The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2223, 7 October 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equdl and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 1886. * The proposal of the Borough Council of Hamilton to erect public abattoirs is likely to be warmly taken up. The country settlers who assembled at Hamilton yesterday to meet the Mayor and council were not only unanimous — they were quite enthusiastic, and they are not men famed for running after shadows or for deluding themselves with will-o'-the-wisps. The result of the meeting is only what we expected it would be. The farmers of Waikato and the surrounding districts have long since arrived at the conclusion that the happy-go-lucky method of disposing of their cattle does not pay, and times are not so prosperous that they can afford to keep on playing a losing game. The principal difficulties hitherto standing in the way have been, iirst , the question of site, and, secondly, the question of finance. The Hamilton Borough Council have cut the first knot by offering a most advantageous site alongside the railway station at Hamilton, and have overcome the second obstacle by agreeing to find all the money required for the erection of suitable buildings. The farmers therefore have nothing to do but to accept the goods provided for them. We have remarked that the Borough Council settled the question of site, but it is not to be inferred from this that the question of site is in dispute at all. All present at yesterday's meeting were agreed that Hamilton is the proper place, and Mr Rich, in his letter, an extract from which was read by Captain Steele, speaks very decidedly upon this point. It is to be regretted that no representative from the Upper Waipa country attended, imt we do not doubt that, as »«'p lrds this q lestion, tne settlers i:i *ljat>

district will be at one with Mi : Walker, Mr Fisher, Mr Reynold., and Mr Rich. In regard to the question of railway freight, we do not anticipate that this will prove to be an obstruction. The remarks which fell from several of those present respecting the anomalies of the tariff wore to the point, but we do not think even the rates for the carriage of dead meat now obtaining are an insuperable barrier to the establishment of public abattoirs in Waikato. The additional price received for a fat beast under the new order of things would more than counterbalance the extra charge for conveying it to the Auckland market, not to speak of other advantages, such as the retention in the district of the offal, hides, and so forth. But Mr Hudson, on behalf of the department, gave an assurance th;it a reduction in freights would be made, and once the thin end of the wedge is inserted we shall no doubt be able to drive it in an inch or two further. One other matter calls for a word or two of comment. It is satisfactory to note that those interested in the new undertaking do not intend to tilt against legitimate existing interests. The term may be taken to include the businesses of the auctioneor or stock agent and the retail butcher in the city. Against the cattle jobber and illegitimate rings of all sorts and descriptions we trust a vigorous "warfare will be waged, but there is nothing to be gained and a great deal of time and money to be lost in attempting to deprive the middleman of his just and reasonable profits. The clearer the farmers make known their intentions in this regard the easier will be the task which they have set themselves. Let it be understood that what they want is not that which of right belongs to others, but that which clearly is their own, namely, the market price per hundred pounds for every hundred pounds of meat they sell.

The Bank of New Zealand has subscribed £50 towards the proposed Wellington institution for the aged and needy. Hamilton footballers are reminded that the match with Htintly takes place on Sydney Square at a quarter to two o'clock on Saturday. Mr W. M. Hay proceeded to Matamata yesterday, for the purpose of adjusting some differences between the natives and Mr Firth. The Auckland Bell says the alligator story from Waikato grows considerably larger. The " beast " has killed a child. It will next have devoured the whole population. The Pakuranga hounds will meet at Cambridge to-day at 11 a.m., and at the same place at 2.30. on Saturday. They will meet at Kihikihi on Monday, the 11th, at noon. At the second day's racing of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Meeting yesterday Liberty won the Handicap Hurdle Race. There were 240 investors inside, two being on the winner, who received the nice little dividend of £103 10s ; the outside dividend was £153 9d. The Timara poisoning case is likely to take a more serious aspect. From a telegram in another column it will be seen that traces of antimony have been found in the body of the late Capt. Cain, the prisoner's brother-in-law, who was nursed in his last illness by the prisoner Houston. It will be observed by a telegram received last evening from Sydney that the man Joe Adams, who was arrebted on suspicion of having committed the murder at the Great Barrier, has confessed that he is Caff rey. He states that Perm and the girl have been drowned, but his statement is believed not to be correct, and the New South Waies police are scouring the country in search of Perm. The residents of Ngaruawhia and surrounding districts will have an opportunity offered them this evening of seeing Mr .Reids Limelight Panorama and concert company. Ths coloured views, which number about 100, will be shown by powerful limelight, andjwill,be accompanied by songs, duets &c. We remind those interested in Scotch scenery not to miss this opportunity, as the panorama is well worth seeing. The fencing of the domain allotments at Hamilton East, recently leased will be proceeded with at once. Yesterday the first lot of posts were received on the ground, and the rest of the material will follow at once, so that no delay will take place, and the lessees will be able to put in their crops in seasonable time. The commonages, too, on either side of the river will be fenced in, and be available for cattle within the next three weeks. A correspondent at Raglan, who has evidently been hard hit, thus writea to the Editor : — Sir, — A report has been circulated in this district, whether correct or not I cannot say, that the Government intend levying a tax of ten pounds a year on every bachelor over twenty-one years of age. If this is the case, I think it very unfair. Several bachelors in this district have been trying for several years to get a wife, but without success. Many others are not in a position to marry, and if a heavy tax is enforced upon them they will never be in a position. But I think a tax of this description should be levied upon all old maids or girls over twenty-one years of age. If they nad an annual tax to pay, perhaps they would not be quite so independent. lam a bachelor myself, and unable to obtain a wife, and I think it rather hard that I and others should be taxed because we are leading a free and independent life. Many young men will leap before they look, and the consequence will probably be a wretched future for both. We have received the following document from a Rangiriri correspondent who signs himself "One of Mr Seddon's insolent petitioners " : — Sir, — At last meeting of Waikato Council, Councillor Johnson was granted the use of the plans of Casby's cutting. Acting on their instructions, the clerk, Mr McPherson, requested Mr Sandes to furnish them, and received the reply that Mr Gwynneth had them. That gentleman says Mr Sandes has them. Mr Sandes evidently admits this falsehood, and says he has mislaid them. Now, I appeal to you, Mr Editor, and all impartial readers if this is not sheer shuffling on Mr Sandes' part to burk an honest enquiry by the ratepayers of this riding to see where their rates are spent, and he (Sandes) is backed up by the chairman and councillors, Mr Seddon adding insult to injury by saying it is impertinence to question the honesty and veracity of this modern Annanies, and says forsuth he has been aprised. But if to question shuffling and misrepresentation is impertinent in Mr Seddon's estimation, his insolent scoff at the petitioners is no scandej. It seems to me Mr Sandes is chairman and councillors combined ; that although a paid servant he appears to be Grand Vizier of the lot, Mr Seddon and the chairman's weak penetration mistaking his bombastic utterances for ,\visdoin. His refusal to give their clerk the plans is another evidence that there is something to hide, but the plans is virtually tho propei ty of this uding, and if the council will not them should surely be some remedy to compel him to give them up. That s\)ch a state of affairs exist in a public body is a disgrace to their intelligence, or they would either compel him to obey their orders or dismiss him for his insobordiaation.

The Paterangi Cricket Club will moet for practice on Saturday in Mr Germann's field, at 1 o'clock. Mr J. IT. Cocks, auctioneer, will soil at Te Aroha at 2 p.m. on Monday next, in the bankrupt estate of James On 1 , 2 draught horses and harness, and 1 dray.