THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXII, Issue 3066, 10 January 1894, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Thn Spirit of tha Times shall i^aeo m& spaed. — King Mn, Act ir.

Wednesday, January 10, 1894.

If the close of the nineteenth century be remembered by nothing else, it will be known in history as a time when the percentage of the population entirely destitute of the means of living was greater than at any preceding period. Another feature which stands out prominently also in these closing years is the land hunger which has taken possession of both individuals and governments. This latter is doubtless an outcome of the former, and is bred of a deep desire to alleviate the ejxisting misery. Our own government of to-day is a notable example of one which has sought, by somewhat drastic means it is true, to solve the problem of how best to provide all with the possibility of obtaining at least a bare living. It seems an anomaly at first sight to find that the English, boasting at Home and in the Colonies of freedom beyond other nations and of vast wealth, have such enormous armies of unemployed and destitute persons who are misery personified^ to themselves and a deplorable burden to the State. In Australia out of a total population of five |nillions, we find* no less than 40,000 utterly destitute at the present moment and many practically starving despite effojrts to afford general aid. In England at the present time it is stated that close on a seventh of thei population, namely, 5,000,000 person/ are, according to law, paupers. In England but 16 per cent of her people are engaged on the lend ; in Victoria we find half the population of the colony centred in the capital. These two instances of congestion are sufficient in themselves to show that there is an evil influence at work drawing men from the original source of prosperity, the land, to the secondary one, the manufacturing centres. Much is written and said about the beneficent effect of the wonderful labour saving machinery and discoveries of science and each new step in these directions is hailed as a boon to the human race ; but unless these advances be followed closely by readjustments of the social machine to enable the benefits to be felt not by individuals only but by communities, every machine or discovery which saves the labour of one man, makes one more pauper. These necessary readjustments, though here and there crudely attempted, have not, so far, kept anything like pace with the inventive genius of the time, and hence there are those shortsighted enough to believe that as with improved machinery comes increased wealth and luxury for the few and increased misery for the many, the destruction of all these wonderful aids to production would be a boon to the human race. These and such as these are the anarchists whose name is becoming a terror in the most civilised countries of the world. Their conclusionfl are, to ihe enlightened})

obviously illogical, but millions agree with them nevertheless. The goal to be aimed at by those who would benefit the' race, is not to be found in any of the fads now so industriously worked at by many would be philanthropists, such as prohibition, single tax, land for the people, etc., but must be sought in some broad principle which will assure to all some portion of the benefit derived from the many labour saving appliances whose creation has made the expiring century a marked epoch in the world's history. This is the problem for politicians and social reformers of the present day.

Mr Hogarth has added another figure to his 'Royal Marionette Troupe;' the new one represents a little girl, and will be one of the smallest performers extant.

Ratepayers are reminded that polling for the return of one candidate for the Borough Council takes place to-morrow. We presume it is well known that the candidates are Messrs P. Munro and R. Rhodes, and hope that all who can will roll up and record their vote as it is expected the contest will be a close one.

Maori carvings of any antiquity are becoming rare in these parts, as they have been purchased, as opportunity offered, by collectors, hence the Maoris set great store on what is now in their possession. The other day the facings of a wharepuni (meeting house) were brought to Mr King, andhe wassuccessfulinmaking a deal. These he has now erected in the back of his store to show their positions. They are well executed, and give one_ a fair idea of what Maori carving was in the old days. We understand that they are a portion of a meeting house that was destroyed by fire some 30 years ago, and have been preserved by the tribe since that time.

* The B.P. Times says the Tauranga County Council has-been appointed the authority for carrying out the provisions of the new Licensing Act as to the poll to be taken in March next. The licensing district is from the Karaka Creek to Cape Eunaway — 400 miles. Will some one count the pubs ?To begin : County of Ohinemuri 9 licensed houses.' — Hauraki Tribune.' We hasten to add the total for the Tauranga County, 8 licensed houses.

-We understand (says the 'Te Aroha News') that a foot-raoe has been arranged between C. Haua (Tauranga) and MoKinnon (Te Awamutu), for £60 aside, to take place shortly. As both men are in heavy training, a good race is anticipated.

The Waihi G.M. Co's record for the year is a good one. The number of tone of ore treated was 19,305, and the Value of the bullion £61,334; tailings sold to Cassell Co. £5,000; total return, £66,334. The amount paid in dividends within five months totalled £22,500, andthe value of the bullion won from the mine up to the present date £151,992.

At Fleming and Co's sale held at the Thames last week, the following prices were realised: — Beef, 18s to 19s per lOOlbs ; sheep, 12s 9d to 13s 9d each ; lambs, 5s to 6s each.

A fire brigade practise was to have been held yesterday evening at. 7.30 o'clock, but so few members put in an appearance that none took place.

On Monday and Tuesday nights the Salvation Army held meetings under the command of Staff-Captain Edwards, divisional officer. Last night a number of converts were enrolled members of the Army. At the close of the business coffee was handed round to all in the hall.

Yesterday a marriage took place in the Catholic Church at 11 a.m., the contracting parties being Miss McKee, daughter of Mr McKee of Rangiuru and Mr I). Donovan also of the same place. The Rev. Father Kehoe performed the marriage ceremony.

We are sorry to hear of the death of Mr Robert Stuart, of Katikati, brother of Mr T. Stuart, draper, of this town. The deceased who has been ailing for some time expired yesterday. He leaves a widow and family.

On Sunday evening whilst Mr H. Robinson was riding along Devonport Boad on his way home his horse came down falling on him. His right arm and left leg were bruised badly.

A number of friends left to-day tb attend the funeral of the late Mr R. Stuart, at Katikati; deceased was well known here, having carried on a blacksmithing business some years ago.

The natives of Judea have received a mowing machine from Auckland for their harvesting operations.

This morning a large party of/picnickers >arid,fishermen started for a day'spleasure and sport at the Mount and Karewa respectively, in the s.l. Result under cjjayter to Dr Ginders. * Sting-rays are very numerous in the harbour now, two Being seen alongside the baths yesterday, joutside the enclosure which is now complete, and which affords ample protection to bathers, from these -and other, marine monsters. Posts have been placed on the race course to divide the training track from the racing track. The course has been completely renovated during the past year and is now in good condition.

At the weekly session of the 1.0. G.T., Tauranga Lodge, held last evening there was a good muster of members and two new candidates were initiated. A committee has been formed and it is intended to have an open lodge meeting on the 23rd of January.

The foUowing tenders have been received by the Education Board for improvements to the teacher's house at No 2 School :— W. P. Brown, £187; J. E. Wrigley, £177 9s 9d; J. Swanson, Auckland, £169 ; J. Davis, Mount Eden, £154; R. Blake, £151; Harry Stallibrass, £126. The last mentioned tender was accepted.

A horrible discovery has been made at Angerburg in the course of some excavations which are being carried on beneath a church there. The workmen came across a small walled in space, in which they found a human skeleton, a broken chair and the remains of a helmet and a pair of boots. The walls bore marks as of finger-nail scratches, and there was only i too much evidence that some person Jhadj been walled in alive. — Renter.

The attention of sheep-owners is draw to fact that by the Sheep Branding Ast they are compelled to brand their sheep "after sheariug. Those who have unbranded shorn sheep in their paddocks are liable to a penalty of 2s per