The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1278, 7 September 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

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

TUESDAY, SEP. 7, 1880.

There never, perhaps, in the history of New Zealand was a time when self reliance was more demanded, when the husbanding of all available means, and the developement of all resources was a more dire necessity, than is now the case. Ten years ago a policy was entered upon, which it was fondly hoped would place New Zealand on a basis of prominent prosperity. In pursuance of that policy enormous indebtedness has been incurred. Public works and immigration, the cry of 1870, have been carried on side by side :, the latter, we fear, with a lamentable disregard as to the fitness of people emigrating, the former with an nnseemly greed on all sides. So long as the money lasted all went merry as a marriage bell \ but now to-day what do we see ? on all sides men tramping about the country looking for work and finding none. Scarcely a day passes but we are

asjted f ol|four |pinion|as to where late is i^^rejgby^me^an the heyday of lifefatrongtjftid vigwous, willing and able to do a day's work for a day's wage. This is a very serious state of things, and one that suggests an ugly but withal a natural solution, namely, "r e- immigration," if we may be permitted to coin a word. It may be objected that such a solution is an extreme one; it may seem. so at first sight, but^we ask in all Wiousness, what is to. turn ,up to fce,ep., our . unemployed 1 Are any, new industries likely, in these times of universal depression, to spring up ? Is there an unknown El Dorado anywhere in New Zealand, if so -^md it is quite probable there is one — are any steps being taken to seek for it ? In short, at what and by whom is the army of unemployed to be engaged 1 Bone,and sinew are indispensable in the production of revenue. • No more seriou» T a calamity could befal the colony than the loss of, .population, for loss of .population means loss of revenue,' and hence would involve a straitening of circumstances and the imposition of intolerable taxation on those left behind. And who can say that such a contingency is not. possible, nay probable ? There are indications of it already, and legislators will do well to note the signs of the time, and guard against the eve that threatens. With rescources so varied the character of the colony's population is also varied, and there is a section of the latter that is essentially floating, and liable to the influence of any current that sets in the direction of gold. The miners of the Colony constitute an integral part of the community, and their occupation takes rank amongst the important industries, and, but the other day, was the foremost of all. Any serious decline in gold mining would be severely felt, and if it happened concurrently with the presentation of superior attraction elsewhere, vthe effect would be disastrous indeed, as the bulk of the miners, every man in fact that could "scrape ' together enough means to travel upon, would be drawn away. Now we cannot afford the loss of one man even, and hence the accounts that have been published of the commencement of an exodus of the Middle Island gold miners towards South Africa may well excite apprehension as to possible results, if the verdure of the home fields is eclipsed by those at a distance. "The farther away the greener," is the paraphrase, of an old and widely received axiom, and we know of no country so likely to prove so irrisistibly attractive to the nomad tribe as South Africa. With the charm of novelty is bracketted classical characteristics, for there our countrymen have fought, fallen, axuL conquered in many a tough encounter with Booerand Kaffir, whilst carniv&rce and lierbivorm abound to test the hunter's prowess/ Add to these the potent attractiveness of gold and precious stones, and what more could the enterprising and adventurous desire ? Undoubtedly South Africa is destined to become a mighty rival to the other colonising parts of the world. Both Australia and New Zealand are in peril of losing some of that labour which it has cost so much to- secure, and the latter especially had best strain every r»erve to resist the threatened drain upon her heart's blood* Nothing should be left undone that may tend to encourage the mining industry; whatever mining attractiveness is possessed by the colony should be made the most of. Gold country undoubtedly exists in this island, of which the Coromandel field is the northern limit. By following up the line of auriferous country from South to North in the Middle Island, it-. will bejound to strike right through the North Island upon the high broken country of the Wanganui, Taranaki, and Taupo districts, and so on to the Thames. Experienced miners have i long predicted the existence of gold j patches, either in quartz or alluvial, on this line, and but for the native difficulty this part of the country would have been prospected long ere this. The existence of gold at Ohinemuri, twenty miles south of Grahamstown, is an established fact ; albeit its remunerative charac- ! ter has yet to be proved. Still, it constitutes a link in the chain of evidence, and a long step towards further discoveries in the same direction. Years ago, about 1852, we believe, alluvial gold was discovered south of Ohinemuri, some three miles from Te Aroha, by Colonel Chesney, R.E., and in 1867 Mr Commissioner Mackay reported \ipon it to the Government and recommended that inducements should be offered to follow it up for the purpose of tracing its source, then supposed to be quartz lodes. But the native difficulty stood in the way, and nothing was done. Uow, however, this obstruction is removed , the land is in the hands of Government, and encouragement to prospecting in the direction mentioned ought not to be withheld. To render the colony as attractive as possible in the present juncture is a duty devolving upon legislation, and administration. The vis inertia of habit and long residence is not easily overcome. There are few of our colonists, including even those nomads the gold-seekers, who are not disposed to cling to the land of their adoption; but once let their hold of the country be shaken, and let them acquire the momentum imparted by the necessity of change, and they drift away into the outer world, never to return again* Each <

