The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2235, 4 November 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 4,1880.

Ever since the East began to compete in the wheat market of England, Australians have been casting about for some means by which, so to speak, the balance might be restored. The possibility of opening up a trade in woollen goods with the lands of the Orient has long ' been discussed. But it was recog nised early that much time and patience would be required ere the dream could be realised. Wool has never formed the staple of the textile fabrics of Japan, China and India and before, therefore, a really profitable trade could be opened up the prejudices of a large proportion of the population must be overcome. One of the strongest and most persistent advocates for the extension of the woollen trade to the East was the late Mr Monkton Synnot, of Melbourne. Though nothing came of his efforts during his lifetime, it is now more than probable that we are on the eve of a great change in the direction he so ardently desired. The market we want is China. If we could only induce the teeming hordes of that country to change the material of theii' garments and their bed-clothes, a new era of pros-

perity would open up for Australasia, compared with whvh the Golden Age would sink into insignificance. It will dispose us to look more favourably too on the Heathen Chinee himself, who in turn will be vastly benefited by the increased interchange of trade between himself and the outer barbarians. The Chinese are a queer people. The meaning of progress is not understood by thorn. They worship their ancestors, and on that account disdain to know more than they did. They cling to the same manners and custom?, still employ professional matchmakers, use the same agricultural implements which were antiquated before the Christian era, wear the absurd pig-tail, cramp their daughters' feet, and maintain the national aversion to water "with the utmost strictness. As a rule the Chinese never use fires; as the temperature changes so the Chinaman changes his clothes. In cold weather the poorer classes wear cotton wadding and the swells deck themselves out in furs. The respective summer garments are constructed out of gauze or grass cloth and silk. Now, though the Mandarins and big guns generally might turn up their noses at the products of Kaiapoi, Rosslyn and Oamaru, for instance, a cheap woollen fabric is evidently just the thing for the great unwashed — -a term which by-the-bye can be much more widely applied in China than elsewhere. Wool is much lighter and we should say cheaper than wadding, and would answer the purpose much better. What is wanted is that John Chinaman should be brought to see this. Perhaps our object will be accomplished by the power of example. There is more than a good chance that wool will make its way in Japan. To be sure, the characteristics of the two peoples are widely different Japan is budding fortn anew ; a new civilisation, modeled on that of the West, is smothering up the old traditions. The desire ot' the ruling classes is to Europeanise everything, including dress. Here then is an open market, capable of great expansion, for our wool. Nor is the beginning to be made. Not only are flannels in request, but a woollen mill, is actually at work at Senji, in the north. This mill is owned and worked by the Government, 1 and though it is not a brilliant speciman of its kind, it is kept pretty busy and that is the main thing. An effort is not about to be made by the Woolgrower's Association of Australasia to enrry out the scheme advocated by Mr Synnot, namely, the establishment, of a manufactory at Osaka to be worked by native labour under Australian management. According to the Melbourne Argus, the only danger of the enterprise miscarrying "is to be feared from miscalculation and mismanagement, such as lost so much money in the initiation of the frozen meat trade, and it is to be hoped that every precaution will be taken to prevent discouragement arising ("roin this source by the greatest care being taken in setting the project on foot. The WoolgiowerV Association is a powerful and representative public body, but it is the very fact of individual interests in the Association being so small which leaves room for miscalculation and mismanagement." While admitting the force of the Argus' observations let us hops that the bitter experience gained in the frozen meat business, will enable the promoters of the new enterprise to sail around tha dangerous places. r lhey are engaged in an enterprise pregnant with enormous consequences to this quarter of tho globe, the extent and character of which we can only dimly foresee.

The orchards throughout Waikato are, we are glad to know, looking remarkably well, and there is every prospect of an abundant yield.

In another column we print an inteiesting letter on the Saurian, from the the pen of Mr E. Tregear, which appeared in a recent issue of the Wellington Press.

The small steamer Tui, trading between Wellington and Foxton, ran ashore near Chiffen's passage on .Tuesday morning. It is expected that she will be floated again.

The weather still continues broken, and seriously letards out-door woik. Yesterday b-jveral thick showeis fell, but the temperature is high, and the growth of vegetation has not been interfered.

It will be seen from a report in mother column that Mr Thorn. is Wells has definitely decided to retwe from the approaching contest for tho Cambridge mayoralty, owing to the pressure of his business engagement".

The balance to credit left after equaling up the accounts in connection with the late Hunt Club Race Meeting at Cambiidge amounted to the handsome sum of £20, which, as previously agreed upon the committee have handed over to the fund being raised for the liquidation of the debts uf the old Waikato Turf Club.

It will be seen by advertisement that Mr Martin Swallow, assisted by a talented company of vocalists and instru mentalistri, will give a grand conceit at Le (^uesne's Hall, Hamilton, to-night. The performers include MLssStaunton, the wellknown .soprano, and Mr D. B. Russell, the baritone, late of the Emily Melville Opera Company. The company have had a \ery successful season at the Thames and other places.

A rich treat may be expected at St. Andrew's schoolroom, Cambridge, tomorrow evening. A concert will be gi\en by the choir in aid of the chou funds, in which at least two well-known and popular singers are advertised to take part. The choruses, &c, have been in practice, under the able conductor-ship of Mr T. Hattloy, for some time past. The charge for admission has been fixed to suit the times. The performance will begin at 8 o'clock.

