SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1886.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2182, 3 July 1886, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1886.

In another column will be found the letter of a correspondent suggesting a compromise between those who would maintain the present unrestricted system of running cattle at large on the streets of our local towns, and those who, for various reasons, whether risks from the trespassing of cattle in gardens and orchards, or the danger of riding or driving over cattle on the roads at night, desire to have them driven off the run altogether. The motion brought forward in the Hamilton Borough Council recently, to put the cattle off the streets, met with strong opposition, though probably as numerously signed a petition as that got up in opposition to the measure could have been obtained in favour of it if the attempt had been made. Opinions are pretty evenly divided, and the extremists on the one side declare that if the Borough Council will not deal with the matter, they will themselves subscribe, employ a ranger, and under the powers of the Public Works Act and Public Offences Act, impound every head of cattle found on the public roads. Now, we should be sorry to see extreme measures such as this resorted to, and equally sorry to see the Borough Council fall short of its duty by neglecting to devise that happy mean which would give protection to the owners of cultivated gardens and orchards on the one hand, and bear as lightly as possible in doing so on those who depend on the feed growing on our roads and lands, and on the numerous un fenced acres in the town tor the maintenance of their cattle — that is, of such cows as may ho necessary for

the use of their families. We have no sympathy witfi those who make the borough roads a cattle run for the purpose of raising and maintaining store stock, monopolising the feed and, by rendering it Scarce, causing the cattle on the run to be as mischievous as too many of them are). We do, however, think that all circumstances taken into account, some little consideration should be shown to those ratepayers who may wish to keep cows for family use, and that it would be neither expedient nor desirable that so large an amount of feed as must necessarily be available in a town comprising some 1,500 acres of land, most of which consists of by-lanes and unenclosed lots, should be left to waste. Some reform in the present system is, we believe, imperatively called for and can no longer be staved off. But let it take such a form as to secure the object gained, and inflict no real hardship on any one. If, as it has been suggested, cattle were allowed only on the roads by day there would be little danger to gardens and orchards, and none to travellers ; but as very many would have no paddocks in which they could herd their cows by night, it becomes absolutely necessary in such cases, that the borough should provide these. On the east side of .the river are two reserves, the one below the bridge, bounded by Bridge-, street, the river, and the main road as far as the school house. The other, above Coates landing and between the river and the Cambridge road. On the west side are the two domain sections near the river and a piece of land near the cemetery. If these blocks were converted into night paddocks they would provide ample feed for the restricted number of cows whose owners would be likely to use them. The cows would be provided with more feed than now ; owners would know where to find them the first thing in the morning, and would not have far to send, as these paddocks would He near the extreme ends of the town r on either side the river. Such a plan, as sketched out, would, we believe, be to the advantage of all, and while securing a protection to property, which the cultivators of gardens and other lands have a right to demand, would give to the owners of cows a more general and profitable enjoyment of the feed within the borough boundary than they now possess, where their cows at present have to struggle for a living with herds of half-fed store stock. Granted that the commonage is a right which the present owners of acres have purchased from the original grantees, it is none the less necessary, even in their own interests, that regulations should be made for preserving a fair share of such commonage to each individual entitled to enjoy it. Now, this is just what the plan proposed would secure, while it would sweep away the abuses which have been allowed to grow up. Extreme measures on either side will only lead to ill-feel-ing, and whichever side wins the day a wrong will be left rankling in the minds of the unsuccessful party. Cultivated gardens and orchards, established at much cost of time, labour and money, cannot be left as now to the mercy of breachy cattle, or a gate left open accidentally or otherwise after dark, nor can pedestrians or those riding or driving be left to the chance of accident by night from cattle lying on the pathways and roads. On the other hand there is little doubt that whether the owners of town lots have or have not been deprived of right of commonage by the enclosure and lease of the town belts, they are at any rate entitled to consideration, and should not be lightly deprived of the use which has been so long enjoyed of the feed growing on the by-lanes and unenclosed lands, so long as bucli privilege can be prevented from becoming a public nuisance and abuse. Such a plan as has been sketched out will, we think, meet all the requirements of the case.

Ix the Legislative Council on Thursday the Small Birds Nuisance Bill, a measure providing machinery for exterminating the feathered tribe wholesale, was thrown out, on the very just ground that the birds are the friends rather than the enemies of the farmer. The opponents of the Bill admitted that the sparrows are bad, but in exercising their memories they came to the conclusion that the caterpillars were a great deal worse, and so the poisoners have been thwarted.

Jurisdiction In the RM. Courts in Waikato has been increased to £100, dating from the Ist of this month.

A meeting of the Kirikiriroa Road Board was held yesterday, but the only business transacted was the passing of a few contractors' accounts.

