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Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1075, 17 October 1901, Page 2

Some interesting matter will be found on our fourth page. A Maori woman, name unknown, has been burned to death ar Karaka, Poverty Bay. The annual meeting of the Hamilton Athletic Club will be held on Monday evening next at the Royal Hotel at 8 o’clock. The tender of Messrs E, Porter and Coy., of Auckland (£7899) lias been accepted by tho Petone Borough Council for the supply of pipes and other ironwork in connection with its waterworks scheme. Mr Thos. Gresham, formely of Te Awamutu, has received a telegram from his son, Mr Arthur Seilyard Gresham, announcing that he has successfully passed the examination in dental surgery at Dunedin. Mr Arthur Gresham served his time Dr. Maitland, of Auckland, of the firm of Maitland and Dacro. Property still continues to change hands iu Cambridge. Messrs Souter and Co. have purchased the allotment iu Duke street next the new Farmers’ Club building, from Mrs Catherine Wylie, and Mrs Smith has disposed of her boarding house in Duke street east, which for many years has been known as ‘ Gerrish’s,’ to Mr Henry Robson Gash, of Surrey Hills, Auckland. It has been taken over as a going concern, with furniture, etc., so the boarders will not be inconvenienced in the slightest. U'e trust Mr Gash may have as successful a time as his predecessor, Mr A. K. Blundell, Stock Inspector of Wanganui, is in possession of a bullock’s head with ingrowing horns. The beast was one of a working team, the property of some Maoris, but esesp.-d some 12 years ago and joined the wild cattle in the ranges. The left horn penetrates inches into the head, through a hole 2j- inches in diameter. The other horn had also pierced the skin, causing an indentation in the skull. The animal was found by a party of surveyors in such poor condition that it could hardly move ; and a friendly bullet put an end to its misery. What the poor beast suffered can only be conjectured. Another argument in favour of dehorning which is now becoming general.

It is on the cards that an Eng-ii.-di howling team will visit Australia and New Zealand during the coming sea son. Bir J. G, Ward and Mr Hanna leave Wellington for the South to-mor-row (Friday) to meet General Hector Macdonald at the Bluff. Mr J . Jaguisch, of Auckland, has donated a Rattan easy chair, to be given as a second prize at the forthcoming jumping competition for ladies at tho Show. Mr Singleton, Government Dairy Instructor, states that in the Dominion the Government builds factories which later are bought by farmers, who form co-operative companies similar to those in New Zealand. Last year the total output of cheese and butter from Canada was worth £4,000,000 and £1,000,000 respectively. On Tuesday next Messrs McNicol and Coy. hold their annual bull sale at Ohaupo. About 150 will be offered, oompiising pure aud grade Shorthorns, Polled Angus aud Hen fords from the principal Waikato breeders. Immediately after the bull sale the firm will offer some 700 head of well-bred cattle. Bale of bulls will commence at 12 o’clock sharp. Mr Sanders, of the Q.C.E, of Cambridge, has arranged with Mr J. Qaauisch to exhibit an interesting collection of Rattan goods at the Waikato Show. Every lady friend will no doubt embrace the opportunity of seeing these goods. Mr Jaguisch’s business has increased to a great extent, he is now employing 30 hands, and exports his goods as far as South Africa. During the discussion in committee on the agricultural estimates Mr Lang, the member tor the district, put in a plea for compensating farmers who suffered loss by the destruction of their cattle owing to anthrax, It was supposed that the disease was introduced in bones in an unhealthy condition,not having been subjected to a proper course of treatment. He expressed a hope that the Government would seriously consider the question of making compensation in cases of anthrax a charge upon colony as a whole. We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a sample of the Staple brand of butter from the Raglan Butter Factory per Mr B. W. Hamilton. We put the butter to a practical test, and although rather at a disadvantage from having come through by coach on a hot day, the quality was excellent, and the texture and colour good, evidencing careful handling and manipulation. With such a product in their district the days of importing butter to our seaside resort should be at an end. The proprietors should soon be able to turn out sufficient quantities to form a leading export. The Lyttelton Times, a strong Government supporters, thinks there is a case for the strictest enquiry with regard to the execution of the orders for oats received from the War Office. There is no explanation why the orders were not filled by the Agricultural Department instead of being handed over to private firms. If the calculations made by a correspondent are correct, our contemporary contends these private firms mads Cd to 7d per bushel out of the oils supplied to the Imperial Government. This means from £35,000 to £36,000 which should have gone into the pockets of the farmers, who should not have been inclined to accept Is Id or Is 2d per bushel had they known the firm were receiving Is 7d or Is Bd. Latest advices from Home concerning the wcol market show that country dealers outside of Bradford were asking a substantial advance upon the lowest price two months ago. All this had tended to stiffen tho backs of the wool men, but it had not fasciliattd business. Users were not so bare of stock as they wore, and although most of them have taken a few orders, these were all or very near!) all, at the lowest point, and there are no indications that the demand will justify higher prices. The consequence was a lull, and the prospect of a hard struggle to maintain the little that had been won. Lustie goods especially hogs, are very firm, but wethers could only be cleared at a loss. Business was still very slow, though confidence was perhaps, growing. The export trade was tue worst feature.

