The Waikato Times

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1293, 12 October 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatp\ej 1 st.itc or .persuasion, religious or political. Here sh.ill the Press the People's ripht maintain Unawcd by influence and unbribed bj* gain.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12,1880.

Now that the settlement of English farmers with capital in this country is something more than a bare possibility, it will interest many to know something of the advice tendered to intending emigrants by Messrs Grant and Foster, regarding what portions of the colony they should select as their future homes. The question, "Is New Zealand a good field of emigration for British tenant farmers ?" they have, as we have before stated, answered in the affirmative. They bay that here the class spoken ©f will be able to make a profitable use of what capital remains to them after tho severe times through which they havo passed in England during the past few years, and that they will have presented to them better opportunities for settling their famalies in life than they could ever hope for in the overcrowded home country. But they administer a word of caution ncre, warning people not to imagine that in coming to New Zealand they are jumping into an immediate fortune. It is quite as necessary that the farmer should possess steadiness and industry here as at home, the difference being that these qualities obtain a better reward in New Zealand. The days for making rapid fortunes have departed "with the dangers and inconveniences which had to be undergone in order to obtain them. There is a common delusion obtaining at home that New Zealand is pretty much alike all over, and that it matters very little where the emigrant may go, the same kind of fortunes are likely to attend him. Nothing can be more misleading than such a belief, and Messrs Grant and Foster have been at much pains to eradicate it from the minds of those who might possibly become settlers in the colony. "There are," they write, "in the colony greater varieties of soil, of climate and of agricultural occupations, if we may so term them, than it would be easy to find in any other country of the same size." They point out that a man's selection of a locality in New Zealand in which to raise up a home for himself ouglit to depend upon what sort of farming he prefers, because he can have a choice of almost any kind. If a warm climate, mild winter, and cattle raising suit him, no place could be better than the Waikato. " It would be a good place for a man of capital who wishes to acquire a large freehold at a comparatively low price, and when once the stock is bought and the farm brought into cultivation, it can be worked at a low : cost owing to the small amount of care and attention required by live stock in that warm climate. On the other hand, a man of small capital, desirous of carrying on his farm by the united labour of himself and family only, might do very well in the same district for the same reasons." One word of advice they add, which they apply not only to Waikato, but to tho rest of the colony, and that is, that only good land should be bought, and that worked if possible with the farmer's own capital. Let him be content with a small place rather than own a larger on borrowed money ; his profits will be almost as large, while his peace of mind will be incomparably greater. The South-west of the North Island contains very fine districts, say the delegates, but for the greater part of English tenant farmers, possessed of the little capital that bad times j have left, they cannot resist an impression that the other Island is the place. There the land is better adapted to the purposes of agriculture, because there ?re fewer hindrances to cultivation ; there is no fern to eradicate, and few swamps to tackle. But then the land is dearer and can only now be got at .second hand, so that the settler is advised rather to lease than to buy land, if he wishes for largo profits, because there, farming without capital means ruinous losses hi bad seasons. Nothing, it seems to us, can be much fairer than the way in which Messrs. Grant and Foster have stated tho case. That each Island has its own peculiar advantages nobody will doubt. If a

