COMMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1983, 24 March 1885, Page 2

COMMENTS.

Having gladdened the hearts of two generations with hm sweet hinging, Uernld Mnssey has come to New Zealand to be told that he is nobody. A regular contnhutoi to the Auckland Herald, with that calm self-sufficiency which is chaiactenstic of the anonymous critic, opines that we have no better authoiity than Mr Matmey's own, that lie is a poet ! I'oets aio rare birds in Auckland. People in that city enjoy a much more extensive acquaintance with belted knights, marquises, dukes, nnd that class of humanity, nnd perhaps they ought to be excused if they fail to recognise a poet when they see one— which is not very often. Most people know something of flciuld Massty, and those who do not ought to cultivate his acquaintance. Thirty years ago Hugh Miller placed Massey in the same category with Keats, and while hii verse in loaded with much of the gorgeous imngtiy of his predecessor, he touches in Mime of his lyrics a profoundcr depth of feeling. Nothing can be finer than tin* quiet pathos o? " Within a mile of Edinburgh town," nothing more inspiring than "Hope on," nothing more deeply human than many of his other sliortei nieces It is in his longer poems th.it the imaginative faculty which lies in Herald Massey has full phi}. Tim description of morning in *' Craigcrook Castle" is one of the most delicately painted pictures in the whole range of poetic literature Unfortunately, the poet hah wanduud fioin his old paths. Ho is now, in the afternoon of his life, lecturing on spnitualism and theology of a vciy questionable type. It is because of this that nome of his latent critics have set themselves to defame him. But he, any nioie than they, cannot rob his earlier work of any of its lustre. The vagnrios of npirittial-i-m cannot mar, nor the cold shadows of doubt and scepticism obscure the beauty of his youthful poetry.

Some timo ago Mr J B. Whyte wrote to the Premier of the colony, dntwimj

his attention to the tavages made by the various diseases which have tcceutly manifested themselves amongst the fruit trees of the colony peach Might, .md .tpple blight, and the diseases which li.ive so 1 educed the ciop of pe.u.s, plums, &c , &. In doing so he pointed out that tins was a mm h moie rnp.ii taut matt' r than .it tiist it migiit appear, .is it really incut in nearly all < asei a matcria' i eduction to the <innti.il income, and in some to a nenous diminution of the food supply. He addte««ed himself to Mr Stout, because he thought tint he was a m\a who really had the welfare of the people at heart, ajid was one who would not pooh pooh the m.ittei and do nothing. In order to put the matter in a pi actioal shape, Mi Whyte suggested that sonio ikilhd peison, well up in the subject, should lie instiueted by the (Jovei nineiit to vi«it all parts of the colon}, collect nil the information he could from anyone taking an interest m the nntUr, as to the ciieumsUnces and Londilions of the trees attacked, ages, t xpoMiic, k: , inspect the trees affected, and if possible arrive at some conclusions ,is to the steps which ought to be taken to, it possible, eradicate these diseases. In due course a n-ply was received that the matter would be considered in Cabinet. This wns of course, so far, satisfactory, but we were still more satis lied to hear that Mr Whyte had received a letter from Mr T. Kuk, the well known botanist, stating that in response to his letter he had been instructed by the Government to make the di sired inquiries and examinations of the affected trees in the \aiious parts of the colony, with a view to, if possible, devise some remedy. Mr Kirk addresses his letter from Hokitika, on the (sth of March, and then expected to reach Nelson in about a foitnight, where he in tended to prosecute his enquiries. He then inttnded to onus the Straits, and proceed up tho West Coast, and thence on to Waik.ito, where he intimates his intention of seeing Mr Whyte, and expiesses a wish that specimens of the affected trees m»y be shown to him, with all the mfoi iiiation obtainable as to aife, position, &c .&c We tlietefore think, ah this la really a very impoitant matter to the disttiet, that everyone who has taken any inteiest in it, and who has any expel lmces worth recoiding, 01 who has any suggestions to make, should endea your, it possible, to see Mr Ivnk when he visits Waikato, and if this be not convenient, to put them in writing, addressed to Mr Whyte for Mr Kirk's perusal. From the tenour of Mr Kirk's letter, he ought to reach W.jikato in about a fortnight, but it will be our endeavour to give settlers timely notice of his ariival. We think it unnecessary to add any voids of ours to point out more forcibly the necessity of everyone showing a livily inteict in this matter The recent Horticultural Show at Hamilton was quite sufficient to prove what can be done in producing our sort of fiuit— viz., apples— and which, we believe, could be also shewn m many other sorts of fiuit were due care and foresight exorcised Wo would also venture to remind settleis that the crop of apples has also received some very marked warnings that it also may dwindle away until it becomes, like the peach, a thing of the past, if due caie be not exeicised. We therefore trust that eveiy settler in Waikato will take the trouble to add what he can to the sum of knowledge on the subject generally of fruit diseases, in order that one impoitant source of levenue may be maintained, ami aleo that those which we have already lost may be restoied to us. We look upon pnberved fruits in their various forms as one of most valuable resources, which ought to be developed in conjunction with our cheese factories, but we also look upon it as one which can be \ery easily intnely lost by indifference or apathy on the pait of the settlers. We therefore trust that Mr Kirk's labours may be rendered as light ns possible by the cordial assistance of everyone who is in a position to afford him any. ___^______

