The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25,1886. CONTINENTAL SMALL FARMERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2409, 25 September 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25,1886. CONTINENTAL SMALL FARMERS.

Thb Napier Telegraph reviews Lady Verney's experiences of small farmers in France and Northern Italy. Lady Yerney has made the Bmall farmß pf Europe a special study, and some time ago we quoted from her French tour to shew the miserable condition of the. occupants of small holdings. In the April number of the Quarterly Review there is an article on " Yeomen farmer? in Norway" which goes to show the ruinous results of having the agricultural land of a country parcelled out in small farms, and the utter failure $o redeem the misery of the people by State aid to farmers. Norway, says the North Otago Times, is pre-emin-ently the country of small farmers—of yeotnen farmers—men who own the lind they cultivate, paying rent to neither landlords nor the Stalte. At the same time it is country which, judged by the usual standards, is in its rural districts pre-eminently miserable. A century or ao ago when 'the population was comparatively small and even the smallest of the farms were individu-

a% jaodiriat«ly large, "hen there was considerable percentage of holdings large enough to support their owners with comfort, and. at the same , time giveemplovment to the smaller settlers, things were different. Then the land was free or all but free from debt, the Boil was sufficient to abundantly supply the simple wants of the population, and though very few were really rich -there were still fewer who weie ia a state of pauper-like poverty. That golden age of yeoman farming has, however, passed away. Farms large enough to afford employment to anyone outside the members of thj farmer's own family are now few and far between. Indeed, farms largo enough to support their owners and their households are scarce. The result of this is that rural Norway is in a disastrous state. It suffers from that dreadful ailment,, congestion, 'which, when applied to population, denotes that the people are ib excess of the means of employment and the means of subsistence. It is likely enough that this result would have been reached even through the bare process of reducing the number of | estates and biggish farms, and by consequence multiplying the number of small holdings, unless at the same time universal and continuous checks had; been placed upon the increase of the rural population; but there is i little doubt, it seems, that the "rural | distress in Norway has been accelerated and aggravated by the faoilitieß given ! by the State to the farmers to fall into i debt. Small we have proved in NewZealaad can be made profitable under suitable conditions, but it is only by a strict observance of the conditions necessary to their success that they can prove beneficial to the community. They must not be too numerous in proportion to larger holdings, and to the general population of the district in - which they are situated, or the inevitable congestion will occur which is quoted in Norway; They must also be accessible to a labor market for the 'sale of produce, and to enable the holders to secure occasional employment. It is only in fact by judicious restriction as to number and locality that the work of settling small farmers can be carried through to a permanently successful result. In W airarapa North now the work of settlement is progressing under specially favorable conditions, the land is good, it is accessible by road and railway, and for the time, being employment is plentitnl. The chief danger to the bush settlements is the spirit of speculation through which land is raised in the market to a fictitious value. Very many worthy settlers honestly believe ! their properties are worth much more than they will ever produce, and are consequently led to launch out their expenditure, to mortgage their properties to the highest point, and rely upon present fancy values being maintained. As sure as night follows day, a period of depression will follow the present stage of inflation, and very many of those who are now sanguine as to their future prospects will be swamped. We believe that when once the speculative element isremoved from land transactions in the bush country there will be a growth of settlement of. the right character, and that small farms in that district will prove a decided success.

Levels were taken yeßterday for the purpose of tilling in the earthwork at the building site adjoining Messrs M. Casolberg and Co's brick Btore, preparatory to the building being erected for the Masterton branch of the Bank of New South Wales.

Our Carterton correspondent states he had the pleasure of being shown through the garden of Mr E. R. Jones yesterday, and was very agreeably surprised to see its forward state. The potatoes, in spite of the ungenial weather, are well advanced, and the rhubarb is the largest he has seen this season. The trees in the orchard give promwe of a good supply of fruit, and in his greenhouse he has an apricot vine with apricots as large as peas.

On the eve of the departure of Mr LWilson, who is about to start in business at Woodville, he was enteitained at the White Hart Hotel, Carterton, by a number of his friends yesterday. Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., occupied the chair, and presented him with a purse of SO guineas, which had been subscribed by. a number ot friends as a mar* of esteem to the recipient. Mr Wilson returned thanks for the favor in a few well chosen remarks. He leaves Carterton on Monday next, and takes with him the good wishes of aIL

Plaintiff and defendant in the District Court case' 'McCardle v Tayler" to prevent the delay in bringing forward evidence to prove the present state of the nursery stock left by Mr McCardle, agreed for two gardeners to go, down and value it. Accordingly Mr Collotte for che plaintiff and Mr G. Gruschow for the defendant, with Mr lorns as umpire proceeded to the nursery and arrived at a decision. At a meeting of the Clutha presbytery on Wednesday the following resolution regarding fishing on Sunday was passed : " Seeing that the Word of God commands us to remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy, the Presbytery deeply regret to notice that the Otago Acclimitisation Society have sanctioned fishing on the Lord's Day. The Presbytery affectionately urge all within their bounds not to countenance such desecration, but to do all in their power by word and example to preserve intact for themselves and for their children the blessings and privileges of the holy day."

