Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1475, 15 December 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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THURSDAY, DEC. 15, 1881.

At tux election meeting in the noi«lil)ourhood of Auckland, a candidate vas abkt'd by an elector whether, in the event of his being returned to the Mouse of Representatives, he would do his utmost to raise the price of beef above eighteen shillings the hundred. The qucs ion, we are told, was accepted as a good juke by the audience, who laughed immensely at the expense of the interrogator. Whether this was or was not the case, and whether the story itself is true or not, the fact remains that, veiled by this humorous sally lies a subject of the greatest import to this district, and, indeed, to the whole colony, — ono which overshadows most of the great " burning questions " of the political world. The man who can devise a workable scheme for the profitable disposal of our surplus live stock, will occupy a higher position in the estimation of the pastoi'al part of the population than the vast majority of our lawgivers. We in this portion of the colony are more concerned in this matter than most of our neighbours. In Australia, and m many parts of New Zealand, the staple products are wool and grain, for which there exists a steady, and in the case of v\ 001, an increasing demand. On the other hand, Waikato has mainly depended upon cattle raising, and, so long as the supply kept reasonably within the demand, found the industry a very profitable one. But the district is fast outgrowing its marke' ; within a comparatively short tiuie the area of the Waikato (using the word to denominate the settled interior of the Auckland province), has increased out of all proportion to die chief centre of population. The consequences are apparent enough, and might have been foreseen. On all hands we hear com- t) plaints of the low price of beef, the unprofitableness of farming, and a general wail of discontent. But so far as we know no attempt has been made to institute a change. During the past two or three seasons it has been no uncommon thing to hear of fat cattle fetching at auction less than the seller gave for them as stores months previously, and so common has this become that no one dare blame his neighbor. This it is true is a little wide of the question we are just now considering, but it nevertheless goes to prove that in minor matters, no less than those which affect the general good, gross errors are committed. For surely it is out of all reason to suppose the normal condition of things to be that stores should be dear while beef is cheap. To return, it is necessary that our farmers should look the difficulty straight in the face. Men cannot change their occupation as they would a suit of clothes, and if under existing conditions farming cannot be made to pay, then it is clear that these conditions must be altered. If the price of beef is too low to afford the producer a reasonable margin of profit, he must either reduce the cost of production, turn his attention to other branches of his calling, or, and this is his wisest plan, follow both courses. 'It has been pretty well devnpnstrated tha^ with care and proper attention, grain" cau be profitably grtfwix here, and

the production of White crops ought to mean the bettor provision for wintering stock and the improvement of the soil for depasturing sheep, impi overrents in the-bieed of which will require to be studied. Few will fail to recognise the gravity of the subject, and we hope the farmers of tins district Avill accord ib that amount of attention to which it is entitled. We do not intend to lose si^ht of it for a moment, and have written these few words as an introduction to what it is intended shall be said in future issues.

Te Ngakau and his followers were in Cambridge all clay on Tuesday for the purpose of negotiating a settlement with Mr R. H. D. Fergusson in lefcrence to the lands at Maungatautari ; but ;is Major Wilson was then from home and iiot expected to return until the following day, nothing was done.

A public "ball will take place at Kihikihi on the evening of the 30th inst. to celebrate the opening of the new Town Hall.

A vocal and instrumental concert will be given in the Alexandra Public Hall on Boxing night in aid of the funds of the locul brass band. Moat of the i leading local amateurs will lend their valuable assistance, and the concert will be followed by a dance.

The Rev. Conelius Griffin, minis- ! ter ot the Wealeyan Church, Hamilton, was married yesterday to Miss Mary Blown, third daughter of the late Mr James Brown, of Cambridge, and sister of Mrs E. B. Walker and Mrs E. Reynolds. The marriage was solemnised m the Wesley Church, Cambridge, the Rev. H. Bull ofheiating.

Boxing Day will be celebrated in Alexandia by a series of sports, A very liberal program mo lias been prepared, and will be found in oui" advertising columns. It will be seen that King Tawhiao has consented to act as judge for the native spirts.

Our Dunedin correspondent wires last nisrht : — A man named Edwards, a blacksmith, committed tuicide at Clinton last night by hanging. He had been in low spirits for Homo time. — The escort brought down £2000 worth of gold last night.

James Nolan, remanded on a charge of using indecent language nt the Railway Hotel, Frankton, on the night of the 9th mat., was brought up before His \\ orship the Mayor of Hamilton on Turvlay morning, convicted and fined £2 with co'-ts, in default one month's imprisonment.

The following team will represent the Alex indivi Cucket Club m tlio content against Hainiltou on Saturday next : —Messrs. Benge, Bertram, Bond, (2) Connel, Buttle, Grierson, Hinton, McParlane, lixng, Higginson, and Somerville.

The children attending the Hamilton. East public school, will be entertained at a soiree at Lo Quesne's Hall, to-mono vv evening to celebrate the breaking up for the Christmas holidays. Tlieie will be sports in the afternoon in front of the school and tea in the schoolroom at 5 p.m. The conceit in the hall will commence at 7.30 and the prizes will be dUtiibuted about 8 o'clock.

The members of the Cambridge Mnsic.il Union have now arranged an excellent programme to be submitted to the public m the Cambridge Public Hall at their conceit on Monday evening next. The proguinmo consists of some very attractive items, including &elections ftom Mo/art's Twelfth Mass, songs, and choruses. As tln-> is the fir&t time the Musical Union have ventured to appear m public, we hope they will receive the encouragement they deserve, and that a good house, and an appreciative one, n-ill reward them for their efforts. A dance will terminate the proceedings.

The annual meeting of the Raglan Rifle Olub was held at Mr Fiiz^ell's office, Raglan, on the 9th inst. Mr D. Burns was elected president, Mr John Philips vice piesident, Mr 0. Gilmour secretary, and Mr Pretty drill insn nctor. A rifle m<itch was arranged to come off on Boxing Day at Raglan. Four new members were enrolled, and it having been decided that all future meetings should be held alternately at Kauroa and Raglan, the meeting terminated.

At the Hamilton Police Court, yesterday before His Worship tho Mayor, Grove Vowless was brought up on a warrant on suspicion of having Btolen a heifer valued nt £3, the property of Mr William White and a steer, valued at £3 10s the properly of Mr Isaac Coates. Mr O'Neill defended. Sergt. McGovern applied for a remand till Saturday, which w.is granted. Mr O'Neill applied for hail. Sevgfc. MoGovern objected, as all the cattle alleged to have been stolen were not in the hands of the police. Ultimately it was agreed that the prisoner Hhould be liberated on bail, himself m £100 and two sureties of £100. as soon as the police were satisfied that the cattle had been .secured.

It is intended to hold a New Zealand International Exhibition at Christchuroh about March _ next year. Mr J Wright, of the Hamilton Pottery Works, who successfully exhibited at the Dunedin and Melbourne exhibitions, has been solicited to again exhibit at Christchurch, but on account of the damage sustained by many of the articles forwarded to other places, he has, we are sorry to say, declined to do so. The articles of potteryware, necessarily of a fragile nature, forwarded to Melbourne received a very rough handling, and Mr Wright is unwilling that his chances of success should be jeopardised by circumstances over which he has, of course, no control.

Certain members of the Newcastle District Board when in opposition were (writes a correspondent) great advocates of the claims of the settlers living on the west bank of the Waipa. Since their advent lo power they have tried to Ignorthat particular part of the district. 1 notice, however, that a certain member of the above-mentioned board is having a carriage road made to his own doorj but as contracts have not been called for, according "to the board's regulations for all expenditure, I can only look upon this particular work as a job. It is to be hoped that after the years the settlers on the west bank have been paying rates, some attempt will be made to open up communication in their part of the district.

A correspondent signing himself " Look before you leap" writes as follows in the New Zealand Times of the Bth i ns t. ;_"To the Editor: Sir,— lt ia riirht that the respectable electors of Fhorndon should know part of the recent history of Mr Dwan. Ho , became , bankrupt at Westport on the 26th July, 1877j and upon his application for his discharge, which was made on the 28th , January, 1878, his certificate was suspended for two years. Now, looking to ,the very lenient manner in ,whioh, as' a rule, our bankruptcy law is administered, such ■a, heavy sentence as two y oars' i, suspension indicates-a condition uf things] not much in favor of, tfye Obityikrapt or his antecedents. And by whom is he presented to the Thorndon constituency for their ac* -ceptan'ce P> By Mr'EoTtfood, who is-everf" now an uncertificated •'bankrapt^'- 1 Anawfeat have^thj^e tyrpi^vatQißa 4oft© fof

, Wellington to justify thorn to foist themselves up u jthe elect"rs of Thorndon P Surely thoughtful peoplo should pause before committing impmtant public interests to the chai'go of a man who comes amongst them with a tarnNhed character. And they 'should paw>e all ihe moie before taking such a s-tep, seeing that very momentous issuos, affecting the welfare and pro3prcts of this city, ara at stakeMr I)wan, at hi-» mcericg last ni#ht, boasted of his character for honesty. The following 1 is a copy of a telegram from the Clerk to the District Court of Westport, dated the 7th instant : — ' Thomas Dwan filed declaration of insolvency on 29Lh July, 1877- On application for discharge on 28th January, 1878, same was suspended for two years.' Would it be i ci editable to return euch a man lor Thoindon ?"'

The following communication, the accuracy of which we are not in a position to vouch for, has been forwarded us from a coi respondent at Cambridge :—: — "It is currently whispered here that an attempt is about to be made to have the Land Court removed to the Waotu, and that it is not at all improbable that the next Court, which was to be held in Cambridge in January, will be held at the above place instead. With this object in view, I am further informed that a house has been purchased for the judge to reside in during his | stay in Waotu. Such a step, however undesirable it may be to a large number of your readers, would be instrumental in abolishing the wholesale consumption of liquor among the natives, and drunkenness would be prevented to a great extent ; but then again it might prove a difficult task to uphold the majesty of the law in such a comparatively outlandish place as Waotu. The natives themselves, I believe, are averse to such a change, and have already spoken in opposition to the proposal. Anyhow, if such a change be meditated and is likely to be carried out, the authorities who have to d^al with such matters would confer an inestimable blessing by making the matter known, and also s we a great many from unmerited disappointment. "

We are glad to notice that the Waipa County Council have generously conae forward to place the punt and approaches at Ngaruawahia in thorough working order. During the summer mnntlivS visitors to Ngaruawahia, who are in the habit of crossing the liver at this particular spot to enjoy the magniflcect neenery from the top of the ranges will not be obliged to have recourse to the precarious and dangerous means of crossing hitherto in vogue, and the settlers will, when communication is open be able to cross their oattle and sheep, thereby avoiding the risk which now attends all such proceedings. Some time since, the^Govevnment were petitioned for some slight assistance towards this, work but there were not any funds available at the time. It is to be hoped that the member for Waipa will endeavor to obtain a grant for this most necossary public woik.

The building situated in Knoxss f /reefc, Hamilton, and known as the Volunteer and Public ftall, is now completed, and if it doeB not add one more to the many excellent examples of a'chitecture, it is at least admirably adapted for the object kept in view in its erection, for a more commodious a more comfortable hall docs not exist in Waikato. It is a plain substantial weafcherbo.irded building, 70 feet long 1 by 32 feet wide, with an 18 feet stud, while the height from the floor to the centre of tho ceiling is 22 feet. A stage 18 feet deep and 3 feet high has been erected, thus leaving 1 a clear floor space of 51 feet x 32 feet. The hall is lighted by 9 window?, (three at each side, two in front, and one at the bock) 8 feet 6 inches x 4 feet, with four lights. The whole of the timber, weatherbeards, lining, ceiling and flooring is first-class kauri, the atvids and joists being limu. The floor is exceptionally good, as is the whole of the workmanship. Considering the short time allowed to complete the job, it is surprising 1 that everything should give evidence of such finish as it does, and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the contractor, Mr Elliott. It is not a pleasant thing to find fault, but we cannot help remarking that sufficient reirard does not seem to have been had to ventilation. This, however, is a matter which can be easily attended to. Much will require to be done before the building can be made available for all purposes, but so far it has been necessary to study economy.

The cricket match between the English and the eleven of New South Wales was concluded on Tuesday, and resulted in a victory for the former by 68 rung. Expecting the scores in each innings, the English made 272 and 162, and Now South Wales 210 and 156. Of the last-named total, Massie contributed 76. In the second innings of New South Wales the bowling of the Englishmen was dead on the wicket, and their fielding wag very good.

Dr. Buller, at his meeting at Karon, urged that the natives Rhould be treated with kindness but firmness. showing the value of the latter, he instanced a case where 500 natives came down the Wailemata Harbour to avenge the disgrace of a chief who had been fined for stealing a pair of boots. Several of the influential chiefs went to Government house and represented their case to Col. "Wynyard. He received them kindly, but told them that if within an hour they were not all pone from the harbor, the gun^ of Fort Britomart would fire on them. The deputation left, and another one immediately after v'sited Government House and asked for another hour'p delay. " No," was the reply ; '' begone within the hour or we fire on you, " and the 500 natives disappeared without delay. That tribe was, said the doctor, ever afterwards our friends and allies, but had they not been firmly dealt with they would probably have sacked the city of Auckland. As showiug their extreme selfishness, he stated that when he was commisssioner at Foxton, carrying out the "flour and sugar policy," a native came to him and said he was starving. Dr Buller went to the store and ordered a bag of eusrar and bag of flour, when the Maori looked at him and asked, "Well, but who's to pay me for taking them home ?" The Transvaal Argm contains a long account of a ceremony which took place on Oct. 3 at Pretoria. A number of Englishmen there had decided " to commit to the earth the emblem of their country's greatness." This was regarded as " a solemn and emphatic protest against the treatment which British subjects and the Briti&h flag has received at the hands of the British Government. 1 ' The funeral was arranged to take place as nearly as possible at the time when it was expected that the convention would be signed. A vehicle draped with black was provided, drawn by two horses clothed in sables. Inside the carriage a raised platform was placed to . receive the coffin, upon the lid of which the following inscription was placed : — "In Loving Memory of the British Flag in the Trans- v vaal, who Departed this Life on" the 2ndAugust, ,lBBl, in her Fifth Tear. 'In other climes none knew thee 1 but to love tnee.'> l jßeBurgMu.*' The coffin which' Qonfcained;tHe flag -was placed upon the platform ' l provided,' * amid ' the •* deepest silence and' the' uncovered heads of the : {people'Vfassftn'bledJ >• About *350s HMU,' '"people-followed the" hearse -and a largV number of j^viJir chief ft sad tfieir petinu?

fell in, making the total number about six hundred iv the "procession. On arrival at the grave, the coffin was taken from the hearse and lowered iato the place prepared for it " with the greatest leverenoe and decorum," and an oration was delivered referring to the glories associated with the British flag for a thou-andyeius — a flag now "laid low in the dust, wounded to the heart by an unkind thrust, shorn of a portion of her honor." At the head of the grave was placed a tombstone bearing tho same inBcription as that on the coffin.

A rumour has been going the rounds, says the Home Newt, that it is contemplated to establish hereditary honours in some of the larger c lmiea. It i<i probably not mthout mm<3 icaadatiou in fact, although the Government are not likely to frive practical effect to the notion until it has been fully and freely discussed. There is much to be said against such a creation. The principle of ereneral equality is too widely admitted in mo^t colonial communities to allow of great social hereditary distinctions. But the quarrel is mainly with the idea of their transmission. Colonial sentiment might be strongly against the formation of a permanent so-called aristocratic clas*, but it would hardly object to the bestowal of high social honours upon the mo*t prominent^ colonial men. The establishment of life peerages would probably be lesa seriously opposed. Something of the kind is indeed wanted. After all, the grant of an order which carries with it knighthood and the permission to wear a star and « ribbon round one's neck is not a very lofty compliment It may be said that the title of " My Lord" is quite as empty, bufc after all the rank is much more distinguished and unmiatakeable. But even if the creation of snoh colonial peers would be unpopular in the colonies themselves, there seems no valid objection to such rewards if bestowed upon eminent coloniats who have elected to spend the rest of their days in England.

