The Taranaki Herald. NEW PLYMOUTH, MAY 25, 1861.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 460, 25 May 1861, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. NEW PLYMOUTH, MAY 25, 1861.

One of the greatest benefits of local selfgovernment is that it induces a habit of self-reliance ; but it is surprising to see how often, even with the best means within reach, people will sit with folded hands waiting for things to be done for them. " Everything for the people, nothing by the people," is the motto of paternal despotisms, and the unreadiness of men to use their own hands in matters of public concern gives some color of wisdom to it. A

Committee was appointed some weeks ago to take in hand a correspondence with friends in the home country respecting our losses and difficulties. They have advertised that they wish written statements of loss to be put in their hands by all sufferers, and yet in a matter which has caused so much excitement as this, and which touches us in so sensitive a point, the apathy has been very great. On Thursday last only 14 persons, out of some 250 who may be supposed to have suffered, had forwarded their statements to the Committee. The Secretary has to sort and arrange the claims when they come in, and the Committee will have then to comment on them, and these things, to be of service, should be done quickly. A mail leaves for England in ten days, and the utmost promptness is required. It will surely be needless to say more. Any member of the Committee will receive the statements, and there are plenty of persons handy at writing and figures who will help those who are in any difficulty. Mr Chilman, the Secretary, will show any one who applies to him the best form of statement. Another matter immediately connected with the same interest illustrates this taste for spoon-meat in people who are very critical of any negligence on the part of others. The session of the General Assembly beI gins on the 29th May. The members of the Houses of Legislature who are among us must leave by the steamer on Monday ; yet no petition or memorial of any sort has ' been prepared to call the attention of the Legislature to our condition, and support the efforts of our representatives in Council. These things are of real importance, and it is a matter sure to be remarked upon if the neglect is not remedied. A petition to the Executive Government prayingfor enquiry, and a Memorial to both Houses of the Legislature setting forth our case, should be immediately prepared and universally signed. Many words are not needed, and here we have some benefit from the fact that we ate closely assembled together.

The subject of an article in last week's Herald, though it has been brought prominently before our notice during the elections, will bear further reiteration. Whilst seeking aid on every side, — and making Tnends wirerev"er~lie"can, a man's best friend in practical business is, after all, himself. We are being driven towards a deep and difficult stream. We may be preparing to swim it, or let ourselves be hurried in by outward circumstances all unready, and so lost. For the moment there is practical security throughout the cultivated districts. True, the natives have not been signally punished, it has been- a drawn battle ; but if we have failed of our hopes, so have they. We thought, and we were justified in the belief, that with our better arms, better discipline, and better heart, and with the quiet consciousness that we had no evil purposes, but were seeking law and good government, we should have no serious difficulty in maintaining the Queen's authority in this district. An incubus has been upon us and we have failed. The insurgents, on the other hand, hoped, as they said, to sweep us into the sea ; they have not exactly done that, on the contrary, they have learned a lesson which our present active commanders will better for them. Already, it has been enough to secure their quiescence until a fresh move is made on the part of Government. At least they find the issue will be doubtfully favorable to them ; the wiser among them have learned more yet. We may rely, then, on the present lull, using reasonable caution always. Expenditure of any considerable amount no prudent man would advise ; but the repairs of fences, looking up of cattle, putting in of crops in spots where garrisons are, or are intended to be, are all advisable. The time presses, and if we neglect to act we'may rue the negligence. The military authorities undertake, as has been already stated, to erect stockades at five points, and to put garrisons of men who will be allowed to go out to work at fixed wages. The Militia will be required to aid in the work, receiving extra pay for the service, and the timber must be found free of cost to the military chest. There can be no doubt this will be found, and that the work will be cheerfully undertaken. It may be remembered we have new, but not untried hands at the wheel. No garrisons imprisoned in their stockades are intended, and the inducements to mischief on the part of the enemy are greatly reduced. That any farming operations which can be conducted without great outlay will be prudent there is no doubt. Those who set the example will be public benefactors, and those who

do not will have themselves to thank if, for want of a reasonable boldness, they are drifted away from this land of our adoption.

On Friday, the 24th instant, the anniversary of the Queen's Birthday, and the polling day for the third election of Superintendent, the weather was unsettled, as it commonly is in this month. Nevertheless the garrison paraded on the town parade ground and the usual royal salutes and feu dejoie were delivered. The force looked in excellent order, and the militia never turned out better, although it has been stronger in numbers. After the parade Colonel Warre, C.8., requested Major Herbert, Commanding the Militia and Volunteers, to state to those corps his perfect satisfaction at their soldierlike deportment and mode of marching. The force was then dismissed, and the militia proceeded to the poll. The new mode of taking the poll and the good temper of the people prevented any riotous conduct, and the whole affair probably tended to remove any prepossessions which might exist in the minds of bur military spectators as to the turbulence of our little democracy.

We have been requested to call attention to an advertisement of Mr W. S. Norris who proposes to set up a school in this town. Without having had any opportunity to form an opinion on the qualifications of Mr Norris we can have no hesitation in complying with his wish to give the utmost publicity to his enterprise. We cannot begin too early to repair the neglect of past years and the mischief of the War, and whilst leaving Mr Norris to find his own place among us, every one must welcome his effort, and hope that he will deserve and obtain success.