The Waihato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 514, 4 September 1875, Page 2

The Waihato Times.

Equal and exact justice to ail men, Oi whateTcr state or persuasion, leligious or political, Here shall the press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

FRIDA V, SEPTEMBER 4, 1875.

The reduction of freight oa - coal conveyed over the Mercer and Auckland railway to 7s 2d per ton, will doubtless bo a boon, not only to consumers in Auckland, but to the producers, whose enterprise has hitherto been cramped by the high price of carriage, ron dcring it impossible to compete with foreign rivals. "We find from a Parliamentary return of a late date, that during the year 187-1 New Zealand imported 128,719 tons of coal, of the value of £211, C81. Seeing that this Colony possesses some of the finest coal deposits in the world, it is to be regretted that such large sums should be annually withdrawn from the country to pay for what is lying in practically inexhaustible quantities at our very doors ; and it is tolje hoped that the Government will make every possible concession consistent with the profitable working of the railways, in order to enable our own Coal Mining Companies to successfully compete with foreign shippers, and to develope the mineral resources^of the Colony. The supply of cheap fuel to the principal centres of population in the colony from our own mines will not only be attended v.itlHhe advantages of retaining capital in the country, throwing open additional branches of employment to the industrial population, and providing new channels for capital and enterprise, but it will be an immense boon to householders, and will lead to the establishment or extension of many useful industries which are cow either neglected or retarded by the high price and scarcity of fuel. But we think thi» reduction in the freight on coal . should be the preliminary step to a thorough reorganization in the tariff of railway charges. The existing scale operates most liufairly and inequitably by enabling small and profitable parcels to be carried at a comparatively low cost, while the charge upon larger parcels ,of loss weight is exorbitantly high, acd out of all proportion to their value or the profit derived from them by merchants ami tradesmen. The defect and injustice of the existing scale is tiiat it makes no proper distinction between the relative values .and weight of various classes of merchandise. In the case of drapery which is necessarily bulky, the present '•iarif? -is most oppressive, while many oilier small articles which can be conveyed in a. compact form, but upon which the profit is considerably greater, travel at a practically aorjinal -rate. It must be apparent to the merest tyro that a uniform tariff, based ojpon either weight or measurement exclusively, must give rise to many dnomalies and much injustice. In England and other count ries, a scale is adopted, based upon such considerations es the nature of the various articles, the risk, trouble and wear and tear incurred ia convej r anee, the proportionate consumption a&one of the common necessaries of life, the marketable profit derived by -tho removal to the place of destination, aud the rJ vantages of giving a preference to tho production of certain commodities as compared with o'bors. Hitherto the railways of this colony have been worked under crude rough-and-ready turifFs which have ignored the mort vital priuciples of political economy, The first aim of the Government in the conduct of the Auckland and Waikcto railway, should be the encour-ageme-nt of agriculture, stock-raising, and the development of our mineral resources. High tariffs devised upon no careful distinctions between the nature, value, and public utility of various commodities are not only evidences of a want of prudence atid enterprise, but of a positive ignorance of the ordinary principles which regulate sqpply and demand. Facilities for commerce stimulate production and- consumption in an increasing ratio. Cheap travelling, cheep postage, cheap railways, and similar institutions have had the like effect. But high and oppressive railway tariffs, instead of increasing the revenue derivable, have a contrary effect,retarding and discouraging agriculture and manufacturing industries, reducing traffic to a minimum, and making the railway an expensive luxury. We trust that when the Government has time to devote some attention to the subject, it -will devise a tariff based upon more politic and equitable principles than tho existing scale of charges, so as to enable the Waikato to derive that benefit from railway communication which it is capable of affording, and of stimulating more earnest and comprehensive efforts to open up and cultivate our immense tracts of weste lands, and develop the rich natural resources which the district has been sJie-wn to possess.

