The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1517, 25 March 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of \vbatso_evei state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Uiniwed by influence .uid unbubed by gain.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1882.

The importance, nay, the necessity, of co-operation is slowly but surely forcing itself upon the farmers of the Waikato. They are awaking to this knowledge none to soon, and if they regard their own interests and tfiose of the district in which they have cast their lots, they will not only recognise the value of the principle, but they will seek the best means of putting it into practice. Thac there is something more than a mere probability of this, those who attended Thursday night's meeting at the Tamahere Hotel will admit. To say that the intelligence of the district was fully represented is merely to state a fact, and to affirm that everybody was in earnest is to accord him no more than the simplest justice. That the meeting was prepared to endorse all that had previously been done by the provisional directors was not to be expected, not even by those gentlemen themselves; but, on the other hand, there was no carping fault-finding, while it was a generally expressed opinion that the promoters were deserving of all praise for the efforts they had put forward. Little apparently was done, except to refer the matter back to the committee ; but this body, enlarged by the addition of a few valuable names, will now set to work upon a much sounder basis than it was possible to obtain before, and their labors may confidently be expected to be attended with practical results. They have by no means a light task to perform, but if they set about it conscientiously, as we believe they will, they will accomplish a great end. It is to be hoped that they will not, at the beginning, attempt too much. By their nature, associations of this kind must be worked cautiously. Let us not despise small beginnings: if successful in little the operations of the society can easily be extended. As one of the speakers at the meeting observed, farming in Waikato is all more or less experimental, and the association will have to some extent to occupy the position of a leai'ner before it can become a teacher. The length of this probationary period will be determined solely by the amount of energy and interest displayed by those to whom the care of the infant institution shall be committed. These remarks are not prompted by any fear about the ultimate prosperity of the association. That which is so necessary to the well-being of the agricultural community can hardly fail — if it do, its failure must be attributed to faults of management solely. That is precisely why we counsel caution. "We shall not pause after what has been said above to enter into a examination of the various details of the scheme, as set forth in the original prospectus : Such proposals as that to lease or let portions of land for the cultivation of grain by the association can only be dealt with, "by the light of practical experience (such, as we believe can be adduced by members of the committee), apart from any sentiment which may obtain upon the subject. We do nota-egard this leasing proposal as one of the cardinal points in the scheme, and its acceptance or rejection will not materially affect the main object. The erection of a flour mill, too, is another subject which ought to be viewed in its business aspect. The real vital principle running through the whole scheme, is co-operation, the banding together of thefarmersto secure advantages which shall be common to all, and patent to each, and this, can be applied in a hundred different ways, only a few of which, have as yet been touched on. 'Day'

by clay, new light will break in upon the conductors of the association, until they will become astonished at the magnitude and importance of the work which thov will find. themselves called upon to do. We would recommend those interested to read, side by side with our report of Thursday's meeting, a very thoughtful letter on the same subject in our correspondence columns. The writer is a prominent settler in the Waikato, and one who has ever taken a deep interest in the welfare of the district. On this account his observations should be read with attention . The case is somewhat boldly stated ; we do not agree to all that is set forth ; but there is an amount of practical sense in it, which will commend it to most people. So far, as his letter deals with auctioneers he is, it seems to us, hardly just. It should not be forgotten that a considerable amount of capital is required for the business, and that there are risks and losses, of a nature well-known to our correspondent, which business men have to provide for, and a neglect to provide for which might involve ruin. Nor is it shown that the Waikato settlers are, in respect of their auctioneering firms, any worse off than their neighbors. So far as our knowledge extends, we can say, without desiring to flatter, that farmers in Waikato have much to be thankful for. This by the way : The main purpose of our correspondent is identical with that of the association proposed to be established amongst us, and his letter gives an assurance that the project will be warmly taken up, not only in that particular part of the district in which it has originated, but throughout the length and breadth of Waikato.

The hon. the Native Minister, passed through Hamilton on Thursday morning, from the Aroha on route for Auckland. He will probably wait in Auckland for Mr Rolleston when they both return to Wellington, via Napier. Mr Rolleston has visited Morrinsmville and will it is thought recommend the granting a sum of money for the main Thames road from Waikato. Mr Rolleston was last night the guest of Mr J. B. Whyte.

"Echoes from the Cafe" and other interesting items are unavoidably held over.

A slight error crept into our report of the Raglan Rifle Club's annual dinner. The name of the gentleman saved from drowning by Mr H. Johnstone was Charles Moon, not " Moore" as printed.

The witnesses and others concerned in the Oxtord manslaughter case proceeded to Auckland yesterday, to attend the Supreme Court.

