The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1425, 20 August 1881, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and oxact justice to all raon, Ot whateser st.itc or persuasion, religious or political. Here sh.ill the Pi ess the People's right maintain Unawed by influence and unbnbcd by gain.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1881.

During Thursday's sitting of Parliament, Mr Ham lin put a question to the Colonial Secretary of considerable importance to the settled pursuits of this district. It was couched in these terms, " When will Government be prepared to send Mr Skey, agricultural and analytical chemist, to Auckland, for the purpose of analysing the manures used by agriculturists ; also if Government would instruct him to deliver scientific and agricultural lectures, and furnish such information as will be of use to agriculturists generally while on such tour 1 " In further explanation, Mr Hamlin stated the employment of patent manures was largely had recourse to throughout the Auckland provincial district, and that it was of importance to the future of agriculture as an industrial pursuit that the class best adapted to the specialities of the soil should be ascertained. By way of clinching the argument he stated that deleterious stuffs had in some cases been sold, and it was with the view of avoiding a repetition of similar mishaps that he had been induced to table the question. Parliamentary practice debars members enlarging upon a theme %vhen the subject matter is brought up in the form of a question ; but for that fact we may fairly conclude the matter would have been argued at greater length. The merest novice can understand there must be some relation, so to speak, between the soil and the ingredients applied for its restoration, and that what suits the conditions of one soil may be detrimental to another. To argue otherwise would be to say that one particular description of medicine or food was sufficient for the requirements of each individual constitution, whereas we know full well that what effects a cure in one instance literally kills in another. It is not only the manure that requires to be studied, but likewise the soil, its condition, and surrounding circumstances. It stands to reason that all these things must be taken into account before reliable information can be arrived at. A prescription might suit very well for allaying a fever or to quicken a pulse, while under certain bodily conditions its tendencies ought to be to superinduce evils of a more alarming nature, »nd what we counted for is an analogue, namely, the danger by which the analysis of manures is beset without a corresponding investigation made into the question of soil, climate, &c. For these reasons we maintain that the reply by the Colonial Secretary was not satisfactory, and that existing arrangt ments in connection with this subject are incomplete, and otherwise defective for producing the results aimed at. What in effect the Colonial Secretary said was that in the practice followed, the agriculturist forwarded to the analysisfc samples of the manures he proposed using ; these were subjected to the chemical test, and the result communicated to the party from whom they were obtained. To follow the course suggested by the question^ would be attended with great inconvenience, as it would necessitate the analyist taking with him his laboratory, and all the appliances requisite for analysing purposes, and by way of setting the point effectively at rest, he added that during 1 the last' 12 months a great many samples had been tested in that way, and the resulfc, in every instance proved satisfactory. The Colonial Secretary did not explain the grounds on which the first-mentioned conclusion was based, and the probabilities are it had nothing more definite than the common proverb teaching us that silence is consent. Because nothing uibre was heard on the test question, the flattering unction was laid to the analytical soul that it had' proved eminently successful Biit that j, is not' by any means a sure, basis' to,', found upon, , and, outside the mind actuated bv the wish which, is "father

to theF4]|ls§ht,J X 3s|i question verj much if ii should be accepted as' conclusive evidence. Be that as it may, wo contend that this Departuieirt*conid*ljf6 *mpve efftcienfcly em-^ ployed "tfian it is at "present, and in no channel could that employment be more profitably directed than the oner indicated 'by Mi: Kaolin's; question. It would assist in popularis-ing-the Department, and reconcile the public mind to the large vote, put down on the Estimates for defraying this annual expenditure. We trust Mr Hamlin will not be content to yield the position thus lightly. Waikato, and indeed the Auckland provincial district as a whole is deeply interested in a satisfactory solution of the question, and when it comes up again as we have no' doubt it will do when the annual vote is discussed, we trust the question in a more direct form will be again put. Mr Molvou's visit to Waikato a few months ago must be fresh in the memory of our local members and the warm reception he met with goes to prove the exact state of public feeling on the subject. It. would therefore be well for all concerned if that feeling be given due weight and consideration.

