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Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1377, 30 April 1881, Page 2

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1881.

Retrenchment — a much prostituted word in New Zealand just now — is not necessarily economy. Poor pay makes bad servants all the world over, and the chances are that an employer who pays badly is a loser thereby. Wages are much higher in the colonies than they are in Europe; while living, that is the obtaining necessaries — leaving comforts out of consideration — is much cheaper. It is, therefore, fair to presume that employes in New Zealand are better off than employe's in Europe. But this is no argument in favour of the Government, and employers generally, reducing wages in New Zealand to a level with those ruling in Europe, and by so doing, running a danger of sowing the seeds of that discontent which results in strikes, and the popular — though futile— demonstrations, with their attendant evil consequences. Many people are unfortunately imbued with the idea that those employed to carry out the manifold duties imposed upon them are overpaid. This is simple folly in most cases. The price of an article is governed by its quality ; and if a purchaser is asked to pay calico price for linen, common sense will tell him he is buying an inferior article. The same reasoning applies to the labor market, in all its ramifications,

high and low ; from the higher class engineer or architect to the stableboy. A moderate article simply commands a moderate price. It would be absurd to expect to get a thoroughly good man, able to perform specific duties, at the same price as a possibly able man. One of the greatest mischiefs which must arise, and which in fact has already risen, from our national educational system is the lowering the wages of those who do not win their daily bi'ead by actual manual labor, and the proportionate increasing of their numbers The reason is sufficiently obvious ; a vast number of young people of both sexes, who, under the old education system, would have remained in the working classes, are pushing themselves upward into the classes above them, and in their ambition to get and remain there offer themselves at wages considerably lower than those hitherto given. This, as a matter of course, has the effect of thinning the labour ranks, and the consequent effect of keeping up wages. And we now find that in an infinite number of cases the laborer is receiving more wages than the clerk, or educated man, who is called upon to perform duties of a most responsible and difficult nature and who, as a rule, works more hours than either the skilled or unskilled laborer. The average length of the working day of the labourer and artisan, is eight hours ; while that of the majority of clerks is from ten to thirteen hours. Take literary men, merchants, and banker's clerks for example. The labouring man is not called upon to keep up appearances, to put his name on subscription lists, while he is free from the multifarious calls which are made upon him who wears a white linen shirt and black coat. We do not in any way argue, — and let this be distinctly understood — that the artisan is too highly paid ; but we have touched on the contrast in order to prove to those parents, and their name is Legion, who are allowing their children to go into banks, shops, stores, and merchants offices, instead of teaching them a trade, or to earn their bread by manual labour, that they are making most lamentable mistakes both as regards the future of their children and the interest of the State. There is nothing like a young fellow having a trade at his finger's ends. It is a certainty, almost, of a livelihood for lifetime. He can then enter the field of labour with a knowledge of what he is about ; he has the world before him ; he is independent ; in fact it is the the only hope of real independence.

A curious judicial story is referred to by an Otago paper, and indeed if it be correct in all its particulars, it tends to show, that in spite of all the attempts of the authorities to retrench official expenditure many must fail, unless immediate legislation be taken. It appears that at a certain inland town called Lawrence, when the District Court was sitting, there was but one criminal case, that of a man committed for trial from a place miles away. JTe was duly put in the dock. The Judge, the Crown-Prosecutor and lawyers were there gorgeously arrayed in their wigs and gowns. Thirty-six jurymen, summoned from their avocations a distance of many miles were in attendance and sworn. The Crown-Prosecutor who had come all the way from Dunedin set to work and produced his indictment. Then the active Judge inspecting the documents, suddenly pricked up his ears ! He had discovered a fatal flaw in the proceedings. Everything was regular, the evidence was correct and the indictment sound, but the committing Magistrate, through his clerk we may presume, had omitted to obliterate the fee stamp attached to the warrant of commitment, because he had not added to the initials of his name, the date on which the stamp was affixed ! The unconvicted criminal was at once ordered to be 'enlarged.' The thirty-six jurymen were set at liberty with the thanks of Her Majesty, and Bench Bar and officials went off to an early lunch. That the law was strictly complied with we have no doubt, but in the name of common sense we would ask who made good all tliis useless expenditure ? The Treasury records would tell the unfortunate thirty-six jurymen and the unpaid witnesses that it was none of its business. And as to theunstamping magistrate and clerk of course they felt no share in any possible liability. We have a good deal too much law in New Zealand, and whilesomemay be said to be abnormally elastic, some of it is exceedingly thin.

