The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1182, 24 January 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Hero shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain

SATURDAY JANUARY 24, 1880.

If every block of land that came into the hands of the Government were as satisfactorily disposed of as the Te Pake block, on the larger portion of which Mr Vesey Stewart is about to locate a third special set. tlement, the colonisation of the North Island would be more rapidly pushed ahead. The block consists of some 25,000 acres of land, far above the average quality, and particularly suitable for settlement in moderately sized holdings. Of this the Government baa granted 15,000 acre 3 to Mr Stewart, under certain conditions, for special settlement purposes, reserving the remainder for sale in the ordinary manner. Three thousand acres of the remaining 10,000 will be a I once offered under the deferred payment clauses of the Act for the benefit of intending settlers within the colony. A village settlement block, timber, and native ! reserves, will also be set apart. The j price to be paid by Mi Stewart to the Government foy the 13,000 acres is ,£19,700, of which an instalment of £3000 has been already paid, the balance to be paid within two years. The average price is thus some twenty-six shillings per acre, six shillings an acre more than the upset price of country lands, but still not so much but that Mr Stewart will easily be able to dispose of it at home to the right class of settlers — men with both capital and experience. Muoh of the land, fully half, is represented to be worth two pounds per acre ; bnt if the Government could possibly have made more money out of the block by putting it up to auction ii? the usual way, ! they will, by acting as they have done, have gained far more, indirectly, by the enhanced value which the special settlement will give to the adjacent lands (for they will shortly have land open for sale on either side of it), and by ensuring the bona fide settlement of so large an area, Mr Stewart is bound by his conditions to introduce at least one immigrant for every 78 acres. In the case of the proposed Broomhall settlement we most emphatically protested against thegrant of large tracts of country to mere speculators, where not even was there not a fair price paid for the land, but no material guarantee was afforded that the work of bona fide settlement would be carried out, and where too there was no provision made for those within the colony, who had perhaps been looking- forward for years to the opening of the particular block in question vrith a view to purchase and settlement. In reserving two-fifths of the Te Puke block in their own hands the Government have done away with the latter objection, while, as regards the former, not only is a fair price obtained and a sufficient guarantee given to comply with certain stringent conditions of settlement, but in Mr Stewarts No. 1 and No. 2 special settlements, located in the same district, the colony has the best of all guarantees of his action in the future. Whatever may have been the trials and difficulties which interfered with the

