The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1515, 21 March 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.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2I, IBB2.

In the early part of Januury The Times published an article on the American live stock and meat trades which is well worthy the attention of fanners in this country, as affording an indication of the chances the meat exporter here has, as agaitist our transpacific cousins. It has long been a matter for discussion as to whetherlheexportationfroraAmerica to England of the live beasts or the carcases is the most profitable and safe. There are many arguments, in favor of the former, the f chief ' being that the freight enlarges . are lower,, and that the, animals, in Ihe) event of the market being depressed,',*

can be withheld from sale for a much greater length of time. Even in a glutted market they are not condemned, as carcases sometimes are, to be sold at 3|d or 4d per lb. But. however this question is decided, signs are not wanting to show that the American supply is gradually falling off. " English agriculturists" says the ■writer in The Times" and food consumers, considering the question from their two different standpoints, anxiously inquire whether America, with her increasing population and her exjmnding manufactures, can increase or evon maintain her large exports of animal foods. Including bacon, hams, and canned meats, America has recently contributed fully 15 per cent., or about one-half of the total imported food supplies of the United Kingdom. These important consignments have been furnished at less than 6d per lb. ; even the live cattle and fresh meat have not averaged 6£ per lb. Considering that diu'ing the past year this business has been worked without profit, and occasionally, as already stated, with heavy losses, is it likely to become continued or enlarged ?" After an examination of the causes which have contributed to the diminution of the supply, an affirmative answer is returned, and for these reasons : More than one-half of the large influx of emigrants swell the ranks of agricultural producers, and with favourable seasons a large surplus not only of grain, but of animal food, will hence be raised. The best-informed cattle breeders and shippers believe that the cost of rearing and feeding cattle, sheep, and hogs will not for years be materially increased, and that competition will prevent any considerable increase in the present moderate transport charges. There are still great plains, parks, and prairies throughout the Western States, and territories adapted for chiefly rearing live stock, and yet made litole use of. Indian corn, oats, hay, and other cattle food could be Avidely grown in greatly increased amount. The rough and ready inexpensive rearing and feeding now leave considerable margins of profit Owners of ranches on the west and south of the Missouri estimate that their cattle cost them 8s per annum, so that after allowing for 50 per cent profit to the ranchman, driving fees, &c, the cattle can be delivered at Julesburg, Cheyenne, or GHendive stations, to the east of the great river, for about 40s. This is a price against which no farmer in New Zealand could hope to compete, and if only cattle could be raised at this rate in the Eastern States we might at once abandon all hope of ever obtaining a market for our beef in Great Britain, while English graziers might relinquish their business forthwith : But nature is full of compensations. As we shall see, cattle raised thus cheaply increase enormously in cost before they reach the sea-board, which is more than two thousand miles away. It is curious indeed to follow in the steps of a beast thus reared and to mark how the increase is built up. According to the authority above quoted, the railway transport of a b Ilock from the Missouri to Chicago, say 100 miles, his feeding and attendance by the way, and his sale at the stockyards would add 30s to his value. The best of these western beasts, weighing llOOlbs. and 12001b5., in preparation for eastern and western markets or for export, are forwarded to good grazing land in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, or New York States, or are placed in autumn in the feeding yards. Allowing another 20s for transport to his new quarters, the bullock now costs JS4 10s. Taking the more expensive winter feeding, which, as at home, costs more than double the summer grazing, the ox during five or six "months will consume 100 bushels of corn, at Is 3d per bushel, amounting to £3 ss, and a ton of hay, costing 40s ; bran, oats, and attendance may absorb another 10s. With such liberal treatment, the animal should readily weigh UOOlbs. Another 25s will carry him to New York, and defray stockyard charges and commission. The total outlay incurred is now £14 10s. Allowing that each lOOlbs. of live weight yield 541bs. of beef, and that the moderate price •of 5d per pound is made he would realise iJIS 15s. But forwarding the animal, on which £14 10s has been actually expended, to Liverpool, sending him alive, notwithstanding that is rather the most expensive method, a further outlay of £4 10s, as above figured, is incurred. Thus the cost of a bullock yielding 7561b5. of beef is £19, landed at Liverpool. Deducting £3 for the offal, the meat must fetch s£d per lb. to be sold without loss. In a country of such extent, it is of course evident enough that the cost would vary very much according to the locality in which the beast has been reared, but it must not be forgotten that in proportion as we approach eastward we find the cost of production increased. It may, therefore, be assumed that the estimate given is, for a beast weighing HOOlbs., not very much exaggerated. With a shorter sea journey, this colony would leave the American competitor far behind in the race, for while 1 we cannot hope to raise stock at 40s per heacl, we have none of those in transport which i the American; exporter • has to contend, with, i jNgws Zealand , ,f armers-j 'would satisfied if they could .ge£,;4£s(jsi nearest porfc/'little I more tban'Kalf j

