TUHIKARAMEA.

Waikato Times, Volume XLII, Issue 3433, 30 June 1894, Page 7

TUHIKARAMEA.

The New J.Ps.-A good deal hasapp6ared in the public press respecting the unfitness of many of the J. Ps. lately created, but if the powers that he, hud appoiuted as suitable men throughout the colony as they have done io this district, there should be little cause for. complaint, MrF. T. Vickers, as an old. settler and straightforward gentleman is, in all probability, the very man tbo settlers tliemsslves would have pitched upon had they any choice in the matter.

Fat Stock.—As usual, at this season, •the turnip fattened stock are finding their way to the markets, principally Auckland, aiufonce .more one hears the cry of low prices and curious treatment on the jjavt of selling ageuts and others, ' , , Red Tapeisjl—An incident has just occurred in connection with the.disposal of some fat sheep,: sent from this district to Auckland, which illustrates the annoy: ance and loss that has (through red -tapeisun) to be borne by settler's.' A truck of'heavy fat sheep were sent down, aiid although they had been' dipped since shearing and passed by the Waikato Inspector, were coudemned for lice in the town yards, withdrawn from sale, and dipped. A few. days later, the sheep were again yarded and sold, of course at several shillings per., head less than they would'have brought, owing to the knocking about that they had received. ' This loss, together with the cost of dipping, and keep, just about takes all the roturrs from the sheep for several months' feeding upon grass and turnips. Putting aside the absurdity of condemning sheep for lice, which are in the highest condition and intended for immediate slaughter; the dipping of such sheep is, at this time of the year, nothing more or less than cruelty to animals. If the object wto punish the owner of such sheep, then this could be achieved by imposing a fine of so much per head, and the stock allowed to proceed to the slaughteryards with* .out further delay. To order dipping in such it case simply means a very heavy loss to the owner, while the sheep have to suffer, a great deal, and finally the meat is. by no means improved for the consumer. There is a lot of claptrap talked from day to day by political frauds about the necessity of settling the lands of the colony with a sturdy yeomanry; but, strangely enough, the hardy and energetic, class .who are now looking to the soil for a livelihood have very lit'tls sympathy or ceremony wasted upon them. School MmEßs.'-Our school is at present closed dowa for the winter holidays. At a recent meeting of the school committee it was decided to make considerable alterations and improvements in the school. buildicgs and grounds, which are owned by the settlers. Tenders were called for, Mr Norman being the successful tenderer. .1 am glad to say that under Miss Johnson the school roll is steadily increasing, and the attendances for the time of year, ,is exceptionally good.