TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2434, 16 February 1888, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

Sugar Bekt.— A few weeks ago an Auckland business man was round here, and in conversation one evening, lie said the idea o£ starting a sugar mill in Waikato, was not abandoned, and if a sufficient quantity were grown, sly 2,500 acres, a mill would be erected. All that would be required of the farmers, was to give a guarantee they would grow a certain number of acres each for two years, I hey would not be asked to put any money into the business, simply to grow the beet. We spoke to several farmers on the matter, anil all expressed their willingness to grow some, on conditions that the price was fairly remunerative, IDs a ton, the price offered by the pronators appeared to meet with their approval, some said that even if it did not give them a very large return for their outlay it would pay in the direction of improving their land and preparing it for grain crops. A sufficient quantity of land could be devoted to the culture of beet close to the railway and Waipa river, and if a two years' trial proved satisfactory to the company, factories could be built at different centres. Should matters be brought to a successful issue and a factory built, all considerations of local jealousy should be laid aside and the mill built in some place which would command a large district. If the settlers along the Waipa are willing to grow the beet, Xgavnnwnhia would be a most suitable place as it would be accessible by rail and river. Failing any support from those settlers, then Frankton would be a good position. But as Waikatn is eminently suitable for beet culture, no particular place would have a monopoly of the industry if it proved profitable, for in a few years factories would be at work in other places. The time for establishing such an industry is riper, for in view of the low prices ruling for all farm produce, fanners are compelled to look seriously at their position, and any reasonable prospect of improving would be hailed with pleasure. They have, however, been so often disappointed in schemes that were promoted for their benefit that they will not rush into anything new till they have weighed the matter well, and in this ease the promoters will have to supply full information for no one seems to know whether the price spoken of is for beet delivered at the station or the mill. Tub King Country Limestone,—The limestone does not appear to be so refractory and contains a much greater percentage of lime than was at first supposed. A chemical test gave a return of almost 100 per cent of lime and q. test in a brick I>iln gave a very satisfactory return. Subjected to the heat of an ordinary stove or open fire it underwent little or no change, but a piece put into his kiln by Mr North turned out splendidly. It would be worth while trying a load of,it, for if it can be successfully burnt it will be very valuable to the whole of tho district, at least that which is close to the railway line. Accident at WArriirr.— A man named Samuel Hunter met with a nasty accident on Thursday while blasting on one of the contracts. He lit two fuses and in throwing the match away behind him it fell into tho vessel from which he took the blasting powder for the charges. The powder of course exploded, knocking li'unter down and severely burning him about the legs, body and face. One of his mates, seeing the accident rushed to Hunter's assistance, and carried him away before the blasts went off. The man is deserving of the highest praise for his bravery, for had the blasts gono off while he was picking Hunter up. both men would have been blown to pieces. People will .say, "Oh, anyone would havo done the same." Perhaps so, but none the less does the man deserve the highest commendation for liir, act of bravery.