The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1190, 12 February 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1880.

We need make no apology for returning again to the question of land purchase and land settlement, for it is fit the foundation of the welfare and prosperity of the colony. Indeed, our recent remarks have drawn forth from a large landed proprietor, one of the class whom it delights some to designate as " land sharks,' 1 a statement of what his wishes and intentions have been in the noutter of acquiring land in consideiable quantity. He is the owner of both freehold and native leasehold, over which he baa a right to purchasp,and is only waiting to complete the latter arrangement, which is always a matter of considerable delay and difficulty to offer a very considerable portion of his estate on liberal building sooietye principles, and at sac'\ prices only as will pay him for his trouble and actual cost. And this is what the purchase of land in large blocks, by individuals must come to. There is no other use to which its owner, in this part of the country at least, where there is little or no natural grass, can pub it. To break it up, fenoe and cultivate it themselves requires an amount of capital which few men possess, and is simply a matter of impossibility without a bank at their back. Nor, indeed, is the venture worth the risk, for, just as it is easier in the one instance for the individual capitalist to acquire the native land, so is it more difficult foi him afterwards to put it to use by cultivation. Land cannot be purchased cheaply or easily from the native in small blocks, nor can it be reclaimed cheaply or easily by single individuals. The subdivison ot work of the one, is required to supplement the undivided money power of the other, to make the united work of pnrchase and settlement a success. And those who cry out against this natural consequence and law, raising an howl of monopoly, not only do so needlessly, but harmfully. None would regret more than ourselves to see the land held by a class of wealthy land owners, while the bulk of the people were either their teaanfcs cr landless. Such a state of things cannot occur in New Zealand where the making of the laws lies in the hands of the people, and the political institutions are the freest in the world. To refer to the sUte of the land question in Great Britain and declare that we aro drifting, or can possibly drift, into the same state of things here is simply absurd. There the tendency is to add house to house and acre to acre. Here it goes iv the very opposite diiection, that of disintegration. The absence of the law of primogeniture in the Colony is of itself a bar to the maintenance of large estates. Bat independently of that, the value of money is too great, the outlets to which it may be applied with large profits are too numerous to induce men to allow their capital to lie long idle in such speculations, and more than that, even, there is always the probability that such a course, if it would pay, mi^ht be rendered impossible by direct taxation, which would render it necesssary to put such land to profitable use, to enable it to bear the impost. There is scarce a week but our telegraphic coiumns contain the information that some large block has been cut up and offered tor sale ou deferred payments of some kind, and this state of things will increase with the demand. What is wanted is to bring such portion of the raillions of acres of land now held by the natives, as is not required for their own use, into a state which wiil be of value to the Colony, contributing to its producing wealth and bearing its share of the general colonial indebted oess. As it is, we have to provide the interest and sinking fnnd of a considerable national deb e , from the produce and tax producing capabilities of a mere fraction of the land of the North Island, and it matters i>ot whether these millions of acres which now lie un roductively idle, and escape their share of provision for the general liabilities of the Colony, pa^s in the first instance into the hand # s of a few or of many individuals. Let us get them out of the limbo of uselessness or non-production. That should be our first consideration, and we may then provide suitable measures, if necessary, for enforcing the maximum roturn of profit to the State from thorn by bond fide occupation and settlement. But there would be little need to force those who, like our correspondent referred to above, like Captain Colbeck in

the North, and others, can see where the real profit on land purchase alone is to be found. And in connection wi*h the purchase of native lands thore is a matter to which the caso referred to brings us; and that is» the large areas of land already leased to Europeans by natives, and which the latter would sell to them if not interfered with by legislative enactments. These lands are by the action of proclamations issued under Orders-in-Council literally locked up from possibility of settlement — such settlement as that most desirable by men holding from 50 to 500 acres of their own freehold. These leased lands bring little to the natives, and unimproved are valueless to the tenants, and produce nothing to the State. The tenure will not justify the tenant to improve such where, as is generally the case, they have freehold land of their own adjoining. Consequently, those native leaseholds form an insurmountable bar to improvement and settlement. There is much land so held in the immediate outskirts of Waikato, where, if it were possible for the leaseholder to change his title to a freehold he would be in a position and only too glad to open the land for bond fide settlement on terms vhich would be advantageous both to himself and to intending settlers of limited capital, who do not care to purchase the somewhat indifferent land which the Government by its land purchase arrangements has acquired from the natives ; and who cannot themselves, either from want of the neca«?sary experience or a sufficiency of capital enter into competition with othersin purchasing direct from the natives ; for it is a well-known fact that negotiations for the purchase of small pieces of land from the native owners are attended with as much trouble, delay, and exercise of patience and skill, and wich a largei proportionate expense than those for the acquirement of a whole tract which wonld embrace twenty or perhaps double the number of the smaller sections. A block of twenty thousand acres may require the signatures of twenty or fifty, or even a hundred natives interested in it before the purchase can bo completed, and a block of five hundred acres or even less may require just as many signatures to its deed as the other. As a mattor of fact we know of an instance in the Tauranga district where this proved to be the case.

