The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1833, 5 April 1884, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 5t5 t 188 J.

The strides taken by the newlyformed Co-operative Association are nothing short of remarkable. If the eagerness with which , shares are being applied for is an indication of the want of such a society,, the farmers of this part of the colony must be fully alive to its' necessity. Up to the' present pyer 3000 shares have been applied for, and the secretary is constantly receiving requests from directors' ami others fo? forms of application;

Tho South Wairoa settlers have evinced the fullest interest in the movement, and the same feoliug is spreading over all the agricultural communities in the provincial district. It may, we think, safely be assumed that by the time the association is ready to begin active operations the share list will bo full. Perhaps we ought not to be surprised at this result and prospect ; the rather ought we porhaps to wonder why such measures were not adopted long ago. At any rate, it is a cheering sign of the times to sco farmers rousing themselves up to realise their own position and possibilities. We have repeatedly urged on the community of this district, that if the cultivation of the soil is to be carried on profitably, the cultivators must make common cause. We have pointed out that if it be necessary for those engaged in other trades to combine, it is doubly so in the case of farmers, whose markets are the most uncertain of any. Our efforts in this direction arc amply rewarded by the success of the co-operative, association, and it will be a source of much gratilication to us by-and-bye, to feel that what assistance it lay in our power to render the promoters of this society was given cheerfully, and without stint. The scope and intent of the association are, we opine, fairly well understood by this time, but there are still one or two points upon which the mind of the general public is not altogether clear. The first of these concerns the question of retail dealing. Regarding this question the opinions of the supporters of the association are by no means unanimous, and some have given in their adhesion on the understanding that branch depots are to be established in the different centres of population. But whatever it may seem advisable to do in the future, we are justified in ; saying that the present intention of the directors is to confine themselves solely to a wholesale business. On economic grounds alone retail stores tire out of the question for the present ; the expense attendant upon their management, and entailed in rent and other charges, would absorb much more than the amount of the pi*ofit which the association can hope to make for ?ome years taking into consideration the fact that our urban settlements are so widely scattered, and that the rural population is spread over such a large area of country. There is another matter which seems to be obscure. The prospectus states that theadvantages of thf3 association are to be strictly confined to shareholders, and there exists some doubt as to the meaning of this. It is thought, for instance, that the article in question provides that the association shall not buy from, or sell to non-share-holders. If ifc meant anything of the kind it would be an absurdity, and should be expunged at once, but of course it does not. The association may trade where it pleases, its chief object being to buy in the cheapest, and sell in the dearest market. But the advantagds accruing from such a method of trading will assuredly, and most properly, be confined to shareholders. If there be still any questions affecting the association to which no satisfactory reply has been given, we shall be happy to open our columns to enquirers.

A passage in a lecture recently delivered in Melbourne by Mr T. K. Dow induces us to return for a moment to the question of the new railway tariff. Mr Dow is the agricultural reporter of one of our Victorian contemporaries ; in that capacity he recently made an extended visit to the United States, and the general results of his observation were embodied in the lecture we have referred to. He affords us much curious information respecting the resourses, soil, and climatic advantages and disadvantges of the great people's empire, as well as its markets and its export trade. But what posseses the chief interest for us is that passage which deals with the transport of produce. The system of trade is so well organised as to connect the producer and the consumer with the utmost degree of facility, and in this orgmisation the railways occupy the first place. Under the colonial system of railway management, says Mr Dow, the fertility of the Mississipi Valley and of the Western Praries would be dormant — the value of the produce would be eaten up by carriage long before it reached the coast or the central markets. Chicago draws grain supplies from a distance of 300 and 500 miles, and live stock ! 1000 miles, and is virtually a seaport, though 1000 miles from the Atlantic, the distance being covered by railways. He points out that 300 miles of railway carriage absorbs all the profit of wheat-grow-ing in Victoria (half the distance would almost do this in New Zealand), and the charges are attempted to be justified by the thinness of the population. Mr Dow then goes on to show that the territory of California is twice as large as Victoria, that its population is not greater, that it requires 2900 miles of railway to reach its scattered settlements, that these railways belong to one company, who have a monopoly and can charge what they please, and yet the rates charged upon grain are just one-half what they ara in Victoria. Here are some facts which, as they apply to .New Zealand equally with our sister colony, the agricultural community ought to lay to heart. The , farmer must fight his own battles. Even in this new country that truth has come home to him. He is the first to be taxed in tinie of^need, and the last to be relieved in, (time pf, plenty. He has always been a patient camel, and he has inconsequence always carried the heaviest' burden. In the face of a higher freight tariff , he , gets hardly an^s£nipathy, ( and a fpeajb $&&($

abuse. The people of the towns eire not the snuff of a candle how much tho producer has to pay for getting his wheat or his potatoes to market, the retail price is regulated solely by the producer's necessity, and is not in the slightest affected by such trifles as changes in the tariff. In America, when the railways are confessedly in the hands of rings, the proprietors at any rate have the wisdom to see that encouragement given to the producer is bread cast upon the waters. We shall, perhaps, be told that American railway companies wax fat on monopolies and huge land grants, but few of these companies hold a greater monopoly than the Government of New Zealand, and surely none of them possesses a larger landed estate!

