SATURDAY, OCT. 1, 1881.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1443, 1 October 1881, Page 2

SATURDAY, OCT. 1, 1881.

Judging from the aspect of native difficulty — the extensive recruiting and other provisions against probable hostilities — considerably more importance is being attached to thp late belligeient demonstrations of Te Whiti, the heirophant of Maoridom, than we are led to believe by the apathy, if not indifference of the authorities at Wellington. And if this is not the case : If a scrimmage is not inevitably pending, and if the Government have not more cause to be alarmed than what appeal's to be floating about on the surface of the disturbed political cauldron, what on earth is to be derived from the extensive preparations of a warlike character now being earned out 1 We hear daily of a hundred men being enrolled here, a hundred and fifty somewhere else, and men who have been trained to the use of arras sought for all over the country to supplement the already largefieldforce of Armed Constabulary ; and also of shiploads of arms and ammunition sent to the scene of anticipated hostilities., and notwithstanding this it is confidently asserted that nothing but a mere demonstration is intended, and that no definite action is aimed at, This means that the colony is to be subject to periodical scares and rumours of internal strife and bloodshed as often as the prophetic soul of Te Whiti is inspired. What Te

Whiti and Tohu said at the recent native meeting at Parahaka to some people, especially those acquainted with the history of native troubles and their origin, seems to be mere braggadocio, find significant of nothing more dangerous, than intimidation, whereas, to others holding a responsible position, the words seem pregnant with interest, and partaking of a degree of sincerity akin to a declaration of war itself. Certainly Te Whiti's speech, taken literally, was from beginning to end a declaration of Avar. What else can be inferred from such expressions as " and all the talk will be of fighting, for nothing but fighting can put what is wrong right. I send pakanga (war) on the land today, on to the land sold by the Government, If, when war goes on to the land they strike you with a stone, strike them with a stone. Likewise if they strike with their hands strike them with your hands. If they bring guns take your guns likewise If the pakeha come to say it is our land, and lift their hands to defend, strike them down." But the sincerity of these expressions has yet to be tested, and nothing can be said until some decisive step is taken by the Government in the matter of removing the fences or making prisoners of those who venture to obstruct the work of clearing. Then it will be seen what is meant by the offensive attitude of this now notorious fanatic ; whether his words were uttered with the intention of giving effect to the sentiments which they contained, or merely for creating a scare which was likely to entail a heavy expenditure on the Government. But the settlers on the plain will naturally ask, are they to be subjected from time to time to such scares, and not to have a sufficient guarantee for the futui'e conduct of the man with whom they originate 1 Better were it, indeed, that war were a reality, than to have the peace of the colony disturbed periodically at the pleasure of one man. In the one case, a speedy campaign of a decisive nature, which would impart a moral lesson to those against whom it was carried on, would undermine this state of affairs and bring peaceful prosperity in the colony for many years to come ; whereas in the other the people are to be continually preparing for the probabilities of war, and the work of settlement is retarded. Worse than all, a revenue already delicate will be subject from day to day to a heavy strain, which would mean a relapse from its now convalescent state. No doubt the Government have now seen the futility of the bi-ead and butter policy, and are determined that moi'e harsh measures Avill be substituted. They know that Parihaka is a natural fort, if not impregnable, not to be spoken of contemptuously from a military point of view, and are therefore determined if they can prevent a collision at present to do so, so as to recruit their strength and provide against the possibility of defeat. They know that a collision with the natives on the Plains at present would be not only ruinous but disastrous. After the recent friendly demonstrations of Tawiiiao and his people we do not think that the settlers of the Waikato need apprehend any hostile proceedings from that quarter, unless some of the young men about Hikurangi possessed of a natural desire for fighting might be induced to go down to the Coast in case of a disturbance; but that would not affect us here. It is sincerely to be hoped that fighting of a serious nature will be avoided, but at the same time that some decisive steps will be taken by the Government to prevent if possible a repetition of the scare, and the comparatively unlimited expenditure which we have already been subjected to.

