The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1270, 19 August 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, AUGUST 19, 1880.

The extract from the New York Herald which we publish in another column regarding the adulteration of sugar, cannot fail in creating a certain degree of alarm. A century ago, when sugar was by no means so important an article of commerce as it is now, adulteration would not have affected it so much. Now, however, that sugar enters so largely into our daily food we cannot be too careful to see that the article.consumed is of the purest quality ; and the same or similar remarks would apply with equal force to the thousand and one other articles of foreign production which find their way by numerous channels into the markets of this colony. Very little doubt exists in our mind that much of the mortality which we are apt to attribute to natural causes might b3 set down to slow poisoning through the use of adulterated food. So far as spirituous liquors are concerned, there can be no doubt whatever about it. Our lunatic asylums and gaols are teeming with the victims of doctored drink, of the wretched concoctions which are covered by the labels of presumedly respectable firms. That in an age like ours, when such care is taken to hedge round our personal and national liberties, uo lilllo rogui'd iw had to matters affecting our health, nay, our very existence, is lamentable. It cannot be that we are deficient in the means necessary, nor can it be that we are ignorant of the natura and extent of the evils which menace us. Perhaps if we were to say that the British people are a tt'-angely constituted race it would afford an ample solution of our method of dealing with the question here referred to. We, as a community, exercise ourselves greatly as to the manner in whic^i liquor shall be sold, whether by two or by twenty publichouses, on Sundays or on week days, but we are utterly careless regarding the quality of what is daily offered us, and so long as we get it in a duly licensed house at the proper hours, our moral guardians trouble themselves very little about it. We may be laying ourselves open to the censure of some people, but we say unhesitatingly that the curse of this land is not liquor, but the villanous stuff which goes by that name, but which, for the most part, is as innocent of its real properties as it can well be. Knowing this, and who is ignorant | of it — is it not right that some resoI lute measures should be taken to bring about a remedy 1 The world is getting so civilised, and the art of cheating has attained to such perfection that there is now scarcely an article of food or drink that we can without suspicion put to our mouths. If we rely solely upon home manufacture and home produce ; if we had not to go outside the colony for the means of satisfying our daily wants, we might rest satisfied. But while this is an impossibility — and is likely ever to remain so, we must look about us to see whether, and in what way we can better insure the purity of what we import. There ought to be, and before long we hope there will be, instituted a searching enquiry into the quality of imported articles of consumption. We regard the public analyst as a moral agent, the equal, were we to judge by probable results, of the temperance reformer, and in saying this we feel we are paying the latter no inconsiderable compliment. Regarding the one aspect of the question which is dealt with by the New York Herald, there is perhaps another way out of the danger than the one we have referred to, and one which many people in America are availing themselves of ; this consists in substituting in a large measure the pure product of the bee-hive for the msiduous poison of the sugar manufactory. The extent to which honey has lately entered into the household economy of the West, would scarcely be credited here. Apiculture, from being a pursuit followed in leisure hours, has grown to the proportions of a national industry ; societies for the promotion of beo culture and bee journals are the order of the day. There

is nosdeeason why New Zealand sndiila not take an equally prominent position as a honey producing country ; we have climatic and other conditions better suited to the wants of the case than even America itself. What we are deficient in is information ; we simply do not know the way to set about it. We have before us an excellent little publication hailing from the States, "The Beekeepers Magazine," for which we are indebted to an enthusiastic student- of apiculture, Air Parsons, of To Awamutu. It is published monthly, _ and ,_ brims over" with valuable information'relating to bees, their habits, culture, and the modes of dealing with the 'golden treasure. We would strongly •recommend it to the notice of intending beekeepers, and no less to those who have already had some experience. The cost is trifling, while the benefits to be derived are probably- incalculable.

