The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1701, 31 May 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and cx.irt justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, rclit'ioiu or political. Here hli ill the Press the People's rifjht maintain, Unawcd b> influence and unbribcd by yam.

Til URSDA V, MA Y 31, 18S3.

Tiie Colonial Treasurer, tlio lion. Major Atkinson, addressed the Hawora portion of liis constituents on Tuesday evoning, and received a unanimous voto of confidence. The report of the spcoch is too long for insertion in its entirety, and we propose therefore optomising it t and making such brief comments as occur to us, in this column. Major Atkinson commoncos by reforringto the composition of, and condition of parties in tlio House. While ho regards tho rnembors as a whole as not wanting in intelligence, he remarks tho absonco of experienced mon with influence sufficient to attract others to thorn, and attributes to this circumstanco tho difficulty which was experienced last session in working the House. The new members went to Wellington imbued with a notion that ,it was possiblo to support measures not mon, a conclusion which is altogether fallacious so long as such a thing as Government by party exists. To tlio utterly disorganised state of tho Opposition, divided into two sections, under the respective leadership of Sir George Grey and Mr Montgomery, the Treasurer ascribos the loss of time at the opening of the session, and the chaotic condition into which business degenorated, and he justly repudiates the charge which has been formulated against the Governmont during the recess, of having noglocted to bring down a policy until tho last moment. He contends that tho measures were brought down as soon as it was possible to introduce them, and accuses the Opposition of avoiding the main questions at issue, and seeking rather to harass the Government by attacking them on small and unimportant points. The no-confidenco motion, " That the financial proposals of the Government were not satisfactory," was intended to catch every member who was not satisfied with what Government proposed to do for his own particular district. When, after numerous delays, and after all attempts to get the principles of their measures discussed had failed, the Government, with a large majority at their back, procoeded to carry its measures, there arose a cry of " undue haste," which was as absurd as it was unjust. Touching on the local government measures, the Treasurer claims that the Government has, by putting power into the hands of the local bodies, effected one of the objects for which abolition was obtained, namely, decentralisation. Ho thinks that they have accorded to these local bodies as much power as they need at present. He points out the difficulty which Government have always found themselves in with regard to the making grants to any particular district. When a grant was made to a district represented by a supporter, they were accused of favouritism ; when to one represented by an opponent, they were told t&ey did so

