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Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 57, 10 September 1872, Page 2

It is to be regretted that the Boards of t7ie different townships on the Wavkato ami Waipa have neglected tlie planting of trees on the banks of their respective rivers. The banks of both rivers are composed of loose soil and are washed away more or less by each flood, thus extending the beds of the rivers, and in consequence narrowing the channel for navigation : this is the most important consideration, but there are others wh'ch should have due weight with the local authorities. In the first place trees add greatly to the appearance of a settlement, they alford shelter for the children and those of the inhabitants who can spare the time to rest from their labours during the heat of the summer days. We trust that this matter will have the early consideration of all the Boards in tho district. The cost of planting would not be great compared with the advantages pointed out above.

Tenders sire invited from persons willing to lease the 'Ferry, at Hamilton for the next twelve months. The i'eri-y is now in first rate working order so that tenderers..need have little fear of having any repairs to exaoute during the term. 1 . ' .

liV W despatch to Lord Kimherley, Sir G-. Bowen thus refers to the Native Minister:—"On previous occasions I have borne my testimony to the great advantage which Mr. McLean enjoys in his dealings with the Maoris from his knowledge of their character, feelings, and language, and above all from his proved sympathy with them, which has secured their confidence. I need scarcely say that Ido not make those remarks in the interest of any political parly ; indeed their truth would be admitted on all sides."

The Oamaru Times, in a recent issue has the following amusing bit anent a " skilled" witness in a recent court ease in tit at town : —" Counsel: So you call yourself a practical architect ? Witness : Yes, I do. Counsel: Now, tell me what is an equilateral triangle"? Witness : It is a square. Counsel: What is the difference, between a rhomboid and a mi Lateral circle ? Witness : That has nothing to do with the ease. Counsel: Do you know anything of.agricul-, ture? .Witness: Yes.! Counsel: Then, what is the proper "kind of soil in which rhomboids grow best P Witness: A light loamy soil. Counsel: Do you think in Akaroa guano would improve their growth ? Witness: No? they always throw a taproot in ground too heavily manured; those with lateral roots always grow best. Counsel: Have you ever grown any ? Witness: No ; but Mr. Derrctt exhibited a few at the last agricultural show, for which he took a prize; he did not use manure. Counsel: You can go down.

The Hawfofs Bay Herald thus comments on the contemplated change of the Seat of Government: —■ "There appears to be some truth in the rumour that the next sessiou of Parliament is likely to be held in Christchurch, and that the General Government favour the proposal. The expense of moving it to Dunedin last year was estimated at £3000. Double that sum, however, would we imagine. be nearer the mark, but, as a set-off, there is the fact that the Christchurch papers would probably repo; t the debates fully, and "tenders being called for, a contract might be entered into with one or other of them for the publication of tl\e "Hansard" and other papers, by which the expenses of the printing department might be considerably reduced. An itinerant Parliament is an institution to which there are many and strong objections, and the only cause which would render it possible that such a proposal should be listened to with favour would be the obvious and blaring unfitness of the town now selected as its permanent seat. This unfitness is, indeed, becoming more unmistakable every year. There ;s no town in the colony in which the public men, the press, and the whole population apparently, are so thoroughly immersed in purely selfish, or, at least, purely°local considerations, to the exclusion of all others, as Wellington. It would be no trifling compensation, we conceive, for many of the disadvantages that would necessarily attend the removal of Parliament to Christchurch, that the proceedings of the session would be reported and commented upon as they took place, by high-toned, ably conducted journals such as the Lyttelton Times and the Canterbury Prosinstead of mediocre and venal ones, such as the Independent and the Post.

We find the following sensible suggestions in a late English paper Every springy farmer? lose cows by turning them upon young clorer before they hare become accustomed to suck succulent food.' Let them heed these five rules: 1. Never put any tiling into fresh clover on an empty stomach. 2. Never when thp grass is wet. 3. Never put them in when the weather is changing from warm to cold. 4. Do hot give them anv salt for at least 24 hours before putting them in the first time. 5. Do not let them remain in more than 50 minutes the first time, after which they mav rim wet or dry with perfect safety.