AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2123, 16 February 1886, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state ot persuasion, religious or political. Hero shall tlie Press the People's ri|»ht maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by (jnin.

TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 1886.

The news of the riots in London and Leicester has come upon us with something like a shock. The attention of thinking men will be turned to these serious events, and few can fail to regard them with alarm. Yet no one who lias watched the progress of events during the past twenty years will be altogether surprised at the occurrence, or at the truculent demeanour of the mob. The absolute certainty of such popular outbursts could have been foreseen very long ago except by the over-confident or wilfully blind. There have been from time to time, cv.en in law-abiding England, ebullitions of feeling on the part of the people ; but nothing that bears so serious an aspect as the present one, except, perhaps, the riots that occurred before the repeal of the Corn Laws. To say that the present disturbances are solely the outcome of Socialistic teaching is not quite correct. The circumstances which surround a portion of the masses no doubt lead them, in some degree, to become impregnated with extreme revolutionary ideas : but the main influences of the agitation will not have been caused '>v suc'i doctrines. Law and order, the po action of life and property ma . u be maintained at all costs. Nevertheless, there are crises, d^p and overpowering, which will incite even a peaceful t^d constitutionally governed peopb to step across the lines of social and political deinarkution. The march of education and the universal diffusion of knowledge through a thousand channels amongst the prnplo hnvo taught

thorn that they arc a power in the State, and they have become more and more aware of their potentiality, i Therefore, knowing this, and bowed down by the vast contrast existing between class and class, it is neither strange nor wonderful that they are become stirred up within themselves to procure an amelioration of their condition. The terribly over-crow-ded state of the United Kingdom, with an ever increasing multitude of unemployed and indigent, has been slowly engaging the mind of the Legislature, of political economists and humanitarians, and remedial measures of various kinds have been proposed to meet the exigencies of the case. One need be neither an alarmist nor a pessimist to become fully alive to the gravity of the danger that threatens Great Britain in consequence of the dire poverty which afflicts so many millions of its people. The struggle for existence is gaining in intensity every day. On the other hand the growth of enormous personal fortunes amongst the higher and privileged classes becomes more and more glaring by contrast. The people see (and they have advisers who will not let them forget) a handful of people possessed of all the f.iirest spots of the country's soil, who neither toil nor spin ; yet atv they surrounded with every delight that can make life easy and pleasurable. They live in palatial habitations, situated in the healthiest and cleanliest localities in city or country, and in the midst of pleasing prospects. All their wants in meats and clothing are satisfied ; their children are always happy and tenderly reared. Then the people reflect that there are thousands upon thousands of human atoms born of the same mother soil, but denied the right of inheritance, inasmuch as they cannot call an inch of it their own. They toil and labour grievously that they may pick up the few crumbs which will save their bodies and souls from parting company. They crowd together in seething, restless masses, in foul, deadly, pestilential ami", wherein the sun will scarce venture to enter. In ragged misery, destitution, and positive starvation, their ranks surge to and fro in mere animal existence. They can do nothing to brighten the childhood of their little ones, born to them in countless numbers. The instinct of self-preservation, inherent even in the brute beast, compels them to fill the streets with vice, wickedness and crime and the police courts with despairing victims. Few, very few of their wants are ever satisfied, though they can see their labour, on which the nation depends for its wealth and strength, bringing power and fortune to the few, but yielding little of its fruits to their share. Blacker and more threatening is this cloud becoming every hour. It will, probably, be no exaggeration to estimate the number of paupers, unemplo)cd, j and others who swell the ranks of the lower strata of the British population at not le*s than three million souls, directly nnd indirectly dependent on public and private charity for bare subsistence. This immense proletariat must needs live, since by no fault of their own they have been brought into the world. Their clamours for food will grow louder and louder until they will demand a share of the nation's vast wealth, in order that they may live. Whilst politicians, in their parlours, are thinking out an abstruse, mathematical solution of the problem, the impatient hordes from the back courts and alleys are clamouring for want of food. Who that has moved amongst the poor has not felt his soul within him stirred with deep compassion for thorn in their unhappy lot? The politician and patriot, who is sincere in his desiro to ameliorate the terrible condition of his wretched countrymen, must not contine his study to books and fashionable "slumming." He must extend his knowledge by passing freely amongst the masses and by closely observing their miseries and suffering. Ho must lengthen his travels to the Brighter Britain of North America and the great colonies, where ho will become acquainted with those magniticiont opportunities they offer for creating the remedial measures that would alleviate the sore evils of his country. The collective wisdom of the national legislature will, no doubt, be brought to bear on the subject now, being forewarned aud attracted thereto by the late significant ferment; and, though taken almost at the eleventh hour, good active measures may be applied which will eventually eradicate the plague-spot from the body-politic of our old country.

