AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2047, 20 August 1885, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, 01 whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's ri(jht maintain, Unaurd I>> influence and unlinbed by gain

THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 18S5.

In Tuesday's issue it was nnnouncpd that it was the intention of the authorities to constitute Waik.ito (including the Thames and part of thp East Coast), a sepmate police district, and that Inspector Kiely was to be placed in charge. On the question of the propriety or otherwise of erecting the new district we shall say nothing ; but in respect of the appointment of the officer referred to, we arc constrained to offer a few remarks. Mr Kiely may be, and no doubt an excellent police officer, and in different circumstances it would give us great pleasure to congratulate him upon his appointment. As it is, we think a mistake lias been made. It may be doubted whether tho proposed changes have been recommended either by Superintendent Thompson, the "Resident Magistrate, or by the Native A^ent in Waikato all of whom it might reasonably be supposed have an interest, and no slight interest either, in the matter. Waiknto is a peculiarly constituted district, and exceptional qualifications are necessary in those who are appointed to administer the law and carry its mandates into effect within oui boundaries. The appointment of one who is a complete stranger to such an important post as head of the police in this district must have been decided on without due consideration. When we take into account the extent of the district, the number and character of its various settlements, and its population, European and native, we .it once recognise that in the guardians of the peace personal knowledge of both place and people is essential. At no previous time has the need of such qualification been more apparent than it is now, when the opening of the King Country is within something like a measurable distance from us, and when the trunk railway is being pushed forward. However willing the native chiefs may be that this work shall go on without interruption it cannot be hoped that they can control all the different sections into which the native tribes are split up. We are sure to hear of more or less obstruction, not serious in itself, but just of sufficient concern to make it necessary to have a man of experience to grapple with them. The late case of obstruction at Waitoa illustrates what may be done by a police officer possessed of firmness and tact, and whose reputation for seeing the law carried into effect has no doubt reached every corner of the native country. On the one hand was a large body of natives, and on the other a number of Maoris, each rendy to commit a very serious breach of the peace. Had a police officer unknown to the natives and possibly burning with a desire to put the law in force been sent to arrest these natives, a very serious disturbance would probably have occurred. Now without reflecting on the capacity of any other officer in the service, we say emphatically that the man best fitted for the post is now in the Waikato, and practically has had charge of the district for many years past. We do not avisli to flatter Sergt. -Major McGovern, because no one relishes flattery less than he, but we are certain that no officer iv the service can show a better record. If promotion is considered the reward of merit in the police, as it is in other bftfnches of the Government service, then we say- unhesitatingly that Sergt.-Major McOovern's twenty-one years of meritorious conduct ought to be rocognised.

Thk C/,av Nicholas applied the term " Mck man" to Turkey. It would not be an inappropriate name for New Zealand in its present circumstances. The extraordinary speetpd'jof a Government which does not possewi th« confidence of either t he Hi n-v m the country, yet s>tiH

retains otft&, %ia "aurjaly .been seldom seen. The Melbourne Minist try» soon after the ''accession of QMei^ffiictiffMi', was somewhat similriffy rar uat i|' P^ *"* feejiog of hoi!ftilw| aglinsfc 'it wjfii not n^rltijfto JjJflfcverlfcLjis thftt which exists against thtF Stout- Vogel Cabinet. New Zealand must present to other couns.ries r a curious spectacle. jhavqj a Ministry which ho^ls ofiice'only* by. reason of disagreement in the ranks of an Opposition as hostile as could well be imagined, but the members of which cannot siuk their differences in order* '-Go 'rjut down a common enemy. Never was the country more4nme«d<-oi such men as &ir»John Hall or Sir Edward Stafford than at the present moment. The time is iiat^ripa.fqr the return of Major Atkinson to power. His administration had a long lease, and a change was no doubt desirable. Mr Ormond would not receive the sup port of Sir George Grey's party, and it is very doubtful if Mr Montgomery could form a Ministry if he tried. There are only seven or eight portfolios to be filled, but for i these there . are about thirty aspirants, each one of whom thinks he possesses a heaven-born genius or capacity for the particular office he covets. The threat of a dissolu tion in the e\ ent of a no-confidence motion being carried is held over the heads of the Opposition by the Go\ eminent. Tbe cost of a. general election is about £40,000, and large sum though it is, it would be cheaper for the colony to pay it than to have its credit pledged so recklessly as the present Ministry scorn inclined to do. A more ill-assorted Ministry could hardly be imagined ; the Minister for Public Works is not giving satisfaction, the Premier is tired of the combination and wishes to retire, the Native Minister is incompetent, while the Minister for Mines, if he has done no harm, has certainly done little good. The Cabinet hold office from sheer inability of the members of the Opposition to agree among themselves. The Maori members, though opposed to the general policy of the Government, would, in the event of a noconfidence motion being tabled, vote with Ministers, because they are afraid a tax: would be imposed on n.itive lands. The Maoris enjoy the same privileges as the European ; the law affords them the same protection for life and property, and therefore they should assist the country in some measure. It would be unfair to tax land w hich has not passed through the court, but that, the title to which has been ascertained, and which is enhanced in value either by roads or railways should be made to contribute to the re\ enuo. Wo do not see anything very oppressive in Mr Ormond's proposals to make n.itive owners contribute to the revenue of the country.

