The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1887. THE PASTORAL POSITION AND OUTLOOK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2534, 25 February 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1887. THE PASTORAL POSITION AND OUTLOOK.

The Australasian , Insurance afld Banking Review for this month commenting upon the .pastoral position and outlook reminds its readers that up to 1883 wool gr6wing was a marvellously profitable pursuit, and attributes its subsequent feline to the fact that its success created tyti Mjjdue demand for undeveloped ruha, fmdoveji bp country. There was, in fact ' a boon} in pastoral pursuits, which' ineffably led to tlje present reaction. Again, .at a |ime when, an enormous amount of capital being iauiiclied out in of the most prolonged .aad \wi(lp'\B]m(jl droughts ever knoTvp in' set in, the losses of sheep growers in New j3ouih Wales and Queenslandduring 1884 plone having been estimated at ' from £8,000,000 to £10,000,000, the ordinaryincrease being at the same time suspended.

At tlie end of 1884, to crown all, signs of "weakness in the wool market set in, which culminated in 1886, when prices reached the lowest point on record, Since, however,, the month of April, 1886, wool advanced in value, and favorable weather for pastoral pursuits has blessed Australasia. The position •of the pastoral industry is now,.' according.to .tlie' stMaid''authority,. which' we'' have quoted, " immepsely'. improved," money is becoming l distinctly cheaper, and the' expenses of working runs, and the rates" of carriage have considerably, diminishedv The future 'outlook : too reassuring, as good arid bad seasons usually come in cycles, and we are but on' the threshold of the present good one.' The only dark spot now on the Australian squatter's horizon is in the irrepressible rabbit, but . with only one enemy in the field lie ought to be happy. It may be Baid what is all this to us in New Zealand, what do we care about, Australian .squatters and their troubles. However reluctant we may be to admit the fact, itis .very certain that our own prosperity follows very much in the wake of that of the colonies of the Australian continent, Their money market rules our money market,.'and when money is scarce in Australia it is difficult to be got in Masterton. When, however, the Australian squatter ia doing .well money becomes plentiful, and thescrew is relaxed here.

; The Borough Council have decided to call for tenders for puddling and cementing Mr R. K. Smith's engineering masterpiece and evidently contemplate converting it from an aqueduct into a tank and this in the face of the incandescent Hooker report! All this must be very sad for MrE. K. Smith, but it is sadder still for tho ratepayers who will have to pay the piper. The Smithites and the antiSmithites are fighting and will continue to fight, but the cost of this foolish warfare have to be paid by the burgesses, If Mr E. K. Smith has blundered the burgesses pay—evidently are expected to pay—for his mistake. Why doe's not the Council, in the interests of the town, give Mr Smith notice to pay for the puddling and cementing out'of his own pocket ? If, as we have some some reason to believe, Mr E, K, Smith has not fulfilled his legal contract with the Borough Council, that body ought not to dip its hand into the ratepayers pocket >'to make good the fault, without at least trying to recover tho loss from Mr K. K. Smith. If Mr E. K, Smith is not a millionaire and cannot be expectod to respond to such a claim, we would point out that when he has'recovered the substantial damages which he expects to obtain from us he will be in a position to pay for the cementing and puddling which now we presume is to be' debited to tho unfortunate ratepayers of Masterton,

The Licensing Election for Masterton is taking place to-day. The list of candidates as a whole is . a somewhat weak ono, and the publio are profoundly indifferent as to who goes in, or who' stays out. As we go to press votes are coming in slowly at the polling booth, and few people seem to care two pins for the result. ;

We deeply regret to hear of tile death of one of New Zealand's most honored political veterans, Mr Macandrew. He passed away suddenly at a time when tho more active labors of his long publio career are concluded, but had he been spared to the colony still longer his matured experience and excellent judgment would have still been of service to us. In the Assembly he leaves a void that cannot be filled.

The annual meeting of the Masterton Theatre Eoyal Company takes place this evening. The Masterton Cricket Club play a match to-morrow afternoon on the Oval married v single. All members are requested to roll up, aa a matoh with the Greytown Club is on tho tapis for tomorrow week on the Masterton Oval. A Railway Committee has been formed |n Pahiatua for the purpose of getting tho railway constructed whero it was originally intended, which is adjacent to tho main road, The settlers argue that they purchased .their land from the Government under the impression that it was to go there, and they are naturally very wroth at having it located a mile or tw.o away. There is trouble brewing over the affair.

