THE FARMER.

. A . AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.

“ THE AGRICULTURALIST.” Part 111.

THEVIELDOF \VHEAT IN GREAT BRITAIN AS COMPARED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES. For the credit of British husbandry, it will be w.ell to compare its standard yields of wjreat, with the yields in foreign coun tries, the information being supplied in the ; 'Board;of Trade Agricultural Returns for i.'o;, yield per acre of wfieat in ' Imperial bushels per statute acre in the undermentioned countries— Englafid, (29.9. 'bushels.; - Wales, 27.6 ; Scotland' 29.0 ; Great, Britain j 29 9 ; Ire land,‘2s.o ; Islands, 28.0 ; United: King dom, 29.5 ; Holland, 28.5; Belgium,i 20.3 ; Wiutomberg, 18-0 ; Bavaria, 10.3 ; Egypt, 15.8 j, France,l3.s ; Greece ; 13.2 ; Austria (proper),' 12.5 ; Portugal, 9.0 ; Hungary, 8.5 ; and Russia, 5.5. In 1851- the “ Mark Lane Express” collected the opinions of five hundred cor respondents in. England for teh. years— -1851 $o 1861—in which the yields of the several countries range from 22| up to 34£ bushels rif wheat, making a general average for England of 29 bushels per acrof 'Half the total jwheat produce of the United,, Kingdom is,grown in eleven English, counties, namely, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk,‘.Cam bridgeshire, Kent, Hampshire, Sussex, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. Nearly one-fourth of the whole is grown in three counties—namely, -Lincolnshire, York shire, and Essex.' In fact, Lincolnshire, which heads the litt, with a minimum crop of 1£ million quarters, reaps and threshes ahove a fifth more wheat than all Scotland and Ireland.

It is clearly shown that the method of arriving at results in the mother country ik carried out with the greatest perfection For instance, the general average of the wheat yield per acre is stated at 29 bushels, and this lias been arrived at by two different and distinct functionaries, —i. e., the'Board of Trade, and the “ Mark Lane Express. " I npw propose to touch only one or two matters respecting the British agriculturist and his landlord, with reference to the esti mated capital invested, &c.. ■THK TENANTS CAPITA!, AND INCOME.

The capital provided by the tenant for &e ordinary work of his farm bears some Tarieigr of character,, differing greatly in ditffreht districts, on different. soils, and sorts of farms. There does not appear to be much general agreement as to the average value of the farmer’s plant in the stock, implements, and material acces sories of his business. When a mean has

t, be struck between the high-farming finds, at the least, profitable employ ment .for LIS an acre, and the low level of the, scale which a West of Ireland tenant would think ample, it is easy widely to err; hut there is some ground to believe that an average of say, L 8 per acre, , over the cultivated area of 47,000,000 acres throughout the United may fairly enough represent the forking capital of the British tenantry. This-giyes a .sum of • L 376,000,000. For the purposes; of taxation, the .Income-Tax Acts assume the tenant’s earnings to he measured by r one-half his rent in England, and oqQ-third in Scotland and Ireland— assumptions to which |>ractical effect is given in the .reduced poundage-rate, im posed Itjias been argued, on the one hand., tlujt -this is too favorable to the- and charges his profits too lightly; tHe other,-authority is not wan>t ingyfoj: > ...tibe..''}v«3r “Opposite contention. Since, however, this estimate is, in point of. fact, that acted on the adjustment of taxation, and since; it , coincides very closely with an average return of 9 per cent, oh the forming capital’' employed, it i is considered:thatr-it is not/on the average, at all too low an estimate,. and that no great error- can result from its adoption. Omittingyfor convenience the deferential favor shown to other than English ten ants,'one authority takes the aggregate taxable income of all the occupiers of the United. Kingdom at one-half the gross value of the‘land-rental—which it will be remembered includes the tithes, or a total sum of L 33,000,000 a year. landlords’ capital and income. Thejandlords’ sliare of this income, as measured by the gross rental yearily asscased for income-tax ' in the’United. Kingdom, is L 67,000,000. Of this sum, ’ it is to he noted that about. L 5,000,000 re presents the fixed and ’ separate, hot equally landed, revenues of the lay and clerical tithe-owners. Sop ie three-fourths of the.rest, or L 46,000,(/ 00, may be most: properly regarded as landlords rent in its. most, primary sense, ax ,d LI 6,000,000 as the, interest of sums laid out in fitting the soil for, profitable cultr vation, by means of enclosure/ building ?, drainage, and so forth./L/.The,, extenl , of these invest ments goes sQirie way to account for th© receht riso in the nomJ nal’rental of land, and it-’ds too often overlooked, when pro posals -Rite inadte/to- subject land, as a source/Vf .wholly liiieaj -ned revenue, to ex ceptionally heavy ti xea. ! Taking the imtural rent at. 30 yeai ,-s purchase, and the landlords inveatfuiehy 3, • and titheowners propCrty at 25, these: figures would: appear , to indicate the existed me of a titheowners capitalof 1 L125.00C t,OOO, an ordinary landlords Capital of I A ,380,000,000 in the soil itself,/fold’ of U 100,000,000 in its im provements, ' ‘ : or,, in' the aggregate L 1,905,000,000 The total amount of jnci'.rryrng out the results «f agriculture in the United. Kingdom mayf ; j pub down . thus, —-tenants,. L376^>Op,QpO; landlords and '-'tithe oWnef aggregate weathi of L 2,281,000,000. THE OBLT BUSINESS IN WHICH SPEfcIAS/ • TRAINING IS . NOT DEEMED iraciSkitjrl'''-.- knowledge of business is a matter of grCat: tnpntierit' td : those who'eraploy so vast n isjjitnl ■ iis the English landowners, a capital -far beydhd 5 .the entire’ value of tlpit eipplpy ed inyailwuyf., mi non, iron works', canals, pnd gaswovl s put together. Men 'of’ th e.h ig h e St capaci y,with ’special Qualifications, are employed in tlicl 'management of these. 1 Con stant- 'vvatchfulileaß . of the progress of invention,’,by which large results may he optolried, r f}n a) given expenditure, is abso -1 ntefyhccessrtrv to procure a profit in the gbn Iral'btempenation. The landowners of the entrii&t' the' management *»;’^gan*B,mere car less very capable,’ but often hajfihrirefL by r noted of their etifplpjte? for ig&ikrg&t return of rental at * the lea at coist.v’jTKe landowner himself, too,’ ‘ k’el'dortT takes .such' an active and ■ in

