WANGANUI SLAUGHTERING CATTLE.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 303, 13 March 1878, Page 4

WANGANUI

SLAUGHTERING CATTLE.

{from our own correspondent.)

March 7. Anent matters political, T may state that the Kangitikci constituency are very much dissatisfied ’.villi the conduct of their nii'ii'.ber in the matter of alteration of C.'uniy boundaries. Ilis popularity has been on the -.vane for some time, and.seems to have latterly declined towards declension at a still more rapid rate. The Kangitikei local paper has assumed a hostile though magnanimous nttidute, and when discussing upon the question remarks—- “ Though it would be manifestly unfair in the absence of proof to tax the hon member for Kaugilikei with complicity, either direct or indirect, with such a nefarious design as the spoliation of the district lie was elected to represent, wo confess that wo cannot refrain from endorsing the opinion so freely expressed at the council meeting, that onr representative is justly chargeable with neglect in a matter great ly affecting the inierests'of his constituents.” This is both incisive and most ominously suggestive. It is freely stated here that Mr BaiJanco, in tiie event of a dissolution taking place, will contest Mr Fox’s seat for the representation of Wanganui. I believe there are good grounds for tiro on dit. Influence is being “ nursed” in many quarters, and the cry of “the people" for everything assiduously put forth. A good many new names are being added to the electoral roll, and all I believe with the one object in view. Certain it is, that the electors of Kangitikci are extremely dissatisfied with the conduct of their member in the matter of Comity boundaries, and so far ns I can learn with good cause too. It was all very well while they were of use in assisting their representative to position and power, but Mr Ballance is not the first adventurer politician who has kicked away the ladder by which lie attained his desired elevation, when it was no longer of use to him. Wanganui has more claims upon bun than Kangitikci, by a long chalk, and why should he not be allowed to select which constituency lie should represent. But Mr Fox will not be ousted without a severe contest, on the final result of which 1 would bet my bottom dollar. It is also asserted, though to me it seems incredible, that Mr Sherwood is to be brought forward to oppose Major Atkinson for New Plymouth. Surely this can never be. We will soon have a noble army of needy adventurers in the House at this rale of progress. There seems to be a run on watchmakers et hoe genus nmne. First Mr Ballance and then his protege —little Sherwood. But of all the warrior candidates, commend me to old Hutchison. He is in again for \Mairarapa, “should there he a vacancy,” and should there not, or indeed in any case the poor old gentleman will be out in the cold. Nil dcsperundian is his battle cry, and when lie dons Ids war paint and “ goes for” the electors he is fairly invincible. At least he thinks so himself, and that is the same thing. I remember after his disgraceful defeat in Kangitikci he left for Wellington by steamer. A fellow passenger was the renowned Millar, F.S.A., and how that genial engineer, now departed this life, did rub in the oil of sympathy, while Arthur Beauchamp celebrated the event with what he termed an ostrich break-down on the wharf is a page in history I shall not soon forget. As graphically put by a Hibernican bystander, “ Ihucliison’s lower lip was down to bis vest pocket.” Will no friend advise him W turn fossil, and “ Lei, the world jog along as it will, He’ll go free and easy still.” He is behind the day, he is not over brilliant, unstable and unreliable to a proverbial extent; and then that Wellington water work contract, you know. The Manawatu Times wants Mr Walter Johnson to have a korcro with his constituency, anent 'things in general. That gentleman, I hear, has decided to vacate his position in the House so that there will he another vacancy for aspiring gentlemen. Manawatu, however, is a critical-minded constituency, possessing a large share of genuine common sense, and will not bo easily flattered or gulled by any smooth spoken platitudinizer. Mr Johnston retires from the linn of which he was a partner, 1 laving parted with his interest therein for the sum of iIGO.UOO. What do you think of that? A day or two ago, I saw a prospector of a projected hydropathic establishment, which 1 should he glad to see carried into effect. The proposed site is to he near the Westmere Lake, in every respect a most desirable locality. Such an institution properly managed should soon be self-sup-porting, and should prove of incalculable benefit to the whole Colony. 1 hope to hear more of it, and to learn that the matter has been warmly taken up in influential quarters, when its success will be certain. I much fear that another institution will he soon found a necessity hero. I mean an inebriate asylum. I am assured, on the most undoubted testimony, that it is no infrequent occurrence in many towns in the Colony-—Wanganui not excepted—to see belies in the ordinary society acceptation of the term—after a party making heavy weather homewards, while gait demeanour and conversation tell too plainly of over-indulgence in the cup that does more, than cheer. And daily we have instances of the sterner sex succumbing to the grolent destroyer of self-respect, domestic happiness, and life’s prospects. By the Wallace on Tuesday, I noticed among the passengers Mrs Braimvell, who, with her husband, were former!}’ settlers in your district. They have been travellers sine? they left New Zealand’s shores, and for _a fan,- I 1 fciieve were farming in West- I cm CaKlunua. But like many others have fcmud om umi there are worse places in tin; world than New Zealand after ail, I expect they will again settle down in some of .he fertile districts in your neighbourhood, though I should say some difficulty will be found now in buying land except at a fancy price.

