COMMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1918, 21 October 1884, Page 2

COMMENTS.

We atnee with Sir George Grey that the law dealing with ciuelty to animals requires a little revision. In a great measure the law as it at present stands is a vcutable dead-letter ; it is seldom exercised, and it is not sufficiently comprehensive Cases of flagrant cruelty are brought under our notice eveiy day, but how seldom do we hear of the culprits being brought to book and the ends of justice satisfied ? It is an easy matter for any individual to lay an information against an inhuman law-breaker, but to secure a conviction and well-merited punishment has become a matter of chance or uncertainty. From time to time we have denounced the cruelty to which the unfortunate horses of natives are subjected. We do not seek to hold up the natives as the only exception in respect to humaneness, for cases of cruelty on the part of Europeans aie only too frequent ; but it is a well known fact that cruelty to animals has become quite a feature in the native character. The society for the prevention of cruelty to animals eusts in name only in the Waikato district. If this body is to be of any practical service in suppressing this department of ciime its agents must be more numerous and more active, and fiey must be assisted by those who administer the law. Sir George Grey's bill, which, we notice has been withdrawn for the present, aims at compelling all local governing bodies to provide better pound accomodation in respect to shelter and food. Unfortunate beasts may frequently be seen, through the bitter days of a severe winter, exposed to the pitiless severity of the elements, belly deep in mire, and with barely sufficient food to sustain life. We trust that the matter will not be lost sight of, and that better provision will soon be made. There is, perhaps, no class of people who more earnestly revile the drunken orgies and carouses which are said to form the principal feature of the domestic life of the Maoris dining the sitting of the Native Land Courts, than the Blue Ribbon and kindred organisations. At public assemblies, social gatherings, and temperance meetings, the public are perpetually reminded of the great and growing demoralisation going on among the natives ; instances of the expenditure of vast sums of money in liquor, and the frivolities of an imperfect civilization, to which, in decided preference to anything more elevated, natives seem to have become attached, are quoted for the enlightenment of all who need it, and of those very often who do not require it. Instances of mortuary libations and death-bed merry-making are adduced by way of more forcibly illustrating existent depravity. But beyond these oft repeated illustrations, it is a noticeable fact that nothing of a practical character is done in the direction of remedying the evil. Unless sympathy takes an active form and proceeds with less ado to working the necessary remedy, its effect is merely superficial What splendid opportunities have been afforded our local temperance preacheis duiing recent sittings of land courts in the border towns, and the holding of native meetings, &c. , which havo been taking place from time to time. A little enterprise mingled with a little earnest spirit and pocket sympathy would have gone a long way in remodelling the native character. The Maoris as a people are very amenable to the touching appeals of those who aro sincerely interested in their moral welfare, and a native temperance crusade specially organised for the work and conducted by the proper clas« of men would, we believe, make a marvellous change in their domestic and moral character. Our temperance agitators must see the absolute futility of talking at the evil, which they seek to eradicate, instead of talking to it. If the Blue Ribbou Army seeks to thoroughly represent the temperance cause its operations must be of a more energetic charaator, The usual fortnightly meeting of the Cambridge Pailiamentary Union wan held labt evening at S. Andrew's school100m. The usual monthly meeting of the Taotaoroa- Road Board was held at the Duke of Cambridge Hotel on Saturday. The business disposed of was not of an important character. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Cambridge Road Board, called for Saturday, fell through for want of a quorum. The chairman and the clerk met, and after waiting for half-an-hour adjourned the meeting, Nominations of candidates to fill the vacancies on the Pukokura Road Board, caused by the resignation of Mr Joseph (lane and the dea,th of Mr Samuel Fleming, must be lodged with the Returning Officer, Mr H. Fitzgerald, before noon of the 30th mat. The polling if necessary will take place in' the "following day at the schoolbousej Pukerimu, $} 3 p.m, „ l

