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Waikato Argus, Volume X, Issue 977, 24 June 1901, Page 2

Some interesting matter will be found on our fourth page. Mr Hunter will have a choice lot of ewes in lamb and wethers tor sale at Ohaupo to morrow.

. Mr Auibury (of Messrs Ambury, English and Co.) will meet the Te Awaniutu milk suppliers iti the Town Hall on Friday next, 28th instant, at 7.30 p.m.

We regret to learn that the Managing Committee of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, have decided to olose the church until further notice.

An error occurred in our Saturday's issue in Mr Chas. Real's advertisement inviting tenders for alterations and additions to Mr Vesper's house near Cambridge. Tenders close on the 2Sth insfc, not '27th as printed. We learn that Mr John Proctor has disposed of his compact farm of 100 acres on the Hukanui Road to Mr James Primrose. The price has not transpired, but we believe it was satisfactory to both parties.

Old Major Fox (Pokiha Taranui), of the Arawa tribe, who got out of a sick bed to greet the Duke of York at Rotorua, has been brought down to town, and is now in a private hospital iu the city in a very frail state of health. We have received from Messrs Samuel Vaile aud Sons their catalogue of properties for sale, which should prove valuable to any man in search of a suitable investment, whether in city or country ; included in the catalogue ate large estates, small farms, and city and suburban properties of all classes and all prices.

It transpires (says the Times in an apparently inspired paragraph) that the Right Hon. R. J. Seddou did not again refuse knighthood, as has been stated. The position seems to have been that the question was asked, * Does Mr Seddon want awythiug ?' and the teply was in the negative. The Premier does uot want anything. The Premier has assured Mr "Wilford there will be an inquiry into the Newtown Park scaudal. Mr Wilford, however, is not satisfied with a mere Departmental inquiry, and presses for a public inquiry before three commissioners, one nominated by the meD, another by the Department, and a third (who shall be Chairman) to be a Stipendiary Magistrate with experience in volunteering.

We understand that Mr Milne, who recently disposed of his farm at Tamahere, has acquired Mr Charles Warr's property opposite the Kiiikiriroa Railway Station. Mr Warr intends to erect a substantial residence on his vacant section adjacent. If the present agitation to secure a footway over the railway bridge is successful a great impetus will be given to buildiug operations in that healthy locality, several property-holders having expressed their intention of erecting houses as soon cs a definite promise is given to grant the desired boon forthwith.

The ceremony at the installation of Bro. M. A. Going as Worshipful Master of Lodee Beta-Waikato, No. 12, ou Thursday evening will be conducted by Very Wor. Bro. W. McLean, Provincial Grand Master, who will be attended by a number of Grand officers, add thiy will attend the ball afterwards, for which a dispensation lias been cranted for the brethren to appear in Masonic clothiDg. Several improvements have, been made from experience gained in past years, and the gathering this year promises to eclipse all others.. Tickets may be obtained from the hon. sec, Mr B. J. Gwyune, at The Abgus Office.

The Timaru Post records a peculiar incident in fire dancers. The business premises of Mr E. H. Logan, of Geraldine, had a very narrow escape from being destroyed by fire on Friday afternoon. The circumstam.es connected with the origin of the fire are rather peculiar, but nevertheless true. Mr Logan had hung a tin dish with rounded sides on the end of his shop, which had the effects of focussing the rays of the sun, thereby causing such heat as to fire the building. Mrs Logan, who happened to be in the simp at the time, bad occasion to go out and ahe had no sooDer goc to the doorstep than her attention was drawn to smoke from under the bowl. No time was lost in putting out the fire. As it was, a hole as large as a man's hand was burnt. It the discovery had not been made till a few minutes later there is no doubt the whole premises would have been burnt to the ground. ~ 1.

Mr L. Harris' hurdler Cavalierio will not, he taken to Victoria to compete ar the V.R.C. Grand National meeting. The Czar attends the German manseuvres aX Danzig, and riieeives King A'exander and Queen Drutji of Ser via at St. Petersburg in September. An anti-clerical disturbance bus occurred at Madrid, in the course of which the Rondu electric light plant was destroyed, and the city was thrown into darkness.