very subordinate place has be&n assigned to Waikato and the North generally as a cereal producing' country, so also have the grazing capabilities of the sister Island been very lightly touched upon. The writers have wisely striven to give prominence to what form the chief characteristics of the two places, in order that intending settlers may decide upon their destination without difficulty. To him who wishes to raise up a home of his own, upon which he may lavish all that affectionate care which men, and especially Englishmen, generally bestow upon that sacred spot of ground called " home," there can indeed be very little doubt that Waikato, (by which we mean the interior province of Auckland), and some of the other districts in the North Island are the places to which he should direct his steps. Here we are not so much at the mercy of the seasons, not so much influenced by the rise and fall in the price of a bushel of wheat as are our more agricultural brothers in the South. With a climate far surpassing theirs, with surer, if slower, means of making money, life is here more enjoyable than there. If, however, on the other hand, a man be willing to run the risk of bad seasons and consequent losses for the sake of the immediate large profits which a good season is sure to produce ; if he prefers agricultural to pastoral pursuits, l«t him choose our sister island. In other respects it indeed matters very little where he may go. The social conditions of the colony vary very little, and altogether they are far superior to those of most new countries. The extreme warmth of the North and the bitter blasts of Southland seem to be alike productive of that hospitable spirit which is characteristic of New Zealand and which we hope will distinguish her people through the years to come. Thereare other countries, the delegates admit, where greater advantages in some respects can bo obtained than any New Zealand can offer, but then they say " the great boast of " New Zealand is, that it is a place " where an Englishman may make "an English home, and produce " everything he requires to make " life comfortable . . . and " certainly the boast is not an idle " one." Churches and schools, and indeed all the conveniences of life, are fairly numerous ; and, " above " all, New Zealand is a country of " law and order . . . and it " does seem strange to us that men " can be found in numbers to abjure " their Queen and country ' for " ever ' (as they must in the United " States), when English colonies " with such advantages exist." We do not doubt, that this report of Messrs Grant and Foster's will, from the authority which their reputation gives them, induce many eligible settlers to come to New Zealand, and we are equally certain that in accepting all that is in the book as truth they will not find themselves deceived when they come amongst us.

For many years past the imports of New Zealand have largely exceeded her exports, in what ratio the f^llowinjj will show :—: — Year. imports. Exports. £ £ 1870 ... 4,630,015- 4,544,082 1873 ... 6,404,(587 5,477,970 1879 ... 8,37-4,385 5,563,43 Ti On this head it is generally admitted that the prosperity of a nation may l>e guaged as a rule by the relative proportion of imports and exports ; and it may be argued that the full tide of prosperity has set in. when the former much exceed the latter. The rule, however, does not always hold good ; and a country cannot be considered prosperous which has to borrow to pay its way. It may be regarded indeed as fortunate in having been able to borrow, but that is about all that can be said. From the above table it will be seen that the imports exceeded the exports by £1,000,000, and in 1879 the excess was within a shade of £3,000,000 sterling. The cause of this apparent prosperity in the excess of imports is to be found in the startling increase of the public debt, which, on January Ist, 1870, stood at £7,020,032 nett, and, on December Ist, 1879, was £22,153,080. To the latter add sinking fund, £1,805,231, and unexpended balance of the last £5,000,000 loan— say £3,000,000 — and we have a total public debt of £26,958,311. But, dealing with nett amounts only, the debt increased £15,000,000 during the decade. During the same period the population very nearly doubled itself, and yet the exports in 1879 were less than one-fifth more than in 1870 ; or, in other words, the exports had only increased £1,018,773, as against £3,735,570 increase of imports. It might be supposed, and, in indeed, was anticipated, when the public works system was initiated, that, under such a forcing process, the colony would proportionately progress. It however lias not proved so, for if development may be guaged by increase of exports the colony has been stationary. If, then the colony has not expanded under the potent stimulant administrated to it, in what manner has that stimulant found effect ? In reply to this, we think it must be generally admitted that the effect was manifested in the maintenance of an abnormally high price of labor, a price that hindered the development of local industries of all kinds, and also the opening up of the

country. This is one of the chief o| r«, lavish expenditure — ,an expenditure recklessly incurred under local pressure and that has militated against the best interests of the country by throwing obstacles in the way of the producing classes, farmers, manufacturers and others. Labor, in fact, has' been in the ascendant ; it triumphed forth c time, but now' will have to submit to an inevitable reaction ; a reaction, however, ' from which it will ultimately, benefit, firstly by the extension of the channels of labor, and secondly by the inculcation of habits of thrift and economy that have been lost or -suppressed during the late carnivaj of high wages. Improvidence and reckless speculation have prevailed, and are now bearing bitter fruit. Self-reliance can alone save New Zealand from any serious reverses. Borrowing is put a stop to, and as soon as the unexpended balance of loans is exhausted we must of necessity export more than we import. The exports are pretty well stationary at, in round numbers, £6,000,000 ; and deducting £2,500,000 for interest, there will remain only some £3,500,000 to pay for imports. Business men need no reminder or suggestion as to the effect of this in trade circles.

