The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1874.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 2198, 2 May 1874, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1874.

Militia Pabaobs. — We wish to draw the atteution of the authorities, both civil and military, to the fact that the time has arrived when the militia parades should cease to trouble ns. We think that the people of Taranaki have justly earned a respite from this oppressive military duty, by their services in the past. While the natives maintained an aggressive attitude, they cheerfully performed the disagreeable duties attached to active service io the field, without adequate remuneration, andatgreat pecuniary sacrifice. But at the present time the case is entirely altered — the normal industries of the Province are being carried on in all parts without any apprehension of native outbreak. The natives also are acquiring confidence iv tho peaceful professions of the Government, notwithstanding the apparent preparations for war constantly going on at our militia parades. The cessation of these parades would naturally tend to oonviuoo them that we also have some confidence iv their ox pressed desire fur peace. In this respect it would be a politic measure to discontinue them. There is also another ground why these parades shoold cease. Attendance at driU is an objectionable class tax, falling especially heavy on mechanics aud labouring meu. They lose their six, seven, or ten shillings per day, as the oase may be, for it praotioally breaks into a day's work, While those who do not depend for their livelihood on their day's wages cau always perform the duty without peouniary sacrifices. They no doubt lose time whioh might be more profitably employed ; but it is no direct tax on their income. It is also a loss to the Province, because, at the present time, men can be more profitably engaged in following their ordinary avooatious than by being operated on by those who love the parade of soldiering in order to acquire a know ledge of manoenvreing bodies of men. We may imagine the case of a person (resident, say, in the South Islaud) who wished to .settle in this Province when it was safe to do so ; and having read, iv the authorised report issued by the Native Department, that that happy period had arrived, alto that the annual attacks by the natives on out-settlers were a thing of the past, and this being confirmed by the absence of sensational telegrams in the Southern press, of " another outrage committed by the Maoris on defenceless settlers," he makes up bis mind to pitch his tent in the " Garden of New Zealand." We can oonoeive his dismay on finding, on his arrival, that all the inhabitants have still to assemble on parade periodically, and be drilled ; and thnt be must shoulder the rifle and make himself familiar with the rudiments of military evolutions. The probability would be that the intending settler, whose avocation is agriculture,, and wfao has no taste for soldioring, would speodily depart and seek land in a part of the Colony where the military element was less rampant, and where soldieriug was confined to those who volunteered for the love of it, or from patriotio motives, or from love of display, as the oase might be. It is now generally admitted that active operations in the field should be undertaken by those whose duty it is, and who are paid for it — that is, the Armed Constabulary. These men volnnteer for the service, and, do doubt, will be able to do their duty if ever it may unfortunately happen that their services are required. The Bottlers ought not to be called from their special work ofoolonisationto undertake active military service exc»pt in oases of great emergency ; and then only to hold positioos while the ordinary Constabulary force takes the field. It is, therefore, obvious that this forced drill is not at present required , for a week's practice would at any time enable the best companies of militia to perform all the duties they ought to be called on to do. Farming and soldiering are incompatible, and the less the oommnnity are called on to per. form in the way of military duties, the more beneficial in every respect it will be for the Province.

Thm Mokau Nativrs are apparently getting tired of their isolation , for not only have several shown themselves in town of late, bob they are inviting Europeans to visit them in their own district, and show every deeiro to encourage friendly interconrae. Mr. Shore, of Manntahi, lately reoeived an invitation, and, accompanied by Mr. B. M. Smith, made a jonrnoy there last week, returning to town on Tufwlay evening. We learn that the party loft, town on Thursday week, passing the camp at Pukearuhe, and arrived at Mokan on Friday at abonc midnight. Messrs. Shore and Smith were received by Te Wotore and the natives at Mokau in a most friendly manner,

and they found that provisions in abundance had been provided for them, aud new blankets for them to sleep io. Mr. Shore (who is well known iv the district, having lived there many years ago) bad a long talk with the natives on matters we are not at liberty to state at present. However, the natives freely conversed respecting the coal, limestone, Ac., whioh abounds in that district, and permitted Messrs. Shore and Smith to take with them specimens from the place. The party went abont fonr miles up the river, and could there see the limestone oropping oat of the cliff. The coal is about twelve miles up the river ; but, from the distance, the party had not time to visit the spot. Te Wetere, when they left, was going up to the Kiog'a place j and on his return, he said, he would send a letter to town, whioh would be a Bufßoient passport for a boat to enter the river. He also seemed anxious to have tools sent, to enable him to make a boat. Messrs. Shore and Smith started to reiura to town on Monday, and reached Pukearuhe early on the following morning. As an instance of the vigilance of the force at this frontier post, Mr. Smith in* forms us that, although the day had barely dawned, and they oould soaroely be seen, yet, before they bad rounded the point near the camp, they were challenged by the sentry. He also sayß that he was much struck with the exoellent situation and appearance of the camp ; and that the reading-room and library are the best be has seen for a detachment, even in the army. Between the White Cliffs and Mokau, we also learn, herds of pigs and flocks of pheasants are numerous. Altogether, the visit has been satisfactory ; and when Te Wetere send* in word, the party intend to make another journey to the district.