A Pjlelixmuntjlet return of the receipts of the various Road Boards for the year ending June 30, 1874, compiled from returns furnished by Provincial Auditors, gives these figures for the Province of Auckland :— Eatee collected, £13,673 15s lid ; other recoipts, £1,921 4s 5d ; Contributions by Provincial Government, £4,541 0? 9d ; Grants from General Government, £11,954 ; Total, £32,090 Is Id. The following were the totals of rates collected in. the other Provinces, not reckoning shillings and pence :— Taranaki, £1,195 • Wellington, £8,362; Hawkes Bay, £500Nelson, £3,338; Marlborough, £1,827Canterbury, £10,138; Westland, £1,401Otago, £8,000. The following were the total sums contributed in Provinses by the respective Provincial Governments :—Taranaki, £9 ; Wellington, £327 ; Hawkes Bay, £400; JN T elson, £4,530; Westland, £19Otago, £12,000; Canterbury, £115,000. Comparing the sums granted by the General Government to the Provinces in the shape of Road Board Grants it will be seen that, despite all the grumbling of the Provincialists, Auckland has been liberally dealt with. The figures are as follow -.—Auckland, £11,954 ; Taranaki, £851; Wellington, £4,843; Hawkes Bay, £1,305; Nelson, £8.883; Marlborough, £992 ; Canterbury, £9,217 ; Westland, £2,716; Otago, £13,897. The total receipts of the Provinces from rates and grants were : — Auckland, £32,000 ; Taranaki, £2,056; Wellington, £13.821; Hawke's Bay, £2,205 ; Nelson, £13,108 ; Marlborough, £2,819; Canterbury, £138,195; Westknd, £4,137; Otago, £34,247 : grand total, £242,683.

Sons of Ulster L. OX.— The regular monthly meeting o£ the bretbona of No 9, Sons of Ulster L.0.L., is announced to be held in 'the Lodgoroom, Hamilton East, at 7 o'clock to-morrow ©veuing.

