The Waipawa Mail WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1879

Waipawa Mail, Volume 2, Issue 132, 17 December 1879, Page 2

The Waipawa Mail WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1879

Agricultural affairs in England arc evidently rapidly approaching a crisis. To all appearance, tilings are in a bad way, and far from promising, either for the owners or occupiers of the soil. The present depression and stagnation are traceable to various causes. First of all, for years back the demand for land has been excessive. Farming was resorted to by many, more as a pastime than to make it pay. Thus money has been brought into direct competition with skill and practical experience, and as a natural consequence, land has risen far above its producing value. This, however, is only one of the many drawbacks with which the British farmers have had to contend. Another serious evil has arisen in connection with overpreservation of game. Landlords having first leased their land at its full market value for agricultural purposes, then leased it a second time for shooting purposes. Thus the farmer was saddled, not only with his own expense, but with the additional and often ruinous, expense of rearing and feeding all kinds of game for the amusement of the lord of the soil, and his sporting tenants. Another influence which operated very adversely against agricultural prosperity was the insecurity of tenure. In many parts of England and Wales a system of yearly tenancy was in force. But even on estates where leases for 19 and 21 years were obtainable, the term of tenure was too limited to stimulate exertion and improvement, or justify the continuous expenditure necessary to secure the largest possible yield in return. Unless there was a special agreement to that effect, there was no claim for inexhausted improvements on the expiring of the lease. And since the vitious practice had become general of advertising farms for twelve months or more previous to the time for re-letting, and then letting them to the highest bidder, farmers in possession had no certainty that they would get a renewal of their leases. The consequence of this was that many, during the latter half of their tenancy, instead of continuing to feed and enrich the soil with artificial and other manures, tried to get out of it all they possibly could to recoup the heavy outlay already incurred, and thus impoverished and exhausted the land. The effects of this starving process were most injurious, and a source of incalculable "loss. Another evil arose from the conditions of cropping. On almost all estates a certain system of rotation was adopted, and had to be followed, be it ever so unsuitable. Farmers were allowed no latitude or choice in the matter. They had to comply with the regulations in force, and the slightest infringement was often visited with severe penalties. The effect of all this was to hamper and trammel the practical agriculturist, and render his skill and experience of no nse. But amongst the evils under which British agriculture has been labouring, were others of a totally different nature from those described. For the present depression, foreign competition is in no small degree responsible. America, and even the Australasian colonies, have become Sowerful rivals of England in her ome markets. Not only can they grow grain cheaper than at home, but after the expense of manufacture and freight, they can undersell the home producer, and still have a fair proiit left. Nor is it in the grain market alone that British agriculturists have felt the effects of foreign competition. For some time back, '

live stock and dead meat have been poured into England from America and Canada in large quantities, and thus the prices have been so reduced that the profits hitherto depended on as the farmer’s mainstay, have wellnigh been swept away ; and last, but not least, there has been a succession of the worst harvests experienced for many years, which have occasioned enormous losses in all departments of agriculture. "What the upshot is to be no one can foresee. It is evident, however, that in consequence of the causes just specified, the land question has assumed a new phase in England, and that the time is fast approaching when all class legislation will have to be swept away, if home agriculturists would compete on equal terms with other countries. Jn reference to this subject, Mr Bright recently wrote : —“ The land question is moving on rapidly—l mean the whole question—primogeniture, entails, settlements, and the right of tenants, and the interests of the public.” Recently a Parliamentary Commission was appointed to inquire into the present agricultural distress, and the Government have distinctly promised that this inquiry shall include within its range all questions affecting land. Too much need not be expected from the Commission, but if it can suggest any practical remedy for the present evils, it will not be in vain, and cannot sit a moment too soon. To show the magnitude and reality of the prevailing distress, a few facts will suffice. The London Haberdashers’ Company have had to try the experiment of farming their own lauds, to the extent of some 1200 acres. The Duke of Portland has nearly 30 farms on his bands; the trustees of the Duke of Newcastle nearly as many ; and Lord Willoughby some 13 ; and with a view to test how far bis farms in Cheshire have been affected by the present depression, Earl Kilmony has given his tenants, numbering about 50, notice to quit, and thrown all his farms upon the market, and not as much as a single offer has been received from any of the old tenants. These facts speak for themselves, and to all appearance the worst is yet to come. Farmers, tired of waiting for a turn in the tide of prosperity, are emigrating in large numbers to Canada and America. Very lately some eighty farmers left England for Texas. They were chiefly from Durham and Northern Yorkshire, and had amongst them the command of a considerable amount of capital. No fewer than three parties of tenant farmers’ delegates have, during this year, gone to Canada, under the auspices of the Dominion Government, to report on that country as a field of settlement. They represent part of Scotland, and the Northern, Eastern, and Western Counties of England. Next spring they are to be followed by many more, in the event of the Canadian Government continuing its present tentative policy ; and there has just arrived in Melbourne a party of tenant farmers’ delegates, who have been sent out to make a tour of inspection of Australia and New Zealand. On the nature of this report will depend whether we shall participate in the tide of emigration likely to follow. From all this, it will be seen that the farmers of Great Britian, in their present straits, expect relief from without rather than from within. They are, however, resorting to an expedient which will force on the consideration of all questions affecting land, and sooner or later remove most of those evils and grievances of which they have had so long to complain.