The late outrage in Auckland by the Fijian appears to have created a sort of scare in Hamilton. "We are daily hearing of ugly-looking men chasing children on their way to or from school ; but have made inquiries and find nearly the whole of these tales are the offsprings of imagination. Aa reg'arda the poster placarded about the town, " Your Life's in Danger," in enormous letters, we may say that the poster was printed at the Waikato Times office for the Comus Dramatic Club, and refers merely to the next piece they purpose placing on the boards.

It is stated that Judge Macdomild will be appointed Assistant Judge of the Native Lauds Court, and that Judge Fenton will be required to assist in the District Court, so that the two gentlemen between them will do all the business of the District and Native Lands Courts.

A new schedule of charges on the New Zealand railways came into operation yesterday.

At the soiree in aid of the Wesleyan Sunday-school, to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall this evening, some choice music may be anticipated. Among the selections, we understand, will be instrumental duets from "H.M.S. Pinafore ;" Mrs Culpan will sing the new and popular song ' ' Where is Heaven, " and several other lady amateurs have promised their assistance. Mr Culpan returned from Auckland last night, and will take part in the programme. The attendance will doubtless be large.

At the Hamilton Police Court yesterday, before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., James Kearney, of Hamilton, charged with having been drunk while iv charge of a horse within the Borough, pleaded guilty, and "vra-i fined 20s, and costs, 7s, or in default, 1 i days' imprisonment. The same person, charged on the information of Constable William Murray, with a breach of the Vagrant Act Amendment Act, 1869, by making use of filthy language in a public place, pleaded guilty, and was finpd 40s, and costs, 2os, or in default, one month's imprisonment.

The Cambridge Highway Board have attended to the nasty hole at the Tamahere bridge, and will, we hope, fence the bank of the creek at the southern approach.

The contractors for Crawfords Gully cutting have commenced work, and are making great progress.

The rain has somewhat interfered with tho street improvements in Cambridge, but with the return of fine weather the works will be pushed on.

The new hotel erected for Mr Clements, at Cambridge West, is i:isfc approaching 1 completion, and those who are opposed to its getting a license are making strenuous efforts to give effect to their wishes.

A few shillings mi?ht, with advantage, be spent on the footpath leading from the east side of the Hamilton bridge to the hi<rh ground abore. At present it is in a very dangerous condition.

The sharp frosts which were experienced on Saturday and yesterday mornings singularly encugh did little damage. We have seen vines, potato tops and pumpkin plants, which, although exposed, were untouched. The growth of vegetables this spring has been something wonderful.

Notwithstanding the explanation we gave sometime ago, some misunderstanding' still appears to exist regarding the selection of the Waikato represcnta- j tives at the late football match between Auckland and Wellington One or two of our local men are naturally sore? at the way the committee managed the affair and their soreness is aggravated by the fact that a Waikato roan was nominated on the committee. It is quite true that a Waikato footballer (Mr J. W. 11. Wood) was named to act on the committee but it is also true that he was never consulted upon any point and it was only through the newspapers that he became aware of the names of the representatives chosen from Waikato. He wrote to the committee expressing his annoyance and at one time had serious thought*, of throwing up the whole affair. We think it is only justice to Mr Wood that he should be cleared of all blame in the matter.

[ In another column we publish a report of the carbine contest at Cambridge on Friday laat. We regret that owing- to the late hour at which we received the intelligence on Friday night we could not give it insertion.

Under the heading of "Religion and Board Schools," the London Graphic has the following piece of information :—: — " On Saturday the prizes founded by Mr F. Peek for proficiency in Scriptural knowledge were distributed at the Crystal Palace. Out of 128,000 competitors from the London .School Board Schools there were 4000 successful scholars. Sir C. Reed, who presided, remarked that the 1 once much talked of religious difficulty ' was a thing unknown in the Board Schools. Simple Bible-reading with explanations suited to the children's capacity he said was liked by the scholars and approved by the parents, who rarely declined to allow I their children to attend." Sir Chas. Reed, \ M.P., is an earnest (Jongvegationalist, a ; liberal tliiukec ami politician, who is highly popular in Enlaiul.

