The Waikto Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1925, 6 November 1884, Page 2

The Waikto Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and cx.ict justice to aM men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall Hip Press the People's right maintain, Unawed bj influence and unbribed by g-J.ui.

THURSDAY, NOV. 6, 188^

J?rom a private telegram we learn that Mr W. A. Graham has already left Wellington for Waikato, and, as the passage of the Beetroot Sugar Bill through the Legislature may be considered safe, prepared, we trust, to enter on the floating -of a company conjointly .in Europe and the colony for the '-establishment of a beetroot sugar

factory. The bill provides for the payment of a bonus of one half-penny per pound for all New Zealand made sugar for the space of fifteen years — a sufficient inducement, wo should think, to cause the project to be at once energetically taken up. The scheme, as developed by Mr Graham in his pamphlet, is to purchase some three thousand acres of reclaimed land in some settled district, and to import with the plant from Belgium a number of workmen and their families, skilled both in the cultivation of the beet and in its after manufacture into sugar, settling them on the greater portion of the estate on blocks of 20, 30 and 50 acres or upwards, on the deferred payment system, with the reservation that they shall each cultivate on his farm a certain j acreage of beet annually for the factory. This course is necessary for two reasons — the one that without the requisite skilled labour and experience on the spot the undertaking might very probably prove a failure, and secondly because it would not do to altogether have to depend upon voluntary supplies of sugar-beetroot from the neighbouring settlers. A much larger quantity of beet, however, would be required than could be raised by the Belgians introduced, and very soon, as in the case of the cheese factories, when it was seen that the industry was a paying one, other factories would be started in different parts of the district. The project is one, therefore, of the deepest interest to Waikato settlers. They need a profitable staple crop to take the place of wheat, the growing of which has been swept away at a breath by the development of the India trade. Sugar-beet promises to supply, and more than to supply this loss. A correspondent recently challenged one portion of Mr Graham's statement of the cost of producing an acre of beet, as regards the item of lifting and cartage, but that item wis just one which was carefully revised and adjusted before publication by one of the most practical farmers in Waikato.^ Considering that the lifting the roots is done by a hand machine, and the extreme distance of carting the roots to the factory is within a radius of three milts, so that the average distance is much less, the calculation, we believe, will be found to be correct. The probability is tint the crop in Waikito would largely exceed lo tons per acre, and the average profit on the roots Fold to the factory be far greater than that estimated. Our own firm belief is that the establishment of the industry in Waikato would infuse now life into our agricultural population, givo a rapidly increased and a fixed, valuo to our lands, and settle thorn with what wo need above all things, a population which, eugaged in other industrial pursuits than the growth of meat, grain, and dairy produce, shall furnish a market at our doois for the produce of the fiiim. In the .sugar producing provinces of Germany, sugar beet culture forms, as wo hopo soon to soo it do here, a very important feature in the rotation. As it may not be uninteresting to our readers at the present time -we intend to .show them round a 7000 acre farm of this description (twothirds of a Prussian acre equal one English acre,) merely mentioning 1 as wo start that they will then be able to judge for themselves of the correctness of the statement, that sugar beet culturo is almost as valuable indirectly in the improvement of the after crops of tho_ rotation as it is directly profitable in its own money valuo as a crop. The farm we shall visitis that of Glanzig, in tho neighbourhood of Halle, Prussia, consisting of 78541 acres in a rather cold climate, colder than that in England. Tho farm is partly the freehold of a sugar beet "factory, and partly leased. The beet root occupies generally one-third the area, tho other two-thirds being cultivated for wheat, barley, peas, beans and red clover. In 1880 thero wore sown in beet root 25G7£ acros, wheat, 709] acres; barley, 1302J acres; rye, 902 acres; oats, Gl4] acres; peas, 178 acres; potatoes, 712 A acros; and grcon forage, 837£ acres. In the same year tho wheat averaged 21 £ bushels, the ryo 11421b5, the barley 27 bushels, the oats 27 bushels, tho peas 102 ilbs, tho potatoes close on 4 tons, and the sugar-beet close upon 8 tons per acre. On this farm aro kept as stock 30G cows, 1400 sheep, and 370 working oxen. In addition to this regular stock there wore in the year 1879-80 fattened and sold, 102 oxen, 125 cows, 3145 sheep, all of which wero ronewod for the noxt year's fattening. The breeding and fattening of cattle and sheep is found extremely profitable, the pulp from tho factory after tho sugar is extracted being largely used for feeding purposes, but in 1880 the net profit on the sugar manufacture from tho beetroot was 06,875 marks, or about £3,343, English money. The labour on the farm, which keeps from 150 to 200 men in employment — the factory providing work when the farm work is at a minimum in winter — is mostly done by piece-work, at which the men can earn from 2s to 3s per day. In other parts of Germany the factories are mainly supplied with sugar-beetroot from outside farms, and for the beets until m ithin the last year or two, 12s per ton has been paid to the grower. Of late, however, the business has reached such proportions, -and the profits made by the factories have been ao great, that 17s per ton has been demanded -and, paid. In New Zealand the. success <of .the beet sugar industry should be far more marked than on iuch soil and' in such a climate as that of Halle, in Prussia. , There, high cultivation was.thgught to have done much, in

