The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2153, 27 April 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot \vba< soccer state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall (he Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain. TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1886.

Much of the glamour with which the "Kiug" country used to be invested in European eyes has faded away.- This would have happened, to be sure, in the ordinary course oi events, siiice that which is far off always seems to be brighter than that which is near ; but the inevitable has arrived sooner than might have been expected. When, at the closfe of the unhappy Waikato war 1 , the rebellious natives had retired into the fastnesses beyond the Puniu and the Waipa, it was fondly believed that the land which remained in their possession was incomparably better than that which had been wrested from them by the prowess of our troops. It is quite safe to say that no reliable information could be obtained regarding the " King " country, becajjsej $ie, few white men who had pehetVated intoitwereeither without the ability to describe it, or had no means of drawing a comparison which could convey an adequate idea of its features and capabilities. The merits of the Waikato itself, as a field for settlement, had not been ascertained in those days. The most absurd estimates were formed in regard to the relative productiveness of the soil in different districts, and generally a vast deal of ignorance prevailed. It was, nevertheless, an article of belief that somewhere over the axlkati there was a wide area, and of surpassing fertility, that only required to be tickled with a hoe to laugh with a harvest. Then travellers began to tell their tales, and like all narratives of this species, they were always tinted with gold. As time went on the belief that what lay out of our reach was greatly superior to that which we held in our fingers deepened, and when the discovery of gold at Hauraki compelled attention to the mineral

treasures of this part of the colony, it followed, as naturally as night follows day, that gold would be added to the already huge catalogue of good things which lay waiting for us in the unopened country of the Maoris. After weary years of waiting this wonderful regiou has been thrown open to the foot of the pakeha, and what has he found t It is unquestionable that he has lit upon some exceedingly fine country, here and there, and equally beyond question that he has stumbled over some whose quality is by no means unexceptionable. On the whole, perhaps we have found as much as we had any just reason to suppose we should. Rich valleys, open pastoral lands, lofty precipitous mountain ranges, sandy and pumice patches are there as they are in other parts of the province. In short the country is precisely what it ought to be, judging by analogy and not by the fevered dreams of those who are for ever longing after the impossible. The gold-seekers have acquired as large a share of disappointment as those who hoped to find a land where the rivers ran milk aud the top soil was composed of honey. What yarns we used to hear about the rich reefs, the "jeweller's shops " in Tuhua, the sparkling quartz of Kangitoto, and other innocent fabrications of a similar kind ! Now that we know the truth, interest in the King Country will probably die down a trifle, and people thrown back a little on themselves, will begin to think that after all their lines might have been cast in less pleasant places than the Waikato. .Nevertheless, the fact that the natives seriously contemplate putting the country through the Land Court will not pass unregarded. This course, which will speedily lead to.the individualisation of title, is, as we have on many former occasions pointed out, one of the only two ways out of the native " difficulty." The other is obvious. It is, perhaps, uncharitable to say that Tawhiao has accepted the inevitable, but if so he has displayed a considerable amount of worldly wisdom.

The meeting called for to-night to consider the present position of the Hamilton District High School, is one which ought to be largely attended. The question is one that concerns not only those who have children attending the school — and their number is far too small — but,in a more or less remote degree, every inhabitant of the borough. It is well known that the healthgiving air of the Waikato is attracting numerous visitors, who may become at no distant date partial if not permanent resident* here, and in view of this fact it is, amongst other things, essential that educational establishments more advanced than the primary schools should be available. A Iligh School is a valuable auxiliary to the many other attractions of the district, and cannot, even on this ground, be safely dispensed with. But there are other aud more tangible, though perhaps not more important reasons than this to adduce. Within the next year or so the borough is bound to make considerable strides in advance, and to suppose that the town could spare the High School is to suppose something very absurd. If however, it is allowed to go, it will not be recovered without some trouble, which may be avoided if only the people will evince a little interest in matters educational. A strong expression in favour of retaining the school ought to go forth from to-night's meeting, but bo be thoroughly effective it must be accompanied by an offer to make the institution self-supporting. That this will be forthcoming we have every reason to believe. ,