" Tired and worn out with anxiety!" Death from starvation, close to Wellington !" " Oh that bread should be so dear, and flesh and blood so cheap! Oh, that gave us all a shock ! " The deceased was one of those honest, Bober men who was too proud to beg !" So said the Coroner ! The poor creature died rather than share food which was insufficient for his wife and children! These are the cases the Benevolent Society ought to look after instead of wasting money on undeserving people as they very often do ! Ought it not to bring shame on men who are willing to loaf on the public and refuse work when it is offered them at four and sixpence a day 1 They are past shame ! Four and sixpence a day would have saved this honest man's life ' and kept the whole family in comparative comfort! 1 hope they'll be well looked after now I They would have been well looked after - long ago if they had made their wants known ! Yes. but I'm afraid they may be overlooked after all! Sympathy's no good to them 1 What (hey need is food and money and help to put them above destitution for the future.—Press PuSs. Venetian Blind »nd Bevolring Shutter manufactory. All Blind* guaranteed of the very best description. Price list on application to B. W. Henn (late Henn and Hansen.) Poneke Steam Venetian Blind and Revolving Factory, Wellington.—Axivt. i

This being pay day up the line. Sergeant Price has taken the precaution to send an extra officer to a day or two. - 'Messrs: M. -Caselberg and Oo's windows were illuminated last evening fa* the gur- . prise of displaying the fine of their tmm spring goods. A great number of people inspected the windows and the hum spoke in rapturous terms of the milliiiffly and dress goods.

There are a dozen truck loads of gas plant material at the Masterton railway .station, and the,contractor for its removal to the gasworks is in a quandary, there being no proper convenience provided by the railway authorities for unloading and loading of such heavy goods at this end of the line. Mr Dillon, the contractor, informs us that the authorities give no assistance in unloading and loading, and the only provision they make is a couple of blocks and an endless chain, only suitable for lighter work. The trucks contain the plates for the, gasometer, fire bricks, and retorts.

The Taratahi-Carterton Jockey Club held its annual general meeting on Wednesday evening, Mr A. McKenzie in the chair. The balance-sheet presented was adopted. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year:— President, W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R. ; Treasurer, Mr A. McKenzie; Starter, Mr N. Grace; Secretary, Mr G. -W. Dellar; Clerk of Course, Mr Goodin; Stewards, N. and T. Grace, E. Buckeridge, J. Stevens, A. Clifton, J. Eaton, and J. Renall. The date for the next meeting and the arrangements for the programme were left in the hands of the stewards for a future meeting. Regarding cable rates the PostmasterGeneral states the Government has not quite decided on the course to be taken. He thinks it very doubtful whether under the terms of the original coutract the Eastern Extention Company have the power to raise the rates. The Sydney Government have been communicated with and returned an answer to the effect they are of opinion the company cannot do it. The matter will. probably come under the consideration of the Cabinet today. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce will wait "on Sir Julius Vogel on Monday to ascertain what action the Government intend taking. The followiug applications for patents appear in the Gazette :■ —T. Chandler, sen., T. Chandler, jun., and Josiah Chandler, of London, an invention for improvements in regenerative gas lamps or lanterns ; Austin Walsh, of Parnell, Auckland, an improvement in the manufacture of tobacco, to be called Miasown compressed long-cut smoking or chewing tobacco ; A. G. Brett, of Norinanby, an improved wire strainer; Henry James Banger, of Christchurch, for Ranger's improved hedge cutter ; Thoa. Harrison, of Rakaia, Canterbury, for the horizontalfeed seed sower ; Clement van de Velde, of Sydney, for a system of metallic bridges which may be put asunder with rectiineal rigid elements ; W. E. Wilson, of Sydney for an improvement in the manufacture of powdered product for paint compositions and other purposes ; J. G. Hall, J. Jeffrey and J. B. Witt,, of Meluourne, for an invention for lowering and increasing the temperature in buildings and other confined places ; G. W. Renny, of Gore, for an equalising swingletree, and for a steel-plate harrow.

1 see the Government have appointed a Commission after all to enquire into the Stark's Point purchase swindle! Are they good men ? Can't they be got at and squared ? JNo, I should say they are three as good men as could be got I Judge Harvey, Colonel Haultain, and Dick Westen ra ! If the're not straight 1 don't know who is ! Do you think they'll be. able to unearth the job 1 Ah, that's - another question; It's rather late in the day ! A good long time's slipped away, and it won't be so easy to get evidence ! The fellow that got the money's sloped to America hasn't, he ! Who did get the money ? That's just what 'the Commission want to tind out! Well, I mean the fellow who knows all about it has sloped to America ?. Oh yes, he made himself scarce as soon as the money was paid ! I'm told when he was leaving and wishing his friends good bye, he slapped his pockets, and boasted that the coin was all safe ? Small blame to him ! It's the others who ought to be brought to book ! Yes, and made to turn over a new leaf.— Press Puffs

