and Co., Auckland, £3 ; J. Buchanan, Auckland, £11 ; sundries and February accounts, say £500 ; Giant and Foster, mortgage on land, £2400 ; Bank of New Zealand, £9740 ; total, £25,4(i6. Supplementary List ; Henry Brace and Co., Auckland, £7S ; G. McCiae, Auckland, L 3 ; Oppeuheimer and Co., Auckland, Lll : Sharland and Co., Auckland, Ll6 ; Wingate and Burn, Auckland, L 152 ; T. and S. Morriu and Co., Thames, Ll2 : 'total, L 592.