SATURDAY, OCT. 16, 1886.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2227, 16 October 1886, Page 2

SATURDAY, OCT. 16, 1886.

The Imperial Federation movement is not dead ; it is not even sleeping : but its leaders have determined to lower their aim somewhat. They have not abandoned the great idea of establishing an Empire of .English speaking people ; a firmly compacted nation, the nervous force of whose various members shall be guided and controlled by a central authority maintained by the free consent of the dependent provinces, but its attainment is to be sought patiently and step by step. In coming to this decision, it may be admitted that the members of the League have acted with wisdom — perhaps discretion is the better word, seeing that they have but bowed gracefully to the force of circumstances — and have laid a foundation of success where a hasty attempt to grasp their ideal would but have served to wash the ground away. The main object should be kept well in sight, but if the eyes be fixed upon it to the exclusion of objects lying immediately in front, the journey is likely- to be, not only more tedious, but also more hazardous. An influential deputation of the League, including some of the more prominent English and Colonial Statesmen, waited upon Lord Salisbury on the 11th August for the purpose of endeavouring to induce the Government to appoint a Royal Commission. Sir Thomas (now Lord) Brassey, in introducing the deputation, said they desired to carry out the policy of federation under proper and prudent safeguards, and he called attention to the first two provisions of the constitutions of the League which read : "First, that no scheme of federation should interfere with the existing right of local Parliaments as regards local affairs, and, secondly that any scheme of " laiperial Federation should combine on an equitable basis the resources of the Empire for the maintenance of the common interests and adequately provide for the organised defence of the common rights." It will be observed that the League regards the institution of some scheme for the common defence of the Empire as the first and most necessary step towards federation. That they are right goes without saying. When thus much has been accomplished it will be time enough to consider the commercial aspect of the case, and when that has been duly reviewed and properly adjusted the combined intellect of the empire may set about the contemplation of the legislative problem. Though we have indicated what we deem to be the proper order of events, we do not forget that there is one feature in the commercial division which ought properly to be considered side by side with, and as an integral part of, the common defence question. We allude to the subject of postal and telegraphic communication. It cannot be con cealed that the question is beset with difficulties of considerable magnitude, but on that very account it is all the more necessary that the matter should be promptly taken in hand and canvassed thoroughly Mr Henniker Heaton, an old colonist, and now member of Parliament for Canterbury, has taken up the postal question in real earnest, has almost made a " fad" of it, and though he has not so far succeeded in showing that the institution of a penny post for the Empire will pay, he has at least made it clear that the sixpenny rate is outragious. In this postal business, as in the

case of questions of seemingly greater magnitude, the disposition of the Home Government is to wait until the colonies have spoken, but it is useless to speak until a proper medium for the transmission of opinion is provided. It is only so much expenditure of wind to talk to Under - Secretaries through Qovopiors and Agents-General, and hence the desire of the League to have appointed a Ro^al Commission composed of representatives of all parts of the British Empire, who migftt deliberate upon all questions brought before them with that care, and that competency which are born of an intimate knowledge of the subjects under review, and an earnest and patriotic desire to serve the united interests of the great empire "to which the instincts of pride and self-interest command us all to cling. From the remarks which fell |from> the Prime Minister it is evident that the subject is regarded in his mind' as a most important ■one. -', It is indeed the largest question with which England is face to jface, not even excepting the case of Ireland^ and far transcends in interest < to tlie Anglo-Saxon race, Egyptian, 'Burmese, fiulgarian, and ,a hundred, other affairr'with which the Imperial Government is more or less _ niixes up. In the circumstances? of the case it is much more than probable that the Royal Comimission will be appointed forthwith.

