The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1223, 1 May 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

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

SATURDAY, MAY !, 1880.

There ia an old adage which adjures us to bear the ills we have rather than fly to others we know not of, and we think the advice it contains should have been taken to heart by those who called the meeting at Oliaupo on Tuesday before Iso acting. We cannot help thinking they have been badly counselled, if not led altogether astray. The only real, tangible reason discoverable in any of the remarks censuring the South Auckland Cattle Board and wishing to see its authority in the Waipa county superseded, is based on a false assumption, and that is that the Board have determined to have all cattle in the district enclosed, to the consequent ruin' of many small settlers. Now, had the gentlemen who , were unwittingly led into making sucli a statement attended the meetings of the Board, or even read the reports thereof with some attention, they would have found that, so far from wishing to bring any " undue pressure" to bear on the settlers, the chairman and members have displayed tjie utmost concern, lest any one should be put to the slightest inconvenience. So far indeed from compelling the settlers on the lower Waipa to take their catte off the run, they have agreed to give permission to the people of Alexandra to run, ! their cattle on the unoccupied land in the township. The rangers will see that the cattle are kept within reasonable limits, that is, they will not be allowed to run on the public road, but this is all the Board contemplate doing at present, and when the dangerous nature of the disease is considered such precautionary measures must be admitted to be necassary. We concede that in Mr McNichol's case there is a certain degree of hardship, but he certainly should have brought the matter before the Board. Whether or not it is desirable to have another Board for the Waipa is a question we willingly leave for those most nearly interested to consider, but we cannot help thinking that so far as- can at present be seen the Board is wanted not so much for the purpose of 'carrying out the Act as for preventing- its operation in the Waipa. Mr Boche's remarks at any rate point to no other conclusion.

Referring to our two previous articles upon, inoculation as practiced in New South Wales and reported upon to the Government, the facts of which we have so fully republished, we shall shortly notice a few additional facts which came out in that enquiry, and the fresh evidence which has been obtained from Europe as to the efficacy of inoculation. Nothing perhaps tells more in favor of the operation than the fact that in New South Wales alone a million of cattle have been inoculated, and at least another million in the neighboring Australian colonies, and that in all but a few exceptional cases every owner who has tried inoculation has always followed up the practice when his cattle were affected. Elsewhere than in Australia the same happy