On several occasions recently our Whatawhata correspondent has directed attention to the condition of the approaches to the bridge at that place ; but so far as we know, no notice whatever has been taken of the warning. The earthwork approach on the west side is now in a disgraceful and dangerous state. The roadway has subsided a distance of about three feet, and the bridge is therefore almost useless for all except passenger traffic. There is some risk attending even the latter.' A sort of causeway has been formed of posts and rails, pungas, etc., but ifc by no means answers the purpose, and the narrow escape of a horse and dray the other day is proof of its utter inefficiency. The approach was made in dry weather, and hence the subsidence, but a mistake was committed in metalling iße roadway before sufficient time had been allowed for sinking. The. cost of the repairs necessary would not exceed, say, £20 ; but if left much longer, it is impossible to say what sum will be required. We trust, therefore, on this account, as well as on that of the convenience and safety of the settlers in the neighbourhood, to see the work commenced at once. While on this subject, we may remark that some provision, other than that which exists, ought to be made for the maintenance of such bridges as that at Whatawhata and Te Rore, and, indeed those over the Waikato river as well. These structures possess more than a local value. They are part and parcel of the system of main roads intersecting the country, and it is unfair to expert that the local bodies should be

~ r- < ' ~ made*, .to ,' set aside from their sinairyesj?ly inconfe a sum sufficient to maintain in good order and condition bridges of such magnitude. This charge is likely to increase year^, by year, * »nd* by and bye/°a considerable, auin will be required for replacing portions, or perhaps rebuilding the \Vhole. It may be said \yi<^h tetfth that when such time arrives ' ' the Government, which built the bridges; will be induced to advance the funds necessary for their repair or re-construction, but th s, ..after all, is a very unsatisfactory solution of the problem. We know how difficult it was to obtain the grants in the first instance, and we have no guarantee that the same wearisome course will not have to be gone through again. A more satisfactory, and as regafds the Government, a much less expensive way of dealing with the case, would be to set apart substantial endowments, the revenue accruing from which would go to form a fund for repairing and renewing these bridge's ■as .occasion arose. The Government has abundance of, land which might be devoted to this object, and we can see no difference between creating an endowment of the kind we indicate, and one for the construction and maintenance of a harbour in South Canterbury.

A quantity of reading matter, interesting to country readers, will be found on the- fourth page of this issue.

Monday next, being a Jewish holiday, we notice by advertisement, that Mr J. Moses' establishments will be closed.

A Bicycle Club is about to be formed in Wellington. The road between Taupiri and oSTgaruawahia is in a very bad state ; indeed it is almost impassable for wheeled vehicles. The Kirikiriroa Highway Board should turn their attention to this matter without delay.

Messrs Hay and Speed, barristers and solicitors, Hamilton and Cambridge, notify that one of the firm avill attend the sittings of the Courts at Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Alexandra, and Raglan.

The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Debating Club, called for last night, lapsed, owing to the unavoidable absence of a number of the members.

In the report of a, trip " Through Piako to Te Aroha" in our last issue, the name of Mr Morrm instead of Mr Murray is used in two places as the owner of the property on the opposite side of the Piako river.

At a meeting of the Wellington Racing Club on Wednesday night, a letter was read from Mr Stephenson, of Dunedin, who had purchased Mata, asking that the disqualification might be reversed from that horse. The stewards declined to agree with the request. A meeting is fixed for February 2nd and 3rd.

The stray dog nuisance still continues, and we constantly hear of depredations committed in the flocks of surrounding settlers. A few evenings ago some dogs got into one of Mr Jolly's paddocks, and killed about a dozen sheep belonging to Messrs Qualtrough and White, who have not been able to trace the owners of the marauders.

Mr E. Beauchamp arrived in Hamilton oh Thursday with a mob of a hundred well-bred cattle overland from Napier, having done the journey without the loss of a suigle beast. The cattle are all well-bred and in excellent condition, and it is Mr Beauchamp's intention to submit them to auction at Mr J. S. Buckland's Ohaupo sale on Tuesday, 11th inst.

Those who are interested in the Oxford or Okoroiri district as well as the settlers of that place, will be glad to learn that arrangements have been made by the Government with Mr Montague, the proprietor of the Oxford Hotol, for the opening of a branch post-office in that township. Mr Montague intends running an express between his hotel and Cambridge twice a-week, for the conveyance of passengers and mails. In our last issue we published an advertisement signed by Captain C.tpel, Sub-Inspector of the A.C. Force, notifying that Major Withers would attend at the A.C. Office, Cambridge, on Tuesday next, tor the purpose of enrolling men for active service in the Armed Constabulary Force. Since the advertisement has been in print, we learn that any men who have hitherto been drilled, and are desirous of joining the Constabulary, can make application on Tuesday, when their applications will be forwarded to Wellington for consideration.

