COMMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1993, 16 April 1885, Page 2

COMMENTS.

WiJATEVhR the uiu&e may have been, uiiusdl interest appears to have been taken in the question of S. Patrick's nationality this year. The good saint is lapidly gaining in popularity, chiefly, we suppose, because there has been eonsulci able need of a second \ermin-killei in the (Jrcen Isle of late years, but all contro\erBy concerning him has, so fat, stopped Miort at his breeding. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the other day, said that S. Patrick was a Frenchman, but this few admirers of the saint were disposed to agree to, and so we suppose the argument will go on to the end of time, or until someone khall uneaith the paush register, or the morning newspaper of the period containing undei the heading " Births " the announcement of the great e\ent in unimst.ikeable terms, with a proper enmnciation of the titles of S. Patrick's giiindfatlicr and great grandfather, and so on. A humorous writer in oue of our Australian contemporaries supplies some very amusing gossip on this subject, winch is well worth reproducing. Touching the date of S. Patrick's birth, the uiitcr says:— To begin with, a learned Queenulander has this year started the tluory that we have been whistling up the w long tube all along by celebrating S. Patrick's festival on the 17th March, as the only original and really genuine Saint Patrick waa really born on the Kith of that month, and he accounts for the trouble thusly : According to Usuard's and the Roman Martyrology, Bishop Patrick, of Auvergne, and the apostle of Inland, were born on the 10th M.irch, to aud the Latei an Canons ordei theirfeaat be celebrated on thatday. Onthel7thofthe s.ime month, however, another Patiick, Bishop of Nola, first saw the light of day. Hence we have three celebrated Patricks born on two consecutive days, and the saints are as hopelessly mixed as Little Buttercup's victims in the " Pinafore." As a matter of fact, however, there is no positive evidence to prove that the real »S. Patrick was ever born at all ; for it is his death, not lim birth, tbat is honoured on the 17th of March, that being the date on w hich he departed his life at a place called S-uill. At the customary banquet held nn Tuesday night one of the speakers obseivcd that while S. George, S. Andrew, and other patron «aint» had gone the way of all patrons, and had passed into the limbo of name* forgotten, S. Patrick is still a living entity, and his Dime is quite sufficient to bring liv countrymen together to sing his prafoea. This at once raised the whole tiouble as to who S. Patrick's countrymen really are. Dr Moran, like a man who skips swiftly over a bog for fear of sinking if he travelled slowly, glanced awiftly over thi? part of saint's history by remarking

that he was " boru of Celto-Roman parents of high rank," and lie was discreetly nilent as to wheie that all important event happened. The me press ible Mr Daurviu Buchanan declares thatS. P.ituek was a Scotchman, and \\.i-> 4 kilt; our Fiench friends .insert that he wai born in France, but they fail to account for his avertion to fiogs ; and the Ap Joneses are equally positive that he was a Welshman, and that his native place was a town the name of which was spell with 13 i\ 27 y's, 11 p's and a Hi oss of two of m's and n's, the whole foimiug a word long enough to knock down coco<i nuts from the top of the tillest palm in the South Sea Islands .lust here, our cnterpiising citizen, Mi (,)uon Tait, steps in and claimi that S. Patrick was a countryman of his, being !;om at the romantic little duck -breeding v illage of Yang teze-Kiang, on the Whang Ho ; but the climax was reached L think, when a western black fellow named Boorooma Jimmy, stuck a piece of clover in his bashed-up hat, and troop ing into a pub remaiked to the landloid — " Goo' day Ma>-s'r Finnigan. This my countryman S. Patrick's birthday. H>ogeree pfeller that. You git it a glais rum , Jimmy drink here's luck to S. Patrick." However, this trouble is shelved for another year, and let us hope that the next celebration will be as harmless and aa full of fun as the one we have just enjoyed.

