The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2157, 6 May 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

THURSDA F, MA Y 6, 1886.

In his public addresses to his constituent?, the member for Waipa, Mr Lake, hns not made any very striking announcements. We suppose the reason for this is that he has nothing of the sort to bring forward, because if he had he would undoubtedly hay« ilone so. Wiv»r ever opinion* ma f neuds or oppo-

nents may entertain regarding Mr Lake it will not be denied that he is straightward, or that he has the courage of his opinions. In these days of political medicine men, what the member for Waipa has to say may seem tame and unexciting enough, as there is no doubt iv the world it is. Were he to advocate the nationalisation of the land, or the establishment of a State bank of issue, or to advance some highflown theory for the general dissipation of poverty and unhappiness, his speeches would be more piquant, and he would excite more interest if less- admiration, but as he is not a disciple of Henry George, is not sweet on State banks, and doubts the ability of any legislative body to change the natures of men so completely as to do avray with all human misery, he shows his wisdom in letting these things alone. His object, it seems to us, in these addresses is to endeavour to justify his opposition to the present Government. Assuming the correctness of his premises, we are bound to admit that his conclusion is just. In a great measure we agree with much of his criticism of the Government policy, though we decline to concede that Sir Julius Vogel is such a political ogre as Mr Lake would have us believe. The position occupied by the present Government all along has been unique. To say that they have made mistakes is to say that they are human, and in respect of legislative mistakes, they are, no doubt, very human indeed ; but they are not quite so bad as Mr Lake paints them. It is the fashion to contemn and abuse the Treasurer, we know, but there are few among his detractors who are possessed of a tithe of the energy, perseverance, and application to work which Sir Julius Vogel, notwithstanding his enormous handicap of physical weakness and pain, possesses. A similar tribute might be paid to the Premier. In administrative ability the Stout Vogel Government stand head and shoulders above many of the Cabinets which have preceded them, and before people allow themselves to join in the general chorus of condemnation they should remember these things. Sir Julius Vogel has his faults, and so also has Mr Stout, but the one is no more a man of no principle than tho other is a man of no brains. However this may be, we are quite certain that Mr Lake's opposition to the Government is fair, honest and above board. As he thinks he speaks and he is entitled to the fullest respect. Mr Lake's alleged iudiffereuce to the subject of railway reform has given much offence. At his meeting at Hamilton he was catechised pretty severely upon this point, but he distinctly avowed that he had given the petition on the subject all the support he could. He admitted he was not an admirer of Mr Vaile's scheme, but we were glad to find that he is in favour of working the railways in the interests of settlement. Some reform we must undoubtedly kaye, and whether it follow the lines laid down by Mr Vaile or not matters little, so long as the principle of using the lines for the benefit of the people and not as a means of raking in revenue only be adopted. To Mr Vaile belongs the credit of bringing the subject of reform prominently before the colony, and no enquiry which did not take his scheme into accouut could be considered satisfactory. If it is proved to be based on fallacies, let it be consigned to limbo, but its friends are not going to allow it to be hanged without the usual preliminary of a trial.

The direful results of the rabbit invasion of the Southern districts of the colony have often been reported, and people living in this neighbourhood have, we do no doubt, thanked their stars that no such evil had visited us. We must not, however, hallo until we are out of the wood. From all we can gather it is not improbable that the rabbits may yet, unless prompt and stringent measures be taken, prove a source of annoyance and anxiety to the settlers of Waikato. For many years past, bunny has been established within our boundaries, but so far the increase of the species has been checked without resorting to any extraordinary means. The number annually slaughtered for the Auckland market seemed to approximate so closely to the said increase that nobody outside the ranks of those engaged in the trade bothered their heads much about the rabbits at all. Either the demand has fallen off, or the ground game have taken to multiplyingat a faster rate, because we now hear that the numbers cannot be kept down. Some of the regular suppliers of the Auckland market have received intimation from the retailers there, who are the butchers, stating that, owing to the increasing number of offers the supply from each individual would have to be curtailed and the price somewhat reduced. This of itself might mean simply that the army of slaughterers had been increased and might lead as to contemplate the speedy extermination of the furry race, but that we have it on the best authority that in the Upper Waipa districts the breed is rapidly increasing. More especially is this the case in the native country, where the work of destruction is not carried on systematically. The rabbits are also reported to be on the increase in the Lower Waikato, near Rangiriri. We do not think the e\i\ ever could in this district attain the gigantic proportions it has grown to down South, and at the present time its dimensions are not alarming, but tli.it is just the very reason why an effort should be made at once t ) stamp it out.