Considerable improvements are being effected in the thoroughfares in Cambridge. The board also intend regravelling the worst portions of the main roads before the winter sets in, and for that purpose are about to open out several excellent gravel pits in various places.

A party of men belonging to the Telegraph Department were engaged yesterday in fixing the telephone wire between Hamilton West and East. The instruments will not, however, arrive for some time.

Our Alexandra correspondent writes that Tawhiao has returned from Kawhia, and the natives are busy building whares at Whatiwhatihoe.

The polling for the return of a member to represe"t the Cambridge riding in the Waikato County Council, takes place this day at Cambridge.

Messrs Clark and Gane have succeeded in disposing privately of two additional sections of the late Mr James Brown's farm, near Cambridge. Lot 4, 15a 3r 30p, including the homestead, orchard, &c., brought £600 ; and lot 25, 13a Or 18p, was sold for £12 per acre.

A rumour is afloat among the natives concerned in the late Oxford manslaughter case, that a certain chief of the Ngatikapu hapu has threatened to shoot or kill two chiefs of the other side, and that the accused is prowling about at nights with evil intent,

Mr A. Isaacs, of Cambridge, who was the successful tenderer for the Armed Constabulary ration contract, has already given notice that he will resign his contract at the end of a month.

The poll of the ratepayers in the Waitoa Licensing District, to decide whether the number of licenses shall be increased or not will be taken at Morrinsville to.day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

A first meeting of creditors in re Henry Carter, of Cambridge, contractor, a debtor, was held at the District Court, Hrmilton. Mr Gresham, of Te Awamutu and Cambridge, appeared for the debtor, and also for several of the Cambridge creditors. Mr Sutor, agent Waikato Steam Navigation. Co., was elected to the chair. The appointment of trustee of the e&tate was unanimously conferred upon Mr J. P. Thompson, of Cambridge, accountant, The liabilities are about £297, and assets £103, being book debts.

Our Raglan correspondent writes: —The cattle sale which was held by Hunter & Co. at the Okete yards, on the 21st inst., was well attended. There was a large number of steck yarded, and the prices realized were satisfactory. Since Hunter & Co. first started holding regular sales at their yards, the number of cattle and other stock submitted for disposal on each sale day has steadily increased, and it is now patronised by nearly all the stockowners in the district.

The natives of Aotea and Kawhia, says our Raglan correspondent, are at the present time busily exerting themselves in collecting money to form prizes for a race meeting which they intend holding on the Herangi racecourse some time during next month. They have requested Messrs Ellis, Duncan, and Galvin, of Ruapuke, to conduct the preliminai'y arrangements in reference to the meeting, which gives promise of being a good one.

The following are latest Auckland market quotations :— Kaubi Gum is firmer. Receipts for March so far, about 200 tons. Fair to ordinary, £33 to £35, } good ordinary, £35 to £37; East Coast, £44 to £46. Flax per ton, £18 to £21'; Tow; do., £7 to £9 ; Fungus per lb., 3d ; Beeswax, per lb., 6d. Manures.—Bonedust, Sydney, £6 to £8, according to 1 quality j Auckland, £7 to £8 10s ;' Periiyian^guano, £17 to £18 ; Huon Guano, small lots, £5 to( £6,""bags .included 'j Boneflour, !£9! £9 j /?,.: -\', . :^y ':

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, on Thursday, before Mr H. W. Northcroft, R.M., and His Worship the Mayor, Martin Brown, charged with using indecent and abusive language upon two occasions towards Mr Dethmer, of the Railway Hotel, Frankton, ami with being drank at the railway station, was brought up for sentence. The Bench fined him 40s and costs for each offence, or in default, one month in Mount Eden Gaol, the term in the third I case to be concurrent with the others. The money was not paid. On the same day an inebriate was fined 5s and costs, with the usual alternative.

At a meeting of the Hamilton* Band Committee, held on Thursday night, it was decided to hold a picnic in the vicinity of Hamilton on Easter Monday, and it was suggested that the picturesque grounds adjacent to Cox's Lake would be the most suitable place, provided permisson could be obtained from the proprietor. Yesterday a deputation of the band waited on Mr Cawkwell, the manager of the estate, who kindly consented to throw open a portion of his grounds for the use of the baud on the day named. It is proposed that the band should meet on the ground at eleven o'clock, and the committee intend to use every endeavour to make the affair a success. A prettier spot, we need hardly say, could not have been chosen. The grounds are well sheltered, and the sloping banks of the lake afford an excellent promenade for pleasure-seekers. In addition to dancing, other amusements, will be provided, and as the charge of admission is within the reach of all, we hope that the funds of the band will be materially strengthened on this occasion.

