TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1886.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2138, 23 March 1886, Page 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1886.

To-morrow the burgesses of Hamilton will bo called on to decide as to whether or not they will borrow the sum of £6000 for the purposes stated in the advertisements which have appeared lately in our columns. Although we hear of some opposition to the proposal, we cannot for a moment think that it will be at all, strenuous. That every voter in a constituency should be quite of the same mind is of course out of the question, but we feel pretty well assured that those who do oppose the borrowing, either have not given the matter the careful consideration it deserves l( or they have allowed their minds to be warped by listening to a few croakers, who cannot see far enough ahead to realise the great amount of good that must result to the Borough from the erection of a respectable, if not an imposing, set of public buildings, and the bringing into order and cultivation of a large area of waste lands, which are at present nothing but an eyesore to the inhabitants of the place, being for the most part covered entirely with furze and r other such rubbish. In all communities, large and small, one improvement invariably leads to' another, and we feel very sure that when the burgesses see properties all around their own being steadily transformed from a state of nature iuto smiling gardens or well grassed paddocks, it will be an incentiveto them to follow the good - example, and. endeavour to keep pace with the times*. As has been already explained to the burgesses, j both in public meetings and in our columns, the raising of this money and the payment of the interest thereon will not be any extra burden to them. Did we think it would be so • the scheme would certainly not have had from us the strong support and sympathy which we have accorded to it Those who have initiated the idea assure us that the interest will be well provided for by the rentals to be derived from the leased lands, and the increased amount of rates to be derived from these sections. For be it understood that^&t the present moment, although these Crown lands do pay rate's, they are valued for that purl pose at so small a sum, that the total amount they bring to the Borough exchequer is a mere trifle in comparison with lands held by the burgesses generally. We feel quite sure also that facilities for leasing good land (and there s a great deal of good land amongst the sections to be handed over) at fair and moderate rentals trill induce many people to occupy them who might otherwise be content wi,th simply living on small holdings. People, for instance, who may be stationed near in connection with the railways and other works, whb may thereby be added permanently to our population. Furthermore, we see no reasqn why, 1 with an increasing population, and labour sufficient, manufactories should not be started in our midst" which would „ enable us well to meet any liabilities inourred in the manner at present proposed. Finally, we may say that we have a strong faith in the good sense of the burgQsses of Hamilton, and we are very confident that our opinion will be borne out at the poll tomorrow. -

The members ot the District HW pital and Charitable Aid Board have resolved to adhere to the resolution passed at the meeting on the 9th January, and levy contributions

for the support of hospital, refuges, etcetera. The city and suburban members of the United Board have also come to the determination to put into operation those clauses of the Act relating to charitable aid. Thus fades the pleasant dream into which certain of the country representatives allowed themselves to be lulled ! Perhaps we ought not to blame the Auckland people -for taking this action. It is true that the opinion of the legal advisers of the Board is in direct opposition to the course now being pursued, but as, on the other hand, there arehungry mouths that must be filled, and as the Government profess their inability to assist, the Board were forced to adopt a desperate remedy. Desperate it is because its legality is something more than questionable, even supposing its character to be highly moral. But it will probably be found to be safe, inasmuch as the Government who framed this exquisitely beautiful measure are in some sort of honour bound to back up the administrators thereof. Hence we suppose the subsidies will be appropriated and the appropriation legalised, , if necessary, by retrospective legislation. For of course the local bodies in this part of the Hospital District will not of their own free will and accord consent to be taxed on a property valuation basis. This was made quite clear at the meeting held at Hamilton yesterday. We are glad to see that harmony has once more been restored as between the various local bodies interested. No such assurance' was wanted, but it was pleasing nevertheless to hear from the lips of the Mayor the declaration that he never had any other intention than that of working cordially hand in hand with the other local bodies in opposition to the introduction of this most iniquitous Poor Law.

