AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1315, 2 December 1880, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

THURSDAY, DEC. 2, 1880.

Some of our Southern friends have been making a great fuss about a letter which a certain Reverend John Foster has published in a Lincolnshire paper, the Spaldhtg Gazette. Mr Fositfr holds the position of Minister of the Congregational Church at Oamaru ; and it is thence that he wrote this epistle Avhich has raised such unnecessary dust. The apparent object of the writer would appear to us to have been to put a period to all emigration to the Colony from the Mother Country, at least this is what one would be lead to infer from the terrible picture which the rev. gentleman draws of the social, moral, and financial condition of N T ew Zealand. It does not surprise us to find that Mr Foster is befogged when he touches on the political aspect of the case, nor do we think that the opinions of a new comer, such as Mr Foster, would carry much weight wherever they might go. JBut on another point it is probable that greater heed will be paid to his utterances, and that is his denunciation of the Colony as a hot bed of immorality and vice. Mr Foster does not want for friends both in the Press and out, and it has been very ingeniously insinuated that Mr Foster offends by his very truthfulness. It is the cant of a certain sect of humanity to decry everything which is familiar just as it is the fashion with another class to affect to live in and for the present age alone. The vapourings of immigration agents inflated with the consciousness of their own importance as representatives of a great and glorious colony, have done us inconceivable harm, no doubt, - but are we on that account to cry " Stinking fish ?" It may be perfectly true that the state of our finances is serious qnough to demand the exercise of the most consummate talents in their direction ; it may be quite beyond question that we are not. a community of wingless angeltf, but the sneers of those who ape the manner of a Thackeray, without possessing his kindly, genial sunshiny genius, will not be able to convince us that we ara bankrupt, either in morals or estate. Since the Rev. Mr Foster's letter has been brought to light, he has written to a Southern paper to explain that his remarks were penned with the sole object of preventing a certain class of small cottagers with small means from emigrating, and that he had no intention of applying anything he wrote to the general agricultural class of the land. He, indeed, freely admits that since the letter was written he has formed a better opinion of New Zealand and its people. We can quite believe that his puny attack on the colony was the result of temporary pique or spleen, and that he is heartily sorry for having drawn upon his imagination for evidence for which no foundation in fact could be found. But how, knowing this, shall we excuse the conduct of those within our own fold who have defended as they would the truth of the Gospel statements which the author has modified so markedly ?

There were about sevenpassengers by the coach to the Aroha yesterday, among the number being aome Australian miners. Several others left Hamilton in the course of the day bound for th« goldfield.

Professor Fraser delivered a lecture in the Public flail, To Awamutu. on Tuesday evening. The attendance con* aidering that it was the day of the Ohaupo puces was good, and a cordial invitation was given him to deliver a second lecture last night, which the Professor agreed to do. This evening Professor Fraser lectures in Ohaupo.

It is currently reported that Mr James Stewart, C.E., District Engineer, has received intimation that his •w^'es are about to be dispensed with

At the Police Court, Hamiltß •on Tuesday, two inebriate* were brought up, and dealt with m the usual manner.

By the last San Francisco mail news of the death of J. K. Emm«tt (Fritz) was received.

The Government have sent instructions to Sir Julius Vogel to apply for space in the Crystal Palace Exhibition, Sydnham, for a New Zealand wool exhibition ; alao to receive and forward exhibits sent from New Zealand. Exhibitors will have only to pay freight to London. After arrival at the Agency. General, exhibits will be taken charge of by the Agent-General at the expense of the Colony.

We have to acknowledge the receipt ok tho fiivt number c»f tho To Aroha Miner,

We notice that at the last .Viitin/r of the Hituiittou Borough Council it was decided* tqr the telegraph £<>les frcn theft* present position in the middle of the footp.ith on the east side of Yiotorin-ytruet. This work, it seems to us, is a matter the Government should with ull jusiicn be nuked to undertake. However, tho poles, as wo some tune Hgu ftixU d, ure daugerous to pede.strin.ns on dark nightt*, and. ho the sooner they are removed, little mutter by whom, the bettor.

A Rome telegram to the London Times soys :—" A young Amerioan soprano, Mure Van, of Cincinnati, has made the during attempt of appearing, for the first time ou uny boards, as pritna donna at the Politeama, in the patt of Gilda in Verdi's ' jKigoletto.' The enormous theatre which holds 4000 person*, was f nil. The audience, with that critical severity on which the Roman public prides itself, received the debutante with absolute Mlenee. Not a hand was lifted to encourage her, but notwithstanding that natural agitation which made her words uncertain, she went through the firr- 1 ecene well, was culled on twice, and finally attained a well-deserved success. The Roman musical critics praise the quality and extent of her organ, which is strikingly sympathetic, the good style of her acting, and — with reservations on a want of training in the management of her voice, and in her pronunciation of Italian words — predict a successful career for her if she is careful to remedy these defects."

