AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2076, 27 October 1885, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the Pcoplr's right maintain. Unawed by influence and unbribed by gun

TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 1885

The Premier addressed his constituents at Dunediu on Friday night, and regaled them with an account, from his point of view, of the events of the past session. There was absolutely nothing new in it ; it was simply from beginning to end a panegyric on the Ministry, of which the honourable gentleman is the nominal head. The fiscal policy was heaven-inspired, though a purblind House failed to recognise its excellent qualities ; its land legislation is better than anything that ever preceded it ; its native policy has won the love and admiration of the whole Maori race, and its public works administration is a model of economy and efficiency. This is, shortly put, all that Mr Stout has got to say. Many respectable people, supposed to be endowed with common sense, have no doubt falsified the estimate of their admirers, inasmuch as they expected from the Premier something like an apology, or, to speak more correctly, an excuse for the existence of the present Government. During the session the Premier was in a chronic state of "going to resign." His avowed principle was "do or die," " make a spoon or spoil the horn." That he died frequently, and with remarkable regularity, and that he .spoiled innumerable horns we have the amplest evidence ; and yot he still lives, and still works at his old trade of spoonmaking. The secret of all this lies in the fact that Mr Stout believes himself to be the only man capable of governing this colony. To relinquish the reins into the hands ot Major Atkinson, for instance, would be an act little short of high treason to his fellow men, for which the Honourable Robert Stout no doubt considers he would deserve to be impeached. The most amusing thing about the speech is the air of confidence that pervades it. Mr Stout ridicules the idea that the Government did not enjoy the hearty support of the House. No Government, he says, was ever subjected to less hostile criticism that his. And yet this is the Government whose policy the vast majority of members deliberately resolved to defeat ! Nothing but the most humiliating concessions enabled Ministers to retain their seats; and yet they now pose as martyrs on account of actions for the committal of

which they once rcgjivded themselves almost in the light of criminals. It is true that Mr Stout seems to admit the possibility of a change in the administration , hut he gives us to understand in the most unmistakeable way that, though there may bo twenty Governments, there can only bo one policy, and that the one conceived by the Honourable ltobert Stout. The present Government prides itself particularly upon its honesty. It is nothing it' not righteous. And yet we tind the Premier declaring that Capt. Russel's famous Retrenchment Resolution will not .itl'cet the South Tsland .so much as the North. This statement exactly coincides with what we said in this column at the time. We see now, fcoo, by w hat method it is proposed co punish the unpatriotic members who \oted against the Government. The Premier intimates th.it it is possible the million loan, authorised for the construction of the North Island Trunk Railway, may be applied to general purposes. On the principle that the .spoil goes to the victors, this may be fair enough, but it is scarcely what might ha\c been expected from such models of probity as Mr Stout and Mr Ballance. We should be sorry to see the trunk line prosecuted under existing conditions, but that is no reason why the money should be misappropriated. And yet the diversion of the million would be but a fitting sequel to the policy of expediency which the Ministry followed during the late session.

The postal and telegraphic revenue returns for the September quarter show that Auckland in respect of such occupies the premier position among the chief towns. The respectiv e amounts received on account of postal services were, leaving out shillings and pence : Auckland, £5,078; Christchurch, £0,185; Dunedin, £4,838 ; Wellington, i>1,434. The amounts received for telegrams were: Auckland, .£1,329 ; Chnstchurch, £3,181 ; Dunedin, £•5,557; Wellington, £1,191. Wellington naturally comes first in Government telegrams, the value being i 1,819, with Auckland next, £720, Dunedin A5OO, and Christchurch i.24G. In respect of money order transactions, Auckland takes the lead, the orders issued tor the quarter amounting to £27,G35 and the orders paid to £26,839. The amounts for the other principal towns were :—: — Christchurch, £25,G99— £1 7,873 ; Dunedin, £20,319— £23,381 ; Wellington, £22,089— £17,407. The Post OHice Savings Banks returns show that the amount deposited at Auckland was £44,242 and the amount withdrawn £47,030 ; Christchurch, £07,855 — £03,718; Dunedin, £G5,41G— £53,972 ; Wellington, £07,210— £50,430. It is necessary to add that Auckland possesses a savings bank of its own, doing a larger business than the branch of the postal institution, so that in this respect as in others, the Northern city stands at the head of its fellows. It is worthy of note, however, that the withdrawals for the quarter in Auckland exceed the deposits, which is not the case in the other towns mentioned. This is generally taken to be a sign of depression, but the difference is scarcely great enough to warrant that assumption, and the circumstance might doubtless be easily traced to other causes. In the matter of vital statistics for the month of September, Auckland leads with 133 births and 47 deaths, the numbers for Wellington being, respectively, 92 and 37, for Dunedin 60 and 24, and for Christchurch 30 and 18. Auckland shows a higher death rate than any other borough included in the list, with the exception of Caversham, but it must not be forgotten that Auckland is not only a sanitarium, but a sanitorium also — that it is resorted to annually by large numbers of health-seekers. Altogether the statistics go to showthat the confident predictions of those who prophesied that Auckland would be the chief town of New Zealand have been, or are rapidly being verified.