and child represents sp^^ich of the colony's assets, ttfftfil hence their loss will be felt not only in the present but in the future.

In adverting to the subject of tree planting in this place we are we know in danger of being charged with speaking of that which is old. So we are, but "truth has a fashion of being very old, while we - v have a fashion of forgetting it." ' It may' also be urged that we have let the opportunity foirdbing good slip by us, and refer to the matter when our advice J can be^of. little va\ue, the season "being-over, or' nearly ao> On this score, we can make our mind perfectly easy; we have devoted much space indeed to" inculcate tree planting during the past few months. We tUrn to this subject to-day because we wish to remark on the deplorable want of attention which , has , been, given to it notwithstanding every, effort which has been put forth in advancement of the practice. .If / there is one thing wanting in Waikato it is timber. The district possesses many advantages not obtainable in many • parts of the colony. A soil of exceeding fertility, watered by innumerable rills, unusually favorable means of communication, and a climate that rivals the blue Italian weather. /These are, tijuly ' great advantages, and we are thankful JEor them. But then possession is no justification for lazy indulgence. We are blessed, but we must strive to be twice blessed. When we consider how near, comparatively speaking, is the reward, we are astonished at the apathy shown in' regard to tree planting. We ought not to respect the man who would point blank.^re^use. to wor.lp.fpr Jus posterity,' although we' might find, believing the majority of mankind a selfish lot, some justification for him. But in so far as tree planting is concerned a man in the prime of life may entertain reasonable hopes of securing to himself some of the actual profit which would accrue. Results such as these have actually been obtained in England.. A gentleman in England whose lands were more extensive than fertile used to plant 1000 trees on the birth of every daughter, upon his waste grounds, which were, on an average, worth one pound each on her coming of age ; thus enabling him to give her a fortune of £1000 ■without any extraordinary economy on his part, the regular thinning of the trees at proper • seasons, -with barking, <fee., paying off all the current expenses, besides yielding feim a small rent fpr the land. Some years ago in Yorkshire 5000 oaks were cut down, which yielded £Ke sum of £10<£000, and the timber on ~tfn estate of 2000 acres in Somersetshire was refused to an offer of £50,000. In the year 1758, in England, 92 fir trees were planted upon a piece of ground three-quarters of an acre- in extent. The land wa| waste and' poor ; no extra expense was incurred and no further attention was paid to the young trees. In 1813 they were cut down and yielded 90 tons of timber, then worth £4 per ton, giving a round sum of £360, which was equal to a r6nt of £6 10s during the intervening <55 years. We mention these instances merely to show how quickly timber returns a j profit, though, in general, treeplanting in England is regarded as repayment to posterity of the •debt which the existing generation owes to its ancestors. 'Here we, unfortunately, have had no kind ancestors to plant fqrests for us ; we have had predecessors who_ have done .their utmost to destroy the grajnti primeval woods with which they found' the islands endowed; and we do not, therefore, feel under any "obligation as to the repayment of a debt. In this new country, among other very necessary qualities, we must be unselfish. If our forerunners have robbed us we ought not to hand down our misfortunes, aggravated as they would perforce be, to our grandchildren. But, as we hinted above, there are other and stronger considerations in reserve. The progress which timber trees, more especially pines, make in this colony, ' and more particularly in this district, is well ascertained to be extraordinary. We may find proof of this for ourselves in any homestead plantation over half-a-dozen years old. There are some very noticeable pine trees in the beautiful grounds environing the residence of Major Wilson, Cambridge. It is true that they are some 15 or 16 years old, but their proportions are gigantic. Perhaps few things would serve as a better inducement to the planting of trees than a sight of these pines. They who plant, therefore, possess, in addition to the pleasant consciousness of having added to their children's store,' a Just hope of being enabled to enjoy, themselves, some of the results of their care and foresight. The beneficial effect which tree-planting would have on the climate, in making it more equable, is another argument almost as powerful as the other. There will be plenty of time during the coming year to prepare land for forest plantations, and we hope that during that time a little serious consideration will be devoted to the subject. Those who have to some extent embarked in the enterprise need, we are sure, no further stimulus,

