The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1947, 30 December 1884, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of \vbatsoe\er i,Ute or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People 'b ntfht nmnUin, Unawcd by influence and unbrilx.il bj gain

TUESDAY, DEC. 30, 1884.

We have hither to given Mr Vaile full credit for .singleness of purpose and extraordinary public spirit in advocating his scheme of railway reform at such a sacrifice of time and cose to himself. Ho was also received with the greatest cordiality by the settlers of Waikato generally, and the only one of their representatives who was in the district at the time of his visit (Mr Whyte) spoke in no unfriendly spirit, either of Mr Vaile or of his scheme ; in fact lie supported the motion for providing funds to enable Mr Vaile to lay his scheme before the public of the colony generally. Neither have we heard that Mr Lake evinces any violent hostility to the scheme. It was, however, asked by themoredoubtingportion of the community, "What is Mr Vaile's motive up this matter so energeti- ? Is it pure patriotism, or is it ambition % If the former, why does he exhaust himself and his hearers by taking up the greater part of his address in showing how badly treated the North has been as compared with the Bouth regarding railway construction 1 Why does he show diagrams which, by the manner in which they are contrived, convey to the the idea that the admitted disproportion is much greater than it is in reality. For instance, in one diagram the columns, while not being- absolutely inaccurate, were so arranged that the differences and totals of each year were so added to the following „ year that the above impression was conveyed. In another, also, the mik-

ages of Otago and Canterbury were grouped into one huge red column Which was very striking, much more so than if they had been, like the other provinces, put separately in two columns of nearly equal length. Many naturally ask, Why is this so 1 What on earth has this to do with the railway tariff 1 ? Why should the full explanation of Mr Vaile's ingenious scheme be curtailed, marred, and almost destroyed by so much of the evening being occupied in discussing what really is a question of loan expenditure, not railway management? All this was asked and a good deal more, and we regret to say that the answer appears only two palpably in the concluding lines of the letter from Mr Vaile which appeared in our last issue, which read as follows :— " When last in the Waikato I was much amused at hearing the different motives imputed to me for taking up this matter. The chief idea seemed to be that I wished to enter into politics and obtain a seat in the House. I may as well at once say that I have no such intention. At the last election I was asked if I would contest one of the Waikato seats. My reply was ' No ; it will not suit me to go into Parliament. I want to put this railway matter through, but^ I will wait and see what this Parliament will do. If it carries out an effectual reform I am content; if not, then at the next election I will contest one of the seats mentioned.' To that reply I adhere." Now, we presume no one will find fault with Mr Vaile's ambition to go into Parliament, and if he can ride into it upon this hobby, it is as good as many and better than most. We fancy, however, that he is mistaken if he thinks that the cordial welcome -which was so freely extended to the enthusiastic railway reformer will also be extended to the man from Queen Street who desires to jump the claim of oneoftheresidentrepresentativep, and who, as a preliminary step, makes use of that welcome to endeavour to show, under the disguise of an address on railway management, how shamefully the interests of the district have been neglected by their representatives in the matter of railway construction. One would think from the intimation contained in his letter that the sitting members had flouted and sneered at his scheme, instead of receiving it in as friendly a spirit as was possible from men who wore not prepared to swallow it bodily without enquiry and full consideration. If Mr Vailc desires to go into Parliament, is he not known and esteemed nearer home ? If the interests of the North have been so noglected arc there not seventeen other representatives from the province of Auckland who muit bo equally blameworthy, if not more so ? Ct may appear .strange to Mr Yaile, but we in Waikato are under the impression that we have fared reasonably well in the matter of railway?, and that, in this respect at all events, our representatives have not failed in their duty. Why, therefore, does he not honour some North of Auckland constituency with his attentions, where there are no 1 ail ways, where the fht>t part of his address would be nicst apiopos, and where the members uiu.st, according to his reasoning, bo more blameworthy than ouih V Or does ho intend to come hcio because he thinks that the bare idea of being carried from here to Auckland for about Is lOd will so confuse our perceptions generally that we will be able to trust our interests to his care ? Does ho think the settlers such a lazy lot that the prospect of spending the day iv a railway carriage, at a cost of a couple of shillings -will blind them to other considerations. We fancy not. Of course wo are fully aware of the many advantages to production and settlement to bo derived from such a scheme as Mr Vaile's, if practicable, and we have no wish to detract from him or it. What we wish to point out to him "by way of friendly caution is that constituencies are very rarely willing to entrust their interests to a stranger, and certainly never unless that stranger's career has been so distinguished as to warrant such an extreme stop as rejecting one of themselves in his favour. With all due respect for Mr Vailo wo must say that so far his careorhas notbeon "distinguished." Mr Vaile, it will be observed, says nothing about the chances of defeat, &c , but simply states that his main reason for not accepting one of the Waikato seats last July was that he desired to give another Parliament a chance of adopting his pet scheme, and warns them that if tlVy do not he will at once go into the House. Well, this was, and is, very good of him, but we think woll enough of him and his scheme to express a hope that he will no longer allow the colony to languish through want of his services, but kindly accept the first seat that offers nearer his home, and where he is no doubt both well known and respected. Of course, we in Waikato all know that reform in laihvay management is urgently required, and if our representatives fail in their duty in that direction we know full well how to mark our opinion on the matter without throwing ourselves into the arms of a, no doubt, very worthy, but almost unknown, absentee. We have also the subject of railway reform so much at heart, that we fear Mr Vaile has materi ally damaged his chances of success by thus allowing the aspiring politician to show so plainly through the somewhat thin disguise of the enthusiastic reformer.

