Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1324, 23 December 1880, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1880.

Exougii has transpired to show that agricultural, and more especially horticultural pursuits, are suffering material damage from what is commonly called the sparrow nuisance. The destruction has been so great that, we are given to understand, whereas the fruit season was expected to be a heavy one — preparations with that view having been made on an extensive seale — it will, practically speaking, turn out a failure, and the district will be mainly indebted for its fruit supply to the import market. The loss occasioned in this respect must be considerable; still that is not the worst feature of the evil we are called upon to face. Waikato is admitted, both as regards soil and climate, to be singularly adapted for the cultivation of the more choice fruits, and there are those who look forward to the, by no means distant date when its lands will receive enhanced value, in respect of that adaptation becoming more generally recognised. So long as the nuisance, to which A\e allude, remains unabated, the true value of these prospects cannot be ascertained, far less, realized. What is more, fruit growers wearied with their repeated failures will, in course of time, be forced to suspend operations altogether, and in that case the district be left wholly dependent upon the outside grower for its own personal requirements. In a hot climate like this, that is an inconvenience which would very assume the proportions of a calamity. It would mean a curtailment of the fruit and vegetable diet, which, in its turn would be calculated to impair the health and domestic happiness of the peace. The evil as it stands is one of these which, in a very short time has arisen from small beginnings, and, if allowed to continue unchecked, its growth is bound to become enormous. In other parts of the colony this, and similar evils have been experienced. In the southern provinces the rabbit pest attained enormous dimensions, and at one time considerable tracts of country were rendered useless in consequence. The establishment of rabbit districts, and the introduction of phosphuretted wheat soon had the effect of bringing the evil within reasonable bounds. If we are to cope with the sparrow nuisance successfully, somewhat similar measures must be resorted to, and the longer we delay doing so, the more difficulty will be experienced when the work is undertaken. In South Canterbury we note that the spread of sparrows has also been attracting some attention, and, although no legislative sanction has as yet been given to the work, a crusade has begun against them. Clubs have ,

been formed for thinning their numbers, and, in the report of one of these clubs which is now before us we read that, during the two preceding weeks, payment had been made for the capture of over 6000 eggs and heads, which, the report goes on to say, is considered a most satisfactory start for the club, It was also stated that occupiers of over 7000 acres had joined the club, and that, in most cases, they had expressed themselves highly satisfied with the action of the committee. The meeting at which the report in question was read, passed a resolution that a call of one halfpenny per acre, to provide for expenses, should be made. The suggestion contained in the foregoing is one deserving of the serious consideration of residents in this locality. The evil, as we have already stated is growing, and the sooner it is faced the sooner it will be grappled with successfully.

We confess to being somewhat disappointed in the address delivered to the children of Hamilton West Public School on Tuesday afternoon by Mr F. A. Whitaker, on the occasion of the distribution of prizes. The best feature in Mr Whitaker's address was its brietness; there wab nothing whatever original in it ; the same sentiments have been expressed in erery part of the Colony for years past. It was a mere vindication of Secular Education, the accepted system of the land, and hence requiring no vindication. We confess that we should have been more pleased to find in this address less of the honorable member and more of the man and the friend. It might, under certain circumstances, have been fitly deliverd in the House of Parliament, but we should have thought it more desirable — more natural, shall we say ? — to have given the youngsters something more homely to carry away with them ; something which might perhaps come back to their young minds when school days are days gone by. For instance, in addition to saying that Secular Education is the education of the times — an accepted fact — and, although not in so many words, nevertheless by implication—that advancement and making haste to be rich, and what is termed " successful," are the great objects in life, and about the only ones -worth striving for, would it not have been well to have said a few words in season as to the children setting up for themselves a religious standard, to which they should raise themselves in their home life, to the end that the future fathers and mothers of New Zealand might, in addition to all MrWhitaker urged upon them, be noble specimens of manhood and womanhood ? As, is well understood, we ax-e not the advocates of deuominationalism, nor what is known as Bible reading in schools ; but we dread lest in the coming years the nation should rise up, and as a man, exclaim, "No man cared for my soul" :— Weep, sire, with shame and rueing, Weep, for thy child's undoing ; For the days when I was young, And no prayer was taught my tongue, Nor the record from on high, Of the life that cannot die : Wiles of the world and men, Of their threescore years and ten ; Human profit, earthly praise, Thou didst set before my gaze, As the beacon stars of life, As the meed of toil and strife : I ran the world's race well, And find my guerdon — hell.

