The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1188, 7 February 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1880.

"We have received from the Secretary to the Commissioners of tho Sydney Exhibition certain papers connected with an Agricultural Show, which it is intended to hold in the Agricultural Hall, Garden Palace, Sydney, on the 2nd of March. Thid will be not only a Q how of Agricaltaral and Horticultural Produce and Plants, but it is meant to bring together for comparison and instruction every article that the soil of these colonies, frora the tropic 3 to the South Cape, can produce. Besides exhibits of cereals, fruit, sugar, tobacco, &c , the produce of indnstrie3 already established, the inhabitants of ail ihe colonies are invited to send the results of their local observation and experiments, such as indigenous

gums^ nuts, flax, indigo, barks for tancing, dye woods, &c. ; also native grasses, the different varieties of salt bush and plants used as pasture. Also the results of their ex\ erimentul cultivation, chinchona, olives, silk, arrowroot, pepper, spices, &c, accompanied by information that may »vide others until these experiments grow into extensive industries, for with a country extending from within 10' degrees of the equator, to the south end of New Zealand in 47' S., with high mountain ranges throughout, and a coast line of over 3000 mileß, there mast be climate and soil suitable for the production of every article grown and consumed on the face of the earth. Yet, with all these advantages of climate, and a soil most rich and various, it is a fact that in all the Colonies the farmers have confined themselves almost exclusively to cereals grown in Great Britain, though obviously inadequate for their requirements. With unbounded pasture, animal food is produced so cheaply on open grass that stall feeding cannot pay, and there is thus no supply of manurs. This cats two ways : a great width of land is exhausted, aud the farmers must either cultivate for a very small return or be at the expense of reclaiming new land ; 2nd, he must cart his bulky crop to market instead of it carrying itself as live meat, the price of carriage nearly ; swallowing up the price ; he is con- j fined to the Colonial market — alwajs precarious ; in dry seasons he has no crop, and in wet it is good all lound aud barely pays expenses, unless in the remote contingency of very high prices at same time ruling in Bogland, from a bad harvest over ihe world. In addition to cereals, farmers require articles oi cultivation that will ©ccupy small surface of land, have the world for a market, be light of carriaga. Numbers ot articles have been proved on a small scale suitable for the purpose ; besides wine, sugar, tobacco, and hops—' already established industries — there are honey, olives, almouds, figs raisins, castor-oil, spices and chinchona, besides silk, which among oui exports should be second only to wool. People have shrank from any attempt to produce silk as if it was a mystery, and could be entered upon only at the hazard of a large capital, and for a long time without a chance of return, whereas th 9 producing of silk is a very ordinary business, requiring a very small capital. There are two separate and discinct stages in placing the silk in the market : — Ist. That of the farmer who plants and attends the mulberry tree, and breeds and " educates" the worms until the cocoon is formed j 2nd. that ot the capitalist who erects and conducts reeling machines, which require large capital and engage trained and skilful hands to reel the silk from the cocoons and prepare it for market. This division of labour is of quite modern date, and has made the work of the silk farmer comparatively simple. The Chinese reel as well as any machine, but tho Europeans were not so expert, and Mrs Bladen Neill says, in her admirable manual " Euiopean experience continues to show the disadvantage of reeling silk from the cocoon by peasant labour." There was still difficulty from the worm, in the natural course, leaving the cocoon and breaking and staining the silk in ease of delay in taking it to tho mill, but that was overcome by killing the worm in the cocoon, either by drying it in a camp oven at 110* or 120 , steaming and then thoronghly drying. As the worm before beginning to wind the cocoon, discharges itself of all excrementitious matter, it becomes when dried a piece of withered skin, and the cocoon can be then packed, and kept without any detriment to the silk. The work of the farmer is thus contracted to cultivating the mulberry tree and "educating " the worm till the cocoon ia tormed ; and for that no exceptional ability or aptitude is required as to frighten ordinary people, is proved by the well-known fact, that in all the silk countries the farms are very small, and the silk is raised by the farmers and their families as commonly as potatoes are by ours. Mrs Bladen Neill speaks of the •' thousands of '• peasant householders in the silk " countries dependent on the silk- " worm," and Fortune, in his " Wanderings in China," says, " The farms are small, and are generally worked by the family and relations of the farmer." Besides manufactured silk to the amount of ten and a-half millions sterling, Great Britain imported in 1877 raw silk to the value of six millions sterling, and there is no reason whatever why these colonies, and especially New South Wales, should not supply a CDnsiderable portion of it. Mrs Bladen Neill says truly " the special work is to start the industry, and the first step to this will be to bring about the planting of trees by individuals ;" "5s worth of seed and a few plants will make a beginning," and lastly, "any ordinary building or outhouse will answer the purpose of a * managerie ' or silkworcury, or even a verandah if properly arranged." All that is required is a combined effort to make a start, and then spread information as to the manipulation of the worm. Only by experiment and comparison can the capabilities of the various countries, districts and climates be learned, and it is earnestly requested that all will contribute their experience towards this result, one of the principal objects of the commission in this show. Schedules, forms of entry and foil information

