THE The Bay of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Issue XX, 15 June 1892, Page 2

THE The Bay of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

4 The Spirit of the Times shall taaoti me spssd. —Kiig Join, Act ir. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1892.

The crusade against gambling seems to be spreading in the English speaking countries of the world, but the advocates for its entire suppression, are like all enthusiasts for reform, prone to carry their measures too hastily and too far, and thus raise a feeling of hostility against them which might be avoided by a more deliberate course of procedure. As will be seen by our telegraphic columns of last issue, the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association have had a lengthy debate carried on within tjieir building, by a conference of ministers of religion and laymen, at which resolutions were passed adverse to gambling in its many forms. The spirit of gambling however pervades the business as well as the pleasure of life to such an extent that it is a harder matter than the superficial observer might think to define at what point, in a great variety of so called business transactions, business ends and gambling begins, or vice tersa. Horse-racing of course comes in for a great share of obloquy in respect of its unfortunate connection with gambling of a pronounced type, yet we believe that it would be a bad day for the country on which race me6tinga were declared illegal, as interest in the improvement and breeding of good horses would inevitably decline, were there no means of exhibiting their me? its. Whether, in the future, the race course can be purified from the spirit of gambling which now pervades it, remains to be seen, and we should certainly like to see efforts made in this direction. The phrase is often quoted that people cannot be made moral by Act of Parliament, but nevertheless, judicious legislation carried forward by almost imperceptible steps, though always with one end in view, may do a great deal to gradually wean the public from demoralising habits, when sud.den and violent measures would only lead to an equally violent revulsion of public feeling, by which the best intentioned endeavours would probably be thwarted. We aro generally t>ld that in the case of individuals a vicious habit must be broken off in one act, with no intermediate stage, but even granting this for the sake of argument, to be true, still we much doubf if the rule would apply successfully to the mass ; in the case of the individual willingness to be reformed must be presupposed, but in the case of the mass it is the few who are not morally tainted who desire to produce a state of reformation in the many who are, and who for the most part would by no meaus acknowledge that there was any evil in ihiiruavs ITence we deir^cate

my Hidden or sleeping measures of reform whilst thoroughly syrnpatl i<ing with the end .n view, fully believing that the all too prevalent spirit of gambling which pervades these colonies, especially among the young, has been, and will be, the source of crime and misery to an appalling amount.

The Band will perform the following programme in the Domain to-morrow afternoon, weather permitting, commencing at 3 o'clock sharp, leaving the band room. Wharf Street at 2.45. Quick march, « British Tars Patrol ' ; Troop, 'Himalaya;' Galop, 'Fizgig;' 'Glee, 'Pill the Shining Goblet ; » Troop, 'Scarlet j Poppies, ' introducing the air of W. H. Jnde's popular song, arranged by the Bandmaster a* enphoninnvand cornet duet: Lancers, 'Marrie Ezgbnit' Fpika, <Amama%. '

In another column appears the announcement of the grand ball arranged for Wednesday, July 6, under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor, D- Lnndon, Esq., and Mrs Lundon. The ball is under the auspices of the Tauranga Band and when we mention that Bandmaster Hunter and Mr GL Bout, of the Artillery Band, Auckland, will assist the local talent in providing the music, it will be seen at once that it will be all that can be

desired. Refreshments, such as tea, coffee, sandwiches, etc., will be provided and an artistic programme will be printed in the Bay of Plenty Times office. Tickets can be ob « tamed from Messrs Carter, Banner, T. Stuart and Ward, and an early application is desirable as the number will be limited to the capacity of the hall. Mr John A.. Clark, ageatfor the Public Trustee, advertises for tenders for leasing for 21 years ! certain native reserves in the town and neighbourhood. Tenders are to be sent in by noon on June 29th, and all particulars can be obtained from Mr ClartfT I A football match will be played to-morrow | afternoon in the^Domain, and prior to its comI mencement the first place-kicking competition I f or the gold niedal will be held; the first kick I will be made at 3. IS sharp and any competitor not in his place when it is made will be disqualified fox the day. This competition should stimulate' players to more regular and careful practise of a very necessary, but much neglected part oi a footballer's training. This contest, and the presence of the Band will probably draw 1 a large concourse of spectators, we hope thes&ore to see a full and punctual muster. Jpy our telegrams from Wellington it will |be "noticed that the Postmaster- General intends to ask for £150,000 for the laying of a new cable to Sydney, and also that Government intends to raise a loan of a million or thereabouts in in. the colony. f The^on Mr Sfeddon has asreed to recommend/Governmeit to pay (vie- third of the amount require^ for the /construction of Thompson's Track into a coach road, provided the/Piako and Taorauga County Councils furnish the other two-thirds. JPhis morning early the Government steamer "Hinemoa arrived in harbour and proceeded to nspect and replace buoys, etc., coming up to Victoria wharf at 11 a.m. She will leave for the North at 9 p.m. When the cattle were being driven down the wharf this morning they crushed together a good deal, and as a result carried away about 20 feet of the handrail on the northern side, two of the animals falling over, and clearing out ; they were not recaptured in tune for shipment.

