The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1708, 16 June 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

lCqu.il and-eStact justice to all men, LH whatsoeter state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Piess the People's righ' maintain, Un.iwi d by influence anil unbribcd by gain.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1883.

The speech of his Excellency tho Governor at the opening of Parliament on Thursday confirms the opinion we have expressed to the t:ttect that the Government do not intend to bring do.vn any startling business this session. Governors' speeches are usually carefully worded documents, of a thoroughly non-compromising character, and that delivered by Sir William Jervois is pretty much in the conventional style. After expressing his gratification at the loyal welcome extended 'to him as the Queen's representative in all parts of the colony, aivl the pleasure it gave him to observe everywhere signs of substantial progress and prosperity, his Excellency detailed the bteps taken by him and his responsible advisers to support the Victorian Government in asking that British rule be established over the New Hebrides, and then refers to the pleasant change which has taken place in our relations with the native race. A few words are devoted to Crown lands, the leasing system, immigration, the goldtields, the mail services, the estimates, the revenue, and the proposal to establish a colonial exhibition in London, and then wo come to the first portion of the speech which may be said to deal with anything absolutely new — wp mean that part which relates to the contemplated reform of the Upper House. The speech concludes somewhat abruptly with a reference to a number of subjects " in regard to which legislation is more or less urgently required, but which for the last two sessions have had to give place" to others of more importance, and tho expre-sion of a hope that the deliberations of Parliament may result in " promoting the happiness and welfare of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects in this portion of her dominions." This is very proper, and makes pleasant enough reading, but it in no way indicates — unless we may take the concluding prayer as an indication — tho chancier of the session. Probably the only controversial matter in the whole thing is that concerning tho ro - construction of tho Legislative Council, and this is the only part we should wish to expunge. It is consolatory to be told that, though public opinion demands an alteration of some sort, Ministers believe that a " constitutional change of such magnitude" should not be attempted without mature deliberation. It is quite evident that nothing of a surprising nxture will emanate from the Cabinet, and if an expectant public is to be gratified with the spectacle of a gladiatorial contest, or contests, tho g.ige will have to be thrown down by the Opposition. The latter, doubtless, are quite ready to begin the fight. Mr Montgomery has already commenced to burn powder— only a harmless squib, it is true — a mere question about when the Financial Statement is to be brought down — but sufficiont to let a corrupt Government know that he, at any rate, is wide awake, and determined to give them no quarter. Sir George Grey has also introduced two or throe of his " surprise bills." It has been a standing grievance with Mr Montgomery that the Government have always delay rd bringing down their measures, thereby wasting the time of the members. Unfortunately for him Ministers this year confront the House with bills and papers innumerable. Some other cause of complaint will therefore have to be invented. The soi disant leader of the Opposition has declared that there is to be a trial of strength between parties. As to what particular period of the session this is to occur we have no reasonable grounds for speculating. Nor can we, with any degree of certainty, determine the nature of the issue upon which this tremendous struggle is to take place. Of one thing, however, we may be certain, and that is the ability of the Government to retain their seats.

" Echoes from the Oafe" are crowded out of this issue.

The English mail closes at the Hamilton Post-office at 10 a.m. on Monday morning.

The usual quarterly Anglican service at Tnotaoroa will be held on Sunday next at Mr Ellis's bouse at 3 p.m.

In another column will be found the text ot the Governor's speech at the opening of Parliament on Thursday. It was published by us as an extra on the evening of that day.

The Wairarapa Star" laconically remarks that "in Hamilton, Waikato, only seven people want a public library." What a pretty reputation to acquire !

We learn that the tender of Messrs Menu rand Marshall has been accepted for the formation ot the first section of the Kotorua railway (Morrinsville to Oxford). The price is about £13,000.

We are pleased to hear that the Hamilton Choral Society, under the conductorship of Mr Holloway, are making considerable progress, though the date of the inaugural concert has not yet been fixed. Mr J. B. White, M.H.R., has accepted the presidency of the society. *llf «• fs./\** A 1 #3*-i <3 mfA AttnnrrAiinf lift J

IYJI urtsu. Aiuuuge, eva,.ugtj.u.ai», uhu a veiy small audience ut the Oddfellows' Hall, Cambridge, on Wednesday .nigbt, owing to. the state of the cbpat half-a-dozen people only being .present. ,i '

The Rev. J. S. Hill will preach in St. Peter's Cluirch to-morrow (Sunday),, both morning and evening. -Hejwill.also' hold a children's service in the .Public: Hall at 3 olclock,o 1 clock, and a service (alsoj in; the Public Hall) open to all, immediately after the evening service in $\\& church, '

The " (J&elJte" issued on Tburg, lhs cQPtftinf^he of Mtfajog

Thomaa Virefc Shepherd,, late H.M. Lienster Regiment, to be Major hi the New Zealand Militia, and t/Uljutant of the Thames, Auckland, Wa'irba. an^Poverty Bay volunteer "districts. - -,-

The first ; of a series of " penny reading*," ih aid pf the library fund,. came off very successfully at the Ohaupo school-house, last -night. will; be' continued during the winter months;-