It is to be hoped that the Hamilton Borough Council, at its meeting on Monday night, will see fit to adopt the recommendation of the public meeting held on Monday last, and take the preliminary steps towards securing the Public Hall for the borough. We feel assiued that the revenue accruing from the hall will bu ample to meet all charges for interest, sinking fund, insurance, wear and tear, and m the future go to swell the ordinal y ro\ enue of the borough. The ratepayers need have no fear that in taking over the hall they will requiie to ta<c themselves.

The Roman Catholic Nun's School at Hamilton East will, it is undorbtood, bo opened shorty after Easter.

The usual monthly meeting of the Kinkiiiroa Road Board, called for yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum, and was adjourned till 3 p.m. to-day.

At the Hamilton Police Court yesterday, before His Wor&liip tbo Mayor, John Mills, alias "Xianky," .md lloberfc HarknegiS were charged with drunkenness, and fined 5-3 and costa e<ach, witli the usual alternative. The altenuifcn c was taken.

To the Editor. -Sir,- 1 think it would be only cotutesy to the buige^se-* for the mayor to publish the lesolution tabled by Mr Hatrick which Mr Tucker declined to propose, and which his Woihlnp put in Ins pocket.— Pho Boxo Publico.

Mr Lovett is making fair progress with hi-* contiact for the coinj letion of the Cambridge Kail way. The 1 ail* have been laid up to the Piako road, and nothing but the want of engine power letards the work.

We have been shown some very large onions grown in the g.mlen <>f Mi E B. Walker at Monavale. Fonr of them weigh no les-, than se\ en pounds, and one measures seventeen inches m ciicuinference.

The first meeting of the third session of the Cambridge Mutual lmpiovement Association, fixed tor Thuihday evening last, fell through, as onty a few of the meiiibeis tinned up.

The evidence in the Te Whetu case, now befoie tlio Land Court at Cambridge, will be finished to (lay. It is expected that the judgment will be delneied on Monday. Tliecomtit. e\ected to pioceed to Kihikihi immediately, to dispose of the Maungatautan case

Mr Walter Cowley, Taraahere, met with a nat.ty accident on Thuisday evening. lie was proceeding to C.unbiidge, and wiien iip.xv the native settlement his horse fell, rolling over him. Mr Cowley was severely shaken, but, foitunately, no bones were biokcn, and he hopes .-soon to be about again. Mr J. S. Buckland will hold at Gwyime's hotel, PLauiilton, to-day, the hist of what are intended to be fortnightly hoise sales. About fifty horses' have been entered, and a good attendance is anticipated.

His Excellency the Governor paid avihittothe Thames on Tlnnsdny. The usual loyal addie^es weie piesenfced, and his Excellency w.v> taken to bee the big pump, the batteries, and &e\eial of the mine->. In the evening there was a giand pyioteclmic and file brigade display.

Messrs Grant and Crosson general Commission agents, 73 Queen-stiect, Auclcland, have been appointed to canvass the Auckland distiict-. m the inteiests of the North New Zealand Co-operative Association, and are aheady meeting with great encouragement.

It will be seen by a notice m our adveitising columns that a bazaar in aid of the Weileyan church, is to be held in Te Awamutu on Wednesday and Thursday, May 7th and Bth, in the Public Hall, .feisons contubutmg to the same are earnestly leque'-ted to send in their gifts, care Mr J. W. Biidgman, Te Awamutu, before April 30th.

We understand that our suggestion respecting the constabulary grounds at Cambridge and their being handed over to the local Domain Board as recreation ground for the public, has not been l<>s>t sight of, and that a few gentlemen aie likely to bring the matter foicibly befoic the Government at an eaily date.

A meeting of the Cambridge Public Library committee will bo held early next week for the purpose of considei ing the best lvoanb of improvim?the present literary stock of the library with the lccent Government giant. A large poi tion of the present collection want* ienewing altogether.