results have followed its adoption. To quote from Mr Fleming, the author of the Standard Book on Veterinary Sanatory Science and Police, published so recently as 1876, we find that "authorities, on " whose statements the most perfect " reliance can be placed, attest that, " since the adoption of preventive " inoculation, the districts and farms " in those countries in which the " lung plague permanently pre- " vailed are now completely de- " livered from the scourge ; and " that it is excessively rare for an " inoculated animal to be attacked " with the disease — the percentage " being less than one, and rarely " not more than too* In South " Africa and the United States of " America, as well as in Australia, " the measure has also been adopted " with great benefit, though the " operation has not always been " properly performed." As might have been expected, the question of compulsory inoculation was raised in the circular issued to cattle-owners by the New South Wales Government, and,- w« find, with the following results : — 51 owners do not reply ; 8 are neither for nor against ; 130 are for legislation ; 5 are for legislation, indirectly or conditionally ; 10 consider legislation unnecessary, as cattle-owners will of themselves voluntarily inoculate ) and 78 • are against legislation. There were many pwners, firm believers in inoculation, but but who were opposed to compulsory inoculation as unnecessary, on the ground that they can always check the disease when it appears in their herds, and this would appear to be a reasonable argument in the case of pleuro-pneumonia in this part of New Zealand. There is, we believe, a great deal of truth in the remark of Mr H. Roche, expressed at the meeting at Ohaupo on Tuesday, that the disease , cannot, with ordinary precautionary measures, live in the climate of this part of New Zealand, and that, as on the former occasion on which it appeared, it will die out altogether. As it it is the disease has been at present confined to the few spots or farms where it has from almost the first appeared. So long as inoculation is not made prohibitory those cattle owners who chose to purchase immunity from disease may do so by the inoculation of their cattle, and they who do not inoculate and run the risk of loss will do so on their own responsibility and have none to blame but themselves, while they can injure only those who by refusal to inoculate lay themselves open to suffer. While therefore cumpulsory legislation in form of inoculation is unnecessary, neither is compulsory legislation against inoculation just or right. Yet virtually we have the latter in existence when a cattle owner cannot inoculate without laying himself open to the annoyance and loss of having his farm declared an infected district. In conclusion, we may sum up the evidence in favor of inoculation, as expressed by the stockowners of New South Wales, as drawn from the following grounds: That in almost every instance where inocuiation was properly tried the disease shortly disappeared from the herd in a shorter or longer period according to the size of the herd, but always before three months from the date of inoculation ; that while the disease thus disappeared in a short time from the herds which were properly inoculated, it continued in those which were not inoculated from periods of from two to six years, according to the size of the herd ; that cattle which had been perfectly inoculated when sound, with a few solitary exceptions, never afterwards became diseased, although they were frequently mixed, and sometimes even put in the same paddock with uninoculated cattle which were dying of the disease, and lastly, that where the right sort of virus was used and the operation properly performed and the weather not too hot, the deaths from inoculation never exceeded more than two and seldom more than one per cent. With such evidence before us it is neither right nor wise, but the reverse, to refuse even to entertain the question of the desirableness of inoculation as a preventive. A break in the weather should decide the question whether the disease will become general or not in this district, but no less important a question should have been first decided, which is the safest and least costly method . of meeting such a contingency ?— -inoculation —or the poll axe.

In our Correspondence columns will be found a letter from Mr Frederick Battley, Secretary New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), detailing the measures adopted by the Company for the purpose of obtaining really reliable information from competent judges concerning the efficacy of inoculation, more especially as to whether any evil effeots result from it, either to the beasts operated on or to the herds of which they may form part. The testimony so elicited is of a nature the bona fides of which is selfevident, and goes unmistakeably to show that no two opinions exist in the minds of the authorities to whom the questions were submitted, all men of high standing in New South Wales. We have with today's issue concluded a series of leading articles on the subject of inoculation, in which lengthy quota-

tions from 'the lleport furnished by Mr JJruce, one of the authorities to whom tlje New Zealand Loan and Mercanule Company referred for an opinion, are given ; and we must confess that we are quite convinced, after careful study of authorities of undoubted standing, that inoculation, properly undertaken, is a potent specific. We commend Mr Battley's remarks to our readers' attention.

We have received numerous enquires as to whether Postmasters can charge commission on Money Orders in payment of Land Tax, and m reply we say no ; Postmasters have no authority to charge taxpayers with Commission; the amount of the tax should be paid to the Postmaster, who should issue an order, to the applicant. Thus; if £10 is tendered, an order for £9 19 0 is given to the applicant, which, it forwarded to the Receiver, is accepted by him in full payment.

The Waikato and Waipa electoral rolls have just been made up under the new Act and a complete revision has been made. In the case of the Waikato roll about 70 names have been taken off and 160 added. The total number of names on the roll, including residential as well as freehold qualifications is 667. In the case of the Waipa roll no less than 130 names have been struck off, while 270 have been added. The total number of names now on the roll is 1154. Those having a right to vote, whether as holders of freehold or Having resided aix months within either electoral district, will bear in mind that this making up the roll does not debar them from having their names placed on it, as under previous regulations, until this time next year. They can at any time procure from the Registrar, or at any of the Waikato police stations, the necessary form of application to register, and having filled it up can at any time forward it to the Registration Officer (Mr Kirk), who will thereupon, having satisfied himself as to the bona ffos of the claim, cause the name to be added to the roll. It must, however, bo understood that in the event of a seat in the Assembly becoming vacant no fresh names can .be added to tho roll until the eleotion is over. "

At the Police Court, Hamilton, on Thursday, Daniel Casey was charged before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., with a breach of the Public "Works Act, with having in the Borough of Hamilton, been in a state, of intoxication while in charge of a horse. Accused pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s and costs. The fine was paid.