Omens are not wanting tending to ind:cate a rupture, at no great distance of time, between England and Russia. Such a rupture would inevitably culminate in a general European war, and we colonists, though far distant from the scene of action, must of necessity expect our share of the evil effects thereof. The danger to which the colonies would be mo3t exposed, consequent on England entering into a war with a European power possessing a navy — and all do to a lesser or great extent — would be from the visits of hostile cruisers, which, escaping the observation of our cruisers, would dodge in and out of our harbours — unprotected as they all are — levy black mail, and, Jiaving bled the inhabitants, depart to turn up in some other port. That any attempt to seize New Zealand as a possession would be attempted by any nation we do not for a moment imagine, but inconceivable damage might be done by even a single cruiser pursuing such a course as we have indicated. The visit of Colouel Scratchley, R,E. at this period, when, as we say, things are looking " ugly " in England, is most opportune. He has, within the last few weeks, visited all the principal ports of both North and Middle Islands, and is now in Auckland continuing his inspection. The problem of harbour defence is a difficult one | doubtless, and oue perhaps the difficulties of which are not realised by the public generally. Most people fancy that to defend a port, all that is necessary is the placing in commanding sites a certain number — more or loss — of guns. This done, the idea seems to prevail that nothing further is required but a Micawber-like patience, ana watching for an enemy to turn up. A scare, it will be remembered, arose some two years ago, consequent on the ugly look of things on the Continent, and, acting on the scare the Government ordered heavy ordnance from England, and arranged with Colonel dcratchley to report on the question of harbour defence generally. Owing to prior engagements that officer, however, could nut at the time giye his at- I tention to this colony, and it is only some six weeks ago that he arrived here, since when he has been busy inspecting the various harbours, and will probably before long present the result of his observations in the form of a Report to the Government. In order to know the general tenor of his recommendations it is, however, scarcely necessary to wait for his official lieporc, for enough has fallen irom him, and been published to enab'e a reliable estimate of theji to be fiamed by the public. By a southern contemporary we learn that with regard to two ot the chief ports of the i*liddle la'and, Lytteltoa and the Bluff, he has found that the work of defence is not so eaay as the good folks of those places fondly imagined ; and with regard to the third, Dunedio, that while the danger of attack from the direction of Port Chalmers is small it will be absolutely necessary to provide fo? defence against danger from off the Ocean Beach. To detend Donedin