may be obtained by applying to Mr G. S. Lang, secretary of tha Agricultural Committee, Macquarriestreet, Sydney, and the time being short, it is advisable that intending exhibitors should despatch exhibits forthwith.

The telegrams which have recently arrived from Europe, detail events of a most extraordinary nature as regards the position of the Russians in Central Asia. It is but the other day, that we hoaid from reliable sources, that the Russian forces starting from the Caspian, were pushing forward with all speed tovrards Merve, which they seemed determined to occupy ; the necessity of this step was supposed to be paramount in consequonce of the check received by the Russians in their Afghan policy, which culminated with the peace ot Gandamak. Merve is a well known oasis in the desert, situated on the river Murgal, distant aboat 250 miles from Herat. The object of the Russians in endeavouring to obtain this position, is its close promixity to Herat, which town is stated by all oriental traditions to be the gate of India, and which they are bent on acquiring if possible, and if not, of preventing its falling into the hands of the English. To reach Merve there are but two roads, one starting from Charjui on the Oxus, wnich crosses the desert, and the other from the Caspian Sea. The road across the desert is utterly impassible in summer on account of the absence of water, and the intense heat; it is over 200 miles across, and from its black sandy nature, presents a barrier most difficult to overcome even by the Turcomans who inhabit the country on its skirts, who pat their horses ioto training to accomplish the feat. The route from the Caspian, with which we have more to do with, was the one chosen, and it is necessary in order to comprehend why this, the longer route was selected, that we should remember the geographical position of Russia in Europe. The Caspian Sea which separates Europe from Asia, has of late years, become a mere Russian lake, in fact the entire trade is carried on, under cover of its flag. On the European sea-board lies the great Russian military government of Trans-Caucasia, the Volga discharges its huge volumes of water into it, at A strakhan, after traversing the heart of the Russian Empire, and the Iron road runs along its shores as far as Dec bend, which with Baku, are its two principal ports. A 6 various times the Russians have been endeavouring to establish a station on the opposite shore, Krasnovodsk was at first selected, but the absence of water, which had to be condensed from the sea for the use of the troops, together with the insalubrity of the climate cansed it to be abandoned, and Chikishlar at the mouth of the Attrek was taken. The Russian object has therefore been to bring the resources of Circoasia to bear upon its Asiatic policy and pave the fearful land journey by which Turkestan is now reached. General Roraanofski, the conqueror cf Khojend, and at the same time one of the most energetic of the Russian commanders says, that it requires nearly two years to move troops and stores from the Volga across tha Kirghiz Steppes, to the advanced posts beyond the Bokhara frontier, whereas with steamers on the Caspian and the Aral, a railroad connecting the two seas, and boats of light draught, navigating the Oxus and Jaxartes, a few weeks would suffice for the transport of a force from the overcrowded camps of the Caucasus into the heart ot Asia, and we must bear in mind that the railroad in contemplation, barely exceeds 200 miles ; so practical is ibis scheme considered that a line of levels has already been run across the Steppe between tho Caspian and the Aral seas, on the precise track indicated by this general, which when completed would give to Russia a continuous southern line of frontier from the Danube in Europe to China in Asia. Oa the south shore of the Caspian Sea lies Persia, this State forms the southern boundary of the Khanat of Khiva, which has lately passed into Russian hands. The line separating these two countries is the mountainous ridge of the Damon-Koh or Kuren-dab, the river Attrek runs parallel to the mountains, the Persians claim and have received English supporb in enforcing their rights to the watershed of the mountains, instead of being pushed back to the river Attrek, which the Russians diplomatically fought hard to establish as the Persian frontier. The reason is obvious, on the north of the Damon-Koh, the co»ntry is a barren salt desert, possessing no water or means of growing food except on the spurs of tho mountains, and these oases are occupied by the Turcomans, who move from placo to place with their flocks and herds as food becomes scarce ; to the south of the Damon-Koh the state of things is very different, the valleys between the mountains and the Attrek are of great fertility and have been the scene of many a fight between the Turcomans and Persians, thousands of the latter having been in times previous sold as slaves in the bazaars of Khiva and Bokara. By this route Merve and Turkestan could easily be reached and the entire resources of Russia in Europe, could without much difficulty be brought into play, whereas the northern route, presents difficulties of nearly

