THE Bay of Plenty Times.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IX, Issue 910, 13 July 1880, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times.

1 "THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES SHALL TEACH ME SPIED." KIHO JOHK. ACT Yf

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1880,

• The very sovere depression undor -which the colony has beon labouring for some time has naturally given rise , to gloomy views of the condition and prospects of the country, burdened as • it is with a heavy public debt, and groauing under a load of taxation. 5 If such reflections, however, produce , the desirable fruit of economy and • retrenchment in our public administration, and induce habits of thrift I and providence among the people, our. sufferings will turn oufc to have beon blessings in disguise. It must bo patent to the most cursory observer that the principal cause of the financial difficulties in which too many of the colonists find themselves involved is 4 the desire for keeping up appearances and the enjoyment of luxuries such as are attainable by the well-to-do classes in England. Owing to the reckless . puffing of emigration agents the minds of emigrants are frequently buoyed up with extravagant expectations, and . the consequenco is that on their arrival in t lie colony, instead of sotting themselves resolutely and manfully to secure for themselves au independence— which should be one of the greatest luxuries that could be attained-— they aspire to the grandeur of the wealthy and|by embarking in risky speculations from, which they hope to mount np at once to affluence, they involve themselves in pecuniary obligations from which* perhaps they never emerge except with the assistance of the Bankruptcy Court. Instead of putting up with the inconveniences of a log hut, or a canvass tent, too many of our modern settlers, with perhaps not a sixpence of money that they can justly call their own, must have palatial mansions for themselves and families, an<? from the very first keep up a style 61 living which none but tho wealthiest 'uottkt' afford. Tho old saying, "That thechild must crawl .before it walks;'* seems to be entirely \ forgotten, and one hears nothing but?grumbling<and^ discontent if every luxury that even many of the well-to-do, in the t old country hardly possess is not afaain-ablej-from the outset. If- settlers would follow in the footsteps of our colonial pioneers, hacking and Hewing 1 "out ' homes for themselves-, satisfied with homely fare a^ simple fu^tu£e iiin , hankennl after nqWur^s, contract- '.* ing no debt with, the, ojjecto| keepings ,

up appearances, but content to seem "what they really are, they would much sooner achieve independence and perhaps attain affluence. A correspondent of a southern contemporary has been lashing the follies and recklessness that are too common among many classes of colonists in a series of wellwritten papers which are well worthy of attentive perusal. Speaking of the hankering that so many have for show and genteel employments, he says, too many of the impecunious, not satisfied with having a roof over their heads, must have nothing less than their plate-glass, windows, and their shoddy uncomfortable furniture, all veneer and varnish, their wooden cornices, Corinthian pillars, and porticoes, and other wooden imitations and productions of our saw-mills and patent sash frame and door companies. On the same principle our sons part their hair down the middle, and condescend to nothing lower than a clerkship in a private office or a Government billet. Instead of our daughters learning to cook and to make and mend their own clothes, and preparing themselves for higher and more responsible duties, they run up bills at their dressmakers, read^fche latest novel, and while thoir mothers work in the kitchen, strum away pn their piano a libel on some piece ii music, tho name of which in manyjeases they cannot even pronounce correctly — they will probably be empty and vain enough, like Nero fiddling while Rome was burning:, to tinkle away an accompaniment to their fathers' and husbands' ruin. Most of us could probably furnish illustrations of the truth of these statements from the sphere of our own acquaintances. According to the same writer, not the least inflated and spurious feature of our living has been our high