TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1886.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2129, 2 March 1886, Page 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1886.

To those that have no eyes to see or ears to hear, the last general elections at home may have taught nothing, or may more probably, on the other hand, have been disappointing if not astounding. Everybody saw, in the light of past experience, that the old constituencies in Englaud would show their usual re-action against Liberal progress, ■while most people thought that gratitude for their admission to the franchise would lead the new voters in agricultural districts to support the Liberal party, to whom they owed it. Everybody also k' v that Wales and P would never cast anything Out. a very small minority of Conservative votes. Some few pinned their faith on Hodge's attachment to his Squire and his Lady Bountiful ; more depended on Ulster and a re-action in the other Irish provinces against Parnell. There cannot be the smallest possible shade of doubt that the Parnellite agitation has enormously impoverished Ireland, by driving from it capital, by rendering pioju-rty insecure, and by leading the mass of the people to expect an El Dorado from political agitation variegated by agrarian assassination, instead of by honest labour. But when we say that the Parnellite agitation has done all this mischief, are we quite just? Have we reached the ultimate source and fountain head of these evils, or are we merely blaming some milkl.un on the river of wrong 1 Is it conceivable that a whole nation would prefer impoverishment to prosperity, would endure the increasing uncertainty of life, limb, or property, without some deep and weighty reason 1 It is the fashion to say that " the mere Irish " live voo much in the past, that they cannot forget the undoubted wrongs of past centuries, and accept with enthusiastic loyalty the equally undoubted wish of the English people

and Parliament to do tliom justice in the present. It is equally the usluon in Ireland to say that England has never conceded one of tlie.se so much boasted reforms except on compulsion ; that the Iron Duke him>»lf granted one of them, mfl the greatest, with the remark that "His Majesty's Government must be carried on." We are concerned to hold the scales between the opposing parties on this, at best a collateral, issue. There is with>ut doubt a great deal of truth in 10th averments, but it is of little importance to estimate the amount in each case. The attention of mcli nation should be called f .o the charge made against it by the other, .and they should, if possible, exchange their lookingglasses. That the latter charge is mtrue, has been argued in the particular instances of Mr Gladstone's reforms by that distinguished Irish politician and historian, Mr Justin McCarthy. He tries to trove that it was not sedition hat forced Mr Gladstone's hand on die Church and land questions, but i conviction that such wide-spread liscontent must have some just and ill-sufficient causes, which he found .n Church and land. Though it may be granted that an Irish peas mts intelligence is as superior to iis English brother's as a Maori's to in Australian native's, it strikes us hat this distinction is too thin oven or an Irish peasant. What is the consequence? Through United IrishMien, Whiteboys, Peop-o'-Day lioys, Feniaus, Invincibles, and so v>n ad iujinititm, Ireland has sought t work out her own idea of freedom. It has struck one or two Englishmen at times, from Charles James Fox downwards, that perhaps the mistake after all lay it not understanding Irish ideas, but forcing English nostrums on a patient whose diseases could not be diagnosed by English doctors. Ireland demands a National Parliament. It is urged that her Parliament during its eighteen years of I independant existence was in many 1 respects contemptible and in a good many intolerable. Englishmen who, if they know anything of English history have have read of "Walpole, •Newcastle or George the Third's factotum for the time being, paying £20,000 ma few hours to members of the English Parliament, hold up their hands in holy horror at Blake lof using his vote to Government till his daughter was made Major of a Lancer regiment. Such penal statutes as were passed by the Irish Parliament were in the days of her slavery, when the heads of every bill were and had to be approved of by the King in Council, English Council, mind you, before being submitted to the mockery of assent in an enslaved Irish Parliament, or were imposed on Ireland by the British Legislature in virtue of the iniquitous statute of George 11., which asserted its supreme power over the separate Kingdom of Ireland. But granting all said against the Irish Parliaments of 1782-1800, it would be hard to find words too bad for some of their conduct. Can any reasonable beiug argue from a Parliament of that date to one of this? A Parliament returned by a handful of men mostly alien by birth as well as by religion from the vast majority of the people, with a Parliament returned by the general voice of almost every freeman 1 Freeman ! why then the free men of Ireland numbered a few thousands, if that, a few hundreds, or a few dozen, rather, ruled the roast and as a rule roasted it well. It might be as well to grant in 1886 to the Parliamentary demands of the Irish nation, through its representatives, what the threat of insurrection extorted in 1782 for a small minority. Is it to be supposed for a moment that Ireland will be content with any system ot County or Provincial Councils? Can she believe that Englishmen are sincere in saying that an Irish Parliament would ruin the Empire, when she sees that Canadian and Australian Parliaments, so far from ruining, strengthen the Empire, and that in those very Parliaments the leading men are none other than her own sons, and some of the most distinguished of these men branded with treason for their services to her. That Ireland should be as independent as Canada or New Zealand is no great demand for a nation that can claim a far larger than her proportionate share in British glories, that has once lent her larger sister her greatest and now her "only" general, and whose sons are found to be Britain's proconsuls wherever her viceroys are respected or loved by her subjects. That Ireland will be so independent is but a question of years, of months, perhaps of days, but we greatly fear that if much longer delayed, it will share the fate of most of England's gifts, and be justly regarded as extorted from her fears, not acknowledged by her justice.