an insurmountable character, which Sir Henry Kawlinson declares to be of such a nature as to preclude any chance of success for years to come. However, in the Khiva campaign General Loinakiu started from Krasnovodsk, established his first post at fCizil A.rvat, endoavouring to meet General Kaufman at Khiva ; this column was the onlj one which did not reach its destination, having to return to the Caspian after suffering intense hardships ; but the post of Kizil Arvab was retained for future operations. During 1 the winter months of last year the time for carrying on these operations had come, a well appointed army of seasoned -troops being transferred from Circassia with the avoweJ object of chastising the Turcomans, and taking possession of Merve, which would have given the Eussians a starting point for future action against the English in Affghanisfcan and India. General Lomakin reached GeukTepe nearly midway between the Caspian and Merve, and at this place, we are now informed, was thoroughly beaten and driven back to the Caspian with the loss of all his artillery and stores, in fact, the most recent telegrams state that the Russians have had to seek refuge on board their ships to escape utter annihilation. It is carious how events that transpire in these distant lands come but to light months after their accomplishment in Europe 5 and we have to thank the Russian Press for our present account of these tacts, which they present to their readers as an excuse for the defeat. During the Turco-Russian war, a Major Butler received permission from the Indian Government to travel in this country for the parpose of informing them as to the actual state of affairs. Starting from Persia, he went to Merve, and travelled with the Tarcomans the whole road between that town and the Caspian. He seems not only to have travelled in the country, but to hare made use of his time in assisting- and advising Turcomans as to the way in which they should resist their Kuasian foes. His presence there seems soon to have become known to the Russian authorities in Turkestan, for we find in subsequent correspondence after the Berlin conference, that Monsieur do Giers complained to Lord Loftus, oar Ambassador, and present Governor of New South Wales, of the action of this officer. These complaints were forwarded by Lord Loftus to England, and instructions were sent to Major Butler, through the War Office, ordering him to return to his regiment in India. Of course this order took months in reaching him, and when it did, it appears that Major Butler was employed by the Indian Government, and as he had not received the Viceroy of India's orders, he remained at his post. How his time was employed we may well imagine, for the Russian papers state that through him Geuk-Tepe was formed into a second Plevna, and that when the Russian forces stormed the outworks they found them enfiladed by interior works, and that their men were mowed down in the same way as at the assault of Plevna. The Russian commander also became painfully aware of the fact that the Turcomans steadily avoided attacking his infantry, but that they systematically attacked his line of communication, hindering the supplies so necessary for an army in the field being despatched to him ; and they would fain attribute the disastrous results .of the entire campaign to the teachings and lessons the Turcomans received from this British officer. One thing, however, is certain, the Indian Government did advance to Major Butler £1000 wherewith to travel, they disavow having employed him on any political capacity, and have refused his demands since his return to India for expenses incurred. Supposing the Russian version to be correct, and it cettainly caries conviction on the face of it vhen we remomber the Btate of feeling that existed between the two nations at the time Major Butler started on his " travels," how is the arrival of the Turcoman Embassy at Calcutta to be explained 1 Did they leave Merv at Major Butler's instigation ? and what answer can the Indian Government give to their supplication for British assistance now that we are at peace with Russia. The name of Butler must certainly rankle in Russian breasts, for it is but a quarter of a century that a young lieutenant of the same name threw himself into Silistria, when the Russian army, under Prince Paskewitch, laid siege to that all-important fortress on the Danube. It was through his bravery and judgment tha*; the Turks were en abled to hurl back their repeated assaults, and so change the course of events in Europe; again the same name springs up in Asia, under nearly similar circumstances, to thwart the Russian advance, and to damage her prestige for years to come with the Turcoman tribes of Central Asia.