During the' last rain several slips have occurred on. the river banks at, and in the immediate vicinity of Hamilton, and in many oases very large quantities of earth have been precipitated into the river. That these slips mean loss of property is clear, and that they tend to impede the navigation of the river is equally certain. The question Ihfcn which forces itself upon our attention is what steps ought to be taken to put i an end to, or at any rate reduce to a minimum the damage thus caused. Some time ago a great deal was said and written about the advantage of planting willows along the banks of the stream, and the scneme was adopted in many places with signal advantage. Outside of the Borough limits it of course becomes a purely private matter, and perhaps a few acres of land more or Jess toppled into the river is not of so much consequence as is the labor required 1 to plant a few willow slips along the margin of the water ; at any rate i this would appear to indicate the light in which by most people the matter is regarded. We suppose they incur no penalty for obstructing the navigation, the blame, if any, being fairly chargeable upon nature. Within the Borough, however, the question is a more serious one. We ought not to allow valuable land belonging to the public to drift away down stream without at least making an effort to save it. We have more than once drawn attention to the good which would result were a few willows planted at the bend of the river opposite the Waikato Brewery, but our suggestion might be taken with a reference to the opposite bank as well. We are aware that the Borough Council have applied for these t'oresnore reserresj-aird- that they have mot with very little success. In applying, we are ready to believe that their object was to do something to preserve them from the action of the river. We do not think that even while /they are retained by the Government the Council would be going out of its way to expend a few pounds upon them. The reserves are virtually the property of the burgesses, and they must eventually becomo practically so. Any money, therefore, which might now be spent in protecting thorn would be o£ the nature of an investment, and we are much mistaken if time would not discover it to be a very profitable one too. The cost is so trifling that we wonder the subject should have required any consideration.

A meeting convened for the purpose of devising means to erect a Town Hdll was held at Ngavuawahia on Saturday night. A sum of £30 was eubscribed in the room, but it is expected that the subscriptions will amount to £100, when more definite stops will be taken towards scouring the desired object.

The nomination of candidates to fill the three vacancies which occur hi the Borough Council can be effected at any time during the present month, and the poll (if required) will be taken on tho 9th pro.r. The Councillors who retire are Messrs Pearce, Jones, and "White Mr Jones, -we understand, is the only one who offers himself for re-election, and the only other gentleman who had intimated his intention of seeking a seat at the Council is Mr Peacock, the present foreman of works.

The Hamilton Light Infantry Band will play on the Budge to-night, weather permitting. We trust that when the hne weather returns we shall have many of these open air performances.

Victoria street, Cambridge, is about to be further improved and oeautificd by a row of trees on the western side extending from near the Anglican Church to the Public Hall. Substantial fences are being erected for the protection of the trees of posts and palings. The trees have been very handsomely provided by Major Wilson ; the timber is supplied by the property holders along that side of street and the necessary labour is found by the Town Board. The plan might we think be carried out with much advantage on the opposite side of the street. The talk of a return football match Auckland v. Waikato will so far as the Cambridge men is concerned depend on their previous arranged match against Alexandra. Doubtless the latter match will give way that the best men of Auck-land-Waikato be selected against the Wellingtonians.

The improvements to SydneySquare Hamilton East, are now being rapidly proceeded with. The unsightlyheaps of earth have been deposited in the depressions and ploughs are now busy further aiding the work of levelling. The southern end, being in grass, will not be touched, but the rest will be laid down in the spring. When the whole of the contemplated improvements, including the fencing, &c, have been carried out the square will present a very ornamental appearance, and will conduce considerably to the enjoyment of the residents on that side of the river.

The Cambridge Domain Board have granted about 30 acres of that portion of the town belt, on the western side of Viotovia-voad to the Waikato Cavalry and Farmers' Club conjointly. Active operations are to be instituted almost at

once; .and Captain Runciman, always zealous in -any cau^e^fe takes, an interest in, got the promise of over 20 ploughs in about two hours on Tuosday. These ploughs — some single, others double furrows — are lent by different farmers of the district, and on the 10th September next, what might be termed a " Ploughing bee," will take place. Captain Runciman expects to gqt over 25 ploughs, as there are several station-holders not yet asked who will gladly contribute. Harrows will bo at work at the same time, and it is intended the whole ground shall be brokon up in the one day. Sevoral Cambridge tradesmen have undertaken to provide lunch, and a band only is wanted to ma^ c it a regular gala day.

