AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2074, 22 October 1885, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justicr to all men, 01 whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain. Unawcd by influence and unbnbed by gain.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 1885.

If there is grave cause for anxiety in the present dulness of trade and agriculture, it is at the same time cheering to note that thoughtful men are dilligently seeking a remedy. The other day we printed a noteworthy letter from the pen of Mr Graham, and to-day we give insertion to one written by Mr Murray, of Piako. The issues raised in the former were, it must be admitted, vast, but they deserve on that very account to be carefully weighed. Apart from the proposed change in the currency, Mr Graham pins his faith to co-operation as the sovereign remedy for our commercial disease. He is strongly imbued with this idea, so much so indeed, that it will be found to be the foundation stone of every scheme which he has propounded for the relief of the national depression. Mr Murray, on the other hand, professes to have discovered tho long needed panacea in reform of our local government system. Both are in earnest in their endeavours, but they work in different grooves. We are free to admit that the need for reform in our local government system is a pressing one. But, though the existing method is cumbrous and unsatisfactory, caution should be exercised in making a change. B.ul .13 the present system is, we might get worse. To say the least for it, it is iniinitely better than Provincialism, as we knew it. Prudence dictates that changes should be wrought .slowly, taking experience as the guide. Mr Murray would like to abolish the present order of tilings altogether, and substitute for it an entirely different system. We are not prepared to say that the change would not be beneficial : very likely it would : but before we consent to its adoption there ought to be no doubt about it in our minds. But, be this as it may, wo question whether reform in government would have tho immediate effect of making us richer. Presuming that the revenues of the colony would bo disbursed more economically, that the administration would be purer, and that the railwayswould be worked (as it is alleged they are not now), in the interests of the people, we fail to see how all this would increase our income to the extent Mr Murray appears to anticipate. Supposing that some magician's wand could suddenly bring about the transformation — and that is about the only way it could bo done — we should all be better and happier and richer, no doubt ; but does it not sound a little like crying for the moon to ask for it ? Mr Murray does not believe in the conjuring up visions of remote prosperity. Ho seeks a present benefit ; but his method of procedure is, to say the least, a little odd. Let it be clearly understood that we do not depreciate his efforts in the direction of reform. He is on perfectly safe ground so long as he makes reform the object aimed at. But when he strives to prove that reform in the machinery of government will fill our purses and cause us all to sing tor joy, he, to our thinking, follows a will o' the wisp. Humanity is far too prone to lay the blame for ererything on the skoulders of the

Government. There are people in the world who are half inclined to put down the occurrence of floods and deficient harvests to bad government. Mr Murray wants the farmers to form caucuses, and "boss elections ; but what the farmer wants, having done his duty honestly by his land, is a market for his produce. How will he best secure this advantage? Through the medium of government reform, or by means of co-operation 1 Let the farmers combine and form associations by all means, but let their efforts be directed not so much towards pure politics as to devising measures whereby they may get a profitable price for their beef, their mutton, their wool, and their wheat.

The directors of the Cambridge Jam Factory will hold a board meeting on Tuesday next, when it is proposed to make an allotment of the shares that have been applied for. It is fully anticipated that the desired amount of capital will have been subscribed, and that the directors will be in a position to proceed with active operations, and call for tenders for the erection of the necessary buildings and supply of plant and working requisites. Mr Thomas Wells, the chairman of the board of directors, is at present in Auckland, and is devoting time and attention to collecting the latest ideas on the working of jam factories, and all other useful information bearing on the trade and manufacture in every branch, for the use and guidance of the Cambridge factory. We have no doubt also he will take advantage of being in town to place a goodly number of shares amongst the business people of Auckland. The creation of legitimate local industries is everywhere recognised as of paramount importance to the commercial progress of the colony, and the efforts in that direction which the settlers of the Waikato have exhibited of late, have gone a long way towards raising them in the estimation of the mercantile community of other portions of the Auckland province, besides drawing additional attention to our own district. We are given to understand that, stimulated by the example shown by the Cambridge Jam Factory, an appli cation has been received from Gisborne, asking for information on the proposed scheme, as the good folks in the latter place are inclined to move in a similar direction. Our readers are aware that the company has been offered a. most admirable site for its buildings by the Cambridge Town Board. The question, however, has been raised whether the board has power to dispose of its property without putting it up to public competition at auction. We have no doubt of the correctness of the point raised as a question of legality. At the same time, taking into consideration the object the board had in view when it decided to literally endow the Jam Company with the proposed allotments, namely, the encouragement of a local industry which is destined to confer very large benefits on the town and district, we do not imagine anyone will be found to traverse the intentions of the board by competing against the company, should the land be submitted to auction. Again, we urge on all classes of settlers to assist in carrying this very laudable project to a success, and those who have not yet applied for shares should do so at once, before the list closes on Tuesday next.

The usual fortnightly sitting of the Cambridge R.M. Court will bo held to morrow,

An adjourned meeting of the Waipa Racing Club member* will be held in Mr Lewis' Hotel on Saturday evening at 8 o'clock.

The Key. H. R. Dewsbury delivered a lecture on "Thomas B&binpton, first and last Baron Mac.inlajr " in the C<tmbnd^o Public Hall last night. There was a good attendance.

A meeting of those interested in carrying out the usual Hamilton Boxing Day sports will be hold at the Royal Hotel, on Saturday evening next, at haltpast seven.