he recommends the erection of battories on the cliffs on the Ocean side to protect the city as well as inside the heads to command the entrance. Coming nfaarer home we find that Colonel Soratchley began his inspection of Auckland harbour on Monday last, having on his first visit, some six weeks ago, been over the coast line He is of opinion, we understand, that the scheme of defence of Auckland harboar is a very simple one. It is thought that he will recommend the erection of a battery at the North Head ; another at Orakei Point, the organisation of a field force, and that some torpedo boats should be provided. With regard to tbe organisation of a permanent field force, Colonel Scratch ley at his inspection of the Volunteers in Auckland on Monday evening is reported to have expressed his views as follows :— " What I want in Auckland is — men to man guns, a field force of about 500 men, including a small troop of moanted men, and the remainder as a battallion of infautry. My object is to abolish the present system of numerous small companies clothed in different uniforms, and have (say) four companies of 100 or 120 men each, forming a battalion under one commander. I have no objection to each company having its distinctive name, to maintain the tspnt de corps, bat it is absolutely uecessary to do away with the variety of uniforms. To train such > a force to act in unison it should be periodically brigaded in some convenient camp, and exercised in all Che movements which might be necessary in the event of an attack. At other times the alarm should be given, the Artillery and Naval brigade obliged to man the batteries at short notice, and the field force to parade at some appointed rendezvous. It would also be necessary to supply one or more steam launches, and to maintain a small skeleton force permanently at the outer batteries." W« may assume that batteries, torpedoes, and torpedo launches, ai*3 to be the chief methods of defence for the New Zealand posts. Such beiog the cuse, the question naturally presents itself, is the Voluuteer Foice adequate for the management, of these defences ? and if not adequate, is it to be developed so that it may be relied upon, or are we to supplement the Volunteer Force by a separaie organisation ? We are not now all ad ing simply to the Auckland defences, or the Auckland Volunteers. but are regarding tho whota question from a colonial stand-point. The heavy guns reqairo special skill of manipulation which can only be attained by careful practice and heavy expenditure of ammunition. As is very well set forth by the pres* of the Middle Island " without technical mastery, torpedoes are worse than useless, and toipedo launches must be in the Lmnds of men of special daring and hardihood as well as of great expertness iv the management of boats and torpedoes." How are we to command this exceptional courage and this especial double skill so as to have them at all times available? This is a great question which the public mind must be prepared to settle promi tly once and for all. Tf that question, is shelved, we may in the language of a Southern contempory, " as well have guns of wood and painted effigies of boats or models such as adorn the Board rooms of shipping companies offices". Without men of the necessary training, guns, torpedoes, and torpedo launches will avail nothing.

In our last issue we referred to the matter of the Hamilton Pnnt as being unsettled, while great inconvenience was being felt by the lesidents both of Whatawhata and Pukete, at the want of suitable means for crossing the rivers at those places. We are glad to see from our report of the meeting of the Waipa County Council, held on Tuesday, that action is being taken in the matter. It has been decided to remove the punt at Hamilton to Whatawhata, and to see what arrangements can be made with the Hamilton and Kirikiriroa Road Boards, with a viewto placing the Whatawhata punt at Pukete. The county has bden charged with the maintenance of quite its share of ferries, and the result has generally been a loss. The Council can therefore hardly be blamed, if in this instance they manifest a desire to shift a portion of the burden thrown upon them. In the interests of the residents at Pukete, who have been sadly put about for the want of some efficient means of crossing the river, it is to be hoped that an arrangement whereby they will have the use of the punt, may be speedily arrived at.

We learn that MrSeddon has instituted an action against the Borough Council for alleged damage to property caused by the ombankment on the west side of the bridge. Damages are laid at £100. To show that the Government are not asleep, and mean what they say regarding the road to Rotorua we may mention that, acting under instructions from the District ' ngineer, Mr Stewa t, C.E., Mr R, E. M. Campbell proceeds to-day to Ta Papa with a view of arranging with the natives for the opening of the Cambridge and Rotorua Road via. Ta Papa.

Mb Tmaus Behey Russell, eldest son of Thomas Russell, Ksq, 0.M.G., has passed " first-class in honours" at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Special harvest services will bo held at St Andrew's, Cambridge, on Sundaynext as per advertisement. The Hey. l d. Oomins, of the Melanesian Mission will paeach at both services. The Holy Communion will be administered, and the offertory will be in aid of the building fund of the new church.

Cambridge is steadily increasing the number of its buildings. The latest additions consist o* a suite of offices now being erected by Mr Hewett, opposite the Criterion Hotel, which, when completed, will add considerably to the ap- ( pearancc of Duke-street. The Messrs

Grace, native agents, have secured one of the offices, and the others have, it is understood, been let to auitable tenants.

Te Awamdtu cannot boast of gravelled streets and sidewalks like some other of our Waikato towns, but the spirit of advancement is alive, and already a more has been made in the direction indicated. The road from the bridge, past the mission station, and on to the centre of | the township has been formed, and presents a very good appearance. The same cannot be add, although it ought to be possible to say it of tho street leading past Devin's hotel, in the direction of the Public Hall, Courthouse and new schoolhouse. At tho present this street is almost enti ely hidden in fern, and to say the least, is no very agreeable thoroughfare.

