The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY, MARCH 87, 1880.

of such a class of settlers would be to tliis colony. It is an admitted fact that very little real farming is carried on, especially in the North Island, and the class of men whom Messrs Grant and Foster represent who farm at home from one to three thousand acres, would, if they could, establish themselves in suitable holdings in this country probably be the means of raising a standard of farming very much above that which now obtains here. They would, moreover, be large employers of labour, which is undoubtedly what we shall require in the times coming. Messrs Grant and Foster have just returned from the Aroha, where they have made a careful examination of the Government lands now open for selection there. They were accompanied on their tour by Mr Roche, who, like them would, if sufficient inducement offered, recommend many gentlemen of his position to immigrate to this country. Mr Roche, who is a cousin of Lord Fermoy, has managed the Fermoy estates for many years past, and has himself been possessor of large holdings, being of course a man of considerable influence in his own country, has it in his power to introduce many desirable men of his own standing, who from the present serious state of affairs in Ireland, would be glad to immigrate to any country where a reasonable prospect would be held out to them that they would occupy a position equivalent to that they have been enjoying. All three gentlemen expressed themselves pleased with the quality of the soil at the Aroha,, and taking into consideration the fact that the railway will soon be extended into that district, and the natural advantages which it possesses as to scenery, probability of trout and salmon fishing in the not distant future, and good shooting, they consider it would be a highly desirable locality to settle in. The difficulty, however, is that they cannot obtain land in sections large enough to suit them. The block is divided into lots, none of which are larger than 320 acres, and a farm of that size in that district, is, in their opinion, very much too small. We shall be very greatly surprised if the authorities do not make every endeavor to meet the demands of these gentlemen, which seem to us to be very fair and reasonable. Messrs Grant and Foster would take a large area of the block for themselves and their friends, provided that each settler would be allowed to possess from one to two thousand acres, subject to all the regulations in force under the deferred payment system, though they are quite ready to pay cash for anything they purchase, It is, in our opinion, only reasonable that these gentlemen should seek for themselves and their friends in this country about an equal quantity of land to that they find they can farm to advantage in the old country, and thus ensure that their position will be no worse in the matter of acreage. We understand there are about 15,000 acres in the southern portion of the Aroha block, which these gentlemen are willing to buy, and import a number of settlers to take up each from one to two thousand acres. We fail to see how the Waste Lands Board or the Government can hope to dispose of the Aroha lands to better advantage. The result of the late sale of the Aroha lands shows that they are going a-begging. A large area is about being opened up under the deferred payment system, and if the 15,000 acres be reserved for the Lincolnshire farmers, there would still be some 30,000 acres left in the block to be otherwise disposed of. The report of Messrs Grant and Foster will be read with intense interest by all intending immigrants, not alone in Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom, but throughout Europe. They came here deputed by many of the large farmers in England to report faithfully upon the inducements offered by New Zealand as a field for immigration ; and it would be very much to our disadvantage if they have to report that out of the large areas of waste lands supposed to be at the disposal of the Government in this North Island, they cannot give farmers, such as these they represent, more than 320 acres each, and most of that but of very medium quality. It is not alone in the present that New Zealand would suffer from such a report, but we may reasonably expect from time to time, that many men possessing moderate means at home would have their attention turned by various causes to the Colonies ; and if it can be shown that New Zealand can accommodate such men with land sufficient for their requirements in moderate quantities, we must be much benefitted by it. There can be no more practical report in favor of New Zealand by Messrs. Grant and Foster, than that they themselves have determined to cast their future lot among us, and made arrangements with the Government for a block of land for themselves and some of their friends. In conclusion, we most emphatically state that the Government should do all in their power to secure such & class of settlers as now present themselves, and at the same time, dispose to the best advantage those other fine land* at the Aroha, which otherwise may be left in th«eir hands uncultivated, after a large expense in surveys and drainage has been incurred.