Intelligence was received at Auckland on Tuesday of thu death, on the previous day, of Mr Richard Keals, the well-known architect. Mr Reals had been ailmp for ni.my years past, and went to England in search of health.

We are pleased to. hear that the Right Rev. Bishop Luck is improving in health. Hn Lordship was » pa-isenger to Kihikihi yesterday, on a \ isit to his brother, the Key. Father Luck, 0.5.8. He will not return to Auckland for Home days.

The meeting of shareholders of tho Cambridge Dairy Produce and Bwjon Factory will bo held this afternoon, when tho important question of uulk supply will bo considered. A full attendance of ahareholdors is oxpected.

There was no meeting of the Cambridge Road Board on Saturday last, thero boinfc no business of interest to dispose of. The T»»taoroa Board mot m tho forenoon, when some accounts were passed for payment. There \ras no other business.

Mr W. Aitken, of Auckland, telegraphed yesterday that ho would be unable to act as valuer in the matter of Mr Seddon's claim for compensation for land taken for public purposes by the Borough of Hamilton. The committee of the council met yesterday, and resolved to coinmuniotto with another Auckland gentleman.

The weather has been very changeable of lato, the temperature varying considerably from day to day. A quantity of rain fell on Tuesday and the weather has since been cool, but vegetation has not been checked, and we havo not heard of any d<unngo done to the orchards. The prospects of the fruit harvent are very encouraging.

Wesleyan Home Mission services will be held by tho Rev. W. (Jittos at Hamilton on Sunday morning and evening, mid at Hukanui in tho afternoon. Public meeting)* in connection with tho Miohion will be held at Ngaruawahia on Tuesday, the 27th, Hamilton <m tho 28th, Hukanui on tho 2!) th, and at Huntly on tha 30th, when addrosßßH will bo delivcied by tho Roy. \V. Gittos and others.

We again remind our readers that the Hoiree and concert to welcome the Rnv. J. S. Boyd, the new pastor of tha Hamilton Prenbyterian Church, takes place in tho Oddfellows' Hall this evening. Tea will bo on tho tables at 6 o'clock, and the concert will commence at a quarter to 8. The chair will be occupied by Capt. Hteele. The induction semce, to which friends are invited, will take place in tho church at 3 o'clock this afternoon.

The General Gordon Good Temlar Lodge held an open mooting in the Oddfellow'H Hall, Cambridge, on Monday evening. There was a vory Rood attendance of the brethren and their friend*. The evening wai taken up with addresses, reading, recitation and musical selections. The gathering was of a successful character, and may bo considered the forerunner of

many more such entertainments under the autpicen of the lodge. The Rev. \V. Evans occupied the chair.

The anniversary services in con nectmn with the Hamilton congregation of the New Zealand Evangiilmtic Association, meeting at Le Queine's Hall, will bo held on Sunday next. Mr Aldridge will conduct the services, particular* of which appear in our bu«inBs» columns. On Monday evening there will be a tea and martin,?, at which addrc^se* will be given by Mr Aldridge and others. On Tuesday evening Mr Aldridge will lecture on the Book of Daniel. The lecture will bo illustrated by a large chai t. 4

We have to acknowledge the recoipt of the October numbur of th.it tnoHt excellent Atmtralian inagazmo, "Once a Month," a publication which Rains in interest with ei»ch issue. The current nunibtT contain*, among other things, * biographical notice of the late Marcus Clarke, with finoly-oxocuted portrait, tho usual serial tales, an illustrated account of a trip to Mount Gambier, S.A., * notice of a WelMi Eisteddfod, sketch of HughConway.monthly notcH, &,c, &c. The magazine deserves a place in every family circle.

A correspondent, who 1 desires to conceal his identity, writes : — On Monday, the Paterangi Factory commenced opeiations for the season, but only very little milk wai received, as the milk suppliers naturally wish to know whether 2d per gallon is all they are to get for last season's milk Define they commence a new season. It seems also very strange that no annual meeting has been held nor report of last year's proceeding!* published us required by the Companies Act, before a new loason is commenced.

No information has yet been re* ceived as to the whereabouts or the fate of Clements, who left Wautu last week. He has left many friends behind who lament not only his absence but his acquaintance. He had been very liberal with his favour^ which amount in nil tomany hundred poundi Kirns of his friends in the depth of their grief, are keeping an anxious eye on the booms at Cambridge, where through some unaccountable reaion he has not yet arrived. Some incline to think that hii unfortunate remains havo drifted up btream, which perhap* is more likely after all.

The certificates awarded at the lato scholarship examination, and also the certificates for tho late standard examination for tho Hamilton West School, were on Tuesday afternoon presented to the •uccessful candidates by Mr Hume, the chairman of the school committee. Before presenting the certificates Mr Hume took uccauion to compliment tho school on the fact that, although no scholarship had fallen to the lot of any of the pupils this year, still the number of certificates of proficiency gained by the school had reached far above the averse. The passing* for the standard examinations had also kept up to the usunl high rate of percentage, and thin was a nutter for congratulation, and redounded to the credit of the licid master, Mr Murray, and his assistant staff. Mr Humo counselled the children to be diligent in their work and regul.ir in their attendance, without which the efforts of their teachers would avail little, and as the school had for many previous yean held a very distinguished position for the proficiency of its scholars, ho trusted those children now attending this school would do their best to maintain the honours gained by former pupils.