The hawthorn fences in mnny parts of the district, but more particulai'ly in the vicinity of Cambridge, are again becoming subject to the attac >s of the small slug or leech, which h-is before troubled them. In many places tho leaves have the appearance of having been scorched by fire. Nor is the hawthorn the only victim ; plum, cherry and pear tree leaves are all, more or less, the object of attack. So far as we can learn the efltact of this visitation is only to retard the growth of, and not to seriously injure the trees.

A circumstance, more than many things calculated to excite anrpiise in the mind of a visitor to Waik.ito i> the g-re.it scarcity of peaches — a fruit fotrntvty so abundant — this year. Tho trees were affected by a species of fire blight the year before last ; but the scarcity of fruit has been more marked this than during 1 the preceding seasons. Settlers who used, in past years,to feed their pisjs on peaches find now, that to gratify their own palate, thay have to pay so much per pound for the fruic. We have heard several remedies suggested, and it would be well if those veraed in the subject were to j communicate their knowledge. Other fruits seem to have fared much better, though, on the whole, the Waikato is but poorly off this season.

The Irish Relief Fund. —By the direction of the Mayor of Aucklaud subscription lists for the above fund have been sent to chairmen of various local bodies in Waikato, and already a considerable amount of money has been subscribed. Mr Fallon, contractor of the Ohaupo-Te Awamutu railway is reported to have raised some £30 amongst the men employed on the line. At \ lexandra and Ohaupo Catholic Churches Father Golden received last Sunday £12 12s towards the same fund, and no doubt the sum would have been considerably larger but that many of the congregation had already subscribed. It is, we hear, proposed to call a public meeting at Te awamutu for the same purpose. And we learn that subscriptions will be solicited next Sunday at the Catholic Church, Hamilton bast. Bis Grace Archbishop Steins has instructed his clergy to make collections in all the churches of the diocese towards this fund. Our readers will see that the subscription list, as sent to the Hamilton borough Council, was on Monday night orde.ed to lie on the table. We hope it will not be left there, and indeed that Waikato generally will give a hearty and generous response to the appeal of the Mayor of < uckland on behalf of suffering humanity in Ireland At a banquet given in Hamilton to Mr John Sheehan, M.H.R., by the sons of old colonists about two years ago, when that gentlemen was Native Minister, In replying to the toast of his health Mr Sheehan said that Anthony Trollope stated that the colonial youth were not up to the standard of English youths, and that the reason of this was to be found in the want of phosphorous. We notice by a reference to the 2nd schedule of the Customs Tariff Act, 1879, that phosphorous is admitted into the colon; duty free. V7e presume that Mr Sheehan, anxious as ever to promote the interests of sons of old colonists, and to place phosphorous within the reach of the most indigent in the hope of bringing them up to the standard of Englishmen has been the means of accomplishing this patriotic object. We also observe by a reference to the same schedule that oil of rhodium is admitted duty free. Is this done with the view of enabling Government to catch rali, at a cheap rate ? We are glad to learn that under the new master, Mr Stevens, the public school at Cambridge has vastly improved since the Christmas holidays. Then the strength of the school was 10J. A fortnight ago it was 135, and now has risen to within six of the full strength of fche roll, namely, 169. We are informed that there is no foundation for the statement that the contractors for the Thames- Waikato railway work, Messrs unt and White, are negotiating for Maori labour. There are plenty of Europeans applying for work, and they are being taken on as fast as the work of construction can be opened out. There are now over 40 men employed, and before long a considerable number more will be required. We learn that Messrs Dickeson and Burnett, of Ngaruawahia, have leased Le Quesne's Waikato ■ < otel, Hamilton «iast. Mr William Buck will assume the management, and the hotel will be opened after the next licensing meeting, April Ist. a sad accident occurred yesterday to a son of Mr William Davis, bootmaker, of Hamilton. The lad, who is about eight years of age, had just come home from school, and seated himself hastily in a chair standing outside the house. The chair fell or broke down, and the boy fell with it, breaking the bono of his right arm just above the wrist. The fracture was a compound one, and medical assistance was at once procured and the bone set.