producing eight tons\of sugar bcot, four tons of potatdtis^of 2U bushels of wheat to a Prussian aero. Hero, roots grow to perfection, and much of our Wiiikato land will give from 20 to 30 bushels of wheat per English aero, with little cultivation and less manure. True, that although we can grow very heavy crops of beet, it is necessary when grown for sugar purposes that the roots shall not exceed 21 bs each in weight, but no practical farmer need be told how to grow nearly the same weight per acre in small roots instead of large ones. Altogether, in the sugar beet industry Waikato : has a fair prospect before it in the immediate future, aud we heartily trust that, this time, when Mr Graham and others shall have succeeded in obtaining as large support as before in Hamburg for floating a sugar beet company for carry ing on operations in Waikato, he will not, when the plant is ready packed and the hands are ready to start, be obliged, as he had to do in August, 1881, wire to his Hamburg agent: — " Waikato farmers refuse to take interest in beet factory — consider everything countermanded."

Dr. Cushney has been appointed vaccinator for the Cambridge district.

Tne Banks in Waikato will be closed on Monday next, in honour of the Prince of Wales' birthday.

Acceptances for the Oxford races close with Mr R. Kirk-wood at-the Duke of Cambridge Hotel this eTening.

Mr Samuel Steele being the only candidate nominated for the vacancy in~the Hamilton Riding, Waipa County, lias been declared duly elected.

The warrant of Lodge Alpha E.C., Cambridge, will bo formally presented to the Lodge by Rro. W. Loddor, D.D.G.M. of the North Inland, at the regular meeting this evening.

Mr J. B. Whyt'e, M.H.R., arrived in Hamilton by yesterday's train. We are glad to be able to st.»te that since his departure for Wellington Mr Whyte's health has greatly improved.

We have been requested to state that a meeting of the members of the Opposition in the Hamilton Legislative Association will be held in the Waikato Times Buildings to-morrow night (Friday), at 8 o'clock.

There was a very large attendance at the clearing sale at Messrs Douglas' Bruntwood, yesterday. Competition was keen for most of the lots submitted and fair prices were realised. Mr liuokUnd \ras tho auctioneer.

The funeral of the late Mr W. Clare took place at Cambridge on Tuesday, and was very largely attended by the friends of the deceased. Tho sei vice at tho grave was impressively read by the Key. W. Evans, FreHbytenan minister.

Tuesday, November 25th, has been the date decided on for the complimentary concert to Mr Meacham. The program mo promises to be a most attractive one, as adl the best local talent has been cheerfully offered to assist in the object,

The annual show of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held at Ellersho on Saturday and Monday next. The arrangement* made by the Railway Department have boon fully advertised, and although no great concessions hare been made in ro«pect of fares, the time for which the return tickets are available in unusually long.

