JOTTINGS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2790, 31 May 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

JOTTINGS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

By Qui Vivf, An all absorbing topio has lately been the groat floods on our coastal and internal rivers. Much damage has been done to low lying land on our northern coast rivers as tho Richmond and Clareuco, and tho farmers on tho famous Hawkosbury havo again suffered many of thoso tribulations to which they are bocoming sadly familiar. The northern coast farmers have been woefully reduced in circumstances owing to tho great losses they have sustained in crops and stock. Tho roads and other public works having boeu also roughly used by the flood water*, tho Government has authorised sums of money to be immediately spent in their repair, and by engaging in which work the unfortunato settlers may, to some extont, be able to remunerate themselves sufficiently until such tirnos as their farms iray be again in a producing condition. As a rule our coastal rivers rise very rapidly, and owing to their short courses aud the elevated positions of their sources, they flow downward with an overwhelming forco of current. But of a far more gigantic aspect is the present flood on tho great iuland river Darling, which is overflowing its banks and submerging the adjacent plains with a vast volume of water. The origin of this groat flood has been the recent heavy rains iu Queensland, from which colony flow some very large tributaries of the Darling. The great plain country through which this river flows is entirely pastoral, and ttock-owners have lost a vast number of sheep from the latest reports, not being able to remove them to higher ground in timo to escape the danger, i )The rainfall of the Eastern portion of Australia for tho past few months has indeed been almost phenomenal, aud yet about fifteen months ago your correspondent cau hardly credit that he walked in many places along the dry bed of the Darling! So much for our uncertaia and very changeable climate. The annual Easter encampment of our military forces has been recently terminated, and on the whole was a very successful affair. The infantry regiments, field artillery, and mounted troops were encamped at the National Park, and performed a week's continual series of military evolutions. The heavy artillery wore as usual at Middlo Head, and the torpedo corps at Watson's Bay, all three places being contiguous to Sydney, During a target practice of the Garrison Artillery Mr Want's yacht by some means got into the lino of fire, and narrowly escaped being struck by two or three shells. Upwards of 4000 men are estimated to

bavo taken part in these military proceedings, and, as a rule, they to enjoy the campaigning greatly. By the dentil of Mr David Buchanan tho colony has lost one of its veteran politicians. The deceased gentleman had, lor a great number of years, engaged in an activo Parliamentary career, and was distinguished by his out-spoken and honest, though somewhat one-sided and eccentric, opinions. Pie has, however, left a name which will live lonsr in the annals of the past, and which is, in many respects, worthy of special esteem. Like many of our politicians, he was a member of tho legal profession, and enjoyed a great reputation in his own special sphere.

The town of Wagga Wasrga is becoming rather notorious for the murders committed in its viciuity of late. The most recent case is of one traveller having killed auother, and, after severing the head, buried it iu 0110 place and hid the corpse in another. The remains being discovered by the police led to a confession of the murder by tho perpetrator, who stated that he had killed his companion in a drunken brawl, but his testimony is much doubted bvthe authorities.

Tho fact of a Chinese havintr taken first _ prize for butter at the Duuedin Exhibition has caused some surprise over here, Although the Celestials nearly monopolise our market gardens, they have not as yet been known to engage in dairying pursuits, and it is extremely doubtful were they to attempt it that they would rcceivo much encouragement in our midst. They are not at all popular here, on account of their unclean habits and their tendency to underwork European labour ; and the exclusive laws enacted against them by or.r Government, and the strong feeling against them by our people, should be a sufficient hint to the Chinese authorities that John is not at all welcome as an immigrant for sunny New South Wales. Lord Carrington spoke very highly ot the people and scenery of New Zealand when he returned from the Dunedin Exhibition and his tour of the country. As this popular gentleman generally meaus what he says, this may be taken a3 an honest compliment by your uolouists. We are sorry that His Excellency's term of oflice has nearly expired, aud that rumours of his departure are current, as he has won the esteem of our people by his manly straightforward manner, and the way in which he has identified himself with our national spirit of progress.

We have so far experienced a most bountiful year, and stock and pastures are in excellent condition everywhere. The formation of a Department {of Agriculture by the Government, and the interest manifested by it, will give no doubt additional impetus to farmers in future. The subject of rust in wheat has been reeeutly discussed at a conference of leading fanners, and the alleged discovery of a preventative in Victoria of this direful enemy of farmers will greatly help to inspire them with confidence as to the future of wheat growing here. Our colonists can fully sympathise with your people in their late losses by drought and bush fires, frtfm which evils a kind providencc has so well shielded us thisjyear, although we cannot be too sanguine as to what the future may have in store for us.

There has been a general revision of the standards of proficiency in our state Bchools, the re-adjustment of which has given great satisfaction to teachers and inspectors. This is one of the results of the last Conference held at Sydney with reference to educational matters. Henry George's mission amongst us has not been such a success as that distinguished philosopher would have probably wished. His lectures have been apparently listened to with very small favour by the majority of our people. The acquisition of land beiug such an easy process to the careful and euergetic portion of our population, and also such an insatiable desideratum, the idea of reversing matters in such a manner as Mr George proposes has altogether failed to attract the sympathy of persons so engaged. Vifty years henee, very probably, when all our alienable lands are absorbed, and the position of owner and tenant becomes a recognised matter, our countrymen will begin to see through the Georgian theory with a more unbiassed and clear sighted power of observation than is at present exercised.