TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2284, 1 March 1887, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

[j-'HOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] The amusing pastime of orchard robbing is not by any means con lined to Hamilton.' Mr J. H. "Scott's orchard at Paterangi has been visited several times by those individuals who have only a vague idea of the laws of meum and tnnin. The thefts are all the meaner from the fact that Mr Scott is most generous with his fruit, refusing no one who asks him for some, but on the principal I suppose that stolen waters are sweet they prefer being guilty of the crime of theft to asking openly for what they desire. On Sunday evening the theives were disturbed at their work about 7 o'clock, and were closely pursued by one of Mr Scott's men and a friend who was staying at the house. .Mr Scott was away from home at the time, and on his return was told of the occurence. In a couple of hours the scamps returned, thinking all was quiet. Mr Scott and another got out softly and lay in wait in the direction in which the theives made their escape previously, bnt they must have been seen or heard, for when another went into the orchard to start them off into the unfriendly embrace of Mr Scott and his friend they took an opposite course, and got off clear. Monday night saw them backagain,but I fancy preparationsare being made that will result in their being identified. If they are they will make their bow in due course to Captain Jackson. A reward of £10 is offered for such information as will lead to their conviction. I sincerely hope they will be caught aud punished, for it is too bad that people cannot enjoy the fruit of their labour and expense in making an orchard without having it stolen.

Owing to the long continued drought I fear the exhibits of roots at the Morti cultural Show will not ba very good, and, with the exception of those grown in pots, I am afraid flowers will not be very good either. The potato crop is a failure again this year, so that the farmers who have no grain, have rather a black prospect; beef and mutton no longer are a source of profit, so that potatoes and cereals are all tiiat are left to derive a revenue from. Dairying seems to have gone to the bad altogether, as some of the storekeepers know to their cost; some of them have lost heavily this summer on butter. The great drawback to this blanch of business is the utter absence of any attempt at classification of butter. The man who supplies butter which could be most conveniently carried in bottles expects the same price as the man who makes a good article. The intensely hot weather has been very unfavourable to dairymen, but there is at the same time a very marked difference in the produce of some dairies. In some cases tho butter is good and sweet for several days, but in others it turns rancid in a few hours. If people were paid by results it would make them more careful. If we should ever export butter to Brazil or elsewhere it would never do to send any but that which was made in a factory.

I see that large shipments of ova are to be sent to New Zealand from Scotland. Could we not get some sent to some of the streams in this district? The other island and the southern portion of this have been well stocked ; we could do with some in Waikato. None of our lakes are suitable for trout, because there are no streams falling into them in which the fish could spawn ; and also because, owing; to their swampy nature there is too much decayed vegetable matter in them ; but though the lakes may not be suitable, many of the streams are. If these were well stocked, less money would be sent out of the colony annually for tinned fish. The practice of planting willows along the banks of the creeks cannot, from an angler's standpoint, be too much deprecated. No doubt the trees would materially assist in keeping the water cool, which is all the better for the fish, but at the same time they would effectually prevent fishing with a fly. The annual harvest thanksgiving will be held here on the 20th of next month—three days after the show. The selection of this day exhibits a considerable, amount of worldly wisdom, for it is the very best opportunity that could be got to obtain liberal contributions of fruit and other things. They will be on the ground, and there would be no trouble in taking them down to the church. Well, I hope those who fixed the date will bo rewarded by having the largest contributions ever offered here. The objects to which the offerings are devoted are good, for all the fruit and vegetables are sent to the hospital and charitable institutions ; and I hope that out of their abundance, orohardists will give to their less fortunate fellow oreatures. Many a hot mouth and parched tongue would be cooled by a few grapes or plums, and many a feverish patient would be grateful for some which want of means prevents them buying. Let those who have fruit think of this, and remember that in such cases—could they only be present to see how thankfully it would be accepted— the giver would derive even more pleasure; than the receiver. Knowing the object, I hope the appeal for contributions made by the Rev. Mr Boler last Sunday will be liberally responded to.