Considering the long distances between the various centres of population in New Zealand connected by our railways, and the low rate of speed at which the trains are allowed to travel, it seems to us that a change in the system of issuing return tickets is necessai'y. The time over which return tickets are at present available is much too limited, and except in the cases of people living within an easy distance of town, little or no benefit is derived by the travelling public from the system. We cannot see why the interests of the Waikato people should not receive the same amount of consideration as those of others living farther North, but that they do not we need not affirm. For instance, we would ask : What benefit can possibly be derived by settlers living at this end of the line from the issue of return tickets available from Saturday till Monday 1 Under the present time table the North train does not arrive in Auckland until long after business hours on Saturday, and Monday's train leaves for Waikato before anybody is astir. The advantage would be little enough were there an early morning train from and a late train to Te Awamutu, but at present it is scarcely perceptible, or rather there is none. To do business in Auckland then means for a Waikato resident the payment of double fare, and we venture to say that few travel who are not compelled to do so. Were the time for which return tickets are available extended, say to the third day, (he Department would not. lose anything, and the public would be great gainers. While on the subject of railways we would suggest to the Department what has more than once been expressed lately, namely, that as the summer advances the running of a late train North and South on Saturdays would be a great source of convenience to the public, while it would not, we feel sure, entail any loss on the Department. So far as the Waikato railway is concerned the rule observed for a long time past is not to study the requirements of the district, and a trifling concession such as that we have named might be made, if only by way of experiment.

" Echoes from the Cafe" and " The Farm and Garden" will be found on the fourth page of this issue.

At the inquest on the body of the unfortunate man Arthur Craig at Churchhill, before Captain Jackson, Coroner, the jury returned a verdict that tho deceased died from burns self inflicted. Craig leaves a family of four children two of whom are grown up, one being married.

Tawhiao has intimated his intention of proceeding at an early date to Mokau, and afterwards he will visit the Kaipara district, taking Auckland en route. It is evident that the King's assurances of his desire for peace and amity were no mere empty words.

Messrs. B. & J. Coleman of Hamilton, are the successful tenderers for contract No. 4, Aroha Drainage Wor i», the amount being £634 11s.

Mr E. 0. Ormerod a late arrival from Home, has purchased the farm known an Stokea', Pukete. Although he had several advantageous offers of land in Victoria, Mr Ormerod is so well pleased with the quality of tha Waikato land that he has determined to settle here. It is his intention to go in for what is known at Home as " high class" farming, which means that something will be put into the land for what ia taken away.

We are glad to hear that the matter iv dispute between Mr Seddon and the Hamilton Borough Council regarding the land taken for the bridge approach has now been reduced to a simple matter of arbitration, the Corporation having secured the land necessary under the Public Works Act,

The usual monthly meeting of the Cambridge District Board was held at Camp's, Hotel on Wednesday last. There •were present Messrs Graham, Fanthan, Smith, and Selby. The tender of Mr Collins of Cambridge for the office of ranger was accepted. There was no other business of importance.

The native gentleman referred to in last i*sue in connection with Tuesday night's concert, and ' who>e name is ' it appears is Ranpra Kihirini has written a letter to the Editor expressive of the pleasure he experienced at the entertainment referred tq, and of his thanks to the Pakehas who ansisted thereat.

Mr Haifield, the efficient leader of the Hamilton Band, is making every effort to increase the numerical strength of, tbeinstisutioa from 18 to at least 25. , During this week ,f he has pur« chased , from \ Mr Angelo' Forrest, of Auckland. $hree, new, instruments, w*" c h I wjll be, brought, Ju^o use as soon as; ppssiW^, The Jjand purjjose^ at^ no distant iif^H giving grand coijceri^in ajdjOf their own funds, which are not, we regret \to say v an &• tnos.tj flourishing conditioiT i )wdt at preWntr

A cablegram dated 'the lfcfth iost. ,^tutes thiit oats-^ere quoted on that day, at 3s 6dj)er luixhel.

