The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1359, 17 March 1881, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1881.

We took occasion some weeks ago to advert to the scheme adopted by Mr. W. A. Murray, M.H.R., for leasing a portion of his fine property in the Piako District to a class of small farmers, under conditions involving the gradual cultivation of the soil. We felt justified in regarding the terms as advantageous to the les&ees, and as calculated to push the settlement of the district ahead. We are not all disappointed to find that we had rather under than over estimated the advantages to be derived by the settler. No doubt the terms, as stated by us, are fresh in the minds of our readers ; but for the sake of convenience, we will briefly recapitulate them. It is proposed to leaso the land in suitable-sized farms for ten years, at a rental of 5 per cent per annum on the value of ,£5 per acre ; three years rent to be remitted on land put down in grass, and three years to be taken out in contract work. These wore the only advantages mentioned by us at the time, but there is another, of quite as great, if not greater importance, namely, the tenant will be allowed full value for improvements made by him with the approval of the lessor, such as buildings, fences, drains and plantations. Inducements ai'e thus held out to settlers to erect suitable farm buildings, yards, and to plant trees, all of which will conduce to their own and to the comfort of their stock, and the value of which they will recoup at the end of their term. It is probable enough — unless the material used be of a very durable n-'Voure — that they will not receive anything like the original cost ; but, on the other hand, live fences and plantations, if properly laid and planted and carefully tended, will increase in value year by year. Looking at these facts, it is exceedingly unlikely that the owner of the land — if the tenant be an industrious man — will receive much actual monetary recompense. But, notwithstanding this, we are of opinion that the example of Mr. Murray will be followed by many other of our large landed proprietors. It is much better to give land for ten years for the price of its improvement than that it should remain in its wild, uncultivated state, producing comparatively nothing for the good of man or beast. The best recompense will be found in the enhanced value of the land effected by settlement. Large land-owners will come to recognise the fact that it is much more profitable to farm

say 500 acres properly, than to hold 5000 acres which they are unable to do full justice to. There is scarcely a limit to the carrying powers of land, provided a proper system of fanning" is followed. -The plan adopted by Mr Murray cannot fail, with care, to result in benefit to both lessor and lessee, the latter of whom might reasonably look forward' to purchasing the land he has farmed, with the profits he will have made out of it under the liberal tenure upon which he has held it.

