Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1332, 13 January 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

riqual and exact justice to .ill men, Ot whatever state or pci suasion, religious or political Here sJi ill Die Pi ess the Peoplr's nplit maintain Unawcd b> influence .md unhnbeil by f,'.nn.

TUURbDAY, JAN. IJ, 1881. L

The resignation by the Hon. John JJryce of the portfolio of Native Minister, i.s an event brought home to us as suddenly as it was unexpected. The proceeding, on the face of it, has an unsavoury aspect, and there can be no doubt but that the opponents of tlm Government will make the most of it. Indeed, there seems no reason for doubting but thai, in their hands, it will be made to do ample justice in the way of pointing a moral and adorning a tale, premising always that the moral can be made to point in the direction of a wholesale condemnation of the Ministry, and the tale cast in one of those moulds where frightful ex amples of human depravity and political turpitude are shaped. Of late, opportunities of this kind have been rare, and, as a consequence, these malcontents have been driven to harp on old sores, until the thing became as dull and monotonous as the perpetual jargon of the man afflicted v ith the moral disease of a standing grievance. Such being the case, it may bring some relief to a long-su tiering public to know that thp infliction it will still be called upon to endure in this respect, will be slightly varied, if not relieved, by this opportune incident. Less prejudiced persons, however, will be disposed to \iew the affair in a milde'' and less pretentious light; and while no one can deny but that it is in many respects inopportune, I it certainly i.s not fraught with all the grave importance which, at first sight;, is apt to strike the mind. Our information of the facts and circumstances are as yet meagre and imperfect. Indeed, we are in possession of little beyond bare results, and while that little in M)me respects tends to perplex the mind, in others it indicates the prospect of no .set purpose being made to obstruct the public policy, or even disturb the existing state of party ties. For example, it is somewhat perplexing to bo told that Mr Bryce lias disagreed with his colleagues, in consequence of their opposition to a proposal on his part that Parihaka, the stronghold of the disaffected natives, should be at once invaded. This we interpret as a determi- I nation on his part to " beard the lion"' in his den, and take upon themselves as a Government the attendant responsibility of getting into open ruptures with the Maoris. Such a mode of pi'ocedure is not only opposed to legislative sanction, but it is equally opposed to all preconceived opinions of Blr Bryce's own character and instincts. If the late session of Parliament avowed one principle of policy more distinct than that of another, it was that the recomineadations of the West Coast Commission should be adopted. So distinct and emphatic was the avowal, that the Commissioners themselves were further deputed to carry out these recommendations, with a view to the final solution and adjustment of the difficulty. More than that, the Native Minister avowedly ranked himself amongst the foremost supporters of that proposal. The line of policy proposed was notoriously a temporising one, and nothing hostile, or even demonstrative, was hinted at. Now, we fail to discern anything that has taken place in the interim to call for a departure from that policy, far less warrant exposure to the grave consequences an' abrupt descent upon Parihaka might, at the present moment entail upon the colony. How such a .calm, cautious, unsuls-

ceptible minded man as John Bryce, could have allowed his opinions to drift into the assumed propriety of such a hazardous step, without tne faintest semblance of j public approval or Parliamentary authority, is one of these things guaged by ordinary standards of* mental phenomenon that is altogether inexplicable. The only parallel we have got, in the history of the colony is ths achievement of the HonMr Wafcerhouse,in 1873, when in consequence of some crude ill-diges-ted idea, which suddenly took possession of his mind, he unexpectedly announced his secession from the Cabinet of that day. On that occasion the opponents of the then Government were rendered jubilant, and waited with an ill-concealed impatience the damaging revelations re Cabinet affairs that gentleman would, it was alleged, make when Parliament met. Parliament, it may be remembered, did meet, but, to the sad discomfiture of these " birds of evil omen," Mr Waterhouse was dumb on the subject, or, if he did essay an explanation, it only tended to show that, although usually a man cairn, thoughtful, and unimpulsive, some strange hallucination had suddenly possessed his mind. Mr Bryce we take to be a man of similar temperament, and, like his mental prototype, we are much afraid this proceeding on his part will prove to be a mere freak, which even he himself will fail to understand. Our information at present, however, being but meagre and imperfect, we prefer waiting further developments before saying more. Meanwhile, it is only right to add that the surrounding circumstances of this demission proves conclusively that Mr Bryce has no fixed intention of going into opposition as against his late colleagues. On the contrary, we know for a fact he has parted with them on the best of terms.