A mob of about 20 head of the finest fat cattle we have yet «eon lt;a\e the district passed through Hamilton yesteiday for .shipping on board tho train at Frank, ton. Mr Henry Steele was in charge, and wo presume they were fattened upon Capt. Steele's farm, Kirikiriroa. Several, \va should judge, would too 10001b-; in weight, and one in particular would be over this considerably.

The meeting of settlers of the Tamahere, Tauwhare, and Scotchman's Valley, called for Monday e\ening next at Camp'i Hotel to discuss the propnetv of urging tho Government to appoint a stationmaster at Tamahere, ke , has boon postponed until Thursday ne\t, the 13th inst., in consequence of the Auckland Show.

Yesterday was the anniversary of the discovery of the celebrated Gunpowder Plot, and poor Guy Fawkes was binned in effigy in many paits of the. woild. In Hamilton there was \ cry little excitement. The youthful members of the population let off a few crackers, and a "counterfeit presentment ' of Mr Fawkes, constructed principally of old sacks, was committed to the flames, but "by eleven o'clock tho juvenile enthusiasm was exhausted.

The amateur negro minstrel performance which has been adveitiscd for dome time will come off in the Oddfellow s" Hall, Hamilton East, on Tuesday evening next. The outline programme appeals m another column, and full paiticulars will be published in another issue. The itoni.s include many novelties, though the lines of of the original "Christy's" have boon strictly observed. There will bo a voiy efficient orchestra, and the whole of tho arrangements, as will be seen, aie in very able hands.

The ministry of the Hamilton Legislative Association were, quite unexpectedly, turned out at Tuesday night's meeting. All parties appeared to sin prised at the turn of affair*, though it is no seciet that the Opposition have been laying deep ploti for the overthrow of their advewuies. The potato was simply cooked befoie its time. A report of the pioceedings which were very interesting, will be found in another column. It is expected that the new Ministry will meet the House on Thuisday next with a well defined policy.

Mr Thomas Bracken, the poet, journalist and politician, was entertained at a banquet in Auckland on Tuesday night by the Pressmen of Auckland. Among tho other guests were his Worship the Mayoi of Auckland, the councillors, and tho United State* Consul. Mr W. Keuy, Editor of the Herald, occupied the chan. and in proposing the toast of the evening, paid a graceful tribute to Mr "BrackcnV genius. Mr Bracken acknowledged tho honour conferred upon him in a brief speech. The toaftts were inteispersed with songs and recitations, and a very enjoyable evening was spent.

In his speech proroguing the New South Wales. Parliament on Satin day last, Lord Augustus Loftus made special refei - ence to the railway system of the colony, and mentioned that moie than 1000 miles of line were already open for traffic. In addition to this, 400 mile» were in couue of construction, and 1278 luilen had boen authorised. His Excellency also referred to the financial position of the colony, and stated that the revenue was m a flourishing condition, and largely exceeding tho oiiginal estimate of the Colonial Treasurer. ,

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Presbyterian Band of Hope \va« held in the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, on Tuesday last. There was » good attendants of adults and children, and Mr J. Coohrano occupied the chair. The following pi-o-gramme was creditably gone through :— Recitation, Thomas Rolhwell; riddles, Albert Le Quesne; dialogue, William Piitchard and Chailes Edwaids; recitation, Matthew Orr; recitation, Ldvvard Johnson; song, Alfred Teas; song, Annie Teas'; reading, AnnioLeith j recitation, Susan Gaudin, Miss Campbell presided at tho harmonium. A few hymns were sung during tho evening, and Mr Raeburn addressed the meeting.

The bridge over the Waipa, at Alexandra still holds to life as tenaciously as ever. Its sudden demise vyas * predicted lomo years ago, ,and has been predicted almost daily since then, To tho eye of tho resident it may seem, " all square," , but to tho eye of the stranger its appearance is not at all inviting. It has recently assumed an arch-like expression, and being of milU tary origin, is naturally full in the [chest and indifferent to all sense of danger. Its expression is decidedly quaint, anp, with a few streamers of ivy green, it would lend a charm and- an aw of, romance' r "to the vicinity. It may yofc do good seryice-m exciting the poetic fervour (op frensy) of the neighbourhfltod, but for all'purppses" of pracLtical traffic, it has ceased to be serviceable. jA few months more and its approaches will, have disappeared, and the/'conv6nience, which fpr niaijy yeara, it has.; afforded will