tolligent interest-in-thedetails of-manage* moht as would convince him of the need to keep his farms in a similar state of high working order. It is not with him really a question of business. Take for instance, by way of comparison, a manufacturer, merchant, or shipowner, who has a rental of LSOOO a year. What would be thought of the prospects of a woollen manufac turer, who, without the slightest prepara tion or special knowledge, embarked LIOO.OOO in that business 1 Or of a man who took oyer a mercantile concern of the same extent, without having ever before written, or read a business letter'? Or of a ypung military officer giving up a com mission to take the direction and responsi bility of a great ship-owning house I And yet this is in effect .what is done every day by the majority of English landowners.

THE ANNUA!. RAINFALL IN THE UNITED

KINGDOM. ' The annual Ainfall in the United King dom, the same as .in all other countries, is far from being; every thing like uniform- It varies in the lowest parts of the country from 25 to 35 inches. In the mountainous districts, these figures may be double.. But limiting the consideration to the cul tivated lands it must be obvious than an annual rainfall upon an acre of land, in the one,case of 3506 tons, and in the other of 3500 tops, accompained by correspond ing humidity of atmosphere, wijl greatly modify the respective systems of hus bandry practised. Accordingly, the eastern half of the country may be cor rectly described as the corn and _ fattening regicn of the kingdom. The winter tem perature is more severe in the east that in the west, and that of the summer warmer and more sunny, and better suited to the ripening of wheat; while that of the west being less scorching and more cloudy, is better adapted to pasture and oats. The nature of live _ stock is so much greater than com, it is not found profitable to push the limit of cul tivation to a greater height than 800 feet in the east, and 500 in the west ; and these: limits are becoming more circum scribed by the increasing cost of labor, and the continued rise in live stock. I trust ! have clearly proved to you the vast increase in agricultural wealth and pro duction that has taken place within the short, period -of twenty years. A u 4 that it is to the United Kingdom you will have to look; as agriculturalists of New Zealand, for the sale of your surplus of the chief articles you produce. For the present, these may be fairly described as wool, tallow, meat, and wheat. Before pro ceeding to remark upon the great and im portant point for your consideration—your competitors—l deem it only fair to state that I am totally indebted for the few particulars I have read to you, to one of the recently-published journals of the lloyal Agricultural Society of England. I have very great pleasure in recommend ing to you this most valuable journal. Evory farmer would find in it a store of information unparalleled. It is published every six months, and the price is only seven shillings in Christchurch. [to BE CONTINUED.]

