The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1601, 7 October 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1882.

The promoters of tho Auckland Freezing Company being now about to put the feeling of the* settlers to a practical test, wo consider it opportune to add a few words to what we have already written upon this subject. What, it may be asked, will be the most patent effect of this now enterprise? First and foremost, there can be no doubt that the successful establishment of the company will, by making 1 farming a more remunerative occupation, put a fixed value upon land, which, at present, owing to the fluctuations in the meat market, is one of the most unstable of investments. Now, as agriculture in this colony, as in most other young countries is the main support of trade, it follows that any increase in the prosperity of this branch of industry must be felt by all other classes in tho community. Unhappily, the trading and mercantile classes have not hitherto fully re

cognised the true -\ alue to a country of a prosperous agricultural class ; and they have not extended that amount of assistance towards it which might justly have, been looked for. Tho industries which have been lately set afloat in this district owe their establishment, therefore, almost wholly to the farmers, who find themselves at last driven to adopt theso measures in pure self defence. Perhaps it is well that this is so — under existing cix'cu instances, indeed, it is necessary that the producers should retain the full control. Attempts w ill, no doubt, be made to discourage them, but, even if fliese assume the form of similar enterprises set afoot by the monopolists of whom complaint has so justly been made, no heed should be given them. All that is necessary to enable the farmers to cope with their opponents is to raise capital suilicient to enter into the foreign trade, and so make themselves independent of local support. It has been urged, as an argument against the establishment of a meat freezing and export company in this province, that it is not necessary ; that so soon as the importation to Auckland of stock from the West Coast, Napier and Wanganui districts ceases, the cattle and sheep raised in this and the surrounding districts will only be sufficient to supply our Northern capital. Nothing can be more absurd than this. It is true enough that, were the country hereabouts settled and producing its utmost, all that was available, this argument might have some force ; but while the area of grazing lands is being rapidly multiplied, the progress of the city is comparatively slow. It has been esti mated that 250 bullocks are consumed in Auckland every week, and this gives a total of 13,000 for the year, a number which, we venture to say, could under a proper system be raised in the two counties of Waipa and Waikato alone, without taking into account the vast territory which lies outside the limits of this district propei\ What is to become of the vast herds of cattle and sheep which at no distant date will be fed on the land just acquired, and now being acquired from the native owners? In making calculations of this sort people lose sight altogether of the fact that, did cattle pay to grow, quite double the number now sent off our pastures would be forthcoming, and that within a very short time. Then, again, it has been said that it will not do to slaughter the meat in Waikato. but the plan is to our thinking greatly preferable to that of forwarding the animals alive, to be knocked aboutby the rail way journey, leaving out of sight the question of the saving effected by adopting the former method. It is needless however, to consider these objections; we have only quoted them to show how little there is to be said in disparagement of a scheme which we feel assured promises much for the future prosperity of this province in general, and this district in particular. We therefore hope that the promoters will meet with that amount of success during the coming week whidi is their due, and which we shall take as an earnest that the farmers of Waikato are at length awake tojtheir own interests.

" Echoes from the Cafe " and a large amount of other matter are unavoidably held over.

At a meeting of the lady members of the Cambridge Wesleyan congregation, held in the church the other evening, it was resolved to have a Christmas tree in December in connection with the church.

The daggers used in the Phoenix Park murder have been discoveicd in Dublin. The police believe that ten persons were concerned in the murders, and that they are &till concealed in Ireland.

Tenants throughout Ulster are objecting to the Court A'aluers, and Mr Trevulyan has vindicated the appointments and threatens to abandon the Act if found unworkable.

The following is the latest betting on the Melbourne Cup :—lOO: — 100 to 12 again&t Cunnamulla, 100 to 8 against Sweet William, 100 to 0 against Sting, 100 to 4 against The Drummer, The Gem, Hereford Bay, Navigator, Sylvanus, ami Balmoral.

A cable message, dated Loudon, October 4, says :— The extremely fat mutton by the Mataura, from New Zealand, only realised 4UI per lb M and the best only sid. Tlie s.s. Garonne's meat brought sfd.