We would draw the attention of the Cambudge Domain Board to the infringement of the by-law against shooting ducks on the lake. For the past few evenings since the duck shooting season has opened a number of men have been seen " popping " about the banks ; but whether they have succeeded in breaking the law by actually shooting the birds we are unable to say.

Mr P. J. Moss, M.H R., addressed his constituents at Paincll on Thursday night. He referred generally to the legiblation of the last session, and announced his intention to uphold in its integiity the present Education system. He was opposed to Federation, and the acquisition of native lauds by capitalists in large blocks. He declared himself a democrat. At the close of the address Mr Moss re ceived a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

In the window of Messrs Lewis and Simpson, at Cambridge, may be .seen on exhibition the silver tea and coftee service to be presented by that firm to the winner of the Waikato Stakes at the forthcoming Autumn Meeting of the Cambiidge Jockey Club ; also, the silver cup given by Messrs Wingate, Burns and Co,, of^ Auckland, for the winner of the Maiden Steeplechase at the same meetintr. Both presents are of a very handsome and valuable character. They will be on view for some time, and are well worth seeing.

Some little time ago it will be retnembeied the Waikato Chees>e and Bacon Factory Oi>mpany forwarded a ton of cheese to Queensland on trial. On Thursday the company's secretary received a cable message from the consignees of the shipment, requesting him to forward two tons more. This circumstance is very gratifying to the company, who will doubtless open up a good market in the northern colony of Australia. The climate of Queensland is not suited to the manufacture of cheese, and the residents must therefore depend on out-

side supplies. There is at the present time large quantities of powder and dynamite in the possession of storekeepers at Cambridge which may or may not be safely stored. The necessity of a local magazine for the storage of such materials has for some time past been spoken of by those most interested. There is at present a magazine attached to the constabulary barracks, and now that the constabulary are about to lea-\ c for Kihikihi, it is quite possible that this magazine could be secured by the town if repiesentations were made to the Government on the matter.

There was a fair attendance at the Evangelistic meeting in Le Quesne's Hall, Hamilton, on Thursday evening. Owing to indisposition Mr Geo. E. Brown was unable to be present, but interesting addresses \Vere delivered by Messrs Geo. Aldridge and' E.< H. Taylor (of the Thames.) The former dwelt at some length on several doctrinal points, and the Utter spoke on the duties of Christians in this world. • Several of Sankey's hymns were sung during the meeting. The six o'clock closing rule, as agreed upon by- the business people of Gambridge, came into operation on the firsjb.of this month, and jwith only one exception it has been observed, all \Kousjjs_l with the ejc-^ oeption of Mn Kincw^'^ha|ingj^b9eri'cio|ed

signed the agreement to close, he has now thought better of it, and continues to worlr into the late hours as usual. Consequently, sill those who, since the beginning of the month, have closed at six o'clock intend reverting to the old rule ne\t week. It is a matter of much regret that all those who signed the agreement cannot see their way to abide by it. The change concerns no less than about thirty hands, who rightly consider that ten hours is a sufficiently long turn at businebs out of the twenty-four. Where all the storekeepers close at the same hour, we cannot bee what disadvantage it can bo to anyone. People only make their puichases at night because the stoiesaie open ; whereas, if the stoics closed at mv o'clock all pui chases would be made before that hour.

In an article on the subiect of revised railway tariff the Lyttelton Times has the following :—": — " The only pressure put upon Ministers was the pressure that is put on the Bedouin chief when he sights a rich caravan. It is the pressure of a bad instinct. " Allah it great ! let us plunder," says the chief, and there is an end of the eaiavan. When the caravan of grain-laden lailway waggons hove in sight, the bandit chief of the Treasury and his honorable Bedouimc colleagues rubbed their hand'? and said, " Let us make a taufF." Tho only difference between the Arabs of the desert and those of the Treasury is that the latter neglect to say grace (publicly, at least) before their unrighteous meal. There were plenty of honest ways of making money open to these plunderers, but plunder is to some natures iuesistible, especialy w hen a caravan is in sight. Yet forsooth, because there is such a tiling as political pressure in the world, theso marauders are to be tieated as exemplary members of society ; nay, they must even be congratulated on tho boldness aud firmness of their operations. It is only another instance of the way in which we forge our eh lins. The political piessiue from which we suffei is the pressure which Ministers feel whenever they look upon the Southern revenues and resources, bndly guarded as thpre are. It is the piessure felt by the gieat Blucher when he was taken up to the top of St Paul's, and saw wealthy London spiead out aionnd him. " What splendid lilundei '" &J,id the watoilug Kys of the gallant veteran. If lie could only have mu&teiedhis bold Uhlans, and cued out tho iinmoi tal " vorwartb," the joy of the aged chief, on this side the grave, would have been complete."

