The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1949, 3 January 1885, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE

I'Vju it and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever sutc or persuasion, religious or political Hero shall the Press the People's ripht maintain, Unawed by influence and unbnbed by (jam.

SATURDAY, JAN. S, 1885.

The question of establishing the beet sugar industry is at length assuming a practical form, and we look -with confidence for good results. It is well known that for somo weeks past a committee of practical men, not only farmers, but those engaged in mercantile pursuits, have been giving the subject a large amount of attention. They have held several meetings, and have gone into the evidence pr&Qtid con in a most exhaustive manner. Tho conclusions they have arrived at have been put in words, and aro embodied in a circular convening a

general meeting of all interested at The "Waikato Times Buildings on the afternoon of Tuesday next. Theso major conclusions read as follows: — ''(I)- 'JMuit no industry can be undertaken which could in any degroo approach the beet-sugar manufacture in its effects upon the prosperity of all sections of tho community, and more particularly of that of the farmers. (2). That absolute proof of the capabilities oi tho soil and climate of Waikato lias been shown by tho analytical to^ts b\ r Mr Pond, by which it is seen that beetroots have been grow n with a per ccntage of sugar, without special knowledge, care, or manming, equal to the very best results on the Continent of Europe, where this culture has been established many years. (3). That tho price proposed to be paid for the beet, If s per ton, will give a larger return per acre than any crop at present raised, and leave the land in fine condition for the succeeding one. The general effect upon the value of land, the impetus given to trade, and other industries havo also been thoioughiy discussed and acknowledged." The object, the circular points, in bringing these conclusions prominently forward is " to direct attention to the only foundation upon which this i-.dustry can be built, up, viz. : The active co operation of the farmers in guaranteeing the supply of the raw material." From tins it may be gathered that the promoters are only waiting for a sign from the fanners to begin working in earnest, and that is just how the matter stands at present. That the wi-shed-for sign will soon be given we do not in the least doubt, beciuse the only obstacle in the farmers' sight — a doubt of the paying capabilities of the industry, is by no means formidable, and can easily bo brushed away. Of the suitability of this district for the culture of beet there can now, after so many tiials, be no reasonable doubt, while it is nothing short of certain that lGs per ton will pay the grower. This, indeed, can easily be demonstrated. Nobody will presume to say that it does not pay the farmer to sell milk to the clu'e->e factory at 4d per gallon. Now let us assume that the average return per cow for th» i season is £8, and let us deduct half this sum, that is £4, for labour, interest on the value of the land, deterioration, &c , and we havo A t profit oft' two acres of land. On the other hand, let us suppose that an acre of land in sugar - beet yields l."> tons. At lGs per ton, the crop would realise £12 gross, from which sum must be deducted £G, the cost of growing the crop, including manure, leaving a profit of £6 per acre, or three times as much as that afforded by the nii'k ! We have purposely put the yield of beet low, but it will be seen that even were the the average crop to be considerably smaller than our figures indicate, a resppctable margin for profit remains. But this is not all, sugarbeet culture will exert an enormous influence on our dairy industry. The two are intimately connected, inasmuch as no more suitable food for cows is to be found than that yielded by the licet, i^or must we overlook the fact that the growing of the roots improves the quality of the land. But our object, to-day, is not to enter up an examination of the details of the scheme, but to impress upon the farmers of this district the importance of the proposed industry, an industry which, while it is of national consequence, is peculiarly adapted to the Waikato. This part of the colony is essentially a root growing district, a remark which will apply with equal force to no other place. But while the area of land upon which beet can l>e grown profitably is limited, the market for sugar is rapidly increasing. The possibilities of the manufacture of jam and preserves in this country are very great, and these industries alone will require enormous quantities of sugar. There is ample room in the VVaikato now for half-a-dozen factories, and these, in full work, could not supply a fourth of the sugar already consumed annually in New Zealand. Regarding the question — Where is the money to come from to build the mills 1 wo are justified in saying that, provided wo have the necessary amount of confidence in ourselves, every penny required will be readily forthcoming. All that the fanner is asked to do is to give a guarantee to grow a small area of a crop which under any circumstances cannot result in a loss, and which, if experience and observation go for anything, will give a handsome return. At the present time the farmer, though practically a free agent, and bound by no guarantee, is, year after year, with fatal persistency, wasting his time and substance in rii.sing crops from which it is almost hopeless, under the most favourable circumstances, to expect any pecuniary results whatsoever. We trust that the objections to the guarantee will be ignored : indeed, we do not think they -will be again seriously set up. At Tuesday's meeting it is to be hoped that a spirit of unanimity will reign, and that that the first practical step will be taken to establish an industry .so rich in promise for the Wnikato country and its inhabitants.

