The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALIEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1928, 13 November 1884, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALIEY GAZETTE.

Equal and ex.irt jusiirp to ,i'l men, Of whatsoever state, or persuasion, I'litfious oi political. Here shall the Press the People's i iffli* maintain, Unawed by influence and unbubcd by tf-iin.

THURSDAY, NOV. 13, ISS4-

TnE session which was brought to a closo on Monday afternoon will be remembered as one of the most remarkable in our annals. Not on account of the -noi-kdone — though the Legislature has not been idle during the past three months— but "because during the period indicated many of t]ie old party barriers have been broken down, and thtgenius of the nation has betaken itself into new channels. When Parliament assembled after the general election *, there faced it a Government which had forfeited the confidence of the country, but, against which no stronger party could be ranged. That the Ministry should go admitted of no argument, and they folded their tents without loss of time. But it was "by no means so .e#gy, to. r ijidi/jate who should, or rather who were

strong enough to fill the vacant places. Next to Major Atkinson, Sir Julius Vog&l undoubtedly commanded thelaigest personal following, and to him-s-stricken down though he was with sickness — all' eves wore naturally turned. I' seemed a matter of course that the newly-elected member for Ohristohuroh North should assumethoPremiership. But one Minister does not constitute a Government, any more than one swallow makes a summer, and to rule it was above all things else necessary that Sir Julius should have colleagues ; moro than this, capable colleagues, and (that no violence be done to the traditions of the colony) colleagues selected from various parts of the country. Sir Julius' following was drawn chiefly, indeed almost wholly from Canterbury, but had the representatives of that favoured province .been as wise as Solon, the House would not swallow more than two of their number, and of these two there was a strong feeling that Mr Montgomery should be one. Turning to Otago, there was no hope save in Mr Stout, who, like Sir Julius himself, had returned to Parliament after a lengthened absence. But the member for Dunedin South must carry his old colleague Mr Macandrew on his back, and the sturdy Otagan, who had fought the battles of his native province in the central Legislature since the birth of constitutional government, in his turn made it a sine qua non that Mr Stout should take the Premiership ..Sir Julius had indeed got himself into a pretty pickle; but there was no alternative between the acceptance of these terms and the relinquish ment of all hopes of office. Forj tunately there was no difficulty about a Wellington representative in the Cabinet ; the other members of the Cabinet were simply expedients. It was plain that such a combination as this could not survive the buffetings of the session, and none, probably, knew this better than Sir Julius himself. Mr Wakefield had hoped for the second Canterbury seat. When Sir J. Vogel landed in the Colony no voice heard in his dispraise was louder than tint of the member for Selwyn ; but a change of circumstances brought a change of sentiment. Sir Julius, branded as an adventurer, was scouted, but Sir Julius the chosen of Christchurch, with a swing-ing majority at his back, was a different person, an individual whose good graces it was worth while to secure. But Mr Wakeneld, even though he had won the heart of the leader, was in no favour with the rank and file, was rejected, and by consequence became one of the bitterist opponents of those who contemned his society. Sir George drey's amour-propre had been wounded, inasmuch as he had not been consulted in the making of the new Government, and he too w >nt to the other .side of the House. What followed is fresh in the mind of everybody. The ministerial bladder, for it was only a bladder, was pricked and it burst. It deserved its fate, but tho conduct of some at least of those who hastened its destruction was not conspicuously handsome. Then, was seen how necessary a policy of compromise had become. The " young blood " ministry, with Major Atkinson at is head, flew up like .1 rocket and blazed for a couple of diys, made up of elements as unstable as those of its predecessor, and quite as unworthy of confidence. Cheek by jowl, the leader of the party ousted at the polling booths sat with the man who for years before had charged him with more political crimes than any one nun could comfortably stagger under — the member for Selwyn, perched on the gilded pedestal at last ! When the time again came round for Sir Julius to take up the reins, (as it was not long in doing) he and his frionds and the Ilou&e had learned wisdom. Coalition was tried, but failed ; but not on this account did they again commit tho error of including in the Ministerial list Mr Montgomery or Mr Macandrew. Nor did they affect to ignore Sir George Grey. Consequently since then the Governmental stream has flowed, if not placidly, or uninterruptedly, at least with comparative freedom, and its waters, we take it, have done something to increase the fertility of tho country through which they flow. Everything has not been as it should have been. Mr Stout, for instance, has not developed any remarkable aptitudo for tho high office he has had forced upon him, and the sickness of the Treasurer, though it does not appear to have dimmed his fine intellect, has at least diminished his capacity for work. In Mr Ballance, Mr Bryce has found a worthy successor, and in Mr Richardson we have, whatever his demerits as an orator or a Parliamentarian may be, at least a capable Works Minister. Contraiy to what might have been expected from one of Mr Stout's temperament, the Government has ventured on little or no experimental legislation. It has discovered a strong anxiety to push on the public works of the colony, and to open up its lands for settlement, but nothing to take the place of freehold tenure, nothing to supersede the efforts of friendly societies, no panacea for the prompt and effectual cure of poverty, has been yet offered to the people. This, at least, is a hopeful sign. What Mr Stout may evolve belore next session we cannot preterd to guess, but judging by his attitudo in the last session, we may eaf ely conclude that he will not meddle with land nationalisation, or any scheme for the extinction of poverty.

