WAIKATO NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 154, 10 May 1909, Page 5

WAIKATO NOTES.

The recent fine weather has changed round quickty to days of pelting rain. which renders outdoor work onpteas ant. The grass is stilt fairly plentiful and has grown even within the last week. Such a season for dairying is rare.

The Lock case came to an end, locally, on Tuesday la-<t. when, after the hearing of evidence from the principal witnets, Mrs Lock, whom her counsel protested wa* not a compettabtc witpes*, the accused was committed for tariai at the Supreme Court, Auckland. (several medical and police witnesses were examined. Detective Miller stating that the prisonsi? had said he lost bis temper and threw the knife at his wife, which struck her the stomach side on, and fell on her tap and as she rose to leave the knife entered her stomach. She went into the house and he followed later and was surprised to see the wound. Be got hot water, and bathed the wound, and later called in a doctor. The interesting point raised by Mr Gillies, solicitor for the prisoner, that a wife cannot be compelled to give evidence to incrimnate her husband is to be settled in the Supreme Court. It is held that New Zealand taw on the ppint differs materially from English law. The Supreme Court dittirgu optu on ilay 24th.

A Ngaruawahia firm is about to establish a motor boat service on the Waikato, between Hamilton and Cambridge. It will run at 14 knots an hour. The "Freetrader," that well

known cargo vessel, came up to Hamilton on two occasions recently with **' cargo from the railway at Mercer for the Farmers' Cooperative Co., it being found that even allowing for transhipment a saving was effected. It is greatly to be desired that this fine waterway be more used, and these straws show how the wind is blowing. The Waikato Hospital Benefit League,' an association formed to extract giftn, services, and money from sympathisers with the work of the Hospital, is making a collection at Raglan Show at Te Mata. A further sum of X lt and was handed over to the Hospital the other day. Such monies* arc expended in securing little added comfort* for the patients, which an iron bound system would hardly provide for.

TUe jSdupatioß Department in a tetter to tite Auckland' £cto«aKioß rJcard. Jlacussea the educational requirements of Hamilton, and favours a secondary achcool with a curriculum having a strong bias in the direction of agricultural pursuits, in preference to the replacement of the existing District High School by a Technical School, and the hope is expressed thai matters may be arranged on these lines in conformity with the set policy of the Government.

There were 5 marriages, 35 births and 3 deaths in Hamilton in April. - The* new Mayor, Mr J A. Young, was'duly Installed on Wednesday last, both be and the other members of the Borough Council eulogising the work done by the late Mayor, Mr J. S. Bond. Mr Greenslsde. M.P., raised an interesting point when speaking at the Kgaruawabia farmers' Union Social on Wednesday night lie *Uopgly held

I that the valuations placed on lands in | the district was excessive, and pointei ©at how settlers were misled when they purchased land on a Government valuator*, and then found the Government would not tend money on their own valuation. Mr Allen Bell spoke in a simitar strain, ani said that validations were being increased at the I rate of twelve millions a year. It was the most important question they i had to deal with at the present time. | A New Zeatander has invented a hale : singer, which in the space of a minute > burns c(T the loose fibres on wool : packs, and thos prevents loss in value through (he bits of hemp adhering to the wo«E in the bale. The subject h of immense importance to the wool grower, who can save pence per pound by keeping his wool clean and free from foreign substance. The inven- ' tion is described in the current is?ue of the W. Z. Farmtr. Following closely on the meeting at Faterangi and the speeches at .Ngaruawahia. a conference of farmers met at Hamilton on Thursday to consider the question of Government land valuations. Some very oppressive cases were cited, and strong criticism indulged in by several speakers. It was ultimately decided to share the cost of a solicitor to appear on their behalf in the Assessment Court. The Waikato Winter Show committee is making arrangements for further lectures by agricultural expert* at the coming show, for a spacious tea and lunch room, and for cheap excursion trains. Mr Dibble, the manager of the Ruakwra farm, hope* to show' a model ensifage plant. The agricultural department will make a very extensive display Colonel Bell is arranging for Mr McNab to speak in Hamilton on May 2&th or 21sl on general military training.