The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1698, 24 May 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact j ustice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

+ We trust that our efforts to bring more prominently under the notice of Waikato settlers * the strong points of the meat freezing scheme have not been fruitless. The people of this district are very undemonstrative, a quality which they posses^ in common" with, - the members of

most agricultural communities. Hence, wo" suppose, they have not taken the trouble to vent : late their opinions in public. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that much sympathy of a genuine kind has been manifested with the design of the promoters of the Auckland Meat Freezing and Storage Company. It has already been remarked in these columns that it will never do for the settlers of Waikato to allow the whole conduct of the enterprise to | remain in the hands of a few commercial men in Auckland, who, ! however honest their intentions and endeavours, cannot be expected to properly estimate and appreciate the interest which avo here have in the undertaking. The real difficulty arises when wo come to consider how, and in what mannor Waikato farmers and graziers can, with the greatest advantage to themselves, assume a share of the responsibility. It is out of the question to suppose that individual farmers can, except in a few instances, afford to invest to an extent which would ontitle them to a commanding voice in the direction of the affairs of the company ; but it is, of course, possible that by combining and co-operating a great advance might be mado in this direction. By the formation of a company to purchase shares in the Auckland company, those locally interested could, through their representatives, exercise an amount of influence which they could not hope in any other way way to possess. But there are not wanting those who would be unsatisfied with such a condition of things, who, in short, desire that the conduct of the operations of the company in "Waikato should be left in local hands. This view of the question has been very clearly put forward by our Te I Aroha contemporary in the following passage :—": — " Now, for the success of the New Zealand frozen meat trade, it is imperatively necessary that the carcassos shall reach home in the best possible condition. It will not pay to ship second-class moat to the English market. The only way to secure this would be by the establishment of a slaughtering company, carrying on operations in some central position in Waikato, where the cattle — driven by easy stages from the Upper Thames, from Te AwamutuJ from Cambridge and elsewhere — may be kept in paddocks for a couple of clays to cool and recover from the heat of their journey, and be then slaughtered and the carcasses forwarded direct by rail to Auckland. To paddock them near Auckland, so that they may recover the bruises received by the railway journey, is simply impracticable. A month's quiet grazing would scarcely do this. In the case of Waikato supplies, prevention should take the place of euro, and the only -plan is to slaughter thorn hero and forward tho carcasses. Cool carrngos in which tho carcasses could be living 1 would, no doubt, be provided by tho railway authorities, tho plan in vogue olswhoro of keeping such carriages cool by evaporation being 1 resorted to. Tho carriage roof is covered Avith felt, and is kept continually wet by tho percolation of water from a tank lilcieod on the roof. Tho evaporagoing on reduces tho temperature in the meat cars and renders its transport, even in tho heat of summer, a matter of perfect safety. With such appliances for transit by rail, the meat, being killed in tho evening and packed in the special cars before sunrise ready for coupling on to the ordinary train, could be forwarded in perfectly safe condition to Auckland throughout tho year, or in tho hottest portion of tho season, if found necessary. A special cattlo, or rather carcass train, could loavo twico or throe times a-week at midnight, so as to reach the freezing depot in Auckland in the cool of the morning. Now Waikato, and in this term wo embrace tho whole of this Upper Thames Valley, if fairly alivo to its own interests, will not slepp upon this matter. Co operation is the order of the day, and surely there would be no difficulty in organising a cattle-slaughtering company, to procuie a suitable site, erect the necessary buildings, and enter upon the work. A very large capital would not be required — certainly not beyond the means of the settlers for so vital a matter. Fifty to eighty acres of good land would be the chief cost, but this even might be rented with a purchasing clause, and the necessary buildings, where twenty head of cattle per day could bf* slaughtered and dressed, and the ou'al utilised, we have it on good authority, would not exceed the sum of £500. Naturally, Hamilton, or rather Frankton, presents itself as the most advantageous point from which such an establishment could be best worked. It is centrally situated for all the Waikato grazing districts, and could be reached from here or Raglan by two clays' easy stages, while land contiguous to the railway, with an excellent supply of water, would be procurable at a reasonable rate and on easy terms. Say that land and buildings cost £1500, that another £1000 was needed for working expenses, a company with a capital of £4000 or £5000 would be quite equal to the undertaking, and be able, as it ought to be, to become an investing shareholder to the extent of £1000 or £1500 in the Auckland Freezing Company, so as to claim a voice in the directory of that institution." We have given this aspect of the case in full, but for our own part we confess that we do not see the wisdom of having a separate company in Waikato. The Auckland company intend, we "believe, to establish a slaughtering depot somewhere ' in this .district, as indeed they- are, bound to do if they desire to ' get' the meat on shipboard in good condition,"''and it' becomes a queslaon whether we here sha^work in ha;^ raonywith, or in opposition to them: It wjll be/bet*©* fo^wand better ; ". vi.yi i tat** <jh'? r i:y(f t fy, l £ff* „t'4

for the interests of the shareholders of tho company ns a whole that the enteipri.se should be conducted under one management, and it will bo better for "Waikato settlers to obtain a voice in that management than to attempt to divide interests which^ought to be identical.