wages. In a new country like Now Zealand, unless land is being cleared and brought : under cultivation very rapidly indeed, there is no reason why wages, especially those of unskilled labour, should be so exorbitantly high as compared with those in countries like England and America. If our high wages had been the necessary result of a continually increased demand for labour occasioned by fresh land being cleared and opened up, and labourers settling down on tho land and thus becoming employers themselves, high wages would have been a healthy sign of our prosperity, but unfortunately it was not the rapid development of our natural resources that caused the increased demand for labour, but the Public Works scheme of the Government — the Government, 1-y becoming a large employer of labour, caused the increased demand and tho consequent high wages. In parts of Now Zealand men will not do ordinary unskilled labour for less than seven or eight shillings a day, a price which is far beyond what most can afford, the result being that settlers in many cases <lispens« with labour and allow thuir lauds to remain unproductive. A further consequence is that many industries that might bo established are neglected, as it would bo impossible to carry them on with a profit, the wages absorbing all tlio returns. This naturnlly reacts on tho labourers themselves, who will in the long run bo the sufferers because capitalists are deterred from spending money in reproductive works, and thus the supply will likely in time come far to exceed the demand. Wo kayo always advocated a fair day's wages for a fair day's work, fully believing that tho labourer is worthy of his hire ; but tho scale of wages for unskilled labour prevailing in some parts is, we consider, excessive and injurious to tha best interests of all classes alike. That tho wages of ordina'y unskilled labourers would boar a considerable reduction from the present figure — at least for some time — is evident to all but tho most prejudiced, and we believe a reduction would benefit nono nioro than tho working classes themselves. With moderate wages many settlers who now emplo3' only one man, or perhaps nono at all, would willingly employ two or three. "We have known labourers prefer to go idle to accepting Gd a day reduction on tho current rates, but we put it to working men themselves if they would not be safer tc get constant employment all tho year round at say 5s — or even 4s — a day than only precarious jobs at 7s or 8s a day. With the exception of house rent and clothing most of the necessaries of life aro no dearer than in England, some of them even cheaper, and if people can afford to live very comfortably in England on those wages, there is no reason why they could not do so here. Besides, if wages were reduced the price of bread and meat — the two great necessaries here — would come down, so that the purchasing power of wages would bo proportionately increased. Few vorking men have reaped as much benefit from tho high wages as might be ex- j pected ; for the prosperous condition | of those of them who have acquired comfortable farms and homes is the result of their hard work, frugality, j and soberness in former years when wages were much less than nowadaj's. j Of course when prosperity dawns again , on tho country the working man must ! benefit by tho change, but if he is to be a partaker of the prosperity in all fairnesß ho should not shrink from submitting to a. certain amount of priva^pn with others in the period of a<^vsity, It is not right that the btfflren should fall upon one class alone; it should be equally shared by all classes of the community. r. w '. \ • Capt. A. C. Turner leaves town to-day, to commence the survey of the road from the Jtereatukahia to the Waikato. It will be seen fromMesers Thornton, Smith and Firth's advertisement that the price of bran is now £6 per ton, being an increase of £1 per ton on the last quotations. Mr James Bodell will sell by auotion at noon to-morrow, opposite the Good Templars' lodge room, twenty head of dairy cattle and young stock ; and also, if not previously sold, ten head of prime fat cattle. Letters for the next homeward English Mail, must be posted by 3.30 on Friday the 16th inst., in order to be conveyed to Ancklaml per s.s. Glenelg. Our usual Monthly Supplement will be issued on Thursday.