Thr opening of the line to Te Aroha yesterday marks a new era in the history of the Thames Valley. It is only a few years since the name of Te Aroha was brought into prominence by the discovery of gold. Before that time it was hardly ever mentioned. As soon however as the news spread that gold had been discovered, a general stampede set in, not only from the adjacent townships, but from the Thames and many other places. Tn a short time a canvas town was formed, and old diggers who had been on Bendigo and Ballarat in '51 and '52, when they were in their palmy days, took heart once again, and borne up with the hope of making " another pile" shouldered their swags and made for the new "El Dorado." Claims were pegged out and registered, mining managers elected, and scrip issued and sought for eagerly, and in a remarkably «jb,ort spaco of, time

IV Aroha presented a lively. bustling aspect. Substantial stores .'iml residences sprang up in all directions. But mining, more than any other industry, requires patience and a large expenditure ol capital before it arrives at the payabU* stige. Such was tin* case with Te Aroh.i. Many who threw up situations and e\peuded their little all in the hope of making a speedy fortune were doomed to disappointment, and after a few months of hurd.ineessint toil abandoned their holdings, only to see them taken up by persons who had -faith in the district, and who were prepired to sink their capital in order to prove the reefs. It is very gratifying indeed to find that their hopes are likely to be realised. No one can doubt but that the indications of the country in and around Te Aroha are encouraging. The reports which regularly appear in our columns go to prove this beyond cavil. After the alluvial rush at Bendigo and Ballarat the diggers declared the places worked out, and maie for fresh fields and pastures new. Such, however, was not the case, for not many years after a few of the most persevering men, who had determined to stick to old Bendigo, commenced deep sinking. At the present time some of the shafts are down over 2000 feet, permanent reefs of immense wealth have been struck, and the promoters are living in affluence on their dividends. From canvas towns magnificent cities have sprung. Te Aroha only wants a few such men and its stability will be assured. Even one of the richest mining men in Victoria, who not very many years ago delighted (?) the neighbourhood of the Mall with his tallow factory, was often at his wits' end to know how he should meet his calls, but lie kept plodding on and success at last crowned his efforts. Now, instead of worrying himself about his factory, he lives in a charming country seat in England, surrounded by a beautiful park, and although his wealth is untold, he is not by any means uncharitable, for he dispenses it freely and in the right direction. Scores of instances could be enumerated of successful mining speculators in different parts of the world, and their success should act as a stimulus to those who follow the pursuit of gold-mining and who .are interested in the development of the Te Aroha field. Another old Bendigonian, after getting on to gold, often jocularly remarked to his " old cronies" that he would never be satisfied until he had a ton of the precious metal. That amount he got some years ago, and it still rolls steadily into his coffers at the end of each month. He is now in a position (so the story goes) upon the marriage of each of his daughters (and he has a good many of them) to present the lucky bridegroom with the weight of hiB bride in god. Such are the ups and downs of a minor's life. As a class they are the most persevering of nil men, notwithstanding the hardships they have to contend with. Many a man has been refused the common necessaries of life at his store when a siugle shot put in just before leaving off work has brought joy to his household and made him a wealthy man. But Te Aroha has another advantage in the shape of its baths, and judging from the list of visitors from all parts of the world who daily arrive there, a great future is in store for it. Now that the run through from Auckland can be uccompli&hed in a day we expect to see this traffic greatly increased. Upon the return of the vi&itorh to their homes they are .sure to speak of the baths and that alone is a good advertisement for the place. It only wants a visit from Sir Julius Vogel to test the qualities of its waters, and there is nothing in the wide-world that will prevent Te Aroha from becoming one of the most noted places on the face of the globe.

