AGRICULTURAL BOARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 91, 18 April 1888, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL BOARDS.

Although people are agreed that something requires to be done for the encouragement of farming industries, the idea of forming a Board of Agriculture for the Waikato has not met with the amount of success which the promoters of the scheme anticipated. The subject was first mooted by Mr W. A. Graham, in connection with his " sugar beet" industry, and laid by him before the Waikato County Council. That body, willing to assist in anything which might conduce to the amelioration of bad times amongst the farmers, called a meeting of members of local bodies to further consider the matter. At that meeting a committee was appointed, consisting of the Chairmen of the Piako, Waikato, Waipa, and Raglan Counties, and the Mayors of Hamilton and Cambridge, whose duty was to draft a bill to be brought before the House next session, providing for the constitution of these Boards. The duties to be performed by such Boards are, according to the promoters' ideas, to collect data as to the various markets of the world for produce, to obtain seeds for distribution, and generally to ob-

tain such information as might benefit agriculturists as a whole. These objects are considered quite laudable, but there comes the question of working the Boards. This, of course, cannot be done without funds, and the general impression being that getting funds means extra taxation, the proposal will not be listened to by the Waikato farmers. The Piako County Council, after thrashing the matter out, resolved that their Chairman should cake no part whatever in the Committee—should, in fact, refuse to act. Waipa Council resolved that their Chairman must do nothing until after the Committee report ; Cambridge Borough Council cannot approve of the affair at all; and Hamilton Borough are in the same mind. It is, therefore, a dead certainty that " Agricultural Boards " in this' part of the colony are not yet to be.

It seems to us, however, that the Waikato farmers ought to constitute a Chamber of Agriculture, analogous to the Chamber of Commerce in the city, to deliberate and take action upon matters affecting the interests of the farming community. The cost of working such a body is trifling, and the benefits derivable from it are by no means to be despised. Its chief merit would be that it would teach the farmers tho virtues of self-help, and the futility of leaving everything to the Government. We do not deny, however, that the Government could do the agricultural interest much good service, and the proposal to introduce an expert in cheese-making to the colony is a step in the right direction; but a Department of Agriculture would lose half its usefulness if there were not also Cham hers of Agriculture in the different parts of the colony to collect information as to the requirements and capabilities of the particular locality, and bring collective pressure to bear on the Government of the day.

Mr 11. C. S. Baddeley, KM., is using his exertions in the direction of securing better accommodation at the Police Court, and effecting other alterations, with the object of improving the acoustic properties of the Court-room. He has made representations to the Government, and hopes to secure a table of crescent shape for the use of lawyers and press representatives, the former using the outside and facing the Bench, and the reporters having the inside looking towards the lawyers. He also expects to be able to have the position of the Bench shifted, so as to enable those who have business in Court to hear the proceedings better than they do at present.

Mr W. R. Wacklel, who recently left for Waiwera to obtain the benefits of the medicinal springs there, returned to town on Monday. He is still very unwell and confined to bed. As he was unable to attend the ordinary meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday, his place was taken by Mr M. Niccol, who also moved several notices of motion standing in Mr Waddel's name.

The Harbourmaster has been instructed by the Harbour Board to make the necessary arrangements for docking H.M.s. Egeria, subject to the consent of the contractor being obtained. The Egeria should arrive here about the 22nd inst.

Among the educational institutions visited yesterday by the Hon. Mr Fisher were the Roman Catholic schools and St. Mary's Orphan Homo and Industrial School, Ponsonby. Bishop Luck and the Rev. Fathers Egan and Hackefct were in attendance. The hon. gentleman expr*sed his pleasure at the ample provision made by Catholics in the line of school buildings. Tho singing, recitation and exercise books of the pupils in the upper standards received much praise. The Catholic Orphanage at Ponsonby was visited in tho afternoon. As Mr Fisher passed through this institution he had a word of praise for the cleanliness and good order everywhere observed, and the healthy appearance of the children.