A considebable amount of feeling has been raised in this community by the act of his "Worship the Mayor in placing Mr Daly in the office of toll collector at the bridge on Sunday morning last on his own responsibility. We cannot see how he could have acted otherwise. The Council well knew that the term for which the right to collect the tolls had been leased expired on the 31st of January, yet they failed to meet for the transaction

of business, and let the time for again offering the tolls by auction go by without taking any steps in the matter. There has been a strong feeling that the management of the ferry tolls has been open to grave censure for some time past — a matter to whioh we fully referred a month ago— and that the borough pro* perty was being systematically deoried, and the burgesses suffering considerable loss thereby. The lessee, when farming the punt up to the end of last year had, month by month failed with his rent, and the Council had, month by month, quietly acquiesced in his request for a remission of £18. The consequence was that it came to be believed that the traffic across the river had greatly fallen off, and the bridge tolls for the month of January — the race month, the best in the yeat— realised only 4542. The placing Mr Daly on the bridge as collector haß revealed the fact that the tolls are worth nearly twice as much to the borough as the late lessee paid for them. On Sunday they realised £2 4s ; on Monday, £4 1 ; on Tuesday, £4 2s ; and we think, after this statement, the burgesses will agree that the action taken by the Mayor was only such as he oould not have avoided, as the executive of the Council, in such an emergency, but that it has been followed with the happiest results.

The request made by a deputation of the Cambridge Town Board to Mr Sheehan, when that gentleman held the portfolio of Native Minister, that some additional accommodation should be provided in the matter of a Courthouse and Post-office seems to be a very reasonable one. Indeed, proof of this might be found in the fact that a promise to carry out the wishes of the townspeople was readily granted. An old adage likens promises to piecrusts, and Cambridge, with its usual good fortune, was, with all its wants, loft unattended to. At the meeting held in Cambridge on Tuesday, Mr Kirkwood reverted to the matter, and asked Mr Whyte, the member for the district, what steps had been taken. In answer to this, Sir Whyte informed the meeting that he had done his best to get a grant for a Courthouse, but had beon only partially successful — the saai of £300 only being voted. He confessed that, lying under the impression that Cambridge wanted a new Post-office, he had thought it expedient to defer making a request in that direction until something was done in the other matter. On being informed that an addition to the present building, so as to provide more room for the public, was all that was at present required, he readily agreed to use his utmost endeavors to carry out their wishes. Too much stress cannot be laid on the pressing necessity which exists for increased accommodation in both directions. The room in which the Resident Magistrate holds his Court is miserably insufficient for the purpose ; and in regard to the other building, not to speak of its unsuitableness for the purposes of a Post-office, there is scarcely any provision made for persons using the telegraph wires. A crumb of comfort remains to the Cambridge people, in so far as we are confident they may rely on their member doing all in his power to secure the desired desiderata.