A number of road board notifications appear in this issue. The Auckland Agricultural Company have a very large extent of land under cultivation at Fencourt, where there are several tine looking crops of turnips and oats. A large area, which a few months ago was swamp and scrub, has been entirely cleared and scmn'ed, and is looking well. The first of the descriptive letters of the Lake country ,by our " Special " was crowded out of Saturday's issue. We intend to give them ample apace in our weekly supplement, as they contain a great amount of very interesting matter that will afford our readers much pleasant t reading. The various meetings of householders for the election of school comI tnittees will be held to-day at the hours and places already notified. After the meeting in the Public Hull, Hamilton W«»t, a public meeting convened by the Mayor will be held for the purpose of considering the present position of the High School and taking steps to prevent it being closed. The result of Dunedin city census shows that there are now 23,246 inhabitants against 24,372 in 1881. There are 484 uninhabitated houses in the city. The population in the Huburbs is now 22,959 against 18,402 in 1881. The total of the city and suburbs is 46,205 against 42,774, being an increase during the last five years of 3431. The chairman of the Waipa County Council has received a petition from ratepayers in the Mangapiko Road District asking that th« necessary steps be taken to merge the district in the county. As the petition requires to be advertised for one month previous to its being entertained by the county council, Mr Geruumn has returned it to Mr Millar, by whom it was presented. The country round Tauwhare has an exceedingly fresh, healthy appearance. There are several large patches of turnips and a large area of improved pasture land. This is, to all appearances, a. fine district for dairy farming and stock raising. The cheese and bacon factory, recently erected, is proving a valuable auxiliary to the energies of the settlers. A correspondent asks: "Why cannot the Cambridge Town Board adopt the useful plan seen at Hamilton, and place a few lamps at such corners as the ones at S. Andrew's Church, opposite Reids, at the Government paddock, the railway station q ite, and at the Karapiro bridge ? They would be a great boou to both pedestrians and people on horseback or iv vehicles on dark nights. " The £ev.-R Bavin, of Grafton Circuit, Auuktitul, wild io at present on a yi^it to Waikuto loi tue puipuso of recruiting his health, occupied the pulpit in Trinity Wesleynn Church on Sundaj evening last. He took for bin text the words "Ye must be born again " (S. John iii, 7 v.), and, puttiug particular strew upon the second word of his text, he eloquently endeavoured to drive this truth borne to tat hearts of his hearer*, and was attentively listened to by a large congregation. - On Thursday, April 22nd, the children of the Tamahere school and a

