Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1444, 4 October 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

TUESDAY, OCT. J h 1881.

The success which has attended the shipment of frozen meat from Australia to the Home markets, albeit checked to some extent by the inferior character of the last cargo by the Prolog, has roused the in eat producers of this colony to action. A company has been formed with head-quarters at Dunedin for the purpose of establishing the industry in New Zealand, and the necessary plant is to arrive very shortly in the ship Hurimui, from London. The advantages which would accrue to this portion of the colony, by the successful floating of this enterprise, will indeed be great, even supposing its operations do not for some time extend to this provincial district. We would hare a fair market at our doors for many years, provided the Southern supply were ftut off and diverted into other channels ; but the time must come, and looking at the progress in settlement made around us, it will be here sooner than many expect, when we too s'lall have to look for an outlet for our produce other than the local markets. Practically, there is no limit to the meat-pro-ducing capacity of this portion of the North Island. Though undor favorable conditions grain can be grown here with profit, Waikato and the contiguous districts are pastoral rather than agricultural in their character. Above all, we consider this country adapted for dairyfarming. As an industry, dairying has not yet grown out of its infancy here, on account of the absence of anything like a favorable market, but with the prospect of disposing of our butter and cheese in the European marts, we predict i that it would grow to very large proportions, if it does not become the staple industry. We have lately had the pleasure of perusing a valuable paper on this subject, which was read at the annual meeting of the Otago Agricultural Association by MrTiioMAS 13rydone, a gentleman of high commercial standing in the Southern province. The paper is the result of a recent visit, to Australia, when he took occasion to inspect the meat freezing establishments now in operation in Victoria and New South Wales, as also Home of the farming districts. He institutes, in graphic language, a comparison between the state of the free selectors who depend on grain growing and those who are engaged in dairying pursuits, which is greatly in favour of the latter, ilis description of what he saw is worth quoting. He writes :—": — " The " dairying is confined principally to " three districts, named Wollongong, " Kiama, and Shoalhaven, and as " Kiama is the one which I went " through, I shall speak of it only. " The area of the district is 57,400 " acres — the size of some of our " freehold estates in New Zealand. " It has a population of 6,500, in(t eluding the Kiama township and " small port used by the district " only. There are 28,400 head of " cattle, 19,000 of which are milch " cows, 2526 horses, 824 sheep, and " J 0,300 pigs. The farms generally 11 run from 100 to 200 acres, a few " being up to 300 acres, and are " mostly occupied by the owners, " although some are leased from " absentees. No grain or root " ci'ops are grown, the only cultiva- " tion being a few potatoes, of which " they can grow two crops in a year, " and a sort of bastard .sugar-cane, " called ' planter's friend,' which " grows a very heavy crop, is cut in " a half-ripe condition and given to " the cow s in early winter, when " grass is scarce. The farmers " generally milk from 30 to 50 " cows, but some have 80 to 100. " The most of the milk is made " into butter, and generally sold in " Sydney, but sometimes the mar- " ket there gets glutted, and any " surplus has to be disposed of " wherever there is an opening. '• The price obtained varies from 6d. " to Is. 6d. a pound, the average for " the year being about 9d. Very " little cheese is made, as butter is " considered to pay the best. The " returns from the claries vary a " good deal, in accordance with the " quality of the cows, and the skill " and attention given them. I