Mr G. T. Wilkinson, Native Agent, and Mi 1 P. Edgecumbe, Government Surveyor," are at present engaged allocating the, land lately granted to the natives' by Mr Bryce, on the west side of tjbie Waipa river, among the new owners. A poll to determine whether nn rt/\ _i. —..1-1 U_ 1 l i xi_ _

xiuju BncHiiu oe oorrovvea unaer, tne Roads and Bridges Act for main roads in the Rangiriri outlying distiict was taken at Rangiriri arid Huntly on the 9th. The proposal was carried by 13 to 2. * Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., left Waikato yesterday to attend to his Parliamentary duties. We believe Mr F. A. Whitaker, M.H.R., goes to Auckland today. Both gentlemen will be passengeis to Wellington by the Hinemoa, >vhich leaves the Manukau to-morrow.

The Orient Steamer Austral, winch receutly capsized in Sydney Harbour, put into Auckland unexpectedly on Thursday, for the purpose of making some alight repairs in the rigging. She left again yesterday en route for Glasgow, 'where she goes to be refitted.

A large number of railway sleepers have arrived in Hamilton during the past week. They are intended for the Cambridge and Morrinsville lines. The rails for the latter have been stacked on the station reserve near the bridge for some, time, so that when the bridge is finished Cambridge will not long remain cutoff from the railway system of Auckland.

The executors of the late Mr Edward Uostley, the benefactor of Auckland, have, so we are pleased to learn, transferred the property and money eontided to their caro to trustees selected from tho governing bodies of each ot the institutions benefited, Mho will, it i& hoped, withdraw the real estate from sale, and administer it in the manner suggested in these columns some time ago. The total value of the bequest is i'GG,GSO, but this, judging by the rate at which town property has increased of late, will be doubled, or even trebled in a few years.

A petition to the House of Representatives, got up by the nitives, is receiving numeious signatures in Cam bridge. The petition prays the House to inteifeie in the mteiest of tho natives in the Eist Coast Colonisation Company, a scheme promoted by Mr W. L. Hue?, Wi Pere and otheis, who wem lately canvassing the Maoris in support of this company, and in connection with which a bill is to be brought bcfoie the House this session. The petition characterises the scheme in htiong teuns, and the general feeling of the natives here appears to be against entrusting the management of their lands to Mr R (> es' co.npany.

The mission which has been held during the past week by the Rev. J. S, Hill will be concluded with a biblical lecture on the "Tabernacle," to bo held in the Public Hall, Hamilton West, on Monday night, at 7.30. For the understanding of the New Testament Sciip tures an accuiate knowledge of the Jew isli j oidinancca is most o&sential. The Icuture will be illustrated by coloured pl.ites, with a clear description explanatory of the subject. No charge will bo made for admission, but a collection will be made towards defraying the expenses of the mission. The mission choir w ill conduct the service of song. The services on Thurs lay and last uiglit ware conducted in the Public H.ill, Hamilton West. To-night they will be in the Oddfellow's Hall, Hamilton East.

A correspondent writing from Kihikiln thus refers to Professor Hei'bei t's enterttmment, advertised elsewhere :—: — " If report has not been exaggerated, the public of Waikato will ceitainly hive a treat well worth \isitiug, as all mubtown who have ever witnessed feats of logeidemain that there is a charm in the sleight of hand that everyone can lo.ulily appro ciate. There is a mysteiy in it that piques the understanding and provokes the curiosity of the spectator. If the trick be executed with cxpertness it excites our ndmiiation, and the simplet it appeals the more it engages our fancy and fascinates our attention. It aft'imU means of uniting delight with surp. i-.i\ It gratifies the curiosity of thy enqniiing and the ingenious, and affords infoima tion, and everyone feels a pleasure whei. the trick is neatly performed." Pie openb here on the 19th insf.

Mr Holmes, M.H.R. for Chrfcb church South, must, rumnks the Tun tut Herald, be a pleasant sort of politiuiiin. In the course of some rem.uSvs tint he made at the close of Mr Montgomery's meeting on Tuesday night, he siid '• lie might be called a firebrand, an obitruo tionist, or a blatant fool, ' a statement which is reported to have leen iecei\e'l with cheers by the audience. What Mi Holmes meant by saying such a tiling \uhave not the slightest idea. As hi.speech is reported, the pas^'o we liavo quoted reads exactly as if Mr Holmes had merely given a candid desciiption of himself, according to his own conscieutious opinion, and as if the meetiug had cordially expressed their concurrence with his views on that interesting aubiect.

The River/ton correspondent of tho Otago Daily lima write*:—" Mr Hay, District Surveyor, has returned from the back country in good order and spirits. He is rather reticent, but I understand his information will considerably alter the appearance of !he map between the "VVaiau River and Pieservation Inlet. Hauroto Inke will appear about double the bize if is generally Bhown, andof a differentshape. There is another lake of nearly the same size within a few miles of it to the west waid, and running parallel with it — by name, I believe, Tiritui, However the matter will have to go through leguUr official channels, so the curious will have to bido their time."