A report was current in Cambiidge yesterday tint certain prominent supporters of Mr Gwynneth for the mayoralty had waited upon Major Wilson and intimated to that gentleman that if he consented to stand that Mr (rwynneth would letiie. Wo have made enquiries, and hnd that tho joport rpferred to is devoid of any ftnr.idation. In fact, a requisition to A£ »j n WiKon to st.md for the Cimbndgu mayoral election is being largely signe 1.

The new building of the Auckland Young Men's Chi Mian Association was formally opened and dedicated on Tuesday, in the presence of a very large number of people, who filled the large hall. The President (Rev. J. S. Hill) was in the chair, and clergymen and ministers of different denominations were present and took part in the proceedings. At the close of the ceremony the sum of £58 was collected in aid of the building fund. The Bishop of Auckland was pre\ented fiom attending through indisposition.

The anniversary soiree in connection with Trinity Presbyterian Church was held in the Public Hull, Cambridge, Lust evening, at six o'clock. Thoio was a vpi i largo gathering of mcmbars of tho con .rogation and othor friends fiom till pails of tho district, notwithstanding tho vory stormy state of the weathor. The tables wore provided with an abundance of everything usually found at such gatherings, and were presided over oy Mesdamos J. M. Hally, B. Rhodes, Symond, W. Scott, Brooks, T. Brown, Kincaid, and Sharp. The subscription table was under the presidency of Miss Tillotson and other ladie?. Tho concert was a pronounced success. A detailed account will appear in our next issue. The Post Says :—"A Country Contemporary is responsible for the statement that the Secretary of the Ci\il Service Examination Boaid has just issued a very annoying and decidedly unfair circular to candidates who, having alroidy passed the junior examination, are now about to go up for the senior one. Thin circular informs them that the new Act having been passed, they must go through the junior examination again befoio they can pioseut themselves for tho senior examination. Anything more unjust or absurb it would be difficult to imagine. We can find nothing in the Cml Service Act of last session to justify such a circular. The sooner Sir Robert Stout interferes the better. He should lose no time in cancelling this circular, sweeping the Examination Board and its Secretary out of official existence, and making provision for a pratical, common-sense system of examination, conducted by the Lduca tion Department."

The adjourned quarterly meeting of the parishioners of S. Peter's Church was held in the Public Hall, Hamilton, last ovening. There were about 40 members present. Mr Swarbrick read the quarterly report, which, while showing a slight deficiency in the revenue from what had been anticipated, was on tho whole satisfactory, and showed that the new system was working fairly well. With a slightly increased effort on the part of the congregation it should be as successful as its warmest supporters could wish. Mr Swarbrick entered into the fullest details with regard to the art angements for the Fancy Fair to be held during Christmas week for the purpose of relieving the church and parsonage of the debt of £200 at present existing, and after the matter had been fully discussed, it was agie3d that the arrangements wore in such a forward condition, and the plans of the committee had been so fully thought out and matured, that there could be no donbt that the entertainment would r^ali?e their most sanguine expectations and ought to attract large numbers of people from all parts of tfie di-strict. The committee have no doubt that they will be able to make satisfactory arrangements with the railway authorities for the running of cheap excursion trains. One of the most noticeable features in the entertaiument will be a Chiiitinas pantomime, in which about GO children will take part. A May-pole dance will also take place on Sydney Square during tne afternoon of each day, which will be performed by about 40 children.

At the Police Court, Auckland, on Tuesday, Charles W. Limestone, on remand from Monday, was charged with feloniously uttering with intent to defraud, a cheque for £10 upon the Union Bink of Australia, on August 17. Mr W. R. Franklin appeared for the accused. Sergeant Pratt conducted the case for the prosecution. Thomas Brown Kannaford, accountant and collector, knew the accused in July last, and did a large quantity of writing and correspondence for him in July and August. Accused was indebted to him in the sum of £2. He called at his office on August lfl, and gave him a cheque tor him to collect. Witness said it was a useless bit of paper, as it was a post-dated cheque, and crossed. Langstone said it was a good cheque, and he had done business with him before, and was expecting a large sum of money from home. Witness could not decipher the signature Witness gave the accused 5s on the security of the cheque. He kept it'till near the due date, August 24, and then gave it to Mr Probert. It was returned to him marked " name unknown." In crossexamination the witness said he had upwards of £200 in debts to collect. He gave him the cheque as security for the os, to be paid when the cheque was matured. William Probine, foreman in Mr Rew's store, Victoria-stieet, knew the accused, who called on August 18, and enquired for a box of tea. Lansrstone asked for a blank cheque, and on getting it said he would return in a few minutes, but did not do so. The cheque was the document (produced), and was tgken from the block produced, Hugh White Ferguson, legei keeper, Union "Rank of Austialia, deposed that the cheque (produced) was presented on August 21. It was returned markel " name unknown.'' He could not recognise the signature, and there was no account in that name. Mr Franklin addressed the Court, contending that there was no case against the accused. Hi-* Worship considered the evidence insufficient and dismissed the charge. An application was made by counsel for an order of the Court to have certain documents in possession of the police returned. Sergeant Pratt promised to have them handed over s-o soon as they came back from the Waikato. It seemed that the accused was in custody on a sentence of obtaining n.oney hy false pretences.—Herald.