The late Hon. Henry Chamberlin, we are informed, never owned Ponui, or Chamberlin's Island, which belonged to his brother Charles.

The charge against Arthur Collinge of stealing a piano value £24, the property of Mary Jane Luhning, was dismissed at tha Police Court after we went to press yesterday. Prosecutrix was examined and ciossexamined at some length with regard to the receipt for £10 which she had given prisoner, but she said she did not know what was on the receipt besides her signature. On Saturday, 31st Match, prisoner came and promised to let her have some money and she accompanied him into town, at his request, to get it. After they got to town, however, prisoner said the banks were closed till the following Tuesday, and, therefore, he could not get any money. She was absent from her home several hours, and when she returned the piano was gone. She went in the afternoon and found the piano at Mr Rao's, pawnbroker, and he had since returned it to her. The piano was hired from Mr Hoffmann at£l per month. In reply to Mr O'Meagher she said the signature on the receipt' produced was hers, but not the writing in the body of the receipt. (Mr O'Meagher then handed in a document signed by the prosecutrix saying she had that day "sold her household furniture and effects in her house in Domain-street to Arthur Colliuge for £10.) She did not read the document before she signed it, and trusted to the accused as a gentleman. Mr Rae deposedto the saleof the piano to himby Collinge for £5, and its return to Mrs Luhning, and Mr Hoffmann deposed to the piano being on hiro from their firm. Hia Worship did not think there was sufficient evidence to show that tho receipt produced was not genuine, and dismissed the case.

Those friends of the Melanesian Mission who have not received copies of the last report of the Mission (just published) may obtain them by calling at Messrs Upton and Go's, Messrs Champtaloup and Cooper's, Messrs Kidd and Wildman's, or at the Diocesan Office (Mr Cochrane).

Under the heading of " A Scandal in the Auckland Harbour Board," we have received a letter from " one who knows," complaining at the appointment of dock fireman being given to a brother-in-law of the Chairman of tho Board. If tho appointment had been virtually fixed beforehand, the fifty applicants would have cause of complaint. There is, however, no allegation that such was the case, and as the vacancy was duly advertised, and the decision come to openly, it is hard to see where the " scandal " comes in.

In order to test the capabilities of thei new steamers, the Osprey and Eagle, the Devonport Ferry Company this morning despatched the latter on a trip to the Thames. Invitations had been sent to a number of citizens to make the trip, and at a quarter to eleven the following gentlemen left in her :—Messrs H. and A. Alison, Tewsley, M. Niccol, Reid (of Whangarei), Reid (of Motutapu), Knox, C.E., Wintle, and Captains Anderson and Olive. The Eagle is to return this evening.

The Links Football Club held a meeting last evening, when Mr E. J. Harvey was elected captain and Mr Jones secretary.

The three entrance scholarships of the year at the Auckland University College have fallen to boys from the Auckland College and Grammar School. G. H. Plumper came to ib from the Ponsonby District School, and E, H. Schnackenberg from the Wellosley-streeb District School in September, 1884, both having won district scholarships. Wilhy, whose earlier education was obtained in England, entered it in November, 1884. All three have distinguished themselvea in the Civil Service and University scholarship examinations. J. M. French, who has just obtained his M.A. degreo with first-class honours, and R. M. Ryburn, who has graduated as 8.A., are old boys of the school. Both entered it as district scholare, and subsequently (1880 to 1883) held open scholarships.

There have been several cases of scarlatina at Avondale, and Mr Scott, headmaster of the Public School, is one of the sufferers from the disease. In consequence, the attendance at the school has fallen off considerably, parents being apprehensive of infection, as the headmaster's house is close to the school.

A meeting has been convened of the city and suburban members, the Mayors of Auckland, Onehunga, Newton and Newmarket, and the thirteen chairmen of the County of Eden, to try and arrange a satisfactory basis by which various endowments in the County of Eden can be best utilised for the beneiit of its inhabitants.