A. SHORT announcement appeared in last issue to the eiteot that a Joint Conference was fixed to take place between members of the Piako and Thames County Councils; two subjectabeingbpecially mentioned, viz., the bridgo question, and the adjustment of boundaries. We are not at present in a position to form an opinion of nil that is aimed at by the nrr>t-named proposal; still we may rrasonubly conclude it purposes to erect a bridge, in the advantages to traffic accruing from which, both Cmnties will participate. The Counties Act is no doubt a crude, and to some extent, an inoperative measure. It was purposely rendered so by opponents to abolition, and although the abolitionist has since been in the ascendant, it is a notorious fact lie has never had the couiage to follow out abolition to its legitimate issue. This is palpable from the fact thai, during all the years that have elapsed .since the date of abolition, nothing but a half-hearted endeavour has been made to consolidate the numerous provincial laws, still in forco in the colony. In a word, abolition is not unlike certain sanguinary conflicts related by history : it was a battle won but a -\ictoiy 1 st, in consequence of its advantages not having been followed up. Still, the Counties Act as it stands, is nut destitute of good workable principles, and although thc-.e have been hampered by latent defects, they aie still i hero to be operated upon. Theic are a least two piovisions ot the Act, which ra.iy be of service to the projected Conference. Clause 203 provides that it shall be lawful for the Council of any County to contract upon such terms and conditions, as they may think fit, with the Council of any other County, for doing or performing any of the acts or works thereinbefore provided for, which simply means that they are empowered to unite amongst themselves, for carrying out any undertaking, upon the performance of which, they may be both agreed. Then again, we have clause 14S, which enables any two or more Counties to unite in raising one joint special loan, in ordei to provide the means required by each, to defray expense of any work, for which a special loan may be raised. No doubt, there will be found something in these enactments, that will further the views of the Conference, in the matter of the proposed bridge.The other object, we apprehend, aims at an alteration, of the existing boundaries. These boundaries were, in the first instanca, fixed by Statute. It is provided, however, that they may be altered ; such alteration to be made by proclamation, under the hand of the Governor, upon the petition of the County Councils jointly interested in the readjuBtment.r eadju8tment. The machinery requisite for that purpose vrill be found, on reference to clause 30 of the Act. Mixed up as the administration of these Counties is with the development of the latelydiscovered Te Aroha goldfields, they have grave and responsible duties devolving upon them, and we trust they will be enabled to show a just appreciation and earnest co-operation in the discharge of these responeibilitiea.

The "Waikato Times" Extra of Tuesday, containing the intelligence of the resignation by the Hon. Mr Bryce of his portfolio a8 Native Minister was on the Te Aroba Goldfielcl in the evening, and was the fir3t medium of the intelligence in that quarter.

His Excellency the Governor proceeds to Kawau on Saturday on a visit to Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

"We are requested to state that the Reverend William Caldw will hold , Divine Service and- deliver an address to candidates for .Cojafirmation. at Ng'araa* wahia this evening at 7 .p'clbok. ,>. • •

The Te Arohapeopleat ©organising a race meeting, to be held on the 29th instant,' and propose giving £170 away in' prize's. The Te Aroha Oup is to be of the value of £75* <

There was a steady, and .heavy down pour allyestetday prerentingrnany from attending theCatifrrid^e Raceis.]

