The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1872.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 28 May 1872, Page 2

The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1872.

Isy an announcement in another column, it will be seen that the settlers in this district have adopted the very proper course of requesting their representative in the General Assembly to call a meeting of his constituents before the assembling- of the House. It is gratifying to lind that one constituency in the country takes sufficient interest in the conduct of its affairs to bestir themselves in any matter not immediately connected with their own personal interests. If all the other constituencies in the country would adopt a similar course, and thereby shew that they are watching- keenly every act of the Government and their representatives, there would be some hope of a little more honest action, if not sentiment, prevailing in our Legislature. To the total indifference diipl&yed by the settlers of New Zealand in all political matters must be attributed the unfortunate position to which this colony has been brought by the grosH mismanagement (to use no stronger term) of successive Ministries. Economy of the severest kind in the different departments of government is absolutely necessary. We can no longer afford to support every incompetent who happens to be distantly related to some minister or member of the House. The public service is crowded with legions of men who, from their want of intelligence and industry, would be incapable of earnino- a livelihood out of a Government office or billet of some sort. It is to be hoped that a special commissions will sit during the next session, to enquire into and report upon the various departments, with special instructions to point out all offices that may be done away with without detriment to the government service. If the Press in each district will only do its duty, and point out a dozen or two officers whose services they are convinced could well be dispensed with, the work of the Commission would not be difficult of performance. The patronage of ministers must bo curtailed, more particularly as regards members of the House. A bill, we trust, will be introduced next session, rendering it illegal for any member to receive Government pay till after the expiration of two years from the time of his j resigning his seat, except, of course, as a responsible minister of the Crown. We have thrown out. the above hints for the benefit of our member, and the guidance of the public when they meet him. There ar® many other questions of equal importance, which we shall make the subjects lor future remarks.

I Tc Keinga, a cousin of the had an interI view with Mr. Maclean on Saturday last. This 1 woman is supposed to have considerable influence J with the King, and her visit is believed to prog- '■ nosticate success to Mr. Maclean. The Hun Donald Maclean and party left Ngarua- ; wabia for Hamilton on Saturday afternoon at two ■ o'clock, in one of Quick and Co.'a coaches. When I all. was ready fora itart Mr. Lowe took a photography ;of the scene. We have seen a copy. The like/< I nesses are very good, aud the picture altogether ail, ; interesting one. a meeting of the inhabitants of Ngaruawabia was held on Saturday evening, for the purpose of arranging the preliminaries for a soiree in aid of the school. It was agreed that the entertainment should take place on the KJth prox. It will commence with tea, to be followed by speeches, music, &c, which-it is expected will terminate about ten o'clock, after which the room will be cleared, and j those who fee! inclined, will be able to " trip it on j the light fantastic too 1, to their hearts' content. It has been found by all agriculturists on a small scale, that without the aid of machinery they are" unable to compote with large producers, who from the magnitnde of their business can with advantage purchase machinery. To get over this difficulty machinery in most of the agricultural districts j in the old country and in the colonies has been purchased jointly by t'ie farmers themselves, or some en'cerprisng individual has purchased thrashing, wiunowing machines, etc., and let them for a cerI tniii commission to those who require their services. YVo need say no more on this subject than to recommend our farmers to act upon the experience of others. W. N. Searancke, Esq., E.M., sat in the Courthouse, Ngaruawahia, yesterday morning. There was only one civil case, Hawiri v. W. B. Woods ; claim £1 2h. Judgment for amount claimed and costs, 9s. John Sharpe for drunkenness, forfeited Ins bail, £1 3s.

Amongst the natural productions of this district are leeches. These are to be found in considerable ■ number* in some of the creeks emptying themselves into the Waipa Kiver. We request that some of our settlers will collect a few and send them to our office, We will send them to Auckland in order that the members of the medical profession may have an opportunity of testing their value. If they are found to be of the right description, a sufficient number can be obtained to supply the whole colony. A requisition is in conrse of signature to Major Jackson asking him to appoint an early day on which to meet and consult with his constituent. A meeting of the Cambridge Mutual Improvement Association was held on Thursday evening last. The committee appointed atthepreviousmeetingreporied having waited upon Major Clare, and that, whilst he thanked t.be Association for the honour which it wished to confer upon him, he declined to accept I the position of its president. On the motion of Mr. Whit law it was unanimously carried that Mr James Kunciman be president of the Association. Mr. Runciman tliankcd the members for the honour they had done him in appointing him to preside over their meetings, and then called upon Mr. lirenmir, who read an essay on "Education." The essay, which was a capital one, was listened to throughout with great attention, and was much commended by those who rose to criticise it. It was resolved that the meetings of the Association

be held fortnightly, and that the question "Is the Government scheme of Immigration and Public Works likely to prove beneficial to the Colony ?"■ be the subject for discussion at ne:ct meeting. • • Ou and after Monday the mail coach will run through to Hamilton in one day and -vice -voisa. This will give our Hamilton friends their letters a few houis < arlier, and enable them to reply by the return mail, provided the poist-oiliee oflicials attend at the oflice till ( J o'clock.