It is reported from Victoria that some cattle recently imported, and now undergoing quarantine, have been found to be suffer ng from the dreaded Lots, or

warbles. The insect is different from the horse bot, and far more destructive. The 1 hots,’ or ‘ maggots,’ burrow iu the akin of the beast attacked, causing what are known as warbles in the hide, making the parts attacked quite worthless for manufacturing purposes. The bot or warble fly has cost Great Britain millions of pounds, and it has been found impossible to exterminate it. The loss to Australasia if it gets a hold here would be ruinous to cattle-owners, and it is pleasing to learn that the authorities intend to deal with the matter. It is stated that several years ago some cattle imported into New Z aland were found affected, but fortunately the action taken to stamp out the pest was successful. The great want in many of our country townships is a suitable building for holding meetings, entertainments, etc. In this respect Waihou has been no exception, and tho only building available, the old school, has become too small for the rapidly increasing population in the neighbourhood. In order to devise some means for getting over this difficulty a meeting of the residents was held when it was unanimously decided to form a limited liability company with £1 shares aud erect an up-to-date hall in the township. It was pointed out that the investment would be a good one, and one half of the required capital was subscribed in the room, and canvassers were appointed to obtain further subscriptions. The exact site was not decided upon, but it will be in a central position facing the main road. We congratulate the residents on their go-ahead-ness, and we feel sure their venture will prove a success. Touching the grain trade, it appears the weather in several English districts had been somewhat unsettled at the end of August, which consequently impeded the progress of harvest work. With regare to the total yield, estimates vary to a considerable extent, although a gathering about equal to last year’s is anticipated, and of very satisfactory quality. Crop accounts from France are still of a contradictory character as to yield, and it becomes evident that threshings will have to be more advanced for reliable figures to be established. Several samples of new English wheat have been submitted, but only small sales have been stirring. Good red, 621b, sold 29s ; and 641b, 30s. with white, 31s; and 31s 6d for fine parcels. Old crop is purely nominal. A moderate quantity of foreign descriptions was held for full rates, and American grades arc mostly 3d per quarter higher, although business in most instances was confined to a moderate limit, buyers mainly operating for current needs. Australian and New Zealand find a slow sale at about previous currencies. Consumers of flour exhibited no disposition to extend purchases, particularly as some holders demanded slightly more money regarding American brands, while supplies in the mean-

time are fully adequate. Australian keeps steady, but slow. The inquiry for wheat cargoes has lacked animation, and actual sales recorded sum up of light extent, but there was a general disposition not to press on the part of holders, and values have beeu steadily maiutained, particularly iu the case of distant positions.

The Lyttelton Times Ims the following ; --On flic decision of the Opposition to elect no leader, former and present members of the House of Representatives who had for the past acted united Captain Russell, resolved, as a token of their personal goodwill, an lin recognition of his set vices, to present that gentleman with a set ot silver bowls. These were ordered from Messrs Ellington, the cekbratod silvery smiths, and will probably arrive in the Gothic, expected at Wellington in about a week’s time. A good joke is told in connection with the visit of the Parliamentary picnic party to Hastings. Mr A. L. 1). Fraser, whose guests the party were, had arranged a sumptuous repast at one of the Hastings hotels. Just before dinner a party of witnesses in the Kunaeroa compensation case then being heard, drove up to the hotel. They were a little astonished at the cordial welcome given them, hut did not dream whom they were being mistaken for. They sat down to one of the best dinners they had evor had, and just about finished the viands when the members of Parliament arrived.