The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3356, 18 April 1868, Page 2

The Daily Southern Cross.

LUOEO, NON TJEO. If I h»T« bean •xtlnguiihad, y«t thtr* ri* • A thouimnd be«cona from th«»«p»rk I bort. .

SATURDAY, APRIL 18.

The period fop wheat-sowing being close at hand, we would earnestly recommend to the agriculturists of this province and colony the desirability of extending the growth of this certal. Though it cannot be expected that New Zealand can altogether be self-support-ing, and that importations of grain and flour can be dispensed with, still much more can be achieved, and it would be well for the country districts mainly to rely upon the breadstuffs of home growth, and thus save the expense of freight or land-carriage. The information derived from the publication of agricultural statistics by the Board of Trade in Great Britain, and the connecting link by telegraph wire and cable, have prevented in a great measure those great fluctuations in the home and continental markets which used to occur in former times. An early knowledge of the probable results of a harve»b in a colony dependent for supplies must not only be desirable, but considered of vital importance to , all classes. In considering the production of wheat it may be asked, How is it that a greater breadth of land is not annually devoted*to the cultivation of this cereal in our part of New Zealand ? Are the Northern farmers averse to the growing of wheat? *; Opposed to a system of rotation ? Indifferent to cropping ? Or is it that the tillage of the soil, subject to a rotation, increases theexpenditure without giving an adequate return for the outlay ? The latter seems partly the case, since a settler, farming under a proper rotation, would require more men and horses to break up, work, fallow, and clean his land. Should the agriculturist become a grain-producer, where is the market for his wheat, oats, and barley ? Is there a place in Auckland where he can exhibit Jus sack, bushel, or sample bag 1 Are the millers, merchants, and perhaps a few seedsmen the only buyers ? ,A farmer, having some few quarters of grain at his disposal, would be compelled to visit and wait upon the aforesaid gentlemen in case he was obliged to part with his grain. ;<,and it is likely that-ie would have* to .tajke.' less for his« product ±han would have been given in an open market. Surprise t pan. scarcely pc felt, that utide|,t£ese ,drawbacks.£he jh*4 : #aoi;e acjees' under* veiaps '" :lßftfcii? the exception of a few acres of maize, green oats, 3^potafoes4eftl^4a^

■elves with depasturing cattle and sheep; The occupation of the land in this manner was less expensive, involving perhaps not more labour and overseeing than could be generally undertaken by the farmer, a man, and a boy. During the" period when prices ruled high, this kind of pastoral life had many advocates ; now that stock have fallen so seriously in- price, a difference of system will be forced upon the occupier of land, and in time the change will be beneficial and to his advantage. , In this colony, where the greater proportion of the occupants of land are the proprietors and freeholders, large sums have periodically been devoted towards the clearing of the bush, tea-tree, and fern, which everywhere more or less abound. A considerable amount has likewise been sunk in the fencing, ditching, and planting of It follows necessarily that this capital is absorbed in making these permanent improvements, and taken from the pockets of the proprietors. Had this money remained in the possession of many of these settlers, they would have had a respectable sum to commence farming with. Had they been lessees and not proprietors of their estates, it is presumed that landlords would make allowances for all permanent improvements, granting tenants the money value of the same, or extending the lease as an equivalent, Thousands of pounds have been spent by •ettlers in order that cattle trespassing might be impounded according to the Act. Many of these colonists may have regretted haying expended so much : some, doubtless, thinking they would have been better with a lease; others, again, believing would have been better off had they never possessed, or gone on to, their land. It has been held out as an inducement that to be a landed proprietor and fanner was the way to make a living — thetrue way to independence andhappiness — andifthesettler in time could sit under his own vine and fig tree, he would be supremely blessed. Success in farming is only brought about by hard industry and labour, by carefully watching the results of smaller experiments, patiently waiting for these, and by rendering the soil suitable as a seed-bed for any kind of crop. Attention should also be directed to the kind of manures suitable to the colony, and, when procurable,experiments on a small scale should be made in topdressing. In most cases where these stimulants are applied judiciously,they recompense the farmer for the outlay, — the increased production defraying the cost. Farming under liberal covenants, even in this country, ought to be profitable, and to our knowledge has been profitable in some parts of the colony. If landed proprietors could be induced to consider the enclosure of their estates, and perhaps the draining in some places, as permanent advantages, tenants with capital could be found who would undertake to cultivate the soil, and who would be ready and willing to pay a fair rent. One of the legitimate objects of the New Zealand Agricultural Society is to foster the science of agriculture, and we confess that we should like to see that Society offering premiums to implementmakers and exhibitors, awarding prizes also for the best collection of cereals and grass seeds. Formerly the Botanical and Horticultural Society did much in this way, and it does j not appear that the fostering care of the former Society would be misapplied when devoting some little attention to the productions of the farm. Essays on experiments conducted by settlers might usefully be read at the meetings of the New Zealand Agricultural Society, and prizes might be also granted to those gentlemen who had successfully carried them out. Trials should also be made of the varieties of cereals suitable for cultivation, and the judges might bestow prizes on the producers of grain worthy of recommendation and good for cultivation. Before the war large supplies of wheat were forwarded down the "Waipa and Waikato to "Waiuku, and from the native mills flour was sent per canoe. "Will not Waikato yet produce grain suitable for the service of man and beast ? Cannot the settlers undertake to supply themselves with wheat and machinery to grind the same 1 If this can be accomplished in the heart of the"Waikato,and in some of the more inland districts, a saving will be effected : and though the times have been disastrous to the citizens of Auckland and the country settlers, yet it is to be hoped that better times will dawn upon us ; and, by a little more self-reliance and perseverance, we may be able to struggle on manfully against the many difficulties that for some time past have beset our path.

The s.B. * Midge' brought tip 600oz. of gold yesterday from the Thames branch of the Bank of New Zealand. His Honor the Superintendent and Mr. Justice Moore wilt leave this morning for the Thames in the 'Enterprise No. 2/ which will start at half- past seven o'clock. As we hare already stated, his Honor the Superintendent will remain at the Thames for a few days. At a meeting of the ratepayers of the Wairoa Highway District, held on Tuesday last, in the Frwbyterian Church, a proposition was laid before the meeting, and favourably received, to the effect that three of the settlers of the district should be appointed a committee to draw up a petition to the General Assembly in favour of abolishing provincial institutions, and handing over the management of the province to the General Government. A meeting of the Regatta Committee was held at {he Star Hotel, Albert street, last evening, when various preliminary matters connected with the holding of the regatta were arranged. It was also decided to request the Earl of Pembroke to accept the office of president of the regatta. A full report appears elsewhere. The advertised meeting of ratepayers of the Wairoa Highway District, for the purpose of deciding upon the desirability or otherwise of levying a rate for educational purposes, was held on the 14th, in the Presbyterian Church, and was very well attended. Mr. J. Bain occupied the chair. Considerable diselusion took place on the subject, and, on the question of "rate or no rate " being put to the meeting, the imposition of the tax was negatived bj 14 voices toft A second meeting was held a few days ago at Kaukapakapa to take steps for the erection of a cooperative flour-mill, for the benefit of the settlers in the Immediate district. A subscription list was • opened, with shares at £1 each. £i 6 was subscribed on the spot by a few of those present, and further gums have been promised. It was decidedjto commence, by erecting a small water-wheel, with, one pair of the stream running infO'the-Kau-.kapakapa jiver ( through.: M'rv Sinclair's land, .near ' Whites Hill. Messrs. R. Sinclair, C. SimsmVs, and W. Dawson were appointed a preliminary committee of management. \\ '; - • ■"** ' i. ( We have been requested to state that his Ijonor v Mr. Justice Moore wiu not dwpdme 6fQhignher botfoeHi at.the Snpretne Court pa Wednesday !pext, btii will sit on the following day." "'" 'p We are requested to state that jLady Bgweii will ' Hold* ter general reception' t£jA*<fay, and ..coLUuoWm'KTto 121 2 p. m."*Yi^tow, ' Tiowever, who live in <H£ country jT *M "oanVot con44W0£itatry attend on that' day, will be received on iMiyday^»^P^WMl»rdniinf>tho«»hoartvn« - | .^