The proceedings at the Island Bay Park Racing Company's meeting on Thursday night were of a lively character the Evening Press states. It was evident from the first that Messrs Goldsmith and Blower had come there to have an explanation of what they deemed irregularity in the Club's proceeding, and it was also plain that they were in the minority as regards sympathy with their object on the part of those present. The consequence was that Mr Goldsmith's perfectly justifiable contentions were at once given an acrimonious tone by the interruptions he met with both from the chair and other shareholders. These lnterruptioas seriously impeded the business, and Mr Wakeford very properly objected to Mr Goldsmith and the Chairman, Dr Newman, " barking" at one another, and not letting anyone else ha<re a say. lie was for going at once, and sailed down the nam to get his hat, but changed his mind and sat down. Then Mr Blower thought it his duty to state that the Secretary of the Club was always gadding about neglecting his duty, whereupon up jumped Mr Broardmau to point out " order." Mr Blower, in plain terms, refused to be bounced by Mr Broardman or anyone else, and so things were sulphurous for a time. But the greatest row of all was when Mr G. S. Graham alluded to Messrs Goldsmith and Blower as having come there on purpose to make " this disgraceful scene." Flesh and blood could not stand this—at least, not the Goldsmitlran composition, and np jumped that gentleman white with rage, ejaculating, "Come here when you're sober—come here when you're sober." This drew from Mr Graham some more vituperation, when the Chairman interrupted and called him to order. Mr Graham submitted, but gracefully interpolated that when "he had to deal with dirt, he threw dirt," a remark which did not improve the situation, but caused a further imputation as to the speaker's sobriety to be loudly interjected. Then Mr Wakeford told both the litigants that if they did not behave they would have to be "chucked out." Mr Graham assured the chair that he had not Bpokeu at any person, only a Beet, and Mr Broardman immediately interlopated, " In-sect, you mean," at which there was a general laugh. Altogether, the whole tenor of the meeting, through injudicious assumption of motives and refusal to hear patiently objections by MrGoldsmith and Mr Blower, which were perefectly in order, althongh perhaps wrongly based, was the reverse of creditable to the Club, and more suggestive of a pot-house assemblage than a meeting of gentlemen. This is to be regretted.

Never Return.—it is said that one out of every four invalids who go to foreign countries to recover health never return, except as a corpse. The undertakers, next to the hotel-keepers, have the most profitable business. The excessive mortality may be prevented and patients saved and cured under the care of friends and loyed ones at home if they will but use American Co's ,Hop Bitters in time. Bead,

In the. puftnc&Cburt of Bankruptcy held-t»-day .before-Judfe. DaVy,""Adam Armstrong waaf granted an order for discharge; _ The_ Opakiraoe-course is looltingin splendid condition. The filling opposite the Stand-was sown on Monday last,and baulks have been placed all round the course to keep it from being used. The ploughed and turfed gallop is now opened for use, bu'fT trainers must first apply to Mr Fitton for the necessary permission to go on the ground.

We remind our readers of the lecture in the Theatre Boyd to-morrow evening by Mr Fred Crook, entitled "Charles Dickens." The lecture deals with the life and death of this greatliterary genius, and will be interspersed with some of the gems of his works. Mr Crook made a favorable impression on his previous visit to Masterton, and will no doubt be equally successful to-morrow evening. The well-known estate of Oxcombe, in Lincolnshire, was sold at Louth the other day for £15,000 —a very remarkable price considering that this property changed hands two years ago for £28,600, and in 1876 realised £46,000. An interesting exhibit in view of recent catastrophes is Gibbon's self-adjusting collisionpadorleakstoppercomposedof strong canvas or other suitable material stuffed with oakum and roped all round. Mr Joseph Gibbons of Liverpool who steady as 1875 conceived this idea and brought it before several large mail and passenger steamship companies exhibits a model showing with what comparative ease a means for stopping a large leak caused by a collision can be used. He proposes 20 ft long 12ft wide and Sin thick as such dimensions and to weipht in witha2in iron bar at the lower edge and he points out two methods by which it might be stopped—Nautical Magazine. Following the precedent made in the case of the North Borneo Company, a few years ago, the Government has just granted a charter to the National African Company, investing it with rights of government. scarcely Tlistinguishable from those of a Sovereign State, subject only to the authority of the British Crown. The basin of the great river Niger will be. the Compai-y's field of operations, and there it will be able to enlist and employ naval and military forces, to coin money, and to establish tribunals and make laws, and to conclude treaties with native and European powers. The powers and responsibilities of the Company are large, but if they are used with discretion—particularly in relation with the French, who have almost a claim to precedence over ounelves, seeing that they discovered the sources of the river' in 1879—they Bhould result in a beneficial addition to the commerce of England at no distant date, and in the future may prepare the way for an African Empire vaster than our Indian domains, and to be won, let us trust, more peacefully and more honourably. Ikdioestion.—The main cause of nervousness is indigestion, and that is caused by weakness of the stomach. No one can have sound nerves and good health without using American Co's Hop Bitters to strengthen the stomach, purify the blOod, and keep the liver and kidneys active, to carry off all the poisonous and waste matter of the system. See.