WAIKATO NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 174, 19 July 1909, Page 5

WAIKATO NOTES.

; Own Correspondent. Two inquests were held last week in Hamilton. Alexander Scott, who i was so seriously injured by a fell of earth in a clay quarry, died at the Waikato Hospital. The coroner's veri diet was in accordance with the evidence on the accident. John Mcßumie, who was found with his head fixed between two stakes of a picket fence, also died at the Hospital. The evidence showed that his death was a result of pneumonia, accelerated by alcoholic poisoning and the verdict was , given in accordance therewith. The Winter Show has vanished, and the Horse Bazaar has returned to its more familiar uses. A few mild criticisms may now be indulged in. Another year it will be found very desirable to devote a sef arate section of the building to working machinery, so that music may be enjoyed in comparative quiet elsewhere. If the place where the bandstand stood was left an open circle, it would give a better spectacular view o'* the show on entering the great hall. Much interest could be created if the committee could arrange f or the showing of working models of any novelties, such as the mono-rail. etc. These things always attract attention. A Parliamentary debating Society has bem formed in Hamilton, and Mr Bell has been entrusted with the task of forming a ministry and preparing a programme, Mr J. W. Ycung will act as the Leader of the Opposition. The object is to encourage young fellows in public speaking. A gymkana in aid of the local mounted rifie corps funds is to he given on th*> 29th in«t. at the Hors« Bazaar. The defence cadets arc assisting and all items given in thu recent tournament will be repeated. A tug-of-war and an "Assault lit Arms" will also take place. Mr Allen bell is endeavouring to arrange for a great Equestrian Carnivial for the Spring Show Week in November at the Horse Bazaar. Some novel features arc promised. The wool market continues firm, though faulty, and shoddy lots of crossbreds have declined 5 to 10 per cent. Butter continues firm at 106s and these two items butter and wool —are the farmer's consolations for losses in connection with the frozen meat trade. Without being unduly pessimistic I yet fear the future prospects of higher prices for mutton a;d lamb are likely to prove delusive. Argentine is on immense country. We think cur twenty million sheep a large number but Argentine has 120 million and is increasing the number at a rapid rate. I saw an Australian farmer was speaking most enthusiastically of the Argentine the other day, and was wishing he was free to go there. My advice is: "Don't." It is a foreign country of immense distances. English would never be heard in the country districts by New Zealanders going there, and the habits and customs would be strange and objectionable to people of British stock. Money i« not everything and I would rathT earn a modest livelihood in New Zealand than become wealthy in permanent exile in a Spanish speaking country. Writing of wool I should like to refer to an article in tl.e Mercantile Gazette. which seems to me to touch the spot. Mertr.o wools, says the Gazette, have reached a dangerous height. Crossbreds. on the other hand except fine sorts, have been practically neglectdd. Prices will have to come nearer and either merinos fall, or cross breds advance a little. Manufacturers arc getting spring orders mainly on coarse wools, merinos proving too dear for general consumption. Immediately a check comes in merino prices, quotes the gazette, values will not remain stationary, but after wavering for a day or two will show a substantial fall. This is the lesion experience teachrs. But crossbred wool is not dear and therefore will not be liable to the danger of a big fall. Altogether. the prospects of the position as it affects crossbred wools, warrants optimism. I have recently had a chat with a man who is in close touch with the ; Valuation Department. He tells me that the recent troubles should never i have occurred, bad a little give and take been exercised. The policy of the Department, he assured me. was to be reasonable and just, and any arbitrary action by inspectors or other officials would be promptly and fearlessly dealt with. It is gratifying to know this. I daresay we have all met in our time some official or other who manages in the exercise of his duty, as machinery inspector, dairy inspector, or valvuator, as the case my be, to infuse a great deal of tactlessness and harshness with the work he had to perform. If the intention of the State is to help the farmer and not to harass him, gTeat care in the selection of suitable officials is obviously one of the primary need* of the situation.