The site purchased at Frankton a few cUys ago, for a gtmerul st-nv, broußbt tUe Tory respectable price of £160 per acre.

The Piako County Council meets at 10.30 a. in. to-day at Hamilton. On and after Monday next, the Te Aroha railway station will be placed in the charge of an officer, thereby ceasing to be treated as a flag station. The annual meeting of the Rangiaohia Licensing District will be held nt the court-house, Te Awamutu, on Monday, 7th June, at noon. Edward Brown Holt, late manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Sydney, charged with embezzlement, has been committed for trial on the 20th May. The Rimutaka will take her de parture for London from Auckland thu afternoon. She is due in London on the 17th Juno. Over 4514 sacks of potatoes were received in Auckland on Tuesday by the Taupo, Tarawera, and Waitai. They were principally from the South Island. An extraordinary vacancy having occurred in the Rangiaohia Road Board, an election to fill the vacancy will take place on Saturday, May 22nd. Mr Lake, member for Waipa, will address his constituents at the Cambridge West school-house tonight at 7.30 o'clock, to-morrow at Ngaruawahia, and on Saturday at Raglan. The s-s. Wairarapa, which arrived at Auckland on Wednesday, from Sydney, brought the thoroughbred stallions Nordenfeldt and King Cole and seven mares for the New Zealand Stud Company. Mr James, of Te Awamutu, has purchased the billiard table latefcr advertised for sale by Mr Knox. The price reported in £100. Messrs Josiah Clifton Firth, Win. Thornton Firth, Daniel Sully, Samuel Higgins, and Thomas Harris have been duly elected ntemben of the Matatnata District Road Board. Mr J. B. Whyte, member for W»ikato, will address his constituents at the Public Hall, Cambridge, to-night ; and at LeQuesne's Hall, Hamilton, on Friday night. The chair will be taken at 8 o'clock on both occasions. On Monday last, the steamer Tuhua reached Pipiriki, a distance of 70 miles up tho Wanganui river, with large cargo and several passengers. Km is the highest point on the river yet reached by steamer. Mission services in connection with Trinity Wesleyan Church will be commenced to-morrow by the Rev. J. Smalley, and continue till the following Thursday. It is the intention of the members of the Waikato County Council, at a meeting to be held on the 28th inst., to make a rate of three-farthings in the £ on all rateable property within the Rangiriri autlying district for the year commencing Ist April, 1886, and ending 31st March, 1887. The "steamship Tainui, of the Shaw, Saville, and Albion Company's line, from London for Auckland, is expected to arrive at the latter port on Sunday, having reached Hobart on Monday and resumed her voyage on Tuesday. The Hon. John Bryce is a passenger by her. At Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Waikato fruit growers will find an outlet for their produce. MrT.L.Green,in business in the fruit line at Te Aroha, has lately made some considerable purchases from Hamilton growers at prices satisfactory to producers. The incoming R Ms. Mararoa is due to-morrow at Auckland from 'Frisco with the English mail. The steamer, it will be remembered, was delayed at San Francisco for seven days, owing to the breakdown and return of the Atlantic steamer to Liverpool. Miss Runciman, of Marsh Meadows met with an unfortunate accident last evening, she had driven into Hamilton with her sister in the afternoon and on their return in leaning out of the buggy to close the gate leading from the road to their house, she either over balanced herself or the seat toppled over, throwing her out of the buggy and breaking her arm above the elbow. Dr Murch was soon in attendance and set the fractured limb. News received by the Suez mail states that the Cunard Company lost their steamer Oregon on the 14th of March, whilst on a voyage to America. A schooner ran into her, which sank with all hands immediately afterwards. Six hundred and forty-one passengers, and the crew ef 250, were all taken off the sinking steamer by passing vessels, and safely landed at New York. Mr W. E- Dakin, the well-known Victorian trainer, who left Auckland for Sydney in the Taraw«r.i on Wednesday, took with him three yearlings, which have been placed in his bunds by well-known Aucklanders to train for their Australian engagements. The youngsters are, br cby Musket— Pungawerewere, b c by MusketRosette, and blk c by Leolinus— Lure. All the youngsters have very valuable engagoments on the other side, and in selecting Mr Dakin to prepare them a wise step ha? been