" heard of one dairy of 40 cows " which yielded an average of 61 bs " of butter per cow a week for the " whole year, and some cows pro- " cluce as much as Itflbs a week for " a few months in the summer, but " the average for the whole district " being estimated at about IGOlbs " per cow per annum, in addition to " which a lit;le sweet milk is used " for calves, and the keep of the " family. The cows are not large, " and have been bred up from the " usual colonial cattle, both Short " horn and Ayrshire bulls having " been used, so that the cross now " appears to be about two-thirds " Shorthorn and one-third Ayr- " shire. The whole work on the " farm is generally done by the far- " mer and his family. The morning " milking commences between 5 and " 6, according to the season of the " year and the habits of the mdi"- " viduals, and the evening milking " between 4 and 5, and. about two " hours is taken for each. Fifteen " cows is considered a full comple- " ment for one person to milk. Of " course, in addition to the revenue " obtained from the butter, there i " are some surplus stock and a good " many fat pigs, the whole actual re- " tui'n being from £7 to £8 a cow — " the best dairies going as high " as £10, and the worst not making " more than about half that sum." The climate of this district resembles that of New Zealand, and the soil, volcanic, also bears a close relation to that of the .North Island. As to a market for butter, Mr Bryd >ne continues : " When one " thinks that in the United States " alone, there are now between 5000 " and 6000 dairy factories ; that the " total number of dairy cows is " estimated at between 9,000,000 " and 10,000,000 ; and that a laige " surplus of the production of thesa " cows goes to England, we may " feel confident that all we can do " in NVw Zealand for many a year C( will have no effect on the Euro- " pean market. The estimated total " value of butter and cheese pro- " ducod in the United States last " year was .£72,400,000 or '' £10,000,000 more than the esti- " mat< j d value of the whole wheat " crop in Amei'ica. Of this great " production 45,000 tons of cheese " and 38,000 tons of butter were " exported ; and in addition to the " genuine butter, it is estimated that " 8000 tons of fictitious butter, " under the title of butterine or " oleomargarine, were sent to Eng- " land and sold at Is a pound. " Now when stuff of that sort finds " a mai'ket in such quantity, how " much more readily will our New " Zealand butter sell." Mr Byrdone strongly advocates the adoption of the factory .system as ensuring uniformity, and, consequently, keeping qualities in the butter, and concludes his paper with some sensible remarks in the treatment of cows and the management of the dairies, to which we hope to devote space in a future issue. The subject is one of the greatest importance, and, in conjunction with other like enterprises, demands the close attention of the colonists as a whole, and the people of such districts as this in particular. It ought not to be forgotten that in connection with the project of sending frozen meat and dairy produce to the English market, the question of inaugurating a direct steam service with the mother country is indissolubly connected. The enquiry instituted at the instance of Mr Macandrbw lias been productive of no practical good. It has disclosed the fact that the cost of a service .such as Mr Macaxduew has advocated for many years is beyond the means of the colony at present. But there is no reason why a more economical means should not be had recourse to, and the suggestion made at the Ohristchurch Chamber of Commerce that a subsidy of £25,000 should be ottered to either the P. and O. or the Orient companies to extend the voyage of their steamers to New Zealand might yet be brought into a practical shape, and end in the establishment of an efficient service via Australia.

Yesterday was observed by the Jewish residents of Waikato as a holiday, being the Day of Atonement in their calendar. A sitting of the District Court was held at Hamilton yesterday in Bankruptcy, before His Honor Judge Macdonald. The only case set down for hearing was an application by Thomas Dawson for an order of discharge. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column. The Rev. Thomas Spurgeon, son of the eminent preacher Sir C. H. Spurgeon, conducted divine service at the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Sunday, morning and afternoon, in connection with the Baptist Church at that place. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere in this issue. The Lauds Court concluded its sittings at Cambridge on Friday, all the detail work left over from the previous Court having been satisfactorily disposed of. Judge Symonds, and the officials and others whose business called for their attendance at the Court were passengers to Auckland by Saturday's train. Mr Murray of the Annandale Estate, Piako, has a paddock of young grass so luxuriant that he commenced mowing it for his horses more than three weeks ago. This shows what can be done by cultivation in these distriots. This evening the first of a series of popular dances will be given in Le Quesne's Hall (which has kindly been lent for the occasion by the proprietor) by the Hamilton Band. Dancing will commence at 8 o'clock, and the proceeds will be devoted towards paying off the debt on the instruments. The members have been diligently practising for the dance, and some excellent music may be expected. In addition to the band, Mr T. A. Bell will preside at the' piano, accompanied by Mr Hadfield on the cornet, J|£r s Meaeham, the violin, and Mr J. Edgecumbe, the flute. The band deserve the

