TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1813, 19 February 1884, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

Tx the Herald of the 11th inst. is a letter from Mi Mcßeth on the position of native affairs. Ho states liis belief f> that he is acting in the intoiests of both laces," but unfortunately the New Zealand Press is too obtuse to peieeive that he is actuated solely by disinterested mou\es. It is the fate of greatness and genius to be misunderstood. Wilberforce and Howard aye examples of this failing on the part of the multitude. Mr Mcßeth, as far as I am aware, does not possess any claims to greatness, but ho seems to have a ceitain amount of genius for meddling in what does not concern him. In his letter he goes on to say, " Wahanui and a few other Maoi is, most of whom are not important, are induced to .sign a petition by misrepresentation." He say<« also that " Rewi's name was attached to the application without his knowledge."' Now that is a deliberate niisiepiesentation of j facts, and Mr Mcßeth must have known it ' when he wrote such a statement. As a matter of fact Rewi ga\ c his full consent, and signed the document himself. 1 was present in the room when he signified to Mr Bryce and the native^ present his willingness to sign his name. The other names attached to the paper are those of impoitant chiefs, many of whom possess influence very little inferior to Rewi himself. As legauls the obstiuction of the suney, how ia it the work is pioeeeding so quietly if the Maori.s aie opposed to it? As for granting local self-government to the natives, that is all humbug. If the laws of the colony aie good enough for the Europeans to live under, they aye also D 'ood enough for the Manns. Mr Mcßeth 's assumption of philantlnopy is all a 'ham; he is c ther the tool of some unscrupulous p iliticians, or lie wishes to gain a cheap notoriety for himself. Fortunately for the nath es many of them are still bel'eveih in Mr Bryce's hone-ty of purpose, and desire for then \\ elfare. Many of his supporteis, however, do not approve of his action in stopping Rewi's pension. It was rather ba-ty, and, in the opinion of many j unwise. Mrßiyce's enemies aie not slow to make capital of it, and arc trying 1 by e\evy means in their power to widen the bianch between him and Rewi. In spite of all the old chief still as&erts that he is d 'siruus of seeing the survey proceeded with. If Mr Biyce succeeds in cai lying out his policy in its ontiiety, it will ghe the death blow to the " Rings," and be the greatest blessing the natives have ever icceived. What a pity it is the Agent-Genewil in London does not send a few ship-loads of domestic servants to the colonies. Jemimar Ann appeals to have things her own way just now. The following cunous advertisement Mas handed to nu last week by a gentleman. It illustrates the position of affairs. " Wanted— A young lady who will condescend to accept the title of seivant, and th aw a weekly salary of 10->. Adveitiser wijl light the fire, clean the boots and knivos, while his wife will cook, and do the house work. The young lady will have eveiy night in the week tti herself, and will be provided with a latch key. Hei duties will bo to play the piano, amu-ie hei»elf, onteitain visitois, and dies-, better than her mistier, whom she will be expected to assist occasionally." Apply to Harvest operations are being proceeded with, the binders aie going day and night. Many of the crops are very ripe, and should be cut at once, but eveiy machine m the place seems to be constantly at woik. I heard of one cass of oats 1 being destroyed by citeipillais this year. Happily, sinco the introduction of small birds, such case-, are rare, thus showing that mischievous as they are the birds aie not an unmixed e.wl. Some of Mr Parsons' machine-made bread w.is sent to Ml" Brldgman as a sample last Saturday, It in very nice bread, white and sweet, but good as it is our local bakers can turn out quite as good an ai tide. The bread wis eagerly bought by some who were present when it aimed, and though all were highly pleased, both with the quality and appearance, the general opinion was that we need not go from homo to procure an excellent loaf. Tbu sooioty for the prevention of cruelty to animals has sent lound tor distribution placards in English and Maori defining the act, and cautioning persons against illusing animals. Mr Civesham has been appointed honorary solicitor to the society, and I hope soon to hear of information being lodged with him against one or two peisons for th,ejr inhuman treatment of horses. — (Own Correspondent.)

Ix Spain the young girls are carefully watched over by an elderly female known as a duenna. With this safeguard they can't duenna rong. The Financial Position of the Wokkino Ciassks. — Professor Leone Levi sends to the Times the result of his researches into the financial position of the working classes. Jn 186 Q the annual Wtvges of operatives, domestic servants, and others estimated by Mr Gladstone at £250,000,000, were found to amount to over £400,000,000 ; and in the present year they may lie estimated at £448,000,000. Comparing the numbers and income of the working classes with those Qf qthera, Professor Levi shows by figures that in thirty year's an average family of the lower middle class has improved its financial position by 37 per cent, while one of the working class ha 3 improved by 59 per cent. As far as he can judge, the economic condition, of the working classes ha« immensely improved fif late years. What they mostly iieed is a greater force of moral purpose, a greater culture of the intellect, a greater refinement of manner and taste, and an increased capacity to repel what ia deprcj s.ing and to attract what is ennobling in their intercourse pf life, Yqu v? \}l d,p wpll to fprnish your house from GaVhck and Cranwell's. They have now the most complete Fumhhing Warehouse in Auckland, furniture to suit all classps, good strc3£, and cheap. They have Tapestry Carpets irom 2s 3d pei yard., Brussels from 3s lid per yard. linoleum from 3s 9d to as, Oil Cloths from Is Qd to is fid per yard, good 12 feet wide Oil Cloths at Ss 8a per yard. Immense assortment of Iron Bedsteads from Infants' Cots to 5 ieet wide half-tester Bedsteads. Double iron Hedsteads from 255. 480 Bedsteads in stock to select from. Beddings of all kinds and sizes kept in readiness. Dining, Sitting, Drawing-room Furniture, and and a large assortment of Manchester and Furnishing Goods, including- a lot of Cretpnnos. Book Catalogues sent fire* to inteudinr purchases, 'QyUck J^CraaiitU,