The first meeting of the creditors of John Kunciman, called for yesterday, was adjourned until to-day.

We have much pleasure in drawing attention to Mr A. Wallace's notice to farmers and others of Pnkerimu, that lie is prepared to execute orders for threshing and chaff cutting.

The "Fighting Fortune" Dramatic Company have decided to give another entertainment in the Cambridgo Public Hall to-night. We aw recommend them to the notice of the public nh well worthy of good support.

Mr J- B. Little, of the Colonial Bank, who is leaving Cambridge, was presented by bis % admirers last night with a purse of sovereigns. Amongst those present were Mr T. B. Lewis, Mr J. Gwynneth, Mr A. Clements, and others.

Members of the Hamilton CO. are requested to attend practice on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons on Sydney Square, as the return match with Cambridge will probably come off on Saturday, the 13th inst.

The whole of the resolutions { adopted by the moeting at^ Cambridge anent the proposed alteration in the timotnblo wero telegraphed on Saturday ni«ht to the Hon. Mr Richardson and Mr Maxwell in Wellington, therefore an early reply I may be looked forward to.

At the Victoria Racing Club's Autumn Meeting on the 2fith, the Esaanden Stakes was won by Mr Gordon's San* dal. The Newmarket Handicap was won by Mr Moylan's William Tell, and the St. Leper Stake* by tho Hon. J. White's Matchlock.

An interesting instance of old acquaintances meeting again after a long lapse of time is Hhown, in the fact that Capt. Speedy and Mr Y. J. Brooks, of the Bank of New Zealand, Cambridge, have discovered they were schoolfellows, having been in the same school together upwards of thirty yeais ago.

A serious accident happened on Sunday to D. Carnachiin, jun.. whilst out with a party pig-hunting on Maungakawa hills. Attempting to jump over a log, the horse he w»« on stumbled and rolled over him. Caruachan was picked up in an in* sensible state, but beyond being severely bruised no bones were broken. Dr. Waddington has him in hand and he is progressing favourably.

The first meeting of the newly elected Cambridge Licencing Committee will take place on the 4th March, for the purpose of electing a chairman. All tub' sequent meetings will be held on the second Friday iv the months of March, June, September tiud L>eceiubor respectively.

Our Te Awamntu correspondent writes :— ln my report of the dinner given to the Waiuku men I omitted to state that SJajor S^tnlio io raspotidiof to ona of th 9

toast-* p.iid Drill Instructor Oarley a well oV»erved coinplininut. Ho Mid the ••{ficiencv of tlio men wan duo to In-i train inff, and ho w.is thp means of bringing itbont tho-«o matches, which had so good an effect ■»-i the men. This xtAteninnt was received with applausu by tho*o present.

The following figures, taken from the public works returns tor the year endnitf 31st March, I 88."j (> weie quoted by Mr R-hmjll at the public meeting in Cam brittle on Saturday : --V.iltto of <mt w.ird traffic fr«>m Frankton was £30(5(5 ; Hamilton, t'l.VJl; Morrins\illc, £'1221; Ohm pit, £22i)7; To Awimntu, £3584; Cainbnil(j-> (from November 1W54 to March 1883), £2407.