" Happy Hours" is the singularly appropriate title of the entertainment produced by Mr and Mrs Hart before Hamilton, audiences on Tuesday -Had lust night, 'at Le Quesne's Hall. The programme consisted of two burlettas, pretty and sparkling in themselves, with abundance of lively dialogue, and whioh is even better intorsperssd with, numberless choice vooal and instrumental gems. Both Mr and Mrs Hart, in their protean changes of character are admirable. They both possess considerable powers of acting, and know thoroughly how to use them to the best advantage. The entertainment, which we have no hesitation in recommending to all lovers of genuine and pure amusement, while it contains abundance to charm even a mubical or dramatic critic, there is not an atom of vulgarity in any of its parts. The attendance on Tuesday night was only moderate, but last night there was a good house, a proof that the entertainment only requires to be kuown to be thoroughly appreciated. Mr and Mrs Hurt, with their talented daughter, open to-night at To Avvamutu, and will re -appear at Cambridge on Friday and Saturday. We feel assured that they will meet with the success which they deserve.

The unfortunate young man Montgomery, of Cambridge, alluded to in our last, died on Tue&day afternoon at oo' '.lock. Deceased met with the accident which caused his painful death abont ten days ago, but thought so little of the injury that beyond applying linameut to his toe did nothing. On the eighth day after its occurrence DrWaddington visited him, and saw at once that lockjaw had Bet in and that the poor fellow's case was hopeless. He, however, lingered on until the tenth day from the accident, when death put an end to his terrible sufferin*rfl. Deceased leaves a wife and one child, who, by dint of his industry having accumulated some little property, are fairly provided for. The deceased had just the contiact for a lot of ploughing.

A large number of cattle were forwarded to tha Auckland Market by traiii yesterday, from Te Awamutu, Ngaroto and Ohaupo. A considerable proportion wore forwarded by Messrs. Hunter and Nolan.

•Support Local Industries.— Messrp, Bidler uiid Daltou, Kiwi Mills, arc pioclucing the best of flour from Waikato grown Avheat. For prices, see advertisement in first column, page two. — [Advt.]

Messrs Hunter and Nolans fiist spring 1 sale at Ngaruawahia will be held on Friday, the 27th instant. A land sale notice, issued by D. A. Tote. Esq., Chief Commissioner Crown Lands, appears in our gazette columns. Mr S. Bright holds a sale at his new auction rooms, Cambridge, c\cry Saturday. The annual exhibition of stock, implements, etc., under the auspices of the Cambridge Farmers' Club will be held on Thursday, 21st October ne\t. Mr John Knox has accepted the office of creditors' trustee in the estate of Ebenezer Lindsay, engineer, of Ngartiawahia. Vr.iitcr .Scott, Esq., Secretary Cambridge Farmers CJub, invitej tenders for clearing 30 acres (ready for ploughs) of the C.imbudge town belt. The thri\infif business now cauicd on by Mr J. T. Camp, in Duke-street, Cambridge, is offered for sale by piiv.itc contract, the piopiictor being about to embark in an other enterprise. In addition to the fancy goods and other departments a good [hair cutting business is also included. Particulars will be found in our adm rising columns. Tin: new Pure Ca^h. System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly pro\e a benefit to Hie public. It has been a groat smtcss in Sidney and Melbourne, and when s!ri< tlv carried out the customei who Inns at an establishment where the goods, are marked low to ensure a rapid s ile must bi; a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clolhingnt such prices for cash .is gnes the hujer the a-hantages ol a sh.ueholdci in a co-opeiati\c society, without the risk ot being c.illed upon to beai a portion of tin- loss should the j-c.ir's btisini^> pro\o unsatisfactory. Ciarlick and Cranwell will aim to l'etain the confidence which the public ha\e hitheito shown them, and are detirmincd to tfiyc the pure c.ush sj -.tern a fair trial; whether they i^.iin or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting c.i.sh with order will be supplied with goods at co-operatiyc prices ; just the same as though they made a personal sclei tion. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bcdste.uK, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of whit h is turned out .it our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remuneiati\e prices, and .1 discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &. C. having realised the entire \alue of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is \i.\v and cm vvi v nought. An inspection is invited. — Gvri.k k y\l> Ck wwi ir , City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Qucenstrcet, Auckland.