At a meeting of the Wellington Meat Preserving and Bofrigorating Company held on Wednesday afternoon, Messrs J. P. Russell.and A. Matthews were reelected as Directors of the Company. The balance-sheet showed that tho liabilities of the Company wore £32,417 Ss 3d. and the chief items of the assets wero £18.948 13a lid (freehold and leasehold properties and goodwill, and cash in hand £193 14s 4d). The profit and loss account showed a loss of £204 15s Bd. Tho Chairman, Mr J, R. Blair, stated that the Directors could claim to have exercised a'large amount of care during the year, which,had -resulted in a aavinp of over £SOOO on the year's work. They had -labored all through theyearuridergreatdisadvantages having had no suitable premises to carry on the business since the old shop was destroyed by fire. They all knew that on account of monetary troubles they had been unablo to erect a building on the section of land they held. The whole business, to his mind, necdod reorganising, and unless they got a suitable building to enable them to carry on tho business on a proper basis, affairs would get worse. Even if that was done they would Btill be under a great disadvantage for the basis of the Company's operations was not wide onough, It should be extended to the freezing trade. Tho Directors had made an application to the Freezing Company for definite freezing space, but- had not as yet received any reply. Ho attributed their losses, among other causes, to the fact that their plant was not. of a more modern oharacter. He would say that the losses of the Company were caused by tho high price paid tor .tlio {Qjjp'era at the commencement of tho business, fyurinjj the last year'the amount of competition reduced the takings,of .the business dve r within the last air months'. He referred to' the probability pf aP? Ip Hyrope. He tljquidit he was alone in tainting there y.p\ild',bo no ,war. Now, if ,they ivent on .pieseWlng |o the Mi:, extent of .'.their •dpi, would have ,'to I 'give'',wie ' Jfc® alluded to the fato of thoracal sentHqb)6 ,fjO the Exhibition. They 'could ®jjt oy?n get the price of the casks, let alono the .meat. The report and balance sheet was adopted after considerable discussion.

We loam by telegram from Blenheim that Miss Georgia Smithson is meoting with great success there, having performed to a full house last evening under the patronage of the Mayor.

We draw attention to Messrs 0. Smith and Co.'b new price list in onr columns over the leader in which the bargains of their great clearing sale are enumerated'. ... Weare.roquested .by the secretary of the Tenui Joqkev Club to state that the District Race.';of 12 sovson the second dfty:ris op&n only to horses that have never : won: an• advertised race, The acceptances and' general entries for the meeting close this evening at the Club Hotel, Masterton, at nine o'clock.; Mr Jaa.' Brown, secretary of the Mas" terton-Haweia Speeial Settlement Association informs us'that he has forwarded the application with a list containing one hundred names, to the Minister of Lands for 10,000 acres of land in . the Mangatainoko block at Hawera, Applications are still being received, and a supplementary list has now been opened at the Secretary's office! The Mayor stated last evening at the .Council meeting that ho had waited on Mr Allen, in company with Or Mason, re the nuisance complained of in the Miriam stront creek. Mr Allon'had expressed himself very reasonably on the matter, and did not wish to cause any obstruction to the Council as lone as the creek was flushed and the nuisance abated. This was promised by the Mayor on behalf of the Council.

We are requested to remind our readers of Messrs Lowes and lorns'/sale at their room's to-morrow. They sbll furniture, produce, poultry, and a splendid collection' df choice pot plants ftom the wellknown nursery of Mr Collotte. The list will include gome very rare 1 and beautiful plants and should attract the attention of both professional and amateur gardeners. On tho motion of Mr. 6. Beetham, seconded bv Mr. Bunny, the Land Board resolved, " That the land adjacent to Mauriceville West be surveyed as small runs and offered to the public at an early date. That tho Government be requested to expend a sum of money for the purpose of opening up Crown lands adjacent to Mauriceville West,

Messrs Jas. Brown & Co. have received, instructions to sell by auction on Saturday March 12, seven sections of land in Fergusson's estate on tho corner of River Road and Johnßfcon-street together with a well built comfortable villa residence con-

taining five rooms with outbuildings &c' The.property is pleasantly situated and is within easy-walking distance of the Poßt Office, and will be sold as a whole or separately. Full particulars may be obtained at the auction rooms. Eight of the Masterton Vounteers left by this morning's train en route for the New Zealand Rifle . Association meeting at Ohristchurch, They were accompanied by sixteen comrades, who arrived inMasterton last evening by special coach from Woodville, The following are tlie names 'of the Masterton contingent : Color-Sergeant Dalrymple, : Sergeant Kibblewhite, Corporal MoLachlan, Vols. Anketellj Hoar, Hoffiens, Brown, and Wilton. .