in order to purchase a vote. In order to put an end to such a state of things, Government had introduced the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act, which relieved Parliament of a pressure it never ought to have been asked to bear. He looks upon it as one of the best acts over passed to establish the independence of local bodies. On the subject of finance, the Treasurer's remarks are clear and unmistakable. He is as strongly as ever attached to the property tax, in opposition to the tax upon land, and his reply to Mr Montgomery's objection to the Cornier is, we think, conclusive. The alleged leader of the Opposition says the Government put on the property tax to make up the deficiency in the railway receipts, and contends that the land benefited by the railways should bear the burden. After remarking, en 2^(^sant, that Mr Montgomery's assumption is altogether wrong, the Treasurer goes on to say :—": — " It was true that land had been increased in value to a large extent. But had not merchants made their fortunes ; had not shopkeepers grown rich ; had not labourers saved, and bought farms ; and had not all classes become richer owing to the Public Works policy ? All classes had largely benefited. What was the fact ? Directly the route of railway was fixed, tho owners of land cut it up and sold it in small pieces, making an enormous profit, which profit was invested in all sorts of ways, becoming personal proi perty. Why tax the holders of land when the real owner was perhaps the money-lender who would escape? Why should the tiller of the soil alone be taxed 1 There were thirty millions of money borrowed upon the lands of the country. Were j not the people who lent that money the real owners ? and why should they escape ? If that were done a man who benefited by a railway had only to sell his land, let threefourths of the purchase money remain on mortgage, and he escaped taxation, making the unfortunate tenant pay for the increased value which the settler had in his own pocket." To Mr Montgomery's objection that the present taxation falls upon the working classes, because the taxation on goods is always paid by the consumer, Major Atkinson replies that if such were the case, no wealth except unproductive wealth, such as fixtures, ploughs, or money turned into articles of luxury, could be taxed at all. lie agrees that it is perfectly fair and reasonable that if a man's property is largely increased by railway works, a proportion of such increase should go to the State, but the fact that much of the land so benefited had changed hands made it extremely difficult to go back, though they might make provision for such cases in future. He dwells at some length on the advantages of railways, and points out the great saving which has been effected in the carriage of goods and passengers since their introduction into the colony. Reverting to the PropertyTax, he said the more he saw of it the more fair he thought of it. I After touching upon the results of the last financial year, with a revenue in excess of, and an expenditure below the estimate, he procepds to say that the Govei nment will confine itself to an expenditure of a million a year upon public works for the next three years. The Treasurer then comes to that portion of his address to which we are bound to take exception. The survey of the main trunk line to Auckland, he says, is to be pushed on vigorously, but it is not likely that Parliament will be asked to deal with the question next session. This is a serious pity. So long as the gap between Auckland and the southern railway system of this island remains unbridged, the northern lines are altogether incomplete, and cannot be expected to pay. This is not the only, nor is it the strongest argument in favour of the construction of the line, but it is the one which is likely to have the greatest weight with those not likely to be afFected directly either one way or the other by the line, and more especially with that section of the people who cry out most loudly that the railways are not paying. On the subject of land settlement, the Treasurer pays a high compliment to his colleague the Minister of Lands, who, he says, has done more than any other man has ever done in the department. Since June, 1879, 3500 deferred payment settlers had been put on 36,000 acres of land, and 42,000 acres had been set apart for experimenting under a system of perpetual lease. On native affairs little is said ; the Treasurer thinks it i^ill be a terrible misfortune if Mr Bryce ceases to be Native Minister — an opinion which will find an echo in the minds of most people. As to the future, he confessed he had nothing much to reveal. The Government would " continue to work in the liberal and progressive lines pursued hitherto." A number of consolidation bills are to bebroughtdown next session, and the Government will also introduce the Abolition of Entail and Settlement Bill, a Bankruptcy Bill, a bill to deal with married women's property, and other measures in contiination of the policy of last session. " A large amount of social work was sure to be got through." The Government are prepared to make a short session, but are willing at once to try conclusions with the Opposition if the House desires it. The speech, after many of those of a few years back, is tame enough. But it is so only because there are just now none of those " burning questions" before the country which have so agitated the political current from time to time. It is a practical common sense address, dealing with practical common sense matters of everyday life, and if, it have in it no symptoms ,of reyoluiionary change, i% possesses at least .an, as-

surance that he who uttered it is moving in a direction -which will obviate in the future the need for those violent remedies which the people .of older countries are adopting.

There is a heavy list of cases for the R.M Court, Cambridge to-morrow.

The married ladies of Cambridge give a ball-on Wednesday night next, in return for the bachelors' ball recentlygiven.

The Anglican services at Ohaupo on Sunday afternoon next, and until further notice will be at a quarter past three.

Messrs P. LeQuesne and J. S. Edgecutnbe have been elected auditors for the Borough of Hamilton unopposed.

The Presbyterians of Hamilton intend erecting a manse on the church allotment in Hamilton. Tenders for the erection of the building are invited in another column.

Mr Masters, licansed native interpreter, of Cambridge, contemplates opening a class for the instruction of pupils in the Maori language. Mr Masters' thorough knowledge of his subject should ensure proficiency in his pupils.

The Hon. Peter Lalor, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, Messrs Howard S. Jackson, and F. D. Rich were passengers to Waikato by yesterday's train on a sporting tour. The party were driven to Cambridge by Mr C. R. Johnson.