the money realised by the "Western grazier at New York, but he cannot get it. If therefore we suppose the freight to London from New Zealand to be treble that from New York to London we are still in a position to compete with A merica. Unfortunately, we have not at hand any reliable information with regard to the cost of sending beef to the English market, but the following statement of expenses of slaughtering, conveying to London and selling 1000 sheep, averaging 561bs each, from the Orange works, will afford some guide : The expenses comprising the cost of slaughtering, freezing, loading, railway freight to Sydney, wharfage, conveyance from railway station to steamer, canvas wrappers, freight to London at 2£d per lb, insurance, commission on sale in London, expenses on sheepskins and tongues to Sydney, amounted to £801 7s 9d. The proceeds are enumerated thus : — 56,0001bs of mutton, at 6d, £H00 ; 60001bs fat at 1£ per lb £37 10s ; 1000 skins at 3s each, £150; 1000 tongues (salted), £5 ; making a total of £1592 10s. Deducting the, expenses from this, we have a balance of =£791 2s 3d to stand as the cost of the sheep, giving a nett return of 15s 9d per sheep delivered at the Orange works. The figures quoted by Mr John Gtiiigg, President of the Canterbury Meat Freezing Company, regarding thecargo despatched from Dunedin by the ship City of Dunedin, are equally encouraging, although he sets down the price obtainable in the London market at 5d per lb. With improved apparatus, greater care in the preparation of the cargoes and better facilities for the storage and disposal of the meat in London and elsewhere, the cost of transport will probably be reduced, while the value of the produce will increase. Altogether the present outlook is promising and New Zealand breeders and graziers may take courage.

Mr Hales, District Engineer is at present engaged in laying off the new line of railway at the Thames. A Land League procession 300 strong paraded the streets of Greymouth, (West Coast) on Saturday. Mr Gr. Vesey Stewart has been elected the first Mayor of Tauranga by a majority of 64 over Mr R. C. Jordon. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held last night, but we are compelled to hold over our report. We learn by cable that S. Patrick's Day passed off quietly in Ireland. No disturbance of any note occurred in any part of the country. Latest advices inform us that New Zealand wheat is quoted in the Sydney market at 5s lid, and New Zealand oats at 3s. Mr W. F. Buckland has announced his intention of again contesting the TSorth Franklin seat, rendered vacant by the recent decision of the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Gillies. Sergt.-Major Oarley, the drill instructor of the Waikato Cavalry, proceeded to Waiuku on Saturday to drill the Cavalry troop at that place. We understand that the tender of Messrs Smith and Grimes for the extensive drainage operations on the Fen Court property has been accepted, the amount being £690. The works include the clearing out, widening, and deepening a creek for a length of seven miles. The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the representation of Cambridge riding in the Waikato County Council, caused by the resignation of Mr R. H. D. Fergusson, took place yesterday at noon. The candidates nominated were Messrs E. Hewitt and J. J. Smith. The illustrated papers of last mail belonging to the Cambridge Public Library and Reading Room have never yet reached their destination. They have been foi*warded by the agent in Auckland to the Cambridge agent, but it appears that they have fallen into the hands of some unknown agent in transit, who perhaps will forward them to their proper destination when accommodated with a perusal. There was a good attendance of buyers yesterday at the sale of land, the property of the late Mr James Brown, adjoining the town belt, Cambridge. Messrs Clark and Gane were the auctioneers. Lots facing AlbertStreet brought from £20 to £25 per acre, while back sections fetched between £9 15s and £15 per acre. His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Henry Reynolds to be the Returning Officer to conduct the first elections of five Commissioners for the Town District of Alexandra, as constituted under " The Town Disbricts Act, 1881 ;" also to appoint Friday, the 14th April, as the place, for such first elections ; also to appoint Friday, the 21st April, 1882, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Public Hall, Alexandra, to be the time and place for the first meeting