Our Weekly SurpLFitENT.— We publish with this issue a most interesting supplement, containing the usual fourtoen columns of reading matter, culled from nil eourcfs to suit all ta;t"s. For farmers and agriculturalists we publish tho " Farm and Garden calendar for September," for graziers and those engaged in pastoral purfMiitß"Tho Crcadi* Cuttle Talee," and " Veterinary Items. ' Our London letter gives the main political, scientific, literary, medical, and social features of homo gossip for the month. "An old Sailor's yarn," '• A Romantic Indian Love Story," " Determined to be a Pirate," aud other stories will be periled with intorebt by readers of fiction. "A Burglar's Story," told by himself, is most sensational. Science, poetry, and "Items for tho Ladiei " (blesa 'cm) complete the contents of a most varied and readable supplement. Nakrow Escape.—- An opportune discovery was made this morning by Mrs Longbottom, in time to avort the destruction of a. valuable building and its contents. She noticed smoke issuing from under the fire-place, and suspecting that something was wrong, caused the Ibriekwork to be removed, when it was found that the planking beneath — which is 4 inches by 3—3 — was completely burned through, having apparently been smouldering for several day<3. The burning material was promptly removed, and the fire- place secured against similar risls in future, It is fortuaate that Mrs Longbottom 'observed the outbreak of the fire before it had get hold upon the building. Had it remained smouldering for another day ifc might have caused the destruction of the store ond contiguous 1:>lock of builiinga. Householders w«uld do well to avert danger by building their chimney foundations of brick, instead of wood. In the instance under notice the action of the fire had penetrated a sheet of iron and charred the joiat through, and there is no doubt that if the fire had remained unnoticed until night it would have obtained such a hold upon the 'building th&t its extinction would have been a matter of great difficulty. There is reason to believe that the fire which destroyed Mr<ifough's store occurred in this way. We trust that the hiut will be taken by householders and owners. Pkoposed Boating Clvb — A corresptnd«nr, who signs his letter " Stroke-oar " writes:— Sir, sometime ago you urged upon the young men of Hamilton the advantages of establishing a Boating Club, in order to compete with Newcastle and other townships during the forthcoming season, but up to the ])reaeut no one hai made any sign. Some time back a proposal, was sent from a Nowcastlo Club' to purchase a boat proVJd<*d the Hnmiltoniana would "move in the matter j 1 J but I have not heard that the offer was accepted. Now, sir, is it not a shame and disgrace that with a fina river running through our township, Hamilton does not possess even the ghost of a Boating Club ? Indeed cave in the one matter of Football the joung men of this place exhibit no inclination for 'any species of manly .exercise, and the fine old eporfca of tho mother country are sadly neglected, while our young mea are gro.ving up uith tastes for insipid amusements, and with tho muscles of girls. Pray, Mr editor, endeavour in that vigorous -6tvlo of yours t) revivify the half dead carcase," and recall the taste for noble, manly, and healthful exercises. Local Indusxey. — We mentioned in our last that the E. v.M. had sent an 'address to Captain Schofield to be engrossed and illuminated in Auckland, ignoring tke fact that there are gentlemen in the \V citato perfectly competent to do the work at equally _ reasonable rateo. la outadvertising colamns 'to-day there appears an announcement by Mr T H. Sinithe, of Hamilton Weat, who is prepared to execute all descriptions of engrossing and illumination on testimonials and addroeses, and the skilful and tasteful manner in which he decorated the testimonial presented to Mr Walmsley, was a proof of his proiicjency in this class of artery. We recently referred to the importance of affording all possible encouragement and support to local indnstries, and our remarks are very pertinent to the presontcase. We trust, ijow that Mr Sniilbe has taken moans to acquaint tho public with his ability to execute this class of work, he .t/ill receive the liberal patronage of those who may require his son ices. The Railway.— Wo learn that in addition to the contracts mentioned i.i our last iasuo, tho Government have let to Mr Morrissey and party of ten, the section oi the line from 10 17 to tha 11 mile peg. c:id to Mr Guultcn and party, aho numbering tan, about a mile from tho 11 mile peg. Tl.e Public Works Department sup. plies toJs without charge, but they must bi replaced in the event of breakage or lons. Work will be commenced in earnest on Monday morninp, and tho line will be pushed forward to completion as as rapidly us circumstances will allow. The Government has acted widely in returning this useful body of men lately forming the E. Y. M in tho district, as they might havo gone el&ciwhrre in search of employment, had not the contracts been'thrown open to them. R.M. CoritT, Cambridge.— At a sitting of this Court yesterday, before W. N. Seumncke, Esq., the charge against- Alexander Mackrell of stealing 12 gold rings and two rolls of ribbon, value £10, the property of John Houghton, was resumad. The prosecutor, his son, Mrs Coltman, and Robert Coltman, were examined. His Wor ship dismissed the caae. Mr Madden defended the prisoner. A full report will be published in our next. Bank of New Zealand.— The Bank of New Zealand, Cambridge, removed yesterday into their new premises, in which business will be carriod on in future. The building is an excellent one aud is admirably adapted for the business for which it has been erected. Distmct Covht. — Owing to the fact that Judge Fenton will have to preside at the sitting of the Licensing Court in Auokland on the 7th, he will not be able to hold a sitting of the District Court at Hamilton on that date. The sitting is consequently adjourned until Nov. 2nd. Ktud Hoh.3f. — The draught entire Baron Clyde passed through Hamilton on Thursday, in charge -of Mr Kirkwood, en route to -Cambridge. The horse is a bright bay, stands over sixteen hands high, and i 3 in excellent condition. Makgapiko Mill9.— We understand that a fine new ten-horse power double cylindar steam engine for Mr Marshall's Mangapiko Mills, is on the way up in the steamer Waikato, together •vritli nevr breaking-down gear. Raglan. — We observe from the printed Public Works Statement reference was made by the hon. Mr Richardson to the valua of the magnetic sands of Raglan. We trust some enterprising capitalist will make it his business to experiment upon the immense deposits of this m&gr>etie sand, the utilization of which would give an impetus to tho place that is much required. Government Gazette. — The Aurfriand Provincial Government Gazette, of September I, notifies the appointment of Mr Charles Mullion to be Keeper of the Publio Pound at Hamilton East, in the place of Mr Win. White resigned. The Tttbf. — An adjourned meeting of th Waikato Turf Club is announced to be held in the Hamilton Hotel, at seven o'clock, on Monday evening.