The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 490, 21 September 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1899.

The question as to whether the Transvaal trouble is to be settled without appeal to arms has still to be solved. Great Britain has submitted an ultimatum from which it is impossible for her to deviate without loss of dignity. She has already suffered enough iu this respect. At the same time the Government, in supporting Sir A. Milner's proposals, has avoided irritating Boer susceptibilities more than has been absolutely necessary, if the subjects of the Queen are to be treated with anything approaohing fairness in a country over which she claims suzerainty. The contest would be such an unequal one that the British Government, in dealing with this question, has made all possible allowances for Boer obstinacy, incited by an exalted estimate of their power, and a very low estimate of ours. Allowing that the Orange Free State gives active assistance to the Boers, the chance of their successfully opposing the first army of 60,000 men which it is proposed to employ is very remote indeed. If England is forced to war she will havo the consolation of knowing that she is demanding less,' rather than more, than the circumstances justify, and, judging by the cablegrams, this faot is recognised by all the European Powers. The war will of course entail enormous cost on the British Exchequer, and when the settlement comes after the war, the Boers will find that they have a very heavy bill to meet, so heavy that nothing short of the absolute annexation of their country will satisfy it. It has been urged that such an extreme step would entail the keeping of a larg9 force in Africa to effectually hold the country. There is no reason for any such fear; were the country under British rule there would within a year or two be Buch an influx of population that the Boers would very soon become a quantity not worth considering.

There was a large attendance at Messrß McNicol and Co's. annual horse fair at Cambridge yesterday, buyers haiiing from the Coast, Pahiatua, Palmeretou and the goldfield districts.

Those who were fortunate enough to be out between 3.30 and 4 a.in on Tuesday last witnessed an unusual and beautiful phenomenon—a perfest lunar rail.bow.

It was reported in Cambridge yesterday that Mr Harry Kerr, of the Criterion Hotel, had sold out to Mr J. Gallagher, late of the Metropolitan Hotel, Auckland.

We learn that the Singer Sewing Machine Company have offered to give one of their best sewing machines as a prize for butter at the forthcoming Agricultural Show. It is valued at £l4, and will doubtless bo the means of causing a spirited contest amongst, our lady friends.

An elderly man named Clements was arreßted in Hamilton yesterday morning by Const. Howell, of Huntly, on a charge of theft, alleged to have been committed at the Huntly Hotel a day or two ago. He was taken back to Huntly by the afternoon train.

On account of the difficulty in obtaining the use of the wires for this evening, the Thames-Hamilton chess match has been postponed until Saturday evening next. The following gentlemen will represent Hamilton : McCtea, Stevens, Burr, Lye, Going, Home, Mahon, Ewen aud Kinlock.

Mr Broun, the Government entomologist, condemned two consignments of fruit ex " Zealandia," though they bore the New South Wales Government stamp, accompanied by certificates declaring them fumigated in Sydney with hydrocyanic gas. Mr Broun states the fruit is infested with live scale insects.

We are pleased to announce that the entertainments given in aid of the Waikato Hunt Club at Cambridge on Tuesday evening, and again last night, were well attended and much appreciated. The Hall was well filled on each occasion, aud everything passed off splendidly. We are compelled to hold over our report until next issue.

Mr Lang thinks it would be well if the Government would appoint an inspector to see that the milk supplier got a fair value for his milk. The farmers in many cases felt that they were not getting as much as they should, and this dissatisfaccion would be to a great extent allayed if the percentage of butter fat was certified to by a Government officer.

On Tuesday evening a most successful dance was given by the young ladies of VVhatawhata in the YVhatawhata Hall. There was a very large attendance, visitors being present from all parts of the district. Tho supper arrangements were all that could be desired, and excellent music was supplied by Messrs J. Munro and Devery, of Hamilton.

Mr Massey has received a memo. f.iom Mr Hall-Joues, stating that plans have been prepared for the Tuakau bridge and sent to the engineer-in-chief for approval. When the plans are approved tenders will be called for the work, if the cost is within the estimate and the vote agreed to by the House. Mr Massey has a question on the Order Paper on the subject. We understand that Captain Reid intends to give his novel phonographic entertainment in the Hukanui Hall on Wednesday evening next. Captain Reid is the happy possessor of one of the best instruments ever imported into New Zealand, and our Hukanui friends can look forward to a capital evening's amusement. A full list of the items will be published in our issue of Saturday.