The Totalizator swindlers, James Corbett, H enry Richardson, and Lawrence Adams have been sentenced to a months' imprisonment with hard labor.

We regret to have again to call Attention to the very dangerous condition of the bridge, ov crossing at Mystery Greek, on the Ohaupo Koad. Nothing short of a miracle has so far prevented the occurrence of some serious accident at this spot. On a dark night the risk which people run in endeavoring to steer a course between the rotten planking of the old bridge on one side, and the precipice on the other is simply fearful. We trust this gronnd for complaint will soon be removed.

As the work of making a cutting, the upper portion of Victoria-street, Cambridge, approaches completion, it does not present so unsightly an appearance as was at first anticipated. The embankment is being sloped off at an angle sufficient to admit of easy access to the road from the front of the National Hotel, and when completed will be a valuable permanent improvement. "We understand that Major Wilson, with his accustomed liberality, has offered a donation of ornamental trees to the Town Board, and that it is intended to plant the street this season.

A meeting of settlers in the neighbourhood of Ngaruawahia was held at Simmelhag's Royal Mail Hotel, Ngaruawahia, on Thursday evening", Mr L. B. Harris in the chair, for the purpose of considering the restrictions placed by the South Auckland Cattle Boaad on the depasturing of cattle on the roads and waste land ; at which it was unanimously resolved to send a delegate to Cambridge to attend the next meeting of the South Auckland Cattleßoard, and lay the wishes of the Ngaruawahia cattle owners before the members.

At a meeting of the committee of Roads and Bridges of the Waipa County Council held on Thursday morning, it was decided to authorise Councillor Bteele to procure a wire rope for the Pukete ferry, the joint cost of which will be borne by the two County Councils.

It is understood that the owners of several Auckland racehorses have signified their intention to be represented at the forthcoming: meeting at Cambridge, and some good Bport may in consequence be anticipated.

At a meeting of sportsmen held last Saturday evening at Mr Ellis's Commercial Hotel Tauranga, we notice by the Bay of Plenty Times that it was decided to request the Auckland Acclimatisation Society to preclude hen pheasants being shot in the Bay of Plenty, during the coming season. It was also agreed that those present subscribe to a reward fund, giving a guarantee amongst themselves to subscribe equally among themselves to raise a sum of five pounds sterling to be given to anyone obtaining a conviction of infringement of the " Protection of Animals Aot, 1873" -^natives e.xc.epted.

Waikato tradesmen who import their goods direct from home, and give their customers the benefit of the importers profit, deserve the support of the public. Amongst such we notice Mr J. Moses of Hamilton, who is now regularly receiving his goods direct from London and Manchester, and whose price list contained in our advertising columns shows a reduction of some 25 per cent on present and late prices on the same class of goods whidh he is able to make by saying the importers profit. These reductions refer not to a few exceptional articles, but as a reference to our advertising columns wiU show, $Q all descriptions of millinery, fanoy goods, mens and boys' clothing, ladies dress pieces, and all Ipndsof haberdashery.

The Hamilton Oomus Dramatic Society, which possesses a working company of five lady amateurs and as many gentlemen are making active preparations for an early appearance at the Oddfellows' Hall. The pieces to be 'played a»e, " All is not Gold that Glitters," and the farce "Checkmate." Both pieces have been several times rehearsed and the players are well up in their several characters. The performance, which is to oome off befouq the latter end of May, will be for the benefit of the Hamilton Light Infantry Band.