progress of the No. 1 Kafcikafci settlement in its earlier days, or the causes which led to thorn, there cap be no doubt of its present prosperity, nor of the marked success which has followed the location of the No. 2 settlement. If wo wish for an authentic account of the progress of No. 1 special settlement, we have only to tnrn to the leprrt furnished by the Crown Lands Ranger, and printed in the Parliamentary papers for 1878, H— lo, to find that it lias been a mos* successful one. The thirty-five holdings reported upon vary in size from 80 acres to 3000 acre?, comprising altogether 5600 ncres. Of this a gross amount of 1581£ acres is laid down in grass, the ( smallest quantity in any one holding being 15 acres, the largest 150 acres, but all have more or less land in grass. So, too, nearly all have moie or less of cereal or root crops, from a single acre in the lowest case, up to 41 acfes in the highest. Altogether they had 299J acres under such crops, and 28 acres planted in orchards, while no less than 3529 forest trees had been planted in the settlement. If we look ab the live stock owned by theso settlers we shall have tarther evidence of their prosperity. Here, too, we we find more or less live stock of various kinds on each holding. Altogether there were in the settlement, at the end of 1878, 102 head of horses and 521 head of horned cattle. On four holdings only had the occupiers commenced sheep farming, the nnmber owned altogether being 600. The houses were nearly all of weatherboard, and a considerable area, 629 acres altogether, was substantially fenced in. Considering that these settlers only arrived in Auckland in November 1875, it must be admitted that those who held on to their land have had no reason to complain. We very much doubt if any similar number of holdings on any bush block in the colony, settled by small capitalists, has as good a report to make cf itself in the same period of time. Mr Carleton H. Hill, the Crown Lands Ranger, may well say, in concluding his report, "1 waa agreeably surprised to find the district progressing so rapidly, and the settlers bo prosperous and hopeful." Elsewhere, he says, " They were all apparently happy and quite content | with their future prospects. I did ! not hear a single complaint — indeed, ; quite the reverse — perfectly satisfied with the district, and spoke in the highest terras of Mr Stewart." The above statistics and remarks, as we have before said, refer to the No. 1, or original Katikati settlej ment. At the timo that report was made, little more than a year ago, the second party of settlers had been but a very short time upon their land. Mr Bill, however, incidentally refers to these in the report when he says, "Although it does not come within the limits of my present report, I take the liberty of stating, for the information of the board, that several of the last body of settlers (No. 2 as they are termed) are busily engaged clearing and ploughing their lands and erecting houses, some of them of a very substantial character. Those of these settlers I met expressed them* selves well pleased with New Zealand, the district they have cast their lot in, and the lands they have settled upon." Since this report was written No. 2 settlement has progressed wonderfully, and in far greater ratio than its predecessor. j This, however, is easily to be accounted for. In the second party there were a far lavger number of men of means, and not a few with | considerable agricultural experience, and it is from persons of this class principally that Mr Stewart will seek to make up his No. 3 party. The circumstances of the rural population ac home are eminently favourable to such an undertaking at the present time. Formerly, it was the labourer who sought refuge from low wages and poverty in the j colonial paradise of eight hours I work, eight hours sleep, eisfht hours I play, and eight shillings a day — now, it is the farmers themselves with capital to farm, but with no safe I investment in farming at home tor j that capital, who seek new fields for their enterprise. With the success ! of the previous settlements an accomplished fact, with his own character and influence at home, with the minds of numbers ot would-be immigrants turned to the colonies as the- only outlet for them, and with so fine a block of land to take up, Mr Stewarts No. 3 special ssttlement cannot fail to be even more successful than the other two, for the blame will be his only, if, with such a selection as he will be able to make, he brings out any but thoroughly practical men with ample means, and in every way suitable for the life before them.

Vincent and' "Weight's Pottery "WoekSj a mile and a half out of Hamilton beyond Mason's nursery ground, are well worth a visit, and especially at the present time, when the firm are completing some very handsome specimens of terra cotta work for the forthcoming Melbourne Exhibition. These consist of a number of handsome vases on ornamented pedestals standing from two and a half to nearly five feet in hight These vases are of ditferent designs of more or less local character, for though we noticed the acanthus leaf fignres largely on most of them, on some of them were sprays and wreaths of the karaka and berries, and of the New Zealand cedar also. The ornimentation is designed by Mr Wright, senior, and parties ordering vases could indicate what pattern of leaves, flowers, or fruit or other mountings they chose for decoration of vases or other terra eotta work. Two of these vases will be taken into Hamilton to-day, and be on exhibition this evening in the store of

Mr N. R. Cox. Waikato may well be proud of these works of art sent from a. local manufactory to the Melbourne" Exhibition, for nothing to compete with them can possibly be sent from elsewhere in the colony, as only on the one ridge, on Dr. Carys estate, has day suitable for the purpose been yet found*. During the last twelve or eighteen months Messrs. "Wright and Vincent have erected extensive workshops and drying houses and are now about to build a second kiln and, devote a considerable amount of attinteon to pottery manufacture, making only bricks lor their own use, but continuing still the manufacture of drain pipes and oulvcrt pipes of all sizes and patterns. We noticed an oi.g the stock some very handsome chimney tops, made to the order of Mr Hindle, now in England; also very beautifully designed and ornamented water jugs and coolers, preserve jars in large quantity, tea pots and other articles of domestio use. Indeed, if local dealers would give this local mftnufactbriug'firm encouragement and supply themselves from it instead of from Auckland, they would save much in freight and and breakage, and we should see a very superior article in tho market.