Mr A- Isaacs, of Cambridge, late storekeeper, has convened a meeting of his creditors for the 21st inst., at Hamilton. The Daily News' statement that the Government were preparing a scheme of provincial government for Ireland, is now discredited, In consequence of the absence of the Clei'gy of the district at the Diocesan Synod, there will nyt be any service in S. .Stephen's Church, Tamahere to-morrow. Commander Edwin wired at 11-42 a. tn. yesterday : — Glass rise fully three tenths during next 24 hours, with much colder weather, A social gathering and entertainment in aid of S. Mary's Convent will take place in the Public Hall, Hamilton on Thursday evening. Mr W. L. Martyn, formerly of Pencarrow, Hautapu, and now of Western , Australia, is at present on a brief visit to the diatoict. Mr Mattyn appears to have quite recovered from the effects of his late severe accident.' : The Rev. Mr Smalley, Mrs Smailey, and Mrs Donald, were at latest accounts conducting a most successful mission at Hawera, where their efforts appear to be much appreaiated. We are pleased to learn that Dr Waddington is making a quick recoveiy from the effects of his recent accident. He has been attended to by Dr Moon, an English surgeon, brother of Mr W. Moon of Cambridge, at present on a visit to the colony. John Thomas Clarke, charged with setting fire to his premises at Eden Terrace, Auckland, was tried in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The verdict of the jury was that the evidence was insufficient to convict, and the prisoner was accordingly discharged. Mr 0. E. Button, formerly MHR. for Hokitika, has been asked and has declined to stand for the Waitemata seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr W. J. Hurst, on the ground that the demands of his business are too great to allow of his devoting any tune to politics. The names of Mr A. K. Taylor and Mr H. W. Farnall are now mentioned in connection with the electorate. The New Zealand Baptist Union inaugurated its sittings at Auckland by a " Missionary- Breakfast " at the Tabernacle at 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning. After the business of the day, a missionary meeting took place in the evening, presided over by the Rev. T. Spurgeon. On Thursday evening there was a soiree, Sir W. Fox presiding at the after-meeting. We have smoked some tobacco grown, cured, and manufactured by Mr .Limes Forrest, Cambridge, which confirms previous ideas of the suitability of the Waikato for the growth of the fragrant weed. This tobacco has a very pleasant aroma, and smokes well : it is of a golden colour, but free from the objections to which most light coloured tobaccos are liable — of being hot in the mouth. The Stark Purchase Commission commenced its sittings at Auckland on Thursday, and a number of witnesses were examined. The impression, remaining after perusjng the evidence is that the offer of £16,000, made by Mr Allison, was not a " bogus " offer, as has been stated rather broadly, with a view to putting a fictitious value on the land, and that Mr Allison's object w»3 to make something by the speculation, knowing that the Government wanted the land for defence purposes. At a meeting of the Hamilton Presbyterian Church Committee last night, it was decided to hold the drawing of the Art Union at the Public Hall on Friday, the 29th instant, at 8 p.m. The whole of the prizes, including the buggy, will be on view in the Hall on the afternoon of the same day. His Worship the Mayor has kindly consented to preside. A " Bruce" auction will be held at the Hamilton Mart on the following day (Saturday) at 2 p.m., when a variety of articles ranging from a bag of potatoes to prize sheep, will be submitted to public competition by Mr Knox. The proceeds, as in the case of the Art Union, will be devoted to the church improvement fund. There was a very large attendance of the leading settlers from all parts of the district at the Waikato Land Association's sale at Newstead yesterday. The principal attraction of the sale was, of course, the cattle, it being ' well-known through- j out the district that the. very ; best of stock had been reared, the company having paid high prices for all their pedigree bulls on the station. Mr J. McNicol disposed of the cattle, whilst Mr Alfred Buckland offered the horses. The principal buyers of store cattle were, Messrs R. and H. Reynolds, H. Sfceele, A. and J. i McNicol, S. Steele, C. J. Story, N. Hunt, ' R. H. Barugh, R. Fisher, Parker, Cowley, and W. L. Martyn. The Shorthorn pedigree bulls were sold as follows:— Mr Barugh bought Comet ; R. Reynolds, Robbie Burns ; Mr Fry, Ngaroto, Disraeli ; Mr Pearson, Duke of Richmond ; Mr Rolleston bought the Ayrshire bull. The Pukekura Road Board met at the Pukerimu School-house, on Thursday. Present : Mr J. Gano (chairman), Messrs H. Kusabs, R. Fisher and Edward Allen. Mr Vosper applied to the board to form 3 or 4 chains of the Pukekura road. Mr Allen was empowered tj see what work is required, and get the same done. It was resolved that Messrs Fisher and Allen inspect and see what work is required on the township road, brought up at last meeting, and to invite tenders for same. The Clerk was instructed to advertise a public meeting of the ratepayers on Friday, 29th October, at 3 p.m., at the Pukerimu school-house re making a rate and other very important business, affecting the ratepayers of the district. Several accounts were passed for payment and the board rose. To the Editor, Sir,— Will you allow me through the medium of you paper to abk the public generally, and especially those who h.ive occasion to correspond with the settlers in this district, to spell the word Tauwharo without the "u." The two names Tamahere and T.iuwhare when written hastily often bear a great resembkneo to each other, and we cannot therefore altogether bl*ine postal officials for the many mistakes and frequent delays caused by letters being sent to the wrong places. By the omission of, the "u" thn similarity is avoided. I believe it is etymologically correct to insert the "u" but I foel sure that much 1 rouble and inconvenience will be avoided if it is left out. I may say that I am not alone in making this request. Several settlers have already dropped the "u" and will be glad if the public when addressing letters here will kindly do the same.— l am, youra respectifully,— Pro Bono Pubuoo.

The Charge of perjury preferred against Mr A. 1). Bennot by R. F. Bolton, was heard at the Suorome Court, Auckland, on Thursday. The case for the prosecution was that accused made an affidavit to the effect that a certain promissory note drawn by Bolton in favour of one Alexander Mackay, of the Thames, was not endorsed with the name of Albert Walker, when presented to him by Mackay, knowing the same to be false. The proceedings arose out of tho notorious bankruptcy case of Bolton, 4ind the promissory note in question was presentqd to accused in his capacity as creditors' trustee in Boltons estate for payment. The evidence of Bolton, Mackay and Walker was most unsatisfactory, and when the last named witness was leaving the box Mr Justice Ward told him that in all probability he would find himself in the dock. For the defence two witnesses deposed that the promissory note was not endorsed, as sworn by the prosecution. A number of witnesses were called to testify to the character enjoyed by Bolton, Walker and Mackay, and the individuals in question must have blushed when they listened to the eulogiums poured forth. According to this testimony none of the three could bo believed on oath. His Honour summed up strongly in favour of the accused, and trie jury without leaving their seats returned a verdict of " not guilty." His Honour then said : Let the accused — I mean the acquitted — leave the dock. I hare only now, Mr Bennett, to express to you my ragret that you have been exposed to the indignity of standing in that box at the instance of such a band of unmitigated swindlers. (Applause.) T trust that measures will be taken to give them their deserts. His Honour said that no costs would be allowed to Bolton, Walker, Mackay and. Green.