The Waikato Argus, [PUBLISHED DAILY] TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1914

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 5507, 13 January 1914, Page 2

The Waikato Argus, [PUBLISHED DAILY] TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1914

When a strike is at our own doors it is difficult to sift truthful from misleading statements. It is still more the case when the scene of the struggle is at a distance; the tendency is always to exaggerate incidents. That the position in South Africa, however, is very serious cannot be ignored, and it is selfevident that before law and order are established aome time must elapse 'and immense loss result. It is significant of a very Berious position that the Government has called out the entire citizen army of the Transvaal, on the grounds that serious disturbances are anticipated. These troops are guarding the coal stores, the control of which is always sought by the breakers of the peace and the Government of a countiy in which a strike is in progress. It appears to be clear that in liloemfontein the men in all the workshops have struck. It is somewhat reassuring that only about one-fifth of the employees have joined the strikers. The situation appears to be very serious in Johannesburg. The Government, however, claim the ability to keep the main line open for coal and foodstuffs. Martial law has been declared in all the districts where disturbance prevails. The Government is confident, that it has sufficient force to restore order without calling upon the Imperhl troops for assistance. If this be so, the question as to whether Imperial troops shall be employed to suppress civil disturbances need not be con sidered. By way of making the position worse, it is stated that the Indians, in spite of Mr Ghandi's advice, have decided to renew the passive resistance movement. The Government appear to be fully alive to the fact that it is their urgent duty to restore order at any and every possible cost.

Keep down as much as you can the standard of your wants, for in this lies a great secret of manliness, true worth and happiness. —Gladstone. On fourth page: Hamilton West School, Waikato Caledonian Society, District News, and "Farming" the Long Paddock. Lloyds is experiencing a boom in insurance against mumps. Those who have been previously attacked are charged 10s to secure the payment of £5 weekly for three months, and others are charged 25b for similar benefits. The Canadian Dairy Division states that "flies cause great loss to the dairy farmer by so irritating the cows as to reduce the flow of milk materially. The setting around, in shallow pans, of a mixture of sweet skim milk, two parts and formalin one part will do much to reuuee the pest." The fashion makers of Paris have decreed that yellow-gold and gold-tan tones shall prevail in the spring. *6rown, and subdued greyish-green nStfwill be popular. There will be fl*e new varieties of reseda tints £"nging from mistletoe to cucumber. Itra brilliant and assertive colours 11 be out of favour.

Wellington defeated Otago in the interprovincial cricket match by a margin of 85 runs. In another column the Waikato Caledonian Society invites tenders for the right to sell refreshments at their meeting at Frankton Junction on Anniversary Day, January 29. Father Buell, who left the Jesuit Order to marry Frances Power, a beautiful society girl, has entered a papist monastery, and his wife has entered a Roman Catholic home.

With a view to competing at the forthcoming Fire Brigades' Demonstration at the Auckland Exhibition, the Hamilton municipal firemen are undergoing a course of strenuous practice. Last evening, on Steele Park, they put in a,.couple of hours' solid work, if the teams do not succeed in bringing home an armful of trophies, it will certainly nit be for want of trying.

The Te Aroha Cycling Club has decided to hold a road race from Hamilton to Te Aroha, a distance of 35 miles, on Saturday, March 14. The first prize is to be Mr S. Malon.ey's cup, second a trophy valued «t three guineas, third a trophy presented by Mr R. Willis, and fourth, a trophy presented by M* H. Foster. A trophy for the fastest time has been presented by Mr H. Herbert. An opotiki contemporary thus Borc»sticfll|y ß o r c»sticfll|y refers to the prosperity of that town:—"Wc are informed that a firm—enterprising, of course —of Auckland merchants intends shortly to open a cheap cash store in Opotiki. Some people appear to think that Opotiki is a veritable gold mine. Well, we have had a quarter of a century's experience, and we could put the surplus of our banking account into a pewter and still leave room for a decent thirst-quencher!"

The completing of the chain of metalling between Te Kuiti and Hangatiki, on the Mangaorino road, should be accomplished this season. The contract is now well in hand, and, given fine weather, there should be no difficulty in finishing the work during the summer. The journey to the Waitomo Caves will then be negotiated without encountering any of the mud holes with which travellers.were so familiar in the past.

A report which has had a limited circulation to the effect that the State Coal Mines were not to be re-opened, was referred to the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Mines, who said there was not truth whatever in the rumour. "The State Coal Mines," he said, "will be re-opened when work can be carried on in a satisfactory manner, and I hope to sec this made possible very shortly."

"Apparently the farming community on the Continent are a very honest lot, for in many districts there are no fences to divide the farms, a stone only in many cases marking the boundary line," said Mr Perry in the course of an address at Masterton. In other parts, particularly in Germany, a row of fruit trees is the boundary, while fruit trees are planted all along the roadway." "There cannot be any school boys there," romarked a farmer present, amidst laughter.

The Opotiki Herald says that since the last eruption on White Island, one of the men, while working a goofl bit away from the camp, came across a stone embedded in the soft earth apparently thrown out by the eruption. On coining back to camp he sold his interest to two other men for a considerable sum, and these two men are taking it to Auckland to a lapidary. It is understood that the stone—which is supposed to be of the precious order has been brought over to Opotoki for safe keeping. Should it turn out as hoped, the hearts and shares oi the shareholders will go up with a bound.

The General Manager of Railways, Mr E. H. Hiley, has lately been looking to the condition of houses provided for stationmasters. Representations were recently made to the department in the matter by railway officers. Mr Hiley now states, says the New Zealand Times, that he fully recognises that some of the houses are not as convenient as they might be, but those recently built have been erected on up-to-date lines. Many of the houses, he adds, would not stand alteration, and for financial reasons he finds it impossible to erect new dwellings. As the houses become uninhabitable, it is Mr Hiley's intention to see that now ones are erected with up-to-date accommodation.

The police have been complaining a good deal lately about the use of bad language in the public thoroughfares. "There seems to be a feeling among a certain section of men," said Inspector Hendrey, in th Magisrate's Court in Wellington, "that it is proper to use this language in the hearing of women and children. Filthy language is shouted out in the public streets, and I submit that where a man is convicted for the third time of an offence of this nature the penalty should be substantial." The man in the dock had twice previously been convicted of similar offences. He was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, says the Dominion. We are of opinion that Wellington is not the only centre where the practice complained of exists. Synopsis of New Advertisements Youth wanted. Lost—Steer calf. Impounding notice. Wheel scoops for sale. Five-roomed house wanted. Auld's end-of-season money-saving sale. Waikato Caledonian Society-—Ten-ders for privileges. Frankton-llamilton motor 'busMeets midnight train. J. R. Fow and Co.—Clearance sale at the mart on Saturday.