Mr Grermann, the interim secretary of the Auckland Freezing Company, will be at Ohaupo on Tuesday next (Mr Bnckland's sale day), for the purpose of distributing copies of the prospectus of the company. The provisional directors will receive copies for further distribution the same day.

More murders are reported from Ireland. Renter telegraphs, under date London, October 3 :— Two seiious agrarian murders are reported to-day from Ireland. Farmers in both eases are the victims. The scene of the outrages were Boyle, County Roscommon ; and Castle Island, in County Kerry. Several arrests have been made of persons believed to be implicated in the murders.

The piece which the Cambridge Dramatic .Society intends placing in aid of the funds of the Cambridge Public Library is a farce entitled, " Borrowed Plumes." The first part of the entertainment, which has been fixed for the 26th inst., will consist of readings, recitations, and musical contributions by the members of the Mutual Improvement Society | and their friends.

At the Supreme Court, Auckland, on Thursday, George Grey, a half-caste, was convicted of stealing a cow and calf atTauranga. John Gordon was found guilty of an aggravated assault uponJiis wife, Margaret. Gordon, and sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labor. John Leydon, was acquitted on the charge of unlawfully wounding one Michael O'Keefe at Te Aroha, in July last.

The news received from Egypt on Thursday was not of a very striking nature. The Sultan has threatened to appeal to the Powers unless Eugland

states definitely the date on which her troops will be withdrawn from Egypt. Numbers "of the British soldiers had left for home, it having been decided that the brigades uuder Sir Evelyn Wood and Sir A. Alison shall remain in occupation. The other news was unimportant.

A meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board was held on Thursday evening, but the business done was not of much importance. A letter was read from Mr J. B. Whyto, dated Wellington, September Gth, stating that in accordance with the desire of the hoard he had laid the matter of Seddon's drain before the Minister for Lands, who promised to favorably consider it, and reply direct to the hoard. Mr T. <r. Sandes also wrote, stating that Mr Cussen, District Surveyor, had, in company with him, gone over Seddon's diaiti, and came to the conclusion that the drain had already done, and would again do good to Government lands. A favorable report might, therefore, be expected. One or two small accounts were passed for payment.

The usual weekly meeting of the Cambridge Mutual Improvement Society was held in the Court-house, on Thursday evening last, the Yen. Archdeacon Willis in the chair. There was a fair attendance of visitors, but the attendance of members was unusually thin. An easay was contributed by Lieut. Archer on "Self Culture," also one by Mr Dyer on " Class Prejudices." Both essays were of a very instructive and entertaining character, and after the usual criticisms a vote of thanks was accorded the essayists for their papers. A lecture on "Tennyson and Longfellow" will be delivered by Mr J. P. Campbell next Thursday evening.

By referring to our advertising columns our roa'lcrs will see that Mr Thomas Wells, of Cambridge, lias taken Mr J. L Souttci, of the linn of Jams Soutter and Co., of London, as a pai tiier in his business ; and that in future the business will be conducted under the style of Wells and Soutter, The new firm is incorporated with that of Messrs Jarvia Soutter and Co., of London, in connection with which the Cambridge firm will be carried on. Mr Wells' new partner was in business in Ota<jo for over fifteen years, and latterly in London for about six years, consequently bringing with him to Cambridge a very extensive business knowledge, both Home and Colonial. We wish the new finn every success.

At Thursday's meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, the Mayor said a deputation had waited on him to urge him to call a public meeting at which to express indignation at the action of certain councillors, but he had refused to do so, referring his interlocutors to the act, which would provide them with a remedy if they felt aggrieved. Several of the councillors thought the Mayor ought to give the names of the condemned. The Mayor said the reference was made to O. Vi.alou, who, while sitting at that table, had been employed to supei intend the construction of the Cookstreet drain, and (Jr. Jones, whose son had taken the gravel contract for the borough. In the case of Cr. Jones he had denied that he had rendered himself liable under the penal clauses of the act, and had refused to be a party to calling a meeting for the purpose of denouncing that gentleman. The matter then dropped.