! The burgesses of Hamilton, by 17 to 7, have rejected the proposal to bring the M Libraries Act " into force in the borough.

Messrs Wells and Soutter, of Cambridge, have purchased the Te Aroha business of Messrs 1. W. Carr and Sons.

I The Anglican service in the Haubapu district on Sunday next will not be held as heretofore in the schoolroom, but iu the recently opened church of S. Stephen.

The Auckland university College was inaugurated by His Excellency the Governor on Monday evening, at a largely attended meeting at the Choral Hall. Speeches were delivered by his Excellency, Sir Maurice O'Rorke and the professors.

Owing to some misunderstanding, Professor Sample, the horse-trainer, did not appear in Hamilton yesterday, He will come up by to-day's train, and will lecture at Cambridge as advertised. The professor will probably appear at Hamilton next week.

The Native Lands Court, Cambridge, was occupied during Saturday and Monday last in taking evidence in the Te Ranga case, which was concluded on Monday. The court adjourned to consider their judgments. The business at present before the Native Land Court at Cambridge consists

chiefly of sub-division cases. Dr Bullerlefb Waikato on Tuesday, en route for Wellington on private business. He has I handed over his briefs to Mr Sheehan during his absence.

The many friends of Mr J. P. Campbell, of Cambridge, will learn with pleasure that that gentleman has successfully passed his. examination for barrister. His brother, Mrj Hugh Campb-'ll, has also passed.

A telegram to the '' Bay of Plenty Times from Taupo states that " four thousand sheep from Wai pawn, in chaige of Tom Wooster, passed tlnougli there on Monday, en mute for dimbiidge ami northern markets. This is the largest mob ever pas3ed here. They have been twenty-three days on the load. The weather has been very severe all through. The Kaimanawa mountains and Tongariro ate covered with snow."

In the course of a speech delivered at Sydney by Mr Redmond lie stated that during three weeks he had boon cable to transmit £1,000 to the Land League, and he hoped to be able to at ohcc transmit another £1,000, a stitesment which was received with unbounded applause. At the conclusion of his speech lie was presented with a gold watch and chain, the money for which had been sub&cnbcd by the Irish working men.

The Japan "Gazette" writes:— The progress of civilisation in Japan may be estimated by the fact that whereas fifteen yiais ago such a thing as a licensed lawyer or attoi ncy was unknown, there arc now 997 of thai fraternity in full practice in the empire. And yet we occasionally sec speculative writers asking v. hether the opening of Japan to foreigneis lias been a benefit to the nation, and increased the prosperity of the people.

Mr Alexander Fergusson writes as follows from Kagi.in, under date May 21st : — " Sir : Raglan is yet under King Tawhiao, as will be seen from the following account of what it costs a settler to get 700 feet of timber from Waikato to Raglan : Five days for three horses, waggon and man, at £1 5s per day, £0 ss; cost of timber, £1 10s; loss of one horse on the journey, £25 ; total, £32 15s Gd. Advance Raglan. ' The moral of this is obviously " Don't do it again !"

In reviewing the New Zealand Crown Lands Guide, issued by the Minister of Lands, the Sydney Morning Herald pays : "The brochure is the most valuable work of its kind yet published in the colonies, and, in bunging it out, the New Zealand Minister ot Lands has set an example, which those who preside over the Laud Department in this and the adjacent colonies could not do bettor than follow, not only as regards the value and quality of the information supplied, but also in the expedition with which it is placed before the public."

A runaway, that narrowly escaped being attended with consequences, happened in Duke-street, Cambridge, last Tuesday. A waggon, diawu by four horses, belonging to Mr W. Scmtnens, was standing near Mr Smith's shop in Brewery-street, when the horses took flight and bolted. A lad, who endeavoiued to stop the leaders, was knocked down by them, and the whole of the team and the waggon passed over him, he escaping serious injury by little short of a miracle ; as it was, he escaped with a few slight contusions. A son of Mr Semmens, who stuck to the wheelers manfully, succeeded in bringing them to a standstill opposite Mr Bates' shop, without any further damage.

A correspondent of the "Herald* 1 * writes: — "Ou Sunday last two exceedingly able and instructive sermons were preached by Mr B. F. Rothwell, student, Wesley College, Three Kings, in the Wesleyan Church, Corromandel. In response to a request of the Executive Council of the Auckland Band of Hope Union, the sermons dealt specially with the cause of temperance. His theme in the morning was the ravages made by intemperance, and the only, yet sure remedy to be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Im the evening the text was selected from Zcuhariah ii., 4 v., "Run and speak to this young man;" and in a very forcible manner was shown the danger of the least indulgence in strong drink, the special temptation to which the young are subjected, and the need for personal effort in endeavouring to rescue others from the curse of drunkenness. At each service there was a large congregation, who manifested the most marked attention."

