The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1599, 3 October 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equ.il .md exact justice to .ill men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Un iwed by influence and unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1882.

Possibly no question has greater prominence at the present day than that of sanitation. The united energies of the medical profession and of philanthropists havo for years been bteadily kept in this direction ; but, notwithstanding, the progress made, or at any rate the good effected, has not been at all commensurable with the advances made in almost ovory other department of science. In European countries the precautions taken against the outbreak and spread of infectious disease are too often found to be totally inadequate, while in new countries such as this, whore many of the predisposing causes of infection do not exist, wo know witli what fatal facility disoase will sometimes spread. The causes of these effects which wo deplore are not attributable to the want of knowledge on tho part of those whose special business it is to apply remedies, but to the ignorance of the general mass of the population concerning a subject which is of such vital importance to them. An ill-constructed drain, or a poisoned well may plant the germs of disease in the systems of those brought under their immediate influence, and these in turn disseminate the poison, so that it is only when tho evil has declared itself that tho help of the doctor is procured, and precautions are taken when it is almost too late. It has been tho practice of sanitary re- ( formers to endeavour to instil into the minds of the people a knowledge of the principles that govern immunity from infectious disease, and this is, indeed, the only profitable course to follow. Unfortunately, much that hass beenwrittenisburiedinthe pages of books beyond the reach of many of those they are intended to serve; but there is a sufficiency readily pro curable, if only it could be impressed on the minds of those who receive it. Repeated reminders on the subject will have sonic effect, doubtless, and these should bo forthcoming. Tho Government have recognised their responsibility in this regard. In tho last number of the Gazette there is re-published, " for general information," instructions " concerning the measures to be adopted in preventing the spread of scarlet fever, small-pox, diphtheria, ifcc, issued by tho Provincial Board of Health of Ontario, Canada, and published in the National Hoard of Health JUdidin, at AVashington, United States of America, on the 17th of June, 1881." Tho instructions are grouped under tho following heads :—(1): — (1) Prevention of the spread of contagious or infectious diseases ; (2) What the public may reasonably expect from those afflicted with contagious diseases, their friends, and the municipal authorities ; (3) Conduct of sick-room and attendants ; (4) Disinfection of dwellings after recovery or death ; (5) Precautions for well people to avoid scarlet fever, diptheria and small-pox. The " instructions" are most complete and valuable, and though they are of great length, we hope to find room for their reproduction in our columns. But it seems to us that the Government, if thoy desire that the information should reach tho mass of the people (as in duty bound they ought to), should nob rest satisfied with its publication in the Gazette, or *in such papers as may possibly find room for it. In the former it will

remain, so far as the great majority of the people arc concerned, as effectually entombed as the mummy of a Pharaoh, w hile in the latter its circulation, though much more genor.il, will after all be only partial. The instructions should be printed in circular form, and distributed over the length and breadth of tho colony.

[ We see the Government have decided to sell the township of Teßore, laid out last year by the Government Surveyor, Mr F. Edgccumbe. This township being at the head of the good navigation of the Waipa, and where the splendid new bridge recently ei'ectcd by the Government crosses the river on the main line of traffic from the Raglan districts to the Upper Waikato, will, no doubt, develope into a thriving business settlement. The historic name acquired by Te Rore when it was General Camerons head-quarters, and the basis fiom which the commissariat requirements were supplied during the Waikato campaign, has given it a reputation extending throughout the colony, and known to most residents of that adventurous pei'iod. Times are "wonderfully changed since about 4000 British troops with all the material of war camped on Te Kore flat, and the little " Avon" came puffing up, barely able to keep pace with the continuous demand for commissariat stores, but being nevertheless the pioneer steamer on the waters of Waipa or Waikato. The nomenclature of the streets shows the determination of the Government to mark the advent of a peaceful and, let us hope, a progressive era in the history of Waipa. The wain street leading straight from the bridge is properly called " Bridge-street," while at right angles to it, forming an esplanade fronting the Waipa, is " Mair-street," a just tribute to the tact displayed by the worthy Major in bringing about friendly relations with our native fellow settlers. On either side of " Bridge-street," and running parrallel to it are " Rewistreet" and " Tawhiao-street," while crossing them again is " Manuhiristreet," a continuation of which is the road to the upper country. The sale takes place in Auckland on the 11th October. A plan of the township can be seen at this office.