A concert in aid of the Catholic Church, is announced to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Thursday evening, January 6. We understand that leading amateurs in Waikato, have promised to assist, and we anticipate a great musical treat.

Extensive additions are now being made to the National Hotel, Cambridge, which will, when completed add considerably to the comfort and convenience of that well-known establishment.

Mr Allen of Pukekura passed through Hamilton yesterday afternoon with a mob of cattle purchased at Raglan yesterday. This speaks well for the road. The cattle were principally forward stores and working oxen, there were two or three very choice fat bullocks in the mob.

Mr W. J. Hunter reports a good sale at Raglan on Tuesday. One hundred and twenty-eight head were yarded, and sold with the exception of 6 or 7 head, at very satisfactory prices. The cattle were of a superior class, and a number of local buyers were present.

On Tuesday last one drunkard was fined in the usual amount for a first offence, and yesterday the same man was again brought up on a similar charge, received a severe caution and fined ten shillings and costs. E. M. Edgcumbe, Esq., J.P., was the presiding Magistrate.

Nothing in the shape of sports for the holidays, has yet made its appeaiance in Cambridge. But for the stereotype announcement, than the Banks would bo closed, and Sunday School children have their usnal " outing," reports our correspondent, we would hardly be able to realise the fact, that Christmas holidays were at hand.

The laying off of a township at Rotorua has, writes our Cambridge co-res-pondent, wetted the appetites of some of our keener speculators, who have already eet out with the averred intention of " spotting " town sections and corner allotments in that highly favored sanatorium.

The establishment of a second steamboat Company for the traffic between Cambridge ana Ngaruawahia, is now understood to be an established fact. A steamboat under its auspices will, shortly commence plying to and from these places in conjunction with the train; leaving Cambridge at 9. a.m., and returning in the evening.

There will be an early train put on for intending Waikato visitors to the Auckland Race Meeting ; but holders of through tickets cannot break the journey at racecourse platform, they will require to take a special ticket in Auckland, one shilling, or with admittance to the racecourse, three shillings.

In the report of Monday night's meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council in last issue, a rather important error occurred. It was stated that Mr Seddon had written to say he could not attend to state his objections to the taking of his land under the Publio Works Act, whereas, what he did was to write referring 1 the Council to his Solicitors, Messrs. Heaketh and Richmond, and those gentlemen on

behalf of Mr Soddon, have served the 0 mncil with a notice that the proposed action of the Council was illegal and that they would apply for an injunction to reatrain them.

The Hamilton West School Committee tender theii* sincere thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who so ably conducted the School examination on Tuesday last. TJhe committee feel satisfied that the test was impartially and satisfactorily carried out.

Mr. Fanthams recent purchase the pure-bred shorthorn heifer Red Duchess of Derrnent 3rd passed through Hamilton yesterday on her way to G-wynnelandn. The Duchess is from the renowned herd of Mr. Horwood Bridnowater Park Victoria, is two years old of a good deep red color, and remarkably well grown. She was sold with several others from the same herd by Mr. A. Buckland on Friday last, the price being 110 guineas. Mr. Fantham is to be congratulated on securing an animal of such fashionable breeding for this district.

