The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2425, 26 January 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 1888.

p. To-day out' Jan in Australia will inaugurate the festivities in commemoration of the .completion of the iirst century since elis foundation of the colony of New SoutJj Wales. The leading Anglo-Saxon communities of the itsland-continent have resolved to celebrate the attainment of this meinorabif? .epoch in their history on a brilliant ss&le, suitable to the importance of the occasion, for they are justly proud of the marvellous progress they have made in every branch of human and national life in such a

comparatively brief period. They have, therefore, with that eosm i politian spirit natural to fie" democratic conditions of society, invited the whole civilised world to conic over and share with them in their mjoicings. Our own clelo eatos will be there to represent New Zealand ;aud to oltVr them the felicitations of the people of this colony generally, who will at the same time be personally, as if. wevr, with them in the spirit. If \\v take a retrospective- glance at the past of the " fifth quarter" of the terrestial hemisphere from the first gleam of the knowlodot; of its existence in the south seas to the creation of these self-governing young nations, we will the more readily comprehend and appreciate the full measure of national pride they exhibit, and not only they, but the whole British race should have cause for exultation in this evidence of the triumphs achieved by its sons in these latitudes, where they have raised a new world. The first intimation we have in written history of the existence of lands to the south of tho Asiatic continent was derived from the information gathered by the celebrated Marco Polo in the 13th century, after his travels throughout Asia. Then in the latter part of the fifteenth century, we have the more authentic and less fabulous accounts, furnished by Bartholomew Diaz and Vasco de Gama, who reached India by way of the Cape of Good Hope. Then followed the expeditions of several f.nnous Spanish navigators and adventurers, including Pedro de Quiros and Luis Vaez de Torres, who made important discoveries in the Polynesian Archnpelago and to the north of the Australian continent. We then read of the exploits of the Dutch navigators in the early portion of the seventeenth century, who displayed great enterprise and founded large colonies in Batavia. Java, etc. In IG2B an expedition was despatched from Texel by the Dutch East India Company via the Cape of Good Hope. One of the Hcet, the " Batavia" commanded by Francis Pelsart became separated from the others, and found itself ultimately cast on the western coast of the continent, which they named New Holland. Pelsart, with a portion of his crew, made his way along the coast in one of his boats, back to Batavia. Then followed the voyages of the distinguished Abel Jansa Tasman, in 1642, who discovered Tasmania and New Zealand, of which very excellent records are extant. Bold English seamen, like Dampier, made voyages of discovery and adventure towards the end the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century, landing on many parts of the Australian coasts, and from whom much information regarding that country was obtained. Not much more was clone in the way of gaining further knowledge of Australia after this, and the vast island remained practically undiscovered until the illustrious Cook sot foot on its shores, after first sailing round New-Zea-land in 1769-70, when ho took formal possession in right of His Majesty George 111., by the name of New South "Wales.

Availing themselves of the fruits of Cook's researches and his three remarkable voyages, the British Government in 1787 determined to establish a penal settlement on the shores of New Holland, and in May of that year a fleet of eleven vessels, with 850 convicts, guarded by nearly 200 military, was despatched from Portsmouth, with Captain Arthur Phillip as first Governor of the new colony. Several of the troops had their wives and families with them. The expedition reached Botany Bay on 20th January, 1788, after a vogage of over eight months. The appearance of Botany Bay gave little satisfaction as a site for a settlement, though it had. been recommended by Cook. Capt. Phillip, therefore, made a personal inspection of the coast, and came to the high cliffs of Port Jackson, which were lined with crowds of defiant savages. He, howevor, leaving the breakers behind him passed through tho lofty headlands, and came into calm water reaching i&v away before him in every direction, and presenting to la's astonished gaze a scene of great loveliness. Selecting one of the numerous bays, which "he called Sydney Cove, after Lord Svdney, a member of the English ministry, he brought the fleet there and hnded his charges. It is a curious fact that at this viiotfteufc the new colonists were astonished by fcl> e sudden appearance of two French exploring ships under the ill-fated La Perouse, who put in for wood and water. Mr David Blair, in his history of Australasia, thus describes the landing of the pioneers • "On the 2Gth January tho fleet, having bpen brought round, anchored indeep w»ter closealong the shore of Sydney Cove. A formal disembarkation' ttm\ t° ok P lace > A detachment of marines and bluejackets leaped from their boats into the primeval forest. After hoisting the British colours at a spot near where the colonnade in Bridge-street, Sydney, now stands, the royal proclamation and .commission constituting The Colony ci tjew _ South Wales were read, a saiufce of small arms was fired, and the career of the British dominion in Australia commenced. The whole party landed amounted to 10:30 souls, wiw encamped under tents, and under ai»4 Jv'jthin hollow trees, in a country which tVtey as resembling the more woody of a (leer-park in England, iiuch wwn the icir.cu instances of tho foundation, and sudi wwu ;}n'- founders, of the mngmficL-ut PqlojvM in the southern ocean ['

All the hard struggle* and vissicjiiudes of the colony, first against the deap6ti.ii7j of oilicial (Jovernment, followed by titG of constitutioni.il freedom are Kilters of history. From New South Wai*f;

Imvo sprung tho great colonies of Victoria, Ni-w Zealand and Queensland. The wilderness was conquered and the tents of Sydney Cove have been replaced by :i majestic city stretching along the shores of Port Jack on full of noble buildings, possessed of wealth and learning, and with three hundred thousand inhabitants treading its streets. The colony contains a population of over one million, out of the three millions, now on the continent, with a country dotted with groat towns and villages, teeming witli cattle and Hocks, intersected with lines of railway and telegraphs, and rejoicing in the production of vast mineral wealth which Nature is pouring into her lap with lavish hand. In population, wealth, commerce and manufactures and in the height of their political status, the Australian colonies are far beyond what were the revolted American colonies lost to the British Crown a little over a century ago. But there is this difference that their loyalty to the Empire is unshaken, for the Imperial Government has given them unshackled liberty, and the Old Country, from the Queen downwards, with the Press, vie in their efforts *o cultivate the affection of, and strengthen the bonds of union with the colonies, and to demonstrate the pride of the. parent land in the greatness and prosperity of the young nations she gave birth to. New Zealand inscribed stock is now quoted at 09. The European beet-root crop is estimated to yield 2,300,0001b5. The capital of the company to take over Bass' brewery has been subscribed fifteen fold. Mr Murray, the headmaster of the Hamilton West School, ivtuined from the South yesterday. The school will reopen on Tuesday next. During the Centenary week at Sydney it is proposed to issue provisions by ticket to 10,000 of the poor in that city. The number is scouted as being too large. The hatching of young ostriches with the incubator process nu Messrs Nathan's farm, North Wairoa, is turning out a success. We have been requested to intimate that Mr Hugh Kelly is the successful tenderer for the 00 acres of clearing at Woodstock. Mr D- Simpson, formerly Harbour Engineer at Dunedin, was picked up in an unconcious state in Pitt-street Sydney, on the 23ni inst, and died shortly after in the hospital. The Taupiri Extended Coal Mining Company, Hnntly, held their usual half-yearly meeting on Tuesday last, when a dividend of Is and a bonus of Is Gd per share was declared. A meeting of the committee will be held to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock, at The Waikato Times Buildings, to make final arrangements in connection with the anniversary swimming races at the lake. A shooting gallery, with a big I drum accompaniment, was erected last night in the open space next to Mrs (J Wynne's Hotel, Hamilton, and was the centre of attraction to a group of local marksmen. It was incorrectly stated in our last issue that the privileges for both the booths at the lake aquatic sports were sold by Mr Knox on Saturday. Only one was put up, the other will be [offered next Saturday. Bishop Luck, accompanied by Father O'Gara, paid a visit to Hamilton after the dedication services at Kihikihi on Sunday. His Lordship returned to Auckland on Tuesday, Father O'Gara remaining behind for a few days. Mr Main at Hautapu has his harvesting well forward, most of his crops being cut and in stook. Farmers throughout the Waikato are actively engaged. Rain fell again yesterday, but not sufficient to cause anxiety for the grain. The failure of the Auckland and North Shore Ferry Company is ascribed to insufficient share capital. It is proposed to offer the steamers Eagle and Osprey for sale. No hopes of anything for the shareholders are held out. There is evidently a certain amount of idle capital in Hamilton seeking investment. A crossed cheque for £4, which was flying about the street, was picked up by a gentleman on Tuesday, who would probably find some use for it if the owner has no objection. The handsome sum of £58 Is was collected by the railway employees on behalf of the family of the late Mr Leach, who was killed by a passing truck at the Hamilton Station hi November last, which amount, less £0 for funeral expenses, has been handed over to the widow, who desires us to express her heartfol thanks for the thoughtful kindness of her friends. Ladies and children who intend competing in the swimming races on Monday next will bo able to practice in the Lake to-morrow (Friday) morning, as the jetty will most probably be completed this afternoon. Mr Pannell will be in attendance at the Lake from 10 to 11.30 a.m., and would be glad of the co-operation of members of the Indies' committee. The regular meeting of the Hamilton JJomain Board was held on Tuesday evening, tho following members being present : Messrs C. J. \V. Barton (chairman), R. F. Sandes and Woods. The only business was to pass tho following accounts for payment :—C. McKonzio, £L 2s (id ; W. Peacock, 17s (id ; L. O'Neill, £'!> 11s; T. W. Maunder, 5s ; J. Dixon, £o ss. A public meeting is convened by tho Mayor of Auckland and by tho chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Association to form a committee to arrange f< u , the representation of the Auckland district at tho Melbourne Exhibition. We trust the Waikato will be represented ut the meeting, which will be held in the City Council Clumbers on Ist February.