The adjourned meeting of .the creditors in the bankrupt estate of Messrs Beauchamp Bros., Hamilton, called for yesterday, was further adjourned for a fortnight to enable the trustee to bring in his report.

His Excellency the Governor visited Giaborne and Napier on Tuesday, and met with an enthusiastic reception. At Napier he was entertained at dinner by the members of the Hawke'a Bay Club.

A billiard-room was opened yesterday in connection with Kit k woods Duke of Cambiidge Hotel. The table appears a first-rate one, and is by Messrs Turner and Price, of London, and is provided with all the necessary requirements.

In consequence of the heavy downpour of rain, the inspection of the Puahue block' by Judges Macclouald and Puckey, with Captain Steele as valuer, did not take place as intended yesterday, but was postponed until to-day. The Native Lands Court does not sit until tomorrow.

The present deplorable state of the Victoria road is, we believe, to be attributed to the fact that the main outlet drain has become clogged up with swamp growth, and its capacity thereby reduced fully one-half. We trust, in the interests of the large number of people who constantly use this road, that the authorities will see fit to effect the necessary repairs without delay.

We would remind the ratepayers of the Hamilton Road District that the polling for or against the proposal to borrow £IS7 10s from the Government under the new Roads and Bridges Construction Act, for the purpose of gravelling and re-constructing portions of the main Hamilton-Oliaupo Road, will take place at the oftice of the board on the 2nd of June. The poll commences at 9 a.m., and closes at 6 p.m.

Mr Elwin B. Dickson, of the Native Lauds Office, who has been officiating as clerk to the Native Lands Court, Cambridge, has received instiactions to proceed to Makctu. Mr Dickson, by his urbanity and obliging dispositions, has made many friends in Cambridge, and his loss will be especially felt in church circles, as during his stay he has manifested strong interest in church affairs. His succession at Cambridge is Mr Fred Blaydes.

Settlers in the Tamahere district will be glad to hear that the local go\ crning body intend at their next meeting to devise some means for removing the lake which forms every winter at the junction of the main and central road at Mr Cowley's farm. The water at present is so deep as to be over the axles of an ordinary buggy. No great expense will be entailed in its removal, probably £10 or £1 2 will cover the whole cost, and the only wonder is that it has been allowed to he so long.

We are pleased to notice that Mr Alfred Hosking, F.S.S., M.C.P., London, &c, late of Cambridge, and brother of Mr Geo. F. Hosking, 0.X., has been unanimously elected head master of the Mount Eden Public School. This school, on account of its close proximity to the city of Auckland, and at the same time being absolutely in the country, in per haps the most healthy suburb to the city, is on the high road to berome one of the largest in number in the province. The board's judicious selection of the new head master has destined it to be foi cmost amongst the first in discipline and attainment.

At the Police Court, Hamilton, on Tuesday, before Mr Northcroft, R.M., Mary Jane Smith, wife of Alexander Smith, a settler residing at Kirikiriroa, made an application for a protection order against her husband, on the grounds that she had not received any assistance from her husband for the past twelve months, and that he constantly came to her house in Hamilton East, and removed such articles of furniture and food as she was able to procure for herself and family. Sergt. McGovern fully corroborated the woman's statement, and added that the man's behaviour had been most gross. The order was granted.

The wet and stormy weather experienced during the last ten days has caused a great deal of sickness among the Maoris attending the Lauds Court, Cambridge. On Tuesday night a child died at the encampment on the Karapiro flat, and for the last few days a man and his wife and child have been so seriously ill that their recovery was looked upon as hopeless by the natives. Mr E. B. Walker and one or two other Europeans took the matter in hand, and procured medical attendance and nourishing food, and the patients are now much oetter. The tangi, which commenced over the remains of Arekatera'a wife, has been continued in consequence of the deaths of Heretaunga and the child above-men-tioned; and in itself is the means of sowing the seeds of disease among the natives, as, half intoxicated, many of them are to be Been rolling about the streets without any protection from the severe weather.