"Although reports from the Antipodes aye not encouraging, and there is reason to suppose that the great wave of depression has reached them which swamped us at home, there is increased eagerneass amongst agriculturists to betake themselves to new lands. The farmers of Lincolnshire, as we know, some time since despatched two delegates to New Zealand who have returned with much

encouragement for those who sent them. Now a similar movement has been set on foot in Yorkshire, where bad harvests have already produced much distress amongst the emigrant class. A large meeting was held at Wakefield last week iv order to discuss the question, and the unanimous conclusion was that emigration was almost the only course left open to the Yorkshire farmer if he wished to avoid the work-house. English fanners have, no doubt, substantial grievances just now. The climate has long fought against them, their tenure of land is not always equitable, and they have suffered heavily from external competition, especially in stock and grain. The present crisis probably marks a period of transition, and within a very few years we shall have great changes in our agricultural system. The land will be more devoted to fruit and market gardens.— Rome Xeia>.

A Sydney correspondent sends the following to the Australasian :—": — " I believe a subscription has been started for the purpose of presenting Murdoch with a testimonial for the grand innings he played against All-England. It has been suggested that on the retnrn of the Australian Eleven they should be opposed in Sydney and Melbourne by an Eleven of Australia, and it is believed that the following team would make a capital lot to play them :— F. Allan, T. Horan, C. Bannerman, E. Evans, Massie, Kendall, Elliott. T. Garratt, D. Gregory, F. Baker, and Coates, Henty, or W. H. Cooper. It has also been proposed that an attempt should be made to send the very best Australian thirteen to England in a couple ot years' time, and the following men have been spoken of : — E. Evans, Massie, C. Bannerman (who has quite rt covered from his recent indisposition), A. Bannerman, Spofforth, Garratt, P. M'Donnell, Blackham, Boyle, Bonnor, Horan, Murdoch, and Groube."

At a meeting of friends of total Abstinence held the other day at Cambridge, tho Rev. W. N. deL." Willis in the chair, to consider the advisability of establishing: a branch ot the iNew Zealand Alliance in Cambridge. The following resolutions were carried unanimously :— I. "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirous to form a New Zealand Alliance (Cambridge Branch) similar in aim and principles to the United Kingdom Alliance*" 2. "That the membership in the proposed Alliance shall consist in the payment of an antual subscription of not less than 2* 6d, and adhesion to the declaration of policy, members agreeing always to support all members that have for their object the forth 3rence of the policy therein set forth, either politically, municipally, or otherwise.' 1 A letter was read from the Secretary of | the Auckland Branch of the Alliance (Mr D. Goldie) offering on behalf of the Auckland Branch a donation of £5 towards the costs attending the opposing of the granting of a license to an hotel in Cambridge | West, provided that a branch of the Al- j lianoe was forward at Cambridge.