Archbishop Walter Steins, S.J., is, we regret to learn, very seriously illfrom the effects of a disease contracted during his lengthy sojourn in India. Acting on the advice of hia medical advisers, His Grace purposes proceeding to Sydney by the mail steamer, arriving from San Francisco with the English mail on Monday j and if necessary, on to Europe. The Diocese during His Grace's absence will be administered by the VicarGeneral, Father Fynes. We sincerely trust that the contemplated change of air may restore the Venerable Prelate to health. Sir George Grey, X.0.8.. the senior member for the Thames, will address his constituents at Grahamstown this evening. It will be seen by our last night's telegraphic advices that in the match, Auckland CO. v. Waikato, our men suffered a decided defeat ; the scores being— Auckland, 163, against Waikato'a 64. Sergeant Ohitty, A.0., had. been appointed Clerk of the Rewdent Magistrate's Court, Cambridge.

1 Tijte appointments of all Land Tux have been cancelled.' A Press Association telegram in nnother column states that Parliament will meet not later than the 12th of June, jf no -unforseen obstacle should arise beiorvhand. . The country around Raglan presents a very Ury appearance owing to the drought. Refreshing rains have, howover, fallen during -the last week. The annual Ball in connection with the Hamilton Lodge, 1.0.0. F., come off in the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East, last night, and was fairly patronised, some 30 couples oeing present. The Hall was nicely decorated with flowers, evergreen*, banner-, &c.,and the music was supplied by local talent. The e.iforiug was under the able direction of Mr Black. The whole affair was a decided success. Resident Magistrates throughout the colony have received a Circular from the Under - Secretary Department of Justice, requesting them to inform Annuitants of the Imperial Government that certificates of existence can be given by the Resident Magistrate of the locality in which the Annuitant resides, and be transmitted to the Colonial secretary. Captain Mahon, the drill instructor to the Board of Education, is at present in Waikato. He has visited the schools at Ohaupo, Pukerimu, Cambridge East and West, Hautapu and Whatawhataduring this week, and speaks well of the proficiency which the pupils have attained in their drilling exercises. Potatoes do not seem to have shared the fate of most of the root crops in Waikato this season. The spring weather was favorable to this crop, and the dry weather which Bupervened, provqd if anything a benefit. We hear that one crop in the Cambridge district hats yielded something like eight tons to the acre, for four acres. Mr Goodwin, assistant Inspector of Schools for the Auckland Education Distriot, returned to Hamilton yesterday from a visit of inspection to the schools in the Raglan districts. He inspected the Raglan school on Monday, Ruapuke on Tuesday, Te M ita on Wednesday, and Waitetuua on Thursday. At the Waste Lands Board meeting on Thursday, the correspondence, re Grant and Foster and the Te Aroha Block, was submitted. The Chairman said that there was no information on the subject beyond Captain Sleele'a telegram that his principals had accepted the conditions. There was no information as to the payment of the deposit. Notwithstanding the fact of the Hamilton Band being without a leader, the members have not lost heart. The attendance at the practice on Thursday night was, we are pleased to hear, good, and there is an evident desire to maintain the efficiency of the Band. Mr Meacham has kindly agreed to conduct the practices until a new bandmaster shall have been appointed. Mr James Fulton, M.H.R. for the Teraei, addressed his constituents at Mosgiel, on Thursday night. There was a good attendance, and he was well received. He spoke generally in support of the policy of the present Government, and advocated the property tax exemption being brought down to £10U. He received a vote of confidence. The local authorities in the districts around Raglan are becoming alive to the necessity for erecting finger-posts at some of the more important road junctions. Hitherto, owing to the isolated position of this part of the country, and, in consequence, to the rare appearance of strangers, such guides were unnecessary ; bnt now that communication with the outside world has been opened up, and visitors are beginning to penetrate into that locality, some means should be provided to prevent their losing their reckoning. The cost of finger-posts is very small, while their value is incalculable. A meeting of the Auckland District. 1.0.0. F., M.U. was held at the Oddfellows' Hail last night, P.D G.M. McDonnell presiding. The following Lodges were represented : — Fountain of Friendship Lodge, P.P.G.M. Teaby, P.P.D G.M.Wright, P.G.W.G. Connolly, P.PG. McNab ; Good Intent Lodge, P.P.G.M. Cole, P.G. Akers, P.G. Saunders, P.G. Hailey ; Parnell Lodge, P. G. McEvvy ; Delta Lodge, P G Scott ; Hamilton Lodge, P.G. Harris. The balance sheet for the quarter was read and adopted, showing the receipts to be £594 15s, and the expenditure £105 7s, of which £50 was funeral money paid to the relatives of deceased members. P.G. Saunders was re-elected Auditor. Nominations for the district officers were taken as follows : Provincial Grand Master : D.G.M. McConnel and P.P.G.M. Syms ; Provincial Deputy Grand Master there were eight nominations. Several other important matters were considered, some of which were disposed of and ethers adjourned for a month. The sum of £200 was authorised to be placed in the hands of the Trustees for investment. There were ten Lodges unrepresented. Mr Powell, storekeeper, of Raglan, had a narrow escape from death last week. It appears that on Sunday Mr Powell, in company with a friend, went to inspect the newly discovered waterfalls. Some difference of opinion having arisen as to the proper track through the bush, they parted company, one going in one direction and the other in another. As Mr Powell did not return home that night, nor the next day. search parties were organised, and the country was thoroughly beaten, with the result that the lost man was found on Wednesday, considerably exhausted, as may be supposed from the exposure and anxiety of the three previous days. He had lost his way, and had almost given himself up for lost. Our Ngaruawahia correspondent writes: — " The announcement that a concert and ball will be given here on the 13th May, has caused general satisfaction, particularly amongst the young people, who have not had an opportunity of enjoying themselves for some time. From the well-known talents and culture of the ladies and gentleman who hare kindly consented to assist at the concert, it is quite certain to be a great success. The proceeds are to be devoted to a very deserving and charitable object— keeping the public cemetery in decent and becoming order. The Cemetery Trustees, like similar bodies in other parta of the country, are unprovided with means, their only source of revenue being for admittance at the gate, and, happily, in this healthy Waikato of ours, the amount derived from entrance fees is very small indeed. I confidently predict that those who patronise the entertainment on the 13th, will spend a very enjoyable evening, and carry away the pleasant conviction that they have assisted a good work. Some eighteen months ago when the Hon. James Williamson made an application to the Hamilton Highway Board to form the road across the swamp to the Rukuhia railway station, he stated that the Minister for Public Works had promised to supply the necessary gravel from the pits at Hamilton. The Road Board was not in a position to undertake the work, and matters remained so until. Mr Willjamson's offer to make the road out of rates was accepted. The contractor, Mr Loveatt, has npw completed the work, and only awaits the arrival of the