A Ball will be hold in the Oddfellow s Hall, Hamilton, on the 6th proximo, on the occasion of the opening of the new buildings. Tho Hall is 82 by 32 feet, and is capabl" of seating 500 people, and is a great credit to the society.

His G-ra.os Abohbishop Steins was a passenger on Thursday by the Albion to Gisborne, where he will consecrate a new church recently erected by the faithful in that place.

Pedkibee Seed Wheat.— A telegram from Chriatchurch states that a notice of white and red wheat grown by Mr G. H. Mold, of Ashford, Kent, England, some weeks ago, attracted the attention of Mr Solomon Lloyd, ' farmer, Myorett, Victoria, who has written to Mr Murphy, Secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, asking that means may be taken to have a small quantity of each kind procured from him at any cost, with the view of inducing* the importation of wheat iuto Victoria, and Mr Murphy has transferred the impression of the woodcut of the ripe grain received by him from Mr Mold, < and, adding all particulars to hand, has forwarded them to the large vheat-giowers throughout New Zealand. As soon as a sufficient number of orders are received, the Association will at once communicate with Mr Mold.

Assets Nil. — In the case of Vizard, a bankrupt, the following remarks are reported as haying been used by Judge Gillies : — " His Honor : I have something to say in regard to this case, and in regard to such cases generally. I see that the bankrupt, in the statement of his assets has nothing — that his estate is nil. My attention has been called to this circumstance, and I have carefully examined the provisions of the Act in respect of such fact where it occurs. I am clearly of opinion that the Act was never intended to apply where the debtor has no assets. The whole machinery of the Act is intended to provide not only for the relief of the debtor, but for the equal division of his estate among his creditors. Where the debtor has no estate to bo divided it is a solemn farce to have trustees appointed, meetings of creditors where there is nothing to be divided. There is no reason for an individual in such a position coming to this Court for reli9f . His person is proteoted by law ; he oannot be touched by any of the creditors. He has no estate that can be touched, and no one creditor can have advantage over another, because there is nothing to be got out of the estate. I therefore see no reason why a person should come before this Court for relief. The law has proteoted him by preventing him from being imprisoned, and he has protected himself by having no assets. In such circuinstanqes, I am of opinion that the Act does not apply. I shall not in this case, or in the other cases of the kind that may be brought before me to-day, act on this opinion. I shall grant the discharge where it is proper, in accordance with previous practice — which practice, however, I think has been erroneous. But lam very clear that the opinion I have just expressed is the correct one, and I may intimate that in future I will act on the principle set forth in it there are no assets in a bankrupt's estate I shall hold that the Act was never intended for such cases, and I shall not grant any discharge."

The following habits and character of the whitefish, the ova of which have been just introduced into New Zealand may be interesting to our readers :— The whitefish (Coregomis alba) is indigenous in the Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior, Northern States of Amerioa (United States). The fish has been acclimatised in various other American lakes, among others in Lakes Tahoe, Tulare, San Leandro, which are at least as warm as Lake Taupo in this island ; probably their temperature is even higher than that of the latter. The whitefish is described as the most valuable of all fresh water fish, ranking as a food fish above every other variety; it is extieniely delicate in flavour, and grows to an average of one foot to eighteen inches in length, and to a weight of a pound and a-half to two pounds. Thoy take bait freely, and are caught in nets. They aro essentially lake fish, and will thrive anywhere if the water is deep enough and has a current running through it, and the bottom is sandy and gravelly. Their food consists of the small crustaoea adhering to the rocks and stones in fresh water lakes.