The Cambridge Town Board has decided to call for tenders for the office of ranger. The tender of Brocklesby and Co., of £34 10s, has been accepted for fo?nv ing thirteen chains of the Hamilton road between S. Andrew's Church corner and Grey-street.

The Railway Department intend? to bring what has been lcnown as the new timc-tablo into force on the 24th inst. The weather during portions of yesterday was exceptionally ct)ld, and hail fell at Ohaupo, Ngaruawahia, and Hamilton. The Cambridge Town Board has resolved to enforce the law against gor.se being allowed to grow on public thoroughfares in fiont of private properties. The usual fortnightly sitting of the Cambridge Resident Magistrate's Com t will be hold to-morrow. The cause list does not contain much of interest. The Oxford races came off quietly this year, and wee fairly successful. There was a repiesentativo attendance from nil parts of the district, and the fields were lruMjnably large and well contested. A full report of the day's proceedings appears eliowhere. Mr W. K. Carter's stables will be well repie.sented at the Onehunga ftaeing Club's meeting on the 22nd inst. The Wanganui steeplechaser, Alaric, Fisherboy and the Anteros filly went down by yesterday's train in charge of Mr Carter's well known trainer. The vagaries of the railway tariff have again been exemplified in a rather startling manner. The other day Mr Knox, of Hamilton, received from Auckland a bag of potatoes, weighing 2cwt. for which he had to pay 7s tid. This is simply a monstrous charge, and the sooner some alteration is made in the tariff the better for the prosperity of the country districts, During a visit to Oxford on Monday last Mr T. Simms, of Cambridge, inaugurated a subscription list in aid of Mr and Mrs Osborne, the unfortunate people who .suffered by the recent disastrous fire. As a reward for his efforts Mr Simms was able, on his return to Cambridge, to hand over the handsome sum of £5 13s. The amount was subscribed principally in halfcrowns. The settlers in the Cambridge district will be glad to notice that Mr J. It. Parsons, veterinary surgeon, is about to start in business in their midst. For some time past the want of a thoroughly competent veterinary surgeon has been felt in the district, and we feel confident in lecommending Mr Parsons to the public. For the present Mr Parsons may be con suited at the " Dovecote." A number of Cambridge people, including a few ladies, who patronised the Oxford Races on Monday had the enjoyment of their holiday somewhat damped by the return journey. The rain started to fall about three o'clock in the afternoon and continued heavily at short intervals throughout the evening. The road was in a veiy sloppy state, and the darkness coming on soon quick travelling was an impossibility. Mr DArcy Hyland, the celebrated hor.se trainer, is advertised to give an exhibition of his skill at Mr Buckland's Horse Bazaar, Cambridge, on .Saturday next at 3 p.m. Two unbroken colts will be brought in and i ldden, and Mr Hyland will give a practical illustration of his speedy and effectual method of horse-breaking and training. Mr Hyland has given several exhibitions in Auckland, and has been eminently succesbful. The usual meeting of the Hamilton Legislative Association will bo held in the Public Hall this evening, and as the business is likely to prove more than ordinarily interesting a lull attendance of niembeis and visitors is expected. The new Government will bring down a statement of its policy, and a lively debate may be expected. The following constitute the new Ministiyho far: — Piemier and Treasurer, Mr Geo. Edgecumbe ; Minister for Public Woikb, Mr A. Swaibnck ; Colonial Secretary, Mr Y. H. Templer ; Minister for Lands, Mr A. Campbell. The following special messages to the Pi ess Association, dated London, November 11th, have been published :— The Rev. Sydney Lmton, Bishop of Riverina, sails for Australia on January 15th. — A force of Marines have been sent to the Isle of Skye in consequence of the defiant attitude of the crofters there. — Mr Gladstone was unable to attend the Guildhall on the occasion of the Lord Mayor's installation. — The Pope, in an Encyclical letter, rejoices at the pi ogress made by Catholics lesident in Australia.— lt is now con&ideied unlikely that any compiomise on the franchise question will be arrived at. The following tenders were received by the Waikato Land Association for drainage works, as advertised m The Waikato Time- :— E. C. Martin, No. 2, £1 13s Gd, No. 3, £2 4s Od, No. 4, £4 2s ; OBrien and Kelly, No. 1, 12s, No. 2£l 2s 4d, N«. 