basket acquires considerable prominence at the present time. The Colony is depending too much upon a limited list of exports. When wool is cheap, and corn, besides being scarce in the Colony, is low in price throughout the world, a depression ensues such as the one of which we are still feeling the consequences. If the products of the soil were more diverse, the effect of depression in particular lines would not be so widely felt. This is an evil which will doubtless in time cure itself. Sugar will be grown in the Colony, and on the wide areas suited to the production of beet; fruit, carefully cultivated, will become an article of export ; meat will go away in quantities, under the successful process of refrigeration; minerals will probably swell the list of exports. There is no valid reason why the manufactures of New Zealand should not obtain a demand abroad ; and the timber industry is waiting for that development which may safely be predicted from the high encomiums lately earned by the ornamental woods of this Colony at the Sydney Exhibition. All these sources of wealth will doubtless one day become practically valuable, but the Colony should not be content to wait for the slow operation of natural causes. A vigorous quickening of enterprise is required for shortening the time of probation. Capital is wanted, and the harvest just gathered in has already begun to act as an advertisement for the attraction of capital Capital, moreover, in the hands of practical agriculturists was, we know, likely to leave the old country before the harvest, as the expedition of Messrs Grant and Foster, the Lincolnshire delegates evidences. Agriculture, for many years passed has been handicapped by speculators, who have overbought themselves, leaving nothing for working their properties, and here is the main weak point in the agriculture of the Colony. An immediate reaping of revenue has been a paramount necessity, and the waiting for results in fresh departments, such as fruit and sugar growing, while the prominent foundations of productions were laid, was an utter impossibility. With the influx of fresh capital the difficulties in the way of rational cultivation of the soil will diminish. If the good fortune of propitious seasons and good prices when enhanced by increasing capital is used with judgment, the quickening of enterprise required to give effect to the warning of the homely old adage, we have before quoted, will not be long of accomplishment. The diversity of products is a sine qua lion, and is an end that should be kept in view by producers.

The evidence shown of the permanent value of the Hamilton bridge tolls, and their excess over the liabilities connected with the erection of the bridge and its annual maintenance, has naturally led to the question of what shall be done with the surplus revenue. The Town Clerk brought the matter before the notice of the Borough Council at its last meeting, and the consideration of the subject has been referred to a committee. The proposal made by one member of the Council, and received without comment by the remainder, that the surplus should be applied to the reduction of the Bank overdraft on the general account, cannot be entertained for a moment. There are many who suppose that the bridge revenue will be available to help the Borough through its financial difficulties. Any such hope is, however, fallacious. Such money cannot be taken for general purposes, and belongs solely to the bridge fund. It is true that on one occasion during the past year a sum of money was taken from the special fund account and passed into the general account, which had the effect at that time of reducing the overdraft, but that sum of money had to be returned to its proper account before the auditors would consent to pass the accounts, and very properly so. We mention this because the act referred to has been quoted by those unaware of the whole of the circumstances as justifying the application of money belonging to a special fund to general purposes. That there will be a considerable surplus yearly, and one likely to increase each year, in the excess of bridge revenue over cost of maintenance and provision for interest and sinking fund on loan, is now established beyond doubt. The tolls will reach fully £1,200 per annum, for if they average this amount now they will exceed it in the winter, when, strange to say, the ferry traffic has been always greatest, and the question of what shall be done with the surplus will have to be met. This, indeed, is narrowed clown to one of two alternatives, for, as we have said, the money can only be used in connection with the bridge fund. Either the tolls can be lowered so as to fairly cover the sum actually required for the interest and sinking fund on the loan, and the necessary maintenance of the bridge ; or the Council can apply the surplus balance as it accrues to the reduction of the loan, either by purchasing the debentures, or, as these pay but 6 per cent., by investing the money at a higher rate of interest, and thus making the difference between the two pates of interest in favor of the bridge fund, It would not be difficult to calculate what the difference between £1,200 a year and the actual yearly cost of

the bridge would effect if so invested, and ' by how much it would hasten the, time wHen the bridge would be a free one. It must not, however oe forgotten on the other hand, that the bridge tolls at present levied, press very heavily on the community, specially bo upon certain individuals, and unequally on the two sides of the river. There is no doubt that the residents on the East side pay the far larger proportion of the tolls, the courts, the banks, the railway station, and telegraph offices, and the offices of professional men being all situated on the West side. Another argument that might very justly be used is that the trade of the town cannot but in some small degree be injuriosly affected by making the access to it from the surrounding district attended with a smart direct money cost, as must be in the case of settlers riding or driving into it. The matter of choice between the two alternatives is one, indeed, which will not only require the consideration of a committee of the Council, but is of sufficient importance, before being fully decided upon, to be placed directly before the burgesses for approval, and be publicly considered. One thing we may mention at the present moment, and it is well that it should be generally known, and that is, during the coming year the expenses of bridge maintenance are bound to be much more than usually heavy, Within a year of its construction it would be necessary to overhaul the entire structure, to tighten up every bolt, and give the whole structure three coats of paint. This, we need not say, will absorb a considerable portion of the surplus of revenue over expenditure, though we believe it will be found that the present average of the former will, as time advances, rapidly increase.

