TE AWAMUTU NEWS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2208, 2 September 1886, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU NEWS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Thk shelving of Mr Vaile'a railway suhemo has been received with dissatisfaction here. In your leader of Tuesday you have forcibly pointed out how any loss, which the opponents of the scheme claim would arise, would be more than made up in the increased impetus to [industries and the increase in the value of land. If other papers took the matter up in the same manner, the people of Now Zealand would be able to view it in its proper light. One arguj ment I heard brought forward against it is ; that cheap rates of freight would mean over- [ production and consequent reduction in value of produce. Assuming that to bo the case, farmers would soon reduce tho production until no more than was required were grown. They would then be in a very much better position than they are at present. PGranting that no more produce were grown than at the present time, how very much better off would the producers be if seven or eight shillings a ton on potatoes and a proportionate amount en other produce were saved to them? But this is only for argument's sake, for it is an] undisputed fact that Waikato does not grow anything near as much as is required for the Auckland and adjacent markets, as immense quantities of grain nnd potatoes are imported from Cancerbuiy. It must not be supposed, howevor, that those markets will not be larger than at present, let the country districts be settled and the settlers prosperous, and the cities will increase in prosperity and population also. Let tho district promise to support Mr Vaile's reform in itt* entirety as the sine qua mm for election to the House at tho nc\t general election and the prospect of its adoption will be materially increased. On Friday last, there wai a smait fall of snow on all the ranges in the native country, and in Kihikihi thoio was a heavy shower of hail and slnet. The roads in this district are very bad, and tho rivers and swamp in high Hood, very much higher than at any time during the winter. The members of the Wai pa Racing Club are to be congratulated on the financial position of the club. Not only has it k«pt out of debt, but it has a fixed deposit in the bank. The committee have decided to supply a long felt want, I allude to the erection of booths and a stewards nnd jockeys' room. Purchasers of the privileges at tho next meeting will not liavn to go to tho vexatious trouble of building temporary stands. Some people were inclined to swear at the small prizes offered, and call them paltry, &c, but just as good sport was afforded, but if we had not the fleeting honour of seeing big prizes advertised, we had not the very questionable honour of seeing the club in a moribund state owing to pressure of creditors and the annual increase of a big overdraft, vide tl>H defunct Waikato Turf Club. I use the word "fleeting," for fleeting it would have been, judging by precedent. "Gang warily" is an excellent motto for companies as well as individuals. It will be tinr,o enough to give big prizes when the club ia more firmly established and the much needed improvements effected ; it will be flourishing long after some of its more pretentious rirals are dead and gone. That big autocrat, the Auckland Racing Club, seems determined to snuff out all small country clubs, for what reason it would be hard to imagine. The latest idea in to forbid totalisators attending country meetings unless a certain amount (not yet fixed, as far as I know) of addrd money is criven. JiOOsov*. is the amount fixed for Takapuna, and 200sovs. has been suggested for country clubs, but the A.R.C. Committee have to decide, and of course, judging by their hostility to these institutions they will make it as high as they can. Now, I want to know by what right they presume to decide on the matter. Some say it is on account of malpractices in connection with the totalisators at certain country meetings. If such is the case, fixing tho amount of added money will not guarantee honesty on the part of the stewards of these clubs. Not one of the Waikato Clubs can, I am «ure, be charged with any unfairness at their meetings. Can the A.R. Club hay the same? I have not heard to the contrary, but that may be because " the king can do no wrong."' If we cannot offer as much added money as the committee may fix upon, it will not prevent us finding a machine, for if I mistake not, one will bo found by men independent of Auckland and itK Racing Club.