Si xteei.J impounding cases arc to be heard at the Police court at 10 a.m. to-day. Mrs GrassickadTertisns board and residence for a few single men, .'it Devonport House, D.:vonport Road. A meeting of the directors of the Victoria Wharf Company, Limited, will be held in the Company's office .it 4 p.m. tomorrow, for the purpose of considering the advisability of leasing the Wharf. The date of the election for trustees for the Tauranga North Township Highway Board, has been altered to Saturday the 31st inst. Nominations will be received at the Town Board office up to noon on Tuesday the 20th inst. Capt. A. C. Turner, County Engineer ace impanied by Major Swindley, «fficor in ciiarge of the A.C in this district left yesterday morning, to lay ofF the first part of the road from Hairini to the To Puke block. The A.G. will commence work to-day, Mr Charles D. Litchfield, the Returning officer for the Opotiki district, notifies through our advertising columns that nomination.'; of candidates for the Opotiki High way Board, will be received at the Town Hull, Opotiki, up to noon on Monday the 19th in^t. Mr Thomas Black, gives notice through our advertising columns, to ail whom it may concern, that Mount Maunganui, and the adjoining land was purchased from tlve Native chiefs in December, 1839, by Capt. Hart, and that no natives can have any claim thereon. The approach to the Wairoa Bridgeport the Tauranga side of the river is in a dangerous state, part of the earth and shells having been washed away. A deep hole is thus formed in the centre of the road. A couple of hours' work would make the road as good as ever it was, but if it is left in its present |<state, we should not be surprised to hear of one or two ugly accidents. Tho following triistee'3 report in bankruptcy was read incourt the other morning : — "The bankrupt lias rendered me every assistance in his power, which, a3 he has not kept any books, does not necessarily amount to much. I believe that his bankruptcy was caused by his intense stupidity whi';h caupc.d him to enter into undertakings which lie could not carry out," Mr R. C. Jordan intinates through our advertising columns that he intends to offer himself as a candidate for one of the vacant seats in the Town Board. Mr Jordan if returned would besure to do his work well, and from his lengthened experience and husinoEs habits, he would be able to give invaluable aid in managing the afFair.i of the town. His candidature should command general support. The trustees of the Town Domain Ground, have purchased a number of ornamental trees which are to be planted out in a few dajv. Holes have already been dug, so that uo delay may be occasioned on the arrival of the trees here. The present intention of the trustees is we believe to plant round the ground only. This will be a great improvement to the place which in a few years must prove an attractive promenade. Mr James Home is a candidate forn sea': in the Town Board. In his address to tho ratepayers he announces his intention to use his influence to have the town formed into a I Municipality with the object of doimj away with the double rating. Tvl r Homo pa-ssessc-j great business aptitude and experience-, and should make a very efficient public servant. He would doubtless be a valuable acquisition to the Board. Major Mair, the Auckland Nati re Agent, in his annual report to the Government, says that it is very evident that King Tawhi;io wishes to live at peace with all men. From a knowledge of his feeling in this respect, Major Mair has all along inclined to the belief that there would not bo any serious outbieak on the We.^t Coast, for, unless assured of aid from the Waikato, it is not probable that Te Whiti and Tohu would resort to arms to oppose the force arrayed against them. A curious incident occurred at the roligious ceremony of the marriage of the "Duchess Pauline of Wurtoniberg with Dr. Willhn, a medical practitioner at Broslau. Pastor Suehner, who officiated, in his addicts exhorted the bridegroom to devote himself for ever to his noble bride, because she had abandoned much and renounced much for his sake. When the bride had to Bay her *' Yes," she added, in an emphatic tone, " I declare that I have abandoned nothing to which my heart was attached, and that I am enviably happy." The Dentist Act, 1880, introduced by Mr De Lautour, makes registration of dentists compulsory, no unregistered persons being allowed to recover fees. The following are qualified for registration : — Any person registered or entitled to be registered under tho Imperial Act of IS7B ; any person engaged in the practice of dentistry at the passing of this Act ; and lastly, any person producing a declaration by a registered dentist that" the applicant had been employed by him for three years as a pupil, and was well qualified to practice as a dentist. It is proposed that the Act shall come into operation on the Ist January next. Gentlemen who may wish to supply themselves with new head gear cannot do better than pay a visit to Messrs Home and Reid's establishment on the Strand, where they will be able to suit themselves at prices varying from 2s to os each, while boys who are not yet out of their teens but who would fain pass i for men can get supplied at Is Gd. Messrs Home and Reid have a number of washing and wringing machines in stock, and also a supply of early seed potatoes of varies kinds. If our youthful population, as well as those of larger growth, cannot find what