ewgfewgweg

! iiM loJJowmg extracts are from (l Ihe hShuigii-terhouse Act, 1877,” which it nicy be useful for all concerned to note : Provisions relating to Counties and Boroughs, P. From and after the coming into operation of this Act no abattoir shall be erected outside of a borough within a , distance of half a mile from the outer 1

boundary of sucii borough, and no license shall bo issued in respect of any slaughterhouse situated Within the aforesaid limits unless such slaughterhouse had been erected or was in course of erection for that purpose immediately before the coming into operation of this Act. 8. The Council of every County and Borough respectively may erect and establish one or more abattoirs within the limits of such County and at a distance of not less than half a mile from any Borough, and every abattoir so established shall be under the sole control and supervision of the Council of the County or Borough establishing the same. 9. The Council of any County or Borough respectively may, and alone shah, issue licenses for slaughterhouses within such County or Borough. General Provisions. 22. If any person, without being duly licensed, shall keep a slaughterhouse or place for slaughtering cattle intended for sale or barter or for shipping, and not being an abattoir lawfully erected or provided, ora slaughterhouse licensed by the Council of any corporate district, or if any person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered, contrary to the provisions of this Act, any cattle in any house or place, not being an abattoir and not being a slaughterhouse duly licensed under this Act, such person shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding ten pounds for each and every head of cattle so slaughtered. 2-1. No license not being the renewal of a previously existing license shall be issued to any person to keep a slaughterhouse, unless public notice shall have been given by the applicant for the same once in each week for one month immediately preceding the time when such application is to be beard. Every license shall be subject to immediate cancellation in any case of breach of any of the provisions of this Act, or of any byelaws or regulations made hereunder, and all fees or moneys paid in respect of any such license shall on such cancellation be absolutely forfeited. 27. Nothing in this Act contained shall extend to any person (not carrying on the trade of slaughterman or butcher) slaughtering or permitting to be slaughtered at or upon his own residence, run, or farm, cattle which he shall be able to show arc bona Jide his own property; Provided that any person slaughtering more than two head of large cattle in any one week who sells any part thereof shall keep a book, in which he shall enter the particulars of all such huge cattle slaughtered at or upon his residence, run, or farm ; and if any such person shall neglect to keep such book, or shall omit to make any such entry therein, or shall make a false entry therein, or shall refuse to permit such book to be inspected, or, upon requisition from any Inspector, to make or transmit to the Inspector a copy of or an extract from such book within a reasonable time and containing the particulars aforesaid, or to produce such book when so required by the Inspector or by any Justice, lie shall for every such offence forfeit a sum not exceeding twenty pounds. 83. Any person who shall shoot at any cattle running in any field, paddock, or other enclosed ground, or in the immediate vicinity thereof, or on or near to any highway, so as to endanger human life, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to render any person liable to any penalty for using a gun in a stockyard, slaughterhouse, or any place of confinement for the purpose of slaughtering cattle, provided every proper precaution be used to prevent danger to human life.

DYNAMITE. Tim Thames Advertiser says:—Mr Thompson, travelling instructor for Nobel’s Dynamite Company, arrived February 28tb, after a trip to the Upper Thames, where he has been successfully engaged clearing the river from snags and other obstructions to navigation. The distance cleared is three miles, fronting Mr Firth’s property. On Saturday last Mr Thompson exploded the heaviest charge of dynamite ever fired in New Zealand, viz., 95lbs, which deepened a rapid in the river four feet at one operation. The explosive being enclosed in a canvas bag 30 feet long and 8 inches wide, and evenly distributed, the whole length, was lowered on to the rapid, whore there were two feet of water. After the explosion there were fully six feet of water, with a fine wide channel formed. The noise of the explosion was something tremendous, and could be heard for a long distance away, whilst the scene of operations was something indescribable. Tons of water and shingle were thrown to an immense height. One of the operators states that same of the water was thrown as high as the lop of Te Aroha mountain. Mr Thompson has been up the river three weeks, but lias only done three days’ work, as he had to wait for supplies of dynamite, but he is confident he can clear the river from all obstructions at the rate .of one mile per day. There can be no doubt this explosive will become generally used for clearing rivers of snags and deepening the falls, when its properties and powers become better known.