The Hamilton Highway District Board meets to-day, and it would be well if the state of the Hamilton and Whatawhata road were taken into consideration, 'i he stite of this road is an injury to the town of Hamilton and to the Whatawhata settlers. In places it is altogether impassible and the only way of getting over the difficulty is to trespass across the farm of Mr Kennedy, and to more than one settler has this weans of communication been threatened to be cut off. In one place too small a oulvert has been put in and the bridge lately erected near Stokes' Farm is already badly in want of repair. One of the piles, owing probably to the misplacement of the sill is giving way, and if this is not soon seen to, the safety of the bridge will be endangered. It is to be hoped that the Work's Committee of the Hamilton Borough Council, will see their way to making the very necessary improvements asked for by the Rev. Father ttolden, on behalf of his congregation, attending the Catholic Church in Clyde Street. A covered in wooden box culvert, opposite the entrance to the church wouldnt cost much, and should be done at once. Much larger pipes than are at present used are needed at the anglo opposite Mr Peacock's residence. In wet weather the drainage from Le Quesne's, on the one side, and Coombs on the other, collects here, and floods the entire corner, to the great annoyance of thofee attending Divine Service. The side j walk froaa. lie Quesne's corner also needs gravelling, but in leading thoroughfares such as this, it would be as well that the side walks should be properly formed before being gravelled, lhat these are absolutely needed thore who remember the difficulty experienced in the late wet weather of getting to and from church will testify, and certainly of all places our churches and schools should be rendered accessible at all seasons, whatever other work remains undone. We are glad ho see that Mr Swanu, who was lately burnt out at East Hamilton, and suffe ed so heavy a pecuniary loss by the fire, has commenced business again as a blacksmith and wheelwright, in a newly built temporary smithy, erected on the site of the more commodious workshops that were destroyed. J The following tenders for erection of a residence near Alexandra, for K.S"ccombe, Esq., have been received :— Taylor and Frear, £615— Verandah, £1*20; Creighton and Carter, £520— ditto, £121 ; E. Pearson, £470— ditto, £105; T. Hill, £467— ditto, £67 ; Leigh, Brothers, £433— ditto, £85 ; H. Jones,£429— ditto,£l27; R. Kay, £418— ditto, £155 ; Hanson & McNaught £405— ditto, £92 ; Key, Brothers, £367— ditto £92 ; John Sharp, £3J7— ditto,£97 ; Smith and Carson, £345— ditto, £90 Cambridge West School District— We recently noticed the election of a School Committee, for the above district, but are informed by the Secretary that the same matter of form has been gone through to no purpose in previous years, and that it is a mere solemn farce. The fact is, there is a school district at Cambridge West, and there is a School Committee, but there is no school honse nor school teacher. That this matter has been bo long regulated by the Edncation Board is to be regretted, for there a c between thirty and forty children in the district of the school ages, who havo oithcr to travel two miles in one, and three in another direction, or get no schooling whatever, which is usually the caao in the winter months, and generally in wet weather. We believe Mr O'Sullivan, the Inspector of Schools, has reported in favor