of the said Commissioners. A contemporary is informed that a party of gentlemen interviewed Te Whiti, Tohu, Titokowaru, and Hiroki, at the gaol at New Plymouth a day or two ago. The whole of the prisoners looked well and happy, and though they did not allude to the cause of their imprisonment, they did not seem to care at all about their confinement. Te Whiti and Titokowarau appeared to be remarkably "jolly," and the latter appeared immensely to enjoy the statement that he had caused one of the visitors a good deal of trouble in times past. There seems to be no desire on the part of the prisoners to be released. We would again call attention to' the very interesting - and amusing hour that may be spent to-morrow, Wednesday evening in Trinity ' Wesleyan Church Hamilton, when Rev. C. Griffin will deliver his popular lecture on "Old Clothes.'' No charge will be made, but a collection taken in : aid of the church building fund. We are hot overdone with lectures' in Waikato, and this one promises a' treat to all who attend. The chair will be taken at 8, o'clock. A very flagrant' case of furious riding in. Hamilton. East, on Sunday morning, has been reported to us. Two little children belonging'tb f iMr Maberly, head mastery at^the {East school, were* walking on the. road near the cutting at the end of Heaphy, terrace, when .two lads, mounted, on lior.sps^coming from the difection^df Cfeudelanqs; galloped up the .cutting^ r>3?h'e' foremost horse* struck ,tbJe younger oi tne i i chifdrfen,,i:a child of four* Uyears^fand.knocke^liim^olentlyTd^jid^, i^. - -^> .&-";' <tf <" -V /-' Lip- Vf 'V&;

nately inflicting no serious injuries. The author of this mishap, to his shame, galloped off, never pausing to ascertain tbe consequences of his mad folly, and was followed by his companion. It is out of no consideration- for these lads that we refrain from publishing their names, and we hope they will take warning and for the future conduct themselves with more propriety. It will be seen by a telegram in another column that Major Mair has been appointed a judge of the Native Lands Court, in recognition of his valuable services in connection with native affairs. At the Calcutta races, held in December last, we learn that the old New Zealander, Camballo, now the property of Lord W. Beresford, won the Viceroy's Cup, the Burdwan Cup, and the Merchant's Cup. In 1880 the same horse won the Great Autumn Handicap, run at Christchurch, covering the distance in 2min 41 sees, the fastest time on record. Mr Bradlaugh, M.P., in the course of a lecture on January 26th, on " Perpetual Pensions" to a crowded audience at the Progressive Hall, Johnson-street, Notting Hill Gate, said he had received 1012 petitions, bearing 275,000 names, asking for an inquiry to be instituted respecting the abuse known as " Perpetual Pensions." He claimed the land as belonging to the nation, and before he had finished with it he intended to have every inch of it back for the benefit of the hard working paupers of England. A Press Association telegram dated Dunedin, Sunday, states :— "At the meeting of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, held yesterday, the statement of accounts showed that £1288 12s 6cl had been distributed during the year in fortnightly allowances, to the widows and families of those killed in the Kaitangata coal mine explosion. The amount invested is £12,700, and the interest received thereon is £1259. The trustee starts the year with a balance in the bank of £219. A despatch was received at Wellington from the Governor, on Saturday, enclosing an Order-in-Council, dated 19th December, giving the Queen's assent to the reserved " Chinese Bill" passed last session to regulate the immigration of Chinese. The assent will be gazetted next week, when the Act will at once come into operation. A special meeting of the Hamilton Highway Board was held on Saturday. Present : Messrs S. Steele, (chairman), Atkinson and Edgecumbe. A report from Mr T. G. Saucles on Iwersen and Shepherd's contract, new Whatawhata road, was adopted, and, ths contractors agreeing, the balance of their deposit money, £12, was ordered to be handed to them. Tenders were received and dealt with as follows : — Contract 10, new Whatawhata road (near McCutcheon's), road-forming : J. C. Booth, £103 6s; W. Jones, £96 (accepted). Contract No 11, road formation near Whatawhata (new road), G. Kellow, £73 4s ; J. Kennedy, £72 16s 6d (accepted). Making cutting near Rothwell's (Ohaupo road) : J. C. Booth, Is 4d per yard : W. Jones, Is 3d per yard (accepted). This was all the business. Yesterday the engineer, Mr T. G-. Sandes, started the contractors to work on the different jobs, which will be proceeded with at once. The two contracts Nos 10 and 11, will complete the formation of the new Hamilton -Whatawhata road. The children attending the Roman Catholic Sunday-school, Cambridge, were entertained at a picnic on St. Patrick's Day. The children left Cambridge in the morning, accompanied by their teachers and friends, in a number of conveyances kindly put at their disposal by a few gentlemen, and proceeded to the grounds of Mr Jno. RunciTnau, at Broadmeadows, where every provision was made for their recreation and enjoyment. The paddock in which the picnic was held is one of the most picturesque on the estate, and from the