fn\v friends met before the Easter holid iv* and spent a pleasant hour together. The children took the opportunity of presenting 111 1 their Into sowing teacher, Miss Edith Ivvcn, a very handsome silver bracelet and ;tn address, thanking her for the kindly .interest she hud alwaya thown in their work and progress. Gnneral regret was exinwscd when the esteemed headmaster, Mr Man*hiil], made it known that he was about lo.iving the district, having been appointed to CorotnHiidel, as ho has during hiu stay amongst'them g.iincd the universal respect and goodwill of the children and pnrent«, and his loss will not easily be replaced. We believe the school re-a«3erable* on the 3rd May. We are pleased to be able to state that efforts which have for some tune been made to obtain a suitable ground on which to hold a Waikato race meetinr are likely to be crowned with success A number of Hamilton residents have been in treaty with two or three landowners in the neighbourhood for a site, and last night arrangements were finally concluded with Mr Osmond, of Auckland, for the lease of 80 acres of his valuable estate at Claudehnds for seven years with a purchasing clause. The amount of the purchase money U £1250, Mr Osmond undertaking to put the land in order for racing. It is quite |M)ssible that a meeting will be held at Hamilton at the end of the year. An Easter Tree and tale of work was held in the Public Hall Hamilton, on Saturday last. The Mayor of Hamilton, Mr W. A. Graham, attended in the afternoon to open .the proceedings, but until evening there were very few buyem prebent. After 7 o'clock, however, there was a large number pasoing to and fro, and the various stalls seemed to be freely patronised, notably that portion devoted to the sale of refreshments, where pastry, fruit, etc., waa in good demand and plentiful supply. The hall had been nicely decorated with evergreens, and in the centre was a large tree, from the bonding branches of which depended a large and truly varied assortment of articles, useful, ornamental and otherwise, and this attracted not a little attention. _ Vocal and instrumental selections were given At intervals, and were received with marked appreciation, although robbed of much of their effect by the shuffling of feet and hum of voices. The promoters of the affair and the ladies who so induntrioiwly plied the needle are to be congratulated on their success and the excellence of the work displayed, and we are glad to learn that it was a financial success. The proceeds go towards the We»leyan parsonage fund. The following special messages to the- Press Association, dated London, April 23rd and 24th, have been published: —The London Times states that the art products of the colonies aro very striking.— The Australian cricket team have elected Scott as their captain, and Messrs Scott, Blackham, and G iff en as the match committee. The Cheswick Park Club have offered the colonial team their ground for practico. The following are the names of Lord Sheffield's cricket team to play against the Australians :—W. 6. Grace, Read, Newham, Ulyett, Shaw, Shewnbury, Scotton, Barnes, Bate*, Flowers and Phillips.—The P. and O. steamer Valetta has grounded heavily in the Suez Canal at Isinailu, and it has been found necessary to unload her, which is now being done.—The company formed to construct the line of railway from Nelson to Springfield, Canterbury, has been registered with a capital of half a million.—H.M.S. Opal, and the gunboat Raven, havobeen recommissioned for service on the Australian station. H.M.S. Thalia will convey the new crews to Australia for these vessels.—Tenders are invited on behalf of the Government of South Australia for a loan of one million three hundred and thirty thousand pounds at four per cent. The minimum has been fixed at ninety-nine pounds. Tenders will bo opened on the 30th inst. A Press Assooia tion message says: —lt is considered that the present time is inopportune owing to the Easter holiday*. In the course of a speech at Nor* manby on Thursday, Major Atkinson t-niched on the New Hebrides question. He reiterated his often-expressed regret that New South Wales and New Zealand had not joined the federal Council. The latest proof of the weakness of the colonies, owing to their not being united, was that France was apparently to have the New Hebrides. In return, France wan to guarantee that she would not deport criminals there, and was to relinquish her claim to Raiatea and Rapa. The guarantee ai to convicts was of uo value, because she would continue to send to New Caledonia, where they could practically become free men, and thence they vwmld be taken under engagement by the French companies doing busiuess in the other islands. As to Raiatea and Rapa, it wan a curious fact that when some years ago the Government instructed the A^ent-Genewl to point out to Lord Granyille that these two places were coloured in French maps as French territory, Lord Granville replied " That is nothing; we do not acknowledge the claim." Yet, now it was proposed by Lord Granville to give the New Hebrides to France if she would only relinquish her claim to Raiatea and RapA. Had the colonies beeu able to speak with one voice on this question, France would not have the New Hebrides, or Raiatea, or Rapa. He did not object to the French getting the island for colonising purposes, but she wanted the island for no such purpose, but rather for that of securing a jMisition which, in the event of war, would prove a thorn in the side of England, and would necessitate the maintenance of vast armaments in these colonies. The church of S. Peter, Hamilton, was beautifully adorned for Easter Sunday. The decorations, which are chaste and unique, were designed entirely by the energetic leader of the choir, who was ably assisted in the practical part of the work by a band of willing workers, comprised chiefly of the ladies of the congregation. The chief pomt of interest is the chancel. The old reredos hns been superseded by one more effective and seasonable. It is in three panels, the sides white and the centre crimson, the whole surmounted with a border of evergreens. The place of the dossal hangings is taken by trellis work in evergreens, surmounted by broad bands of ivy and fir. The well-known banner* "I am the Bread of Life" and " Behold the Lamb of God," are suspended on either side the east window, and above is the text "The Lord U rissn indeed," while at the end of the church, on either side the chancel, are appropriate bannern over crimson shields, the latter bearing the word "Alleluia." Baskets of ferns and flowers are suspended from the tie rod. The chancel rails are simply but effectively adorned with ferns, and the pulpit, lectern and reading desk are suitably decorated. The windows are prettily set off with borders of ivy and fir, with ferns and flowers on the cills, and the font is specially worthy of note. The pillars of the aisles and the arches are wreathed with evergreens, while the walls of the nave above are hung with evergreen device* and banners. The effect of the whole is most pleasing. The services commenced with Holy Communion at 8 a.tn. A.t the 11 o'clock service, which was full choral, there was a large congregation. The lessons wen read by the Rev. H. S. Davies,; the Incumbent said the prayers and preached an appropriate sermon, dealing with the place the festival holds in the Church* year. At this service there were over 50 communicants. There was another large congregation at Evensong, when the service was again choral^ the anthem being, " They have taken away my Lord,'.' by Stainer. The Rev. H. S. Davies delivered a most eloquent and thoughtful sermon on the words "But some doubted," in the course of which be took occasion to advance some v«ry plain proofs in support of the verity of Christian religion, The usual Eaater services were celebrated at S. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, there being a full attendance, and at the other churches in Hamilton reference was made to the great event which is commemorated on Easter Day.

The attention of housekeepers and families is drawn to Mr W. Kincaid's advertisement, in which it will be seen that, with bis usual enterprise, ho is early in the field with goods suitable for the coming season at prices that are consistent with these times of scarcity. I say. George, I've got one. Now, why is a dense smoke like my maternal parent's wedding ring? Because it 'smother's. Singular Accident in Russia.—The Odessa Messenger reports a singular ac cident which occurred recently at the small port »f Taganrog. Some thousand fishermen, with their horses and carts, were carried out to sea on the ice, which suddenly became detached from the shore. Although many of these unfortunate persons were saved the next diy, it is still feared that a great many jerished.