The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 373, 22 December 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1898.

Two eTGnts took place on Monday which will mark an epoch in the history of this portion of the colony. The one was the opening of the railway line joining Waikato and Auckland with the Thames, and the other was the starting of the ThamesHauraki new pumping plant. Both ceremonies were fitly performed by the Hon. Mr Caduian. In the first place he is the Minister for both Railways and Mines, and in the second he as private member and Minister has had much to do with bringing the two important events about.

The farmers of Waikato will no doubt largely benefit by the completion of these two important undertakings. The railway has opened the Thames market to them for live stock and farm produce of all' kinds. The new pumping machinery will enable the lower depths to bo prospected and worked, and there is no reason to doubt but that the result will confirm the opinion held by most people that the Thames field as a gold producer is only in its infancy. If this be so, the population will rapidly grow and the demand for Waikato produce increase proportionately. It has long since been proved that the best customers of the farming community are the inhabitants of a flourishing goldfield. Then again the result of the open» ing of the railway will be to largely increase the output of the coal mines at Huntly, and add to the population of that place. There should now no longer be seen vessels anchored off Grahamstown, laden with coals from Newcastle. There is, however, no philanthropy in business, and those who have the purchasing of the coal for driving the machinery on the goldfield will purchase in the cheapest market; they will purchase the coal from which they can gee the greatest amount of steam at the least cost. In the interests of the whole colony, the railway freights should be so arranged .that the,Waikato coal shall be placed in the premier position. Direct profit from freight is only a secondary consideration in a case of this sort. In fact, had the railways been used less as direct producers, and the profit been looked for from the increased settlement of the country, consequent upon their being run at low rates, tho colony would be in a much more flourishing condition to-day. If the fact was to be announced by Mr Cadman that he purposed retiring from politics he oould hardly have selected a more suitable opportunity to speak. He has been long associated with the Thames district as its representative, and the accomplishment of two such important works affecting its interest afforded him the opportunity to announce his retirement from public life and claim the gratitude and kudos which properly belong to a good and faithful political servant. Mr Cadman has not yet, howaver, retired from the political arena. In the ordinary course of events this will not take place for another year; it would, therefore, be premature to review his political career. We may, however, state that, inasmuch as Mr Cadman has been instrumental in bringing about the completion of the railway and the erestion of the pumping machinery, ho is entitled to an expression of thanks. When ho ceases to be an active politician his long political career will call for review at our hands.