Messrs Grant and Foster, the Lincolnshire delegates, and Mr Roche, accompanied by Laurence Cussen, Esq., District Surveyor, and Captain Steele, J.P., returned from their visit of inspection to the Aroha block on Thursday afternoon, and left Hamilton by the afternoon train for Auckland. Yesterday being Good Friday divine service was celebrated at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. in St. Peter's Church. The altar and pulpit were draped in black, and the congregations were large. Vespers was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Chapel, Hamilton East, at 7 p.m. ; the Rev. Father Golden officiating. Thb proceeds of the Wesleyan gift auction, held on Wednesday, at Te Awamutu, amounted to £40. About £10 worth of articles was reserved for sale on another occasion. In addition to the ladies of the committee mentioned in our last, Mrs §hort took a very active part in contributing to the success of the undertaking. At the close of the. sale on "Wednesday evening, the Rev. H. Bui conveyed the thanks of the circuit officials to the ladies for their valuable services in preparing for the gift auction, to Miss Mandeno for her services at the piano, and to Mr Hunter, who kindly acted as auctioneer. • The Te Aroha Drainage Works. — Mr H. H. Adams, of Grahamstown, is the successful tenderer for sections 1 and 3 of the Te Aroha drainage works being undertaken by the Government. There were several tenderers from Waikato, who will, doubtless, receive back their deposits by this post. Sections 3 and 4 were withdrawn, not on account of the amount of the tenders, but pending the resolution come to as to Mr Russell's claim, which extends over that portion of the block.. The amount of Mr Adams' tender has not transpired, but the two sections, Nos. 1 and 2, will be about a £3000 job, and employ a considerable number of swfimpers. We draw the attention of the authorities to the dangerous state of the road between the traffic landing place on the river below the old punt at Hamilton and the bridge on Whyte's-road. A land slip has carried away a considerable portion of the road, and traffic has to find its way by a detour to the left. There is a drop now of some five-and-thirty feet, and persons coming from the Taupiri end of the road are just as likely as not to find themselves over the bank, especially at night, before they are fully aware of the danger. An error occurred in our report of the late concert, at Hamilton, in aid of the Wesleyan Church bazaar fund, when it was said that the choir had evidently had a full and careful training at the hands of Mr Culpan. It appears that what credit is deserved is due to Mr. Meacham, who had the sole duty of preparing the choir for the late concert. A very serious accident happened on Thursday, we regret to say, to a son of Mr McSweeney, of Hamilton, working for Mr Missen, bootmaker. It appears that the lad in question, Charles McSweeney, was cutting out a toe-piece when the knife slipped, and entering the inner side of the left wrist, just at the pulse, ripped ujp the arm to a length of five inches, cutting to the bone the whole distance — severing one artery and two or three veins. The haemorrhage was of course profuse, but Dr Sandels consulting room being close at hand he sought relief. The doctor, however, was absent attending his duties as medical man to the railway employees on the line, but the services of Mr R. F. Sandes were at once available, who performed the necessary operations for stopping the hamiorrhage, and sewed up the wound, which, we need scarcely say, is a very severe one, and will prevent the lad from working for some time ; indeed, unless the bleeding breaks out again the bandages will not be opened for a fortnight. A. meeting of the Hamilton East School Committee was held at the Royal Hotel, on Thursday last. Present: Messrs. Cumming (chairman), Swarm, Carson, and McPherson. The Chairman represented to the meeting that Mr Allwright had officially informed him that the additions to the school-house were now nearly conpleted. The furniture had been moved down, and the building would be shortly handed over to the committee. The Chairman also stated that in conjunction with Mr Cochrane, he had taken steps to have the children's play ground, which was now fenced in, put into proper order. The committee then went into consideration of the tenders for the regular sweeping and deaning- of the school-house, and the tender of Mrs Quinn, to sweep the school daily and scrub it out fortnightly, at the rate of 25s per month, was accepted. The Chairman stated that he had sent a requisition to the Board for a quantity of new furniture for the school. Mr Cochrane said he fchought the Board should be asked to dig a Weft. Jfc was stated that water would probably be got at iwm \2

