The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1874, 10 July 1884, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to a'l men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's riffh' maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by jjain.

THURSDAY JULY 10, 188 1.

The latest " Blue Book" lies before us, and it will interest our readers, and moro especially those who have not been long resident in New Zealand to know something of its contents. Since its birth the colony has had ten Governors, exclusive of those who have temporarily filled the office. New Zealand was proclaimed a British dependency in January, 1840, by Capt. Hobson, K.N., who became Lieut.-Governor under the Governor of New South Wales, and subsequently, when our connection with the sister colony was severed, he was appointed Go\ ernor-in-Chicf. lie did not long enjoy this honour, but died at Auckland in September, 1842. For a little more than a year the Government of the colony was administrated by Lieutenent. Shortland, the Colonial Secretary, and in December 1843, Captain Eobert Fitzroy, arrived and hold the Governorship for nearly two years, Capt. (afterwards Sir George) Grey succeeding him on the 18th of Novembor, 1845. Until the Ist January Capt. Grey was Lieut.-Governor, but on that date he was sworn in as Governor-in-Ohief, Mr E. J. Eyre acting as Liout.-Governor, of New Munster, and Major General Pitt, Lieut.Governor of New Ulster. On the passing of "The New Zealand Constitution Act" Sir George Grey, on the 7th March, 1853, assumed the Governorship of the colon}', and the services of the Lieut.-Governors were dispensed with. From the 3rd January, 1 854, to the Gth September, 1855, the Government of the colony was administered by Col. Wynyard, and from the latter date to the 2nd October, 1861, during which period our troubles with the Maoris were brought to a head, Col. Gore Brown acted as the Queen's representative. Sir George Grey's second term followed, and lasted until the sth of February, 1868, when Sir George Bowen's reign commenced, and ended in March, 1873. Then for three or four months the Chief Judge, Sir George Arney, administered the Government, until the arrival of Sir James Fergusson'in June of the same year. Sir James left the colony in December, 1874, and the Marquis of Normanby succeeded, and kept office until February, 1879, when, after a brief interregnum, with Mr Prendergast as Administrator, Sir Hercules Robinson assumed the Governorship, which he retained till September of the following year. Then succeeded Sir Arthur Gordon, from November, 1880, until June, 1882, and next our present popular Governor, Sir William Jervois. Since the establishmentof responsible Government in 1856therehave been eight Parliaments, and no less than twenty-one Ministries. Prior to that time the Governor was assisted by advisprs nominated by the Crown, the first Cabinet, if we may use the term, being comprised of Dr fehortland, Colonial Secretary, Mr Fisher, Attorney-General, and Mr Cooper, Colonial Treasurer. Their successors in the respective offices were Dr. Sinclair, Mr W. Swainson and Mr A . Shepherd, and amongst those who held office without portfolio from 1854, when the first Parliament wassummoued, to 1856, when the fiVst responsible Ministry was formed, we find names which are destined to live long in the records of the colony. They are those of J. E. FitzGerald (long since, as Comp-troller-General, stranded high and dry), Sewell, F. A. Weld (since Governor of Tasmania and other places) F. D. Bell (now the keen agent an r l good friend of the colony in the World's great Capital) the, brilliant and unfortunate Edward

Jerningham Wakefield, (who died before his time, yet nevertheless out-lived his capacity for usefulness) James Macau drew and others of less note. We cannot follow in the same strain the many famous names shining through the lists of the Bell-Sewell, the Fox, the Stafford, the Fox (again) the Domett, the Whitaker-Fox (1863-4— the War time) tho Weld, the Stafford (the second) the Fox (the third) the Stafford (the third) the Waterhouse, the Fox, the Vogol, the Atkinson, the Grey, the Hall, the Whitaker, and the Atkinson Ministrie?, right clown to the present day. Is it i easonable that, as we draw the finger down the page, uncovering the names of Sewell, Tancred, Fox, Whitaker, Stafford, Richmond, Weld, Featherston, Crosbie Ward, and FitzGorald, we should be imbued with the feeling which animated our amusing friend Silas Wegg, when he reflected on the departure of " Master George, Aunt Jane and Uncle Parker," without, however, sharing his sentiments regardthe pigs which had rooted up the garden of his fancy ?

