Cheap Living.—Meat.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 406, 2 September 1876, Page 2

Cheap Living.—Meat.

Sir, —I perceive by the last papers that we are about to be laid under black mail by the butchers, and of all times in the spring of the year, when meat should be getting more plentiful and therefore cheaper. Isn’t it disgraceful that in a district like Poverty Bay, we should have to pay such exorbitant prices for meat, and even then hardly get it eatable ? I hear that there are several thousand head of cattle in the district, if so, and we do’nt export any, why should not meat be cheap. - I have seen one herd at Makauri which is simply a disgrace to any owner, the cattle composing it arc of no breed, ■and are undergoing a process of starvation, which jp u< opimmuAmumLaJo a

refinement of cruelty to dumb animals; many of the cows lying about dead of sheer poverty. I should hope however, in the interests of humanity, that this is a solitary instance, and that the remainder of the cattle breeders proceed if not on more enlightened, at least on less inhumane principles. I have seen other smaller herds having a decent appearance and apparently a sufficiency of decent steers amongsf them, I am therefore quite at a loss to understand this rise in price. And, it is the less explicable, since, money being rather tight, owners would be inclined to quit on more reasonable terms ; however there is one thing certain, that with the number of head of cattle in the Bay, which the muster roll shows, there must be frightful mismanagement somewhere, or such a state of things would not exist.—l am, &c., Prudence. P.S.—I see that residents in India are making enquiries with regard to making this a home. They will probably think twice when they discover at what a cost they must do so.

Sir, —Judging from certain rumours which are now afloat, and from the tenor of the letter signed “ Charity begins at home,” which was published in last Wednesday’s issue of your paper; it would appear tliat there is some movement on foot to compromise the standing and dignity of the Church of England in this place. I cannot believe that anything of this nature would be seriously entertained by any but a disaffected few. The majority I am sure would not countenance for a moment closing up the church, or indeed any measure calculated to prejudice her interests. It seems so absurd to suppose that the majority in number, wealth, and influence, should give way to the minority, and sacrifice what they have already attained for the sake of saving a little additional expense, that I am sure it would be only necessary to mention the scheme for it to meet with general condemnation. The grand old church has too great a hold on the affections of her members and would pass through a much stronger ordeal than the present without losing prestige ; and it is only necessary to mention some of the claims she has on us for them to be generally recognised. Let us think of some of her early struggles and triumphs; how she was founded in an age of superstition and religious intolerance, and had the most powerful enemies to cope with ; how in spite of their most strenuous efforts to cause her overthrow, she grew and prospered, watered with the blood of martyrs, such as Ridley, Latimer, and Cranmer; that she is honourably associated with the history of our country for the last three hundred years ; that she is famed for the learning and ability of her divines, amongst whom I might mention Barrow, Tillotson, Whately, Deans Swift and Milman, Sydney Smith, and Crabbe, whose productions have enriched our literature ; that she nourishes in her bosom some of the noblest seats of human learning ; that she is intimately connected with the great benevolent and'philanthropic institutions of the old country, her great missionary enterprises whose ramifications spread to every part of the globe, and have done so much to civilise and enlighten benighted humanity, her grand and impressive ritual, and her broad and enlightened policy. On these grounds alone we may fairly claim for her the hearty support of all her members, and it would be ignominious on our part if we allowed her to occupy any other than the leading position which she is so justly entitled to hold in every British community.—l am, &c. Anglican.