Hamilton Borouchi Council. — After the passing 1 of the accounts at the meeting of Monday evening, when our reporter left, thinking that all the public business of the meeting was over. Cr. < 'umming moved, and Or Davis seconded, " that the bridge toll collections remain, as at present, existing until the end of March."" Cr. Knox moved as an amendment, " that the bridge toll collection be sold by public auction on the 28th instant." This was seconded by Cr. McDonald. For the amendment Crs. Knox and McDonald; against it, Crs. Beale, Jones, Camming, Davis, Vialou, Peat and the Mayor, Ihe resolution was therforo carried. On the motion of Cr. Knox, seconded by Cr. Peat, the subscription list for the distress in Ireland was ordered to lie on the table. Cr. Peat then moved, " that o\vin<jf to the ve»y unsatisfactory relations of the Engineer with this Council, it is advisable that no further contracts be committed to his charge." Or. Davis seconded — \ long discussion ensued. Cr. JCuox moved as an amendment, " that Cr. Peat give notice of motion on that subject." his was seconded by Cr. McDonald. For the amendment* Crs. Knox, Gumming, Me Donald, and the Mayor; against, Crs Beale, Jones, Davis, Peat and Vialou. The original motion was then put and lost by the same vote*. The last motion is an important one, and will bo left for endorsement or otherwise, by lh<. buvgesses in the forthcoming elections for the seat rendered vacant by the resignation of Cr. Harris, as it is intended to bring forward a candidate expressing either view as a test. Peanuts grown in Hamilton, plant and produce together, may be s^en. to-day and to-morrow by thoso curious in the matter,

at the shop of Mr Smith, Fruiterer, of Victoria Street. The nuts, it seems, grow und<T the noil, like potatoes. '1 he seed ■was sown from the ordinary peanuts sold at the shopß They had once before been grown by n resident in Waikato, an experienced f-irmer, but he looked for the fruit above ground, and was dibappointsd in their not coming, as he thought, to maturity.

Breaches ok by-laws bring grist to the mill of the Borough. At the Hamilton Police Court yesterday, there were six such cases of furious ridinpr, or leaving carts without chains to the wheel unprotected in the stieet. The fives in fiese six cases amounted to £7 10s. The Armed Constabulary are making good head way with the road between 1 ambridge and Taupo. All the creeks have been bridged between as far as tho Waipa. The Pokawhenua has been bridged also, and the chief body of men are stationed there under two sergeants, in carrying the work of road formation towards Waitoa, the remainder being employed at ergnssmn's Gully in clearing the road. Only six men are left at the Kihinihi station, and as many at Alexandra.