of giving this accommodation to Cambridge West, but what the settlers are desirous of, is that the fine weather should not be allowed to slip by without Mr O'Sullivan's recommendation being acted upon by the Board. Leslie's Cuttino. — The embankment on the Cambridge and Ohaupo road will I not, to all appearance, be open for traffic for another month or six weeks. A. long j embankment is being run out from the upper part of the old siding down into I the flat. We cannot but think that a very much better road, and at less co9t, might have been obtained by cutting a siding round the next spur tothe e<atward of the old road. The gradient would have been easier, and the road more easily kept in repair. As it in, when the long embankment, like a railway stretching across the flat, is constructed, there will always be danger in the light pumice of portions of it toeing wabhed away, and it will need a very secure double fence on either side of it to prevent accidents, which would be very serious in such a spot. The temporary road, now diverted while this work is in progress, passes through the Messrs (Graham's Taraahere estate, and we would recommend as very necessary that the stout ti-tree stumps projecting perpendicularly in some parts of the road be cut away. These rise in small clumps to about six or eight inches above the road level, and are just such impediments as would throw and lame a horse if ridden quickly at night. Less than an hour's work would clear them away. The Rev. W. Calder left for the Piako district yesterday, holding Divine service on Sunday next at Waihou, at 9 a.m. ; the Eureka Station, at 2 p.m. ; at Waitoa, at 12 noon, returning to Hamilton in time for Evensong at St. Peter's, at 7 p.m. Another claimant has put in an appearance for tb.9 Patetere block, in the person of Mr Allan O'NeiU, an unole of our respected townsman Mr Lewis O'Neill, of the firm of Whitaker and O'Neill, barristers. Mr. A. J. Hunter, C.E. of the Public Works department, who has lately been appointed Supervising Engineer, oi the Wainato Thames Railway, has been ordered to Wanganui. Wo understand that Mr Hunter's duties will be undertaken by Mr Daniel M. Beere, C.E., a brother of Captain Beere of Hamilton, and who has been for some time connected with the Public Works department of the colony. Sib William Manning, a Judge of the colony of New Wales, passed through Hamilton yesterday, for Cambridge. Sir William has previously paid a visit to the Hot Lake country, and was, we believe, most favonrably impressed with tne beauty of the district, and its immense importance as a sanatorium for the Australian colonies, and India, and indeed as a place of resort for health and pleasure to all parts of the invalided world. Before leaving New Zealand, Sir William Manning was desirous of visiting Waikato, which possesses historic interest that no other district in New Zealand can lay claim to. An accident happened yesterday to the Waikato Steam Navigation Company's paddle steamer Delta, while leaving Hamilton. Some of the wooden cogs in the driving wheel were hroken, and it became impossible to work the steamer. Captain Cellem then dropped down below Mr J. B. Whyte's, and will probably, if the damage cannot be temporarily repaired, drop down by the current to the Company's workshops at Ngaruawahia, where proper appliances exist for repairing far more serious injuries to the Company's boats. At the Auckland Waste Lands Board on Thursday an application was received from a number of residents of the Thames, asking that a quantity of land in the Ye Aroha block, on the east bank of the river should be declaied open for selection under the defened payment system. The board deoided not to deal with these lands. The application of the Secretary of the Ngaruawahia Town Board, asking the Waste Lands Board to reserve certain lands on the western bank of the Waipa River for the purpose of water supply was referred to the Chief Surveyor for his report. A letter was also received from the same gentleman, complaining that the prices fixed on the town lands, offered for sale, were simply prohibitory' It was resolved to ask the Chief Surveyor if the prices could not be reduced. For years past the upset price put upon this laud has stood in the way of its sale. Again and again this journal has urged upon the Government the advantage which would accrue to Ngaruawahia and the colony if these lands could be sold at a price which would ensure bona fitk settlement, and it is time that the matter were fairly considered by the Waste Lands Board. The application of the Secretary of the Education Board for a site for a school at Cambridge West was accorded to. The request of Messrs Hunt and White, contractors for the first section of the Thames- Waikato railway, for leave to cut totara trees for piles was agreed to, and a request to cut fencing material was refused. Edison's marvellous phonograph has arrived in Hamilton, and will be exhibited for a few days. The Press throughout the colony speak in the highest terms of the extraordinary properties of this instrument. Mb H. Randersox will sell by auction to-<lay at the shop of Mr Camp, Duke Street, Cambridge, a large number of new and standard novels, and other goods. We would remind intending settlers and buyers of cattle, that Mr J. S. Buckland's next < >haupo live stock sale takes place on Tuesday. We notice that a very large number of store cattfe are for sale. Thu qua»terly licensing meeting for the Raglan and Kawhia districts will be held at the Court House, Raglan on Tuesday tho 2nd proximo, at noon. Those who have not paid their rates to the Collector of the Newcastle Highway District had better prepare to do so, or they will have added to them the resident magistrates conrt fees for their recovery, j Tho Collector will attend at Ngaruawahia on the 14th, and at Whatawhata on the 21st instant, for the convenience of ratepayers. *11 rates unpaid after the 21st instant will be su<jdfor. Me Robert Harris, Storekeeper, of East Hamilton, has assigned bis estate over to trustees, and his stock -in- trade is now open for sale by tender, either in one, or in separate lots Tenders must be sent in to the care of William Me vrthur & Co. of Auckland, on or before the llthintant. Tha trustees are Messrs P. Larkins, Thos MorrinandJ. Buchanan. Mr Kennedy Hill will sell by auction to-day, at his Mart, Victoria Street, Hamilton, a very superior lot of household furniture and effects. Messrs. Whitaker and O'Neill through our advertising columns invite creditors in the estate of the late Mr Peter Walker, to forward their claims to the firm, for the information of the administrators A Meeting of the ratepayers of the Pirongia Highway District will bo held in the School-room, Harauipi, on the 14th instant, at 3 p.m. to decide ou the site for a bridge over Waipa, at or near Terore. The Whatawhata District is rapidly springing into note for the excellence of its land. Some magnificent crops have lately bceu grown iv the district, showing i

