The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1726, 28 July 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal nnd oxart justice to all men, (Jt whatsoever state or persuasion, relijrtous *r political. Here shall the Preis the People's rltfht maintain, Uiuwrd by influence and unbflbed by gHin,

SATURDAY, JULY 2B, 1888.

The question of the armed constabulary accommodation in Waikato is becoming so prominent that we should be wanting in otir duty were we to allow it to pa«s with the tew very forcible— though we will not say justifiable— remarks of " Sans I'eur " in our Thursday's impression. Since our last "Comment" on this same question we have made it our business to enquire as to the real position of affairs, the extent of the abuse complained of, and the possibility of a remedy being effected at an early date. While any possibility of an immediate remedy is as much the property of the future, bo far as present intention is concerned, as one could hope to have it, still we do not hesitate to say that the blame cannot solely be laid at the door of the unfortunate officers in charge, as many incline to beliove. Full enquiry, we are convinced, into the regulations of the force cannot fail to demonstrate this fact to the satisfaction of the most partial observer. The true origin of the grievance is to be traced chiefly to the Governmental stinginess, the insufficiency of discretionary power bestowed on the officers, and partly to the backwardness and unpractical ellorts, and silent grumbling of the men themselves. If the men would only bear in mind the old adage that •' Unity is strength," and represent their grievance in a proper businesslike way, they would soon realise the wisdom of this good principle, and find that where justice and a sense of common humanity prevails their complaint would be favourably considered. Certainly it cannot be said that the grievances of which the men have for some time past complained are imaginary. The want of proper hospital accommodation for the sick is a serious one. As we previously remarked, the inmates of our common gaols are much better provided for in this respect, and their sanitary condition much better looked after than that of the members of our field force. Let us picture to ourselves the sight of about forty men huddled together in sleep in a close, imperfectly ventilated room, a few of the number prostrated with some painful malady ; and this all under the wing of a Government whose sanitary officers are the haunting spirits of the caieless public. Surely retrenchment is not the cause ; but if it is, let the Government retrench by reducing the ranks of their field force by discharging the men and not by thinning them off by disease brought on by imperfect sanitation. It cannot be s.iicl that there is no money in hand to improve the domestic condition and promote the comfort of our constabulary, for this is not the case. What has become of the Reward Fund which was started about fourteen years ago, and into which the constabulary have paid several thousands of pounds ? J his money which the field force have subscribed the civil body have reaped the benefit of. The only advantage which those stationed atdunbridge have derived from this fund has been by the erection of a gymnasium, and of this they have since been deprived. For all this the men must not blame their officers, who, we feel sure, would do all i» their power to ensure their comfort and social happiness; they must rather blame themselves for the manner in which they seek redress. The officers' quarters, judging from external appearances, are not of a character to be coveted ; indeed, they are on a par with those of the men.

The Minstrels announce that they will appear at the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Tuesday evening next. Since the date of the Hamilton performance the members of the troupe have been diligently rehearsing, and Tuesday's entertainment should prove a thorough success.

The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury, of Cam. bridge, w ill preach at Trinity Wesleynn Church, Hamilton, to-momnr, and the Rev. Mr Dukes, of Hamilton, will con* duct the eeryices at Cambridge.

The members of the Hamilton Football Club selected to play against Cambridge on the 4th inst. are requested to roll up for practice on Sydney rfqnare this afternoon. Members aro reminded that the uniform of the club is navy blue, and that on no account ir.ust there be any iron on the boots.

The body of the unfortunate man Tierney, who was di owned off the Hamilton bridge a few weeks ago, was recovered on Wednesday near Ohinewai. An inquest was held at Huntly yesterday betore Dr. Beale, coroner, and a verdict of " Accidental Death " returned.

The members of the Comus Dramatic Club have consented to repeat their last performance on Tuesday, the 7th August, in aid of the) building fund of the church of S. Stephen the Martyr, Tamahere. A large number of country residents were prevented by the state of the weather from witnessing the late permance, and at the request of many of these the pieces then represented—" Cut off with a shilling" and " Atchi"— will be repeated.