Mr Von Sturmer, It,M. .addressed tlio following scathing, but well deserved remarks to a Maori defendant in a case, heard before him on Tuesday at the Car.terton Courthouse The' Court conaiders you have given your evidence in a most disgraceful manner, in endeavoring to evade the questions, and whilst I am. here, if I have any more; of it, I shall send such liko witnesses downto Wellington for imprisonment. I havo had a great many dealings with Natives,:and have never before heard one cjiveAevidenco in such. a disgraceful manner as you have douo to-day."- Observer.

Mesßra Lowes and loms sold tho privileges in connection 'with the Tenui racomeetiug at their rooms yesterday, when the competition was,good andreachj lot sold under the hammer.' ■. The-foIWV ing is a list: Gates and' horse yards, McKenzie, £36; publicans' booth, Mrs Owen, £27 ; refreshment booth, Pelling, £slos; cards, McKenzie, £5; fruit and fanoy goods and games, McKenzie, £3 2s Cd; total, £7012s- Gd. After which the firm sold a consignment of Hutfc grown fluke potatoes at £4 15s per ton, and a lot of sundries. A meeting of tho United . District Charitable Aid Board was held in Wet lington on Wednesday afternoon at which Messrs 6. Beethain, W, H. Beetham, and H. Bunny-were present to represent the Wairarapa. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Christchitrch" Charitable Aid lioard, stating tliata woman just arrived in Ohrißtchurch from Mastorton, had applied for relief. The letter also stated that the Board thought the case was one for tho Wellington' Board, and asked whether the woman should be sent to Wellington at the Wellington Board's expense, or would they prefer to contribute to her relief. Tho Secretary was instructed to obtain further information in the matter. Letters were received from! the Wairarapa North and South County Councils asking for information as to basis on which levies were made by the Board on the,. Counties.' In reference to the matter Mr H. B,unnyi moved that the meeting be adjourned (at rising) until such time as the Secretary should have time to communicate with those local bodies and obtain further information for the Board toMe'action, upon. This was Boconded by Mr' Beetham and carried i ■ -Accounts having been received' from several institutions, a discussion arose as to the manner in which the money was to be realised. It was ultimately decided, ori:the motion of Mr Bunny* that the chairman should get an overdraft from the bank, and the accounts were passed. The National Agricultural Hall at Kensington,' which has just been opened by the introduction of Olympia, the mammoth hippodrome from Paris, is one of the most wonderful buildings in London. The urea, of 440 ft in length by 170 ft in width, is covered by a span of 170 ft, and two aisles of 40ft, having leanto roofs abutting on the 'j central arch, the springings of which are supported on cast-iron columns, 1 with the novelty introduced, of." (heir' being ! piyotted at top and at bottom in their connection with the surrounding portions of the iron fabric. The roof_ is covered with zinc and glass. The artificial lighting is by gas and electricity. About 9000 Beats are. provided in the galleries and elsewhere, but under pressure 15,000 ciin.bo accommodated. Thero are a number of extensive subsidiary buildings, tho main edifice covering two and a half acres, and attached are twelve aores of pleasure gardens for recreation in summer.

-At the meeting of the Land Board yesterday, Mr',G, Beetham, pursuant to. notice,'moved.—' 1 That the Board wishes to urge on Government the desirability of surveying the Puketoi broken country' into small runs at an early date." : Mr Bunny seconded the motion, which was carried.

Typhoid fever has broken put in W.el: and is causing considerable alarm; several cases have already gone, to;the hospital and others are reported, '' The! Wellington Press are again agitating improved drainage for the city.

MrF. H. Wood's TaratahTstock.'sale yesterday was well attended, atid'iv large .amount of businesb done. .The -yard's were filled with stock of all classes. About 100 head of cattle and 700 sheep : -passed under the hammer at fair prices, the following figures being obtained.," In cattle,; a fine lot (3 pens) of speyed hereford heifers, light beef, fetched 765 : ; bullocks well forward, 60s to 75, heifers, ■ 2 : and 3. year old 30s to 60s; Cows, 37s 6d to 85; 2-year old steers 435; Yearlings, 21s to 255; Calves, lOsfid to 15s 6d; In. sheep, fat wethers brought 0s (id j'ewep, 4s 6d; store ewes, 3s Cd ; lambs in the wool, 3s I Id to 4s. About that A!3b to be given away.— To the Editor—Sir, Will you allow me through your columns to let the the Wairarapa know that I am going to sell all my Btock, consisting of men'B, youth's, and boys' clothing, shirts, hats, hosiery, &c., at a great reduction in prices up till the end of the year; and also to remind them that every one who buyß goods to the value of 2b Cd gets a ticket

in my £35 competition. Think of that! By spending 2s Gd with me; you may win money enough to carry you; for a trip round New Zealand.—John' Thorbuen, Clothier, &0., Willis at., Wellington,