EXI’ERIMENTAL FARMING IN VICTORIA. With a view of experimenting on the best system of working the land in Victoria, the Government reserved a block consisting of 4549 acres at Dookie, and Mr. J. C. Thompson, a farmer of great experience, was appointed as manager, having carte blanche to use his own judgment in the working of it, mid at a recent date a. Commission appointed by Government visited the farm to inspect ite progress : and as we think the results of that visit will be interesting to our readers, wie give a condensed report of what took place there. Mr. Thompson was subjected to a rigid cross-esxammation by the mem bers of the Commission, who appeared to be in every way satisfied with the.result. Mr. Thompson said s— . I was appointed manager in October Hast but did not take charge till January Ist. I'was buying stock, no agricultural work was done before I came ; the land was fenced, and about 50 acres grubbed and roughly ploughed. Since then I have grubbed and cleared 347 acres, and ploughed 120 acres of that, and subsoiled 10 acres to a depth of 22 inches, this latter for the cultivation of olives, fruit trees and vines, I have sown wheat, oats, and barley; one thing I ; have experi mented on is the difference as to results obtainable from the' use of shrivelled a nd plump grain for seed, and from- all appearance at present they look equally well, but ultimately I don’t think the shrivelled will yield so Veil as the plump seed. I have used; manure, and kept a record of the planting, progressive growth and aspect of each crop. I used bonedust, Lacepcde ; Island, Malden Island, and Peruvian guanoes. I also used sheep manure, and sowed wheat without manure. The result lias been that there has been a ranker growth, and more straw, the Peruvian, giving a more marked effect than any of the others, ex cept the shoep manure, which was equal to it. The wheat sown bn unmanurcd land is equal to that on laud treated with the I.acepede or Malden Island guanoes. I attribute this to the fact that it is virgin soil, and consider the yield will be as good as u n any of the other land experi mented on. We have only new land , so that I have not as yet had an op port unity of seeing the effects on exhausted land ; I have sent samples of the soil for anal ysis, but have not yefheard the result. I ha ve tried early and late solving, I corn men ced on May 9th’for early, June 2nd for mid season, nd July 4th for late. Thei e is a great advantage in early sowing. My i >bject is to show the farmers the folly of pi anting late crops. It has been shown that. sowing is put off to a late period .and that inferior crops are attributed to infern >rity of land when, as a fact, the inform <iity was due to late sowing. There is anot her object in the experiment It is after J tine and July that the rain comes on _th» > winter rains. And in late sowing the groi md puddles pp, and when the sun comes it bakes the land, and the growing (.irons e choked. Before leaving the si ab ject a f wheat I should like to explain as> to the pickHng of the seed. I use three di isoripti-Ti as, bluestone, lime and urine, an d farme «’ friend. I noticed a great difference": in the effect of the pickhngs. Whieat that was pickled with lime came up two day s earlier than the other two kirn Is, and it has been more vigorous, ever sinoi ».’and m me is the best of the three pick l inm», A. '’for as I have seen, there is not t he°siigHte appearance *rf smut, but 1 ca T tii<i* give an absolute opinion until the r esult of Ha is known. Bust was so pr evalent in i *>ia distnct that hundreds