The result of the licensing elec tin)) in Cunl>ri<l#<; w«w declared at the termination of the poll <m Saturday after noon, .uid is as follow* : — Ilujjho-, 74; Arthcr, «8; J. R. S. Rielurd-">n, 3"» ; iJwynneth, 48 ; Sargant, 47 ; W. R'jiil, 30; Webber, 34; D. Richaid^.n, 29; J. AllwiU, 28; a)id W. Kinciid, 22. Thy rir^t five were duly elected. The cAiidid.it.brought out nn thu tempjr.uico ticket, Mr D. Richardson, was rejected.

The third day's racing of the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting took plac« on Saturday. The following were the re suit,: — Handicap Steeplechase : Mi Lunn's Canard, 1; Ma-ws Hobbs Moody, 2, Mr Weaton'n Medico, 8. Hopeful Stakes : Mr Lyon'rt Albany — Fallacy colt, 1 ; Hon. G. McLoan's St. Ives, 2; Mr Butler* Titbit, 3. Forbury Handicap : Mr MarshallV Necklace, 1; Mr O'Brien's Hermitage, 2 ; Mr Marshall's Derringer, 3.

The Bruce Herald says: — The theory that no man hhould hold the feesimplo of land indefensibly in perpetuit> we regard as utterly absurd. Some \vh • propound this tuition have called in the ai") of the ancient Jewish law as evidence that ;i man's property in land was limited in it" duration, and ceased with the year of jubilee. But the argument proves jt««t the contrary, for the yeiir of jubilee wa& instituted in order that thube who had mortgaged their freeholds might then receive them back, even though the principal might remain unpaid. This clearly proves that under tho Jewish law the owner of freehold land held it in perpetuity.

The Council of the Dunedin Bible in-Schools Association, in view of the probability of there being a Parliamentary contost at an early date, met on Wednesday evening, when the following resolutions W3ro adopted :— (1) That, under the present system of education, no provisions is made for the religious or moral training of the scholars, and in the opinion of this Council the absonce of such training has proved and will continue to prove detrimental to th ■ best interests of the Colony. (2) That, in the opinion of this Council, united and vigorous efforts should be put forth throughout the colony to get the legislature to sanction the daily reading of the Bible in the public schools of the colony, subject to a time-table and conscience clause.

The " Fighting Fortune" Dramatic Combination Company opened at Cambridge on Friday night to a very thin hoiihe, and again on Saturday night to n better audience, though still a meagre ono. The Company went through the performances on both occasions in a manner that fully deserved higher recognition from the public as they ikhsoss talent of an ordar not usually found in travelling troupes which visit the Waikato. We are, however, inclined to account for their failure to draw, first to unsutticienfc advertising, secondly, to the bad nights selected fo their appearance, and thirdly, to the disinclination of the public generally to part with the little loose cash they possess for entertainments of the kind, however meritorious.

la reply to the resolutions adopted by the public meeting of Saturday, respecting the time-table, Mr John Houghton has received the follow ing from Mr J. P. Maxwell which, together with his own reply, he has courteously placed at our disposal : — " Wellington, Ist Mnrch. John Houghton, Esq., Cambridge. Are you aware that the proposed time-table arranges a service once every day from Cambridge to Auckland, and twice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as well as a convenient service twice a week for people to get to Cambridge and back from the Hamilton district. Reply free, J. P. Maxwell."— "Cambridge, Ist March. J. P. Maxwell Esq., Wellington. Please state proposed time of trains lea\ing Auckland for Cambridge, and also service from Hamilton. Discontaming second daily train places Cambridge at a serious disadvantage, and, it being a retrograde movement, was considered by the meeting to be an injustice and injury, not only to Cambridge, but to the district around. John Houghton, Chairman."