TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 1886.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2126, 23 February 1886, Page 2

TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 1886.

The energy with which the Borough of Hamilton is prosecuting schemes for the advancement of their town and district, aud the exemplary unanimity displayed by the ratepayers upon questions of vital importance to their interests and future prospects, have awakened in the sister township of Cambridge a disposition to move in a similar .direction. In the race for progress, stimulation coming from the spirit of rivalry and the struggle for tihe maintenance of pre-eminence, will do more, towards rousing people into , political life than pages of written appeals. We referred .briefly the other day to the almost : total absence of any pronounced feeling on the part of the people of .Cambridge upon the proposal to form that town into a borough ; and it is a state of things which we very much deplore. It is a condition of affairs, however, 'that cannot continue, for the march of events will force the people to bestir themselves, and take up a question of such material importance with activity and energy. Cambridge is a district possessed of great advantages, and these not of a secondary nature j its position as a leading •centre of the Waikato is worth fighting for and upholding. To remain under its existing regime is to continue behind the times, cramped in a corner. Many small towns itt the Colony, not half the size, of Cambridge, are to be met •with flourishing under the advantages provided by the Municipal Corporations Act. The larger powers bestowed by thnt measure provide greatly superior means for the expansion of centres of population than, are to be found mutac *PY n VtojrtK To the outside commercial ; fr^d PtlitoftJ wprjd 9, borQU£h

attracts more notice and carries greater weight than an insignificint an! uniiilluoiiti.il town district. The latter stands in about the S.UIIO position as " poor relations" do, who receive kicks and .stin*i > from the rich and lordly mcmh.jrs of the family. The cir-uumstantv-j of Now Zealand's domestic policy, \ery unfortunately, roiivliT it jjpc-Sf. try for districts at a distance from t!»e central Government to Wo possessed of as much influence and political importance as possible — if they wish to earn success in their aims and aspiratiuns. This is, perhaps an immoral doctrine ; but, with all its unsavoury taste, it must be accepted as an infallible dogma of our political life. The truth of this has been exemplified only recently by the notice drawn from the Government, or the Colonial Treasurer, which is the same thing, towards Hamilton at the piesent moment. The sister township must shake oft' that apathetic and suicidal indifference if it does not wish to drop out of the running ; otherwise, whilst it is sleeping or thinking, some other, wide awake and doing, will push it out of the road. There must be a new birth of public spirit, true, and free from that rancorous selfishness and discord which have, ere now, been the ruin of many a promising locality. No movement of a reformatory character can be taken in hand without encouragement from the people themselves, and unless there are tangible signs that the people wish to move in an indicated direction, it cannot be said that public opinion exists. The manner in which public opinion is guaged is by animated discussions through the press, or by means of general meetings, convened by responsible citizens, which will be accepted as the popular voice. These are the steps we wish to see taken, and then shall we know that public spirit and vitality are not yet dead in Cambridge. To incorporate the town would be a wise act, and would prove a turn in the tide that would lead in the near future to many material benefits to the whole of that fertile country of which it will always be the centre.

A., telegraph office has been opened at Waotu.

A large number of tourists are passing through Cambridge to and from the Lakes. Two conches, well-filled, came in yesterday from Rotorua.

It will be seen from our Auckland telegrams, that the line to Oxford is to be opened on the Bth of March, while the last section, to Liohfield, will not be opened for a month later.

The sports on Wednesday at Te Awamutu will begin at an early hour, about 11 a.m., so th.it those who wish to see all the events will require to be there at half-past ten.

The weather, which has been in an unsettled state for some time, cleared up on Saturday, and Sunday and yesterday were beautifully fine. All vegetation is growing rapidly.

His Eminence, Cardinal Moran, who is expected in Auckland shortly, is to be accorded a grand reception. A numerous and influential reception committee lias been appointed for the purpose.

The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury and the Rev. W. Evans conducted the Evangelistic services on Sunday night in the Cambridge Public Hall, at which there was a very good attendance.

