COMMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1738, 25 August 1883, Page 2

COMMENTS.

Now that the frozen meat industry is making such rapid strides, the action of, the Cambridge scttlei'3 ,in upgiug the completion of the Cambridge branch Hue is nut so superfluous us it would at a glance appear to lie. A long,, though! wo uutiiiot (sny/'inexplicable^dslay, has heen expci'ienoj'cHnthe cat^ying .oii tlio liuo[ (Wi ( tiv~u*)3invimflae--m' Ifnqt1 fnqt Jf it Vqa 'geqev-j

enjoyment of all the blessings which railway communication affords. If the line be not completed and opened for traffic for the ensuing harvest, the settlers will be more dissatisfied than if a railway never had been granted them. Not only do the farmers expect to benefit by the railway next harvest, but the frozen meat industry, which is opening up brighter agricultural prospects, cannofcbeso successfully taken advantage of in a district through which no railway passes as in one blessed in this respect. To enjoy the full benefit of the scheme referred to, the farmers will require to economise in every detail, and to carry out their business in a systematic way, for no ssheme can be thoroughly successful if not properly managed in every minute particular. We ha\e no doubt that the vcprotations of the Cambridge settlers, as set forth in the resolutions passed at the public meeting on Tuesday last, will have the desired effect on the Minister for Public Works.

The valuable suggestion made by Mr Bowron, Government inspector of cheese and bacon factories in New Zealand, in his work recently issued, regarding the employment of labour in factories, and portions of which we have aheady laid before our readers, is one which we hope will not be thrown away on the fanners of Waikato who have taken an interest in the cheese and bacon industry. Mr Bowron says :— A few good men will soon teach others. E\ery factory will be a school, where farmers' sons and daughters may be taught the art of cheese-making. Young men ought to give the labour of one season for the privilege of learning the art of cheesemaking." Here, undoubtedly, is a sound piece of advice. When farmers let their sons and daughters devote their time to manual labour they naturally expect remuneration, and it cannot be denied that to be allowed, in return for the labour which they give, to learn the useful art of cheese-making is \ cry good remuneration indeed. In the old country in many callings of this nature pupils not only are not remvtneiated for their four or five years apprenticeship, as the case may be, but they often have to pay handsomely for the privilege of learning. The art of cheese - making is invaluable, particularly in an agricultural district like this, and into eveiy homestead this knowledge should be introduced. The factoiies which have now been started in our midst afford the opportunity, and we hope that milk contributors who have large families will see their way to take advantage of it.

The Cambridge Maori Minstrel Troupe are now practicing for their niniden performance, which is arranged to come off in a few wceUs tirtie. We have little doubt, judging horn the musical talent of the members, that the performance will be a most successful one, and one which we feel sure w ill be well patronised.

Measrs A. andJ. Anderson have sold their farm at Kaniwhaniwha, Waipa, to Mi Noble, of Tolaiio Bay. The area of the estate is about 700 acics, and the pi ice paid was £10 per acre. The sale of this pioperty at sucli a flood figure is a gratifying proof of the confidence reposed, in this dmti ict. Mr Noble is only one of many who ha\e within the past ye.v or so decided to cast their lot in the Waikato, attracted by a knowledge of its m.my and undoubted advantages.

In another column is published the full pvogiammo of the Clioial Society's first concert of the season at the Public Hal!, Hamilton, in aid of the hall funds. The programmers a good one, and together with the object of the entertainment, should secure a full house. The Hamilton String Band will accompany the choruses. In another advertisement the mayor bespeaks the patronage of tha public.

The case Pirihi v. Rawiri and Kai.ika, claim £37 12&3 d for floods sold and delivered, was continued at the R.M. Court, Hamilton, before Mr Norblicroft on Thursday and yesterday, and concluded yesterday afternoon. Mr _ Hay appealed for plaintiff, and Mr O'Neill for defendants. The evidence went to bhow that a settlement of accounts had been effected between the patties, who aie nati\es living at Hit kaiuii, and liis Worship gave judgment for the defendants with costs, £17 19s.