At the R.M. Court, Hamilton, ye«terday, before Mr H. W. Northcroft, R.M., only a few unimportant civil cases wete disposed of.

Mr H. H. Smith, of Auckland, will exhibit his grand panorama of the world, also local views, kiss in the ring, <fee, at Huntly this afternoon and evening, and at Ngaruawahia to-morrow.

It will be seen by an advertisement that Mr G. 0. Y. Tiidall's sate, which was to have been held on Saturday, has been postponed until further notice.

Miss Carry Nelson's Operetta Company will appear at Kihkiiln on the 11th; Te Awamutu, 12) h ; Alexandra, 14th ; Hamilton, Kith and 17th : and Cambridge. 18th and 19th.

We are in receipt of a pamphlet entitled " The Electors' War Cry." It is by the author of " Hard Times and Land Monopoly," and is intended to show that all the ills that flesh is heir to spring from land monopoly.

The proposal to borrow £642, for workb in Wai pa County, was confirmed by a poll taken on Tuesday. For the proposal there voted 3v, representing propprty valued at £90,509, and against 2, representing £4330.

The following Hamilton East players have been .selected to do battle against the West at football on Sydney Square next Saturday : — McKcnzie, Yon Stunner, Seddon, Bindon, Stevens, Allright, Pearson, Mellars, Connolly, Qninu, Cochrane, Jtteid, T. Browne, O'Neill and C<ur.pbell. The following 1 will compose the Hamilton West team :— Messrs Odium (2), Davis, Martin, Mayes, Aitken, Hobson, Danks, Bartlett, Mclntyre (2), Gribble, Munro, Dent, Jolly, liijrgs, Watson, Smith.

At the close of Monday night's meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, the Mayor brought up the question of establishing a public library, in aid of which alll the councillors had subbcribed a pound each ; the total amount subscribed was £29. Cr. Biadley volunteer to take charge of the lists for another fortnight, by which time he hoped there would be fully £50 in hand. It was arranged to call a public meeting in about a foitinght, to be held in the council chambers, to determine what step* should be taken towards the establishment of the library.

The Government is about opening up another block of about 10,000 acres in the Raglan district under the deferred payment system. The land, which is situate between Wivitetuna and Aotea, although broken is of good cpiality, being mostly of limestone formation. The Aotea-Kawhia road, now in course of conduction, pas.ses through the block at the Aotea end. The block is at present being Mirveyed by Mr Hazard, under the direction of the Survey Department, Auckland.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board wat> held on Monday night. The secietary reported that 150 ornamental trees, including olives, planes gieen-ash, &c, kindly gi von by the Auckland Board, had been planted on a portion of the park reserve adjacent to the Lake. The board decided to re-enter upon sections 20 and 21, Hamilton West, upon which £200 had been expended in improvements ; alho, lots 33 and 34, Hamilton East, upon which a house has been built, and other impiovemente made.

At a meeting of the Hamilton Cemetery Trustee* held on Monday, it was decided that the committee appointed be authorised to clear both cemeteries of scrub and other giowth, and prepare plans of the ground ; also, to repair the bridge and approach road fiom Galloway-street to the Hamilton East cemetery. It was decided to hold a meeting on Monday night, for the purpose of drawing up regulations for interments, and purchase of plots, &c, and by-lawa for the regulation of the management. Mr W. Lovett was appointed to the committee, vice Mr Yon Stunner resigned.

Notwithstanding the present inclrment weather the Government is pushing forwaul the construction of the Ale.\-andra-Kawhia road. Both armed constabulary and natives, about fifty of the former and thirty of the latter, are busily engaged on the work. They have now reached Oparaii, about four miles from Kav/hia, township, where they have erected another ledoubt. The engineer in charge, Mr C. W. Hur.sthouse, has found a good and convenient route for the new road, which will materially shorten the distance between Kawhia and Alexandra.

A meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Gobpel Temperance Mi&sion was held in the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton East, on Tuesday evening, Mr G. French in the chair. There was a good attendance, and the meeting was addressed by the Rev. W. Reyburn and J. Dukes, and Mr J. C. Brown. A request lias been received for a branch of the Army to be started at Woodlands and Hukanui, to which it was decided to accede. Solos were rendered by lady niombers, and were well appreciated by the company. At the conclusion of the meeting 12 persons donned the blue ribbon.

The natives on the Aotea-Kawhia road have now staited work on a new principle. Hitherto they have been working by the day, receiving remuneration at the rate of five shillings for each day's work. Work is now being done by contract, each party taking a small contract. The road, with the exception of the erection of the Pakoka bridge, has now been completed a, distance of six miles from Te Mata. The wet weather, as may be expected, considerably retards the .work^ As soon as the fine weather sets in, it is the intention of the Government to have the work pushed on, and finished as early as possible. The workmen are now engaged on the worst portion of the road. The present operations are in a limestone country, which requires a lot of blasting.

"Justice," Kihikihi, writes:— To the Editor. — Sir, — I beg the favour of a small space through the medium of your columns to express regret at the omission of the names of two ladies, namely, Mrs McDonald and Mrs Maunders. These two ladies of the testimonial committee were not only the promoters of the concert and testimonial to Mr and Mrs Nicholson, but laboured early and late to make everything a success, in which they unquestionably succeeded. Such people as Mrs McDonald and Mrs Maunders, who are ever ready to do a public good, should not be passed without credit and gratitude tor their services. By inserting the above you will oblige.

Concerning the question of extending British rale in the Pacific » Press Association telegram, dated London, ths 7th inst., states:— The Hon. Evelyn Ashley, in the Houie of Commons, announced that an additional Commissioner of the Pacific would be appointed with a protectorate over New Guinea. , It is announced that the appointment of a Resident Commissioner over New Guinea will, in the first place, be only for one year, the question of permanently appointing a British officer being deferred, * ponding the final settlement of the ppoposajs of the Sydney Oorifereuce, and;; their ; approval by, the various colonial Legislatures. It is '«• yet undecided whether the adjacent islanc't. in, the Western Pacific will be placed tinder the supervision of tfw Coujnrivioiier resi--dent foN^w $$£©», r -, ; jtrfi^ <•;'

A correspondent, ''Pair Play," telegraphs from Raglan on Thursday: " Quostiu arises in Raglan , Native Land Bill or not " It is a matter for regret that the first telephonic message received by us from Raglan should not hava been more intelligible ; it seems to argue that there is a weak spot in the line somewhere. Because nothing is more natural than that the question of " Native Land Bill or not ?" should arise in Raglan. It has arisen elsewliere, though our correspondent, if the telephone has not played him false, may only regard this as a singular coincidence. In any event we deeply sympathise with "Fair Play." There is such a despairing ring in the brief telegram, that w^ could almost wish, for his sake, that the question never had arisen.

The Hon. Mr Waterhouse and the Hon. George McLean when speaking to the Addresa-in- Reply took rery different views of the condition of the colony. The former said we are going to the dogs, while the latter ventured to express the opinion that we are after all very well off, and likely to be better. Commenting on the disparity between the opinions of the two honorable Legislative Councillors, the Grey River Argus says :--" As both gentlemen are very wealthy, and individually have no cause for uneasiness, it may be asked why such opposite conclusions should be arrived at by two persona of equal intelligence and experience. It might be answered in this way. Mr Waterhouse is bilious, dyspeptic ; always saturnine, rarely knowing the luxury of a laugh, and generally speaking takes life Badly. Mr M'Lean has a good digestion, if his looks don't belie him, takes life joyously, is rather partial to a hearty laugh, and never expects the deluge to-morrow. There is a great deaHn a good stomach."