At the meeting held on Saturday evening last, in reference to getting up athletic sports in Hamilton on Boxing-Day, it was resolved to request the District Traffic Manager to run an excursion to Waikato on that day. This we consider a step in the right direction, and trust that Mr Hudson will &cc his way to comply with the request. Given tine weather and a general holiday in Auckland, it is a certainty that several hundreds of townsfolk will be only too glad of the opportunity to take a run into the country, more particularly during the long summer clays, if they can do so at cheap rates. To this point we would call the particular attention of the Manager, as there is no doubt that if the fares are placed low, say, an average of 6s each, which would pay well if only 500 excursionists travelled, the trip is bound to be a success. With good management and the prospect of a good day's sport, there should be no difficulty in raising the necessary funds for the meeting, and the business people of the place will, we think, bestudyingtheirown interests if they make a determined effort to carry out the affair on a large scale. Boxing Day coining on a Saturday we look upon as a good feature in the affair, because, under any circumstances, the places of business must open for , i time on Saturday evening, and therefore a real whole holiday could not be obtained by the employes, so that they may as well keep open all day on the 2Gth, and take a close day the week following, or an additional holiday at the New Year. We recommend the business folk to think the matter well over, and to be prepared to state what they intend to do when the canvassers come round* seeking subscriptions.