A concert in aid of the Taupiri fujxols will^bclsUJ; the^Tfupirij tphoofhouse on the;evenlifg ,of Thursday, tiie Bth of September. 5

The work of enlarging the Excelsior Klour Mills, now the property of Messrs Kiiox and Rujler, is being rapidly pushed on, an'dttbe mill may be 'expected to be ready for commencing operations in about six weeks.

I- An all-aged dog^ stake of two jruineas, under the au«|>ic^ oi the Cambiidsre Cournin^ CHib, will be run for on Fiiday, the 23id ot September. Particultrs, »m to entricp, &c, will be found in our advertising eoiumn*!.

The annual meeting of the membeis uf the Waikato Tuif Club, w,is held at Ohftupo wii Thursday. The quo*tionof the propo-ed amalgamatiou of tho two Waikato racing clubs was brought forward and di-cussed, but.it was the geuernl opinlt n that any overtures regarding this question ought to come from the, Cambridge Club, which i* th>> junior. A report of the meeting will be found in another column.

The road between Hamilton and Ohaupo is in a very dangerous condition in parts, and requites looking ' after. That portion between Fleming's corner and Delauey's Hotel particularly is in a wretched condition. It in a great pity that the adjoining highway dihtrict cannot come to some arrangement whereby this piece of road could secure u better share of the expenditure upon highways han has hitherto been the case.

The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Debating Club was held at the Court-house on Thursday' evening, Mr James Hume (President} in the chair. There was a fair attendance of members ami visitors, and a very animated debate took place on the subject of Gladstone's foreign policy, the Executive taking the negative side, which was supported by the majority of the members present.

In Te Awamutu there is (writes a coi respondent), a decided taste for the riomewhat violent exercise for a warm climate, of " rinking 1 ." Skating on the ice on a cold winter's day in England, may be delicious for those who think so ; but tumbling over one another on wheeled clogs with the thermometer at 75 degrees, and all concerned perspiring 1 more than freely, would seem rather eccentric to any but an Englishman. However, they like it in Te Awamutu. and go in for it vigorously^twice a week, regardless of a few sprained ankles.

The rabbit pest and the small bird pests are causing some loss to farmers in the Waipn. Bunny is Been running about in all directions aloni; the roads and tipping precipitately into every hole and corner ; aud the small birds are vigorously poisoned, but they levy their tax upon every cvop sown of from 5 to 25 per cent,, with a determined energy that there Li no fighting against.

The football match Auckland v. Waikato comes off to-day on Sydney Square, East Hamilton, commencing at 2 p.m. The Auckland team arrived yesterday, several of the local men meeting them at the station. It is expected that a large number of the country people will come into Hamilton to witness the matcli, which will be enlivened by the strains of the Hamilton Band, which will play selections from the balcony of the Royal Hotel during the afternoon ; also in the evening at the banquet to the visitors at the Commercial Hotel. The bandsmen are requested to meet at the practice room at half-past one. The following will compose the respective teams : — Auckland : Messrs H. H. Davy, J. Newell, C. E. White, J. M. Sibbin, R. Biggs, W Mearns, J. Sims, T. O'Connor, D. Lynch, .J. Braund, H. Culpan, J. Whiteside, S. McGechie, W. H. Bhutan, T. Henderson (captain). Waikato : Messrs J. C. Grierson, H. Kallender, 0. Rhodes, R, B. Willis, J. H. W. Wood, W, Tonks, E. Pilling, F. W. Lang, J. Graham, E. H. Beauchatnp, A, M. Beale, Swayne, Martin, W. King, and W. Yon Stunner. Mr A. H. Cotter will act as umpire for the Auckland team, and Mr T. G. Sandes for Waikato. In the evening the visiting team will be entertained at dinner at the Commercial Hotel, and on the following day (Sunday) will pay a visit to Cambridge, where they will be the guests of Mr Robert Kirkwood.