The nominations of candidates for the Cambridge Licensing Committee display a very unusual feature. Each of the publicans personally nominated a candidate. ,

On his arrival at Te Awamutu station, Captain Speedy was met by a number of friends in bugcries, and driven to Kihikihi. Among them were Major Jackson, Messrs A. Kay, Farrell, W. Bond, Weatherill, Maunders, and others.

Considerable progress is being made with the erection of the telephone line between Hamilton And Kawhia. The line will be a separate one the whole way, tws that going to Raglan has several stations on it. The Kawhia wire goes within three miles of JRaglau, and then branches off.

The Engineer of the Cambridge Road Board, Mr T. G. Sandes, reports that the heavy vain last week has caused considerable damage to the road and bridge in Leslie's gully, below Ewen's hill, which requires the earliest attention. A special meeting of the Board will be held on Saturday, 6th proximo.

The suggestion we made a short time back tbat a letter receiving box should be erected at the store of Mr W. Reed, in upper Cambridge has been acted upon by the postal authorities, and instructions hare been given for its immediate erection. The box will be cleared daily at 9 a.m. and at 2 p.m., before the closing of the mails at the Post-office.

The opening of the railway to Te Aroha on Monday next will be signalised by a cheap trip excursion train, which will doubtless be largely patronised. } For the present the stations beyond Morrinsville, including the terminus at Te Aroha,' will be worked as flag stations, and 'goods will be delivered at consigner's risk.

In reference to a letter in oiir last issues " signed, "Diw Expectant," we are requested to state that the date of the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the North New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative -Association was changed from February to March at the special request of the farmers present at the last meeting.

The following team will represent Hamilton at Whatawhata next Saturday : — Browninp, Bygrave, Bindon, Cochrane, Connolly, Forest, Kirk. Mclntosh, Primrose, Stevens, Wood. Play will commence at noon sharp. Members of the team are requested to attend practice on Sydney Square on Tuesday, ednesday and Thursday, at 4.30.

The many promises to take shares in the Jam Company are not being: fulfilled, and the secretary finds some trouble in obtaining the amount of the application and allotment fees. It ia as well that it should become known that next season the company will only receive fruits* from shareholders ; therefore, those who desire to participate in the advantages of this excellent industry should take shares, or pay up for those that have been allotted to them.

Sir Julius Vogelwill address the electors of Auckland at the Theatre Royal to-night. We understand that an effort was made to induce the Government to run a free excursion for the benefit of Waikato people, but we do not know what steps have been taken in the matter.

The Victoria road, Cambridge, now presents a vastly different appearance to what was formerly the case after a heavy fall of rain, when it wuiild be a perfect quagmire of deep slush. The water tables now carry off all the surface water, the road is high and dry, and must, indeed, be a blessed relief to the large number of people who use it.

The foot of Dnkvstreet. Cambridge, leading dintu *■ » the Karapiro bridge has been very much cut by the rush of water from the rain last Friday night. We lately drew n*-tf»nti'>i M th» rough condition of this portion of the street. It will be iiec<»sury to make more adequate side channels, put in id Wi m\] enlvertss, jy^ generally impr>ve tha formation ' of |ho crown of the road. a

Te KoufcouLake, in tiw Cambridge domdin, has received a considerable accession of watßr from, the recent rains. Mr Bn>w», we notice, fr actively pushing on I b»> i«>^rov«n«nts i* c!earinj? th» scrub (icw (i*«jei>.'p'.'g ?nd b^w of l*k«> *^

al»u funning new wulk* around the xheetof water. ''At. the present moment the domain is looking fresh, and is a favourite lesort for quiet walks.

Xhd Cambridge Jam Factory re- 1 ceived wore than naif a ton of fruit yes- j terday.

Arrangements for excursion irnins from Auckland and locnl towns to euaMc vi.sit'»x to atten I the Wsiikato ltiiiticultur.il Show at C .lnbridge on St. I'.itric'c'". Diy are not yet cotnplete, but seeiii.,' tin" -uccjm that attended last years' excursion, there can be no doubt but the U.ulw,\y Department will provide the necessary trains.