Mr James Blake, working at the Kaikokopu flaxmill, had his hind terribly lacerated through getting it caught in the scutcher. He was brought into town on Monday for medical treatment. Forty head of fat cattle for Auckland and thirty for Waihi, left the Matai Station on Monday last. Those for Auckland were •hipped by the Waiotahi to-day. A letter has been received from Mr J. H. Lee stating he is now on his way back from his continental tour, and hopes to arrive here is a few weeks. Messrs Mannix Bros are pushing on the Work of erecting the teachers residence at Pongakawa. The frame is already in position^ and tile rest of the timber all cut. Messrs Rogers and, fWgusson are sending the local hurdle racer, Oatch'em, to Auckland to try what he oan do on the turf there. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday evening to appoint a delegate to the Municipal Council's Conference at W Wellington. Objection was taken to Mr Wrigley taking part in the proceedings unless Le apologised for some remarks at last Monday's meeting, which were considered derogatory to the Council's dignity, but ultimately the matter was waived and the business proceeded, Mr W. Kelly, M.H.R., being appointed to represent the Council of this Borough. No alcoholic drinks are sold on Stewart's Island, and writing of this temperance land, the Australian Cordial maker says : — '• We are aware of a number of cases in which persons afflicted with alcoholic neurosis — the nervous craving for drink — f ound a safe refuge in the beautiful island of the South. No pleasanter spot on earth could be found than Stewart Island, which is beautiful beyond description, and enjoys a climate on an average five degress warmer than the mainland of Southern New Zealand." More trouble for the Upper House and the land pirates of New Zealand (says the Wellington Herald). The Minister of Lands (Hon i J. McKenzie) is going to reintroduce his Land Bill which was so cut to pieces by the Lords i last session. The Bill has lately been fully reI paired, and is said to be as bright and spic and span as it was when it emerged from the people's representatives last year, so that the Legislative Council will find it like a new football — fit for all the kicking and scrummaging they may have in store for it. And what is more, Mr McKenzie is determined to kick a goal with his measure, or, as the Ministerial paper says, ' die in the attempt. ' Our cue has it that, if the plutocrats will not fight fair, nothing remains for the Ministry but to swear in as Legisiative Councillors a, posse of police and compel the passage of the Bill in the quickest time on record. Anyhow we shall back McKenzie against the field of legislative fossils. About 30 Maori chiefs left Auckland on Friday to attend the Native Convention at Hawkes Bay, on the 14th instant. Among them was Hone HeVe, grandson of the famous chief of that name in the war of 1845. M** Bland Holt has abandoned his intention of bringing his company to New Zealand, owing to the excessive rentals demanded for the use of some of the theatres. The amendments suggested in various Acts of Parliament by the recent County Council Conference held in Auckland were submitted to Mr Seddou by Messrs R. MacKay (Waitemata) and E. Browne (Rodney). Mr Seddon stated that he agreed with several alterations to which his attention was directed, and it was agreed that he should be informed from time to time of any changes which were proposed. Me Vesey Stewart asked the Hon Mr Seddon last Friday, that the Crown should waive its rights to minerals on land at Ohinemuri, of which he has acquired surface rights from the natives. Mr Seddon replied that he would be only too glad to have the land thrown open under the Mining Act for mining, and that he would be prepared to make liberal concessions with that in view. If, on inquiry, he found that Mr Stewart had legally acquired the surface rights, it would be a matter as between himself and the Government for settlement.

Sir Robert Stout is advocating the establishment of a national pension scheme, and at a meeting of the National Liberal Association of Dunedni last week, he advocated the establishment of a pension scheme for those who had borne the heat and burden of the day, and to to keep them from competing with the rising generation. His idea is that by the payment of £30 when 25 years of age, a man would be entitled to 17s 6d after attaining 60 years of age. At the Dunedin Baptist Church the Rev Alfred North preached a powerful sermon against gambling. Referring to the totalisator, he said it was a shame that national sanction had been given to such a national scourge as betting, and the shame was intensified by the instrument of betting being made a source of national revenue. He advocated that that the legislation of the totalisator ought to be annulled, and that a law should be enacted prohibiting newspapers from publishing betting quotations.

Mr Hoben, secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union, has received replies from Australia re the visit of a New Zealand team. Queensland is very anxious they should go this year, and offers to take the men from Sydney to Brisbane and back, paying all travelling and hotel expenses, on the same terms on which the th« New South Wales and Queensland teams meet, or will contribute £250 towards the expenses of the tour. New South* Wales also offers liberal assistance, which would relieve the New Zealand Union of all financial anxiety, but aaks that the tour be postponed till next season. They will meantime make all arrangements to ensure an enjoyable trip. Under the circumstances, probably the team will not go till next season, when Australia will be taken en route to England.

Mr Gt. S. Cooger, late Under- Secretary, has, since his retirement, taken oat a licence as