Tenders for clearing gorse are required by Mr Beauchamp, Woodstock, near Hamilton. Messrs Maboney & Sons, Architects, Auckland, invite tenders for the erection of a villa residence at Cambridge. Mr 0. Gould, Piako, advertises for a man to work a dairy. Francis Crawford, carter, Hamilton, has filed a declaration of insolvency. First mooting oi creditors, Friday, 26th inst., at the Court House. George Alfred Smith, of Huntley, has filed a declaration of insolvency. First meeting of creditors Wednesday, 31st inst., at Court House, Hamilton. Mr K. Hill advertises that he will hold a sale of household furniture and effi-cts at the Oddfellow s's Hall, Hamilton East, immediately after his Weekly Sale this day. Mr K. HiU will offer for sale, on Saturday, the 27th inst,, at his Mart 24 pure-bred Berkshire Pigs, from 12 to 14 weeks old. An election of three Councillors for the Horough of Hamilton will be held on Thursday, the Bt!i prox. Nominations to be made by noon of Monday, the 29th inst. Mr W. J. Hunter will sell at the residence of Mr J. T. Boon on Wednesday, September 6th, the whole of his household furniture and effects. W. J. Hunter and Co. will sell at the Cambridge Yards on Thursday, the 25th inst , fat cattle, sheep, horses, &c. A meeting of the creditors in the bankrupt estate ot \V. G. AlcCann will be held .it the Criterion Hotel,^Cambridge, on Ihursday, the 25th inst., at a.m. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell at the National Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday ne<ct, the 27th inst., at 1 o'clock, a -valuable lot of horses, and a choice collection of trees. Mr J. S. Buckland will hold his Spring Sale at Ngaruawahia on Saturday, the 3rd September, when he will offer for sale 100 head mixed cattle. Mr E. H. Beauchamp, Woodstock, near Hamilton, has for sale 70 first-class Shorthorn lieifcrs, in lots to suit purchasers. Mr Kennedy Hill will offer for sale at his auction mart, Hamilton, on Saturday, the 27th inst., 24 pure Berkshire pigs. i Messrs H. ,E. Cotton' and Co.,' Cambridge advertise that they will offer for sale .about the middle of October, valuable landed property, in the estate of the late Mr John Kerr, comprising allotments in the Cambridge, Taupiri, and Whangamarino districts. Mr Kennedy HiU will sell by auction at the Oddfellows' Hall. Hamilton East,' this day at 3 p.m., the valuable household furniture and effects of Mt Culpan, who is leaving the district. ' ) , , 1 Mr Chas. Innes advertises that owing' to the increasing demand for his ales and porter, he has decided to open a bottling establishment in the premises lately occupied by Messrs Walnutt and Sherriffs, Hamilton, where, in addition to his own ale, he will have a regular supply of Dunedin ale specially brewed. Mr K. Land is the Hamilton agent. • Eailway Hotel, Mercer, — I wish to express my sincere .thanks to the Waikato settlers for the kind and spirited way they have patronised my table during: the last two years when travelling by rail to and from' Auckland ; ' and as the Government has again let their building on the platform, and given, a license free to sell spiritous liquors, beer, ' etc., do feet from my door, I trust that all admirers of private enterprise who have not hitherto used my table will do so, and tell their friends when they travel by rail to siep acrbsfe to the hotel where they will be woU served.— -J. D. Dillon.— [Advt.] > •A- contagiousr milady like leprosy has' appearedtat Touldnse, Erance.'< f . «■ • . The Cornell College were badly beaten . jn tteHWtbtithe&tivrirte Cdjfon July '3, They were a bad third.