The annual examination of pupils attending the Cambridge Public School was held on Tuesday. In geography, reading, recitation, and history, the examination -was conducted by the Rev. Mr Bull, and in English, writing, and the elements of phisology, by the Rev. Mr Willis. In addition to a well-selected assortment of books, provided by the committee as awards, the following 1 special prizes have been given : — By SergeantMajor Heaney, for the most popular lad in the school ; by Mrs Hughes, for the most popular girl ; by Mr Isaacs, for the boy who does best in arithmetic for his age ; and two prizes by the teacher, Mr Stewart, for the best attendance during the year — one to be competed for by boys, and the other by girls. The examination was conducted by papers, so that some time must necessarily elapse before the awards are decided upon. As an example of the general efficiency of the school, we may state that the examination papers in nearly all the standards were higher than those provided for by Government standards. The affairs of the school generally are likewise in a flourishing state. The attendance during the year has increased about 35 per cent., the highest attendance previously registered being 122, with an average of 103. Within the last few months the former reached 161, and the latter 135. The result of this is that the present school building accommodation is found to be much too limited for the requirements of the case. That fact has been admitted both by the Chief Inspector, and also by the assistant, so that we may reasonably assume provision will be made for enlargement of the premises. The prizes are on view at the shop of Mr Jas. Stuart, bookseller and stationer, and a very nice, wellselected assortment of books they are.

A correspondent writes:— "Now that hay-making throughout the district is general, the following- which I clip from the columns of a contemporary journal may be useful. The successful saving of a hay crop necessarily depends much upon the weather, and the efforts of the most vigilant and careful manager are sometimes frustrated. It is true economy to cut hay early, and gat it off the field as soon as it is made. In this climate during some seasons only a very short interval need be allowed between the time of cutting and stacking, but this is a matter which is entirely ruled by circumstances. The period of cutting should not be put off later than when the bulk ot the plants composing the pasture are in bloom. If allowed to stand later the more nutritious qualities of the plants decrease and the foundation of innutritious woody fibre rapidly takes place. It is almost unnecessary to say that fermentation in the rick should be carefully guarded against. It has been proved by Dr. Voelcker, who is well known as a leading authority on scientific agriculture, that hay quickly made is as valuable as the green plants from which it is produced but apart from the very obvious loss whichoccurs from undue exposure to the weather, fermentation in the rick darkens the colour of the hay, causes a loss of sugar, and of other soluble carbohydrates, and of soluble albnm-inoids, or in plain language, those qualities are lost upon which the value of the hay at a feeding substance chiefly depends. How America is beating Australia. This year 400,000 immigrants will be landed in the States, most of them English, Irish, German, and Scandinavian, in the prime of life.

Agricultural Invention's. — Science is ever progressing, and in the free development of inventive genius lies the great hope of British agriculture. This being so it is to be hoped that Parliament will soon see its way to offer to inventors in England the superior facilities afforded in America. Among recent enterprising efforts on the part of manufacturers is an ingenious apparatus brought out by Mr. J. A. Stephenson, agricultural engineer, Frome, combining the operations of preparing and cooking the food of cattle. The apparatus is a happy combination of farm engine, grist mill, chaff-cutter, root pulper and cake breaker, while with the boiler is connected a set of steaming and boiling apparatus. As with human beings so with animals, it is of the highest importance that food should be properly masticated and duly prepared, and this is one among the many advantages claimed for the new apparatus.

The Railway Christmas time-table appears in our advertising columns.

James P. Thomson, Esq., Secretary Cambridge Town Hoard gi\es notice to owners ot certain lots in Cambridge regarding- arrears of r.iteb.

The Union Bank of Australia will be closed on Monday next.

Mr T. Y. Fitzpatrick, land agent, Ngaruawaliia, advertises a valuable farm, and native run for sale.

Mr Carter, the popular Jehu, announces that though his mail contract between Hamilton .md Cambridge expires on the 31st instant, his coaches will still continue rnnning as hitherto.

Mr T. H. White, architect, of Taupiri, invites tenders for certain buildings on Mr Larkworthy's property at Waitoa.

A meeting of the brethren of the Lodge Beta, 450, 1.C., will be held on St John's Day, 27th iust.

Mr J. S. Buckland s next Ohaupo live stock sale ; the annual sheep fair held at the same place, and an important announcement of a special sale at Pencarrow, near Cambridge, appears in another column.

The Taupiri annual sports to be held on Christmas Eve is advertised.

Nominations for the Mares' Produce Stakes, 1884, and Derby, 1882-3, (A.R.C.), close on Friday, Bth January. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as fjives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five jjer cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and cheaply nouoHT. An inspection is invited. — Garuck and Cranwktx, City Hall Furnishing Ajjcadf Queen - street, Auckland.