We were shown yesterday an excellent specimen of carriage painters' work in the shop of Mr O'Gara, wheelwright, Hood-street, Hamilton West. Mr O'G-ara hag juat completed the repairs to a buggy belonging to Mr McGuire, and the workmanship would be a credit to an establishment in the trade.

The work of shifting the shops in Duke-sti'eefc, Cambridge, which were over their boundary Hue has now commenced. It will be remembered, that some time ago we drew attention to the incident which necessitated this change. Since then the matter has been considered and talked over, and the owners of property who have been so unfortunately misled when building have now seen that there was nothing for them but to move, and that at their own expense.

We are pleased to hear that several fanners in the district are goinjr to give beet root a practical trial this season. It is of the greatest importance that the question should be settled this season, and we trust that all who have the welfare of the district at heart will enter with spirit into the undertaking. It is quite clear that manufactures are necessary, and it is equally clear that energy and enterprise are required to establish them. We believe it is Mr Graham's intpntion to procure a supply of the best seed for disposal, but of this due notice will be given.

The following items of election intelligence was among Thursday's telegraphic news : — Mr George Beetham announces that he will contest Wairarapa North. — Mr S. R. Webb is announced as a candidate for Lyttelton, in addition to Messrs 'Richardson' and Allwright. There is still no sign of the candidates for Christchurch. — Mr Ballance is announced as a candidate for Wanganui. No opposition is expected. . Messrs Bryce, George, ' and Hutchison are announced as candidates for Waitotara.

At the GteralcUne races on Thursday, the attendance was not as large as on former occasions, but the racing was good and the weather fine.* The Maiden Plate 'was' carried off by'Tasrnan, with' Golddust second ; the Handicap Hurdle Race fell to Agent, Bijou seoond, and Swindler third { Luna won the publicans' Handicap by a bare length, and Mr Mundle secured the bounty Plate" with Robinson Crusoe, af^er a ; severe stragg|e by a head,

At Thursday's meeting of the Auckland, Crown Lands Board the folio wiug business of interest to our renders was transacted : — Limestone. — James Lindsay, of Nsraruawahia, to whom perniiSiiiou had been granted to remove limestone from five-acres of land- at 'Raginn, wrote stating that the term allowed — six months — was too short, as ho would have to expend considerable capital, and a^ked for a lease for twenty-one years. — It was agreed, in conformity with the Act, to grant a provisional licensp for three years, and the licensee could in the meantime make a fresh application. — Port WaiKA.TO. — Mr Marshall, of Port Waikato, asked to ha\ c the lands in that township re-classitied as rural land. He pointed out that he was now the only resident there, and there was no probability that the place would ever be a township. — The question was referred to the Chief Surveyor for his report. — Tk Aeoha. — The application was made to have the cemetery area increased from five acres to ten acres. — Agreed to. The question has been raised as to whether the islands in the Waikato river are included m the Waipa and Waikato electoral districts. The following description of the boundaries from the Schedule to the Representation Act, seems to us to favor the opinon that they are situate in the Waipa district : Waikato. — This district is bounded towards the north by the Franklin Soath Electoral District and the Frith of Thames ; towards the East by the Thames River, to a pomt due ■west of Te Aroha Mountain ; thence by a lino to Te Aroha ; thence by Tauranga County and East Taupo County to the Waikato River ; and thence towards the West by that river to the Franklin South Electoral District. Waipa. — This district ia bounded towards the North by the Franklin South Electoral District ; towards the East by the Waikato Electoral district and the East Taupo County to the Upper Waikato River, and by that river to the 39th parallel of South latitude ; towards the South by that parallel of latitude to the Wangdnui River ; again towards the West by the sea to the