Great, and very natural surprise is felt in Oa rn bridge, owing to the jprpposed General Government Burvey of the Gambudge line, not being proceeded with.^ Many of the nettkr- along the contemplated line of roufe, nro anxious to lmvo something -like an iioumtto idea of the portion, in order that they may dispose their fei oing accordingly.

Messrs Clark and Q-ane have in accordance with the usual custom of that firm /made tests with all the turnip seeds imported by them this year. The results were shown at the last meeting of the Cambridge Farmei a' Club; all the seeds have germinated freely and are fresh and healthy.

At the Besident Magistrates' Court yesterday, n large number of small debt cases were disposed of. The RM. and His Worship the Mayor occupied the bench.

We understand that the Bishop of the Diocese will udminister the rite of Confirmation next Sunday at Njraruawahia at 11 a.m.; His Loidship trill hold Divine Service at Taupiri at 3 p.m., and at Huntlay at 7 p.m.

A late telegram reports :— The resumption of the survey of the CambridgeRotorua Road and the return of the instruments and field book to the surveyors, were largely due to tho efforts of Mr Sheehan.

In addition to the information contained in our report of the meeting held at Te Aroha on Friday evening 1 for the formation of a Batteiy Company, we learn that Mr Christie made an offer to the meeting to put a battery up at his own expense provided he could obtain a guarantee. Our local correspondent to whom we at c indebted f or the mf 01 m i tion adds the proposition waa not favouiably received.

The road between the Waikato and Karapero bridge, Catnbiidsre i<< in a very dangerous state just ncnv. Several large ruts intersect the roadway while quantities of earth have fallen down from the sidling cutting. A very lew days labour would suffice for the necessary repair - and the sooner the work is set about the better.

A return prepared by the Government shows that during the year 1880 no fewer than 15,152 persons arrived in the colony (including only 20SS Government immigrants), while only 7918 left tlie colony. The balance in favour of New Zealand was therefore 7703.

At the conclusion of the advertised racing yesterday on Mr. Fanthams course, Cambridge, an impromptu Maori race was got up, the -winner landing about a hundred yards ahead of the second horse.

At a meeting of the Catholic Church Committee on Sunday, the (ith inst., tenders for the erection of a Manse were opened and road by the Sriecietary as follows : — Mr. D. Henderson, L 330 ; Mr. W. Price, L 31 5; Mr. D. Elliott, L2S9 10s. Mr. P. Murphy L 279 ; Mr. J. Kellet, L 167 15s. The committee unanimously agreed to accept Mr. Kellet 1 s tender he failing to comply with the samo, the next lowest tender to be accepted.

Mr Sheehan reached here last week and spent a couple of d.iys whilst the Lady Jocelyn was landing her passengers saj-s tho Jiotj of Pit lit;/ Times of yesterday. From the moment that his arrival became known, the Commercial hotel w;is hi sieved with natives waiting to interview him. Thp minds of tho natives are in a very disturbed and unsettled state, and though we were not privileged to listen to these interviews, still we were placed in a position to ascertain that theio is a general discontent existing throughout T.iupo, Waikato, and this district, and that a general statement of grievances is being made out, and will be l.nd before his Excellency, should the Governor shortly vi&ifc the inland distrints. Mr Sheeban has al»o undertaken, piefes-sionally, the casei of a number of natives who allege grievances which will probably be brought before the civil sittings of the Supreme Court. The -ZW mentions the case of a Wellington citizen who for years suffered from a complaint which baffled all the skill of tho local physicians. At last he went to England, and consulted a leading English physician. He was at once advised to visit the hot springs of Lake Rotorua, Naturally, aghast at this " nght-about-face " sort of order, he exclaimed, "Why, I've only just come from New Zealand." The doctor replied, " Then the best thing you can do is to go back again as quickly as possible and try the hot springs !" He did so and was cured. Iv some respects the gentler sex far surpass us. No man, for instance, can deliver a lecture with a dozen pins m his mouth. A SvRAcUhE dentist has a large mirror befare his operating chair in order that patients can see the expression of their faces as the tooth begins to start at the roots.