gravel to lay it on. Mr Breakell, 0.E., acting for Mr Williamson, has communicated with the Public Works Department regarding their promise, and the District Engineer has replied as follows ' under date Auckland, April 27th : ' r W. C. Breakell Esq , C.E., Hamilton. Re the metalling of Rukuhia road. The Hon. the Minister tor Public Works has authorized the expenditure of £300, in aid of metalling the above road. This money is to be expended in getting and filling gravel into railway waggons at Hamilton gravel pits, and for haulage by railway, and delivery of the gravel at the Rukuhia railway station. Please inform me if arrangements can be made with men in the neighbourhood to do the work at reasonable rates without waiting for public tenders ; also the estimated probable cost, per yard, of getting, filling and delivering the gravel. — W. H. Hales, District Engineer. It appears that for some time past the patience of those Hamilton residents who take a fond pride in the cultivation of cabbages, cauliflowers, 'inguns' andauch like has been sorely tried by a certain cow, whose predeliction for garden stuff amounts to a po-iitive disease. Various expedients for putting a period to the depradations of this midnight marauder, have been tried, but up to Thursday these measures ignominously failed of their object. It was found that the ordinary methods in vogue in all well regulated breeding and dairy farms, such as boards for the eyes, chains for tripping and for hooking the intruder to fences &c. were useless in this case, and the victims of this cow's voracious appetito^were altogether nonplussed. On Thursday, however, some heaven-sent genius hit upon a plan which has effectually " dried the tears in every eye." He procured a piece of board about eight inches square upon which he printed in a bold character the words " The Hamilton Thief." This he securly affixed with flax to the caudal appendage of the devourer of cabbages. Whether on account of the moral degradation to which she has sunk in her own eyes, or whether the | weight of the impediments has been so nicely adjusted as to prevent her from henceforth clearing the kitchen garden enclosures with &uch ease as formerly remains to be proved, but this fact remains — she has committed no theftuous vagaiies since Thursday. In a few supplementary remarks on the late Volunteer Review the Thamet, Advertiser speaks in high terms of the kindness received by the visiting Volunteers in Waikato. Our contemporary goes on to say :—": — " The kindness which was sbown our men in every way by the Cavalry and the inhabitants must ever live in their memories. They not only plnced horses at the disposal of any Thames man wishing a ride, but provided refreshments for the men on arrival at Hamiltou station. This is the first year the Thames Volunteers hare spent Easter in camp, but we trust that the affaii will become an annual occurrence. The encampment of the Noith Island army for this year has been thus brought to a clese ; and if we consider the trlorioua weather which was, on the whote, enjoyed, the general good feeling which everywhere prevailed, the perfect order that was maintained, the excellent arrangements as to provisions and cooking, and, lastly, the good results of Col. Lyon's inspection, it must be confessed that the encampment of ISBI has been in every sense a success to with the remembrance of the kind treatment accorded to them labt year at the Thames in their minds, Waikato Volunteers will be pleased to find that their efforts to promote the comfort and pleasure of their guests, is fully appreciated. A special meeting of the Trustees of the Cambridge Highway Board was held at Camp's Hotel on Wednesday last. There were present : Messrs Graham, (chairman), Main, Fantham, Smith and Snowden. The business of the meeting was to receive tenders for gravelling and road forming. The following tenders were received : — For Gravelling : Ewen No 1, Is Id; No 2ls 3d. Uutchins, No 1, Is 6d ;No2, Is 6d. Coombcs, No 1, Is 2d ; >o 2, Is 4d. Booth No 1, lHd ; No 2, Is Id. McCallum, No 1, Is 4d ; No 2, Is 4d. Hill, No 1, Is 5d ; No 2, Is sd. Loveatt, No 1, Is Id ; No 2, Is2d. Deegan, No 1, Is lid; No 2, Is !ld. A. Graham, No 1, Is; No 2, Is 3d. Crickett and Ferguson, No 1, Is 3W, No 2, Is 4d. Norm, No 1, 11 Yd No 2, Is. Hamilton, No 1, Is 3d ;No 2. Is sd. McCathie, No 1, Is 5d ; No 2, Issd. Harman, No 1, Is sd; No 2, Is sd, The tender of Thomas Norm was accepted. For road formation near Campbells the tender of Charles Crouch was accepted at 6s 3d per chain. It was decided to at once call for tenders for widening the embankment at Ewen's Hill. A letter was received from Mr Selby complaining of Mr Parker's pigs running on the highway. The Secretary was instructed to write Mr Parker in reference to the matter. This was all the business. The result of the protracted dry weather will be a very limited supply of winter food. All over the district the reports on the turnip crops appear to be of the same, discouraging nature. A farmer in the Te Awamutu district who has, hitherto, always managed to raise excellent root crops, has this year to encounter decided failure. One paddock of some 40 acres sown down in turnips will return absolutely nothing, the land looking as though it were being fallowed. In another field he may eret a third of what the crop would have yielded in an ordinary season. The loss in cases such as these, where a considerable sum of money has been expended in manure is a direct one, and must in these times sorely tax the resources of the farmer. Mr Brown,- Ohaupo Road, has been particularly unlucky. He sowed some 150 acres of turnips, and manured them at a cost of about £1 per acre. The result, is practically nil, but Mr Brown is determined to reap some benefit fram the expenditure, and te that end he purposes putting the paddock into wheat, which, considering the cultivation and manure already bestowed upon the land should return a hadsome yield. It is only by generous treatment that we can hope to raise white crops in Waikato, and Mr Brown is certainly going the right way to work. A Russian statistician has amused himself by calculating the distance travelled in a year by tbe hand of a printer. He takes the principle that a skilful compositor, working ten hours a day, allowing for distribution and correction, sets up 13,000 letters. In counting the year at 300 working days, he makes them a total of 3,600,000 letters, consequently, the distance from tbe case to the stick, and from the stick to the cape being estimated at 2ft., makes in all 7,260,000 ft. There being -5280 ft. in & mile, the distance made iv a year under these conditions by a printer's hand is in the neighbourhood of 1360 miles, or 44 milea a day. A Eeuter's Cablegram announces that the funeral of the late Earl Beaconsfield took place at Hughenden on the 26th. The wishes expressed in the deceased nobleman's will that the ceremony should be of a simple character were respected as far as possible ; nevertheless a vast numberof people assembled from all parts of the kingdom to do honor to his remains. Among those present were their Royal Highnesses the Prince of, Wales, the Duke of Connaught, and Prince Leopold, and his former colleagues, the Marquis of Salisbury, and , other leaders of the Tory party. Among tbe membersof the present Grovernmeut were the Marquis of