By request, the Rev. E. A. Telfer redelivered his lecture on "Droll Men and Their Merry Ways" at the Pitt-street Wes.'eyan Church last evening to a large attendance. The lecturer was listened to with marked attention throughout, and occasionally convulsed his audience with his anecdotes. This evening, Mr Telfer will deliver his patriotic lecture, " The Boys of Derry," at the Franklin Road Church, when the Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand will preside, and the brethren will appear in regalia.

The first central practice for the annual gathering of Bands of Hope was held on Monday evening in the Pitt-street Wesleyan School, when the large building was full of young people eager to take parfc. There were over 300 present. The next central practice will be held next Tuesday in the Tabernacle Schoolroom.

Considerable activity was displayed in the Mount Albert licensing district to-day, when a poll was proceeding under the Licensing Act, 1881, the real question to be decided being whether or not any licensed hotels should be admitted. Two parties, one representing the temperance interest moved by the Mount Albert Local Option Association, and the other representing the moderate or publican party, were hard at work, and voters were kept fully alive to the necessity of recording their votes. The poll is proceeding at the Christians' Meeting House, New North Road, and will close at 6 p.m. M. S. Brooking is the Returning Officer.

The members of the Progressive League held their weekly meeting on Monday evening at Robson's Rooms, when there was a good and enthusiastic attendance. The President (Mr T. West) occupied the chair. After the minutes of the previous ordinary meeting had been read and confirmed, the Committee's report on the open meeting held on Monday, the 9th inst., was received, and arrangements put in train for the holding of another, the first one having been most successful; five new members were nominated as a gain therefrom. It was resolved that a letter be forwarded to Mr N. Newcombe, Reporting Secretary to the League, congratulating him on his recovery from a recent severe illness. Mr J. Peet was requested to give an address on the " Shop Hours Bill," in succession to the two subjects already decided upon for discussion* Mr Simpson then gave an address on the " Peace Question." He was strongly opposed to war, on the grounds that it entailed such a fearful amount of misery, was a great waste of blood and treasure, and increased taxation. It was contrary to all religious teaching, and a blob upon civilisation, and hesumraed itupas a combination of the greatest evils imaginable. A spirited discussion ensued, and next Monday it will be continued. On that occasion the President will give the opening address.

The sad accident which yesterday happened at Parnell to a young man named George Simpson terminated fatally last evening, notwithstanding all that medical skill and sorrowing friends could do to alleviate his sufferings. Mr Simpson was a promising young man 22 years of age, and he leaves a mother and sister residing at Ponsonby, and also a large circle of friends, to mourn their loss. He was an ardent Sunday-school worker, and held the position of assistant librarian of St. James's Sunday-school. He was also a member of the Tuesday evening Bible-class, and was held in great esteem by his acquaintances.

Captain Logan adopted a novel way of clearing the Manapouri last evening when the time arrived for her to sail. It wanted a few minutes to the advertised time of sailing, and the steamer was crowded with people saying "goodbye," while a number of passengers were on the wharf makingtheir adieus there, when to their horror the steamer started to move. There was a general rush for the gangway, and half-a-dozen who were on the wharf made flying leaps for the vessel's side, fearful of getting left behind. The vessel only moved a few yards, but that served the purpose for she was cleared of all but passsengers in a remarkably short space of time, while those who had booked their passages made sure of them by getting on board. Among those who were on shore as the Manapouri made her falsestart was Mr Molloy, M.P.,and his face was a picture as he thought he saw the steamer going without him.

Mutual Benefit.—By establishing an exclusively Cash Trade, we have become firmly rooted in public favour, as we en able people who pay cash to get the utmost value for their money. Patronise the Cash Boot Palace;, 172, Queen-street, and do not pay exorbitant profits to cover bad debts. We make none.—R. Hannah and Co.— [Advt.]