Tiie Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese will preach on Sunday next at Tahoraite at 11 a.m., and Woodville at 3 p.m.

The Rev. Father McGuinness will celebrate mass in Waipawa, on Sunday next, the 21st inst., on Christmas Day, and on Sunday, the 28th inst.

The Rev. H. R. Wilkinson will preacli at Norsewood, to-morrow evening, at 7.30 p.m., and at Woodville, on Sunday, at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m, Mr W. F. Wilson will preacli in the Methodist Church, Waipawa, on Sunday, at 7 p.m. A telegraph station is now open at Woodville, in the County of Waipawa. Mr H. H. Bridge advertises in another column for shearers to shear 6000 lambs, commencing on Bth January.

A heavy meteoric shower of lumps of ice fell on Monday at Takapau. The ice enclosed what appeared to be some mineral substance. W e notice that the Education Board, at their meeting on Monday, dealt with the question raised in these columns of using locally-grown timber for the erection of school buildings. On the motion of Mr Harding, it was resolved “ that in all future specifications for school buildings the words ‘ or heart of totara’ be inserted after the word ‘ kauri,’ and in districts where neither heart of totara nor kauri are obtained, that ‘ local timber’ be specified.” Professor Cohn of Breslau, has been making experiments with the electric light on the eyes of person* for the purpose of testing its influence on visual derceptions and sensations of colour. He has found that letters, spots, and colours are perceived at a much greater distance through the medium of the electric light than by day or gas light. The sensation of yellow was increased sixtyfold compared to daylight, red sixfold, 'and blue two old. Eyes which could with difficulty distinguished colours by day or gas light, were much aided by the electric light. Professor Cohn concludes with his opinion with the electric light would prove ex-, ceedingly useful in place whore it is desirable that signals should' be seen at a great distance.

We would remind those who are going to compete for the Waipawa Cup, at the sports on Boxing Day, that entries are to be sent in to the Secretary by tomorrow. Tenders for the booth are also to be sent in before tomorrow.

At the meeting of the Loyal Abbotsford Lodge of Oddfellows, held on Saturday last, Dr. J. S. Caro, of Napier, was elected Lodge Surgeon for the ensuing year.

The case against R. H. McLennan, of wife murder, is still proceeding in the Supreme Court, Napier. The evidence of a number of witnesses has been taken The trial is likely to last for several days. The target for the Waipawa County Rifle Club is now in position, and the members will be at work ip a day or two practising. The target is a canvas one, and the first of the kind, we understand, that has been made in the colony. It was made by Mr McDougall, under the instructions of the members ot the club.

The Napier Daily Telegraph, of yesterday, reports that “ a telegram was received by Major Scully, Inspector of Police, this morning, from the constable stationed at Porangalmu, stating that it was reported that a man named Sam Boyle was drowned last evening near Blackhead, his horse and saddle beiug found near there ; also, that a house in the occupation of Mr Sweeney was struck by lightning yesterday and burned down to the ground. The constable has left to make all search for Boyle’s body.” The Ashburton Mail understands that the Government contemplate reducing the speed of the express train on the Christchurch-Dunedin line, in consequence of the wear and tear of the rails and rolling-stock caused by the rate at which the train travels.