Pedigebe Cattle. — It is pleasing to hear of importations of other than pedigree shorthorns into this part of New Zealand. There is great room for roiproTement in the breod of our dairy cattle in a country where everything has been systematically sacrificed for beef. We trust soon to chronicle the importation of cattle of the Jersey breed, so highly prized by American dairy farmers. As an installment of better things, we may mention that the a.s. Albion, which arrived in Auckland from Sydney on Wednesday, brought over four valuable animals of the Alderney breed, viz., cow and calf, two heifers and a bull. The beasts were bred by the Hon. J. Cr. Francis, Victoria, from stock imported by the late Hon. Mr Wilson, and were exhibited at the Sydney International Exhibition, and were awarded three firstclass prizes and one second. The animals are imported by and are the property of Mr Winthrop, formerly Lieutenant in the 20th Eegiment of Foot, and who intends to settle in the Auckland district. For the present they are being depastured on the Surrey Hills Kstate, and persons fond of seeing wellbred cattle of the Alderney breed, celebrated for their rich butter-producing qualities, should take an opportunfty, says the Herald, of inspecting them in the course of a few days, when recovered from the effects of the voyage. The bull Melbourne is out of the imported cow Argus, and took the first prize in its class at the late Sydney Exhibition.

Hamilton West District School -will open on Monday next, the 26th inst. The monthly meeting of school committee will take place this evening 1 . Tenders for the erection of a fourroomed houso (labour only), in Hamilton West will be received till Thursday next. Plans &c. may be seen at the store of Mr N. K. Cox.

Punchinello. — The youth of Hamilton "was wrought to a considerable state of excitement yesterday by the appearance of a large canvas structure erected on the spare ground alongside the Hamilton Hotel,

bearing on its front tho pictorial representations of the interior wonders, and -numerous were the questions as to when the performance would take place. It was opened last evening 1 , and there w~s a fair attendance though not near ao large as there probably will be to-night, when the fact that the performance is open has been duly notified. The show will remain on the same spot till Tuesday, when it will be removed to East Hamilton, leaving for Ngaruawahia on Wednesday. There is an afternoon performance each day at 4 o'clock.

S. Peteu's Church — The Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Services "will be held at this Church on Sunday next, February 1. — Hours of service 8, 11 and 7. All donations of grain and fruit would be most gratefully accepted a few days beforehand. The offertories will be devoted to the repairs and alterations incurred by the cutting down of the Church site. On the following 1 Tuesday, February 3rd, will be held the Organ Recital, or selections of sacred music by the Choir and New Members of the Band, commencing at 7.30., the admission will be only Is., as it is partioulary hoped that the Church may be quite full, as an encouragement to the Choir in the efforts to cultivate a taste for sacred music.

New Missiles op "Wae.—Experiments, the tiahd lubllc of Lyons says, are proceeding at present ia several fortified places, and particularly at Grenoble, to test the new engine of war, the "firebells," invented by Lamarre. 'I hey are projectiles of a special character, intended to enable a besieged garrison to acquaint itself with the enemy's entrenchments and batteries, the work on which is never carried on except under cover of darkness. These missiles, which ignite soon after leaving the muzzle of the cannon, are thrown towards the spot where it is siispecfed that the hostile constructions are being carried out, and burn with great intensity for some time, emitting the while a brilliant light, which serves to direct the aim of the guns intended to effect the destruction of the earthworks, &c. Iheso curious weapons, moreover, contain grenades, exploding at irregular intervals, by which means the opposing troops, who seek to extinguish the light, are kept at a respectable distance. It is now sought to determine the probable certainty of direction and extent of trajectory of the new invention.

Bachblder's Pantascope Combination Company have been doing a- good business in Alexandra during the early part of this week. They appear this evening at Te Awamutu, and on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Cambridge.

