AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1374, 23 April 1881, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1881.

We learn with much satisfaction that it is the intention of many of our farmers to go into sugar-beet growing this next season. The subject of sugar-beet culture in Waikato is one which has been very earnestly advocated by the Messrs. Graham of Taniahere, and to which we have given much prominence in these columns. The subject of root growing generally is one which, under the present circumstances of New Zealand, where we consume half more imports than we send exports away, should receive the attention of every one, be he local producer, or consumer. By entering even but briefly k into the question of root growing, we are, we think, able to demonstrate that it ia a vital one just now. Root growing, particularly the cultivation of sugarbeet, should receive more consideration than it does from both farmers, and leaders of public opinion. Distillation from beet, to say nothing regarding the financial or farming results of its growth in regard to cattle raising, would be an enormous item alone. The market for beet - sugar would be almost unlimited. Take the item of malt also, and we find that although large areas of New Zealand are adapted for the production of the best qualities of malting barley, the producers are, nevertheless, compelled to accept a low price for their grain. Then comes the important question of brewing, whether from malt or from sugar. In England the use of sugar in the manufacture of beer is, by law, strictly prohibited; in New Zealand sugar is the largest item intro^ duced in the brewing of beer! The other day we read in an Australian Parliamentary paper that local brewers made 12s, 6d out of what bajley thfc> farmer sold at, ifo It is thus easily seen that sugar in* very

much greater degree than malt is used by the brewers. The farmers by legitimately using their combined influence in a co-operative manner have it certainly in their power to prohibit the use of sugar in brewing, and compelling the use of malt. The use of sugar in brewing, as we said before, is absolutely prohibited in England, while such is not the case here. Whether in growing barley for malt-producing purposes, or growing beet-root for sugar and cattle fattening purposes, the farmer might be the master of the position in a far greater degree than he is at present, should he think fit to go outside the ordinary and now oldfashioned groove.

The opening of the Whatawhata Bridge and the completion of the new road to Hamilton, the money for which has, we believe, beep handed over by the Government to the Hamilton Highway Board, mean, practically, the opening of that considerable area in the valley of the Waipa of which Whatawhata is perhaps the centre. More than one of those present at the celebration on Wednesday gave expression to their surprise at the excellent quality of the land in the neighbourhood, and to some who were not altogether strangers to the place, the aspect of the country did indeed seem to have donned a fairer garment than usual. Among whatever other merits the settlers of Whatawata possess— and they seem to have the usual characteristics of the sturdy Briton — they have developed in a marked degree the virtue of patience. We should like to have pointed to us a single district in the Southern Island similar, or even inferior, in its natural conditions to the Waipa, and of a like age, which has not years ago by persistent agitation, by repeated worry ings, or by log-rolling, obtained all the Government aid of that kind which Waipa and Raglan have only just begun to taste ! Let this, however, not be said to the discredit of Whatawhata and Raglan ; what they have now obtained has been justly and honorably earned by patience and perseverance, which must conquer in the end. It is not calculable what may be accomplished in everything in life by moderate beginnings and judicious perseverance. The change which must necessarily be wrought in the condition of a rich district brought suddenly into communion with its neighbours, after years of practical isolation, must indeed be great. In a very short time the new road to Hamilton will be opened, and the sooner the better, for a more contemptible apology for a road than that at present used it would be hard to conceive.

We are glad to hear that Messrs Maclean and Co. are about to take measures for cutting up a portion of their fine estate at Okoroiri, for the purposes of settlement. Now that nearly all the good land in Waikato proper has been taken up, it is exceedingly desirable that some inducement should be held out to men of limited means to settle in the country adjoining. A step in the right direction has been made by Mr Murray, of Piako, and now that Messrs Maclean and Co. have followed the example, we hope to see it adopted by other large landowners in this part of the colony. The country beyond Cambridge is exceptionally good ; and when, as will be the case at no distant date, railway communication with a market is established, the district will become an important agricultural centre.

To-day being St. George's Day, the BankB in the Waikato will be clcaed.

Our report of last night's meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council is unavoidably held over.

The tender of Mr. Elliott, £39 55., has been accepted for the erection of a new toll-house for the Hamilton Traffic Bridge.