Woodward's Japanese Troupe gave' a performance in fru^Pnblic Hall, Cambridge on Tuesday livening, which was laigely attended. Tfte^perfonnance was one of the best.^uLcltiiy^Siipcessful that has been given? nr\fc!aHibmlge fpr some years past, and those Vho Intended on Tuesday evening manifested thVf .satiufaction by the lepeated* applause which greeted! every ttem of tho'prograttime. Tho .balancing feats were simply marvellous, and 1 no one should miss seeing this very clever performI ance. It is seldom that tho |>üblic ot Waikato aie affoidod an opportunity of witnessing .1 performance of this character. The company appeared again at Cambridge last evening, when they were fa. voitred with an excellent linuhe.

We take the following from yestei day's Auckland Herald: — "'ln the sweeps, Auckland investors have fared very well, the principal prizes all remaining here. 'G. Flaneur's' first, second'and third prizes all remain in Auckland ; the fir«t being won by a fireman on one of the local steamers, the second by the '0.0.' Company (a company of six), and the third by Mr Lennaid and Co. In 'Adam BedoV No. 1, the fhst piue goes, to Kaipaia Heads, the second to Whangarei, and the third to Auckland. Tn No. 2, the first goes to an Auckland lady, the becond to Auckland, and the thud to an engineer on the H.h. Taruwera. In '.A. Nemo's,' the first goes to an employe" in the Taiiua Sawmill, the second to Hamilton, and the third to Auckland. Tn 'A. Leo's,' the first horse goes to a company in Victoiia. street, this second to Ohinemutu, and the thiid to Maraetai, South Wairoa." „ -

The following special messages to the Press Association, dated London, No- \ ember 3rd and 4th, have been published : — Jfcwis Husoh, Splinder and Co., of Sydney and London, who were recently adjudicated bankrupts, have passed their examination befoie tho Bankruptcy Court. —The cholera has entirely disappeared from Naples — Pai ley ing in connection with Pacific affairs is awaiting replies from Sydney on the subject. — A small supply «f Australian wheat is selling at 30s ; spotted wheat at 35s ; and cargoes on passage nominal. — Piofessor Nordenskjold it. at pieaent ondeav ouring to interest the Russian Government in an Aitic exploring eKpedithmr^-The towns of Biighton, Eastborne, and Hastings, in Sussex, havo been lighted with theelechic light. Thecuirent is tiansinitted fiom central stations. — The Impeiial Indention Conference will re-as-semble on the 18th, Mr W. E. Forstsr, presiding. — The Times consider that the temporary delay taking place in regard to federation is neithei suipiising'nor lamentable. It also holds the opinion that the new Guinea and the New Caledonia difficulty is altogether too slender a basis for such a Fedeial Government on the part ot the colonies, and furtheimoie, it would be promatmc for them to consent to suppoit such a scheme u ithout •seeing their way clear to continue it with utility to themselves. — Tho British Association will meet on- the 12th nist., to decide the place of meeting of ISS!i. — The death is announced of Lidy Shoibiooke, the wife of Viscount Sherbrooke, bettei known as Mr ftobeit Lowe. Site w vs a daughtci of the Lite Mr George Oiied, of Lneipoo], and uas m,inied to Mi Lowe in ltW'i.— A true bill has been found jig.unst CaiJtain Dudley and Stephens (the in ite of the yacht MiguAnette) for the mm dci of Hichaid Parkci. Thetiial will take plnce on Thmsday -next. — Captain Ki.mcis y. Clayton has been appointed commandei <>f If. M.S. Diamond, vice Captain T. Dale. — Loid Dei by pioposes that the colonies -hall appoint a Council to adMseand assist M..ijoi-(ienciiil Scratchly in tho, contiol of tho affaiis of New Guinea. I[c also as] v s that tho colonies should double the amount of the subsidy, and the Vduiualty ad\i-e ,the piuchasing of a stcaiuci for tlio use of the High Coinmissionei.