Lord Charles Beresford, in a letter to a friend, confessed that he was extremely anxious when he considered the want of strength and proper war organisation of the British fleet in the Mediterranean.

During the visit in the North ls,ays the Lyttleton Times) the Duchess ingratiated herself on all hands by her evident interest in the various proceedings and her keen personal appreciation of the niceties. The Duke, except at Rotorua conveyed the impression of being distinctly bored.

It is stated that the officers who took charge of different New Zealand contingents in South Africa, are sure to receive good appointments. LieutColonel Robin will probably take charge of the mounted forces of the South Island. Lieut-Colonel Davis (now with the Fourth Contingent), the mounted forces of the North Island ; while Colodcl Porter, of the sixth, will also take up a responsible staff position. Volunteers in Victoria can earn as much as £7 10s per tran capitation lifer annum, as against £2 10s in New Zealand The sum of £'2 10s per man is grauled in the ordinary way, and the remaining £5 goes in personal payment, the recipients being paid according to 'he number of drills attended, etc. When a corps is in a souud position the men often earn to themselves from £5 to £0 10s per annum.

Mr H. Turner, who for many years resided at Taotaoroa, and left that district about seveu years ajjo, was in Cambiidgo on Saturday. He is now in business near Palmerstou, and the reports he gives of the laud in that: district are glowing in the extreme. He came through to Rotorua to setf the Maori display, and theu came on to have a look at the old place. He notices a great improvement in Cambridge, but Taotaoroa, lie thinks, has gone back.

A meeting of milk suppliers is called for Wednesday afternoon in the Borough Council Chambers, Cambridge, to discuss the matter of co-operation. This subject has been taking the atr,~ntiou of the milk suppliers of the district for some time, and they have now obtained information which they consider should be made public to all, and we believe thay intend trying to start a cooperative factory i-omewheie in the neighbourhood of Hautapu. The meet ing will ac held at 3 p.m.

When ii man who is a si ranger in a place is charged with an offence, and remanded for a week or to, it rarely happeos tint he can find hail. At the I'd ce Court, Dunedin, recently, a young man who was charged with deserting his wife, and who was remanded, did not apply for bail, saying lit! was a stranger here, and hid no friend* who. would act a< sureties--, A l.idy who was in the Court, up-n hearing this, immediately volunteer* a to xo hail for the young man. Her surety was accepted, and the actiut-ed was released from custody. The Taranaki Herald relates a good story with re.gunl to the Teachers' Salaries Commission. The Chairman of that body had occasion to ask the Chairman of the Taranaki Education Board whether certain schools were not manned by teaeht rs reee-vins silaries of leas than £l5O a year. ' Mai ned ?' interposed the member for Rangittkei, 'why, more than half of them are caught hy women.' The j'»k-! had scarcely been realised when Mr T. S Weston naively remaiked that ' iindc the New Zealand statutes nia'es are meant to embrace women.'

Farmers in the Tamahere district are reminded that the annual meeting of their brunch of the Farmers' Club will be held in the Schoolroom on Wednesday evening next at 7 p m., instead ot 7.30 p in. as advertised in erior in our Saturday's issue. Besides the election of officers for the year endlog 28th February next, there will be a discussion on ratios on unimproved values, and a vote taken thereon. A paper will also be read on a simple means of eradicating Californian thistles and blackberries. It is hoped there will be a full attendance.

What is really wanted, if we are to maintain our national supremacy as mechanical engineers, is something more than copying the Americans und Germans. Let us, by all means, study most carefully, not only American methods, but those of Germany, Switzerland, or any other country which is advancing in mechanical engineering work ? and then aided by such acquired knowledge combined with our long and varied experience, let us du our best to evolve still more improved methods of working and—what is equally important—let us not hesitate to abandon methods which, however well they may have answered in their time, are now out of date. It cannot be too often repeated that he who copies is always behind him who originates, and it is the first in the race who wins.