Cardinal Moran dedicated the College of St. Patiick, at Wellington on Sunday. In tlip course of a powerful nddrp«, the Cardinal said, referring to the Hiibji.'ct of State aid being R) anted to their *chotu\ he had no doubt tlmt before many yeais (be present state of things would be yoracdiod, and they would receive aid, but in the meantime they would continue to urfje their inalienable rights in this matter, although thpy would do so with nil moderation and due consideration of the rights of others.

The Waikato Horticultural Society notify that their Annual show will be held at Cambridge on Wednesday, 17th March, St. Patricks Day. By advertisement in another part of this issue will be found the 1 tiles for the conduct of the show, and the different classes of exhibits, the schedule for which is virtually the same as last year. The show committee does not intend to advertise the schedule in extenso, as copies of the same may be obtained free of cost on application to members of committees located in Hamilton, Te Awamutu, and Cambridge. Intending exhibitors are reminded that entries should be made with Mr Dyer, Cambridge, the tion. sec. of the show committee, not later than S itunlay, March 13th, and for poultry on Friday, March 12th.

A deputation from the Trades and Labour Congress waited upon K Sir Julius Vogel on Saturday. In reply to their queries, the Treasurer expressed himself in favour of a modified protection. He was altogether opposed to the establishment of a State bank. He would restrict plural voting to one vote for property and one for residence, one only to be exercised in any one district. He was in favour of the eight hours system. The resolution that the electoral roll should be the roll used for licensing elections met with his approval, but women should have the franchise and be included. As to the low rate of wages paid to the unemployed by Government, he pointed out that it would be unfair to employers and to other persons employed if the Government were to give full wages At the same time he reminded the deputaItion that he had always been opposed to giving low wages to workmen.

Immense numbers of fish could be seen disporting themselves in the shoal water on the sandbiink alMve the Hamilton bridge yesterday, and during the morning quite a crowd of people gathered to watch them. It was at fir.->t believed that the fish, which ranged from six inches to fifteen inches in length, wore trout, and the report brought two orthree old fishermen to the water's edge, armed with rod and line that had not seen the light of day for many a long year ; but though that most prominent quality in your true angler, patience, was exercised, not a bite could they get. After a close inspection these gentlemen gave it as their opinion that the tish were not trout lit all, but pokororo, a native fish which has often been seen in the river lately, and which resemble the dace in their habits in the water. It i% however, satisfactory to see them, since their presence serves to demolish the theory that trout and other English freshwater fish cannot live in the Waikato owing to the absence of food for them.

The monthly meeting of the Cambridge Road Board was to have taken placp on Saturday last, but again lapsed for the want of the legal quorum. The clerk and engineer were, nsusual, punctually in attendance, but, with the exception of two who dropped in at irregular intervals, the members of the board were non est. We understand there are some matters of great importance that require immediate attention, and this remissness in their official duties on the part of members of the board is reprehensible. Culverts that have been reported dangerous to traffic, and sciiout injury to roads caused by the heavy rains, must remain unattended to, to the imminent risk of settlers' limbs and property, became these gentlemen ara neglectful of the district they have been elected to watch over. The Taotaoroa Road Board is the very reverse of this, and sets a good example to all others. They moot precisely at the appointed hour, 11 o'clock, transact their business, have their little gossip, and invariably take their departure before 12 o'clock, their sittings never lasting longer than one hour. The Cambridge Road Board can very well take a leaf out of the book of their kindred body.

The following are the names of the successful pupils who have been awarded prizes at the Cambridge Schools. The, distribution took place last Friday, and were presented by Mr Sargent, the chairman of the local committee, but as no intimation had been given of the occasion there were no parents or visitors present : ' High School, Ist Division for Roman History, Latin, Fiench, Euclid and Algebra— Boys : George O'Halloran, first prize, Roman History and Latin ; F. Hooper, 2nd prize, Latin ; F. Sargent, 2nd prize; French J. Horvie, 2nd prize.— Girls : Roman History, Latin, French and Euclid — Ma»y Gillet, first prize, Roman History ; Ada Gillett, 2nd prize, Latin and French ; Mary Moon, 2nd prize, Latin ; A. Webber, 2nd prize. — Public School : Standard IV:— Frank Gillett, Leonard Bull and Winnie Walker; Standard V :— Fred Burt, Herbert Nixon, Theresa McVeagh and Ellen Forrest ; Standard IV :— VVm. Skelton. F. Pletcher, Linda Dodd and Mary Ryan ; Standard III :— R. Carnachan, Henry Willsnn; -Mary Burt and Lizzie P«nr ; Standard II :— Thomas Corcoran, , Harry Stewart, Alice Lookley and Cassis O'Noil ; Standard I : — Ernest Brown, Harry Isaacs, Ann McCornish and Sarah Wilson ; Infants :— Henry Kerr, James Webber, John Sbarkey, Reuben Nixon, Jessie Fretwell and Lucy Ryan.