To-day being St. Patrick's Day, the banks throughout the colony will be olosed. The case McTavish versus Ivess, heard in the District Court on Tuesday afternoon, is of some public importance as showing the relationship between the employer ana the employed. His Honour's judgment, which will be found verbatim in our report of the case,is very full of interesting and useful remarks. We hear that an action for slander is about to be commenced between two well-known Waikato coach proprietors. In future clergymen of all denominations officiating in the Waikato, will be allowed to travel free over the Humilton Bridge. The Assessment Court for County ' Piako, Waitoa district, will bo held on Tuesday, March 29, at the & Morrinsville. We are in a position to state that Mr J. Ivess purposes starting a paper in opposition to the Bay of ' Flcntg Tunct, the property of Mr G. Vesey Stewart. Owing to the disturbances in the Land Court caused by natives under the influence of liquor, all the Hotels in Cambridge were cloaed at the request of Judge Symouds up till 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. New rules of practice and precedence in Resident Magistrates' Courts, and fees to be taken in Magistrates' Courts under the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act, 1874, are publiahed in a New Zealand Gazette of date 3rd inst. Mr S. S. Mears, Rangiriri, has taken a contract for ploughing 500 aorea of the Annandale Estate, the property of W, A. Murray, Esq., Piako. Half of the contract is for plain land ; the other half hill land, on fair terms. A trotting match for £10 a-side, came off at Cambridge on Tuesday, between Mr W. K. Carter's well-known horse Paddy, and a mare belonging to Mr Quinlan. The course was three miles, and the match resulted in & victory for Mr Carter. We understand that the Waikato Hotel, Hamilton East, has passed into the hands of Mr F. Gaudin, a gentleman well and favourably known throughout Waikato, who will assume the position of "mine host" in the course of a few days. The so-called land agitation in Ireland has long ceased to be anything else than an unconcealed attempt to dismember the Empire. The real leadership of it has pasHed out of Mr Parnell's hands into thoae of the Fenian Committees of Paris and New York. It is the knowledge of this fact which has so alarmed the Home Government. The following are the names of the team selected to represent Hamilton in the match against Cambridge, to be played at the latter place to-day :—: — Messrs J. W. H. Wood (captain), 0. Stafford, W. Tonks, J. B. Smith, Gleeson, Forrest, Meacham, N. Hunt, Langdale, E. Pilling, and Perry. Emergency : J. Edgecumbe. Specifications for painting and screwing up the Hamilton Traffic bridge have been forwarded by the Government to the Hamilton Borough Council and tenders for executing the work are to be invited forthwith. It is to be hoped that this important work will be conoluded before the rainy season sets in. The toll-house on the Hamilton bridge is at last to be enlarged and im- j proved. At present it is little better than a kennel, and is much better adapted as a place for the incarceration of stray collarless dogs than a dwelling for human beings. If the services of the toll-keeper are to be effectual, some little attention ought to be paid to the comfort of that individual. The Hamilton Borough Council are very properly about to take steps to have the streets clearnd of furze. The existence of such an immense quantity of combustible material within the limits of the town, and in close proximity to the main street, is a source of much danger during a period of dry weather such as we have experienced, and we cannot conceive why steps have not been taken with a view to its removal long ago. The following pieces of land in the provincial district of Auckland have been temporarily reserved for the purpose stated : -In lot 101, suburbs of Newcastlle, parish of Horotiu, containing 4 acres, 3 roods, 12 perches, as a recreation ground ; lot 54a, parish of Mangapiko, block xiw, Hamilton survey district, containing 8 acres, 3 roods, 24 perches, as a recreation ground ; block xii., Otamatea survey district, containing 3 roods, 16 perches, as a landing place. The action of some of the banks in maintaining the high rate of discount so long current has occasioned much comment during the past few days. With interest rates at 2, 3, and 4 per cent, on fixed deposits for 3, 6, and 12 months respectively, it is most unreasonable that best of paper cannot be discounted under 7 per cent., whilst interest on over-drafts is charged at 9, and in exceptional cases at 8 per cent. This serious disparity in borrowing and lending rates, it has been said, 'has the appearance of milking the public in order to maintain fat dividends.' — Lyttlcton Times, It is a great pity that, owing to the disagreement between the Highway Boards, concerning the position of the road lying between the two bridges at Cambridge — each contending that it lies within the others' boundaries — nothing is done to render its condition safe for travellers. The continual slipping of the sand from .above in just making the thoroughfare impassable. Owing to the extreme dryness of the season the swamps not only burn with more than usual readiness, but the fires have spread in directions in which it was nerer intended they should go. A fire lit on Mr Storey's property, on the Mangapiko, has done very considerable damage, entering on a portion of the swamp which had been drained and sown with grass, and burning the soil to a considerable depth, the large quantity of dead timber on the surface giving material asj sistanco to the fire, which also caught a fine piece of live bush and destroyed it. Mr Garrard, of "unemployed" notoriety, has apparently got into difficulties, and his allotment in Hamilton was put up to auction on the 14th inst. He has in consequence inserted the following advertisement in an Auckland paper :— " To the City Council of Hamilton, in Waikato, — I object ' oV demand you not to receive any rates, or taxes, on 203 East Hamilton town acre except from the owner,. Mr W; G. Garratfd,,as I have objected 'to Mr Laishley's .sale at Mr Tonka' auction on the 14th March, 1881,

—Mr W': l G* Ga«».<rd:' ? We think we see the Town Clerk refusing the .money, if it is offered to him ! While on this subject, it is perhaps as well to remind burgesses that unless there rates are paid by the end of this month, they will lose the privilege of exercising their votes for sixteen months.

This evening the members of the Magnet Variety Troupe will make their first appearance in Hamilton, at the Odd* fellows* Hall, and the proceeds will be devoted to paying off the debt on the instruments of the Hamilton Band. The programme is a varied one, and includes performances on the double and single trapeze,, upngs, comic and sentimental, negro melodies and farces. The members of the company have been rehearsing for the past fortnight, and no doubt will acquit themselves admirably, amongst them being several wellknown Hamilton amateurs,. The Hamilton Band will play selections during the evening, and at the conclusion of the entertainment the room will be cleared for a dance, at which M. Calon will preside at the piano. We are requested to notify the members of the Band that they are to assemble in uniform, at Gwynne's Hotel,, at 7 o'clock sharp, in order to proceed to the hall. We trust to see a bumper house.