L.O.L. —The usual monthly meeting of the Sons of Ulster Lodge will take place at the Victoria Hall, on Thursday evening. ,

The Fire at East Hamilton.—No fresh light has been thrown on the origin of the lire at Mr Swarm's blacksmith and wheelwright's shop, which occurred just as we were going to press on Thursday morning. It was with difficulty that Mr and Mrs White escaped from the dwelling, very little being saved. Mrs White was insured for £75 in the New Zealand office, but we regret to say that Mr Swarm's insurance is below the value of the property destroyed. There were a very complete | set of blacksmiths' and wheelwrights' tools and appliances on the premises, and a large stock of seasoned material; also, j a buggy and a new wagon. These were all destroyed, while the only insurances—both in the New Zealand office —were one of £120 on premises and one of £100 on the stock Mr Swarm estimates his loss at fully £600, The fire broke out in Mr Swarm's building, and had not yet roached to Mrs White's four-roomed cottage alongside when Police Constable Murray arrived on the spot, but owing to the intense heat from the burning workshop and no other assistance arriving in time he waß unable to take any measures to avert the spread of the fire, but directed his attention to save what he could of Mrs White's goods. Mr Swarm, it appears passed the building as late as 11 o'clock on Wednesday night, when all appeared secure, and Constable Murray on his way home at midnight in passing the building noticed nothing suspicious.

Waikato Thames Bailway Contract. —Ths following tendors wore reoeived for the above Coutvaot ;—Accepted: Hunt and White, Auckland, £9,930. Declined; James Coate.s £10,519; J. B. Boss, £10,588 ; P. Leggit, Hamilton, £10,832 ; J. G. Smith, Wgaruawhia, £11,002 ; W. Femgh, £11,423; John Heath and Co., Newton. £ll,7o3; Eobert Farroll, Onehunga, £11,980 ; William Camerou, Auodand, £.13,7-13: Britton and Glendinning, 12,2d0

The Oriental Exhibition will open in Lo (^uesno's Hall on Wedueaday next. Whorever it has been open it has attracted large numbers of persons, and were money more plentiful in Waikato it would, doubtless, do as well here.

Tub Annual Meeting for the election of School Committees, for the Hamilton Bast, and Hamilton West districts, will be held on Monday next.

\ Meeting of the Cambridge Troop of Volunteer Cavalry will be held in the Public and Volunteer Hall this evening at six o'clock. At the judging of the wool exhibits at the Sydney International Exhibition, the following commendationti and prizes were awarded to New Zealand competitors: — In the class for rams' hogget fleeces, D. McNicol, of Auckland, only exhibitor, highly commended for exhibit Lincoln wool. In class ior ewes' fleece', James Wallace. Auckland, obtained first prize for a lot oE Lincoln wool. Charles Keed, of Auckland, was unfortunately excluded from competing 1 in this class, as the days' growth of his wool had not been stated. For ewes' hogget floeces, Charles Reed, Auckland, obtained the first prize for a lot of Leceister wool. Auckland, it thus appears, secures all the honours awarded to this colony in the above department. There will be no service at the Hamilton East on Sunday next, owing to the absence from home of the Eev. H. S. Davies, and the absence until evening of the Rev. William Calder, who, as our list of services shows,holds services at Huntley Taupari, Ngaruawahia & Whattawhatta, tefore being at S. Peter's at 7. The New York Herald, speaking of Mr Parnell's schemes, says: —" If MrParnell could carry out his crazy programme mud cabins would bo as numerous in ten years hence in Ireland as they were in 1841. What we say, therefore, to the Irish in the United States is, not to give one cent, for Mr Parnell and his crowd, but millions to help emigration to this country. Here is work, good wages, no landlords, no baliffs. But let us have no Fenian nonsense ; no propositions to free Ireland by processions three thousand miles off. That does no good. It only fills adventurers' and demagogues' pockets. No probability exists of Irish-Americans contributing any considerable &iun to Mr Parnell's aid."

The Wahiate Plains—The correspondent of the Herald, telegraphing from Now Plymouth says:—The Government take possession of the Waimate Plains at once, and have had distributed amongst tho natives printed notices to that effect. The Government have decided that a Commission shall hear only the complaint of any native which he may have to make as to individual titles to any land, but any question relating to the confiscation will not bo listened to,