We would recommend to the Committee of the Cambridge Public Libiary, the advisablenehs of bunging into force some iule as to the length of time subscribers or visitors may take to read or monopolise a paper or periodical. At the piesent time a few peisons aie wont to gather into the reading-room, shoitly aftei tea in the evening, when the Auckland papers have arrived, and, as if they themselves were- the only people who desired, 01 were entitled to see these papcis, they letain possession of them for houm at a time. We know of one gentleman who generally entoi-5 into occupation of a ceitain much .sought for journal about G. 30 of an opening, an r l staitmg with the Shipping Intelligence, wends his way through every olmun, advertisements included, until he arrives at the imprint, and then looking at. if half inclined to have a repeius.il, calmly relinquishes possession at the end of about two houis time. Not only is this gentleman's incoiisideiateness a somce of annoyance to other subscribers who ate kept waiting in expectation for horn-, but it cieates a decidedly bad feeling, induces impioua inipioca.tioiui, audfche tiansgiessor becomes- the common enemy of all visitors. In all ieading-rooins of any standing, a notice is posted up to the eftecfc that after ft f teen minutes time any subsenber ctn demand from another any periodical 01 paper. Would the Ca-mbudgo committee kindly bring some such rule into force?

The Government Life Insurance Department is likely to leceive a pretty coiwdeiablc shaio of tho attention of the House next session. The Depmtinent ha** been prosecuting Mr Joseph Mackay, one of itb Canterbury agents, for alleged embezzlement, and Mi Mackay has letoited by publishing a seiies of telegiains winch passed between himself and the heads of tho Department The following, which he received from Mr (Jeoigo Thorne, jun , the Supeiintendent of Agents, l.s an illustration of the way in which busmen is pushed .—. — "Wellington, 28-11-83. Uigent.—(Confidential ) — Honourable Loader and Walteis, Diiector and Man iger Victorian Mutual, aboaid express train Uunedin to day spying with view stai ting N.Z. Rudd camiissed tlieni, with view presenting their coming. ll.ivc few b mkruptcy jilacardi and otlieis in all carnages. Do nut canvass them, but be the newspaper man travelling. Apph the pump handle judiciously. Tell them that Government insurance agents aie thick ns bees ; hard enough for them exist. Mutual agents starve, or woise ; sympathise and clepiecite the unfair advantage Government Insurance posse&s. They are to be cm wished again in Dunedin by Edmonds. — GhOitaK Thoune, Jun."

The death of Wendell Phillips, oiuti)i> rcfonner, and Christian gentleman, at his lesidence in Boston, has (wntcs the Amciican correspondent of the Otago Daily Tunes) been mourned as a national beraupirient by all except the " shoddj uistoeraey " and politicians. He was the life and soul of the abolition movement, and since then has championed the canse of univeisal fieedum, the equality of man, and the lights of labour, with tongue and pen. x\.s an oiatoi he has had no equal since Webstei, and no supenor in the illu»tiioui roll of Aineiican worthier His oiations on Daniel O'Connell, on the lush Laid Que&tion, and on Nihilism and the Rights of Labour are uiastei -pieces of incisive logic and eloquerec. Those who do not agree with him must admit his inasteily ability, and admire his courage and sincerity. If ever man had the courage of Ins opinions, that m.iii was Wendell Phillips — a lawyer, too conscientious to piacti&elaw ; an Aineiican cituen, loyal to the core, too conscientious to swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States while it lecognised human slavoiy. This valiant man did not hesitate to oppose the system of white slavery perfected in his native Massachusetts under a protective tariff and enfoiced labour competition for bread. " When the easy class consphes to steal," he said, in his last public utteiance, "what wonder the humbler class draws together to defend itself! Tine, univei-sal suffrage is a teirible power, and, with all the great cities brought into subjection to the dangerou 5*5 * classes by grog, and Congress sitting to register the decrees of capital, both sides may well dread the next move. Experience proves that popular Governments are the best protectors of life and property. But suppose they were not ; that universal suffrage endangered peace and thieatened property. Tlieie is something more valuable than wealth ; there is something more sacred than peace. As Humboldt says, 'The finest fruit earth holds up to its Maker is a man.' To ripen, lift, and educate a man is the first duty. Tiade, law, learning, science, and religion are only the scaffolding wheiewith to build a man. Despotism looks down into a poor man's cradle, and knows it can crush resistance and cuib ill-will. Democracy sees the ballot in that baby hand, and selfishness bids her put integiity on one side of those baby footsteps and intelligence on the other, lest her own health be in poiil. Thank God for His method of taking bonds of wealth and culture to share all their blessings with the humblest soul He gives to her keeping ! The American should cberrsh as serene a faith as his fathers had. Instead of seeking a coward safely by battening down the hatches and putting men back into chains, he should recognise that God places him in his peril that he may work out a noble security by concentrating all moral forces to lift this weak, rotting, and dangerous mass into sunlight and health. The Fathers touched their highest level when, with stout-hearted and serene faith, they trusted God that it was safe to leave men with all the rights He gave them. Let us be worthy of their blood, and save this sheet anchor of the race — universal suffrage, God's church, God's school, God's method of gentle binding men into commonwealth in order that they may at last melt into brothers. I urge on college-bred young men that as a class they fail in Republican duty when they allow others to lead in the agitation of the great social questions which stir and educate the age."