The Lord Bishop of the Diocese proposes administering the rite of Confirmation in S. Peter's, Hamilton, early in November. Candidates for Con* firmatioa were invited last Sunday

llpningvtyr the SJfev. Wipam Galder to »Wnd^Jf|nBong^^viaorroM :^t S. Rater's, anft^Jpa in 'thjpf • namojjHu orclef that classeC'may be formed forthwith. \ Information respecting the £1200 grant for the Waipa-Kaglan road from Ngaruawahia to What* what* has aVlast, been reoeived. It seems 'ricto that this grant has to be spent under the aupervision of the District Engineer (Mr Stewart), and the plans do not allow of the deviation from Stone's corner to Bomfrey's. . Such, being, the oaae, how are the. unfortunate contractors to fare P . . Contractor fpr road-forming and similar works will he glad Co >cc that the Hamilton -Highway. Board have called for various jobs in different parts of their district. The Engineer, with some members of the Board, examined yesterday the road leading past Dr Careys .to Hand's corner, and purpose dividing this - work into two or three different contracts, making them joome within the compass of individual ratepayers. ' " The schoolmaster's ■ house at Pukete is finished. Mr Giffney, the teaoher is very much respected by the parents of the children attending the •chool, and although the roll only amounts to some 25; still, at the late examination by the inspector (Mr .Goodwin) 17 out of 19 who presented themselves passed .in the class they were brought forward in. This must be gratifying to the parents, and reflects well upon the teacher, considering that most of these children had previously lived too far away to avail themselves of any public school. ' A case, possessing some peculiar features, has been brought under our notice. It will be in the minds of our readers that, recently two Auckland land speculators were in attendance at the Land Court Cambridge, with a view to the purchase af certain native lands. As payment to the natives, they gave orders on storekeepers and others in the district to the total amount of about £1600. When these gentlemen left Cambridge, they did so without cashing these orders, and in consequence there was as might have been expected a pretty considerable amount of growling indulged in by the too credulous business people. After making repeated application for the money without success, a reminder was thrown out to the effect that recourse would be had to law. To this it was answered that if pressure was brought to bear, the oa^es would be held over till January. One of the tradesmen by pertinaciously following up the gentlemen referred to, didreceive alarge per centage of his account, but the rest are still in the cold. "We learn however, that notwithstanding any delay which might result, several summonses will shortly be issued. As "there's not a string attuned to mirth, but has its chord in melancholy " so there are few benefits which do not carry with them something that is calculated to annoy. The people of Cambridge, the generous donor, and the Town Board are we consider entitled to our congratulations on account of the tree planting in Victoria ' street which we have had occasion to notice before. We must however, call attention to the very inconvenient situation of the tree enclosures from the Government paddock to the .Anglican Church. Between these two points the road was formed some years ago at the West side of the roadway and the trees being planted o.n that side they necessarily encroach on.the traffic road. This not only proves a source of much annoyance to country settlers, travelling on horseback or in. vehicles' after dark but also of probable danger. The Board have it in contemplation to alter the road and the rooner it is done the better. The existing road in addition to being obstructed by the . tree enclosures, is in a very bad state, ' being ' full of nasty holes. At an ordinary meeting of the Acting members of the Comus Dramatic Club held on Saturday evening last, the Stage Manager Mr T. A. Bell, and the Secretary Capt. McPherson, resigned their appointments as officers of the Club on account of their private engagements rendering it impossible for them to devote the necessary time to the affairs of the Club. At the same time, they promised to heartily cooperate in their oappcity as ordinary members. Great regret was ex. pressed by all the members present, and a cordial vote of thanks passed to those gentlemen for their past services. Mr A. Swarbriok aDd Mr H. W. Tinne, were unanimously elected Stage Manager and Secretary respectively. We think it is not too much to say that the high position which the club now holds, is mainly due to the exertions of Mr Bell and Capt. McPherson, but the amount of Work involved in the Managership or Secretaryship of a Dramatic Club is very considerable, and these gentlemen having seen the Club through it* initiatory difficulties may j fairly plead for a hoi j day, and we are glad to learn tnat their successors will have the benefit of their advice and hearty assistance. Support Local Industries.— Messrs. Ridlor and Dalton, Kiwi Mills, are pro- j ducing ' the best of flour from Waikato grown wheat. For prices, see advertisement in first column, page two. — [Advt.] The Tamahere Highway Board. after the meeting of ratepayers advertised for Wednesday, will meet for the purpose of deciding upon what works shall be carried out this season. Two of the most important of these is one to open the Tramway Road from its junction with the Piako Road into Tamahere. To undertake this work will require the co-operation of the Kirikiriroa Board, as the creek is the boundary, and a bridge required. over it is half in each district. For the good of the public, it is to be hoped the Kirikiriroa Board will devote some of their funds to the very necessary work. The other is the improving the approach to the bridge at Crawfords Gully. The polling for Councillors' takes place on Thursday. There is very little interest taken in the matter so far as we can judge, and button-holing is, at a discount. An independent weekly journal, to be entitled the Observer, is announced to be published early this month. It is to contain reviews t>f current social and political events. Following the example of the society weeklies, whioh have proved so successful in England, a portion of the Observer's space will be devoted to chronicling in an airy manner the sayings, doings, and social reunions of people everybody knows. Mr A. S. Rathbone, the sole proprietor and editor, is well qualified to undertake the task: a gentleman of considerable newspaper experience and a man of the world. If this class of paper can be made to exist in this part of the world, which we much doubt, however, it will do bo under his management. The lambing season throughout the Waikato has been on the whole a successful one. The last few days have been quite spring-like : trees are blossoming and budding, and there is every indication of an early spring. The early advance of Spring has occasioned much activity amongst the agricultural community. The plough is now kept constantly going and in a week or so time the large proportion of the season's crops will have been sown. A considerable area of land will we understand be this year devoted to potatoes, the farmers, more especially in the Waipa districts being induced to embark in this