3, £2, No. 4 £2 18s (id ; Littlewood, No. 1, 14s, No. 2, £1, No. 3, £1 l!Js, No. 4, £2 14b Gd ; Hone, No. 2, £1 2s, No. 4, £3 ; Dickson, No. 1, 12s, No. 2, £1 2s ; Crawford, No. 1, 11s Gd, No. 2, £1 2s 4d ; D. Dillon, No. 1, 12s, No. 2, 17s ; P. Rice, No. 3, £1 13, No. 4, £2 13s. The last two tenders were accepted, \iz., Dillon for contracts 1 and 2, and Rice for 3 and 4. A special meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held last night. Present : His Worship tho Mayor, Or*. Phillip, Tippen, Steadman, Frear and Tucker. The following tendeis were received for the office of valuator tor the boinugl) : — F, Gaudin, £18 ; W. Jones, £12 ; T. C. Hammond, £0 19s. On the motion of Cr. Tippon the tender of Mr Hammond was accepted, and it was lesolved that the valuator be supplied with a copy of a roll of all persons owning rateable propel ties in the borough. The follow ing tenders weie received for the grass on Sydney Square : — Geo. Mason, 10s ; Jas. Coombes, 2Qs ; C. J. W. Barton, 40s (accepted.) The Negro Minstrel performance at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East, on Tuesday night was, considering the state of the weather, a decided success. The hall was comfortably filled by an appreciative audience. The first part of the performance, or " chair'" business, went off very smoothly, the ohoiuses especially being well rendered. The comic song* and the jokes " fetched"the audience. The balads, quartette, and the negro icvival song, " Golden Choir," in the second pait, came in for a large share of applause, while the comic sketch, ''The Music Lesson," and ''Plump for Tompkins," which constituted the third part, fairly brought down the house. Space forbid? our criticising at length what on the whole was a very creditable performance. The road between Cambridge and Oxford is still a little rough for wheeled traffic, The heavy traffic of late and the recent heavy rains have disturbed the surface very considerably, but fV few days of fine weather will make it a first-olass nighway. There are a number of very dangerous holes at intervals which should be attended to immediately. This could easily be done by the surfaceman before the general repair ofths road is undertaken by the Government. Mr Rose's Gortland Waggon, while going to Oxford on Monday morning, camp to grief, and had to be abandoned on the roadside. It is to be hoped the Public Works Department will lose no time in calling for tenders for the proper formation of fcho road between Cambridge and Rotorua, An ampla sum was placed on the •stimates for the work, On Monday, 10th inst., Capt. Steele and Mr H. Reynolds waited on Mr Coom, Resident Engineer, to urge the padding of cattle trucks. Mr Coom said that forty trucks were to be altered, but that It had been represented to him that padding would be of no use, as cattle would tear it off in a few days. The deputation thought this a mistake and asked that the experiment bo tried with a few trucks, This was agreed to, and if it answers all the trucks are to be padded. Mr Coom is, willing to do all in his power to make tho working of his department satisfactory, and is always ready to receive suggestions of a practical kind from thosQ interested. It is to be hoped something may be done to land beef in Auckland free from bruUaj, as the butchers complain very much of this with Waikato cattle. During the session MrWakefleld asked Mr Ballance ip the House why the field force do nofc draw Jhe long service pay granted to the A.C, Force some fcimg ago, and whether the Government will make arrangements for placing both branches of the force on an equal footing in this respect. Mr Ballance s reply was " that long service men of the field force are sent Into the police.' So far is this statement from being ooi-reat, that }f f* return were called for, ifc would ba seen Jshafe there are n«w in the field force a largo number of the old hands with 15, 16 And 17 years service, some of whom are,, perhaps, jjnder the standard height required for the potfptt, but who, nevertheless, are eminently well fitted, from their robust build, physique and training, for that' guerilla system of warfare?peculiar to jEfyk country. It is not right! 'that those, nieh, who hay* been in the force since! it cajme into'earttfeebe, show a ol&ari* defaulter* ehast, *\i»W U fgaprfvgg of Jhe

long service pay which they are entitled to. The fact is that neither long nor short service men are necessarily drafted into the police, and within tho last 12 months all those who were selected for police duty were men whose services, with few exceptions, did not exceed two or three years. And, besides, it non-commissioned officer in the field force wishing t« join the police must, according to existing' orders, revert to the rank of constable before he can do so.