The sale of land advertised by Mr K. C. Greenwood to oome off at Whatawhata after the opening of the bridge, has been indefinitely postponed, for reasons stated by Mr Greenwood in his remarks at the celebration, dinner, published elsewhere in this isaue.

We understand that, owing to some difference with the members, Mons. Calon has resigned his position as bandmaster of the Hamilton Band. In consequence of this and the necessity for considering other matters of interest, a special meeting of the members is called for Tuesday next, at 8 p.m., at which a full attendance is desired.

Mr J. D. Ormond addressed his constituents at Waipawa on Thursday. He made a long speech, in the course of which he freely criticised the measures and the administration of the present Government. At the close of the address he received a vote of thanks and confidence.

A meeting of the Trustees of the Pukekura Highway District was held at the School-house on Tuesday, when there were present—Messrs R. Reynolds (chairman), Tucker, Hughes, and Sturges. The minutes of the previous meeting and correspondence were read, and accounts, amounting to £69 15s sd, passed for payment. It was resolved to invite tenders for forming the road and earthworks required at the new bridge, Mystery Creek, tenders to be received up , to noon of the 29th inst.

A. meeting of delegates from the various public bodies in Waikato will take place at the Waikato County Council Chambers, Hamilton East, at 11 ».m. on Monday next, to take into consideration the circular from the Manawatu County Council on the question of subsidies to local bodies, and other matters .affecting the local selfGovernraent of the colony. The importance of the subject cannot be overestimated, and we hope to see a large attendance of the members of the various local bodies. Unfortunately the Cambridge Farmers' Club have called an important , meeting for the tame day, and many prominent settlers who might desire to be present at both will be unable

to attend oue or the other. It seems a pity that some better arrangement could not have been made, but we fear it is now too late to mend matters. The subjects to be deliberated upon at both meetings bear directly upon the prosperity of this district, and are deserving of the greatest possible attention. | I j

Sir W. Fox Has inserted a notice in the Hawera Star cautioning persons against dealing in native lands in the West Coast district, stating that all such transactions are utterly null and void, and no consideration will be giren them by the Government if entered into before regulations are made by Act of Parliament.

Colonel Trimble addressed the electors at Tnglewood, Taranaki, on Wednesday. He spoke in support of the Ministry. A vote of confidence was carried.

John Henry Whitelaw, superintendent of the Mount View Asylum, Wellington, has been committed for trial for ill-treatment of a patient named Mclntosh. Bail was fixed at himself in £300 and two sureties in £150 each. The accused, how, ever, was unable to obtain bail, and Mas conveyed to gaol.

On Tuesday our cricket representatives will leave for their Auckland trip, there to play a series of matches against the city " crack" clubs. The first match, on Wednesday, will be against the West End, where they will, in all probability, have Arneil, Lynch, the Mackys, Isaacs, Coleman, and other first-rate ail-round men against them. In fact it is the most formidable team of the tournament, and our men will find not a chance must be given to secure a victory. On Thursday the Otahuhu will be pitted against them, and from the wonderful improving strides this club has made during the last season or two, especially in the Porches and Bowden, Waikato will have to play up. On Friday the Auckland club will meet " our boys," and although they have not been so successful in their matches during the past season, still with men like Robinson, Bindon, Roach, Colbeck, Beale and others, they may "break out" when one least expects it. On Saturday they will play the United, the club that has been supposed, and with some truth, to have held the prestige for many years. Here Aye find the veteran Lankham, with his son a very good chip of the old block, the never-failing Mumford, and the slashing Swanson and sturdy Carter, Ivens and Testro will in all probability swell this renowned list. The boys will have Sunday to rest and return to their haunts by Monday's train, with, we hope reminiscences laden with laurels and success. We shall see.

A writer in the Economist mentions the following extraordinary case of bankruptcy:—"The bankrupt was a jeweller and silversmith. The property realised £1250 11s 4d; the book debts being £18 15s 6d; stock and furniture, £1231 15s lOd. There was paid to preferential and secured creditors, £289 3s 6d; leaving the net assests, £961 7a lOd. The The expenses of realisation were—law charges, £487 6s 8d; trustees' renumeration, £228 10s 8d; receiver's charges, £22 11s 8d : taxed charges (auctioneers, &c), £177 12s 3d; and incidental outlay, £39 15s 5d ; total, £945 16s Bd. There was paid to the creditors, £9, 17s 2d, which produced a dividend of 3d in the £, thus showing that the total amount of secured, preferential and|unsecured debts, was only £1077 16s 9d, or £172 143 6d less than the amount of realised assets."