The Australian cricketers left England on the 30th ultimo, tor New York, vn route for Australia.

In consequence of the outbreak of small-pox at Capetown, the Cape has been declared an infected district.

The land agitation in the Isle of Skye is assuming a serious aspect, and a military force is now being used to enforce the interdicts of eviction.

The members of the Cambridge Musical Union contemplate suspending the union for the summer months. The recess was to commence from last night.

News from the Cape states that the native chiefs of the Trailsraal have refused to submit to the taxation imposed by the Boers, and have ordered the collectors to withdraw from their territory.

Dr. Edgelow took his departure from Waikato on Friday last, having iclinguished his practice m Hamilton. It is understood that he intends to reside at Pon&onby, Auckland.

As the Resident Magistrate has not as yet fixed a day for the hearing of Mr Fanthams trespass cases, the summonses have not been issued. It is generally thought that the cases will not come on for hearing until Friday next, the usual court day.

The remains of the late Mr Peter Coleman were brought to Hamilton yestciday, and intciredin the Hamilton East Cemetery. The funeral was very largely attended, and the service at the grave was read by the Rev. Father Vaggioli, U. 5.33.. 33.

. Another considerable reduction lias been made in the ranks of the Armed Constabulary stationed in this district. Twenty-six men, most of whose time had expired, were discharged from the Cambridge station on .Saturday morning last.

Mr E. D. Gray, M.P. for Carlow, who was sentenced in August last to three months' imprisoment and to pay a fine of £.3,700, for publishing in the Frcenwu's Journal certain articles reflecting upon the Judge and jurymen engaged in the recent agrarian murder trial, has been lcleased fiom custody.

At the meeting of the Piako County Council, hold at Cambridge on Friday evening last, the secretary was instructed to write to the Government ask. ing to have the grant of £3000 for the Ciimbridge-Taurangci road handed over to the council to be expended on the road by them.

Mr T. H. White, architect, of Auckland, arrived m Hamilton yesteiday for the purpose of consulting w ith the directors of the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory Company) in connection with the plans for the pioposed factory which he has been requested to prepare.

This evening a service of song, entitled "The Fight of Faith" will be given in the Trinity Wcsloyan Church, commencing at half-past 7. Judging from the success which attended the efforts of the choir on the last occasion, we feel confident a really good two hours' enjoyment is in store for those who avail themselves of the opportunity of attending, and we trust the neat little edifice will be filled. The proceeds will be devoted towards paying off the debt on the harmonium.

Mr Geoffrey Maclean, of Paeroa, has been very successful with the Califoi'iiian trout ova sent him by the Acclimatisation Hoeiefcyi Out of 3000 ova sent him only 30 have failod, The young trout have not as yet been put in the creeks, but are thriving well in the troughs in which they were hatched, and are now about an inch and a half long. We take occasion to compliment Mr Maclean on his success. On going his usual rounds on Friday evening last, Constable Breiman came across a youth lying in an insensible state from intoxication on the footpath in Duke-street, Cambridge. So utterly helpless was the juvenile tippler that he had to be removed to the lock-up in a hand-cart. He was brought before Col. Lyon on Saturday morning, and for his offence was fined 5s or 24 hours, Jj; appears he had been enjoying himself in a Nwwi whare, when by the exuberant hospitality of the natives he disposed of more drink than appeared good for him.

Captain Runciman delivered a very interesting lerture on the subject of his recent visit to the United States, in the Public Hall, Hamilton, last night. The chair was occupied by Mr y." T. Seddon, 'chairman of the Waikato Cheese and Ikcon Factory Company, .and tliere were about 100 persons present. Wo regret that the pressure on our limited space will not allow of our giving even a resume of the lecture in this issue, but we shall reproduce it as time serve?.

Mr J. Sheehan, M.H.R., has communicated with the Piako County Councils on the matter of an English company, representing several millions of capital, having proposed to construct the railway between Te Aroha and the Thames, under the Railways Construction Act, and asking the opinion of the council. At the meeting of the council on Friday last the communication was briefly considered, when it was agreed, on the motion of the chairman, that a telegram be sent to Mr Sheehan, acknowledging the receipt of his telegraphic communication, and stating that the council will do everything in their power to assist any project which may have for its object the welfare of the county.