The Whatawhata races will take place on Monday next, and promise to bo well attended. In the evening thero will be a. ball.

The next English mail closes at Hamilton on Monday next at half-past 1 p.m.

A selection of appropriate carols will be sung at S. Peter's Church after evening nervice to-inonow.

At the Sunday-school fete of S Andrew'-* Church on Thiiv-day, Mnstor Y. Burt carried off tlio pri/.e for tho runtmig long jump, covering l!sft. llin.

The usual services at LeQuesne's Hall, Hamilton, will bo held to-inormw. Mi Munni, of Auckland, U the pie.icher for the day.

The shooting team of the Waikato Cavalry proceeded to Auckland yo"teiday morning in charge of Sergt. tyresham to

ttkopartat the Auckland Rifle Association's animal coni|mtition at the now r.wge, Hondeison, to-day.

Mr T. A. Joughin (student) will conduct the services at the \Ve»leyai\ Church, Hamilton, to-morrow.

The usual meeting of the Kirikiririu Koad Bo.trd, called for yesterday, lapsed for want of 11 quorum.

On the occasion of his last trip to Kaglnn, Mr C. It. Johnson, the Into mail contractor, was tho recipient of ,\ most giatifying letter from tho settlers ot that diKtrict. The document was signed bj about forty of the leading lesidents, and expressed their entire satisfaction with thu very efficient way in which Mr Johnson had aimed out the terms of his contract. The letter was piesented on behalf of the sign.itoiie-^ by Mr (lilmour.

A Watch Night service was held at S. Paul's Wetilovan Church, Cimbridge, cm New Your* Kw\ when there \\a* h large and representatno congregation. Tlio Kc\. H. K. Dewsbury ga%e an .ippropnato and interesting .iddres*, and the last moments of the old year were <*pent in Mlent prayer. At the conchmion of tlie ser- \ ice tho \\ hole congregation joined in sinp\ng hymn 17, "Coino, lot us anew our journey puinuo," &c.

There was a little stir at Cambridge on Now Year's E\p. The might was beautiful and moonlight, and many woro induced to stroll throngh the town to witness the demise of the old year and welcome in thr new. The Cambridge band turned out and played a nuiuocr of lively airs hi front of tlio 'Public Hull, and as the hour pawed struck up the National Anthem. At 12 o'clock the bells of S. Andrew* chimed out their greeting to the new year, and guns and fireworks were let off at vanouh places throughout the town. There was a watch night service at .S. Paul's Weslpyan Church, and the night, generally speaking, passed off enjoyably.

The Matamata correspondent of tho Herald telegraphed, on Wednesday :— Yesterday morning, at half-past seven o'clock, when Mr Firth's foreman and men on tho Matamata estate went to commence clearing on what ii known as Melnta's paddock, where natives who assert their right to the land have boeu unino tuna f-quattmv, they commenced t<» till in tho ditch so as to get their clearing machines thiough. The nati\es offered a violent resistance, and prevented the passage of the machines, slightly injuring two of Mr Firth's men. At Graham's gateway a similar attempt was made to got the machines through, but Mr Firth's men, when attempting to fill the ditch, were dragged out, and one of them much beaten. Legal proceedings have commenced for the assaults.

The following is the plan of operations, as ananged by Lord WoKeley, for the relief of Khartoum : — Uenural Karl will collect infantry at Hanuk, and after punishing the murderer.s of Col. Stewart, will proceed to abandon Hained, to open the road across the desert northwaid to Koro^ko, Mounted infantry guards and camel corps will march to convey the train of camels with Jitores to (lokone (?) Jebel (tpUclul, midw.iy between Korti and Shendy. Colonel Su H. Stewart, with guards will remain at Gakdul, while the moiinted infantiy and militia catneN return to Korti, whore the headquarters of the camel coips, artillery and Hussar* then proceed by divert load, vu (iakdul to Shendy, and thence alonpj tlio Nile to Khartoum.