A fire broke out in Hobson-street, Auckland yesterday morning, which destroyed a block of four shops. The property of the trustees of the late Mr Rutherford.

Comander Edwin wired at 3.30 p.m. yesterday : — Expect bad weather between north and east and southeast within 12 hours from now, glass further fall and indications show rain.

The Yen. Archdeacon Clarke is expected in Alexandra to-day, and will take the services in St. Saviour's Church tomorrow (Sunday). On Monday or Tuesday he goes on to Te Awamutu w and Kihikini to visit the natives there.

The death is announced of Mr William Rovve, well known as having formerly occupied the post of manager of the Caledonian and Moanataiari mines. He also represented the Thames in Parliament for a few sessions. Death was the reBult of a severe cold.

A meeting of the Waikato Horticultural Society was held at Hamilton on Thursday to discuss the draft Codhn Moth Act Amendment Bill. The meeting lasted several hours, .and the whole question was gone into carefully. The draft bill was considerably altered, and it was resolved to forward copies of it to each member of the Legislature. The amended Bill will appear in our next.

The following are the names of the team to represent Cambridge in the football match to be played at Cambridge to • day : — E. Pilling, (captain), Moon, M. Morrisey, H»nnon, Pearson, Roberts, Dillon, Carnachan, G. McCann, J. McCann, Paltridge, Parry, Pritt, Morrfasey, Souter. Emergencies : Richardson and A. Chambers. Players _are requested to roll up at 2.30 sharp.

At a meeting of the Oxford Football Club, held at Oxford, on June 30th. Mr F. Caiterin the chair, the following propositions were unanimously curried :— (1) That Mr W. S. Devery act as captain : (2) That this club accepts the Lichfield team's challenge to play a match on Friday, July 2nd, at Lichtield ; (3) That the combined teams have a special dinner prepared by Mr Ueany to partake of after the match; (4) That they finish up with a dance to be held in Mr Heany's "hall. Mr D. Fallon gratuitously offers a conveyance to take the (.Kford team to Liohliekl.— (Correspondent).

The residence of Mr Townsend, Hamilton East, had a narrow escape from destruction yosteiday afternoon. The kitchen chimney got on tire, and the sparks fell thickly on the shingle roof. Fortunately Mr T. G. SandeH happened to bo pausing at tho time, and he, with great promptitude and presence of mind, and without alarming the neighbourhood, at once procured a ladder and some sacks, and with the assistance of Mrs Townsend and one or two people who happened to be near, removed the cause of danger in a very short time.

In the House on Thursday, several measures were advanced a stage. Major Steward moved the second rending of the Educational Franchise Bill, which proposes to give women a vote in the election of school committee, and abolish the cumulative vote. After some discussion the motion was agreed to. Tho House went into committee on the l)og Registration Act Amendment Bill, which proves fur increasing the tax from 10d to £1. Progress w»s reported in order that a clause might bo prepared to moot the objections of the Maori members, who demanded that the Bill should be made to apply to sporting dogs only.

Mr Vereker Bindon's lecture on " Food " under the auspices of the Hamilton Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society, at the Public Hall, on Thursday night was very well attended. About 150 persons were present, including a number ot ladies. The chair was occupied by Mr P. E. Stevens. The lecture was of a most instructive and entertaining character and was listened to with evident interest. During the evening tho Misses Bampbell and Murray played a pianoforte duet, Miss Trewhealler sang " When sparrows build " Miss W. Murray contributed " Waiting" and Mr|A. Svvarbrick gave "The three jolly sailor boys."

Mr J. D. Arnaboldi, of Cambridge, has patented a simple yet ingenious contrivance in the shape of an improvement to the ordinary kerosene syphon commonly in use. At the bend of the syphon is a tube which leads into the tin, or any other vessel that may be required to be emptied. A circular piece ot metal, with a soft felt lining is placed about half-way up the tube so as to render the orifice made in the tin air tiirht. By blowing down the tube the pressure of air on the liquid forces it up the pipe of the syphon, and so the nece*bity of tilling the syphon is obviated. The improved syphons are finding a ready sale in Cambridge.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitoa Road Board took place la^t Friday. Present : Me^rs Chepmell (chairman, Horrell, Rose, and Seddon. The engineer reported that the tender of Mr M. ODonoghue, £10 19s, had been accepted for repairing the road between the railway crossing and the approach to the bridge in Te Aroha township ; that the bridge over Johnson's Creek on the Stanley road has been raised and the approaches tilled in ; and that Johnson's Civek extension drain is far advanced, and is expected to be finished in about a month. It w.is decided to get several small jobs attended to at once, and as soon as the weather will admit the engineer will call for tenders for the work decided so be done to repair the road leading to Te Mimi from Mornnsville. It was decided to make a general rate of a half penny for the current year. Accounts amounting to £38 Gs 3d were passed for payment.