The farmers of the Pukekura and Pukeriinudistrictshavegonein extensively for cropping this year ; indeed, more so than any previous year; and, judging from the appearance of tne crops in their present stage of growth, it would seem that the land in the Pukekura and Pukerimu districts is well adapted for graingrowing purposes. About 800 acres of grain have been sown, and the farmers all anticipate an unusually heavy crop. About 1000 acres are being ploughed for turnips ; and about 2000 acres of wheat, together with a large acreage of oats, have been sown in the district between Tamahere and Cambridge, the whole of which is looking very promising.

The Wellington correspondent of the Herald writing on Saturday, says :—: — I notice rumours in the newspapei s that " Ministers have at last selected a colleague," and that overtures have been made to Mr E. G. Wright to join the Cabinet, while in other quarters Mr Evans Brown is mentioned in connection with the vacant seat. I may say that I am positively assuied on the highest authority, that nothing is yet settled in regard to this matter. I may add to this, in what are commonly called " well-in-formed circles," it is looked on as certain that the new Minister w ill lie a Canterbmy man, and that he will be either Mr Wright or Mr Brown. That he will be a Southern member there is no doubt at all.

We are requested to make it known that the directors of the Te AwamutuC'heose and Bacon Factory are glad to report that in spite of the failure of Capt. Runciman's mission to America, (so far as bunging the machinery with him is concerned) they have been enabled to sccuie all the necessary plant in Auckland, and will stait in three weeks' time ; also, having agreed to pay 4kl per gallon for the milk, (without profits) there will be no lack of that commodity. The manager, Mr H. Walpole, has been in Auckland since Monday, where he is daily inspecting the preparation of plant at Mr Waite's, tinsmith. On Saturday evening last a meeting of residents was held in the Kihikihi Town Hall, Mr Forbes Gordon presiding, for the purpose of taking steps to establish a public library in Kihikihi. There was a fair attendance, and Messrs Farrell, Nicholson, Cooper, and Elmsley were appointed a committee to take the pieliminary steps in the matter. Y»'hen such energetic gentlemen as those forming the committee undertake making the library a fact, success is certain. The residents in and adjacent to Kihikihi will be canvassed for subscriptions during the current week, and it is expected that they will lespond handsomely, as, if the present liberality of the Government in shape ot heavy grants to country district libraries is allowed to slip without being taken advantage of, it will in all likelihood be some yeais before the residents of Kihikihi will have anything in the shape of a public library, and this means a great intellectual loss to all of us, but more especially to the rising generation. — [A Correspondent.]

"The destruction of centuries," remarks the Pall Mall Gazette, " is to be repaired. For nearly 600 years the waters of the Zuyder Zee have rolled over what was once dry land, and ships have sailed where carriages may have tiavelled. Several of the wealthiest financiers of Holland have now determined upon concentrating their energies in an attempt to reclaim the tract of land which has so long been lost to their country, and they are already engaged in making the surveys for a new set of those ' gigantic piles ' which are commemorated in the verses of Andrew Marvell. Dykes which will far out-strip the stupendous works on the isknd of Walcheron are in contemplation, and they will be built to such a height and of such a thickness as to stand the shock of the fiercest seas that may dash against them. Many years must necessarily pass away before works of this character can be completed, but if they should happily be brought to a successful is&ue another engineering wonder will have been added to the triumphs of Dutch enterprise." In the " Contemporary" Mr M. G-. Mulhall gives some startling statistics in connection with the financial aspect of Home Rule. He points out that " the total amount which Ireland pays, over and above the sum expended in the country itself, on administration towards the British Army and Navy, and in return for all the protection and advan-

tages which follow from the might and power of Great Britain, taking an average of 64 years, is about half a million sterling per annum, But that half million has not been gain to us. Wo have taken over the Irish national debt, and for it we pay four millions per annum. Since the amalgamation of the English and Irish Exchequers we have paid on debt account 236 millions ; we have received 30i millions as surplus. Tho loss to_ England, therefore, has been 226 millions."

The London correspondent of the New Zealand Times says : — A morbid individual in the undertaking line has been giving a grand banquet in Philadelphia, the invitations being pointed on paper ornamented with skull and crossbones, &c. The dining-room Avas hung with black drapery, and lighted with wax candles. The white porcelain service had a black border, and even the very dishes themselves savored of the same gloomy taste. Thus a potato pie was brought up iv the shape of a burial mound ; and salad was dressed with white of egg and black truffles ; the ices were in the form of coffins, death's head, hearses, memorial stones, #o. I can scarcely conceive anything more hideous and disgusting; such indecent taste could hardly have been expected amongst heathens. • The grand Christian doctrine of the soul's immortality and the honor in which the body is, as St. Paul teaches, to be held as the temple of the incorruptible, must have been utterly cast to the winds in the interest of the almightly but degrading dollar.