If the Auckland Herald" has a strong point it is quite unconnected with historical accuracy. In a jocular paragraph referring to Mr W. G. Garrard, in yesterday's issue, the following intelligent sentence occurs :--•' It looks very much as if nothing less than a city bylaw will snppross the Agitator, and that when the City Solicitor comes to shuffle off the mortal coil the name of Garrard will be found engraven on his heart like Calais oh that of the Virgin Queen." The italics are ours.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the starting of a skating rink at Cambridge was held at the Criterion Hotel on Wednesday evening last, when there was a fair attendance present, Mr Hawley in the chair. The question was well debated and the proposal favourably entertained- The result of the meeting was that a committee of a few of the gentlemen present should communicate with the Public Hall trustees on the matter, asking for the use of the building, terms, &c, and to report at a meeting to be held that day week.

We would draw the attention of the Cambridge Highway Board to the dangerous practice of certain property holders on the Hamilton road' near the Cambridge town belt of allowing pigs to run on the road, making large holes at intervals. People riding and , driving over the road here complain of the pigs lying on the load at night, and' thtls frightening the horses. We hope steps will be taken in the matter, a'nd the 1 nuisance put an end to immediately.

In the House of Representatives on .Thursday,, replying to Mr Pilliet, Mr' ,Rollestpn said that, in the Town' District Bill about to be brought forward provision would, be made to give town ■ districts' which had been established on* Crown lands reserves similar to those ' provided 'by- the Plabs'of TowiiV 'Be^iila--tiorts Act, when there' weYe,Crow,n? lands; ■within, their- 1 ' bounds - available the* purpose. Town fetrrjeta'li&^iriwßocl,

where the, town had been laid on private property, and which no Crown lands within their bounds, would not, however be benefited. The Government could not assist tltejn in^any way "to obtrifn endowinentsl Several bills/wero advanced a stage *'tid several £e*olutt6ns expressive of approval ( of the , annexation were cairriedsand ordered] 6>*be / emboqietl ' in the bill to be brought in the following day. The House went into committee on the Bankruptcy Bill and amended several clauses. .... . OnrKawhia correspondent writes : —It is almost i impossible at' present to define what action the Hauhaus intend to take with regard to the continuation of the Raglan-Kawhia road. There can be little doubt that they are against nsing any violent opposition to the f p¥o*' gress,bf,Mr Bitrd and his surveyors, but that they mean to continue to advance protests to its construction is equally certain. Some time since, on commenting upon this subject) I tfave it as my opinion that the taking through of this road would most probably lead to tribal disputes amongst them, and my prediction has jtiat now every likelihood of being verified. It appears that Wahanui and Rewi have in a very plain manner indicated to the Maori King that they will not only offer no impediment to the carrying out of the wishes of the Government in relation to this road, but will, in as far as they consider it to be wise and politic, afford every encouragement to its progression. The King and some ol his followers are much incensed at such interference on their part, maintaining, finally, that their tnana or jurisdiction does not extend te Kawhia or Aotea, and he says he is determined to resist it. There is, however, a division in his camp, and a large portion of his professed disciples have stated their intention of taking the side of YVahanui if trouble ensues. A large meeting is on tho pointrof being convened to take into consideration the existing attitude of Wahanui and RewL Any person, however, who is at all enlightened upon Maori public opinion will bo liable to anticipate that the ability, popularity, and energy of those two men will have little to fear from the inertness of his Maori Majesty, It is also rumoured that the king intends to abdicate in favour of his second son, Te Poku. The eldest son does not seem to be so potralar amongst the natives. Prom what I know of Te Poku I should imagine that he is very favourably disposed towards the Europeans, and is not nearly so much opposed to the opening up of native country as his father. But of this more anon. —The steamer Oreti has been once more put in sea-worthy condition, and left on the 18th inst. for Manakau.