ON ALL THINGS IN GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 808, 21 August 1877, Page 3

ON ALL THINGS IN GENERAL.

H lß) _Are we floating South, or, has the South Pole broken from its anchor, and is now drifting toward? our shores, ia a question we mighfc well ask ourselves; the severe frosts of July have followed us into August, and we are ready to cry, enough. The effect of tihe weather has heen much felt in this district, and farmers will -find that they must, in future, make greater provision for winter ing Btook, that is, in saving more hay, and growing larger quantities of roob cropß, and, also in erecting sheds, and raising belts of trees for shelter and protection from sev«re weather. With the many nurseries in Auckland and the Waikato, and the facilities given to farmers to supply temselyes, there can be no excuse for 'them in nob planting largely, both orchards and belts, and clump? of forest trees. It; is really disgraceful that we should import such large quantities of fruit and jam each year, and a lot of money be sent out of the country, which could be kept at home. Referring to forest trees, these would not only shelter our stock now, and enhance the value of our farms,; but would, in the future, supply us with firewood and material for fencing and building. We are badly off for timber, of all kinds, and, if you are instrumental in assisting the introduction of this article into the district! over the Thames and Waipa Railway, by your noble efforts, through your column*, you will deserve the thanks of the entire community. I do hope you will .continue, and that Highway Boards and public meetings will keep up an inoeesant fire of petitions and resolutions on the Government, and compel them to yield to public opinion, and open up a large tract of country for settlement, give us an additional market for our stock, and, in return, supply us with oheap timber for all purpose3. We have long been expecting this by the KaiparaPu»iu Bailway. When will we be served ? Even when the road is finished, I fear the rates of freight 'will 'be prohibitory. I do not wish to air my opiiiins'on railways, in general, but, from the experienced' gained in other countries, I can say that such roads, built and worked by a Government;, will not pay as well, nor serve the public as well aB when in tbe hands of a privato company—everything done in connection therewith is too expensively managed. In my opinion, the State Bhould aid private companies by a liberal subsidy, either with a cash bonus per mile on roads to be made through settled country which, in America, is generally supplemented by another bonus given by the looal authorities of the districts deriving benefit ; and by granting tracts of land, where the country is to le opened up, along one side of the line, compelling the Company to sell their lands to actual settlers in modecate areas and at fixed priceß But while we are advocating th e* opening up of new territory, we shou'd not forget that we have along the Waipa river a Wee area of land partly settled by an induatrious community who have a direct claim upon thegovernment of the country • I Sieve many of the settlers between Ncaruawahia and Alexandra wor e induced to locate there on the reprobation of the authorities, that the country would he opened up by suitable roads! Has faith been kept with those who ventured into the interior ? Will the Goje rnment nwist the Btruggling Highway Boards to open up a main road, or will it point to the County Council ? What has been done for the Harapipi and BajM dwtriots, now partly settled? No doubb these also have their claims. I might here add that a portion of the proceedings at the annual meeting of Manaapiko -district, held at Pate rang 1, waß incorrecly reported It was p r onoßed and seconded that the member B of ?he County Oour.il for this dis.net t be relieved of their pledge to o-<pq*e he OSes Act bdnj? brought into force but before this motion could be put, tne meeting "separated. This question had there be another meeting at '«"•"» - ont hVand otner impoyW* eub,eofc B .-