An Impoetakt New Inpustht is likely to result from an examination of White or Sulphur Island in the Bay of Plenty, whioh has been made fay a manufacturing chemist on behalf of a company who have leased the island with a view of utilising the sulphur for manufacturing purposes. This gentleman's report is very satisfactory, as he pronounces the supply of sulphur on the island to be inexhaustible— that it is to be found nearly pnre, and also in combination with other substances in the proportion of seventy-five per cent. Sulphur, as is well known, is tbe principal ingredient used in tbe manufacture of sulphuric aoid or oil of vitriol. This acid is the very base of all chemical operations, and no chemical manufacture of any importance can be carried ou without an abundant and cheap supply of this artiole. It is produced very cheap in England, varying from three farthings to one peony per pound, aooording to its density ; but as it is an artiole that can only be carried in leaden or glass vessels, and is very dangerous if it makes its escape, the charges made by chip owners for its carriage raises tbe price so tauoh in the Colonies as to render the importation almost prohibitory except for uses whioh are sufficiently remunerative to pay for the heavy cost. With cheap solpborio aoid there are many articles whioh are now largely imported that could be manufactured in the Colony. By its aid bones could be converted into Boper. phosphate of lime, whioh wonld furnish a cheap and valuable manure to farmers. Blaoking could be made entirely from oolonial raw material. The possibility of converting onr tallow into stearino oandles, at a price to compete with tbe imported arliolo, would be accomplished. It is almost impossible to overrate the important aid to new industries whioh the cheap and abundant supply of sulphuric acid would give. If the company who have been so fortunate as to obtain the sole right to this island will turn their attention to the manufacture of sulphuric aoid alone, they will realise a handsome recompense for their outlay. This is one of the industries which requires no artificial prop either in the shape of bonus or protective duties to support it. It only requires the application of capital by persons having ootn.petent oheraioal knowledge and ordinary mercantile ability.

Tub Expenditure of tub Immigration and Public Works Loan. — From a return laid on the table of the House last session, showing the expenditure of the Immigration and Publio Works Loan np till 31st December, 1873, we learn that the total amount ex* pended up to that time was £1,037,232 10s. lid. This was divided amongst the Provinces in the following proportions :— Auckland, £173,669 18s. 6d.; Taranaki, £30,943 I4s. 3d. j Wellington, £125,692 19s. 7d. j Hawke's Bay, £62,500 3s. 7d. ; Nelson, £47,412 18e. lOd. ; Marlborongh, £13,202 3s. Sd. ; Canterbury, £198,493 6s. 3d.; Westland, £51,606 Bs. 4d.; Otago, £148,877 3b. ; leaving a balance nndistri. butable of £194,834 os. 2d. The amount spent in Taranaki is divided aB follows :— For roads and bridges, 4c, £20,272 18s. ; for the railway, £1,0f>5 195. • land purchases, £372 13s. 6d ; telegraph extension, £7,883 19s. 4d. ; payments under Payments to Provinces Act, £1,743 4s. Sd., making a total of nearly £31,000. By this table we see that op to the end of 1872, nearly £55,000 bad been spent in immigration. The cost of raising the loans oame to £47,976 17*. 5d.; and the interest and sinking fond for two years came to £69,000.

The Town Board will hold its usua 1 monthly meeting at tho Foresters' Hall, on Monday evening next, at 7 p.m. The English Mail.— No tidings of the arrival of the English mail vid California readied na last night. We are at a loss to imagine what can have detained the steamer. Tub Provincial Secretaryship. — By a notice published in another column, we see that A. Slandish, Esq., has been appointed by his Honor, Secretary to the Province. The P.ukbabuhb Camp Backs.— Theße races come off on Monday and Tuesday next, and as will be seen from the programme to be foond in onr first page, a couple of days good sport has been provided. Winter Evenings' Entertainment.— On Monday evening next, the winter's series of entertainments in connection with tha Taranaki Institute will be commenced. The programme will be a good one, and will consist of the following readings :—": — " Reading the Will," "Mr. Bumble's courtship," "The burial march of Dundee," •• Paddy Flynn's dinnerparty," " My late senatorial secretary* ship," " The Boxes." Interspersed by musical selections, of which the following are a few : — Selections from " Laeia di Lammermoor," violin and piano; "Willie we have missed yon," air and variations, piano ; "Lo here the gentle lark," violin and piano ; " Bonnie Doon," air and variations, piano ; readings. It will be a moonlight evening, so we anticipate that (he room will be 'filled on this oooasion.