The funeral of Mr T. Aitken took place yesterday afternoon and his ieniains were followed to their last resting place by a goodly number of people, amongst when we observed nearly all the old identities of Hamilton, who were comrades in arms with the deceased dm ing the wartimes of 1863 ami 1884. The two 3ons of deceased and his grandsou, together with his two aous-Ui-law were the chief mourners, and a large number of friends on foot were followed by several carriages and horsemen. The fuueral services were read by the Rev. Mr Baeburn in a most impressive manner.

Snow, Beautiful Snow.— On Thursday the weather was the coldest experienced in Waikato for many a long day, and the reason thereof was plainly visible on Friday morning, when it was seen that Pirongia was covered with mow nearly half way down. Maungatautari also had a heavy covering of the same white material, ami Te Aroha was also in the fashion. Even in Auckland snow fell for a short time, a thing almost unknown to the oldest inhabitant. The climate of this part of the world seems to be undergoing a radical change of late years, puch a thing as a heavy snow fall being unknown in days gone by. The natives say the snow ptesages a fruitful year, On Tuesday an accident, which might have assumed a much more serious aspect than it fortunately did, happened near Huntly. A waggon of Mr K. Ralph's was proceeding towards Toles hill, and when crossing the bridge over the Hokanoa creek, one of the stiingors bi oke clean away, and the horses anil trap were precipitated into the creek some 12 feet below. One of the horses was killed, and the driver hid a \ery narrow escape, lie being held in the water by the tiap, which lay across his back. Some Maoris, however, who were near saw what had happened, and came to the rescue, getting the driver and the second horse out safely. This is one of the bridges for the re-building of which tenders are now being called. In the meantime a temporary sttinger has been put in, and the bridge made passable for horse traffic, although the Waikato County Council have advertised the bridge as unsafe for traffic.

The members of the Cambridge Skating Rink met for their second practice in the* Public Hall on Wednesday evening last, when the attendance of members was more satisfactory than on the previous occasion. There was not such a number of acrobatic feats among the learners a* visitors might have been led to expect, but on the whole the practice was entertaining to the lookers on, and apparently enjoyable to those who indulged in the fantastic, though in florae cases grotesque glide. The members list is gradually being augmented, and we have little doubt the institution will be extensively patronized both by ladies and gentlemen before the end of the current term. As it is a fair number of ladies have already becoTie members. Skating is a most exhilarating practice, and has become of late yeavs very popular in the various centres of population in the colony. We think the committee of the Cambridge Rink would do , well to ae'e that a crowd of idle spectators do not congregate about the portico, and in this we believe the police could assist them.

The following items of Europsan, news dated London Apgusfc 23rd, per Press AasbcintioM-Bpechil, ai'O to linnd,:— The House of LoeiU, by u majority of one, adhere tv , the amen luieut tempting existing uontmots from tho operatioua of fiotho 1 " "Teuiwb' IParmornH Uuliipanjj'aijioh^ -Jliri i:Tho .BiyptiHtt i'ypun'fil.sttft^'tjwtr'

will shortly be appointed, The article published in Nord Deutsche Zeitung has had a depressing effect upon the Bourse. The American sharemarket is recovering. There are increasing indications of an outbreak of war between France and China. Mr Gladstone's refusal to publish the Tamatavc despatches on account of their incompleteness, notwithstanding his assurances in reference to the protection of Mr Shaw, are irritating the public mind. In the capture of the town of Haiphong by the French, 150 cannon and a large quantity of treasures fell into their hands. O'Donnell, the murder of Carey, is to be tried in England, and he will leave the Cape on September 4th.