We have been shown the plans of a handsome and commodious hotel building to be erected by Mr John Colenian on the site of the old Hot Springs Hotel, destroyed by fire recently. The general dimensions of the building, which will be two-storeyed, are 60 feet by 40 feet. The ground floor will be divided into a bar 15 x 13 ; bar parlour, 13 x 12 ; private parlour, 13 »M 3; commercial room, 16 x 15 ; dining-room, 30 x 16 ; kitchen and servant's room each 12 x 12 ; pantry, &c, The passiges will be seven feet wide. The first floor will contain a large sitting room and 17 bedrooms, with passages 7 feet 6 inches in width. The rooms on the ground floor will be 14 feet high, and those upstairs will be 12 feet. A balcony 4 feet wide will run along the front of the building, which, when finished, will be one of the prettiest structures on the goldfield. The width of the allotment, 118 feet, admits of the extention of the hotel at any future time, when such shall be rendered necessary by the increasing requirements of the place.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before Mr ,H. W. Northcroft, R.M., Charles Christian was charged with being drunk and disorderly on the 19th inst., and further with having on the same day used profane language in a public place. Sergt. McGovern said that as the prisoner had been punished far a similar offence conn

mitted.- since, lie would not press the charge. The magistrate iuflicted a fine of*si and costs in the first, and 10s and costs or seveti days' imprisonmant in the second case. The money was paid. In the case W. J. Le Quesne v. A. Ellis, claim £1, amount of a reward offered for the recovery of a horse, judgment was given for plaintiff with costs. The case came before the previous court, but as the claim was made by pl.iintifFs father he was non-suited. Judgment in the cases W. J. Hunter v. Gumming and others, claim for moneys owing to Beauchamp Bros., was farther adjourned.

In an article on the Karapiro bridge appearing in our columns of Thursday last, the cost was stated in round numbers as a little over £1200 ; being £900 for material, and £300 for building, &c. At the same time it was remarked that the employment of constabulary labour had materially lessened the cost. The actual figures given below show the total cost of the bridge and approaches to have been £1281 173 lid, divided as follows :— Bridge : Timber, £571 13s 7d ; ironwork, £55 12s 3d ; freight and cartage, £101 6s ; sundries, for paint, &c, £55 14s Id ; monkey (hired), £27 ; total cost of material, £811 5s lid ; waejes, P. Cooper, £98 j paid for armed constabulary labour on bridge, £36 Is, total for bridge, £945 6s lid. Approaches : Culverts and fencing, £30 ; paid for armed constabulary labour on approaches, £87 15s ; Mann and Dillon, contract and extras, £158 ; total for approaches, £275 15s; engineer's commission, £60 16s ; total cost of bridge and approaches, £1281 17s lid.

The following letter from the pen of Mr John Gifford of Perndale, Piako, appeared a short time ago in the columns of the Herald and is reprinted here by request. — Sir, — I have an idea regarding the formation of an association, to be called the Association to Promote Native Industries in the Auckland District, North and South. So many products may be grown in the north that we oui selves do not understand, and which otheia coming to our shores do, th.\t I think an association such as named will be very foicible as an assistant. As regards the working of such associat on, the first idea is that all interests in the development of our resources should subscribe, and that such subscription be Is per month, those subscribing to elect a board of gentleman understanding the question, and, as a bo ird, to deal with various questions that from time to time crop up. Should, for instance, anyone arrive in Auckland who understands the culture of any particular plaut or berry, the. board would be able at once to treat with him regarding the introduction of such. Of course it would be necessary to keep all expensns down. My idea is that the board should only be paid any actual outlay incurred for travelling, and such board ought to include persons from a distance, with a view to obtain information regarding soils, climate.