The following is the text of the petition to be presented to Parliament at the ensuing session by the Roman Catholics, touching the education question : — " That your petitioners are conscientiously opposed to the system of public education established in this colony ; that they have in consequence established Roman Catholic schools, and maintain them at their own sole expense ; that under these circumstances they find themselves aggrieved at being compelled to contribute to maintain a system of education from which they derive no advantage, which puts them at a great disadvantage, and which is practically the cause (tf their being subjected to double taxation j that they are persuaded one or two things should be done if they are to be treated according to jiißtice and equity — viz., their schools should be put on a footing of equality with public schools, or they should be exempted from taxation for public school purposes. That they respectfully request your honourable House to take the premises into consideration, and devise such measures as will secure to the Roman Catholics of New Zealand justice and equitable treatment."

"It is curious, observes the Tall Mall Gazette, "to note the increase in a century of the members of the bar. Nearly a hundred years ago, in 1793— a ]time which may perhaps best be realised by the fact that Lord Eldon was then plain Jola'Scott, Esq., arid Lord Campbell still plainer Jack Campbell — the number of 'counsel,' practising nonpractising in the Law List of the day was less than 300. Now there are nearly 200 Queen's Counsel alone, and 'more ( than 7000. men ; ostensibly at the bar. "Has business increased in like proportion-}] or^aTe^e to believeamthe 1 average" ;pro(^6^j%9^«t r 'WWoh le.etfirtiaM?

& at two guineas apiece? And one shudders to think what the New Zealander will find here if the same rate of progress is kept up until the year 1985 ; there will be more than a million and a half of barristers.

At the Cambridge Public Hall today the fancy fair in connection with S. Andrew's Church opens at 2 p.m. We are informed that the goods already contributed are in great variety, and make an excellent show. Other parcels promised are expected, to arrive to-day. Amongst the attractions will be a gaily decorated Christmas tree. The fair will be open all this afternoon and evening, and during the same hours to-morrow. The effort of the ladies who have been working so hard with this object in view for months, deserves the support of every member of the Anglican Church in Cambridge, and likewise of all their friends. The amount sought to be raised is £100, which is required by next month to pay the first instalment of the sinking fund on the building fund loan. Contributions of fruit, cake, &c, for the refreshment stall will be gladly received any time today."

An unusual sight was witnessed on Saturday morning last by some gentleman who were at Mr Browning's place, near Scotchmen's Valley. Looking in the direction of Ngaruawahia, they observed what appeared to be a forest above the hill, the trees at the edge standing out clearly and distinctly. Presently the spectacle, like a scene in a diorama, commenced to move, and the mirage passed along the summit of the range in the direction of Pirongia, ultimately fading out. Though the mirage is common enough in some parts of the world, we do not know that one has ever before been witnessed by Europeans in WaiUato, though the natives doubtless have observed them. They have a tradition that heaven has sometimes appeared above the hills between Taupiri aDd Ngaruawabia, and that the trees and rivers of the celestial land have been plainly visible. The canoes of the blessed have even been seen gliding over the waters. On a foundation as slight how many traditions rest. The phonoincnon of the mirage, as most of our readers know, arises from unequal refi action in strata of unequal density.

Mr Harry Bennett, formerly providoic of the N.Z. and Union Company's, steamers, has purchased the lease of the Charlemont Hotel, Auckland, and the extensive ad ditions which has just been built to it were opened yesterday. These compi ise a bar at corner of Rutland and WaUefieldstrcets, two bar parlours, A\ith private side entrances to Rutland-street, largedining room, kitchen, &c. On the first floor there h a private suito ot rooms, four bed-rooms ami bath-room as> well as bilhaid-room and ladies' dining-room and diawiug-room. There is also a select bar upstairs There are on the second floor 20 single bed-rooms and three suites of bed-rooms, comfoitibly fitted up, and having lavatories on each floor. Theic arc electric bells in the various iodibs, including thu bath room. Ventilation lias been carefully attended to, all the apartments having louvred ventilations. j Connection is made between the new and old buildings by means of a corridor and staircase. The new additions are from plans by Messrs Arnold and Smith architects, and constitute a new departme in aichitecture in Auckland. Over the bar entiance is suspended a handsome gas> Limp, having an Argand burner of 100-canrile power. Luncheon is pro\ided daily fiom noon to 2 p.m.

A notification re "OiientV Melbourne Cup i onsultation appears in another column. A notice by the Te Aw.unutu poundkeeper apprars chow here. * Messrs Douglas, Tamabere, have for sale, shorthorn heifers, good milking' strain. The usual monthly meeting of the Sons of Ulster, L.0.L., will be held this evening at the Victoria Hall. Attention is directed to Western's Wizard Oil advertisement in this issue. Several important notifications in connection with the Waipa County are published in another column. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell at the "Cambridge yards, on Tuesday next, prime tat rattle, dairy cows, store cattle, sheep, pigs, etc. The trustee in Beauchamp Bros.' estate requests those indebted to the estate to withhold payment pending a legal decision. The election of five members of the Waitoa Road Hoard will take place at Morrinsville on the 7th June. Nominations will be received up to June 2nd. Messrs Tristram and Lovett, butchers* publish a price list elsewhere. On and after Ist Tune they will open a branch shop in Hamilton \Vest in Gelling s eld shop. The Oddfellows of Cambridge will hold a ball this evening. All brethren are invited to attend.

THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1888.