An interesting civil action (says the Wellington ZW of a recent date), was heard before Mr Shaw yesterday, the plaintiff bping a young man named Goldsmith, and the defendant being a lady named Mrs Baker. Both are foreigners, the former a German, the latter a Norwegian. It appeared that the plaintiff went to lodge at defendant's house, and lived there for some time. While glancing over the contents of a photographic album belonging to Mrs Baker, his eye was particularly attracted by the likeness of a young lady, who it transpired was Mrs Baker's sister. The young m:m suddenly became seized with an eager desire to learn all particulars concerning the fair original, and loved to hear her beauties praised aud her virtues dwelt upon. So enthusiastic, indeed, did he grow in his passion of admiration that he straightway wished to become possessor of the beautiful damsel. He waa told that the young lady was then resident in Christiana, but the thousands of miles which separated the love-stricken youth from the object of his adoration were not sufficient to cause him to abandon all hopes of possessing her. He suggested that she should he sent for. The idea was a good one, and without lo«s of time the ardent Romeo obtained an immigrant's nomination at the cost of £1, and bubsequently parted with £o towards her passage to this colony. His visions have since been dispelled, and he now wishes to recover that £6 which his dream has cost him. His measures to achieve this object have, however, been unsuccessful. What the young lady— who is said to bo aftually on her way to New Zealand — will think of the deceiver's conduct when she arrives here may be more easily imagined than described. "Did it ever occur to you," asks a punsome exchange, " Why a lawyer who is conducting a disputed will case is like a trapc/e performer in .1 c.ircu-. 'i Didn't '? Well, it's because he flies through the heir with the greatest of fie*.i c*. Dkvth of an Old E\pi,oKi:n. — The death is announced in Copenhagen of the celebrated Danish Arctic explorer and interpreter, M. Carl Petersen, who was born in 181.3. In ISSO-51 he took part in the English Expedition under Captain Parry to try to discover the survivois of the Fr.iuklin Expedition. From 1553-5.5 he was engaged with the American Expedition of Dr. Kane, and was one of the few survivors of this expedition, which entailed a great amount of suffering on its members. From 1535-oi) he took pa.it in the well-known "Fox" Expedition under Sir Leopold MVliutock, winch brought back such interesting relics of the Franklin Expedition ; and, finally, he took part in the "Forrell" Expedition to Spit/berg, in which the now celebrated l'rofesso> Nordeuskjold took part. M. Petersen had received the decoration of the Dannebrog from the hand of the late King Frederic < VII., and he also had the English Arctic Medal, and the Swedish Gold Medal " Pour le Mci itc " render 1 - are united up to Fndn, i^th mst., bv Mr Win. dimming, toi p.iintmg, tern ing, and other impi moments at the Kojal Hotel, Hamilton East. An important sale of pure-bred shorthorns is announced to take plate to-morrow at the Rcmucr.l Cattle Fair bv Mi Alfred IJuikland. Messrs J. and \V\ L. Martyn ha\o disposed of their butchering business to -Messrs H. and J. Coleman, who will continue to carry on the business on and after Monday ne\t, Oc tober iBth. Mr Adam L,ja bourn, bj the "Sybil" fiom China, has now in bond .in immense stock of | new sc.ison's te.i, the finest crops of the season. W. P. Chepmell, Esq., Chaiiman Waitoa Highway JJoaid, invites tendeis tor various descriptions ot road-making, culverts and bridges. Mr T. G. Sandes, Engineer to the Hoard, \\\\\ give any information required. Charles Cecil Rookes, settler, ot Ngaruawahia, has filed his schedule, and the first meeting ot his creditor will be held at the Courthouse, Hamilton, on Fiida) next at io a.m. Tjih new Pure Cash S)stem now hemp initiated by G. and C. will certainly pro\ c a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in .S)dney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods arc marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery mdlinarj , and clothing .it such prk cs tor cash as tfives the bii)er the advantages of a sh ireholdcr in a co-operati\esocict), without the risk of being railed upon to bearaportion ot the loss should the ) ear's business pane unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cr uuu'll will aim to retain the confidence which the public ha\e hitherto shown them, and are detei mined togi\ c the pure rash system a fair trial; whether they gam or lose the first >e.ir. Country bin crs- nn remitting rash with aider v. ill be supplied with goods at ( o-operatiw; prices ; just the b.mic as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor i loths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house finmtuie, the largest portion ot which is turned out at our own factoiy, will be marked .it the lowest remuneratne pri< cs, and a disi ountof fi\c per ( cut, will be allowed to those who pa> at the time ot pun li.isc. Ci. &. C. h.nlng u-alised the entiie \.ilue ot their sto< k during their late c ash sale, the present stoi kis \i \\ \\l> (Hi SIM y hoit.iii. \n inspi>( tion is imited. — Giunik wo, Ckwwi i r , City Ifall Furnishing Arcade, Queen- I Street, Auckland.