The London Ironmonger," March 17th, prints an interesting extract fiom a letter received by a Birmingham house from their correspondent at Melbourne, Au&tialia, He calls the attention of the firm to the " enormous increase in the number of articles now being purchased from America" (the United States) in Austialia. A few years ago, he adds : some half dozen ai tides were all that •Here ordered of American make, but now they aic to be counted by the hundicds. This increase is not only maintained, but is growing. The correspondent further states that " your English manufacturers will do well to take a lesson from their American rivals, as the American goods exactly suit the requirements of the market." Admitting that timber they will command a certain trade, it is asked " why they should excel English makers of shovels, axes, picks and all classes of edge-tools ? It is annoying to those of us who have English sympathy to see so much tiade go away from the old country." The general characteristics of the Amercian goods, as contrasted with the British-made in the Australian markets, are said to be a more reliable quality, better finish, not an ounce of unnecessary material, better packing, and the articles are thoroughly adapted to the use to which they are to be put. The writer adds : " Some of the things they make have been found im&uifcable, and once ordered have never been repeated. Their cutlery^ will not bear comparison with the English make, and the same may be said of their platedware. In wirework, as well as cast and \v rou ghf -iron hollow-ware, England carries all before it. In all the cheaper kinds of cutlery Germany is becoming a very strong competitor, and also in steel toys and in.my other lines. Your English makers must bestir themselves, or they will certainly lose the larger part ot their Australian and New Zealand trade."

A special meeting of the Waikato County , Council was held in the Chambers, Hamilton East, yesterday afternoon, Cr Primrose in the chair. On the motion of Cr Johnson it was resolved that a special rate of one-third of a penny in the £ be made on all rateable property in the Rangiriri Outlying District, in liquid* tion of the sum of £4000 applied for under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. The following tenders for bridge and culverts on the Wairangi road were opened : R. Muir, bridge £37, three culverts £10 17s 6d ; W. Ross (lump sum), £55 ; T. Wade, btidgc £56 0s sd, culverts £42 2s ; Graham and Gibb (lump sum), £60. It was resolved to accept Mr Muirs tender for the culverts only, owing to there not being sufficient money to credit of the riding to carry out the whole of the work. The Clerk stated that a largo amount of rates remained to be collected, but of this a goodly proportion would not be got in. He had made arrangements to serve summonses on the lands of the native defaulters. Cr. Runciman said he had been requested by the Cambridge Road Board to bring two matters under the notice af the council. The board wished to know (1) whether they could not recover one-half of the money voted for the Karapiro bridge, and (2) whether the town board could not be compelled to contribute towards the main roads in the riding. The council was of opinion that the answer to both queries was a negative one. In the first place the council had a perfectly legal right to vote the money standing to the credit of the riding for any particular work within it, and in the second place, as the country board were not likely to consent to spend their funds within the town districts, it was difficult to see the justice of asking the. town board to vote money for the country road. Several accounts were passed for payment, and the council rose.

Mr J. S. Buckland will sell at the farm of Mr Laidlaw, near Te Awamutu, on Monday, June 4th, four horses, and farm implements, in the estate of W. Stuart. He will sell at the Waitoa Yards on Thursday, June 7th, dairy cows, springing heifers, fat steers, &c. Travellers from Cannes or Nice should take advantages of the coupe salon, one of the most delightful inventions of the present day. It is far superior to the Wagou-lit or the faiitcuil-ht. A large railway carrage is divided into three compartments, each of which has three seats. The compartment is wide ard roomy, warm and yet airy. Aprotiere conceals the entrance to the lavatory, which is prettily and ingeniously fitted up. At night a bed lets down, with a spring mattre3s, two most comfortable pillows, and an arrangement for protecting the feet against cold. The gaslight is sufficient to read by, but it can be turned down to any strength, and shaded over. The springs of the carriages are admirable, and no fatigue is felt after" a night's journey. The price is less than that of a berth in the Wagon-lit. The other advantages are privacy, ventilation, comfo 't by day and a perfect command over the supply of light. It would be well, however, that there should be some place in London where tickets for these coupe-salons could be, brought }n advance