The Tauranga Telegraph died on Monday. The last issue consisted of the following, surrounded by a neat mourning border :— Friends and Fel-low-settlers. — It is with unfeigned regret that we convey to you the intelligence of our sudden and untimely demise cut off in the, bloom s of our youth and jro-nise.— Since that fateful day on which we saw the light, our endeavour has been to further what we considered your best interests, and to play? 'a* part on the staga 6f your progress: We'hojpe four efforts nave iSot been Vain j^fovlike 'Bret' Harte's^ pawoni— l#hate'ei?viwe -so^ (oilr- , BelyeSvto do,^We'' i done I purilevel^best.^-p

against us. Our paper ha^ been veiy successful on paper, and wo had naught to fear from a feoblo opposition. But, aa in all new venture 0 , money was slow to come in, we were com palled to effect a bill of sale. The gentleman who held that dread document, with keen solicitude foi our welfaie, has disposed of it to om esteemed friend, the iiev. David Bruce (of the Ob->civer), an<> even now Redmond awaits .it the outer portal. — Into the hands of the " Butter " wo deliver thee oh Tauranga ! Would that thy fate were less awful. But Poverty is impotent and we must needs bow to all-powerful Mammon and hay, Adieu !

At a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, luld at the London University on the 7th January, the Rev. W. S. Green road a piper on "Recent Evploiations in the Southern Alps of New Zealand." Mr Green was introduced by the chairman, Lord Aberdare, as an active and enfei prising member of the Alpine Club, and as having awndtxl the highest peak m New Zealand — Mount Cook, 12,8uJft. Mr Green stated that the mountain chain of the island rose in the northern part of the island, but that between Canterbury and Westland it gatheied into one grand ridge above the hue of perpetual snow. From Whitecomh Pass to Haast Pass no pass was free from glaciers ; but the Haast Pass was remarkable, for it-> summit was only lOOOfI high, and it would therefore be a valuable means of communication in the future. Several peaks of the range roao to 10,000 ft. South ot Mount Aspiring the mountains bioke up into a multiplicity of range-., enclosing wide valleys, watered by line liver*. On the south-west the mountains struck the coast, which was cut up by many inlets, like the Noiwegian fiords. He thought the .scjnery of this pait of New Zealand was the finest in the woild, the peaks, lising into Alpine ciags from the surface of the mm. The latitude of Mount Cook was in the Southern Hemisphere about the same as the city of Florence m the northern, but the glacier of thes western slope descended to within 700 ft of the sea. level. On the eastern slope they descended to withm about 2200 ft. The sno.v line was very low, being only about 5000 ft, and mountains, GOOOft lugh \ve\c cvppcd with with glacier ice. The greater Tasnuin glacier was larger than any glacier m the Swiss Alps., being 18 miles long, and in some places two miles wide ; it came down to 2000 ft above the sea. Mr Green then gave an account of New Zealand mountain e\ploiation, and recounted his own e\parience in o spending Mount Cook. He al&o referred to the e\ploiation, of the wistern peaks and to the geology of the mountain lange, and gave his reasons for thinking th.it Mount Cook belonged to the metamoiphic formatoin instead of to the matai seues. — At the close of the papei Piofessor Bouncy, president of the Alpine Club, spoke of the dangers which Mr Gieen had experienced in ascending Mount Cook The weather m the Alps was not good, but m the New Zealand Alps it appeared to be woi->e. Mi Green had spoken of tiie avalanches no\ ci b3ing silent all the night that he was encamped on the side of the mountain. The lainfall on the western coast was something like 133 in, and it would follow that there must be a vcrv heavy precipitation of snow. From what ho had seen of Mr Green's book lie thought he could not recommend the New Zealand Alps to mountaineers. — On the motion of the Chaii man, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Green.