Hart^ngton and the Hon Sir. W. Vernon Huroou'rt. Many other distinguished persons also witnessed the interment. A late telegram from England informnjis th-it a M,v Jolni VViiloh, a prominent member of the Irish Land League, has left Ireland for the Australian colonies. What his object may be can easily be surmised. It is merely to promote strife among a peacefully disposed community, and inflame the minds of men ho disposed to take a part in the controversy agitating Great Britain to an unusual extent just now in regard to the Irish question. Of course this delegate from a land of discord is not coming here for any useful purpose so far at least aa the wellbeing and welfare of "New Zealanders are concerned. It is to be hoped however that the people of these colonies will show their good sense as well as their loyalty by requesting him to go back, and not attempt to sow the seeds of sedition and rebellion in a soil, which, we regret to say, some miseruided men might be perhaps ready to piepare for his active cultivation. Fortunately, however, there has been sufficient turmoil within the List few years, in various parts of the colony, m connection with the absurd quarrels of Roman Catholics and Orangemen. Time wore on, and people saw the absurdity and hollowness of the whole thing. We do not want any old feudal or traditional quarrels introduced here. Let the old country take care of itself aud permit us to look aftor our own affairs ; they are much involved at that without political bad blood being thrown in.

Tenders are invited for widening the road at Ewcn's Hill, and for fencing eastern side. The Electoral Rolls for Waipa County are open for inspection. Mi* J. R. E. Hatrick will open an assortment of drapery goods on Monday, May q, in the premises adjoining JBjnk of New Zealand. Licenses to kill and to sell game may be obtained from the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, Auckland. A general meeting of members of the Institute of Civil Engineers and Surveyors, N.Z., is convened to be held at the Duke of Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge, this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, and another at Gwynne's Hotel, Hamilton, on Saturday ne\t, at 11 a.m., both for transaction of important business. Mr J. Moses, the enterprising haberdasher, announces a further distribution of pi izes on the Ait Union principle, the List for which remains open to end of May; the prizes to be awarded on June 2. The several Licensing Courts throughout Waikato will meet on June 7, at noon. Mr Thomas Gresham, Solicitor, Te Awamutu, notifies that John Henry Gaimonsway, of Alexandia ; Joseph Diabble, of Ngahmepoun; and Thomas Baker, of fe Awamutu, intend to apply for their final discharge on 17th May. The dates upon which the Assessment Courts for the County of Raglan will be held appear m another column. 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 m 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 tobcaraportionof thelossshould 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 remuneratnc pn< es, 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 is nkw ano chkaply bought. An inspection is invited. — Gari ick avd Cranwi'i l, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland