The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1782, 6 December 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of \\hatsoc\or state or persuasion, rclttfious or politic il. Here shall the Press the People's riffle maintain, Un.iwtd bv inilucncc and unbnbcd by gain.

THURSDA Y. DEC. 6, 1883.

It would have been hard to believe that the farmers of Waikato, with the experience before them of the success of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association over a period of now three years, as detailed in our issue of October 27th last, could have any longer held back from following the example set them by their Southern fellowcolonists. It is therefore not surprising to find that after an exhaustive dibcusbion on the merits and working of the system on Monday evening, the meeting at Tamahere should have risen to something like enthusiasm, and well may it have done so ; co-operative association is the one thing needed to give utility and strength to the agricultiu al interest. In every other business its members combine 1 for mutual benefit and protection. Commerce in most parts of the world is an aggregate of "rings " for trade purposes. Let a farmer require a parcel of grain for seed, of artificial manurps, or any other goods, and he will find the prices the same whatever firm he applies to. He alone in his business works singly, and as a consequence farmers dealt with in detail, whether as buyers or sellers, are commercially at the mercy of those they trade with. Now, cooperative associations for farmers do away with this state of things. Such an association will take its stand in the markets of the world on the same, or even a better footing than the largest firm, for, affi iatocl with other similar associations in other places, they will always be able to purchase direct at the lowest wholesale prices, and on the other hand will find the best markets for the jn'oducc of their members. Nay, as we have said, they will stand in an even better position, for as the largest accredited agents in the country for produces of a particular class, applications for supply from all parts will naturally flow to them unsolicited. What co-operation in one form has already done for Waikato may be seen in our cheese factories, and the need may yet be felt of co-operation in the form now proposed to find a market for oi:r cheese. Instances could be multiplied ad infmitnm where seller and buyer of the same article have both to send out of the district simply for the want of some such agency to act as middlemen, and do so at a loss, not only of intermediate profits but of freight. Those at the meeting acted wisely we think, in agreeing to the suggestion made by Mr Brooks, of Churchill — to whom indeed the promoters are indebted for many useful and practical suggestions in the working out of the scheme — that as soon as three thousand or four thousand shares are taken up (1100 were subscribed for in the room on Monday evening) a start should be made. The association has. the offer of a very commodious store at Tamahere at a very low rental, and the services of , a business man as manager, who gives the best-guar-antee of > intelligent 5 'interest by takihg'up feome^JJO shares;,, and if as shown oil, the balaiice : she^t,.pf jtjija. q^^rbqr^^psopiXH9.ft%^^ r %ft

working capitil, though moro had been called up, of only £0477 was used, during the last 'year, to turn over a business of £81,000, which yielded a net profit of 26£ per cont. on tho £5147 employed, surely, with £2000 for a start, tho Waik.ito Association may (ommence. business, which, like tho col nil' hucksters shop, will dty by day grow into a larger commercial concern. It is far better that it should be so. There is more certainty of success, if started on a small scale with the power of gradually extending itself as tho business legitimately grows and the capacity for giasping it in detail grows with it. Once started, once its ad vanvantage? to members come to be understood and appreciated, its unalloted shares will be readily sought after at a premium, increasing the profits of the holders of the first issue, and extending its trading capacity. It will doubtless occur to some that if in the case of the Canterbury Association the net profits on the capital in use, some £5445, were 66^ per cent on that amount, the shareholders must have paid heaviiy for their agency, but it must be borne in mind that this sum of £5447 really represented transactions amounting to £81,000 in the year, being turned over some fourteen or fifteen times during that period, so that the average percentage of profit on each transaction was somewhat less than 2 per cent, securing to members os an agency association the maximum profit of 26 per cent on their capital employed, and to members as individual customers of the agency the minimum commission of 2 per cent on their business transactions with it. Again, in the matter of the proposed name of the association, the title of North New Zealand, South Auokland, or AVaikato, as severally proposed, would doubtless be better than that of Tamahcre. These are, however, matters of detail, which tho good sense of the promoters is quite equal to deal with as they arise. For our part, we think the most suitable designation, and one quite sufficiently cosmopolitan, would be, " The Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association of Waikato." The matter is one, however, upon which it is unnecessary to dwell. Tho movement has now gone so far, and gained such a measure of public approval and support, that it will need only ordinary care on the part of the promoters of the company to successfully float it. A good provisional directory, and the names of some fifteen gentlemen of local standing and prac ical business capacity, were mentioned on Monday evening as willing to act, is the first desideratum. Another is that the shareholders skill, as much as pjssible, be sought from amongst the settlers of the district. There are obvious reasons for the above, which need not now be particularized, and we believe tho promoters of the movement are fully alive to this. In conclusion, vie would urge upon tho general public the desirableness of establishing such an association in our midst. The gi eater number of us are more or less producers, and our difficulty is not in raising produce, but in the after profitable disposal of it. The cheese factories may give us a market for our milk, the Auckland Freezing Company another for our beef and mutton, but there are many other products which we do raise, and some which we ought to raise, where the certainty of finding a profitable market scands between us and the venture, or renders it one of risk and anxiety. In an association of the kind under review, we secure a trustworthy and powerful agency, and become participators in the profits of the transaction of our individual business, as its clients.

The Customs receipts for the month of November care reported very unsatisfactory. The icmaining four months of the financial year are expected to show much better result-*.

We have been asked to remind the congregation of S. Peter's that there will be service in the chinch at 7 o'clock on the Friday e\enings during Advent season, with hhoit seimuns on " Christ in the Pi ayer-book. "

The Kihikihi public, bent on not being behind in the matter of holiday atti actions for the district settlers, have resolved on holiday bports on New Year's Day. The programme will shortly be publibhed.

An interesting entertainment in the shape of a .service of hong entitled, " John Tregenoweth ; His Miuk," was to have been held in the Public Hall, Cambridge, last evening, in aid of the funds of the local branch of the Blue Ribbon Aimy.

The entrances for the Oxford races on Boxing Day close at Cambridge and Oxford on Saturday next. Entries will be received by Mr B. Kirkwood, and by the secretary, Mr McLellan. Letters or telegrams bearing post mark December Bth, containing entries and entrance fees, will be received.

Mr D. Fallon has opened a horseshoeing business at Oxford in connection with his workshop there, and will also undertake the repairing of agricultural implements, waggons, &c. A business of this kind has been wanted at Oxford for some time past, and now that Mr Fallon has taken in hand to provide the want, we hope ho will be liberally patronised.

At a meeting of the teachers of S. Peter's Church Sunday-school, held on Tuesday evening, it was decided to have the children's annual tieat on Tuesday, the Ist January, consisting of a liberal supply of creature comforts, with the usual accompaniment* of games, races, &c. The distribution of prizes is expected to take place about the middle of January.

The Armed Constabulary at Cam' bridge have greatly improved the local rifle range which was in very bad need of attention. The range has been cleared of the overgrowth of fern and ti-tree, the targets have been placed in a better position, and the markers house has been greatly improved.

The Pukekura Road Board is just now enforcing that section of the ''Public Works Act, 1882, Amendment Act, 1883," which deals with the growth of gorse, &c, on the roadside. The streets and by-roads about Cambridge West are literally covered with gorse and ti-tree to' the great detriment of wheeled trnffic, and in case of 'fire' the ppesftnejfl of this growth would certainly not improve matter** *u ■I ;

The Wellington oorraspo&dent of the New Zealand/ Herald : \wfi ',^Mv< Bryce's news relatiy.9,'tb .the understanding: arrived at with the leadingfkndedchifefs off the 'Kin£te w nativWaii of the King Country, -is deemed highlyjfAYourable and satisfactory; t[|Viil^able tangible resCtlt* are looked for »%'sln' <s eafly-i date/'\'Hi^jprev > sent i .suocesa w , l^kedV;.o.n"-!^'.hj»ife"stv jvq^t ;

Ameeeting of the Cambridge West School Cotnraitteo was hold a few days ago, but tho business was not of an important character. ,_ Nothing whatever of interest transpired. '

1 The committee of the Cambridge Public Library, would bo mooting a want which was grefttly felt by its subscribers, by providing their reading-room with .7, reliable map of New Zealam', North and South Islands.

The return cricket match between the Cambridge civilians and the Armed Constabulary has been arranged for next Saturday fortnight. It is to be hoped the civilians will give a better account of themselves in the return contest.

A person named Johnson was found by the police in the streets of Hamilton yesterday badly intoxicated, necessitating his removal to the lock-up. He will be dealt with in the usual manner today.

The immigration officers at Auckland have reported to the Government very unfavourably as to the steamer Triumph, now on the rocks at Tiritiri. The vessel is pronounced unsuitable for immigrants, and the management has not been favourably spoken of.

A cheese from the Waikato Cheese and Bacon Factory will be on view at the company's office, Hamilton Auction Mart, on Saturday next. Shareholders and the public generally will then have an opportunity of sampling: the new article.