Horse-racing will be held at Ngainavvahu on the 2."> th May ('Queen's Bnthday), Programme will appear 111 future I«SUPS. i

A poll of the ratepayers of the Waitoa Riding, re levying a special l.itu, will ho taken at tho school house, Morrmsvillo, to-morrow, the 2">th nist.

A poll to determine whether tho licenses in tho 13 trough of If.unilton tiha.ll bo increased or not will ho taken .it the council chambers on Wednesday, tho Bth April.

A concert by the Hamilton Wesley.in choir, assisted by other friends, \v ill be given at Huksmm, on Thumlay evening next. Tho pioceeds will be in aid of the Wesleyan cncuit fund.

The Camp Family Relief Fund is being libeially augmented in the C.imbnclge dihtnct. Several subsciij)ti'>ns ha\o boon sent in fiom the outlying districts.

The usual monthly meetings of the Taotaoroa and Cambridge load boards were held at Cambridge on .Saturday last, bur with the exception of tho parsing of a few accounts no husines of any importance was tians.ictod.

The committee of the Cambridge athletic sports, to be held on Easter Monday, are winking hard to ensure a good day's sport. A laige sum of money his been collected, and tho pn/.es will be of a libeial ch.wacter.

The poll under the Roads and Hridtfes Construction Act, in the nding* of Taotaoioa, Waito.i, and Aloha, takes place to-morrow as adveitised, the Minister having approved of the, ((rant. The woikH have all lieen let m anticipation of the poll piovmg favourable.

The poll to determine whether tho number of publicans', Kew Zealand whip and accomodation licenses should be mci eased in the Waitoa district was taken on Saturday, and lesulted in ono vote being lecorded against an increase and none in favoui of it,

A tennis match, Law v. Lucre, wai playod on the Cambridge couit on Saturday afternoon. Mr F. A. Whitaker and Mr Hartley represented the law. and the banks were represented by Mr W. Sininis and Mr Fit/geiald. After a very good game victoiy fell to the latter by three points to one.

The Cambridge R.M. Court opened on Fi iday for its usual foitniglitly Mtting, but owing to the unavoidable absence of the It.M., Mi Northcioft, and tho Hcaicity of local justices, the business had to be postponed till the next hitting, Friday, Apnl .'ml. Majoi Wilson, J.l'., adjourned tho court. Tho case of John (iwynneth, 0.X., v. Cambridge Town IJoard is set down for hearing at tho next hitting.

A correspondent," Justice," writes from Te Awamutu to enquire whether the public can demand an enquny into the Into fire. Tho insurance coin panics affected can demand an inquiry, but if any individual membtr of tho general public is awaie of any suspicious eiicumstatioes, it is his duty to communicate with the police, by whom tho neccssaiy enquirieH would at once bo made.

Colonel Carnegy preached at both morning and evening hoi vice at Timity I'iesbyteiian Church Cambridge on Sunday last. Them wiut a large congregation at both services. Tho Colonel is an impressive and Huent pieacher, and his diseouises on Sunday weie listened to with more than ordinary attention. Ho leaves immediately for Home, tho teim of hm leave having expired.