of acres-were-not out at all. -I have seen no indications of rust this year. All the fanners used bluestono, and still the rust came on notwithstanding. I consider that late sowing and clumsy farming to gether tend to aggravate the ill effects produced by rust ; a late sown crop is weak at the time wheii rust makes its ap pearance and h»6 not the power to resist the attack : it is more susceptible to rust. My experiments haVealso been inthedirec tioii of the proper quantity of seed to sow pel 4 acre. One one plot I have sown half a bushel of Major Plains purple straw to the acre. No. 2, three quarters of a bushel; No. ,3, 1 bushel; No. 4, 1| bushel; aud No. 5,2 bushels —all Major Plains purple straw wheat. I believe the crop from the half bushel sowing has every : appearance of yielding as much as that growing from the land on which two bushels were Sown. I have also tried an experiment of what is known as the Lois- Weedon 1 system. The object of that system- is to allow one part of the land to lie fallow while the other part is being worked ; that the wheat-producing part of this year : should lie fallow next year, and that the fallow land of this year should be cropped next year and so on, the notion being that the land tMis half-cropped will yield as much as if it were fully cropped, and that the land will not at the same time become exhausted. I am confident that the ' land so worked this year will not yield bo much as that fully sown. The Lois-Weedon system is more expensive than the ordinary system. The expense n digging the trench lying between the rows of corn. It is worked by hand, but it might be worked on a large scale by a horse hoe. It is this kind of work that makes the system so expensive. 1 have also sown the following descriptions of oats, potato, Norway, white Tartarian and Swiss, English and Cape barley and rye, and I pickled some of the seed with lime and urine and fpund that it came up two days earlier than that otherwise treated. Ido not let the grain remain in the pickle. I get a large tub, and I put the seed in a small basket —one that will not let the grain pass through—close enough to re tain the grain—it will hold half a bushel —I then dip it down in the liquid, and all the fine grain floats to the top, and I skim that off. I keep it in the basket two minutes, and then Kt it dram off. It is then spread out on a sheet to dry, and I sprinkle it over with dry wood ashes and lime, and then bag it up for use, and it is sown immediately afterwards. With reference to cattle, my object is to introduce a better class of stock in this district, and to allow the farmers the use ot bulls, well bred, at a nominal figure ; wild also to sell young bulls of the best parentage at reasonable prices. With regard to sheep, the farmers of this district have had raerinoes. They are unsuitable for small holdings, because of their wildness. I propose to introduce Leicesters, Lincolns, and crossbreds. I have 10 head of shorthorns, 10 Here fords, and about 230 ordinary cattle, one Hereford bull, and two shorthorn bulls. I have about 250 sheep of the sorts I have already described. We have nine draught breeding mares, and three horses for saddle and harness work. The draught horsrt' are all of the Clydesdale breed. Ido not think the area of the farm, 4549 acres, excessive. If it was merely for carrying on. experiments, and keeping such stock as would be barely necessary, it would be too much, but I am led to under stand that it was the intention to make a farm of such a character that in a year, or two it would be self-supporting, the inten tion being to make as much out of the farm as a Whole, as would enable them to carry on the experiments. I have no hesitation in saying that in twe. years the farm will not only pay expenses, but will give a good profit from the sale of stock and produce. ■ ...

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

ASHBURTON.— Tuesday, Dec. 9. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) BREACH OF “PRIVILEGE. ” A. Rhodes was charged with embezzling 100 race cards, the property of James Wilkie. , The compainant stated that he gave the boy now in Court 40, and after wards 60, race- cards on the 19th Nov. last, and did not see him again till that day. Had not received any money from him. Did not wish to press the case as the boy wasyoung, and he had reason to believe that older rogues had put the boy put up to the embezzlement. The accused said he had only got 73 cards—4o at first and then an order for 60, but the printer had only 33 ready when he took the order to him. lyir. Wilkie here said that he believed such was the probable state of the case, and the charge was dismissed. —-the Magistrate reading Rhodes a lecture, and recommend ing him to reinburse the amount he had taken. CIVIL CASES. Montgomery and Co. v. Ford —Claim L 7 16s. judgment confessed. Escott v. Masson. Claim Ll2 12s. Mr. Branson for defendant. Mr. : Escott deposed to having supplied the goods. By Mr. Branson—l recollect the firm of Masson and Grant. They were largely indebted to me. Grant out for a LIOO. The firm then became Mas son and Co. They, opened an account with me. Masson and Co. supplied me with bread to a large amount. I even tually retired from the firm. I recollect Masson giving a deed of assignment to C. Reed. Masson and I squared accounts previous to the deed being given so far as the partnership was concerned, but not with respect to his private account. The goods sued for were sold- during the part nership. Robert Masson defendant—Had an in terview with Escott before giving a deed of assignment to Reed. He asked me to square accounts between us. Escott owed the firm L 156 ; and Masson and Co, owed Escott L 135. On squar ing up I credited the amount in my books, but there were no particulars given in set tling up. All the accounts were settled in a lump sum. His Worship nonsuited plaintiff with costa] THE GRAND STAND AFFAIR. Struthers v. Campbell, Wilkie, and Friedlander. —Claim, LIOO, for damages sustained by plaintiff through not being allowed to collect certain privileges at the racecourse, and for assault. Mr Joyce for plaintiff, Mr Branson for defendants. Thos. Struthers, livery stable keeper— -1 attended a sale at Campbell’s sale