The school children's treat at Tauwhare took place on Fiiday, as advertised. Rain fell heavily all day and put a damper on the spirits as well as co<\ts of both children and parents. Children as a rule, however, will not miss a tea to save fretting wet, and 'mustered pretty well. After tea they sans? and recited. Great praise is due to Mr Clarke for the manner iv which the children wont through their several pieces. The Rev. J. G. Wilson occupied the chair, and delighted both children and parents by his well suited remarks and anecdotes, amusing and otherwise, after almost every piece. The following was the programme :—Chairman's address; soner, "O ths Sports of Childhood ;" recitation, " What is Noble?" Bella Hansford; recitation, "The Mouse and the Cak»;" Geoff rev Dodd ; recitation, '^Meddlesome Matty," Asrnes Russell; recitation, "The Merry Mice," Lucy M. Dodd ; song, "Drummer Boy ;" recitation, "The Wreck of the Hesperus," Bella Hansford; recitation, "The Clucking Hen," James Shaw ; recitation, "The Bee and the Dove," William Richardson ; recitation, "The Poor Little Boy," Sophia Took ; duet, "The Brooklet on theTlain," Bella Hansford and Agnes Russell ; recitation, " Loss of the Princess Alice," \nnie Took; recitation, "The Lion avid the Mouse," George Hansford ; recitation, " Blaokamith's Shop," Willie Grigsby; song, " The Pox and the Grapes ; recitation, " Milking Time," Geoffrey Dodd { recitation, " The Boy and the Toad,"' James Took; recitation, "Too Clever," George Dodd ; song, "Gently Evening ßendeth." Mr Foot also obliged the audience with a first-class recitation. After the concert, the room was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with spirit until the small hours of the morning.— (A Correspondent.)

The following special messages to the Press Association, dated London, Febrn»ry 19th and 20th and 21st, have been published :— ln an interview with a representative from the Pall Mall Gazette, re the new ranil service to Australia, Mr R. 0. Baker, of South Australia, expressed the opinion that the twenty-nine days' service would be too expensive.— Mr John Morloy, the newly-appointed Chief Secretary of Ireland, will not permit the military evictions of Irish tenants.— Twenty applications have been received for the Chair of Professor of Physics of the Sydney University.—The Gtago Wool-Rrowers' Company has been registered, with a capital of £100,000.— Oount Yon Molfcke. is recovering from hh recent severe iiliwat. — Mnkhtar Pasha/Tnrkisb Commissioner in Egypt, propones th*t a force of nine thousand Egyptians «h«ukt occupy Dongala.-^^C. "Freycinet. the French Premier, now agrees to accept the Bill introduced by the

the expulsion of the Princes from France. — The English Tress argue that Ireland ha« now virtually abaudoncd the Irish National League. — A newspaper published in Amsterdam states that Great Britain purposes to parley with Germany for the cession of certain territory in New Guinea, lying to the westward o f the Fly River. —In the House of of Commons Mr Henniker Heaton has. tabled a notice to the effect that it is desirable that all the colonial forces should bo placed under the control of tin* \V.ir Office, and that they should receive himilar rights and pi ivile^es to those be-towed on Imperial forces and also that information xhbuld bj ascertained f rum the colonies as to w hetlici- they won Id be willing to contribute to the cost of Mich a proposal. Mr Heaton Ins al«o given notice that it is desirable that a cable, to be controlled by England, should be laid via the Capo to Australia and India.