Corn for S. Andrew's, Cambridge. Thanksgiving Festival should be sont in today. Fruit, &c, up to Friday.

Threshing from the stook had commenced at Fencourt yesterday, but was put a stop to by the unexpected rain.

A cable message dated London, the 12th February, stated that there has been serious rioting in the town of Leicester.

The Cambridge Cheese and Dairy Company have twelve tons of cheese on their shelves, which are being held over for fnture sale.

Refreshing showers fell again yesterday ana somewhat tempered the groat heat which has been exjierienced for the pant week.

An absurd rumour to the effect that a child was murdered in the excursion train, on Friday, has been going about. There is no foundation for it.

Messrs W- P. Chepmell, A. W. Gubbins, R. Parr, J. B. Smith and John Turnbull have been elected members of the Waitoa Licensing Comniittee, unopposed.

The Rev- James Marshall, of Te Aroha, will be the preacher at the Thanksgiving service at S. Andrew's, Cambridge, on Friday. The Her vice will be at half- past seven in the evening.

An election for the return of a person to act as Native Assessor for tho Raglan Wceiminff District will be held on the 27th frit. Nominations roust be in by the 23rd,

Mr Mctficoll, Mr J. S Buck land's aasistapt, mouuted the rostrum for the first time- at the horse Hale on Saturday, aud was greeted with cheert. He weilded the hammer in a very efficient ntyK

S. Andrew's Harvest Festival will be observed on Itydav and Sund.iy next. Ou the l.tttcr day tho Higlit Kcv. Dr. No vill, Bishop ofDunedin, will pie.ich lit both moniiti/aud evening eervicj-.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of ;v neut little time-tuMe of mails by thu direct service nnd via Nan Fianciwo, Ceylnu, Brindisi, Suez, Nuplon, Marseilles ,md Torres Straits, kindly forwarded by tbe Chief Pottmaster at Auckland.

The following tenders were received by Mr ODea, architect, for erecting a residence for Mr Millar*, Obaii|jn f (labour only) H. Carter, £% ; \V. Wnrr, £Bti; K. Grade. £78 ; R jch, £78; P. Mnrphy, £70 ; W. Hoßdn, &72. (accepted.)

The Rev. J. Wilson and Rev. H R. I >ew*l>ury conducted the EvapKelhtic >ervices in tho Public H.ill, Cambridge, on Sunday, at which there was again a liiifje attendance. The addresjeb from both preachers were listened to attentively, aud tho singing of Sankoy and Moody's hymn-, wmh heartily rendered.

Residents of Hamilton will regret t<> hear of the removal of Mr R. J. Thompson, telegraph operator in the Post-office. During hi* stay at Hamilton, Mr "Thompson earned the go»d will of everybody who had business to tiansact at the office by his urbmity and obliging manner. He proceeded yesterday to Nelson to which place he has been transfci red.

The narrow escape from destruction by tiro last week has impressed the directors of the Cambridge Jam Factory with the necessity of having their own buildings. It is \ory probable that steps will bo taken at an early date to erect suitable factory works on the site already set a»ide for that purpose by the Cam* bridge Town Board.

Capt. Speedy, late HßM Consul in Abyssinia, is announced to lecture on the date* and at the place* named in our lnst issue on "Abyssinian History— My Travels." During the lecture Captain Speedy will impersonate a costumed priest, u citizen and a warrior. The lecture is well spoken of in Auckland, and will no doubt draw crowdedT houses in the Wuikato.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of S. Joseph, at Dunedin, was opened with great ceremony on Sunday by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, assisted by seven bishops and a large number of clergy. About 2000 people woro in the cathedral. Ths present building, which cost £20,000, is only a wing of the complete design. The offertory on Sunday amounted to £400, and it is calculated that £2000 will be realised by tilt} opening.