The Lardean Eagle, a journal at Ferguson, British Columbia, publishes a statement from Mr Frank G. Carpenter, representing the Seattle P.I. in Wellington, about an iuterview with Mr Tregear, the head of the Labour Bureau in New Zealaud, in reference to working men representatives in Parliament. Mr Tregear is reported as saying that in most cases the labour representatives sticq to their class after being elected, but in some cases they do not. 'ln the latter instances,' says Mr Tregear, ' the working man starts in enthusiastically. He is all for labour aud nothing for capital. He is soon corrupted, however, by his associations with the rich The dinners and the attentions of his wealthier Parliamentary fellows turn his head. By the end of the first session he has risen above his class, and changes his working suit for a tweed suit. At the end of the next session you find him in black broadcloth, with tall hat, and thereafter he probably votes with capitalists. As a whole, however, our working n.eu make fairly good representatives.'

On Saturday afternoon Mr G. J, Neal met with a nasty accident near the Cambridge Post Office, and many thought it was going to prove fatal ; but on reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that Mr Neal will soon be all right again, The accident happened just after the mail was sorted, and con8f qnently a great crowd was about. Mr Neal drives a two-wheeled trap, and it appears there was something wrong with the seat, for just after his son had gone into the Post Office to get the letters, his horse started suddenly while Mr Neal was sitting in the trap, and he was pitched out over the back, and fell on his head. Scores saw the accident happen, and all thought he must be fatally injured. He was taken home on the stretcher (fortunately he now lives at the foot of Duke-street) which hangs in the Post Office, and Dr Roberts was quickly in attendance. After examining the pitient he pronounced nothing more the matter than shock and, of course, a few bruises. ]t was a great relief to the many who witnessed the accident, for the least they expected was a muchinjured spine We congratulate Mr Neal on his lucky escape, and trust he will not feel any the woVko for his gymnastic display,

It is that when President Steyhjleft De Wet's commando, and there wbh talk of the re-opening of peace neeoii.iiiens, the Boer general said: 'President 'hey said the bh.ol now being and wfill to be shed will rest upon my head '. B;'it. so! I prefer that to surrendering and thereby rendering useless all the .sacrifices of the pant. Should pence' negotiations be opened do not conclude tli-m without my presence I want do half-peace.

The question of apprenticing youths to trades and industries! again came before ihe Oon-.ilitiation Bmrd at ita sitting on WertneVlny. One of the proposals of the Sawmills Industrial Union of Workers was a legal apprenticeship for the term of five Thi Chairmau mentioned that under the Apprentice Act a lad mighr. break h 1 indentures at 19, just as he was iieooming most useful to his emp'joy.er. Mr Wilkinson, an employer, said he had been in favour of having lad* bound a? apprentices, but, in view of the fact mentioned, it was ahturd to go through the form of binding apprentices ; aitd Mr M'Callum gave his experience by saying, ' I bound one two months ago, but he has cleared out already.' Mr Warren, who represented (.reunion, S'lid that if a lad{was|jbound at 14 hsd served his apprenoiceßhip by the tinia he was 19 ; but, in reply, the employers remarked that a boy of 14 .vis too yonni; to be an npprentice, aud the Chairman pointed out thut such a p v acticc would exclude all boys who were over 14 from becoming apprentices. It was mentioned that, at any r.te latterlv. the Arbitration Court had ou'y added tile apprentice clause to awards wh re it was agreed to by the. reprosen'atives of both parties.

The. question of our ability to industrially compete against the foreigner depends in this colony (writes the Mercantile and Bankruptcy Gazette) to an extent upon the judgments of the Arbitration Court. Every time the men obtain u further increase of wages, or what is the same thing, a diminution in the hours of labour, adds, of course, to the price of the finished article, and gives the ever-ready outsider an opportunity to get his manufactures into consumption here. Our protective dutie* will not meet the evil, because improved methods of work and more efficient appliances are constantly being brought into operation, with the result that savings are effected which enable the duty to be paid and still ieave a profit. This proce-s is continually goii.g on ; every month'in the larger manufacturing centres of Englaud, America, and the Continent improvements are being effected in machinery, economy effected in management, transport, and the cost of raw m-ttcrial, tending ever more and mi.re to reduce the cost of production, with the objecr. of fightiug tariffs. How far a small country like this, with no special facilities for resisting those huge economic combinations forming in other countries, is acting wisely in assisting the foreigner to invade our market, is a nutter upon which much might be paid. At prea.jnt we muse remember that every step we take in the direction we are »t present advancing brings us uearer lo the time that will mark the exit of some of tho-e of our industries which at present assist to keep our population in comfort.