The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] MONDAY, JULY 22, 1901.

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1001, 22 July 1901, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] MONDAY, JULY 22, 1901.

* In the House on Friday in (he couroe of a debate on Mr Poranis amendment to the Referendum Rill, in the direction of taking the votes through the post. Mr Massey stated that he had heard on the best possible authority that in the Patea election the Government organiser (Mr Edwards) had been travelling through the electorate promising roads, bridges and billets to those who supported the Government candidate. There was no doubt .about it, and he could prove it. The very fact of Mr Edwards holding the position he does is, to our mind, an evasion of the spirit if not tho letter, of the law. The eighth section of the Electoral Act Amendment Act passed last session reads. It shall not be lawful for any person io canvas for votes for or'on behalf of any candidate or candidates whether for payment or otherwise, any person committing a breach of the provision of this section is guilty of an illegal practice within Unmeaning of ‘ The Corrupt Practici s Prevention Act 1881.'

The Imperial Dictionary gives the moaning of the intransitive verb canvass. As ‘to seek, or go.about to solicit, votes or interest, to use efforts to obtain, to make interest in favour of,’ The above interprelation of the word clearly brings Mr Edwards within the provision of the corrupt Practices Prevention Act, 1881. Allowing that lie has not canvassed an alleged, the fact cannot be got over that he has used efforts to obtain votes or to make interest in favour of the Government candidate for the Patea seat.

So injurious is canvassing of any description that it is of the utmost importance that it should bo put a stop to, when Parliament passed the clause we have quoted it was a recognition of this fact, and the intention was undoubtedly to slop canvassing in any form. Accepting the word canvass in its full dictionary meaning, and tho Act does not restrict it in any way, wo have no hesitation in stating that steps should at once be taken to prosecute Mr Edwards, if only that an authorative interpretation of the clause may be obtained. It appears to us that it will in future be illegal for ministers to stump the country .and deliver addresses favouring the return of their selected candidates. If we read the Act correctly only the candidates can legally take any steps to secure their election. Committees would be illegal, as to constitute them would be ‘ to use efforts to obtain ’ and ‘to make interest in favour of.’

On out- fourth page Messrs Griffiths and Tudehopc, Hamilton, draw attention to several seasonable lines.

Messrs McNicol and Co. will hold their Cambridge stock sale on Saturday, August 3rd, for which they solicit entries.

The Waikato hounds will meet at Ohaupo on Wednesday, at, Tanmhero Cross Roads on Saturday, and at Pukekura on Wednesday, 31st ins:. ,

At the inquest on Alex McKenzie, a single man, who was crushed to death between two logs at Whanau&ki. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

The next Tamahere social has been arranged for Friday, August 2nd, coiiiim nemg at 7 3.) p.m. An interestest programme has been arranged and no doubt there will be a large attendance of visitors.

A writ claiming £SOO damages for libel was issued in the Wellington Supreme Court on Friday by Mr Wllford against the And:land Observer, at the instance of a policeman, the action being based upon remarks made by the paper with reference to the plaintiff's doings when superintending some of the arrange meuts for the reception cf the Duke of Cornwall at Rotorua.

We learn the Cambridge handsmen are about to lose the services of their able conductor, Mr C. S. Stuart, who is leaving the district to take up won: in another part of the colony. We much regret this, as Mr Stuart has brought the band on in a wonderful maimer, and we sincerely trust that the members of it will stick together and do the best they can under the advene circumstances. It is very unfortunate that the change should be made at the present time, just as the public were in the humour to provide, new uniljtms for the bandsmen.

An attractive programme hns been prepared for St. Andrew’s parish evening, to be held in the Sunday schooledm on Wednesday evening next. Among other items may be specially noticed two orchestral items, songs h> Miss Sheet, Mrs Isherwood, Messrs R. Ward and Erie Hardy, each item being new to Cambridge audiences. Mr Stuart will also play a fugle-horn solo, aud Archdeacon Willis will recount some of the impressions of his recent trip to England. With cosy warmth from the newly-erected fireplace, and liberal light refreshments in addition to the programme. a pleasant evening is anticipated.

The No 1 Company Waikato Mountid Riles went into camp for their week’s drill on Saturday morning. The spot chosen for the encampment was Mr VVaroell’s paddock on the bank of the river in Hamilton East and not Frankton as previously reported. On Sunday morning a church parade was held, when about 24 were present under Captain Hume and Lieutenant Sh Ison. They attended St. Peter’s Church, where the Rev. 11. D. A. Major preached an appropriate sermon to a large congregation A: the conclusion of the service they were headed by the Hamilton Baud and played back to camp, 'the bandsmen being entertained at dinner. In the afternoon the camp attracted a large number of visitors, especially ladies, who were regaled with light refreshments. The weather was fine, and the band played a number of selections which whiled away the afternoon pleasantly.

Apropos of the allegation that white and grey horses are unsuitable for war purposes, a war correspondent in South Africa has just written The old prejudice against white horses has quite disappeared, and in our squadron alone quite twenlv white horses have riders, and the owners esteem themselves as being quite as safe as their companions who are mounted on less conspicuously coloured nags. It has been frequently noticed by us that a black horse is the worst colour, as it shows up badly against the veldt grass. The rider always gets a hot time of it, being picked out from amongst a number as a mark, and for our own part were generally plug at the mark which we cun most readily pick up through the sights. A white horse is anything but a good target. Regarding white horses it is interesting lo note that the Boers have a belief that they cannot be shot in battle, and that their riders also enjoy an immunity from bullets.