'Argus" cablegrams dated London, April 12th, to hand by the Tararua, state : — "Lords Cairns and Salisbury are the rival candidates for the leadership of the Opposition, rendered temporarily vacant by the illness of Lord Beaconsfield. It is rumoured that Lord Salisbury's chances have been endangered by the secret pledges given M. Waddington, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, with regard to the Tunis difficulty, which it is thought may possibly compromise England.—The fall Mall Gazette, commenting on the determination of Mr Patterson, the Victorian Minister for Railways, to surrender all patronage of his department, expresses the opinion that such action is perfectly in consonance with the | Democratic institutions of the colony, and that the party control of departments is calculated to endanger the popular rule in Australia. — The Spiritist medium Fletcher was sentenced to a year's imprisonment for imposition. — The election for St. Ives seat, which became vacant on the death of Sir Charles Reed (Liberal), has resulted in a Tory candidate being returned. — Mr Dillon, member for Tipperary, delivered a speech strongly condemning the Irish Land Bill of the Government. He counsels Irish i members to oppose its passing." Me John Reid, a member of the Otepopo Road Board, having been absent from five meetings through illness, the other members declared his seat vacant, and appointed Mr A. Marshall in his tjlace-

At Oamaru, last week, twenty-five labouring men refused to take work at 7s per day, and a shilling an hour overtime, at stacking grain, This was a reduction of a shilling per day : hence the refusal.

Mr Gt. H. A. Purchas having resigned his position in the Government service, is prepared to undertake the survey of native and other lands. Address this office. Mrs Welch's quadrille assembly reopens at Le Quesne's Hall, Hamilton, on Monday evening next. The Clerk of the Waikato County Council notifies where the electoral rolls for the County may be inspected. Mr Buckland -will sell at the Haymarket, Auckland, on the 13th May, Stokes farm of 200 acres near Hamilton. Messrs Hunter and Nolan will sell at the Cambridge Yards on Thursday, the 28th inst., fat cattle, fat sheep, horses, &c, &c, at I o'clock. Messrs R. and W. Hellaby, Shortlandstreet, Auckland, are purchasers of live and dead pheasants and other game. Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co.'s usual Cambridge Horse Sale will be held on Saturday, May 7th. The prospectus of the Te Aroha Quartz Crushing Company iLimited) appears in our advertising columns. The Cambridge Highway Board invite tenders for certain road works. Mr Alfred Buckland holds a sale of Mr John Smith's valuable racing stud, at the Greyhound Yards, on Friday, May 20. Mr Alfred Buckland will offer at the Remuera Yards, on Thursday next, well-bred steers and heifers, fat cattle, sheep, lambs, and The Pukekura Highway Board invite tenders for forming road and earthworks at th» new bridge, Mystery Creek, receivable at the Pukerimu school-house up till 3 p.m. on Friday, 29th instant. Mr Sturges will be on the ground at 2 p.m. on the 27th, to show the work. We have received from Messrs Karsten and Co., of Auckland, their list of papers and other periodicals, which is well worth perusing. The prices quoted are far below the ordinary rates charged, and will be found very useful to farmers and others in selecting agricultural and other magazines. A public meeting of ratepayers of the Pukekura Highway District is called for Friday next, at 3 p.m., in the Pukerimu school-room, to take into consideration whether the roads as advertised on the r9th of January ultimo shall be stopped. "The Demorest's Magazine," a lady's periodical which is coming into favour in the colonies and in England, is far superior to the ordinary run of magazines. Thit journal is devoted to thp artistic, the useful, and the beautiful, comprising' original and attractive stones, essays, poems, correspondence, music, art 1 critiques, fashions, household matters, &c. The number last received amply fulfils the promise of the title page, containing fine steel engravings, Sepia picture, in oil, of the Mattahorn. The fashions are largely dwelt upon, and a number of good illustrations are given. The agent for Hamilton is Mr George Dickinson, and that of Cambridge, Miss M. Doran.