The Pony Race on the Claudehinds racecourse on Tuesday afternoon was jyon by Mr Jones' Quail. Mr Daltou, the (uviie;, o£ fh.e second horse, was not satisfied with the re'suU, and a second trial with the winner was run, Quail lifting again victorious. Mr Barton acted as judge. Jt is intended to get up another race of the kind to be held in about three weeks' time, Machinery on a small scale is about to be ejected for the jjurposo iff throitfjlily testing the value of tho aarjfni-Qifs deposit on tho land acquired bv the Christchurch Company from Mr J. B. Smith, at Waitoa. The plant consists of ti large grinding pan and settler with the necessary connection, and a portion of it is already on the ground. Messrs Price Brothers of the Thames are the contractors for supplying and .or.eptjijg it. The pignic jn connection with the public school s,t '£e' Awi>ir f will be held there to-morrow. The phildren will assemble at the school at 10 a.m. In the evening an entertainment will be held in the hall, consisting of magic lantern views and ringing. The children will be admitted freo but a small charge will be made fov inhjlts. Contributions of provisions' will b,e receiyod at th« hall this ijftcrnoou, Puke-street, Cambridge, presents a iiiote lively appearance than it has done for mmie time, g.s several of the which have been untfinai>te4 lfftply j»aye boon re «ip3iied. Ainonget ottjcrs Jir AV. Kincaid has resumed business in his old quarters opposite the Masonic Hotel, with a fresh stock of drapery and groceries, and tj-oady appears to be doing a thriving 'i>usiiie»si, Trade generally seems to be looking iiu, , ulid j(,ltl;ijuel» fit tho present busy harvest time th'isre afti Lv/ people about during most of the week, the utveet are pretty full on Saturday's and dm sales \ ,pU attended. ' T£e ptor (Jay we gave a descrirdioi) dJ t'j'e ne.iy nroc.aas of l".ittor-making adopted by tljo Jv'ew Zealand is'rnzerf' and Storagu Gompah}'. On i>rjday JasJ; the first of this butter was placed or. the local market, and mot with an unexpectedly large demand. Yesterday we learned that O'C nolo had mcroswcl fibnnt 100 pnr cent,

each day since it had been available for the public. This is a mark of approval of which the company may well fo.el proud. Tho managers of tho butter department have m.ide arrangements by wli'lch the public will be permitted to inspect the plaoe on the afternoon of Wednesday. A ticket will bo required for presentation when admission is desired. This now regulation will come into operation this afternoon.— Herald. Warned by the experience gained liy acolimati-ing ra ibits and sparrows, some farmorsof Akaioa .ire a lit.tle apprehensive thattli.. , . intniiJvxti >n of the humbln bee may not prove an nnmixe:.) blessing. The insect is said to have a voracious appetite for In'.iny, and tl t atons to leave the ordinary industrious little honey boe very little to glean among th; flowers. In fact tho humble bee promises to play rabbit to the honoy bee's squatter. After a few more experiments in tho way of* acclimatising, including the introduction of Pasteur's microbe, perhaps we shall at last c mis to the same conclusion as our clerical friends, and recognise the wisdom of not interfering with the design of the Creator.— Christchurch Telegraph. For the annual meeting of the parishioners of S. Andrew's, Cainbiidge, which is advertised for to-morrow evening, a most satisfactory report and statement of accounts has been prepared. Over and above the ordinary revenue, which, as might be expected, has suffered to some extent, there has boen raised during the year the gross sum of £470. The expenses connected with the raising of this sum have amounted U> £140, leaving £330 to bo applied to the reduction of the Church debt and interest. The debt now stands at £27-5, with interest paid up to date. A remark made by the Incumbent a year ago that 18S7 would see the greatest year's work that was ever done in the parish has been fully justified, and the parish has done all that he expected of it. Had the outside help that was hoped for from the S.P.O.K. and the General Trusts Board been given, the debt would have been virtually extinguished. Full particulars of all receipts and expenditure will be given at the meeting. The people of Waikato who have time and opportunity will be doing really good service to the community by keeping a sharp look out foi- that destructive bird the shag, as the following will show :—Dr. Carey, V)f Forest Lake Farm, Hamilton, has always boon in the habit of shooting the shags frequenting the lake at his place, and one day last week two monsters were shot by him, one measuring 4ft. 7iu. between the tips and 2ft llin. from bill to tail, weighing u.'ilbs, the other being one or two inches smaller. On examination he found in the larger a catfish 14in. long; in the other one !»in. long. This would appear to reveal the cause of our piscicultural endeavours not making such headway as was hoped for after all the tinio and trouble expended on that laudable undertaking, mid unless continuous elforts are made to keep on stocking the Waikato streams and lakes to balance this destruction the past three years work will in the immediate future go for nothing. What is wanted is the people to form an Acclimatisation Society under the " Animals Protection Act, 1S80." which by simply enrolling a few subscribers and registering the name of the society with the Colonial Secretary entitles them to the whole of the shooting license fees for tho district, which in itself would be quite enough to pay expenses and plenty to spare. It is very evident that no our man can undertake such a work, and now that several of the members of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society have left the country, and as, unfortunately, that Society is languishing through the City Council's want of foresight in not granting gratuitously a proper supply of water, it behoves the Waikato people to take up the matter, as they must not hope for kind and liberal donations of ova, advice and assistance so generously given in the past by the Auckland Society.