The "Lyttelton Times" tells a ghost story : — "A mysterious circumstauce occurred in an hotel in Christchjrgh recently, just about the tinie tfhen it'Ql)ange4 bands*. The house, was empty, a thorough olear»out having tiken place, The landlord, on the flrifc night

of the occurrence, was the* only person sleeping in the house, and he was disturbed about midnight by hearing a man's heavy footfalls along the passage. They \mi*j slow and distinct, and the landlord thought at first that a policeman had found a door open, and was going through the house to Sv.e that all was safe. He irot up to see who it was, but though he followed the footsteps till over the house, along passages, up and down staircases, and at times appeared to almost 6oma up to thorn, no person wasto be seen. Mystified, the host examined the doors and windows, but as the}' were all properly fastened, the mystery was only made deeper by the examination. The next night the same footfalls were heard, and the same unavailing chase after them all through the building took place. Thoroughly roused on the third day, the landlord had new locks put on all the doors, and new fastenings on all the windows, determined to keep out the intruder. By this time his wife, some women sen ants, and a ' boots' were in the house. Surely, thought he, if it was fancy, I won't hear the marching about the house, and, at the same time, the ' boots' was roused by the frightened servants, for the house not being yet refurnished, or got into order, no lodgers had been taken in. This time there could be no mistake about it. Both ' boots' and landlord chased the steps, but though they dodged and ran, and, at times, seemed to be close to them, they saw nothing, nor has the mystery ever been solved. The footsteps have not been heard since the house was refurnished, and business resumed.

We notice that the " Bay of Plenty Times" has changed hands. Mr Y. Stewart having sold out to Mr E. M. Edgcumbe, who ably conducted the same paper some years ago. Since Mr Edgcumbe's leturn from England a few months since, he lias filled the responsible position of managing editor, and now assumes the more impoitant one of proprietor. No one knows better than Mr ISdgmmbe how a paper should be brought out, and we have no doubt that with the rapid advancement of the Taur.vnga district the venture will prove a 3 u cress.

A new lamp in which gas and electiicity are combined is talked about (sayh the scientific correspondent of the Australttsum). It is a new application of an old principle in vogue some years ago, when gas-burners were provided with small pieces of platinum foil, arranged so as to be heated in the gas flame. When this was heated by the gas, by a regenerative action, it heated the gas coining from the burner, and so caused an improvement in the light. In the new lamp aforesaid the burner is arranged so that a small current of electricity is passed through the platinum arranged as above mentioned. The gas is first lighted, this heats the platinum, the resistance of which is then increased, so that a current of electricity, which would be freely transmitted when the platinum was cold, will now heat the platinum to incandesence. This, in turn, heats the issuing gas to a very high temperature, so that a ight equal to 30 candles can be obtained from the consumption of two cubic feet per hour, aided by a small electrical current. Hy this means we may be able to combine the old with the new systems of illumination, and to utilize all our existing gas fittings.

A lucky find of a large sum of money is said by the Eviiint/ JWies to havo been made recently by a furniture dealer of Sydney under very singular circumstances. The man attended an auction sale of furniture at Petersham, one of the suburbs, and had knocked down to him at a "ridiculously low figure" an old bookcase, v hich no one present, the buyer included, thought of much value. When it came into his possession, however, he was agreeably astonished to discover hid away in one of the drawers a bag full of gold and silver coin, also several valuable documents such aa titledeeds of property, worth, it was said, about £1000. How all this came to he btowed away in such a ];lace was ,\ mystery ; and, strange to say, the orignal owner or supposed owner of these valuables was not even aware of their existance in the bookcase. This extraordinary find created some cxitcment when it became known. The first possessor of the bookcase, the Petersham gentleman, asserted and insisted upon Ins superior claim. The auctioneer thought he, too, possibly possessed a right, and the lucky buyer of the bookcase considered bib claim would hold good. The property was, however, handed back to the firstmentioned person, who then rewarded the furniture dealer with —a. threepenny pipe !