Mr R. H. Govett, of Wellington, writes to the Taranaki Herald, re the statement which appeared in a paper, that Te Wetere did not receive him well on his recent visit to Mokau. Mr Govett writes that this is incorrect. "Te Wetere was from the first most courteous' and hospitable, though he did not, for some reason which had nothing to do with us personally, at once give us a pass or a guide on to the Waikato. I have written to Te Wetere expressing my sorrow that his feelings should have been hurt by the thought that two strangers whom he had treated so kindly should have had the meanness, not to say the wickedness, to afterwards malign him, but it is only just to him as well as to Mr Marshall and myself to publicly contradict the charge in question."

Great dissatisfaction prevails among the natives in the up-country dis-. tricts, who are interested in the forthcoming sitting of the Lands Court at Ohinemutu, at the action of the Government in moving the Court to such an inconvenient and out-of-the-way place. For some time past the natives have been planting potatoes as near Cambridge as was possible, and making other preparations for a few weeks' stay in that township, being under the impression that the Court was certainly to be held there ; but now that the Court has been gazetted for Ohinemutu, all their plans have been upset and their provisions rendered useless They will now have to travel through to Ohinemutu, where the cost of living, considering the position of that settlement, and the fact that with the exception of a tri-weekly coach to Tauranga, there is no established communication with the outer world, is certain to be greatly increased. There are also a large number of Europeans to be considered, who will have to travel through the country to Ohinemutu, not only at considerable cost, but at much inconvenience, especially to business men. Considering the convenience and interests of all parties concerned, a change has certainly been made for the worse, and we would not be surprised to hear that the majority of the natives interested in the sitting of the Court will object to go to Ohinemutu when the time arrives.

The following items of European news up to March 14th, have been received per s. s. Alhambra at the Bluff: —The Hon. Russell Lowell, the representative of the United States in London, has been instructed by his Government to ask the English Cabinet to bring the American subjects, who are now imprisoned as "suspects," for their connection with the Irish Land League, to speedy trial. —Mr H. J. Brand, the President of the Orange Free State, has decided to accept the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, offered to him by her Majesty, in recpg-' nition of his services in connection with the recent events in the Transvaal. — General Skobeloff has delivered a speech on the Central Asian question. He regarded the fears entertained in England at the progress of Russia in Central Asia as mere humbug, asserting that there was room in Asia for both powers, and that the idea of a Russian invasion of India was absurd, such a project being quite impracticable and out of the question.

Tenders are invited by the Cambridge Highway Board tor certain road works. Mr K. Hill will sell at his mart,Huinilton, to-day, potatoes, pigs, poultry, cheese, furniture, &C.{ &C, Assessment Courts will be held at the Warden's office for the Te Aroha riding, Piako county, on the 18th April ; and at the Oxford Hotel, for Patetere, on the ?2nd April. The justices of the peace for the Hamilton Jury District are requested to meet at the Courthouse, on the Bth prox,, to revise the jury list. Messrs H. E. Cotton & Co will sell at their rooms, Cambridge, today, at 2 p.m., goods damaged by fire at the National Hotel. Also, at their mart at Kilrikihi, on Wednesday next, furniture, saddlery, See . The partnership hitherto existing between Messrs J. G. Berry, C. P. Gardner and M. G. Neill, as sawmill owners, Orakau, has been dissolved by mutual consent. The business will be carried on by Messrs Berry and Neill. The Auckland Agricultural Company invite tenders for ploughing 800 acres at Waitoa. Mr G. F. Millars, having erected new and improved machinery at thcOhaupo sawmills, and having secured a splendid bush of kahikatea and nmu, is prepared to supply the best timber at the lowest prices to all parts of the district. Messi'3 W. J. Hunter & Co will sell at the Ohaupo Yards on Thursday, April 6tb, 100 well-bted steers and heifers, fat cattle, dairy cows, sheep, horses, &c. They have for private sale, first-class Poverty Bay rye-grass seed in any quantities. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell at the Ohaupo Yards on Tuesday next, 2,000 half-bred ewes, principally 2 and 4-tooth, brought overland from Napier in charge of Mr E. H. Beauchamp. He will hold his next regular sale of fat and store cattle, dairy cows, sheep, horses, &c, at Cambridge, on Tuesday, April 4th. 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, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low toensuic a rapid sale must be a ereat 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 jeat'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 ordet will be supplied with, goods at co-operatve prices •; just the s'ame-as though they made apersonalselection. .Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, 'bedsteads, beading and general house furniture, the largest portion of 5 which is turned out at our own factory, willbe marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and of five pei cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. 1 G. and C% having realised -the entire value of their stocky dux ing their late cash sale, the prfesent stock is new (And,- cheaply b'ought.— An'instoection incited.— Garlick and ' Cranwell, City Hall Furnishing Arcade" Queen street/ Auckland. 7 • • r ~