As notified by advertisement a meeting of the Lawn Tennis Club members, will be held on the ground, on Saturday next, at 4 o'clock, to consider the advisability of incurring the expense of forming a new ground. Considerable inconvenience is caused by having only one court, and a small subscription troin each of the members would enable the committee to increase the accommodation. All members are requested to be present.

On Saint Andrew's night a dance took place in Le Quesne's ball. The at* tendance was large, there being between 40 and 50 couples present. Dancing commenced about 8 o'clock and was kept up till the "wee hou- of morning." The music was excellent.

In reference to Sir Julius Vogel's Polynesian scheme the Daily Ttws .«>ays : — *' If it be true that that gentleman contemplates returning to the Colony, and once more taking an active part in our public affairs, the Polynesian scheme, under his advocacy and the governor-ship of Sir Arthur Gordon, would be likely to emerge from speculation into accomplish* ment.

Gold mining as a rule is (says the WUm'm), commonly regarded as a very important national industry. An industry in fact, which adds more than any other to the wealth of the country where it is to be found. Yet, notwithstanding this, gold mining appears to be a loss instead of a gain, on economicgrounds, except in very special cases. Take Victoria for instance, where gold mining is carried on to an unlimited extent, and perfection realised by the aid of machinery, even there it does not pay. The average wage of all miners in Victoria by recent statistics is set down at £89 per anmun, and the value of the gold received into the mint or exported, is only sufficient to give £76 per man. This would appear to indicate a loss of £13 for the year for each miner employed. It must, however be borne in mind that the official returns of the Mint and of the Custombouse do not show nearly the whole product of the industry. An indust.y which affords 400,000 miners an ineomeof £89 a year each, or £3,560,000 a year in the aggregate, besides what they make from agricultural holding's Hnd in other ways, musfc be considered exceedingly i r >sperov », evon if the loss on the ultimate sale of the produce amounted to a much larger sum thin £100,000 the price of Victorian gold is ju>t about £4 per ounce ; and it takes £•) per ounce to produce it at the current rate of wa^es, Htill il is a profitable industry. The whole question is simply one of wages.

We beg to draw the attention of those in neach of choice agricultural lands, or of profitable investments, to the adver-' tisement i • another column, giving fuller details concerning' the sale of the Messrs. Campbells fino estate in the Thames Valley. Tho property has been subdivided into allotments suited to the convenience and the means of all classes of intending settlers, and at the same time the unsold portion of the rising township of Waihou. We have, on more than one occasion, referred to this property, which in addition to the advantage which its position gives it, is one of the best in point of the quality of tho land in the Valley. These advantages are set forth in detail, with the strictest fairnass, in the advertisement. The sale will come off on December Bth, at the Mart of Messrs S. Coohrane and Son Fort Street, Auckland.

The bridge over what is very euphoniously called " Slaughterhouse tfully,'' between Hamilton East and Claudelauds id now quite finished together with the approaches, and it is now possible to take a much shorter route to Hokonui than formerly. That portion of the road which is in the Kirikiriroa District has been gravelled. By advertisement it will be seen that Messrs Thornton, Smith and Firth announce that the s.s. Kotuku will leave their stores, Railway Wharf, Auckland, direct for the Te Aroha Goldfield, carrying 1 goods only. All goods sent down to the store on the Railway Wharf will be stored five of ihar&\ and landed without transhipment at the goldfield.

Mr Kennedy Hill has been appointed agent for Messrs Frater Brothers, sharcbrokcrs, ot Auckland and Grahamstown, and will in future combine sharcbroking with his general commission business.

The Central Committee of the Presbyterian Cnurch, Waikato, tender their thanks to the contributors who assisted at the late bazaar fur their aid.

Mr M. M. Taylor calls for tenders up to Wednesday, Bth December, for the purchase of grass and oats on the farm, Fairmount, Rangiaohia, at per acre.

Mr J. S. Buckland will dispose of a choice lot of half and thrce-quartor-bred wethers, overland Irom Napier, at the Ohaupo live stock sale on Tuesday, 14th December.

Persons in want ef matai and heart of rimu wire posts can be supplied by Mr C. W. Barton, Te Koao, Ngaruawabia, who has an excellent lot on sale. On reference to our advertising columns, will be seen the Abridged Prospectus of the Cas. well Sound Marble, Portland Cement, and Mining Company (Limited), the share list of which closes on the 15th proximo. 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 hydncy 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 fn 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 )'ear. 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. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock U nkw and cheaply nouc.HT. An inspecti is oninvitcd.— Garlick and Cranwkll, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland.