The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1484, 7 January 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

SATURDAY, JAN. 7, 1882.

New Zealand is essentially a producing country. In time to come, when population shall have increased and more capital be available for commercial entei prises, she will, in addition develop into a consuming country, but at present our broad pasture lands and wide areas of corn growing country, coupled with the absence of manufacture on anything like an appreciable scale, stamp the colony as a producer. We have heard complaints from various quarters, of late, that New Zealanders fail to realise this fact, and, in consequence, neglect to apply the necess.'UT remedies ; but a great deal of this is sheer nonsense. The people of this country have sins enough to answer for, no doubt, individually and m the aggregate, but we suspect they are no worse than their neighbours. The truth is, that our progress has been so remarkably rapid, that we have not had time to fully realise our position. A few years ago our staple, almost our sole products were wool and grain, and for these markets more or less suitable have been found and kept. More urgent demands now being made upon the producer's ingenuity, there is little doubt he will prove himself equal to the occasion, and a new outlet will be found for the additional products which he now finds he can dispose of. The augmentation of the ai'ea appropriated to agricultural and pastoral pursuits during late years has been, extraordinary, and, as we pointed out a few days ago, nowhere has this been the case more than in this province. Our productive power has so far increased that instead of looking to Auckland as our sole market, we shall have to go further afield. This is becoming more patent every day. If it has not yet been fully recognised it is simply because, as we have said above, the change belongs to so recent a date. The South are before us because the question began to force itself upon their attention earlier. A moat freezing company has been formed in Dunedin with a capital of £20,000, a competent engineer has been engaged, and efficient machinery is now on its way from Home, if it has not already arrived. In a short time the enterprise will be in full operation, and we hope to be able to announce the complete success ef the venture. Canterbury, with a wide extent of grazing country is about to follow suit, and in its natural order Auck- ! land will adopt a similar course. This province is popularly supposed to have been guided for many years by a policy of waiting — the taihoa policy, it has been called, in derision, and it is quietly hinted that we shall continue still to follow it. But they who speak thus either forget or ignore the fact that this taihoa policy has bern forced upon us, and now that we are beginning to witness its results, they who adopted it, and so manfully stuck to it, are to be honored rather than derided. In waiting, as the Spanish proverb has it, they waited, and as every day they see the prospect widen before them, they have cause to thank Providence which endowed them with the spirit of patience. If the older men are too much inclined to follow in the old groove, as is not unlikely, the younger generation, those who are fast taking up the reins are not, and we feel convinced that a growing spirit of enterprise is abroad ready to seize upon every opportunity for legitimately advancing the interests of the country they live in, and promoting its material welfare. It is t » these that we commend the consideration of the question touched on in the beginning of this article.

Experiments which have been tried in Victoria promise to work a radical change in the method of constructing railways oyer level country. The chief merit of the alteration lies in the great saving of money it, effects, and it is worthy on tins account of ' close attention"; by the New. Zealand* Government, and those private companies/havingthe construction of railway 'Hnes'in; contemplation;.- , ln / in§,ny;,^rts,,of greafportionx.o'f^the^Sduthiislan^: ttie tpla^Mietaaed ybjow-ou^lit, if fit?? .pr^yAt^tfoißSsli^^

equally workable here. The saving effected appears to be considerible. The Hobart Mercury thus describes the new practice :—": — " One of the mo&L. romarkabh of cheap lines is that from Shopparton' to Numurkobe, in Victoria, which was opened a short time ago. The length of the line is 20 J- miles, yet the actual contract price was £20, 545, about £1,000 per mile, or considerably less than the outlay on many tramways, which are generally considered much cheaper than railroads. The line is an experimental one, and consequently every device was used to achieve economy. Although the country through which it passes is almost a dead level, that would not account altogether for the very small expenditure. Enquiry soon evoked the true causos. For instance, except at the stations and crossings, the work did not involve the laying down of a single once of ballast, it having been contended that it was time the doing away with ballast received at any rate a trial in Victoria. No better reason could be adduced,, because if it is proved that ballast is not necessary, the cost of constructing railways will be greatly diminished. In the making of the line, the sleepers are unusually heavy. The specifications stated that they were to be llin. wide in the bed, 9ft. long, and not less than 4-J-ui. thick, but they average 1 2in. in width. They are laid flat on the formation, which rises from sin. to 6in. in height, but in more than one instance they are actually laid on the bare ground, with the grass growing around and between them. Without enumerating all the means that were adopted to ensure cheapness, it is sufficient to say that when the line was finished, trains ran along it at a speed of nearly 30 milesan hour, and thatit has been working satisfactorily since it was opened."

The Patetere Company liave commenced work in earnest on their estate. A thousand acres of land have been ploughed in the vicinity of Oxford, and the company are now calling for tenders for harrowing, rolling, and sowing it.

Owners of horses, entered for the Cambridge Race^ on Wednesday and Thursday next, are reminded that the acceptance money 13 payable to-day, before 8 p.m. either to the Secretary, at Cambridge, or to Mr Percival, Auckland. The weights appear in another column.