the fertility of the soil; and the immediate prospect of the distirot being opened up bp the completion of the road to Hamilton eastward, and a bridge over the Waipa, toward Raglan in the other direction is causing the lands of Whatawhatato be sought after. During the last few weeks several farms have changed hands at lorgely advanced prices. Thirty acres on the Whatawhata flat, in grass, but only partially fenced, have been purchased from Mr Ferguson by Mr Limmer, for £8 per acre. A larger farm, 300 acres has been purchased by a stranger, a Mr Brett, for £8 10s per acre, from Mr Smith. This farm is situated near Greenwood's, and formely belonged, we believe, to Messrs Lang and Hedger. Mr Smith does not leave the the district, but has purchased a slightly improved farm, of 160 acres, from Mr Kissling, a little further back, for £5 10 per acre. To ahovr how greatly land has advanced of late in this district, we may mention that the farm sold to Mr Brett for £8 10s per acre v, as purchased two to three years ago for £2 per acre. There is excellent land in the Waipa district, not only about Whatawhata, but in the Tuhikaramea aad '■ Ngahinapouri districts. What the settlers have had to contend against has been the want of roads, and as this journal has always maintained, justice will never be d ne to the district until the Government takes in hand the opening up the main line of road through the Waipa, between Ngaruawahia and Alexandra. This part of the country has never received its fair share of public works expenditure. The railway which benefits the remaining portion of the Delta, is of l.ttle or no use to this large and fertile tract of country, so long as the settlers are cut off from it by want of roads, and the work of construct- i ing the main Waipa road, as is well kuown, is beyond the power of the local Highway Boaids, unless largely assisted j by the Government. Miss Chitty of Melbourne, who has had large experience of tuition in that city, and who is a sister to Mr Henry Chitty, of East Hamilton, and Mr W. Chitty, settler of Kirikuiroa s has been appointed assistant teacher at the Thames High School. It must be a matter for congratulation to the members and supporters of the Cambridge Jockey Club to know that so far their operations have been carried on with marked success. From the balancesheet, an abstract of which appears in the report printed in another column, the Club appears to stand on a sound financial basis, a fact which more than anything else will tend to raise it in the eyes of outsiders. The opinion seems, however, to prevail that the choice of the date of meeting was an unfortunate one, owing to the difficulty which many of the settlers experience in getting to the races in the middle of harvest, and many will be glad to learn that in this particular an alteration is contemplated. The Club purpose holding a meeting in May, at the close of the half-yearly cavalry drill, the date to be fixed bo as not to clash with the annual race meeting at Xc Awamutu on the Queen's Birthday. It is proposed that the meeting shall consist principally of cross-country races, and the prize-list will be on as liberal a scale as it is possible to make it. The exceedingly hot weather experienced for the pa9t week or two haa had the natural effect of burning up the pastures in various parts of the district, and a little rain would be most acceptable. A a the harvest is now in a wet day or so would prove an unmixed blessing. Thk pedigree Lincoln rams, which have been for some time expected by Mr Joseph Newman, have arrived in Auckland by the Loch Urr. There were eight shipped, but of these three died upon the voyage. These sheep were from the flock of Mr John Kirkham, of Cadeby Hall, Lincolnshire, the purest bred Lincoln stock in England. Sir George Grey, K. C. B. opeted the new building of the -Auckland College and Grammar School, on Thursday afternoon, and delivered an inaugural addross of the very highest tone, which was received with acclammation. The tail of the large comet, observed first in Waikato on Tuesday evening last, and which the telegraph informs us has also been seen in other parts of the colony, was again visible on Wednesday, Thursday and last night. The comet, if such it be, appears to have increased in brightness though the nucleus still remains unseen. It appears to be travelling- southwards. A meeting- of the Cambridge e chool Committee was held on Tuesday evening, when there were present, Mr Heany (chairman), the Rev. W. N. De L. Willis, Messrs Camp, Pearson, Hughes and Webber. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, a letter, forwarded by the Board of Education, was read from Mr Ashwell, late schoolmaster, claiming compensation for certain improvements effected in the teachers residence. The board had referred the matter to the committee for enquiry, and a sub -committee appointed to see iuto the question and assess the amount, if any, due to Mr Ashwell. Mr Stewart, the schoolmaster, wrote, complaining of the state of the teacbers residence, and asking that it be repaired. It was resolved to lay the matter before the ■ board, accompanied with a report that a new building be erected, or that the necessary repairs be made, together with an application to hare the school yard fence put in thorough order. This was all the business.