Likk all other public movements, that of volunteeung is the outcome of ciicuin stances. Some years ago, when native iv ai s distill bed the peace and harmony of early settlement, and the Maoris were as dangeious as they are now fiiendly, every mind was tilled with a certain militaty ardour, and, like the Roinam of old, wherever we went throughout the island tho terms " man" and " .solilu-r" weieaynonomous. Every man was either a pensioner, a militiaman, a trooper, a rifle export, or a const defender. There weic few civilians in those days, particularly among the mral classeß, and, indeed, the commercial classes were in a very great measure imbued with the same heroic spint. Military enthusiasm was pre valent throughout the entire length and bread tli of the count! y. It was not that our colonists loved fighting, or were anxious for a row with anybody, or that they looked upon fighting ps people now -a-days look upon calisthenics or lore making — asa part of our education. It was because the circumstances of the time created the necessity for such a spit it as the military, and of such a piofession as soldiers, and men therefoir did not take to it because they liked it, lut nimply because they weie compelled to. And for several years, after all possibility of a national struggle had passed, the necessity of being prepared for an emergency continued to be recognised Their early experiences imbued colonists with a military tendency ; and while at tin 1 outset they wcic com polled to take up aims to defend their homes and interests, they now took to anna natuially, and for years tho en thusinsm which cliaiactetised the volunteer movement in every pai t of New Zealand was peihaps one of the most striking featuies of our advancement. Kvery centre of population had its \oluntpcr coips; the laiger or metropolitan towns haung several. The liarbuuis had then naval bngades, and the country districts theii cavalry troops. Ereiy year reviews were held at different centres, where almost the entire forces of the colony weie ma«sed to demonstrate the pertcctuess of our v olunteer system. The stimulus, consequent on these displays, imparted to the movement cannot be overrated. Fiiendly contests were brought about, and a wholesome spirit of rivalry and emulation engendered. The thoroughness of our volunteer system, its coinpaiative greater stiength, the discipline and military perfection of its meinbeis, made it the subject of merited giatul.itions. But as time w ent on and the necessity for a defensive oiganisatiou disappeared, the enthusiastic spirit gradually lessened in intensity, and the once flout ibhing system afforded stiong evidence of rapid dissolution. The military ardour which at one time chatactciised its tnembcis slowly evapoiated ; coips became gradually thinner, reviews and dcmonstiations almost ceased, and large bodies of welltiamed men were disbanded. Most people agiee in attributing the blame for this state of tilings to the administration of Mr Bryce, who, after the peipetration of that historical incident, the memorable march on Parihaka, thought that the trouble of the colony had ceased, that the file of rebellion had been quenched forever, and that with that gi cat and glorious deed the necessity for a defence force no longer existed in New Zealand. That Mr Bryce is in a great measure to blame for the bursting up of the volunteer system few will care to dispute, but it must not be forgotten that the absence of any immediate necessity for the service of such an institution was some justification for what now appears to have been a very shortsighted policy. That theic is a change in the public policy as well as in the attitude ot the public mind is amply proved by the position of affairs al tho present time. A period of univeisxl quiet succeeded the Maoii diiliculty on the West Coast; some of the inducements originally held out to volunteers weie withdrawn, the Government did not recognise the expediency of assisting in the maintenance of such a large body for which theie was no perceptible use, and so, as their utility was denied, and then* services not properly recognised, many of the moie prominent and useful corps throughout the colony wcic disbanded. JJut once moie cncunstances have given rise to the necessity for a well oiganned and thoioughly efliciont volun tcer force. The possibility of war is every day becoming greater; and that the colony ahould be in a tit state of dofenoe is evident to every one. The militaty spirit hai once more been excited, and volunteering )><iu roueived an impetus which must result in ionic well denned and permanent sybtcm. And though the necessity may once more pass away, let not that be a signal foi a general dissolution, but instead let the efficiency and strength of tho movement be improved by tjme, instead of allowing it to become impaired by waiting for an opportunity.

Captain Peacock, the Government School Inn])cckor, p.nd a flying viKit to Wh.itawhiitii yosterd.iy. Being .ifter hours, In; did not examine tlitv clnldien, but expressed himself highly h.itibhed and pleased .it all he saw.

The usual monthly meeting of the Camhi idf*e East School Con.mitteo was held on Monday etonin^ last, when sonio routine buiinesn was disposed of. It was docidod to gi\n Iho childieH a half holiday on c.ich d.iy of the races. The Hoy, If, }{, Dew.sbury liavin« consented to deliver a, lectuie on " (Jl)ailes Dickeiw" in aid of th« hchool funds, it was agicod to make immediate arrangements for the^amc.

The powder magazine on the military rosary c at Cambridge has been handed orer by the Government to the Town Board, to be used by local traders for tho utojagc of explosive*, such aH powdei, dynamite, kerosene, &c Hitherto Htorekpepcrs h:i\e been obliged to keep largo quantities of these dangerous goods in itock on their promises, whjoh, in caHe of fire, would have Steelo, of tho Armed Oonntabujary, 1);ih been iippointcd to t.ike oh.ugo of tho niag.v yine, and a charge of onu ponny will b« made on the icccipt .md delivuiy of oach packet.

Mr Joseph Mayo, nurseryman, Drui y, has forwarded to us «i copy of his iliustiiitcd catalnmio of fuiits, &c, for tho cuncnt year. Tho pamphlet is well woitfiy of peiusal, and contains m addition to Ins already well assorted, Htock of trees, hcvoial new variotißH fiom tljo MtateH. A new variety of jmar, irjtioduood by him from America, is offered for tho firßt tunn, and we would recommend those desirous of ex tending tlieir orchiudu to .send for a catalogue, and thus secure tho choicest sortn, In addition to the usual list of fruit tiecs, the neatly-compiled catalogue contains some usoful hints to planters.