The bazaar in aid of S. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, will be re-opened on next Wednesday and Thursday, the days of the Cambridge Races, m the Public Hall. The doors will open about halfpast 5 o'clock each evening, and the refreshment stall will again be well provided.

The Piako country is looking well just now. On the Richmond block the farms of Messrs Wright, Hunt, Smale, aud Burnett present a very pleasing picture. The grass and the young plantations are remarkably luxuriant, and crops of various kinds are doing exceedingly well. It is * somewhat surprising to find that a goodly proportion of this block still remains unsettled.

Mr Wright, of the Survey Office, Auckland, has now completed the plans for the bridge over the Waipa above Alexandra, which the Government are going to construct at the request of Tawhiao. He has a party of men with him, and the work of preparation is so far advanced that tenders will, we understand, be invited very shortly.

Messrs- Whitaker, Whyte, aud Sheehan,M.H.R.left Hamilton on Thursday en route for Te Arohaandthedistricts contiguous, where in company with Capt. Morris (member for Tauranga), and Mr Cadman (member for Coromandel), they will make a tour of inspection and consult together upon matters afficting the welfare of this portion of the colony. The party was accompanied by Mr H. E. Whitaker whose intimate knowledge of the wants of the new goldfield will be of material assistance.

Owing probably to the land not being properly prepared, and in some degree to subsequent neglect, the crops put in by the natives at Alexandra are not turning out well. In the Government paddock the potatoes, which have not yet been moulded up, are almost overshadowed by the tall fern which has grown up between the rows. This is the more to be regretted, as we believe the natives have not a large area under crop this year.

A cable message received a few days ago from Sydney announced that Mrs Leslie, an elderly lady, had been knocked down on the street tramway, near Paddington, and after being taken to the Infirmary, died from the injuries received. It was further stated that the unfortunate lady was very deaf, and this taken in conjunction with other circumstances, has led certain of her friends to entertain a belief that the deceased lady was no other than Mi's Leslie, widow of Mr P. Leslie, late of Wartle, Waikato. We hope the surmise may prove to be incorrect.

The Governor -in - Council has gazetted the f ollowmg announcement, in reference to the inspection of dairies under the Public Health Act:— "Any Local Board of Health may, within its limits and jurisdiction, make regulations, subject nevertheless to the following conditions :— (1). No one but a duly qualified medical practitioner shall be appointed as an Inspector of Milk or Dairies. (2). None of suoh regulations shall enable the sale of milk to be prohibited unless the Inspector of Milk or Dairies, or some other duly qualified medical practitioner, shall certify that the use of the milk, the sale of which it proposed to be prohibited, is likely to endanger the public health."

The cricket match between the All-England Eleven and the Combined Australian team was resumed on Wednesday. The Englishmen continued their second innings with Scotton and Shaw at the wickets. The following are the scores of Wednesday's play: — Scotton, not out, 50 ; Shaw, caught, 40 ; Pilling, bowled, 3 ; Peate, run out, 2. The viai-, tors were all disposed of for 308 runs. The home team then commenced their second innings, and' when the stumps were drawn had lost three wickets for 127. The match was drawn, the Austin liaDS reauirine 156 runs to win. -;,< . i

Some "exceedingly . ' .handsome , specimens of. marble,, Quarried a, "abort tune, a J gq, have, been exhibited'; at »the auctidn,marb'.ofms^iniam}McLean;;th le;l e ; " legal " manaserrof : itfiS^omuMv nm ?,Welv tioQyand'cnti'SislQ^wHioh^jyasgaltogetlierj' ', • satnbles 1 is -a^cleanlVdhewiKOlocKjPEfiWniteifi

black veins, is also on view, and shows remarkable adaptability for the reception of a high ami beautiful polish. The stone from the quarries of the Caswell Sound Marble Company has been subjected to analysis at the hands of Mr S. Herbert Cox, of the Colonial Museum and Laboratory,, who has pronounced it superior to the fiuest Carrara marble by 17 per cent. The supply is practically unlimited, and in Australia alone the demand for it will amount to a very considerable sum per annum.

A West Coast contemporary in noticing a service of song hi a Wesleyan Chapel remarks:—" The Chapel was well filled, and Mr W. M'Lean Jack was voted to the chair, who said it gave him .he utmost pleasure to preside on the occasion." It is by no means an unusual thing to propose a vote of thanks to "the chair," but in this instance such a compliment would be particularly appropriate.

Trinity Wesleyan Church, Hamilton, is to be opened for Divine service next Tuesday evening. The trustees have secured the services of Rev. T. Spurgeon, who, while only a youth in years, has about him the style of a man who knows the Avays of the world. We expect from him some good straight cruths, and hope a large number will avail themselves of this opportunity of hearing the son of one of England's greatest preachers. On the following evening (Wednesday), there will be a soiree. Tea will be provided in the Public Hall at 6 o'clock. The meeting after will be held in the church. His Worship the Mayor will take the chair and guide the affair. A number of addresses will be delivered. Mr and Mrs Mackintosh, of Cambridge, have kindly promised to assist in the musical part of the evening, together with members of the choir. The opening services will be continued on the following Sunday. The preacher for the day is Rev. Alexander Carrick, of S. Andrew's, uckland. All who can enjoy a real literary treat, served up with a dash of fine eloquence, should not fail to hear Mr Carrick. When Trinity Church is finished, it will be quite an addition to our public buildings, and we earnestly hope the townspeople and settlers will show their practical sympathy with, and appreciation of the efforts made by the Wesleyans of Hamilton.