The small estates of England are neaily all mortgaged to two-thirds of their value, and the rpnts now received are insufficient to pay the interest, let alone tuppart the Squiro and his family. Columns of the London Timn are filled with notices of old country residences, broad demesnes, wooded patKS, and snug country homes to bo sold. In Lincolnshire farms can be had if the tenant will only keep down the taxes ; in Shropshire lands cannot be let at any price ; in. one parish in South Warwickshire only 600 can bejefe out of 3000 acres. The farmers feel this distress in a peculiar way ; those of them who have a desire to emigrate are prevented by not being able to sell out their stock and implements. No one wishes to go into fanning 1 .

The fund for Mrs Garfield has already attained the large sura of 339,000 dols. It is entirely due to the untiring efforts of Mr Cyrus W. Field, always ready aud willing to engage in any generous enterprise, that the subscriptions have been so bountiful. The late President was compariatrelya poor man, but now Mra GUrfield will be able to carry out her heart's desire of giving 1 the best education to her children. From private letters ib is pleasant to record that Mrs Garfield and the late President's aged mother have supported their cruel trial with greater fortitude than was at first expected. A patbetio anecdote i? related in the New York Evening Mad of the elder Mrs Gaifield, <i hitberto hale old lady of eighty. On arriving at Cleveland for her son's funeral s?ie wanted to open her satchel, and as usual with her, depending upon her son, she forgot for a moment the sad truth, and turning to Mr Palmer, a near relation, said : " James, undo my bag for me." He looked at the old lady for a moment, and she understood at once her painful mistake, and commenced moaning bitterly. "Iwas so much in the habit of getting James to do things for me," she cried,-" and now he is gone." A terrible scene of grief ensued, and it was long before the venerable lady was calmed. She is said to 1 have been deeply touched by the Queen's message, and on receiving it remarked ; She herself lost a darling child two years ago, and feels for me." The widow of the President keeps her constant with her, and behaves to her with the sweetness and grace which have endeared this intellectual and charming woman to all who have known her.

In reply to the toast of the House of Commons at the annnal dinner of the Metropolitan Board of Works, the Speaker af the House on Local Self-Go-vernment said after the usual preliminary remarks:- " I can repot favorably of that assembly except in two particulars — late hours and overwork. Now, it is satisfactory to know that the House 1 of Commons has the remedy for these sufferings in its own hands. Relief may be afforded by calling in aid the principle of self-government, and handing over to local authorities a portion of the work wnich may be better discharged by local assemblies than by the Imperial Parliaments. I have often thought when occupying my distinguished office in the House that it was passing strange that whenever this great community (London) wanted to have better water or brighter light, to construct a bridge or make a road, or to do anything in the shape of carrying out these numerous matters required by the community, they must come to Parliament. I do think the principle of local self-government should be carried out, so as to give communities further powers in th« management of their own affairs. I have now had experience of nine parliaments and have observed that during the whole of these thirty yeara the work of the House has been constantly increasing ; and I think it not likely to diminish. In every year that rolls by more work is oast upon the House. The truth is, that our governors — the constituencies — read more, think more, and expect more of their members, and thus the work of the House is increased."

Mr H. Fitzgerald has been appointed valuer to the Pukokura Highway District. A notice by the Tuhikaramea poundkeeper appears in our advertising columns. A meeting of the Waikato County Council will be held on Wednesday, the 28th inst., to consider proposals for closing roads in the Tamahere Highway District. The public are requested to look out for Dey and French's new advertisement. A special meeting of the Waipa County Council will be held on Tuesday, December 27th, to consider a!proposal to close roads in the Hamilton Highway Dlsirict. 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 Sydney and Melbourne, «tnd 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. selj their drapery, millinery, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer th> advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bearaportionof thelossshould the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the coSdence 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 withorder will be supplied with goods at co-operatve prices ; just the same as though they made apersonal selection. Furnishing- goods, such as carpets, floor, cloths, bedsteads,, beading and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, willbe marked at' .the lowest remunerative prices, and «. discount of five pw, cent., will b<?;al!6wed to those whp pay.at the time of purchase/ G. having realised the*nHro value of iheir'stock, 'doling their late cash, sale, ths present stock'is snyA*"^, crawly* Jad*uflHi£-hAo JnSpectio.fc,. , invitedl^-G^REieit, Asm CRAtfw I n&V c |ty : Hall'Fqraishirig Arcade Queen Street, A«cJrf»i»4«" "'*' >-