extensive shelter which it affords is admirably adapted for such purposes. Swings were erected in the trees for the girls, the boys taking to the more manly game of cricket. An abundant siipply of eatables was distributed, and all having thoroughly enjoyed the repast, a programme of sports was carried out under the supervision of Father O'Gara and Messrs McVeagh and Whiting, prizes being given to the successful competitors. The party returned to the town in the evening, all apparently well satisfied with their day's outing. The ladies committee desire to convey their thanks to all who kindly assisted them, and especially to Mr Jno. Runciman for the use of his beautiful grounds, and the gentlemen who put their conveyances at the disposal of the party. A sad accident occurred on Saturday (writes the Thames correspondent of a contemporary) at Belmont, Paeroa, by which a young lady named Mary Macky lost her life. Miss Macky, with two or three companions, who were visiting with her at Mr. Austen's, went clown to the Thames river to bathe, and getting beyond her depth, was carried away by the stream before assistance could be obtained. Two of her companions narrowly escaped being drowned also. The screams of the party attracted the notice of Mr. Thorpe, and a man named Antonio. The latter secured Miss Macky's body, in eight feet of water, and brought it to the shore, but all efforts to resuscitate life proved unavailing. Miss Macky was the only daughter of Mr. S. C. Macky of the Thames, and granddaughter of the Rev. J. Macky of Otahuhu. Her death will be mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. She was eighteen years of age. An examination of the scene of the recent outbreaks of fire in the National Hotel, Cambridge, must produce a feeling nothing short of surprise that the whole building was not reduced to a heap of ashes. This is especially the case in regard to the room in which the second attempt of the incendiary was made, namely, that occupied, by Mr Dyer. One of the lining-boards is burnt right through, and the stud behind is charred ' to a considerable depth; but strange to say, very little of the wallpaper was destroyed, and these are no other traces of fire in the room. In order to put the flames out, it was necessary to pull some of the lining away, and thia Mr Raynes succeeded in doing before assistance came, though he burnt his hand seriously in the operation. On Thursday night the two mattresses in the servants' room were blazing when the fire was discovered, the flames leaping up almost to the ceiling, and had the window been open, nothing, we believe, would have saved, the building! As it was, the passages were filled with dense smoke, through which one of the servants hadgreat difficulty in carrying Mrs Raynea' two "youngest children. ' Plenty of assistance was luckily at hand, and the fire was beaten out' before the walls of the room had caught. - The police have exercised the greatest amount of vigilence, since the occurrence, and have, we understand, formed, a pretty' reasonable conclusion,^ tliqugn for 'obvious reasons, it is kept secret., ,; '■ \;j, ; " jJßgleSj"*in Ithe /' Australasian," is,responsible fdr^'tlus :,C"A .^banker now. wayM *'< rocte'4 pleasantly,^' ah'd [ the^tnids

in a prosperous suburb. He consented at last in something like these words :—: — • I have never yet foreclosed a mortgage on a church. You can have the money, but I would like you to build so that if I have to, take your church over the architecure would be suitable for a branch bank.' In spite of the Temple and the money-changers the church-wardens took the money. The Ashburton. "Guardian" seems to be very much in earnest on the subject of larrikinism. It says: — "Sir Brian Loghlen's Bill, which he is about to introduce in the Victorian Parliament, proposes that offenders from 10 to 15 years of age be whipped to the extent of 25 la3hes with the birch rod, and those above that age to the extent of 25 lashes with the cat-o' -nine-tails, the flogging of those under 15 to be administered at the rising of the Court, and of those over 15 within 24 hours thereafter, if practicable. It is to be hoped the irieasure will not only be adopted, but that the example set by Victoria will be followed by all the colonies." The silkworms, says the "Akaroa Mail," are progressing favourably. A few have already reached the fifth stage, and can be expected to begin to spin their cocoons in about twelve days. Ihe others are of different ages, from the hatching up to the third stage, and all are, so far, perfectly healthy. It is gratifying to note the interest taken in this industry by the numbers who have availed themselves of the opportunity of inspecting the silkworms and seeking the necessary information for their culture. The general care appears to be how the right kind of mulberry trees can be obtained for the next planting season, but it is most likely that the Government will endeavour to make some satisfactory asrangeinent in this direction by that time. The Italian papers are still discussing the position of the Pope, and from one source we learn that every preparation is absolutely complete for the departure of the Pope should he deem it impossible to remain in Rome any longer, and that several houses have been taken at Malta, through the medium of a French Bishop, in