Wdikdto River. The LyttcitoH Tunes devotes a graceful aiticle to the late William Sefton Moorhouse, in the course of which it says :—": — " The Legislative, mindful of the service of William Sefton Moorhouse, had heard in regretful hileuce the noble words of just eulogy spoken of him in both its Chambers. The Government, with thoughtful promptitude, had made arrangements for conveying his remains to his chosen place of bui'ial, aud the two Houses of Assembly had followed the cortege to the wharf. When the coffin was met by the waiting crowds at the Christchurch Station, ifc was accompanied by the gentlemau whom the Government and the Speaker had appointed to represent the Administration and the Legislature at the grave-side. They felt— and rightly felt — that William Sefton Moorhouse was entitled to this special mark of honour. Their choice of Mr FitzGerald, Canterbury's first Supeiintendanfc, to represent New Zealand at the burial of Canterbury's greatest colonist, was appropriate and, for many reasons, most graceful. The long funeral procession pahsed through hushed and crowded streets, the tolliug of bella in tho air, accompanied by whispers of sympathy for the great heart that had been so brave and so resolute. In the quiet country churchyard the bright sun of the calm spring afternoon looked upon men of all shades of opinion, assembled together by common sentiments of sorrow and respect. As the beautiful wordu of the burinl service broke the btillness. memolies crowded upon the mourners there, of achievement, of pastime, of honest strife, and chivalrous generosity ; of words of wisdom and kindliness, of hopes and struggles, of a thousand things of life. All felt that the rest and peace of the grave had come to a man who had done much in his day.

Residents in Australia (remarks the Home Nnv&), especially in the regions most affected with prevailing high temperature, will perhaps smile when the hear what a coil we have been raising in England about; the recent great heats. But our good cousins are more accustomed to it than we are, and London is not all a city of the sun. What people suffered during thee tropicial days might be gathered from the desperate efforts they made to keep cool. There was a rage for Japanese paper umbrellas, which were carried by all classes. Navies cind working men turned out in enormous straw hats ; the 'bus drivers and omnibus cads, condemned to long hours m the blaming sun, wore large white puggaries, to which many added also a cool summer cabbage-leaf under their hat«. Members to Parliament were to be seen going down of the House in a full suit of while drill ; the Prime Minister carried a white umrella, and the great chambers in Parliament were artifically cooled by currents of iced air. Indoors, a few wise people tried to exclude the heat by closing all apertures and keeping rooms dark, but tne largest number threw open every window to the torrid external atmosphere, and vainly pined for a cooling breeze. Of course the demand for' iced drinks was everywhere inappeasible : cold meats, mayonnaises, chaiuffoids, asjnci, of all sorts, appeared on every table ; if the heat had continued we should have had punkahs, tatties, and iced baths. But nothing lasts long in England, and within twenty - four hours of the greatest heat people were shivering in the cold blasts, and wishing for their great coats.

The Loyal Orange Lodge No. 17 will meet at the Lodge-room, Ngaruawabia, on Wednesday ne\t. A meeting of ratepayers of the Kirikinroa Highway District will be held at the Waikalo County Council Chambers, Hamilton East, on Saturday, I5 f h inst ,at] p m , for the purpose of considei ing a proposal made by the Road Board Trustees to stop j. ro.id at Kiddle's Hill. Tenders for clearing and ploughing 50 acres will be receu ed up to Thursday next by Mr W. Taylor. Gicen Hill, fe Awamutu. A dramatic performance for the purpose of raising funds to aid in the formation of a school hbraiy, Alexandra, will be gi\en in the district school on Thursday next. A concert and dance in aid of a poor widow with a numctous family will be held in the Court-house, Ngaruawahia, on Wednesday next. The thoroughbred hunting sire Tattler's programme appears in our advertising columns. Mr Tyndall, surgeon dentist, will visit Cambridge on Monday ne\t. The thoroughbred horse Ariel and the pure Clydesdale Young Prince Charlie will travel this season in company. For route see advertisement. We beg to draw attention to an advertisement in another column relative to Mr Thos. Spurgeon, son of the eminent clergyman, who will preach in the Public Hall, Cambridge, to-morrow morning at n, and in the afternoon at 3. The advertisement appearing in Thursday's issuej calling for men to be enrolled for active service in the A.C. Force on Tuesday next, is cancelled. Should any discharged A.C. 'men be anxious to re-join, if they will apply at the A.C. Office, Cambridge, their names will be submitted to the Commissioner at Wellington for approval. , The first quadrille party in aid of the Hamilton Band instrument fund, will be held at Le Quesne's Hall on Tuesday evening ne*t. Members of the Hamilton Band are 'requested to meet the same evening at their practice room at 7 o'clock sharp in uniform. The Members of No. 9 'Sons of Ulster L.0.L., will meet at the Victoria Hall on Monday night, at 7.30 o'clock. < Mr John Knox will Bell, at his store on Saturday, the Bth inst., at 1.30 p.m. a large quantity of furniture, waggons, harness, &c, a cow in, full milk, and a building 12 xB. For particulars see advertisement.