If the session of 1883 will be re-niernbpicd-for nothing else it will at lca'-t be celebrated for the number of personal attacks made upon Ministers by members of the Opposition. The latent of these has to be credited to the account of Sir George Grey who on Thursday moved the adjournment of the House, to enab'e him to read the following correspondence :— " August 22, 18S3.— The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer : Sir, J have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with your invitation, I propose tomorrow, without notice, to move a motion, a copy of which is enclosed. — I have, &c, G. Grey. — Enclosure : That a committee be appointed to enquire into and report upon the action of the Government in administering since the end of March, ISS2, the laws relating to native land in such a manner as to benefit their friends." — " Government Buildings. 23rd August, 1883 : Sir I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of yesterday's date, informing me that you propose, at my invitation, to move to-day, without notice the resolution of which you enclose a copy. As the resolution you propose is not quite of the nature indicated by me, I must decline to give you any facilities for moving the motion. — I am, &c. H. A. Atkinson, Sir George Grey, X.C.8., M.H.R." The motion'for adjournment was with or drawn. What further steps Sir George will tike in the matter remains to be s-cen but it is very probable that having givfn the widest publicity to his charge he may be content to let it drop.

In the House of Representatives on Thursday, the repot t of the Roads ami Bridges Construction Act Committee was brought up and read, and will be considered by the Government. Major Atkinson announced that the Government intended to send a delegate to nttend the Annexation Conference in Victoiia iluiing the recess. Replying to Mr Smith, Mr Johnson said the Government had leceived an mteiim report >c the survey of the North Island Tumk Railway via Hawko's Bay. A fanly practicable route had, he said, been discoveted. Mr Dargaville drew attention to the fact that the Evening Post had committed a breach of privilege by publishing what purported to be a report of that morning's proceedings on the Atkinson-Darg,i-ville Committee. After some discussion Major Atkinson moved that Messis Blnndell, the piinteis of the paper, be summoned to appear at the bar ot the Hou*e on Monday. The debate Mas adjoin nod. The Native Lands Amendment Bill was fnither considered in committee, and a new clause iutioduced by Mr Biyce, making it unlawful for any person to negotiate for the purchabe, leise, p\chan<ic or occupation of lutne land, or any estate, right, title or interest therein, until forty days after the title to such land shall have been ascertained. The clau.se was passed by 40 to 11.

If he could return to earth (says the Gmplut), Captain Cook would possibly be sui prised to find the prodigious results of his voyages of exploiation, A hundred years ago there was not, it may be pie&umcd, ,i single white man pertuantly located in Australia. Now there aie some three millions ot thorn, and they are beginning to make themselves heard. The young lions ot the Antipodes are roaring for prey. Queensland has annexed New Guinea, wheieupon Victoria says, "Why bhould not I annex something too ?" Ana so she pioposes to take possession of the .Solomon Islands and the New Hebiidca. Wonied by these troublesome children of hers, an overburned old Mother Country feels inclined to say, " First cultivate your own gaulens, my deais,; theie's plenty of waste ground there, I'm sure." To winch her children reply, " There's a gieat ugly Frenchman loafing about, and it we don't take these islands he will." This is really a very serious matter. The newly-boin colonial ambition of Fr.mce, which had laid dormant since the fall of Quebec and the death of Duploix, seems to have come nearly a century too late. A\\ the really colonisable parts of the carth — that is, places where Europeans can live, and labour, and multiply — are already in the hands of other nations. These Pacific islands, with their area and damp heat, can never be genuine colonies. But they might be utilised as penal settlements ; and they might be developed into formidable military and tuval stations. Now, to either of these contingencies Australia strongly objects. She knows the virus of conviction only too well, and she does not want to be surrounded by a chain of iorls and harbors which, in the event of a war between England and France, might lender the invasion of her territory, and even the seizure of her chief cities, a probable consequence. Ifc is from prudential motives, then, rather than from greed, that she cries for annextion. The question, in the broadest extent, ought to be seriously considered by our Government without delay, or, while they are deliberating, other people may be found acting.