The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1748, 18 September 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

rqii.il .mil o\.i< t justice to all men, Ot \\hatsuc»cr state or persuabion, religious or politu il Here ill the Picss tlio People's n^'lif maintriin, Un iutd l>> influiMH a .md unbnlied by ijmi.

TUESDAY, SEPT. IS, 18S3.

The Meat Freezing and Storage Company of Auckland is no longer a matter for speculation ; the company is now iv aclnal existence, with a grand prospect of success lying before it. 'i o .start .such a company is, of course, a much easier thing than to keep it going and to so direct its operations that it shall return a substantial pro lit to the promoters and .shareholders. It happens th.it jusfc at the present time theru is a considerable amount of money seeking investment, and it is not at all strange that, while part of this should be devoted to the purchase of land, the investors should desire to foster such industries as will tend to enhance the value of their real estate. This, indeed, we regard ;>s one of the most cheering si<ms of the times. Heretofore, foreign capitalists sought investment solely in land, relying upon the difference between the cost of purchase and the lowest market value to recoup their outlay. But if tlie moneyed men are opening their eyes to the necessity for fostering the agricultural interests, it is clearly to the advantage of the farmer a- id grazier to second these efforts. It is true that, they will, by so doing, increase the profits of their larger neighbours, but it is at least equally certain that they will make their own pockets less light than they have been for some time past. We may lie told that tho fanners require no advice of this kind on a subject so closely connected with their welfare, and wo boliovo they do not ; that is to sa} 7 , they are wide awako enough to perceive that the London market offers better prices than they can ever expect or hopo to obtain locally. So far, so good, but it may possibly happen that other questions, or rather divisions of tho same groat question, have not attracted their attention to tho same degree. When tlie subject of meat freezing was fir.-^t brought prominently under tho notice of the settlors of the Auckland Provinco, it was boldly stated that, so far from being ablo to contribute* to tho supplies of the English market, our production was not sufficient to meet the Home demand. We pointed out at the time, that the then annual production was no measure of the capacity of tho country, and since that time the supply has increased at a much greater ratio than the demand. But the rate of increase must of necessity be greatly accelerated if we desire to avail ourselves of the full benefits of the freezing scheme. The Experience gained up to the present teaches us that sheep form a much more profitable article of export than cattle. To whatQV&V length the freezing principle may ultimately be carried, it has not yot tjopn applied with perfec success to carcases of beef ;• and though it may be wisdom still to continue experimenting, we ought to keep as much on the safe side as possible, When the risk attendant upon the sending of bppf to London has hecn reduGe4 t$ a jpfqinjuny cattle will of course be , strong point; ; but; meantime! farnvees 4 should/. *5 • «f i^^sh

profitable m^at yet sent from New Zealand to London is lamb, and if only some consideration be given to preparing it at the right time, its paying qualifications will be enormously increased. It is a singularly fortunate circumstance that while Christmas is the most convenient timo for slaughtering lamb, it is uliso the best time to despatch it to the English n.aiket, where it arlivps just at the time of year when the Ilomo product is not to be had. It is no uncommon thing for lamb to realise 2s per 11* in the London market in February, and it has gone as high as 2? Ccl per lb. Now, even supposing that New Zealand lamb realised as much as, say, Is 6d per lb, and that the pelt and offal, with 3d a lb, would cover all the expenses of slaughtering, freezing, pay commission and charges, &c., the net profit on a lamb weighing 401b may easily be calculated. Under such conditions as these sheep-farming would be elevated into a most lucrative business. But, as Mrs Glass would have said, we must first catch our lamb. The ilocks at present in this district would very soon melt under the hand of tho butcher; means must be adopted for increasing the number, and the present is tho time in which this ought to be done. The company will be in full operation next year, and we should make our dispositions in view of this fact. Breeding ewes will he obtainable at a reasonable cost after the shearing, and with a due exercise of care and thought our stock of mutton and lamb should bo ample to meet the requirements of the season. This is a matter which should not be allowed to slip out of sight.

A children's concert and dance will bo given in the Ngaruawahia schoolroom this evening. Mi- Bell s String Band will assist, and Mr Kelly and Mr Xapppr will contribute solos upon the \iolin and flute, lespoctively. The entertainment should be a most enjoyable one.

The trout ova supplied to the Hamilton Domain Hoard, and now under the caie of the secretaiy, Mr J. M. Gelling, and which have been well looked after since their arrival, commenced to hatch out on Sunday. The infant tiout appear to be in peifectly good health.

A man named Robert Browning was biougiit up at the Hamilton Police Court, yesterday, before his Worship the Major, chaigcd with drunkenness. Tho imtoi lunate man, wlio has been diinking heavily of late, was in a condition botdering on deluuon i)rmoi\ t and on the application of Sergt. MeGovein, Mr Knox remanded him tor eight days.

Milk will be received at the Waik.ito Cheese and Bacon Factory in a week or so, we undei&tand. Everything is now ready for a start, but it is thought desirable that the frosts should end before active operations commence.