direction "by tHe proa^ecfc^hTch^extended .'railway, commnsfcation holds ottof being . \able tp/forwaffr; the c&ps tafa marked "with more expedition and witbMess expence, than was possible at any previous ■ time. Indeed the advantages secured to ,the settlers by the opening of the railway have induced them to enter largely into the culture of making other crops, which in the very nature of things could never before be made to pay. Cheered by the results of past endeavours, the settlers in ajl parts, oj the Waikato intend thia coming season to devote an increased area of land to the growing of turnips. Formerly, when settlers only kept cattle during the fine months of the year and drove their niobs of fat beeves., to the Auckland market in the latter part of the summer and autumn the clover was all sufficient : Now a different condition of things obtains, and in order to be in a position to supply the beef market all the year round, Waikato farmers must; grow winter food. It is because this is recognised that turnip culture is now coming to be regarded as one of the principal operations on the farm. There is however, another argument in their favour, much of the land in this district has been found to take grass after turnips which would scarcely grow a blade before, and this in itself is enough to recommend them. A complaint lias reached us regarding a gate which has been erected on the bridge over the Fokaiwheuaa, on the Cambridge Rotorua JRoad. A rider going that way the' other day had a narrow escape, owing to the horse being flighty. Perhaps some alteration might be made so that danger may be avoided. Complaints are being made by the settlero living in the neighborhood, of the wretchedly bad condition of the bridge on the Pen Court road near the property of Mr Swayne At their last meeeting the Cambridge Highway Board voted a sum of money towards the repair of the bridge, but from all we can learn, the sum is to* tally inadequate for the purpose. The matter is one which ought to be looked to as in its present oondition, the bridge is positively unsafe, and at any time a very serious accident might be occasioned. The prospect of the regimental prize-firing has impelled the members of the various Cavalry Troops to increased practice. On Saturday, several members of the Cambridge team' spent the afterneon at the butts and made some very fair shooting. Some uncertainty appears to prevail in regard to the manner in which the belt is to be awarded, whether it will fall to the highest aggregate scorer in the regiment, or to the highest in the winning team. The latter would appear to be the fairer way, as by that means the honor would be held by the Troop possessing the best marksmen, and not by an individual. Talk of seeing things grow! About the nearest approach to it is the following which a gentleman assures us is a fact, although it may seem to most people incredible. Our informant, after breakfast on Sunday, left Cambridge, taking his journey on the Hamilton Road noticing the orchards and the early spring buds on the way, and all nature rejoicing under a warm and almost summer sun. On returning early in the afternoon, one orchard in particular had opened its buds and one mass of peach blossom was presented to the astonished gazer's view. It really seemed like a transformation. Professional Beautyism is no longer to be confined to the gentler sex. Within a stone's throw of St. James's J Street there has been lately founded a society, or club, to which only "beauty " men " will be admitted ; on the roof of which is to be erected a photographic studio, where the members are to be ponrtrayed in fancy dress, in fencing aress, in uniform, in boating dress, in lawntennis and polo dress, and in smoking dress. Wild horses should not drag from me the names of the committee. Suffice it to say that the club is most " influentially " supported, and has already retained at least one aesthetic poetess as honorary member. It is said, too, that a "Conquest Book " will be on the table of the morning-room, and that candidates must send in certificates of beauty from at least three wellknown lady judges of that quality. Atlas. The Pukete Pant is now in working, thanks to the Waikato County Council who lately supplied the rope necessary, and had it fixed across the river. Any oerson desiring a passage have only to call upon Mr Alexander on the one side or Mrs Walsh on the other, and they will be safely conveyed across. At the suggestions of some of the heads of families, whose children attend the Pnkete School, the punt has been left undecked to render it safer for children crossing- from the Kinkiriroa side. "I keep an excellent table," said a lady, disputing with one of her boarders. "That may be true, ma'am," said he; " but you put very little upon it."