which the Sacred Congregations could instal themselves, and the pontifical archives be safely lodged. As, however, it has not been positively demonstrated that it is impossible for the Pope to stay in Rome, and though no doubt there are houses in Malta in which the pontifical archives could be safely lodged, it may be doubted whether any preparations such as here suggested have been made. On the other hand it is announced that certain Cabiuets having caused their representatives to ask the Pope to propose a reasonable basis of arrangement, His Holiness observed that the question was insidious, suggesting much but offering nothing ; and our readers will see that the question was certainly embarrassing, for it is difficult to imagine what the Pope could ask more than he has asked, or less than Italty notoriously will not concede. It is clear that there is more of political influence and less of sympathy in the proposals which have been made to him by foreign Governments, but it may be taken for granted that he is too astute and too conscientious to be made the dupe ot political empirics. The veteran Garibaldi, who is still residing in his island home of Maddalena, met with an accident the other day while out driving on a steep road, by which his head and limbs were seveiely bruised against the stones. The Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Tuna,, writes : The proposal recently made, on economical grounds, to exclude from the Victorian State schools all children under the age of six or over 15 years has not been received with favor by either the general public or the professional or scholastic section. In Australia the State compels attendance at school between the age of 6 and 16, in Victoria; 6 to 14, in New South Wales ; 7to 14, in Tasmania ; 7 to 13, in South Australia; 7 to 11, in New Zealand ; but a practice has very generally grown up, no doubt chiefly in the interests of parents, of sending mere infants to school. It is estimated that were the scholars rigorously confined to the specified school ages, the attendance in Victoria would be diminished by 40,000. While it is admitted by those opposed to this scheme that its adoption would considerably reduce the present cost of administering the Act, it is denied that the economy would be anything like in proportion to the ill effects that would be produced upon those constituting one fifth of the existing school roll. A conference of State school inspectors has been sitting in Melbourne to enquire into the school ages question. They propose that the Minister of Education should allow the children under 4£ at present in attendance to continue at school, but to promulgate a new rule, fixing the minimum at i\ for future pupils. This recommendation will probably be accepted, and will no doubt commend itself to the public. Mr Federli, it will be remembered (says the Lyttelton Times) recently employed a current of electricity to facilitate the hatching out of a quantity of silkworm "grain," and with good results. It is] stated that some German experimentalists have been successful in their attempts to utilise electricity as a means for hiving swarms of bees, by stupifying them. A successful attempt was made upon bees that had gathered upon trees, theinsectsfallinguponthegroundinakincl of trance, which admitted of their being safely handled. Afurfcher experiment was made of introducing the ends of two connecting wires into a fully occupied honeycomb, and turning on the current ; by this means the bees were rendered inactive for about thirty minutes, while no bad results appeared to follow their awakening. When are we to have electric mouse and rat traps t to say nothing of fly catchers ?

Mr W. P. Ford, tailor of Te Awamutit, notifies that he has gone into business on his own account and requests a share ot patronage. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell by auction at Cambridge on Saturday, March 25th. 35 first-class mares and geldings overland from Wellington. Several notifications by the Warden of the Te Aroha Goldfield in reference to water race and machine sites appear in our advertising columns. At a meeting of the creditors in the estate of Edward Gumby, cabinetmakei, Cambridge, held in the courthouse, Hamilton, on Saturday, Mr T. C. Hammond was elected creditor's trustee. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the jmblic. It has been a great success in 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, millinery, 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 to bear a portion of the loss should 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 ordej will be supplied, with goods at co-operatve prices ; just thesame.as thdugh they made apersonalselection. f Eurnishing, goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned but at our own factory,' willbe marked at' the lowest remunerative prices, arid a' discount of fivejsei cent, willbe allowed to those who payfat thdtimejof purchase; - G, and C. having realised the entire valfiVdf thVir stock during their late cash sale>the present stock is'Nftw, and'cheaply 'Tr6uGHT.*-- : %Ah*inspiction'invited.- ; -GAiu.icK<M«) &imiyn&i,,City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queen street, Auckland. ' • ;, t 4 -„ rk \ <*<*" V" ~ "■ - ' s v * <•' «"• \'., /■'-. " 1" ' v - - „■ v <„