Page 2 Advertisements Column 3

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 309, 2 July 1898, Page 2

table that notwithstanding the large investment of foreign capital, the ! increase in production has been very small : 1801. 1896. Incr'se. Value of gold and silver produced £1,012,639 £1,052,017 £39,378 Value of all other minerals, includ* ine Itauri gum and coal.. .. 8:25,017 50'2,224 34,177 We now come to the table which disproves the claim of the present administration that industries had progressed under thoir Government : The above table shows that the average yearly increase in factories during the last six years of the Atkinson Government was 61, and during the six years of the Seddon Government only 41. Mr Vaile also gives a very pregnant fact as regards pauperism and poverty. In 1891 there were 4717 people dependant on the State for support, and in 1896 that number bad jumped to 7601. No return is given in 1891 of the number of bread-winners out of employment, but in 1896 there were 17,396 in that unhappy position. The figures we have quoted above speak for themselves, and comment is unnecessary. On our fourth page we publish a report of yesterday's meeting of the Kirikiriroa Road Board, an article from an ex-Waikato resident entitled " En route for Klondyke," Pirongia notes, and other matter. In our Supplement next week we hope to publish the first chapters of a serial stovy, entitled "Under a Mask." It maintains its interest from start lo finish, and cannot fail to please our readers. Pastor Steed announces meetings for Cambridge and Hamilton during the forthcoming week. Rev. Walter Smith will conduct the Presbyterian services at Te Roro, Paterangi and Te Awatnutu to-morrow. A meeting was held in Hamilton last night of those desirous of forming a branch of the Liberal League. We understand that an executive was elected by those present. On Monday next, July 4th, Mr W. J. Hunter will hold a sale of live and dead stock at the residence of Mr C. Frodsham, Te Kowhai, near Whatawhata, commencing at 12 o'clock. Mr W. J. Hunter has received instructions from Mr P. Guthrie to sell at ]\garuawahiaon Saturday, July 9th, at 11 o'clock, the whole of his live and dead stock, etc. Full particulars will appear in a future issue. A concert and dramatic entertainment will be held in the Town Hall, Ngaruaviahia, on Wednesday evening next, when the Hamilton Amateur Dramatic Company will sta L i the charming comedy " Withered Lea\ ,s." The inhabitants of Cambridge West will be pleased to know that an attempt will be made on Tuesday next to resuscitate the Pukekura Mutual Improvement Society. We refer our readers to an advertisement in another column. A telegram from Christchurch last night states :—" Yesterday a requisition was presented to Mr A, E. G. Rhodes, asking him to allow himself to be nominated for the Avon seat at the next election. He said that he had no intention of coming out again, but if the party desired it he would do so, and if it were decided that he should contest Avon he would be happy to acquiesce." We remind our readers that the usual monthly meeting of the Waikato Farmers' Club will be held at Cambridge on Monday next, at 7.30 p.m. The annual meeting of the Club, at which the officers are appointed, will also be held on the same evening, at which a full attendance is requested. A report of what was done at the Agricultural Conference, lately held at Christchurch, will also be given by the delegate who attended on behalf of the Club. We are sorry to hear that Mr W. S. Allen, M.A., of Annandale, is too unwell to visit Hamilton and Marshmeadows tomorrow to preach as planned We sincerely hops he will soon recover, as his visits arc looked forward to with pleasure. The Rev. Dc Hosking will take the appointments instead of Mr Allen, and preach at Hamilton morning and evening and Marahmcadows in the afternoon. The Doctor's appointments at Tuhikaramea at 11 a.m., Te Rahu 3 p.m., and Te Awamntu 7 p.m. will be supplied by Miss Petersen. The Mercantile and Bankruptcy Gazette is responsible for the statement that there must now be some thousands of uncertificated bankrupts throughout the Colony. In most of these cases (it is alleged) the bankrupts are ignorant of the procedure to obtain their discharge, and are unable or unwilling to pay the fees for legal assistance. The suggestion is made that the Government should pass a Bill discharging all men and women who have been bankrupt for three years, on the ground that it was the original intention of the bankruptcy laws to grant relief to insolvent debtors. A fire destroyed Messrs Fry Bros', flax and grain storage shed (situated at Morrinsville), early on Saturday morning last. The origin of the fire is unknown, and no one (so far as is known) was in the shed the day or night previous ; but it is thought that a swagger or hawker may have got in to spend the night and have carelessly lit a fire ; two liawkers were in the district the night before and one had disappeared the next morning. The shed and contents were insured in the Norwich Union for £340, through the local agents (Messrs H. and J. Clifford) ; but as there was only a small quantity of flax stored away at the time the claim was for £l4B ; this was only sent in on the Monday and a cheque for the amount was forwarded by the return mail. Messrs Fry Bros', have been unfortunate with fires recently, as in the summer, a swamp fire destroyed many thousands of tons of their green flax ; this is the more to be regretted, as they kept the mill working for a long time when flax was only worth about £lO per ton, and now that is worth £l6 to £IS, they would have reaped some Reward,—(Own Correspondent),