The result* of the Trinity College Musical Theoretical Examinations, held in Auckland on June 10th, were received on Tuesday by Mr V. E. Rice, local secretary of Trinity College, London. Amongst the list of honours are the following names of interest to Waikato residents:—Ada and Violet Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's Convent), Adele Q Aubin (Miss J. M. Adams), Daphne W. Slade (Miss Newell). The lad Stokes, who was charged with obtaining a horse, saddle and bridle by means of false pretences from Mr William McMillan at Cambridge on Sunday, 3rd instaut, was brought up at Cambridge yesterday, before Messrs Rout and Priestley, J.Ps. Mr Dyer appeared for the accused. The charge was proved by a number of witnesses, and the lad was convicted and sentenced to come up for judgment when called upon and to pay costs, amounting to £5 0s Bd.

Tt is expected that the usually harmonious proceedings at the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, on Friday next, will be surrounded with more than usual interest. We understand that Mr C. J. W. Barton who acted as Returning Officer at the recent municipal election has instituted proceeding against Mrs Cockhead for taking a voting paper out of the polling booth. A rumour is also current that the lady referred to intends to lay an information against the Returning Officer for assault.

The limelight entertainment, given iu the Volunteer Hall, last evening, by Adjutant Hutchison, of the Australian branch of the Salvation Army, was well attended. Excellent views, illustrative of the good work done by Mrs Commandant Booth, in the homes of the fallen women in Sydney and Melbourne were bliowd, while a clear and lucid description of the work was given by Adjutant Hutchinson. This lady is well-known in this district in connection with Salvation Army work.

Wo are in receipt of the New Zealand Official Year Book, 1899. In the preface Mr E.J. von Dadelsen. Registrar General, points out that the year book has on this occasion been issued at an earlier date than previously. Under theso conditions some departmental reports presented to Parliament were not available for purposes of statistical sections. The latest figures are, however, mostly given throughout, and eleven pew special articles are introduced into Part 111. The official year book is a most useful book of reference, all must admit, who have occasion to refer to matters official or statistical in connection with the colony.

At a meeting of the Executive of the New Zealand Counties' Association, hehl in Wellington, on Tuesday, a letter was read from the WaiUki County Council urging the desirableness of holding the general elections in each county on the third Wednesday in November, instead of the second Wednesday of that month. The committee resolved to sup port the proposal. It was decided that eaoh candidate for a seat in Parliament should bo asked if he will, in the event of his election, urge the Government to bring in a local Government Bill next session to give effect to the resolution passed at the various conferences of the New Zealand Counties' Association.

An interesting freak of nature was on exhibition in Mr R. F. Sandes' shop, on Monday. It consisted of au egg enclosed in another egg. The outer egg —a small one, evidently laid by a pullet —was broken on Saturday for culinary purposes, when it was found to contain a smaller one—about the size of a sparrow's egg in side. There was no yolk visible, the smaller egg being surrounded only by white, and no doubt the yo'k will be found inside' the enclosed egg, but this lus not beeii broken. While this subject was being examined, a gentleman present exhibited the photo of another freak in the shape of a twoheaded schnapper. This fish was caught off the Great Barrier, on Sunday, 3rd inst., and is certainly a very interesting specimen. The creature has only three eyes, but otherwise the heads are perfect aud are joined just behind the gills. After being photographed, the fish was frozen and sent on to Sydney to be preserved.

The following paragraph, which will doubtless prove of interest to many of our readers, is taken from the Dubbo Liberal, dated Wednesday, September 6th :—On Tuesday evening the employees in Mr J. G. Brown's establishment assembled for the purpose of presenting souvenirs as marks of their esteem to Mr W. J. LeQuesne (who is leaving Dubbo to take over the business ] of Struthers and Co., at Trangie), and to Mr J. M'lntosh (who is going to the same firm as book-keeper in the new firm). The mementoes took the form of gold medals, suitably inscribed.