The full programme of the Waipa Racing Clnb's meeting on the 29th # January will be found in another part of this issue.

The exports of sugar from the Mauritius to New Zealand fcbis season amount to 4000 tons.

The usual Watch Service at 8, Peters Church, Hamilton, will be held to* morrow night commencing at 11.30 and concluding a few minutes after jnfclmghj;,

Mr Sutton, who takes over the Raglan mail service from Mr Johnson on Saturday, has arranged with Mr D'nthmer to book passengers and receive parcels* &c. for transmission to all places on this line of road.

A Kihikihi correspondent writes : The ball that should have been hold on Boxing Day has been unavoidably held over, through unforesoen impediments, until New Year's Eve.

A watch service will be held at S. Paul's, Wosleyan Church, Cambridge, on Wednesday night at 11 o'clock. The net-vice will be conducted by the Rev. H. R. Dewsbnry.

The Rev. Lloyd Keating, Incumbent of S. Thomas,' Auckland, preached at S. Andrew's, Cambridge, morning and evening on Sunday. There was a fairly large congregation at both services

The next meeting of the Tamahere Farmers' Club will be neld on Friday next, 2nd Januaiy. Amongbt other business the club will consider what further steps (if any) shall be taken with regard to selling cattle by live weight.

The programme ot the New Year's sports at Alexandra appears in another column. In the evening of New Year's Day a grand concert and Christy Minstrel entertainment will take place in the Alexandra Public Hall.

We are sorry to hear of tli3 d»ath by accident of Mr Nicholas Higginson, who was killed by a fall from his horse at Manaia on Tuesday last. Deceased was a &on of Mr Higginson, of Te Rore, and was well known in this district.

S. Peters Church. Sunday School annual picnic ia to be held on New Year's Day. The children will assemble at the Public Hall, Hamilton West, at 10 o'clock in the morning and march in procession to Mr Jolly's paddock where games and refreahmants ad libitum will be tho order of the day. Parishioners generally will be welcomed.

Mr Cecil Gardner, the proprietor of the time-table bearing his name, is now on a visit to the various townships in Waikato for the purpose of appointing agents for the sale of this very useful little vade niecum. It contains a large amount of mtei esling information, and will be found of great service to the travelling public, as it embraces time-tables for both rail and steamboats throughout the colony.

The bazaar in aid of the building funds of the Roman Catholic Convent, Hamilton East, was reopened on Boxing Day at the Odfollows Hall, Hamilton East, and visited by a large number of people. During the whole time the bazaar was open the takings amounted to about £120, and of thi.s snm over £100 will be devoted to the convent building funds, which, all things considered, is very gratifying to those concerned.

On New Year's Day a cricket match will be played on Sydney Square between eleven from Ngaruawahia, and Hamilton, play to commence immediately on the arrival of the steamer from Nsrarnaw.'thia. The Hamilton team will be selected from Messrs Forrest, Stevens, J. Kdgecmube, G. Edgecnmbe, Napper, Connolly, Keep, Kirk, Bindon, Barton, Sandes" Yon Stunner, Seddon, J. B. {Smith, Cochrane, &c, «fee, A good game may be anticipated.

Our Cambridge reporter wires last night :— The election of director* for the boaid of the Government Insurance Association is now c\citmc? considerable attention in the district. Tho last mail closes by the Manapouri on January tho 2nd, and voting papers should bo posted from Waikato not later than to-morrow (Wednesday) morning. Messrs Graham, Bell and Johnson appear to be the favourites in Waikato.

The annual Sunday-school picnic of S. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, will take place this year on Mr Bnckland's grounds adjoining the racecourse on New Year's Day. The picnic of S. Paul's Wesleyan Sunday-school and the Tamvhare school will take place in Mr Seymour's I paddock, Tamahere, and that of the Baptist Tabernacle Sunday-school on Mr Fitzgerald's faun, Cambiidge West.

The privileges of the Cambridge Jockey Club's New Year Meeting were sold by Mr W. J. Hunter .it Cambridge on Satm day, and lealUed £41 155. The grand <-tand booth was knocked down to Mr A. Bach, Hamilton, at £10, the gates to Mr (iillett at £24 ICK, the Good Templar*' booth to Mr iv>gaity at t'2 l."w, the horse p.iddock to Mr Stewart at £2, and tho cards to Mr Bond at £2 ss.

The contractor for the new bridge on the awamp road near Monavule, has not yet commenced the erection of the temporary structure. The public a»fe natuially annoyed at such unnecessary delay. The work should ha\e been proceeded with long ago. Wetni^t that .something will be done to make the road passable for wheeled traffic before New Year's days.