The annual soiree and concert in connection with H. Paul's Wesleyun Church, Cambridge, is to be held to-morrow. We understand that tho conceit will bo of an unusually lu^h order. Thomj who listened to the singing of Miss Cnlpan, of Auckland, on a foimer occasion will be glad to learn that nho has again consented to delight a Cambridge audience. Mmy other Cambridge favourito-< w>ll also take part in the evening's entertainment. We have no doubt that thoy will be listened to by a largo audionco.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wesleyan Hand of Hope, was hold last evening in tho school room. Mr l!on, French piesulod, nnd thero wns a good attendance. Tho following programme wan gono through :—Reading, William Andrew; riddles, Chas. Cox ; recitation, Thos. Rothwell ; trio, Kdith Cox, Kato Davoy, and KfUo Salmon ; liddlem, Nellio Dukes ; m>lo, Mrs Rrvlinnn. Tho Ilev. Mr Pukci do-

liveted h patting nddiessto the children, in which ho exhorted them to continue in tho good path of tompeianee. His remaiktt were listened to with lapt attention.

A correspondent at Taupiri writes: —Seeing thmugli your paper that se\eral lues ha\o oceniled in Waikato recently, it may be woith your while to call attention to the fact that Mr W. H. M. Lovpll has jiiHt c.nnpleted two hie escapes* on Ih.h promises, onu in (lie hotel, lending entiiely outride from the upst.ms corridoor, and one in the stole upstaus running into the street. This f<ict may pot h.ips he the ine.ins of putting many owners of propoityou then mettln, and thus encourage them to do what Mr Lot oil ha* done.

The anniversary services of S. Paul's Wesleyan (Jhnrch, Cambiidge, were held on Sund ly List, and war* 1 conducted by the H"v H H. Uowsbury. In the ni'MiiiiijLf the subject <>f Ins discourse was the mis-ftoii it v /<" il exhibited by th« fir-it ('luistian disciples. In tho evening the te\t was cnoson from Revolation, " And thoro was no more mii," At both sei vices there won? huge and appreciative congregations. A Htrong and efficient choir ndmir ib)y led tho musical pait of hoi vices. The To Deum and Jubilate, from J.icUhoii'h service m F, and the anthem " The L"rd is King," were rendered with gre it power and Hte.idines-i.

Miss E Krippner. who for some tune past ha* held the post of pupil teacher At the Il.imilton West school, has been removed to Cambridge West. Mish Krippner, dating hei «t«y at Hamilton West, has won the affection and esteem of sill in the school, and her departure wan m.tde the occasion of presenting her with a token of the pupils' regard. Tho presentation took the form of a silver brooch, chain and locket, and w.w accompanied by the following letter :—" Miss K. Knppner. We le.irn with regret that you are being removed from this Hchool, and cannot allow you to leave without giving you a small token of our love. Wishing you every sue cess in life. Signed on behalf of the Hamilton West school. (J. H. W. Mukiuy, F. Hope, F. E N. (J vudin,

The following special messages to the Precis Association, dated London, Mai eh 21st, have been published :—The St Petersburg Pi e.sh are triumphant at the atfieemont, recently entered into between M.de Staal, the Impeiial Ambassador m London, and Mr (*Lu)»to»e, that nofuithei advance of troops should take place 011 either side.—ln c mneeti'in with thy annexation of Samoa, it has l>>eu announced tli it tho New Zealand (i ..eminent have offered to boar the cost of governing that island.—Tho Gu/.ro's meat hat* arrived in excellent condition.—King Leopold 11. has formally announced his acceptance, of the title of Sovereign of tho Congo State, foinied by the International African Association.—The wheat market is dull, and pi ices are unchanged. Foiward shipments have realised .Sfis.

His Worship the Mayor of Hamilton has received the following ciicnlar from the secretary of the New Zealand Indnstral Exhibition : -Sir,—l have, tho honour to intoiin you that, owing to the numerous applications for space m tho general branch of the Exhibition, it has been decided to recommend th it the original plan of the Exhibition Huildmgs should bo somewhat enlaiged, which recommendation I have no hesitation in s lying will in all probability be cirned out. In older that no industry in the colony may bn unrepresented here in AugiiHt next, it ban Wen decided to receive applications for space to thn 81st instant, and I would most earnestly lequodt th.it you will lay this matter forcibly befote the public, and mention that tho object which (Joveinment have in view in the proposed Kxlnbition(the fir->t of a series) is to test from tinio to time the advance which in being mado in the various industries that give employment to labour. The .sole object for which Wellington ha« been chosen ah the place for tho first Exhibition is on account of tho great importance of having the merits aud claims of the various industries brought, at an early date m a concentrated from under the notice of the Members of Parliament, in order that the subject of repeating these Exhibitions in other places in ly command the full amount of attention winch it deserves. I lu\e, &c, Chailes Calbs, Secietary.