The Raglan coach will start running »n Saturday. There are now 54 head of cattle registered on the Cambridge run. The town board get 5s «i lie.td for the season. It is understood in Wellington tli.it the (Jovernnipnt have it in contemplation to pi omote Sir (Jeorgo Whitmote to the rank of Major-General. On account of Mr Aldridge's lectiuo tonight, theie will bo no meeting of the Hamilton Legislative Association this evening. Some of the new leases pegged out at the Tin Cieek are thought to be in the Piako County ; if so, it will materially increase the gold revenue of that count}'. The lawn tennis match between the Cambridge and Hamilton club-., which was to have been played on the comt of the founei next Satin day, ha» been postponed for a week. The final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup will be madn to-day, when no doubt a numbci of hoises will drop out, although a very large number will fatill be left in. The Cambridge Cheese Factory commenced operations josteidny morning, when about 2SO gallons were received. The supply is expected to mcreaie gradually up to about 000 gallons. A very successful concert in aid of the Tauwhaie school funds was held in the school house on Friday night. A number of ladies and gentlemen fiom C.unbndge kindly gave their service* and an excellent programme was provided. Mr A. Swarbrick will deliver a. lectuie on "The Chemistiy of Water ' at lie Quesno's Hall, Hamilton, on Thuisd.iy next, undei the auspices of the Hamilton Young Men's Impiovetnent Association. Admission is by ticket only. Many Waikato settlers contemplate taking a tii]) to the Old Country during the forthcoming exhibition in London. It is expected that the fares will be sufficiently cheap to induce all who can afford it to take advantage of the occasion. The erection of the new Masonic Hall at Cainbiidge is likely to be proceeded with at an eaily date. The Lodge has got seveial sites in view, including one adjoining the Knglish Chinch, belonging to the Union Bank. It has been decided to hold athletic spoits at Cambndgeon New Yeai's. Day. An attiactne piogramme is being prepared, and the prizes are expected to be unusually laige and inducing. The New Year Meeting of the Cambridgo Jockey Club is not likely to eventuate this year. The Kihikihi Town Board has made impoitaiit alteiations in the conditions of lease of the tow n endowments. The time has been extended iroin seven to fourteen yeais, the up»et lental will range fioin ten .shillings to one pound, and steps have been taken to reduce the expense in connection vv ith the deeds of leahe. St. Leon's Circus performed at Cambiidge on Satmday night, when, notwithstanding that the prices of admission weie 3s and ."i-, the tent was ciowded. [ The peifoinnnce was the same as that given at Hamilton, and which has already been icferrcd to at length. The company stiuck their tents immediately after the pei formance, and wcie again on the road on Sunday morning. The Queen of Raratonga assisted in the woik of laying the foundation stone of anew Congieg.itional Chinch at Dovnnpoit, Auckland, on Saturday. On Sunday Hei Majesty and suite attended divine service at the liciesfoid Chinch, when a special seimon was preached by the Minister, the. Rev. J. Robertson. The <2ueen is a member of the Congregational Church .it Karatonga. The members of the Gordon Special Settlement Paity at Te Aroha intend sending a petition to the Piako County Council, asking it to make the road tin ough the Shaftesbuiy settlement to the boundary of the Waiharakeke Block, so as to enable the settlers to get on to their land. It is to be hoped the council will favourably consider the matter, as the road will open up a lot of new count! y. The railway bridge over the Puniu is being pushed on as rapidly as possible by the contractor, and everything being favourable and no hitch occuuing in supplying timber it is expected to be completed in less than two months. Theie are ten spans in all, two eleven, two twenty, five forty, and one eighty foot t-pan, the latter being over the liver, so that in the event of any logsordebiis coming down dining floods the budge will not be endangeied. Mr Geo. Aldridge will deliver a lecture at Lo Quesne's Hall, Hamilton, tonight, on "The Book ot Daniel." The lecture, which will be illustrated by a chart, in said to furnish marvellous testimony to the divine inspiiation of the bible. The lecture is m no sense an exposition of the special \iews entertained by Mi xVldndge, and possesses abiding interest for Chiistians of all denominations. Wo anticipate a large attendance. The meat slaughtering in Waikato promises to prove a success, the reports from tho canvassers being very hopeful. In the course of a fortnight or less the lists will be called in and notes compared, w that any settlers who have not been applied to may be seen. But one opinion .seems to prevail on the subject, and that is that the affair should be started at once. Scarcity of money seems to be tho only drawback to placing the shares. We are pleased to hear that Mr Charles Sutton, uf the Half-way House, W.utetuna, has purchased the Royal Hotel, Raglan, the propeity of, and for many yeais in the occupation ot Mis (iiahani, and subsequently leased by Mi Littlewood. The want of a really good hostehy has long been felt by visitois of that charming wateiing place, and in the hands of Mr Sutton we have no doubt the hotel will meet every requirement. News has been received by Mr LaMonte's agent in Auckland ot a most successful reduction of fifty tons of oio sent all the wly from the Bioken Hill Co,'s claim at Silverton to LaMonte's furnace at Melbourne. This parcel of quaitz produced 40,0000 at, of bullion, valued at i'SOOO, sufficient to pay all eh irges for the erection of a complete furnace and plant on their own property. This is, wo suppose, an unpaielleled achievement in the histoiy of sliver mining. — Thames Star. Mr Isaac Coates is making satisf.ictoiy piogiesswith the l'uniu contract, North Island Trunk Railway. The bridge over the Puuiu is now nearly finished. It would hive been completed before this had it not been for tho great diffioulty experienced in proem ing piles of tho lcquired length. Some little excitement was caused the other day by the visit of a thief, who went to the camp while tho men were away at work and helped himself to such portable aiticles of value as lay ready to his hand. At the Hamilton Police Court on Saturday, William Black was chaiged with thicatening the life of his wife, and icmauded until yesterday, when he was brought up befoie Mr Northcroft, R.M., and Mr John Knox, J.P. It appealed from the ovidonco that the piisoner had been dunking heavily, and that he had tlucatened to shoot his wife or blow her up with dynamite. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and the bench liberated him on his own lecognisances to come up for sentence when called on, He was also bound over to keep tho peace. The committee appointed by the Hamilton Borough Council to arrange for the settlement of Mr Seddon's claim for compensation for mjiny to allotment No. 100, Hamilton West, met yesterday to interview Messrs Vaile and Steele, who had been appointed valuers. After a long discussion it was pioposed that in order to avoid the tedious process of procuduio under the Public Works Act, tho question should be submitted to arbitration. This was agieed to, and the mayor with the botough solicitor mot Mr Seddon and his solicitor, Mr I fay, when it was arranged that a deed bo drawn up, binding both parties to abide by the decision of the valuers as to the amount to bo paid, and that Messis Vaile and Steelobothe valueis. Tho case will thercfoio piobably bo settled to-day, Tt appears that a mild epidemic of petty larceny hau brokon out in Hamilton. Oichaid robbing is a wellestablished institution, and thefts of flowei s and shrubs from gaidens have become more frequent of late than is desirable. Another phase of dishonesty haa novy developed itself, in tho shapo of stealing from dwellings. Yesterday afternoon a mean thief entered the house of Mr John Knox, which is at present undei going repairs, and purloined a quantity of bordeiing paper. Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of tho workmen to carry out the enteipii&e, and no clue has yet been obtained as to the identity of the culprit. What makes tho theft more annoying i? the