The total receipt* realised from the bazaar held ou Tuesday l»st and two following days, in aid' of ;he Refuge for the Destitute and Lying-in Hospital, will amount to between £80 and £90 after deducting all expenses. < At the Policy Court yesterday two persons wero punished for drunkenness. A case of some importance to wasters of vessels came before the Court. It wm a proseoution at the instance of her Majesty's Customs, at Auckland, against Captain Scon, master of the steamer ♦ Enterprise No. 2,' for a breach of the 16th clause of the Steam Navigation Act,~1866, by having on board the steamer, on her passage from Auckland to the Thames, on the 13th April, a greater number of passengers than authorised or specified in the certificate issued under the Act. Mr. Brook field appeared for the proseoution and, under the circumstances connected with the offence, did not , press for a heary . penalty. The certificate authorised that the vessel should not carry more than 125 passengers, and on the occasion in question the defendant admitted there were 215 passengers on board. It wa« Easter Monday, and the time for which protection had be^n gr-mtfd to th« diggers expired on the following morning. They rushtd on board regardless of any risk, despite the efforts of the captain to prevent overcrowding. The Bench inflicted , a penalty of £18, and a further fine of £5, with £3 Is , and expressed a hope that the punishment inflicted would deter the defendant and others from committing a similar breach of the Act. Three persona, named Michael Murphy, Joseph Mulligan, and Edward Kelly, were convicted of a breach of ihe 3rd subsection of the sth section of the Municipal Police Aot, 1866, by riding on horseback upon the footpath in the Karangahape Road, on Sunday evening, the 22nd March. • They disturbed the congregation worshipping in the Congregational Chapel at the time, and endangered the lives of a number of children who were on the footpath. Murphy was fined £5 and costs, and, in default of payment waß s»ni tenced to six weeks' imprisonment with bard labour. ! Mulligan, who did not appear, was fined £5 and costs, or, in default, to be impriioued six weeks with hard labour; and Kelly, who pleaded guilty, was fined 60s. and costs, with the alternative of four weeks' imprisonment with hard labour. Mr. Sheehan conducted the prosecution against them. We have much pleasure in stating that Lady Bowen has recovered from her recent illness, and 1 was able to pay her promised visit to the bazaar on | Thursday. [ A meeting was held last evening in the Star i Hotel, Albert-street, for the purpose of reviving St. Andrew's Benevolent Society. Mr. James George j presided. This Society was first instituted in 1851* It« principal objecc was to promote education, assist persons desirous of emigrating to this province from Scotlaod, and to afford charitable relief to natives of Scotland and their descendants resident in Auckland. During its existence it was the means of doing much good in this province. The Society was, however, allowed to lapse about the end of 2855. It was unanimously agreed by the meeting that it should be revived. At the end of 1867, there was a sum of £66 10s. 3d., including interest up to that date, in the Savings Bank to the credit of the Society. The subscription is 10s. per annum, payable by four quarterly instalments, in addition to an entrance fee of 2s. 6d. Mr. James George was elected president; Mr. A. Beveridge, vice-president; Mr. Georgd Fraser, secretary ; and Mr. W. Rattray, treasurer. A committee of five gentlemen wm appointed. A sub committee, consisting of the office- bearers, was appointed to revise the rules, and report thereon at next general meeting of the Society,, to be held at an early date. A woman named Maria Lilley was apprehended on warrant yesterday evening, by detective Ternahan, on a charge of using abusive and threatening language towards Elizabeth Burns, and will be brought before the Resident Magistrate to-day. The members of the Chalmerston Land Association are- requested to attend a meeting, for the consideration of business of importance, on the evening of Thursday next, at seven o'clock, in St. David's Presbyterian Church, Kyber Pass. A erand musical soir§e is advertised to be given on the evening of Thursday next, at St. Mary's Orphanage, North Shore, on behalf of the funds of the institution, when an efficient band will be in attendance. Divine service will be conducted to-morrow morning, at 11 o'clock, at the Parnell Hall ; and in the evening, at 6.30, at the Odd Fellows' Hall, when a sermon will be delivered on "Abraham, the Founder of the Church of Faith." The Otago Evening News say« :—": — " lam reliably informed that there are two hotels in Dunedin, a room of which is periodically appropriated by a Fenian committee ; that large sums have been sent by Dunedinites in support of the Fenian organ — the Celt—to Hokitika ; that a Government member has received an anonymous letter, warning him of the contemplated attempt to release the convict Sullivan, who in alleged to be a Fenian ; that the police of Dunedin are constant reader* of the Fenian Celt All the Irish police who indirectly show Fenianis-u should be dismissed. All the Volunteers should be re-sworn with the view of inserting a clause in the oath, distinctly pledging the Volunteer to do all within his power to obstruct the Fenian, or any other disloyal agitation. No man should be allowed to purchase ammunition, guns, pistols, or any arms f r defence or offence without a written license to boy and use such arms from a magistrate. In fact, too many precautions cannot be taken against Fenianism in a colony — a portion oE whose police read a Fenian newspaper, and subscribe to Fenian objects — whose diggers — witness Charleston diggers- get up funeral processions in honour of Fenian convicts. The time will come when the colonies will suffer from active Fenianism."