Some curious things are transpiring with reference to the increased duties on spirits and tobacco. A day or two after the Colonial Treasurer’s Financial Statement was made, a well-known li knight of the hammer” in Wellington met an esteemed friend, who had often previously urged upon him the pernicious effects of the soothing weed.” “ And now, Mr ” said the anti-tobacconi6t, “ here is a good opportunity for you to renounce the abominable habit. Another sixpence a pound has been placed upon tobacco. Now promise me that you will do without your pipe for oue day, just for a trial.” The good-natnred “ knight of the hammer” did accordingly promise his friend that his pipe should be put by for that day ; ho accordingly put it aside, and his friend was much rejoiced thereat. During that day, however, cigars were purchased to the tune of four shillings; and our friend the auctioneer now vows that he prefers paying the extra sixpence on his tobacco, because he finds it much less expensive than cigars, and quite as soothing. The Taranaki Herald has the following : —“ A serious case of illness has been occasioned by the bite of a venomous spider known as the katipo. A person was sitting in the vicinity of the sandhills on Saturday last, when he was bitten by a spider on the ankle. He shortly afterwards suffered intense,, pain, which continued" Without abatement for several days. lie was taken to the hospital, and, while there, his suffering was so great as to cause delirium, and his body began to swell. The case required the utmost care and attention before any favourable symptoms were produced. Wo are glad to say that the patient is now out of danger, and progressing towards recovery.”

The latest from Sleepy Hollow! Last week a gentleman from Wellington paid a visit to Nelson, and—will it be believed ?—-he informs us that he found one of the Corporation laborers sweeping the streets in carpet slippers ! Councillor Logan should make no more remarks about “ Corporation stroke” after that.

The latest dodge by which charitable people in England are imposed upon is a very simple hut ingenious one. A man carefully, hut plainly dressed, visits the churches, is overcome by faintness during the service, falls into the aisle and is carried out, to the great disturbance of the congregation. A pitiful tale of starvation and want is told in the vestry when the man revives, and, of course, a collection is made to relieve the pangs of hunger which the “ poor man” suffers.

We hinted (says the Lyttelton Times) at the close of an article written while the Grey Ministry were in power, that there was another method besides the employment of Parliamentary influence, which might be used when an individual or a corporate body wanted to get anything out of Ministers. One word will describe our method—that word is—worr}', worry, quiet, continuous, untiring, sleepless worry. Never let a day pass without an interview, a note, an official letter, a memorandum, of something or other which the Minister may have forgotten, a message through a third person, a telegram, a paragraph in a Wellington paper if you can manage ; if not, a passage in a local paper, enclosed with your compliments to the Minister. Haunt the poor inaa ; if you cannot penetrate into his -room and interview him, hang about the public offices or the lobbies, and, follow him meekly about. . On no account be. rude, do not force yourself on him in such a way that he can rebuff you, always be ready to wait his leisure, gently intimate that when he is at liberty you wish to see him, as there was a point of importance you left unnoticed at your last interview. Speak as if he wanted nothing so much as to do you justice ; imply that you rely entirely on his impartiality ; that you ask no favor, but that your case is so good that all you want is to put him thoroughly in possession of the facts ; keep this sort of thing up for a fortnight or three weeks, and by the end of that time the unhappy Minister will shudder at your name, a cold perspiration will break out all over him when the messenger announces you, he will find life a burden to him, and he will if it can possibly be done, comply with your request. Wellington College. —The above institution is in a bad way. It has at present a bank overdraft of £llOO, and whilst the estimated income for the year is only £2,509, provision has to bo made for payment of salaries, £2,900 ; interest on borrowed money £SOO ; contigencies, £250. A deputation is to wait on the Government, to represent to them the financial position of the College, and ask for aid.

The Chinese Premier, Prince Kung, addressed General Grant in English, so-called. Trying to compliment him by assuring him that he was born to command, he said, “ Sire ! Brave Generale I you ros made to order I” Victoria. —We learn that the population of the colony of Victoria, on 30th June last, was estimated by the Government statist at 887,734 —males, 482,769 ; females, 404.965.

No two Bank of England notes are exactly alike. The printing is done by a method known only to the inventor, and the paper is manufactured by a process which has been in charge of the Portal family for two hundred years. No notes are ever reissued after being paid back into the bank, but are periodically destroyed.

In the Victorian Parliament, Mr Nimmo stated that drunkenness was on the increase, whereupon Mr A. K. Smith contradicted him, quotin r the following figures to show its “ decrease” :—ln 1874, the number of persons brought up for drunkenness was 1 in 73 of the population ; in 1875, 1 in 71 ;in 1876, lin 68.” Mr Smith’s contradiction was accepted by the House, no one questioning that 1 in 68 was less than 1 iu 73.