fact that half the mom had been done, and as the paper cannot be matched the woik will have to be gone ,i\ei again. The matter has been placed in the lunds of the police, and we trust the offend or will be stopped at the outset of his caiecr. The Rev. W. Gittos, who is at present conducting a series of meetings I tliionghout the district m connection with the \W>ley.m Homo Mission, preached at both morning and evening sei vices in Trinity WWleyan Church, H.uiultnn, on Sunday last, and during his scimnns set forth in unmistakeable terms the dut.y of his hearei s in reference to providing pi cachet a for the bush settlements and the Maoris generally. He urged thorn to sympathise with the work in a practical manner, and htiongtheu the hands of tlic Chinch to the best of their ability. In the afternoon the Rev. W. (Jtttos conducted di yine sei vice at Hnkanm. The congieg.it ions were not large. Collections were taken up ,\t each seivice in aid of the Home- Mission Fund. As already advertised, a meeting will be held in Trinity Wesleyan Chinch , to morrow evening, when Mr Gittos will be 'able to give personal experience of tlnity years of mission woik among the Maons. The Herald's Wellington correspondent teleeraphs on Sunday :— The Post says: "I)uring the last few days some seventy officers connected with the Public Works Department in vanous parts of the colony have received notice that their ser vices are dispensed with, and it is probable that befoie long further discharges will be made. Wo understand that this has been rendered necessaiy by the reduction in Public Works expenditure insisted upon by the Hoii^e last session. A laige number of officer*, whose services have been dispensed with, have been engaged in making surreys and completing contract plans for work, which, but for the curtailment of the public works -vote, would ha\e been let during the latter part of the present financial year. This is one of the first results of Captain Russell's motion." I have made inquiries into the truth of this statement, and find it is generally e\aggcrated. It has been known all along that reductions were to be made m tho Public Woiks Department (indeed I stated this to you long ago), and the present dismissals are Himply in furtherance «>f tins course previously decided upon I find that the number of dismissals is largely over-stated, being only about Unity, not seventy, as alleged by the journal quoted. This is part of the plan of casting odium on members w ho voted for the i eductions of the Estimate", but it is a mere "yirn," notwithstanding all that mteicstrd peisons may pietend to the contiary. The same pretence is also being used in certain quarters to justify the raising of the North Island million loan on false pretences, and use it for otltei works. The Rev. J. S. Boyd delivered his inaugural sermon at the Piesbytenan Chinch, Hamilton on Sunday moining. Although the lev. gentleman has occupied the pulpit for some months past, his induction to the charge only took place on Thursday, and consequently his ministry opened on Sunday. Despite tho ram, there was a fauly large congiegation. Mi Boyd took his text from Ecclesiastes i\., 10th veise, and pleached an earnest, practical discourse. After referring to the native and chaiacteiistics of human life, itsuncer tainty, its unit ibihty, its joys, sorrow s, cares and anxieties, its loves, friendships, and hatreds, ho spoke of the change winch his assumption of the charge had made in tho lives of his congregation and in Ins own life. That day they viere engaged m opening a book, the leaves of which had as yet scarcely received an impression; but astiir.o went on its pages would contain the record of what had been done by pastor and by people. He could not foietell what the nature of the lecord would bo as it affected him. It might be that his ministry would be unsuccessful, but if that were so he hoped that it would be recorded in the book that the congiegation used their best efforts to avert such a icsiilt ; that it would show that they, for then p.ut, had done their utmost to increase tho pastoi's power for good, by piayer, by sympathy, and by ad wee. The rev. gentleman then uiged upon the congregation the need for gieater attention to then leligious duties, using the awful woids of tho te\t as an incentive. He affectionately entreated them to cultivate the Chiistian vntues, to bo legular in their attendance at the House of (lod, and to utilise tho Sabbath in the way th.it God intended, namely, as a day of lest. The Sabbath should be to the Chiistian what the halt by the w ayside is to the weary traveller. Relieved of Ins heavy burden he enjoys his rest, and his quickened step when he resumes Ins journey testifies to the value of that rest.