The approaches on b®th sides o* the river to the Narrows Bridge ought to be put ii» repair while the tine weather lasts. At prusent the road is fairly good, but a few days rain would have the effect, more especially on the west side, of doing considerable mischief to many parts already injured by past wet weather. The contract for putting the road on the side in order has been let, and the work which is in progress will make a great improvement. It behoves the authorities on the other side to follow auit.

Thb Cambridge >chool Committee have purchased a bell for the school, and it has been erected close to the building at ihe expense of the town people. It will also be us°d as a fire bell.

Mb R. Kibkwood presented to the library a piece of the submarine cable which was laid across Cook Strait. Those who have never seen a cable can inspect the same at the reading room, Cambridge. This is the first contribution towards a museum. Cambridge will have one no doubt before long. Thbbe is some talk of a concert ta Hautapu on Friday, the 13th, but it will be duly advertised.

A meeting of the Cambridge Athletic Club was held in the Public Hall, on Wednesday evening to elect officers, &c. Mr H. Keesing was voted to the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The report and balance sheet was then read, which showed that if the subscriptions now due were collected there would be a balance of £15 in hand. Major Bay was re-elected President, and Major Wilson Vice- President; Mr J. T. Camp, Treasurer and Secretary ; Handicappers: Messrs Mackintosh, Miller and Hughes; Starter: Kobert Swayne ; Committee : Messrs Miller, Hughes, Norgrove, Jaggs and Chappel. It was resolved that the dates for holiday sports for 1880 shall be Easter Monday and Prince of Wales Birthday. Votes of thanks to the outgoing committee, secretary and chair concluded tho uuioting.