Captain Runciman invites all members of the Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers, cither active or honorary, to assist on Friday next to improve the new drill-ground. Messrs Carr and Son, boat-builders to H.M. Navy, of Customhouse-street, Auckland, announce a specialiti in the shape of a pleasureboat complete for £5. We want a few on our splendid river. Mr J. S. Edgecumbe has been elected trustee in the bankrupt estate of Charles Kay, of Hamilton, si bankrupt. A general meeting of the creditors of Andrew Kenny, of Hamilton, builder, will be held in the Courthouse, Hamilton, to-morrow at 2 p.m., to pass a resolution that the said Andrew Kenny be discharged. Mr W. E. Mears, bookseller, stationer, and musicseller, has purchased the business of Mr Newton Fairs, and is prepared to do business with country settlers. See advertisement. Mr N. R. Cox announces that he is selling off for one month drapery to make room for direct shipments of summer goods. Mr Cox is giving up the ironmongery business, and hence a rare opportunity is offered to carpenters and others to purchase cheap tools. Mr Cox has a remarkably recherche assortment of china and crockeryware, which we yesterday had the pleasure of inspecting. A lecture on " Oddities " will be delivered by the Rev. Wm. Evans in the Oddfellows' Hall on the 18th inst. Mr Kennedy Hill will sell a superior lot of furniture on the 10th inst., the property of Mr T. Bell, at his residence. A meeting of the Sons of Ulster is summoned for Tuesday, the 14th inst. Mr J. S. Buckland will hold the regular quarterly sale at the Whatawhata sale-yards, on Wednesday, 15th September, for cattle, etc. Mr Win. Camming announces through our advertising columns that all accounts outstanding over twelve months will be sued for without further notice; and all persons having in their possession kegs, casks, etc., three months out of the brewery will be similarly dealt with. Mr Kennedy Hill announces by advertisement that he has a choice selection of seeds for sale. The new Pure Cash System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co- operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. 8c C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and cheaply bought. An inspection is ipvited. — Garlick and Ckanwbll, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queen* street, Auckland,