support, of the pnt»lfQ, v iin^VHve hope to kiP thtfr funds largely augmented by this their first; endeavour. Tho members i -tre requested ro meet at their practice room at 7 uhar ,», in uniform. '■ Messrs'. Woollanis and Ireland, of fchb Novelty Gift Depotf, Hamilton, gave their magic lantern entertainment in the Oddfellows' Hall last night to a moderate house A. dance followed, and was well attended. The cricketers at Hamilton and. Cambridge have commenced practising in* t-arnest those at the fotmer place bavin" 1 in view the rnnteh to onme oft" on Saturd.iy next between a p eked ele\en and all comers, which piomises to be an extremely exciting contest. At the usual fortnightly meeting of Ihe Auckland Bodrd of Education on Friday, an application was received from the Ohaupo School Committee for an additional room to tho school building-. The Inspector reported that the porch might be enlarged to afford aceomodation for a cavatory. The application was granted in terms of the Inspector's report. The cutting at the bridge near Stokes' Farm, on the old Whatawhata road, has been in a very bad state for some few days past, a large quantity of the earth having fallen across the roadway, but the Board have taken prompt measures to set matters to rights, and no danger need be apprehended. The work of widening the embankment at Ewen's Hill has been completed and the road is very much improved in consequence. The services of a surface man for a few weeks might very profitably be engaged on the main road. The Cambridge Cricket Club had their first practice for thin season on Thursday evening last, in the Government p.idd.ck opposite the National Hotel Theie was a fair attendance of raembeis, and the play was pretty good. The Hamilton Schools resumed yesterday atter the Michaelmas vacation. The attendance was a litUe low, owing probably to the threatening aspect of the weather in the morning. A case of some interest will be decided at the next sitting of the R. M." Court at Cambridge, Mr K. Hewitt being the plaintiff, and Mi Y. Granville the defendant. The dispute is said to have ausen out of Mr Granville having used abusive language to Mr Hewitt, and also for assaulting that gentlemen by shaking him by the coat, Mr Granville giving as his reason for so doinir that Mr Hewitt insulted his (Granville' s) wife by unnecessarily calling her to t ilk about having shop sweepings 'md orange peelings strewn on the road befcic the door. The weather during yesterdaywas very hoisteions in the Thames Valley, lain falling he.iuly. The high wind which was blowing caused an accident to the A roh a coach yesterday, t\ liich might have had very serious consequences. Shortly .ifter leaving the Aioha, when the vehicle had gained the higher ground above the river flat, it was caught by a strong gust of wind and upset. The driver and a passenger were thrown some distance, but received no injury. Neither was the coach much damaged, and after righting it, it came into Hamilton without fnither mishap. As the term of the Rev. H. Bull's stay (3 yeaih) as minister of the Cambridge YVenleyan Circuit expires in April next, he will shortly have occasion to take his departure from among the many friends of every denomination which he has gained since the commencement of his duties in this district. No doubt everyone who has known the rev gentleman since his arrival amongst us, will regret to learn of his approaching departure, and wish him every happiness and consolation when administering to the spiritual wants of thosf who next have him for their minister. The Rev. Mr Bull has been invited by the Wesleyan congregation of the Thames to go there, and it is not at all unlikely that he may next take up the duties of that circuit, aud the Rev. David McNichol of New Plymouth is the most likely minister to take over the Cambridge Circuit ; but neither will be decided until the Conference meets in January next. A meeting of the residents in and about Tfiupin was held on Saturday evening, at the Hotel,for the purpose of forming a committee to carry out arrangements for a concert to bo held in aid of the Taupiri Catholic Church. There was a good attendance, nearly everyone residing about the place being present, besides many influential persons from the neighboring districts. Mr "*V H. M. Lovell was voted to the chair, a committee was formed, and it was resolved the concert should take place on Friday, November 4th, at tho school, that the best available talent should be secured, and every endeavour used to make the concert a success, which there is every probability of it being, judging from the numerous attendance and lively interest manifested in the proceedings by every one present. The indefatigable Mr T. H. White having kindly consented to take charge of, and arrange for the musical programme, there is sure to be nothing wanting in that respect. A vote of thanks being passed to the chairman the meeting terminated. A correspondent writes as follows from Te Awamutu :—": — " It is a cause of considerable inconvenience to the public that the Post-office is only opened for the sale of stamps after the closing of the mail bags, and it is generally known by all who have to come in contact with them that the natural tendency of small officials is to seek rather to disoblige the public in every possible way than to do their work efficiently. Is it a correct thing in a New Zealand post-office for one official, in a state of early inebriety to shove the public violently, call the public opprobrious names, and threaten to knock the public down, upon expostulation, whilo the other official sympathises, joins in the volley of abuse and threatens not to perform the office for which he receives his salary ? I should be glad to be informed whether the Department sanctions such a course, or is aware that they pay for such doubtful services.'/ At a special meeting of the Borough Council, held last night, the following tenders for works requiring to be executed in Knox, Anglesea, aud Clarence streets were dealt with : — Coombes (accepted), 9s 6d, 8s 6d, and 6s 6d respectively ; Kelly, 16s, 13s, and I4s ; Farrard, 9s 3d, 8s 9d, and 88 4d ; Devitt, 11s 3d each ; Deegan, 9s 3d each ; Wayte, 9s 3d, 8s lOd and 8s 9d • Houtonson, 10s sd, 8a lid, and 6s lid; MePherson, ]2s, 9s 6d, and 12s ; Davis, 13s, Us 6d, and Us; Kingsley, 11s, 12s, and 10s, and Rogers and Mclntyre, 15s each. The Clerk was instructed to write, intimating a prosecution, unless nuisance on May's property was at once abated. Payment of tolls were remitted in the care of the gravel contractor. The members present were the Mayor, and Councillors Peat, Tippen, Lovett, McGarrigle, Gaudin, Hill, and Jones.

A detailed list of the valuable live and dead stock, comprising pure-bred cattle and well-bred horse stock, the property of Messrs Carpenter and Byron, to be sold at f c Ko\vhai, Waipa, on Wednesday, ic)th inst., by Mr J. S. Buckland, -will be found in our advertising columns. The Clydesdale stallion "Young Lord Derby" will travel this season in "VVaiknto. For pedigree and programme, sec our advertising columns. ■ Mr Kennedy Hill will dispose of a - -valuable allotment and dwelling-house in Hamilton East on Saturday next, at 2 o'clock, at his mart.