A correspondent forwards us an account of sports held at Richmond, Upper Piako, on the 28th ult. Unfortunately the weather was wet, otherwise die sport would have been excellent. The first event was the Hurdle Kace, for which five started. It was an exciting contest between Mr C. Vernon's chestnut mare and Mr Hunt\s Charlie, the former winning by a length. For the Trotting Race three started, viz : Mr Wrights Roy (scratch), Mr Smale's Thunderbolt (200 yards), and Mr Boddam's bay mare (200 yards). Thunderbolt was never caught, though Roy was only 50 yards behind at the finish The Richmond Cup brought out a large field. Mr Vernon's mare was made a hot favorite, while Mr Smale's Maid of the Mist had a few friends. The flag fell to a good start, but before a quarter of a mile had b?en traversed it was evident the Maid had a " big say " in the matter, and she eventually won by a neck. The Maori Hurdle Race was an easy victory for Hone Tuhakarine's Rotorua. The Consolation was won by Mr Murray's Creamy, after a hard struggle with Mr Wrights Roy. Mr John Hunt acted as starter and judge, and the prizes consisted of articles of saddlery. After the races, about twothirds of the visitors adjourned to Mr Burnetts residence, where they were most hospitably entertained.

The charge of Dersonation against the lion. C. J. Pharazyn was heard, at the Supreme Court, Wellington onTliursclay, before the Chief Justice. In defence Mr Pharazyn stated that his voting at the second booth was a mi-take. He entered the booth for the purpose of voting for Mr Johnson, candidate for Te Aro electorate, and on receiving a voting-paper he struck out the name which was not Mr Johnston's and left under the impression that ho had voted for that gentleman. So soon as he found out his mistake, he did his best to remedy it. After a quarter of an hour's deliberation, the jury returned with the following verdict :— " The jury find that Mr Pharazyn, having voted once at the election for Thorndon, applied at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, but so applied under the impression that he was voting at a different electorate for another candidate, and believed the mistake was honestly made." Mr Pharazyn contended that the verdict amounted to one of " Not guilty." The Chief Justice and counsel for the prosecution thought differently, and eventually the question was reserved for the Appeal Court. Mr Pharazyn was admitted to bail, on entering into his own recogninancefor £50, to appear for judgment when called upon.

Mr Crompton, the inspector of schools at Taranaki, baa told the correspondent of the Lyttelton Times of a ridiculous incident in his experience with the Maoris. In his youth Mr Crompton lost all his hair through a fever, and had a wig made by a crack Parisian perruquier. Arriving in New Zealand many years ago, when the Maori was less sophisticated than now, Mr Crompton visited a settlement, and was immediately surrounded and examined by the Natives. While they were discussing his " points" — and Mr Crompton, being a "new chum," was not at all sure what their ulterior object might be — he was taken with a violent fit of sneezing, and sneezed bis wig off. " Taipo ! Taipo !" (the devil ! the devil !) yelled the electrified savages, and rushed for the bush. Mr Crompton, as much frightened as they, also made tracks, and now wears a skull-cap.

William Harrison Ainsworth, the eminent novelist whose death is announced in another column, was the eldest son of the late Mr Thomas Ainsworth, solicitor, of Manchester. According to Men of the Time', he was born in 1805, and educated at the Free Grammar School of Manchester, and at the age of 16 was articled to Mr Ray, a solicitor of that city. His marriage in 1826 with a daughter of Mr Ebers, a publisher of Bond-street, led Mr Ainsworth to abandon the law and devote himself to literature in the joint capacity of author and publisher. The latter vocation, however, he soon gave up, restricting himself to what he thenceforth regarded as his profession. His first work of note was "Rookwood," which was quickly folio wed by "Crichton," "The Tower of London," "Jack Sheppard," and many others. In March, 1840, on the retirement of Mr Dickens; Mr Ainsworth became editor of Bentleift Miscellany, ,Mr Ainsworth's writings are most popular in America, and nearly all of' them are translated into continental languages. • '

Mr J.,S.'Buckjand will sell at Mv W. K^C'arte^s YardsT'Cambridge,' on. Friday, 13th inst. (the day after the races), valuable thorough- ; bred horsestock, and. useful backs, See, &c. , Messrs^.'^Hunfer- &£[<>.* will sell at the' Cambridge Yardii'^h llQnday'neJtt; 9th inst. 1 (on account of Thu^day-bqingrace'day) fat cows, heifers^sfpr^cattte^horsesfjy^'v^ii^ %^- '/- T. r|JieBsra#^Jvj>Himter- ; % t Co.;,will \ hold;