The scholars at the Hamilton West School are busy reheat sing for a concert to be given on Tuesday next, September 25, the pioceeds of which will be devoted to the purchase of books for the school libiary.

A letter by Mr J. Newland, on laihvay management, and a list of the bills passed, or otherwise disposed of during the late session of Parliament, will be found on our fourth page.

The New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Slock Company's thoroughbred sire Cap-a-pie, and the di aught stallion Elgin weie pa&scngeis to Watk.ito by yesterday's train, and will stand the season in this distiiet. Both horses are looking icmaikably well.

The Alexandra Dramatic Club will give a pei formance on Thursday next, in aid of the public library. The programe will consist of the favourite comedietta "The Little Sentinel," and the farce of "Poor Pillicoddy," the whole to conclude with a dance. The performance pi onuses to be a great financial success.

The weather during the past week has been exceptionally line, with warm days and cool nights. On several nights a peculiar glow has been observable in the western sky long after the sun has gone clown, and various opinions respecting its import have been hazarded. A number of very brilliant meteors have been seen, one on Saturday evening being exceptionally fine.

The meeting of those interested in the formation of the Waikato Rowing Club, called for Satiuday night last, fell through owing to the paucity of attendance, and stands adjourned till Monday next, when it is hoped that intending members will muster strongly. It has been decided to apply the Domain Hoard grant of £2") to making an approach road and a wharf.

A somewhat curious reason was given at the District Court, Hamilton, yestei day, why the case Ellison and Latchmore v. (Jr. L. Scott should be adjourned. Mr W. M. Hay, who appeared for the plaintiffs, said it had been reported that defendant was dead, in which event the case could not very well proceed. He therefore asked for an adjournment to enable him to make enquiries. The Court granted the application.

The usual weekly meeting of the Cambridge Mutual Improvement Association will be held in the Courthouse, this evening, when the public are respectfully invited to attend. The programme consists of an essay by Mr J. 11. Wilson, and impromptu speaking by the members. The programme for the remainder of the session will bo found published in another column. Mr Edgar's essay on " Social Equality, 1' arranged for this evening, has been postponed. It is proposed to give another social entertainment, considering the success of that of Tuesday evening last, at the end of the session.

Messrs B. B. Walker, J. 0. Firth, Rich, and Buckland will proceed through to Hawke's Hay early next month to make the necessary arrangements for establishing the line of stations between Napier and Lichfield in connection with the Meat Freezing and Storage. Company, referred to fully in this journal some few issues back. They will meet the various Hawke's Bay runholders, who, we are «iven to understand, have offered their hearty co-operation in the scheme, and arrange with them as to the matter of supply, &c. The Opotiki district settlers, in their eagerness to share the benefits and ad vantagesof thecompany, areapplying to the Government through their county council for a grant to connect their district by road with the proposed line of stations, and thus another wealthy sheep country will be tapped. We have very little doubt that before long the whole scheme wUJ. be in working order and successful operation,

The steamship Doric arrived in Auckland Harbour on Saturday, from Plymouth, which latter port she left- on the 28th July, thus accomplishing the passage in 49 days. She is commanded by Captain John Metcalfe, who -.has brought her into, port in excellent trim. Shortly after she was signalled, the hoisting of the dreaded "yellow flag", at ffcg sigual station caused keen dis<ip-. pointment to.bp 4sp}ctes on the faces of the large crowd that had a^semb^d, on the wharf, when sickness was be on board* , However, .the,sickness ,wasj of a trifling nature/arid tygoterday;aftejrf 'npon? after.the'raailB;ha(l,t)eenfumiga!t«?d,J :,The Doric, wl^clj^M-ing Klwcest^ steamer;

The following items of European intelligence dated London Sept 15th are contained in the " specials '' to the Press Association : — Lord Dufferin has been recalled to Stamboul by the Bulgaria difficulty.— All the mortgages on Mr Parncll's Irish estates have been paid off by public subscription.— The report that Loid Lyons was recalled proves incorrect. — The French army has only mat with doubtful^success in Amiam, and it now awaitsreinforcemeats. — Distiu bances have occuned in Woochang. — Prince Bismarck is recovering. — An International Exhibiat the Crystal Palace next April is projected under the auspices of Mr Levey, but a larger scheme for an exhibition at Kensington is also on foot. — The Standard considers the danger of foreign convict establishments in the Pacific as sufficient to justify the attitude of the colonies in regard to annexation, and condemns Lord Derby's despatch as cold, curt, and unsympathetic. The colonies are only asking for what is vitally essential to their welfare, and this the Government, with gratuitous unkindnes, refuses to give them on account of political pedantry. — After the recent fighting in Annam the French authorities beheaded thirty Black Flag prisoners. — The Times says if France prosecutes the Tonquin campaign, she will probably embroil heiself with' Europe. — Cortachy Castle, near Forfar, has been burned-