The Native Land Court sat at Cambridge on Saturday and save judgment in the Matamata sub-division cabe. The judgment is one of much interest. It is reported in full in another column. The sub-di vision of Mangatautau was made yesterday morning. There was a special sitting of the District Court at Hamilton yesterday before his Honour Judge Smith, for the purpose of holding a public examination of Messrs Sandes and Napper, bankrupt^ Nothing .important was elicited, and the examination occupied only a very short time. The Board of Education intend erecting two half-time schools at Taotaoroa, one at Whitehall and the other at Mr Ellis place. Some delay has been experienced in respect to the sites, but this matter having now been arranged, the buildings will be proceeded with almost immediately. Yesterday morning Mr Barugh, of Tamahere, conveyed about sixty healthy young trout, hatched out at Wartle, as a present to the town board. The little fish were taken a few miles up the Karapiro creek, by Mr Hewitt, Mr Barugh and Mr Hitchman and put into the water. They immediately proceeded up the creek. Th 6 Paterangi Cheese Factory will re-open to-moirow. In another column the directors intimate to suppliers the price at which they are prepared to make the cheese, which is ljd for each gallon of ten pounds of milk. The centrifugal creamer is nearly in working order, and butter will be made as required. Con sumers requiring a regular supply should communicate with the secretary Mr Germann. At the Hamilton West School yesterday afternoon, the chairman of the committee, Mr George Edgecumbe, presented Master Edwin Davy with the certificate of proficiency gained at the late examination for District Scholarships, This ceitificate entitles the holder to free tuition at any high school under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education. Master Edwin Davy is only twelve years of age, and his success is therefore highly creditable to him and to his teacher, Mr Murray. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wesleyan Band of Hope was; held yesterday evening in the Wesleyan schoolroom, Hamilton. There was a large attend ance, the schoolroom being well filled. Mr Geo. Fiench was in the chair. A very interesting programme was gone through, consisting of the following :— Duet, Kate Davy «md Kate Salmon ; riddles, Miss Salmon ; reading ; Maggie Hunter ; liddles, Lizzie Young ; liddles, Kite Salmon; reading, Rebecca Hunter ; duet, Edith Cox and Maggie Hunter ; recitation, Edwin Davy ; reading, William Andrew ; trio, Edith Cox, Kate Davy and Kate .Salmon ; solo, Ruth Wyatt ; riddles, William Andrew ; recitation, Ruth Wyatt. The directors of the Cambridge Dairy Produce and Bacon Factory paid a vi«>it to the Paterangi and Rukuhia Cheese Factories on Fuday hist. On their arrival at Pateranci they Meie shown over the factory by some of the directors, and the nia'chmeiy and other matters of interest weie carefully inspected. They were entertained dining their \ it.it by Mr J. Scott at the residence of that gentleman. The Rukuliia Factory was visited in the afternoon, and the party returned to Cnmbiidge via the Nai rows. Having now inspected tho factories in the distiict, the directors of the Cambiidge factory should materially advantage by the evpeuence of the otheis. The usual meeting of the Hamilton Legislative Association w.ill be held_ at the Public Hall this evening, commencing at 8 o'clock punctually. The principal business of the evening is the resumed debate on the second reading of tho bill for the extension of the franchise to women, and as both sides have been holding caucuses and otherwise preparing for the fray some inteiesting speeches, aie almost certain to be made. There is also much other business of importance to be got through, and a full attendance of membeis, of whom theie are now si\ty on the roll, is desired. The stage, as before, will be set apait for ladies, of whom a largo number are expected to grace the proceedings with their presence. Tickets of admission may be obtained from the Comptroller, Mr Jessop, or the Chairman of the House Committee, Mr R. F. Sandes. The following special messages to the Pi ess Association, dated London, October 17th and l'Jth, have boon published :—lt: — It is consideied improbable that tho Federation Enabling Bill will be introduced dining tho autumn session as expected, the English Government having been informed that the New South Wales Parliament desire to discuss the measure prior to its introduction. — The several Agents-General nuet on Monday to discuss the various questions to be brought foiwaid at the forthcoming interview with Loid Derby. — The quotations for Australian wheat cargoes are unchanged. — The letail butchers m London are paying a higher price for New Zealand mutton than for English mutton. — In an article on colonial defences the Times says that England ought to take the initiative respecting the defence of the Australian ports, and with a little assistance the colonial navy could bo converted into a powerful auxiliary.