The ordinary meeting of the Hamilton Cemeteries Trustee? was held last night. Mr S.indes informed the board that the c>.->t of draining the West buiial grounds would cost £\S s<, four-inch pipes included ; and turning over the three pathways nii)4 in u-f* a t>pU deap, and gravelling same, would be about 30>. It was le- [ solved that the work returned on the footp.itln should bo done, the resolution added to the in-.triiction-< already given, and tenders called.

The Rev- A. M. Wright, MA ; , of P<iltner«toi> North, occupied the pulpit I ,it Tiinity Presbyterian Church, Cani- [ bridge, on Sunday, in the absence of the Rev. \V. K\.-un«, who is attending the (General Assembly in Auckland.^ Ho preached a very impressive sermon, in the course of which, whilst applying the drought and dry weather in u figurative sense to the biitren st.ite of our soulb, he made a jeu de mnt in referring to the negligence of the Cambiidge people in not providing their town with an efficient water sunph'.

We are requested to draw the at ten tii >n of growers taking fruit to the Cambridge factory, that they *>hould convey it in small shallow aws if the highest prices aie expected. In many instance*) pioducers briii}? fruit in a inn's*, in l.uge heavy cases, causing the fruit to become burned and crunhed, and giving the factory people great trouble and loss of time. Naturally the prices given under the latter ciicutnstances will be much lower, and unsatisfactory to the grower.

Mr Steadman, bricklayer, Hamilton, writes : "Sir,— ln your report of the fire at Mr Hibgame's residence, Hamilton East, I notice that he h inclined to huppo»e it originated through .i defective chimney. Now, sir, I built the chimney, and as it m still .xtnndinfr, I am willing to meet him, with any pr.ictical tiade-m.m to point out the defects in the chimney that caused the tire. A* t\n» re]>ort is likely to do me a great deal of harm, in justice to mo I a-=k you to insert tlm in your \aluablo paper. '

Mr John Morley, the newly appointed Chief Srcietary for, Ireland, appe ired befnif his c >M-,tituents :it Ncwcastl s nil the 11th in *t., mi tin? neeision nf his seeking re-elrcflun on taking office. Kefurriiiß to Irish affairs, he u\pres>ed the opinion thiit separation would be n. dis^rari? to KnKbii'J and a disaster to Ireland. He stated that her Majesty's (lou-rimient., wlnle prranting eoiiMderable enlargenient in autonomy to Ireland, would u^e vigoions mea«uivs for the ix.iiutcnance of order and the defence of the rights of property.

At the Ngaruawahia RM Court yesterday, before Mr H. \V. Northoroft, R.M., and MrR. Kathbome, .T.l'., Julia •Takeman charged M.iry Montgomery with ha\ ing threatened tostiike her son with a titree stick, and also with using threatening and provoking language. After hearing the evidence, the cases were dismissed with costs, £7 (>*. Julia Jakemaii was then charged with using threatening l.uigiuige towards Mary Montgomery, and bound over in one surety of £23 to keep the peace for six months, and to p.iy costs £1 (i& 3d. The parties reside at Huntly, and appear to have been on very bad terms.

The Oddfellow's Hall, Hamilton Ea»t, had a nairow escape fiom fire on Sunday afternoon. It seems, tli.it for some time past the rubbish from the inteiior, including evergreens and other mateiial us>ed in decorating, has been swept outside and allowed to accumulate inside the fence. It i*> supposed that a- pasber-by threw a lighted c«gai-ette or a mutch into the rubbish, which ignited, and but for the timely ariival of Mr Jas. Coomb?", tho building and others adjacent would ha\e been c miumed. Mr Coombe* at once stamped the fl.unob out, and beyond home injury to the fence, no damage was. done.