The meeting of the burgesses of Hamilton to consider wli it steps nh.ill bo t.ik'Mi in log.ird to tin* Public If all, will take pl.icu in the hall to-moiiow c\ening. The following special* messages to tho Piobs Association, dated London, Apul 14th, have|boen pubhbhed .— lt is feared th.it tho Russian! will attack Meautachak and (riilnkar. — The European I'ip^H urge that Princo Bismarck Hhonld mediate on the settlement of the Russian difficulty.— The Russian Hquadron stationed .it Naples has boen orders 1 to l>ioct>cd t<> th<> Baltic. — In th<» cng.igonn l nt bi-twoen the Russianu «md Affghans on the ;^oth M.nch, the los^ of tho latter was 1)30 killed and wounded. — Tho ironclads which h.i\e been selected to strengthen th« China, and Austi.ili.in squ.idron will bo ro.idy m May.

The inhabitants of Whatawhata havu (writos our own cot respondent) decided to display then loyalty .uid provido public amusement l>v holding Autumn races on the 2">th May. At .1 meeting held at D<hvmiii'h Hotel, on the 11th of April, a huge and influential committee was formed, and the following races wore decided upon . — Handicap Hurdles, 2 miles ; Maiden, 1 mile; Settler s Kace, I ', miles; Handicap Flat Race, 2 miles ; Maori Race, 2 index ; Trotting Kace, 3 mile-. ; Consolation, 1 mile ;— in all seven events and foi'mng a pi titty good bill of fare. Should the clurk of the weather prove as accommodating a» our clerk of the course (Mr Moore) always proves efficient, I have no doubt we shall have a good day's spoit. The ad\fitisement will appear shortly.

The furze nuisance is at present occupying the attention of the Gambridgo Town Board. Iti some of the by stieets sections ate almost entirely overgrown with the mvi, trice, and the io.tdw.iy in encio.iched upon to the gre«it inconvenience .Hid annoy ancu of the public. At the last meeting of the town bo.ird the mutter was brought foiward by Mr Lewis, who thought that some decided action should be taken to have the nuisance disposed of. It was pointed out that many of the sections belonged to absentee-., .md, in respect to these, the course laid down by l.iw would have to bo followed. In respect to the others it was pointed out that the boaid could do the clearing .md charge the owners with the o\pense. Jt w.»s decided to take imme diate action in the matter.

The Raglan people, ever on the j alert, are at present looking forward to a visit from Mr Like, the member foi Waip.i. ' We undeist.md that Mr Ltk" lias expressed : his intention of paying tli.it ill-treated and much neglected community a visit, to uscor- '■ tain their multitudinous requirements with ' <t view to ha\mg them s.iti/ihed d'iring tho i next session of I'.iili.iini'nt. The growing ; importance and daily incie.isintf commerce , of the ditti let, and its rising si^iiihc.tnc* as , a poit of c ill, has called into existmce I many stnking wants, of which m.iy be par- * ticularised .1 new wharf. The piesent " Htructiire has bra\ed the storm foi nunv years, l)iit the accommodation which it " affords is altogether iti.ideqiiate, <md soniel tiling more pretentious is required. It is I only during hi^h tides that steamers can • como alongside to dtsdiaigo and rocene . csugf). No doubt, (Jo\einment will fully . recognise the uiipoitance of the work, <md will lend a pittcnt eai to the urgent rupre- , Hentations of the member for the district.

I have reason to believe (says the Wellington coiicipondent of the Herald) th.it negotiations nro pending between the <i< i\ eminent of New Zealand ;ind the Rntish authorities as to tho terms .uid conditions upon winch tho Inipeiial (Joseminent would despatch .1 nuinbei of .unied vessels to gnat d the more exposed town* on the sc.ibo.iid of tho colony. I behevo it is conceded l>y English politicians that England has as large an interest in the safety of the colonies an the colonies themselves. A Royal Commission was appointed in 1880 byauthoiity of thelmperi.il Parlia inent (1) to consider and determine the means of nioviding for an organised defence of the colonies in ud'htion to tho protection already affoided, and whothei such defence should be made by English or colonial troops, or by both combined ; (2) to consider m what proportion the cost of such measures of defence should be divided between the Imperial Government and the colonies. There was an Act of the Imperial Legislature passed in 1800, to enable the general colonial possessions of Her Majesty the Queen to make bettor provision for naval defence. The Loids of the Adnnr.ilty are empowered to accept services from the colonies, or to place vessels of war and their officers and men at tho disposal of the colonies for such pm pones. The Act contains tho following pmvision • — "Nothing in this act contained shall entail any additional charge upon tho revenues of the United Kingdom, or cm tail in any \\<\y the |M>weis of self-government enjoyed by any colony. ' An act was passed by the House of Com mons in the i.uno year to enable the Imperial Government to advance money for colonial docks, the erection of naval depots upon teuus to be ugrced upon with the colonial Government to recoup such portions of the outlay as would be fan and reasonable Tho Promier ha* aheady offered terms in one case, viz., interest on cost of vessels and two-thirds maintenance. I tite tho above became I am informed upon excellent authority that His Excellency in of opinion that one of the best securities for future defence is the existence in the colo nies of ample accommodation for Untish ohms of war to be letitted, docked, and coaled. Should hostilities commence between England and Russia, I believe the New Zcalr.nd Parliament would be isked to consider the wholo of those questions.