The dispute between the natives over the Puniu on S. Patrick's Day, which resulted in one man's houses being burned down, arose oyer a piece of land. It appears that 'a man named Heparea, together with one of the Gages, lays claim to some of the land along the Puniu. This Tukorehu objects to, and in order to give expression to his objection and also to show hid claim, he set fire to Heparea's whare and weatherboard house, burning everything they contained in the way of household effects. The native committee will be asked to settle the matter, as far at any rate as the burning of the houses is concerned. They are unwilling to bring the'" matter before the court, as they can settle it among themselves. Another reason probably i* that Tukorehu is a very big rangitira by birth, though it is said the other has a good claim to the land' also. -This old-fashioned fetyle of asserting one's rights would seem to indicate that the natives have very little faith in our Native Land Courts or in any of our legal institutions. Those natives who, like Tukorehu, belong to the old school, object very strongly to bringing their lands under the jurisdiction of the land courts. To them,' it would be the first step towards the occupation by Europeans, the dreaded end they have been trying, to stave off for so long a time. Nor can we blame them for this, though we may chafe- a little, for, it ' must be remembered that these' people were old, or at any rate long past early manhood when they first had any experience of Pakeha customs, and it is quite natural to suppose they would not conform to them as readily as the younger men, , They are thorough conservatives, and look with on the prospect of their patrimony coming into the possession, of strangers. There. is a sense of freedom and security experienced by them while the boundary between the two races is so clearly defined. They can, if they choose, while that lasts, hold themselves aloof from the white, man,. and live in the same free* and' easy and primitive style as their forefathers. Not so the younger men. They have tasted, the — to them — sweets of European life ; they like the European clothes and food, and above all they love the flavour of tobacco and rum. The former^ if not indulged in too freely, is harmless enough, but the latter is doing its work surely. There was never more need of a mission of temperance among the natives than now. 1 They never come in to any of our amusements over the border with* out indulging to excess. It' is pitiable to see how eagerly almost all of them respond to an invitation to " have a drink." This would do no harm' if they were satisfied with one, two, or three drinks, but moderation is utterly unknown to the greater number of them, and, as a necessary consequence, every shilling they possess is spent, not necessarily entirely in drink, but spent needlessly, and with a total disregard of the requirements of the ( morrow. The result of this is that the young men will readily part with ' every foot of land without regard to future requirements. It i,» fortunate the Government have prevented the entire alienation of their land, for if the Maoris were allowed' to follow their own inclinations' in this respect, .we should in. ,a , short time haye a most mischievous class of paupers on our hands. What a change 'has taken place in native land transactions during the past year or two ! Then they were nin, after by speculators anxious to buy ; but now things are to a certain extent reversed. "I have known: several- instances lately/ writes a correspondent, "where the natives have been enquiring for buyert. That, however, may be owing to the fact that asmuch money lias been advanced on the land as it is worth. Be that as it may, the fact remains that speculation in Maori, land is, not as brisk at it was. J know of

several who, three or four years ago, would have been very willing to speculate, but who would not invest a shilling now, even if there were no difficulties in the way of getting a good title."

Heavy rain fell on Sunday night at Matamata and Paeroa. Another mob of 3000 sheep arrived at Cambridge on Sunday, from Napier.

A grand concert is announced to t>e .given at Nffaruawahia on Thursday night. A first-class programme has been prepared, the leading amateurs of the district having given their assistance.

The sum of £33 11s was taken at the door during the Waikatu Horticultural Show at Cambridge. This at a shilling per head Would represent over six 'hundred visitors to the show, exclusive of members and their families, exhibitors and children. -

'The secretary of the Horticultural Shotv C6niinittee lias courteously placed before vi a summary of the prize takers at the'ltte Horticultural Show, by which we learn that 36 first prizes, 16 second prizes, and 12 commendations, or a total of 64 went to Cambridge exhibitors, and 18, 7, and 5, respectively, or a total of 30 went to Hamilton exhibitors.

A corr«ipop.dent makes the suggestion that the Waikato Horticultural Society should amend its constitution, and adopt <|he more comprehensive designation of Waikato Pastoral and Agricultural Asoociation, as being more in harmony with the full character of the district, the capabilities of which the annual thowi are supposed to demonstrate.