Mr Watt, of Fukekura, is turn ing to pood account largo quantities of blackberries growing near his land, which he has been selling to the Cambiidge Jam Factory at three-pence per pound. The fruit are about the finest we have ever seen, and are crowing in. such abundance that it is a beautiful sight to see the great clusters on the vines which are entwined through a clump of ti-tree. The soil has been richly manured by cattle, and Mr Watt estimates he can obtain of ton of fruit from this spot. There is here an illustration of the advantage the factory is to the settlers, for had it not been in existence, almost the whole of this delicious fruit would have gone to waste.

The following special messages to the Press Association, dated London, February 12th, and 14th have been published : —At the next uieeting of tho Royal Colonial liihtitute a paper cm Imperial Federation will be read by Sir George Bowen.— The two 8-inch 12',-ton breechloading guns, made to tlie Victorian Govereuient at Sir William Armstrong's factory at Klswick, have been shipped by the ship Midlothian. — The frozen meat by the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's .steamer Coptic it* selling at 5d per lb.— Hordern's Western Australia Land Company have iucreased their capital to £300,000. — Rear-Admiral Hosking and Admiral Erskine have been appointed Naval Lords of the Admiralty.— lt is reported that Sir Charles Dilke will resign his beat in the Ministry.— Speaking at Paddinpton, Lord Randolph Churchill predicted a civil war would occur in Ireland if a separate Parliament was granted. — Russia and Frence will notcoeice Greece.

Mr J. Wilson, the late Loyalist candidate for North-West Meath, in a letter to tha Times, .says :— " It is to be feared that the English people do not clearly realise at yet the present state of the Irish question. Will yon allow me to? aid in placing the facts before the public in plain and simple language '! First, Mr Farnell and B<> Irish M.P. r demsmd a repeal of ths Union — in other words, that no law shall exist in Ireland except what has the sane tion of an Irish Parliament independent < f the Parliament in England ; secondly, M» Parnell has also stated that if this demand was granted, no obstacle must be placed in the onward march of Ireland in her advance in further revolutionary changes ; thirdly, Mr J. Stephens the head of tho Fenian party, stated in his manifesto the other day that if the repeal of the Union was accoin. plished, his party would make use of their power so gained to obtain the only thing which could satisfy any really patriotic Irishmen— viz., the establishment of an Irish Republic. If we arc to believe the speech in Cincinnati by Mr Parnell, such is also his gaol. In that speech he stated his

conviction tliat no liishm-m would be satisfied until ' the List link' that bound Ireland to England vvaa broken. Fourtlily, at lc.iit one-third uf tbe population of Ireland, consisting of the whole of the Protestants and Roman Catholics who hate br.viiirf in their he;idn and money in their pockets, as*eit they will never give up their status of British subjects. Blood must flow, and flow freely, before these loy.il subjects are compelled to live under any other sceptre than that of Qupen Victoria. These being the facts, what England ha-* to do is to make up her mind once for all, yes or no, will *ho grant nr will she refuse Mr Parnell'b demand ? England is not a cruel nation, and a more cruel act could not be done to Ireland than to leave her an hour longer that in necessary in doubt on this question. If England with » cleai conscience can haul down the English ensign in Ireland, in God's name let her do it. In that case all we loyal subjects scattered over three provinces will ask is this— (iive us si\ months' protection to migrate. I do not know a single loyal Irish bubject that has not mode arrangements for this event. The loyal part of Ulster is well able to defend itself ; but, on the other hand, should England come to the conclusion that for her to grant Mr Parnell's demind would be a dark and indelible blot on her fair fame, in God's name let her *ay with a voice not to be misunderstood, "It never shall be." It is as clear as noonday that things cannot be allowed to remain in tho present state of cruel uncertainty. Ido not argue thin ciuestion. I do not appeal to the leaders of the different IMilitiral partie*. We have not a particle of faith in one of them. With them even tins question in one of mere vote calculation on a slate. Even the leader of my own political pirty, Mr C4ladstono, when challenged by Mr Parnull to speak plainly on this subject, refused. I appeal to tho English people, and to them alone, for mercy's sako do not keep us any longer in doubt. For Ireland doubt means poverty for all, and staivation for the wage-earning clashes."