to 15 feet, and the commintee resolved to prefer the request to the Board. It was stated that in all probability the children would assemble in the new school on Monday week, due notice of which would be given in the columns of the Waikato Timks. There is a considerable amount of uneasiness felt iv the matter of the continuation of the Thames-Waikato railway works by the Government. Mr Hall is reported to have said when at Grahamstown, as published in recent telegrams, that no further section of the line would be proceeded with, meaning, it is believed, not only betweeu Grahamstown and the Thames river, but this side of the latter also. This feeling of uneasinesß is still further iucreased by the fact that the Government are keeping their engineer, Mr. D. M. Beere, busily engaged on the Raglan-road and other works, instructing him, meanwhile to go on jwith the survey of the second section, thait which will, when completed, connect thej works now in progress with the Thames river. This certainly does look as though the Government were not very anxious to push forward the commencement of the second section; albeit a sum of £78,000 has been voted for the construction of the line, and not a moiety of it is at present hypothecated to the works done and in progress. We can understand the statement made by the Premier, Mr. Hall, on his recent visit to Waikato, that having seen the country he did not consider the continuation of the line beyond the Thames necessary for many years to come, but we cannot understand the principle on which some thirteen miles of railway from the Waikato river, in the direction of the head of the Thames navigation, should be left with its terminus in a swamp when as much more work would see it carried on to Omahu, and provide an outlet for the traffic of the whole of the country laying between the Waikato and Thames rivers. Wheat-dressing. — It is not generally known, but it is desirable that it should be so at the present season of the year, that no better dressing for seed wheat, as a preventive for birds, insects, and smut, than carbolic acid. Wheat-dressing may be done at a trivial cost, and most effectively, with one ounce of Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid, well mixed in one quart of water for each bushel. The preparation should be applied over the heap of corn through the nozzle of a watering-pot, the grain to be well turned with a broad shovel so as to distribute the fluid equally to all portions of it. This treatment has been proved by some of our most experienced Waikato farmers to keep insects, and even sparrows and pheasants, away, and to prevent blight, smut, or rust. Some disappointment has arisen where settlers have used a solution sold as carbolic dressing— a mixture resembling ammoniacal liquor floating above a black mass of gas tar. This contains about 5 per cent, carbolic acid, but the ammoniacal liquor and the tar, which is not mixable in water, cauterises the seed and covers it with a stiff black paste that renders germination next to impossible. The proper course is for the farmer to procure the carbolic acid and mix for himself. When in Kihikihi a day or two ago our representative saw a fine collection of dogs now being trained for gentlemen iv all parts of the colony by Mr. James Henderson. The kennel comprises some splendid animals of the greyhound, pointer, and setter breed and have been already brought into admirable training, the country round Kihikihi offering many and great advantages as a training ground. The want of public pounds in East and West Hamilton has been seriously felt for some time past, yet the Borough Council seems in no hurry to fulfill its duties in this respect. The pound on the west side is in rums, and that on the east side not sufficiently strong to keep horses in, or there would have been no need for Mr Potter (as in the police court case reported on Thursday) to have acted as his own poundkeeper. There is another difficulty too in the way the Borough Council has neglected to take the necessary steps for gazetting the pounds on taking them over, and might subject itself to somewhat serious consequences if it attempted to put the impounding law into force. In the meantime owners of enclosed lands are compelled to take the matter into their own hands and turn their stockyards into private pounds, having in the absence of a public pound the light to charge the trespass fee of half-a-crown and damages done, but being bound to send word to the owners that their cattle are so impounded ; or, if the owners are unknown, advertise the description of the cattle as done by Mr Jolly in our last issue. The Te Awamutu Schoolhoiise, to which reference was made in these columns some time ago, is now completed, and is one of the prettiest buildings of the kind in the whole district. The dimensions are 41 feet by 21 feet clear, with a height, to the collar ties of the roof, of 16 feet, with a coved ceiling. There are two lavatories, each 12 feet by 8 feet, fitted up with every convenience for washing, and provided with hat-pegs, &c. The building has been constructed entirely of heart of kauri, and presents a most substantial, as well as handsome, appearance. The interior is all lined with matched timber, and the doors painted in style, and of local workmanship, together with the window dressings, have been nicely varnished. The two entrances are approached by massive wooden steps, 15 inches by 3 inches. The total cost of the building, including all the necessary out-houses, fittings, such as blinds and fencing the allotment — an acre — with Puriri posts and four Tasmanian rails, was £446. The building was designed by Mr Allright, to whom, as well as to the contractor, Mr J. L. Mandeno, the greatest credit is due.

Mk J.S BucklVsd will sell by public auction on Monday, sth proximo, on the iarm of the late Peter Walker, 40 acres of crops, and a. pedigree shorthorn bull. Thi: time table of the "Waikato Steam Navigation Company appears in our advertising columns. Ausr of the agents of the Waikato Steam Navigation Company is published in another column. Thu Hamilton Church Sunday-school children celebrate their annual treat on Monday next, leaving by the steamer Waikato at half-past ten for the Acacia Grove, calling at Ngaruawahia about noon for the Holy Trinity scholars. An enjoyable trip may be anticipated.

Messrs Grant and Foster, the Lincolnshire delegates, take their departure from New Zealand on Thursday next by the 'Frisco mail steamer. If the report of these gentlemen on the colony, as a field for immigration, be satisfactory especially for the class of settlers which they represent, the result will very probably prove a lasting benefit to New Zealand, as through it a largenumber of experienced farmers, possessing very considerable means may be introduced into this country. We need not point out the great I The old adage which warns people advantages which the introduction I against placing all their eggs in one