Mr Superintendent Bell Thomson, A.0., arrived in Hamilton on Ihursday evening, and yesterday morning inspected the new iqcl?-up and police quarters at Hamilton East."

Mr Robertshaw, the stationmaster at Himtly, was entertained at the Coal Mines Hotel, on A.pril 27, by the residents of Huntly, on the occasion of his leaving the district. A substantial dinner was on the tsb,le %t 6.39 p.m., and was done justice to by SQine twenty gentlemen.

We have been requested to draw tho attention of the local authorities to the extremely dangerous state of the Tamahere Bridge. Portions of the planking hare been broken up, and, where some time previously repaired, the covering over old breakages have given way. There is a considerable amount of wheel traffic along this road both by night and day, and very serious results may take placo if the matter is neglected.

A very nasty accident occured at Ngaruawahia, ou Thursday evening, to a lad named Tretkeway ; the youngster was catching a horse, when it swerved round, knocking the lad down, who falling on his left arm received a coller fracture. Dr Sandes was passenger from Taupiri by the night train, and on arrival at the Ngaruawahia station got out and set the bone, and the youngster is doing well.

At a meeting of the Hamilton Light Infantry Volunteers held on Thursday, it was gratifying to learn that the debt on the instruments has been cleared off, so far as the firm who supplied them is concerned, the officers having taken upon themselves the responsibility, and it now remains for those who promised subscriptions towai'ds the band to forward them at once, so that everything may close satisfactorily. At the conclusion of the drill Captain Dawson, on behalf of his brother officers, complimented the members of the band upon their proficiency, stating that they must have taken great pains and given close attention to their instructor, from the marked improvement noticeable. It is to be hoped that the company will soon get their uniform.

We observe by last night's "Star" that Mr Anthony J. Mundella a director of the Waikato Land Association, is a member of the Gladstone Ministry.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Football Club, was held at the Royal Hotel on Thursday night, when it was decided to form a club for the season. The rules were left over until copies from Auckland could be obtained. A uniform was decided on : blue jersey, white knickerbockers, blue stockings and red cap, with skull and cross bones on the breast. Mr Field was elected secretary. A further meeting 1 will be held on Thursday next, at which all t players in the neighborhood are earnestly invited to attend, when captain and committee of management will be chosen.

The Australian cricketers (Eleven No. 2), who are nearing home by this time, played nine matches in the colonies prior to their departure, losing four ; three of these defeats being important contests — two against 13 of Victoria, and one against 16 of South Australia. The First Eleven, it will be remembered, played 22 matches, and lost only one, viz., that against 15 of Canterbury, N.Z. The only victory worthy of note credited to the Second Eleven is that in their match against 15 of New South Wales. Though the form displayed by the First Eleven throughout their preliminary tour was decidedly better than that shown by the new team, there is every reason to believe that after one or two matches in the old country they will wind up their tour by a good balance of victories to their credit.

Tu.vders are invited for repairs to approach to the Alcxandra-Mangapikio Bridge. Noticb is given that certain roads in the Pukekura Highway District arc closed. Ckrt yin resolutions passed at a meeting of the North Auckland Cattle Board on the 24th inst., are published tor public information, by Joseph May, Esq., chairman. Mr St'AROO, for may years in the "W.S.N. Co.'s steamers, has taken the Custom House Hotel, Fort-street, Auckland. CociißWii and Sox, auctioneers, of Auckland, will sell, by order of the mortgagee, on Tuesday, nth May, a farm at Pukete, the property of Air Robort Stokes, and lot 34, Hamilton West. Mr T. TRbWHEkLUR, pastry cqok and confectioner, -has removed into bis now and spacious premises, in Victoria*strcet, nc.\t the Uniou Hank of Australia, and has added tho business of general family grocer to his large baking transactions. Mr Kexxi.dy. Hill will sell by auction, on Saturday next, Bth instant, allotment No. 130, Tuhikaramea, 50 acres ; and allotment No. 442, Alexandra East.