Commander Edwin wired yesterday afternoon .— "lndicition-ito-night veiy cold or frost." The fourth dedication festival in in connection with H Andrew's Church, Cambridge, will bo held in the chinch th\s owning. The Rev. K. H. Gullner will occupy the pulpit. The usual fortnightly sitting of the Cambridgo R.M. Comt will bo held tomorrow. Theio are no criminal cases. The ustnil seues of en ll causes will be disposed of. Our readers will be sorry to hear that Mi T. A. Bell, music teacher in the Sute Schools, is very seriously indisposed. His illness is the result ofo\er\vork, and hm medical attendant, Dr. Beale, lias certified that a month's rest is absolutely neccsf,aiy. Mr Goodwin. Inspector of schools, win >w m the Waikato. He has now examined the Nganuiwahia, Pukete and Hamilton Kast school, will bo sit Kinkiriroa to d.vv, Wh it.iwh.iU on Friday, and Hamilton \Ve«t on Monday and Tuesday. The improvements to the Cambridge Public Hall are to be commenced forthwith. Mr Biigg-s scenic aitist and a^istant arrived in Cambridge by yesterday H train, and will proceed to h or': immediately. No doubt tendei s u ill be called for the work of lining, painting, kc. The hall should be finished in about a months' time. An entertainment of a novel character will shortly be given at Lichfield. The pi'rfoiniancc is novel to the extent of its being the first tune that it has ever been witnessed in tho Southern hemisphere. The pei formers have assumed the professional designation of "The Lichfield .Stars " and from all accounts they afford erery promise of a successful entertainment. An entertainment in aid of S. Paul's Wesleyan Sunday-school, Cambridge, was held in tho Public Hall on Tuesday evening, and was largely attended. The Rev. H. 11. Dewsbury was in tho chair. A veiy entei turning progi.umnc of music, fee, was submitted, and a \ery enjoyable evening w as spent. The Rev. E. H- Gulliver of AuckImd, will deliver a lecture on tho Life of General Gordon, in the Cambridge Public Hall to-morrow evening. This lecture has been looked forward to for some time past, and it is needless to say that those who will favour the lecture with their presence tomorrow evening have a treat in store. The reverend gentleman's reputation as a lecturei is too well known in the district to neod any further reference «n our pait. Lively interest is already being displayed in the coming election nf a member to fill the vacancy in tho Cambridge Tow n Board, caused by the resignation of Mr Lewis. Theie are two candidates in the field, Mr IX Riehaidson and Mr H. \sher, both woll-known gentlemen. There is also the possibility of a third candidate in the peison of Mi J. R. S. Richardson, who, we understand, is to be requisitioned to come foiward. A requisition, signed by about forty ratepayer, including a large mimlier of influential residents, has been piesuntcd to Mr 1). Richardson, nnd ho has accordingly consented to stand. A requisition ik also in cour«e of signature to Mr Ashei, and has aheady been largely signed. The following special messages to Pi ess Association dated London, August 17th and 18th hive been published •— Tho Intel national Telegraph Conference has viitually arranged the following Pcaltj of chaiges to Aimtralia :— " Government messages, si\ shilling? ««vl «■ penny per additional word ; public inesswgos, eight shilling Hand two pence por word. Press messages will be sent at a quarter of the public rates, provided a Ruarantce n given of a, proportionate increase in that class of telegrams."— The Daily Telegraph urges tho establishment of more coaling stations in the Pacific— Pi ofossor J. Wordsworth, M.A., of Oriel College, Oxford, has beon appointed Bishop of K.ilisbuiy. A public meeting will be called at Cambridge shortly to consider the proposal to start a iam factory, to which we, refened a few days npo. Mr Cowpor ban been exerting himself in the matter, and hns accumulated a lot of \cry valnablo inclination an to co.st of plant, building, &c., tho certainty of a good market, cost of working, and other mattein of detail. He estimates that the industry could bo got underway with a called up capital of £.'OO. Largo areas of fruit trees and gooscbenies have within tho past year or so been planted ia the district, theieforo n good local suppi^ of fruit could always be relied on. At tho present tisio several

tons of good fruit are annually wasted in the district, which with a jam faetoiy could bo turned to bu very profitable account by the growers. As the capital required is vary small, there should be little difficulty in floating a company. We learn^frdin the Auckland Herald that Mr W. Duncan, on behalf of tho North New Zealand Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association, attended, the meeting of tho Lumpers' Union, held on Monday p\cnmginthc Temperance Hall. He delivered an address upon the benefits which would bo derived by each of them becoming mombeis of tho association he represented, explaining lucidly to them the objects of co-operation, and infoi ining them, th.it pro\ ided his company iecei\ed luffi cient support, it svas their intont'on to open shops for the sale ot meat in the city and suburbs of Aucklaud, when it would be (Jilposed of at- a price aliko beneficial to buyer and consumer. He was attentively listened to, and seen ed to succeed in convincinghia hearers that it would be to tlicir SdiFamagfi to'join his association. Several questions were asked w hicli were apparently answered to tho satisfaction of those present. It was resohed "That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Duncan for the information he had supplied, and that an effort should be made by them to take a few shares in the Co-operative Association he represented."