suits them at this establishment they must be exceedingly hard to please. To meet a want which has long been felt in this district, arrangements have been made for the publication of a Directory, containing { thejnames and occupations of all the European residents in Tauranga, Opotiki, Whakatane, Rotorua, and Katikati, and places adjoining. The price will be 2s 6d to subscribers, and 3s Gd to non subscribers. The work will be issued next month, and as it is likely to have a good circulation both inside and outside the district, it should prove an excellent advertising medium. Persons wishing advertisement inserted should apply at this office at once, so that no delay may take place in get- | ting it through the press. I It is understood to be the intention of the Government to appoint yet another Royal Commission, the special object in this case, | however, being one which will commend itself to general sympathy, whether this mode of dealing with it be approved or not — viz. : to report on the supreme Court system and practice, with a view to the simplification and cheapening of legal procedure. We believe that the Coinmhsions will comprise the five Judges of the Supreme Court ; the District Court Judges ; the Attorney and Solicitor Generals ; the Resident Magistrates, and six Barristers of the Court, of whom two will be nominated by the Government, and the j other four chosen by the law societies of the four cities of New Zealand — viz. : Dunedin, Wellington, Auokland, and Christchurch. A case was heard at the Canterbury R.M. Court in which a girl, eleven years old, was brought forward as a witness. She said she did not know the nature of an oath ; did not know the Bible ; and did not know what would become of her if she told a lie. It appeared that hitherto she had been living up country, and had only once been in church or chapel ; she had been living on a station. The Bench remarked that this was a dreadful and scandalous thing in such a country. The 1 girl, in reply to further questions, saH v.n clergyman ever came there; she had i:r-if heard any prayer said ; she could read a 1: 1 1 1-.-. The Bench of course declined to ha\o t'k:child sworn. Constable Handell iiitornuid . the Bench that the district was vuy thiiiiy ! populated, and that the only clergymen seen in it were those who passed through by coach ; the station is called Cora Lynn, and i is near the Bealey,

Major Mair, Government Native Agent for Auckland and the Waikato, in referring to the native schools, says, in his report to the Government, that it is .". melancholy feet that, a3 a rule, tho uufdr.cated or primitive Maori is morally a, battoi'man than the one who has received a partial English education. As showing the immense wealth possessed by some persona in England, it is worth noticing that in the last number of the Home News received here there are published the wills of 17 deceased persons, whose aggregate amount of personality totals up to the enormous sum of £4,055,000, or an average of over £238,000 to each in dividual. The Taranahi News says : — "Not only have our farmers given up the cultivation o'l wheat and the production of eg»/ and bacon, but they have also given iro the cultivation of potatoes, and an enterprising fij m in New Plymouth advertises for sale 25 tons of potatoes newly imported from Oamaru. As the soil of Taranaki is specially adapted to the production of root crops, this i a. 'pears to be a very bail sign indeed." Wo remind ratepayer} that the .animal meeting of the Tauranga North Township Highway Board will be held in the Temperance Hall at half-pa-: I seven o'clock on Thursday evening. The busines.i to be transacted is tho rea ling of the annual report and balance sheet for the year ending June 30th, 1830. The ratepayers will also be called upon to authorise a contribution from the ratea of a sum towards the establishment of a fire brigade. Complaints have been made about the annogance occasioned to persons attending evening service at Trinity Church, by the laughing, talkingjand skylaiklng, which takes place in the porch and just outside the doorway of the church, up to the very moment the service begins. It is certainly the duty of the churchwardens to see thi3 nuisance put a stop to, and if necessary make an example of one of the offenders. We have also repeatedly drawn attention to the bad taste shown by some people in allowing their doers to follow them into th.3 building, and should hi glad to see a little more attention given to this matter. A descriptive handbook of the East Coast and Lake districts has long been a great desideratum. It has been a great drawback to thisdistrictthat its j\ttractionsand advantages have not been brought prominently b-jfore the public, so as to encourage settlement and attract touri.-.ls, and with a view oi supplying this want it is proposed to compile:', descriptive account ofVno district with other information of interest to intending scbtlers, and persons having business connections with this part of the colony. A circulation of at least 101 0 copies will te guarantied but it is anticipated it will reach <Vmblc or treble that amount. Persons wishing to bring their goods or special business under the notice of the public, will find this an excellent opportunity. Orders for advertisements and nain>.-< of aubscribers should be sent in without delay. The price at which the work will bo issued is not yet; fixed but to subscribers it will be little more than nomi'r-1.