As yet no word has been received as to the destination of the Armed Constabulary at present stationed in Waikato, during the coining summer. It is generally considered that Mr Bryce has got something new m view m wfticn tfio Constabulary are to play an important part.

Archdeacon Willis hopes to hold service at Morrinsville, Richmond, and Matamata on Sunday week, December Kith, at 10.30, 3.30, and 7 o'clock, respectively. The Hoiy Commuuion will be celebrated at Morrinsville. It is expected that the Rev. E. H. Gulliver, of S. John's College, Auckland, will officiate at Cambridge and Ohaupo.

The Cambridge Town Board has now received a certificate of title to the site immediately behind the Public hall in addition to the endowments for which certificates were received some few weeks ago. This .site, as we have already stated is indispensable to the carrying out of the suggested improvements of the Public Hall, and these we expect will bo carried out at an early date.

The business people of Cambridge, whose premises were binned down by the destructive fire which occured theie l.itely, are evidently determined not to let tl'io grass grow under their feet. New buildings are already making their appearance on the ruins of the former stiucture>>, and will doubtless bo of a superior kind to those debtroyed.

The Sunday-school anniversary in connection with Trinity Wesleyan Church, Hamilton, will take place on Sunday next. Three sermons will be preached throughout the day by the Eev. 0. Dean, and special hymns will be rendered by the children and choir. The annual meeting will be held on the Tuesday evening following, when addresses will be delivcied by the Revs. Dewsbury, Kaobmn, Dean and Dukes.

The action of the Cambridge School Committee in recommending to the board the removal of Mr X, 1). Stew.ut, h still a matter of coiisidei.iblo discussion among the Cambridge public. The petition in favour of the letentiou of Mr Stewart, signed by over tin ee-f mirths of the parents of the High .School pupils, has been forwaided to the board, and will be cod«idered at the next meeting of that body.

Mr Richard Wright, Cambridge, requestb us to correct a .statement which appealed in our lcpoit of the Cambridge Resident Magistrate's Court proceedings on Friday last. He says our rcpoit erred in stating that "Mr SVilhams, the plaintiff, supplied the .store with Luge quantities of fish which had not since been paid for." He says that all the fish which he received fimn Mr Williams weie paid for, and that Mr Williams is now sueing for gnodi which he (Mr Wright) alleges he never ordeicd, and moreover never leceived.

A Press Association telegram states that Prince BUinaick, in view of the large shipments of frozen meat which .are now talcing place from the colonies, has instructed the (4ermaii consul at Sydney to enquire into and report upon the trade, the price of meat in New Zealand, the cost of freezing and shipping to England, and from thence to Germany. Thih looks like a development of the frozen meat trade m a quarter which up to the present has been little considered.

A match will be played on Saturday next on Sydney Squaie between the Ngaruawahia and Hamilton Cricket Clubs. The Hamilton team is composed as follows : — Forrest, Seddon, .Stevens, Yon Stunner, Kirk, Edgecumbe, Holloway, Ewen, Meachain, Allright, Bindon, Buttle. Play will conuneice at 11 o'clock bhaip, and it i^ expected the Hamilton Band will make its debut on the occasion.

Now that the bathing season is coming; on it has been suggested that the Cambridge Town Boaid bhould spend a few pounds in hupioving the bathing house at the water fall on the bank of the Karapiio btreani, well known to Cambridge residents. The place has of late become much wrecked, and its utility to the town in hot weather cannot be over-rated. If the town board cannot see its way clear to spend a few pounds on the work, possibly the necessary amount could be raised by public .subscription if some few energetic persons took the matter in hand.

Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the water used by the school children attending the public schools at Hamilton, particularly at Hamilton East, is not altogether so pure as it ought to be ; indeed, it is said that it is dangeiously unhealthy to all who use it. Some parents camplain of their children being laid up through its use. This it> doubtless owing to the unclean state of the tanks. This is a matter for the school committees to investigate, and wo hope they will give it their earnest attention.

The Ngaruawahia sports, on Boxing Day, promise to eclipse any previous effort of that district in this respect. The large and varied progiamme, which appears in another column, will be perused with interest. There are no less than six hor.se races, including a Hmdle Ilaco, a Maiden Plate, and a Handicap. There will also be sever.il foot-ia«es, for young men of an athletic turn of mind ; and a bicycle race, which should be one of the niobt interesting events of the day. Its novelty is sure to be a great attraction.

It will be seen from our report of the meeting of the stewards of the Cambridge Jockey Club that the club intend carrying out extensive improvements to the grand stand and saddling paddock. Tho stand is to be painted, enlarged, and moved back about a chain; the saddling paddock and lawn are to be enlarged, and other minor improvements are to be oairied out. It is to be hoped tho club will also see to the laying off of a proper training ground, as training on the course is not likely to improve it in any way. The following special messages to the Prebs Association, dated London, December 3rd and 4th, have appeared in tho Herald : — Letters have reached Kordofan, reporting that in the recent engagements against El Madhi, only a third of General Hicks' army were killed, including the English officers. The remainder of the troops are said to be encamped at Rahad, awaiting reinforcements. — Sir John Hall, who came here for the benefit of his health, is much better. — The steamer Lusitania has arrived, with a cargo of frozen meat from Sydney, in splendid condition, — It is reported that Mr ' Tennyson, the poet laureate, will shortly be raised to the peerage. ,

The French proclamation of the blockade of the coast of Annam deserves (observes a London paper) a distinguished Elace in the curiosities x>t modern war. To Bgin with, the French Government declared that they were not at war with Annam, - Then they bombarded the forts that guard the gates of the capital of the Annamite Empire, and dictated a treaty of peace at, the cannon's mouth to the t successor* of Tpx Due. Then whena, way Which, according* to the French Minister, was never to; be ,qt pfia%, iJjdJTfenph admiral issuesja notice ;4eol»ringf |b&;j&,tbftPfl^lfs-i>? * state of effective' pumafo%qn acogunt, 'Qi^m ?, ww ,

Mr Johnson, coach proprietor, left Ohinemutu on Monday morning en route for Hamilton, with the following passengers: — Viscount Berehaven, Ban try, Dr. G. A. Branson, and Mr" W. Mitchell (of thd " Hansard staff). The first-named gentlemen have been making a tour of the colonies, and speak in the highest terms of their visit to New Zealand. On reaching Maungaiti, Lord Berehaven took suddenly ill, and was unable to proceed further on his journey. He is suffering from an injured spine, the result of a fall when riding in a steeplechase in the Old Country. Mr Mitchell came on to Hamilton, and arrived last evening. He is also travelling to recruit his health.

A correspondent from Alexandra writes : — I regret to say that Mr Dawson of the A.O. stationed at this place, has taken his departure from amongst us. He returns to England. Before leaving, he was entertained to a champagne supper by his comrades and civilian fiiends. The party met at Finch's Hotel. After supper the usual loyal toasts were given. The chairman proposed the toast of the evening, '' Our Quest. Mr Dawson replied in very feeling terms, expressing the regret he felt at parting from his many friends. Everyone who knows him regrets his departure. He was a great favourite both with his comrades and civilians. He can say what few can, that is that during his stay amongst us he did not make a single enemy.

It has now become a matter of much question at Cambridge whether the Town Board has acted wisely, or otherwise in prohibiting the grazing of cattle and horses on the streets of the town. The streets in some places, and particularly the footpaths are literally coveied with long grass, which in wet weather makes matters decidedly uncomfortable for pedestrians. When cattle were allowed to roam about, the streets were pretty free from grassy overgrowth. Again the Board is said to have lost a considerable revenue by the change ; as, hitherto, owners had to pay for the privilege of running their cattle in the town. We believe the office of Ranger has recently been vacated, and both cattle and horses now graze defiantly through the fatreets.

A correspondent, " Waipa," writes to the editor as follows concerning the proposed co - operative association : — The objects of the company, which are closely assimilated to those of the Taranaki and Canteibury associations, have already been made known through the medium of your columns. They are such as should command the support of the entire farming community, ond, indeed, of all those who have the welfare of the district at heart. At no time in the history of the colony has the necessity for active and intelligent combination among the fanning community been more imperative than at present. We are, a> it were, in a transition state, the old rough methods of cultivation and stock-lai-nig have been found to be totally inadequate, and newer and better methods must be seai ched for and adapted to our wants. Of all people, farmei s are slow to accept the lessons taught by successive age-s. While the piinciple of \uiited action seems to lend itself to almost every other department of industry, agriculture has gone on iifthe old groove, eyeinjj suspiciously eveiything in the shape of innovation. And j r et no other business in life needs the application of the co-operative principle so much. I am in hopes, however, that a change i* being wi ought : .slowly it may be, but none the less surety.

Some young men are very fond of indulging in the, to them, playful practice of hoise-iacing along our public thoioiifjhfaics, evidently regaidlcssof the possibility of coming into violent contact with some unfortunate wayfarer who may be parsing along at the time. No later than yesteiday an accident aiising out of an indulgence of this kind occuried at Hamilton East, which fortunately did not prove so serious as it might have. Mr Yon Stunner was passing along the Cambridge road on horseback, near the foot of Seddon'.s Hill, when he was startled with the cry of some parson coining up behind him on horseback. Befoie he had time to get out of the way he was knocked clean out of his saddle by a horse find rider i mining violently into him, and fell on hi.s shoulder, iceeivinj* a severe shaking, and a serious stiain in the hand. The culprit, who is a person about eighteen yeais of age, seeing what he had done, did not pull up to enquire if the accident was a serious one, but galloped off. He was, however, soon bi ought to a standstill through his horse having knocked his shoulder out by the collision ; and when Mr Yon Stunner came up with him he was endeavouring to pull the disjointed limb into its place, and pleaded that the horse had run away with him. Mr Yon Stunner, believing that the injury which the horse sustained was a .sufficient punishment to the rider, did not care to take steps to have him punished in a manner which he certainly deserved. The culprit, it appears had been racing at the time with another boy.

It is highly gratifying (says the Te Aroha News) to note the air of confidence which pi avails among miners as to the permanency and payable character of the reefs, and whatever depression may be expeiienced in the Auckland or Thames sharemarkets, it is not leflected by the sentiments of practical men engaged in working the mines. These are one and all thoroughly satisfied that the field is a payable one, and that it will give large and iteady returns of gold. The only difficulty which miners see is that of obtaining crushing appliances ,but it is only a question of time, for if companies show they have payable mines, men will be found ready to erect plants where required. E\en now we acknowledge that the want of moie batteries is very seriously felt, and it is the want of crushing power which is alone calculated to retard the prosperity of a field such as this possessing every other qualification. Past operations have proved the pxistance of a wide belt of am if eious country extending for many miles along tho main range. On a comparatively small .section of this area the first difficulties of prospecting have been oveiccnue, and we are now fairly at work On the reefs, with all doubts and fears is to their value set at ro-*t by the substantial returns from tho fiiftt crushing. An inspection of the various, creeks shows that future batteries must depend on steam power instead of water as nearly all the available water supply has been swallowed up by the 40 stamper mill now ab work. There is fortunately an abundant supply of firewood, which will be useful until the railway is opened, and either a tramway or branch railroad connects the main line with Waiorongomai, when there will be opened a splendid market for Waikato coal, so that in developing the mineral resources of Te Aroha, we at the same time create a trade for black diamonds. In reviewing the operations of the week and contrasting the market value with the intrinsic value of shares, one cannot help the conviction that the mines are not at all overestimated but rather the reverse, and that many of them will be steady dividend paying properties. ''Civis" the well known contributor to the Otago Witness writes : — Excellent speeches, most of them, at the Luther celebration, yet all — or nearly all — vitiated by one huge fallacy of which the speakers themselves seemed happily unconscious. Luther's great merit (so they agreed) was that he judged for himself and stuck to his own opinion spite of Church and Diet, Poire and Emperor. Galled on to " retract" he replied that ho would not retract •' unless convinced by the testimony of Scripture or evident reason" — reason made evident to him, Martin Luther. Authority Avas nothing. Authorities had " frequently erred and contradicted each other," wherefore he, Luther, had resolved to settle all doctrine for himself by bis own notions of *' Scripture and evident reason." By taking this stand the Hflfonner had. vindicated for himself and all men the "right of private judgment." So said the clerical orators, had rejoiced together in the comfort of a greatand glorious principle, Yet it is a fact that not one of them acts on the principle hiiuself, or would sanction tho use of it in anybody else.. Imagine, the case, of an heretical minister brought before the Presbytery for erroneous dootrine— wanting to abolish the Sabbath, say, or, what is equally bad, to revise the Westminster Confession. " Retract," says the venerable Court. '* I will not retract," replies the erring brother, '" till convinced by Scripture or evident reason/ '\Here stand' l," 'he Continues, " I can no other "; God help me j Amen !"— like Luther at the Biet Gf Worm?, What will the venerable Court do with this impracticable .Lutheran ? .Unquestionably, they will' turn him out,- 'and "his "'right of, private judgment,'.' along .with hh&" MoreoVer, the only ;' place* t"hat will.take him in— as long sts he persists indespising authorities and thinking out!a*systein;;bf.:tnC f uniyer«e f