In referring to the subject of Hospital* and Charitable Aid on Saturday weatated that the District Board had in Jmuarv levied the double rate. Thii ww not quite accurate, because no provision was tpade for out-door relief. The sum to be raised was, however, intended to be used for the support of refuges, orphanages, dispensaries and other institutions not kindred with hospitals, and hence we claimed that the levy was partly for charitable aid, which is strictly the case.

An inquest was held at NRaruawahJA yesterday, before Mr W. N. Searancke, coronor, on the body of Mrs Uannagan, who died somewhat unexpectedly on Saturday. On Thursday the unfortunate woman waa confined prematurely, and no medical aid was called in, the consequence being that she died on Saturday. The evidence of Dr. Murch, who made a post mortem examination, woi to the effect that the deceased had not been properly attended to. A verdict of death from natural causes wai returned.

Considerable comment aril indif • nation were expressed in Cambridge yesterday over the handbills issued by the railway department, setting out the special advantage of the line to Oxford, on which a map is depicted showing the route to Oxford and Te Aroha but totally ignoring the existence of the line to Cambridge. The railway authorities are evidently straining ever nerve'to attract the whole of the tourist traffic to the inland route and to break the opposition now existing by way of steamers toTanranga.

A meetinr of the Loan Committee was held last night at the Commercial Hotel to make arrangements for the polling on Wednesday re the proposed ,£6OOO loan. Fourteen burgesses were present The roll was ticked, scrutineers appointed, and a number of traps arranged for to bring voters to the booth. Number* of ratepayers from Te Aroha, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Auckland, and other places have promised to come and vote, and the committee will spare no trouble to secure the necessary number of votes to make a success of the undertaking. A subscription committee was appointed to collect the funds required to meet the necessary expenses and the committee separated after arranging to meet this evening on the east aide of the river at the Royal Hotel at 8 o'clock.

The following ipecial messages to the Press Association, dated London, March 20th, have been published : Mr W. iDymock, of Dunedin, who at present i* Inspector-General of the National Bank of New Zealand has been appointed general manager of the tank. — Information has been received from Madeira that the shipment of herring ova for" New Zealand by the s.s. Ruapenu is a failure.— lt is not at all unlikely that the Treasury, on grounds of economy, will ratify the concession proposed to be made to the Imperial naval and military officers,accepting colonial appointments.—The Victorian frnit by the steamer Valetta has arrived in excellent condition, except, that the packing of the grapes in sawdust hai'soinewhat impaired their value. —It is said that Lord Roseberry's protest against th« sending of recidivistes to New Caledonia has had the effect of preventing any immediate shipments being made.— ln the case of Bryce v. Rusden, the latter hai applied for a. new trial.

The concert at Cambridge West on Friday last was patronised by a large number of settlers, more than the limited ■pace of the schoolroom could accommo date. Mr§ Mulbolland played the overture on the piano, which wa« followed by a very Rood programme of songs from Mr Hyatt, Mrs Madtgan, Mrs Ru«sell, Mrs Chambers, Mrs H. Fergusson, Mr Chambers (junr.), and the favourite local basso Mr F. Hartley, also some capital recitations from ! Rev. Mr Dewsbnry' and Mr R. Watson. i The duet by Mr and Mm Russell was highly' appreciated, and vociferously encored. Mrs Chambers' singing, always charming, was of course warmly received, and Miss Kripner'a plaintive little German Jong was nicely sung. Mr Dewsbury recited "Horatins," from Maoaulay, with his well-known powers of declamation. Mr Watson's exceedingly clever recitations, " The bapteesetnent o' the bairn," and tlo'Flaherty'st 1 0'Flaherty's courtship," followed by "O'Connor, the Irish schoolmaster," were immensely entertaining, and needless to ■ay, brought the bouse down entirely. After singing the National Anthem the classrooms were cleared for the dance, for whioh.the youths and merry maidens were becoming impatient, and which was indulged in with spirit till three o'clock in (he morning. Refreshments were generously provided by Mesdames E. Allen, Howie, Atkinson, Bailley, H. Hicks, and Hyatt,! and the committee spared no pains to make the affair thoroughly enjoyable.