The Wellington correspondent of the Herald telegiaphs :— Shoitly after the session closed I mentioned that the Hon. W. H. Reynolds had intimated to his colleagues his desire to be relieved of offico, and that it was likely that Mr. \V. .7, M. Larnach would take a seat in the Ministry, with a portfolio. It i-j now understood that thib re-arrangement is to take actual effect, and Mr Larnach will piobably relieve Mr Ballance of the Mines Department, and Sir J. Vogel of the charge of the Customs Department. There will still be a vacant seat in the Ministry without portfolio. j

The following special messages to the Press Association, dated London, Dec. 28th, have been published :— The Temps states that unles* trie Convention is cancelled Germany will annex the New Hebrides. —The New Zealand loan is not receved with favour.— A Colonial Trading Firm's Company is projected here with a capital of £100,000.— The shipment of frozen meat, ex the &teamer Potosi, is being hold at s^d per Vb. — Prince Bismarck has urged that the question of Egyptian finance should be taken into consideration at the present Conference.—Store wheat ia firmly held at 30s ; new crop, 3.jg.

At a meeting of the Alexandra Library Committee on Saturday, a cordial vote of thanks to those assisting in the concert on the previous night was carried. There being now a small sum in hand, it was agieed to circulate a subscription list with the view of obtaining a little more money, and thon to erect a small building to be used as a reading room and library. This would supply a long felt want in Alexandra, and with a good supply of magazines and papers, and a few sets of chess, draughts, &c, should form an agreeable place of resort both for civilians and for the men of the Armed Constabul.uy when off duty.

We would seriously suggest to the of the Cambridge Jockey Club that in future, whan person? so far forget thpmselve3 at race meet' ings as to be wanting to "go for " everybody and everything with whom they may have a grievance, and resort to the Übe of foul language, they should be immediately removed outhide the grand stand or lawn enclosure, At the Ja^fc meeting one person enjoyed himself In thU way for jsome «;inie without hindrance, to the great annoy* ance of ladies and others on the grand stand. People who do not know how to behave themselves in respectable company should be treated as their conduct nieiits, and wo trust the stewards will not forgot to glvfl tho matter their attention.

The usual services were held at 8, Peter's Church, Hamilton, on Christmas Dny. The church was very prettily decorated, the alter rails and font being particularly noticeable. Two bannei-H, the gift of a young ludy of the congiegation, and her own. woik, weie suspended at the east end of the church, on either side of the chancel. One boro the text ; >f Behold the Lamb of God," and the other ; " I urn ihe Bread of Life," and the execution in each oase was almost faultless. There was a large congiegation at the eleven o'clock service, and a full choir rendered the anthem "Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts" in a most pleasing manner. Stainer's "Te Deum " was sung. The inouinbent (jave an appropriate address on the subject eonneafcea with the occasion. Despite the inclement weathoy there WftS fr large congregation at the chnrch on Sunday evening, when the incumbent preached a most eloquent sermon from the text, " Emmanuel, God with us." It hasl 'been arranged that the choir should siwj several fiarflls, but in the unavoidable absence ef fcha ohoiTOaslier |hey were withheld, and it is now infcenqea t ( > prP§ e ??t them at the evening Service nexfc' Sunday,

A correspondent, who signs himself " Athletic," writes as follows about the Hamilton sports: — "In referring to the abo'/e, I have no other reason than to Bee the 'evils which ' take place annually at athiatio sports remedied and give the public more satisfaction, Wifchouj ip any way casting blame on the Hamilton, $P°rfS Committee, I might be nl}owo4 to <w a

few suggestions. In the first place the committee should have had the ground pegged off and each distance measured before the sports start, and not, as was done, simply mark the distance as each event was called on, thereby keeping the public waiting and marring the success of the meeting. I should advise the committee in future to rope the course and keep tho public outside or else in the ring, where the secretary's table and tent should be erected, and where he should receive all post entries. As one event is run or passed, the other should close, and so prevent two events being carried on at the one time. Perhaps the better way is to have a time programme for closing each event, and then the competitors cannot have tho slightest reason to complain. Tho starter should in no case stand in fiont of his men, but bo about 10 yards at the least behind the scratch man, having all in view, and not allow men to be 10 and 12 yards away before the pistol goes off, which took place in almost every event on Friday last. As to the handicappers, I think they showed their inability to handicap in the slighest degree. Gentlemen that do not know anything about athletic handicapping should be very careful before they put their names to paper. Each event was very poorly contested ; in fact, each race was won hands down. Now, sir, I think it is time we had a Waipa and Waikato Athletic Club, to be formed in Hamilton. I do not reside at Hamilton, but I think Sydney Square is the most central place and also the most suitable in the district to hold Ruch sports. I think there would be no difficulty in forming a club, to be called the Waikato and Wakja Athletic Club, with a subscription ofj^lay, 10s 6d per annum. A good working committee could be formed, and be able to hold one or two meetings every year, or more if necessary, giving satisfaction to the members and the public. I trust that you, sir, will excuse this rambling letter, and the gentlemen of the sports committee will forgive me if I have given them a slap in any way. My only hope is that good may come out of it."