The Wakatipu brings English news up to March 8. From these cables we learn that Major-General Sir Evelyn Wood and Mr Joubert have arranged with . the Boers for an armistice of eight days. The British Camp at Langsnek is flooded, and provisions are allowed to enter the garrison of the besieged. The authorities have determined to stringently enforce the provisions of the Irish Coercion Act. Forty arrests have already been made, and it has been decided to apply the provisions of the Act first to the Counties of Galway, Mayo, and Kerry. A second earthquake has occurred at the Island of j Ischia, and it is reported to have been more violent and destructive than the first. There has been further appalling distraction of life and property, and a number of shipping disasters. It is estimated that at least a hundred persons have been killed by the second shock. The inhabitants of the Island are in a | condition of frenzied terror.

! The moonlight trip on the river | by tho steamer Delta on Tuesday evening was a decided success, both financially and otherwise. The low price at which these trips have been fixed have not augmented the funds of the band to a very i great extent, but the committee neverthef leas feel grateful for the manner in which the public have come forward. The night was beautifully fine, the moon shining out bright and clear, and the only thing that occurred to mar the full enjoyment of the excursion were the few chilly blasts of wind which were now and then very cutting. When the steamer cast off from her moorings there were between 100 and 120 passengers on board. After proceeding a little way up the river her head was turned in the direction of Ngaruawahia, and she steamed down the river about six miles. The Hamilton Band mustered in strong force and played a choice selection of airs during the trip under their able tutor, Mone. Calon. The comfort of the excursionists was well looked after, and the docks of the steamer were brilliantly illuminated with Chinese lanterns, provided by Mr J. A. Bradley, which had a very pretty effect. It may also be stated that the company very generously gave the services of the steamer for £2 10s. Arriving at the Half-way Paddock the steamer was made fast, and the passengers landed at a well-chosen spot. Games of different kinds were indulged in by the juvenile members of the company, whilst the elder ones promenaded the banks of the winding river. After an interval of half-an-hour the alarm was sounded, and a few minutes later the order was given by the captain to " Gro-a-head " and the homeward journey commenced. Dancing was indulged in both up and down the trip, and every one appeared to enjoy themselves remarkably well. The Delta reached the wharf about half-past 10, and as the passengers were disembarking the band struck up the " National Anthem."

Sir H. Robinson, Governor of the Cape Colony, has protested against the criticisms whioh have been made in England on the polioy of the Cape Government in regard to the Basuto war. The Arms Bill introduced by the Government in the House of Commons empowered the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to arrrest suspected persons and search for arms until June, 188 G. In the engagement at Spitskop, Sir G. Colley was killed before the retreat of the British took place. His body has been reoovered. It has been decided that reinforcements should be despatched to Natal forthwith from Bombay, Bermuda, Colombo, and farther reinforcements will be sent from the garrisons at Gibraltar and Malta. "Why don't you strike something fresh P" said the petulant city editor to the "funny man," whose wit, from constant abuee, had grown as thin and transparent as a four-bit umbrella after a strong shower. There was life however, as well as several soul-stirring cocktails, in the old dog yet, for in less than half a second after the editorial lips had scoffed at his pungent wit, the new editorial plug-hat had got further down on the editorial head than it ever had done before, and, as he struggled in vain to clear the mashed wreck from his visage, the mocking voice of the flying man of fun was heard to shout: "Guess I've Btuck it!"

The first grand show of aufcumu goods at the New Zealand House, 66, Queen-street, Auckland, will open on Monday, 21st inst. Mr Audus Raynes advertises in another column in this issue that a jewel and regalia suppose d to belong to the Grand Master of the good Templar Lodge, Cambridge, have been found in the yard of the National Hotel, and that the same can be had on application at the upstairs bar. The Borough Council of Hamilton invite tenders for screwing 1 up .and painting the Hamilton cart bridge, to be sent in by the Ist of April. The Justices of the Peace in the jury district of Hamilton are requested to attend a meeting at the Court House on the xst April, to revise the jury list. Tenders are innted for repairs to the school teacher's residence at Ngaruawahia. We draw attention to Mr Holdsbip's advertisement in another column. Mr John Charles King is appointed Registrar under the Dog Registration Act for the Highway District of Whaingatoa. Mr J. S. Buckland will hold an important sale of horses at the Cambridge Yards on Saturday. 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 foods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must c a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives 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 6n remitting pash 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, tho largest portion of which is turned out at Out own-factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices,' and a discount ot ,five per cent, will be allowed to those' who pay af 'tHe time of pUrchase.' ' G". fc C. having realised the entire vajue qf ,t>eir «tock during .their late cash sale, tho present stock is nkw ANtt cheaply bought. An inspection is.inyitcd.— tGaruck and CRANwit£t,'Gity HallFumishihg 'Arcade Queen* ttreet, Auckland,