taken, for ho is a man at the very top of his profession. His Excellency the Governor had a narrow escape from drowning on Monday evening last whilst making for the steamer Hinemoa, lying nt Onehunga. It appeal's that his Excellency arrived at the latter place a few minutes past six, and walked down towards the end of the wharf, and dazzled by the steamer's lights, turned in the wrong direction and fell overboard. Fortunately it was flood tide at the time, and his Excellency was able to grasp one of the stringers, and hold on till assistance arrived. The second mate of the Hawea. hearing the alarm, jumped overboard, but fortunately a rope had been lowered, and his Excellency drawn on to the wharf, not having apparently sustained any injury. We congratulate the teachers and pupils of S. reter's Sunday School, Hamilton, on the number of prizes and certificates obtained at the examination for the Bishop's prizes held in February, seven out of 12 candidates having been successful. An analysis of the entire list shows that 20 were gained by All Saints, Auckland ; 13 by S. Sepulchre's; seven each by Holy Trinity, Devonport, and S. Peter's, Hamilton ; five by S. Matthew's, Auckland ; four by S. Mary's ; three by S. Paul's ; nnd one by Holy Trinity, Otahuhu. We hope^ this year's success will stimulate the pupils of S. Peter's Sunday School to come forward in greater numbers to the examination next year, and that they may attain still greater success. The names of the successful candidates are:— George Scorgie, a second class prize, grade I. ; John Andrew, Harry Hume, Arabella Manktelow, and Alice Sandes, certificates, grade I. ; Alice G. Graham and Florence M. Logic, certificates, grade 11. The following special messages to the Press Association, dated London, May, 3 have been published :— The death is announced of Sir L. S. Leake, Speaker of the Legislative Council of Western Australia, from congestion of the liver.— Mr Julian Thomas, " The Vagabond," has arrived her? on a visit to the Exhibition.— The delay which has occurred over the Indian mail contract is likely to complicate the settlement of the Federal mail service. Mr P. C. Baker sails for Adelaide on the 6th, and therefore, it is probable that any further parleying, relative to postal matters, will be carried on by Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent-General for South Australia. — One hundred and fifty cases of Victorian fruit have been sold. The prices realised were : Apples, 4d per lb ; pears, 3d each. The shipment of grapes are just saleable. The fruit from South Australia has been finally displayed in the market attached to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. — Dr. Moorhouse will be enthroned on the 18th inst.— The Australian mails per the P. and O. Co's Rome, dated Melbourne, March 25, and per the Messageries Yarra dated March 27, were delivered to-day, the former via Brindisi, the latter via Marseilles. Referring to the success of Mr Ballance's negotiations with the Maoris the Lyttelton Times of the 30th April says :— The whole credit is not due to Mr Ballance, and nobody dreams of saying so. The native problem in the King Country has been, so far, solved by being left to itself. Sir Donald M'Lean began the policy of leaving these natives to stew in their own juice, which has ended in their strong dislike of the gravy. When Dr. Pollen, having assumed the white cap and apron of the native cook, gently tested the contents of the simmering stewpan, he discovered that the time for serving was a very long way off. Mr Sheehan's culinary investigations showed the meat still far from done, and Mr Bryce drove the testing fork in with too much vigour for any possible culinary result. It bad been reserved for Mr Ballance to discover, by careful, patient process, that the stewing need cm on mi longer. Had Mr Bryce proceeded by Mr Ballanue's method, he would probably not have produced the same result in

1884 m Mr Ballance has produced in 188 C, becauie Mr Ballance ban had in his favour one thing which Mr Bryce was without, viz., the failure* of Tawhuo and his friends to induce the Imperial Government to interfere in their behalf. It was thin, however, which prepared the way for Mr Ballance's attempt to settle the great question ; it was not the policy of his predecessor ; and this much can be mid, that if Mr Ballance'u attempt had not been guided by prudence, finnno.sn and tact, it would not have been successful. Success would have come to such of his inccessors as could command it by their abilities and diplomatic skill.