A Sens ble Parson. — In his sermon recemy, a venerable Archdeacon took occasion to refer to csrtain paragraphs which have lately appeared in the newspapers, foretelling all sorts of judgmentsj udgments upon earth to be caused by a conjunction by certain planets ia the year 1881. He strongly cautioned his hearers against believing that God's judgments were delivered in a capricious manner. For iustanco , some men go out sailing in a boat on Sunday, and are capsized and drowned ; next Sunday the pulpit declares it was God's judgment on those men for Sabbath- breaking, ignoring the fact that a hundred other boats were out on the same day returning in -afety. These accidents were not caused through the caprice of ,God, but by either the men not knowing how to manage the boat, or else by their taking too much strong beer, as a general rulo. He stated he was not afraid of the stars going wrong and causing a pestilence. There was more danger of a pestilence here from the sparrows — which God did not bring here, but man did — than from the stars. These little creatures carried feathers and at aws from the filthiest places, filled up the water channels with them, and t,hus poisoned the water which people drank, causing diptheria and such like complaints. People went about with their heads turned to the sky, looking for a star to fall upon them, when, if they had been gazing upon the ground, they would not have fallen over a rock and hurt themselves. — Sun. We understand that there are two reasons why the farmers have not been able so readily to sell their wheat this season as in former years. The first is, the wheat is not yet in a condition to offer to millers. In these columns we have repeatedly warned farmers against thrashing too soon, which appears to a large extent to have been disregarded, with the result that in no single instance, as far as we are aware, has wheat been offered in suitable condition for milling purposes. The other reason is, that millers are offering a lower price than the farmers are willing to take. The price offered on Friday was 4s 6d per bushel for good samples, it being hardly necessary to observe that, owing to the wet season, the quality of local wheat is far inferior to its usual standard. With regard to the statement that one of our millers had repudiated his promise of 5s per bushel for a certain crop, after sending out the bags to bring the wheat to the mill, we are informed, that whilst 5s was at first quoted for the primest samples, not more than two actual purchases were made, and when delivered were of such an inferior quality as not to warrant the payment of that price. Whilst on this subject, we may as well state that the custom of the trade with regard to bags is, as follows : — The farmer goes to the mills, asks the value of wheat, and if ho can have baga, which are usually delivered to him. If an actual sale is made, it in recorded, but if not, it is understood that the farmer can dispose of his wheat to whom he pleases, paying the miller for his bags after he has bold his wheat. Whilst on this point, we may further express our surprise, that the farmers consider they have a grie\ auce at being offered 4.s (id per bushel, when we find that in Adelaide Is 6d is the price for a fir.st-class sample, and that from Canterbury we learn the two largest buyers, are offering' 3s 9d at the port of shipment, and that a parcel of 40,000 bushels was actually sold last week for deliver}- at yttelton at 4s f.o.b. In our i.«sue of Monday we inadvertently stated that the local fanners obtained b\s per bushel for their wheat last year. It ouafht to have been 5s per bushel. We understand that a good many parcels have been delivered to millers in such bad condition as to cause their rejection by the millers at any price. We have no doubt that as soon as the wheat is in suitable order for sale the farmers will be able to obtain a fair market value for it. They cannot reasonably expect more At this time of day it surely is not necessary to say that farmers, like everybody else, must submit to the market values of their produce, and which are fixed by influences entirely beyond their control. If prices advance, whether of wheat or any other article, the producer will reap the advantage ; if prices decline, whether of wheat or any other article, the producer will reap the advantage : if prices decline, they must bo prepared to accept thi.s as one of the contingencies of every industry. — Herald.

Mr S. S. Gr\h.\m unites separate tenders for clearing and skim ploughing 1 .tbout 70 acres grass land, and for t.ikintr down .md refking 25 chains of wire fencing. illi J. S. Xl t ( kland will hold his ne\t sale o' horses, .it Cambridge, on Saturd.iy next. He will also offer two tons of good oaten chaff. A I I. tates due to the Hamilton Highway District Board, must be paid to the collector, Mr John Kno\, Ik lore the end of the month, or they will be placed in the hands of Messrs. \Vlntaker and O'Neill, for collection. The Clerk of the Kinkiiiroa Highway Hoard gives notice that all rates left unpaid beyond the 2Sth instant will be sued for, and that he will attend on certain days at the Royal Hotel, East Hamilton, to receive payment. Mr J. C. Yoi'NC, licensed interpreter, a gentleman well-known, and highly esteemed bv both Europeans and natives in the Ray of Plenty district, announces in our ad\eitismg columns that he intends shortly to commence business in Cambridge, and that being uik mhioi ted with any previous transactions in native lands in Waikato, he is entirely fice fiom all influent es. Mr Young, until -within the last month or so, has been thief land purchase agent in the J'.uiranga distiict, and filled various local offices <>f trust and honor. He U a brother of the late Judge Young, of the Native Lands Court. Mr Kvov notifies that {he sale of Mr Rose's property at Cambridge, advertised to take placeon the i\t\\ has been postponed te, 21st to allow the property to be cut up into allotments. Mk Dickinson, Maragcr of the Hamilton Cm ulating Libtaiv, notifies that he h.is made an extensive addition to his Libiarj of the latest and most populai works. Mr K\o\ certifies that he will sell bv au< tion to-morrow, in the bankrupt estate of G. Lo\egrovv, v i, allotment of land, having 3? ft. frontage to Gray Street, \>ith <; depth ot 130 feet and the building thereon. Ti noi rs are invited for the erection of a school-room at M.mgapiko, until noon of Wednesday, 25th February inst. Plans and specification's tan be seen at the Office of the Hoard ot Kdut .ition, or on auplu ation to the District bchool Committee, Mangapiko.

Tm& AthoHCtuh, in a scholarly notice of the fig, calls it an index of migratiou." This delicate allusion to tlfc prominent part played by the respectable plant in that unfortunate affair in Eden, cannot be too highly commended. Divines will be glad to appropriate the phxa&e.