rooms, and bought the grand stand and saddling paddock for the Ashburton races. James Campbell, auctioneer, was called—Remember the sale of privileges of races. I produce the conditions of sale. lam sued for assaulting the plain tiff on 19th Nov. I was in Christchurch that day. Mr. Struthers’ evidence continued—l purchased subject to the conditions of sale. Mr. Cam pbell read the conditions— “ Press men and Committee ” were the words read out. I bought the privileges for lils. 1 paid the money to Mr. Jameson the day after the sale. On the day of the races T employed two men to look after the gates for me, and looked after the 'stand myself. A number of-men rushed past me, and said they ; were sub scribers. • I let them past for the first race, but at the second race I endeavored to stop them, and was forcibly polled off'the stairs by Messrs, li. Fried lander and Wifkie. -There was a crowd of people about at the time. I then went and got my receipt. They would not allow me to go on collecting. On the second day I went again. Mr. Wilkie told mo not to collect money, and there were men col lecting money on account of the Club. Cross-examined by Mr. Branson—l saw Mr. Campbell reading from a paper at the sale. I listened attentively to all he said. He read all the clauses through. Those now read are correct except that the word “committeemen” was used, and not “members.” I was close enough to hear all Mr. Campbell said. I did not move during the sale. I was there be fore the sale. I paid the Ll sto Mr. Jameson. X understood he was Treasurer. When Mr. Friedlander came on the stand he had a blue ribbon on his coat. I think I saw about twenty persons wearing blue ribbons. I don’t know what a blue ribbon indicates. I have been on race courses before. About a hundred made application to get up free. I did not use any words to the effect that I would not allow Stewards, Committee, or any one else to go up free. After having been ejected I did not again attempt to take possession. I did not say I would not allow any horse to go into the saddling paddock. No one after wards interfered with me. The 19th was a rainy day. There was a good attend ance of strangers. Had a small portion of them gone on the stand I should have made money. I appealed to Sergeant Pratt, who said he could not interfere. I I do not recollect Mr. Wilkie saying that the Club would reimburse me for any per son going on the stand who was not en titled to go there. Re-examined by Mr. Joyce—l did not know how many members belonged to the Club; Mr. Jameson read the conditions over to me before I paid the money. Cross-examined by Mr. Branson—When Jameson read the paper ho had his back towards me. The paper was a yellow looking one. He took a paper from a drawer, and read to me, “ Committeemen and press men to be admitted free.” George Jameson—l was present when the privileges were sold by Mr. Campbell. Plaintiff purchased stand and paddock. The conditions were read then, and again next day, when Struthers came to pay me. I had the conditions supplied to me by the Secretary of the Club. The document in the Court is the one I read to Struthers, and contains the clause bearing upon his purchase. lam certain there was nothing said about Committeemen. The money has not been paid yet. Cross-examined by Mr, Branson—The documents were given to me by Mr. Wilkie, and have never been in any other person’s custody. I received the documents about a week before the sale, and gave them to Mr. Campbell on the day of sale. James Campbell—l received my instruc tions to sell from the secretary of the Racing Club. I remember distinctly read ing the conditions of the sale. The pay ment was made previous to the nice meeting. Cross-examined by Mr. Branson—l heard Struthers say in his evidence that the whole of the conditions were read over before the sale. That is not the fact. I read the special condition of each item as it was put up. I read the words on the conditions produced. lacted as auctioneer when I authorised the money to be paid over to Mr- Jameson. I had no authority from the Club to collect moneys. I was not present on 19th inst., when the alleged assault took place ; I was then in Christchurch.

• By Mr. Joyce—Mr. Jameson was at the time of sale acting as our agent, and the general custom is that auctioneers collect the moneys for goods sold by them. By • the Bench—l am . sure that the word “ Committee ” was not used.

William Lindsay—Was present at sale, and was a partner of Struthers. Heard Mr. Campbell say that it was the “Working Committee and the press ” that were to be admitted.

By Mr. Branson —Mr. Campbell said “Committee” not “Working Com mittee.” It was false when I used the word “ working.” lam not a chum of Struthers, but know him partially. I have given evidence for Struthers before. I am a partner of Struthers in this trans action.

Tyson Hodgson—Was at the races on the 19th November. Saw a squabble on the course. Saw Friedlander and Wilkie pull Struthers off the stairs. Saw Comp ton in charge of the stairs afterwards. James Wilkie, journalist, and a secre tary of the Bacing Club—lnstructed Mr. Campbell to sell privileges. Was present at the sale. Tried fair means to induce Struthers to keep his bargain. Finding this would not do took stronger measures.

' By Mr; Branson-—Would swear that Mr. Campbell read out conditions. Committee men were supposed to be members. Mr. Jameson was not authorised to receive moneys on behalf of the Club. Told Struthers that the Club would make good any loss sustained by unauthorised per sons using the stand. Saw- Mr. Denshire, a member of the Club, refused admission to Struthers. All members of the Club wore blue ribbons as a distinguishing mark. H. McCutchin —Was on the racecourse on the 19th inst. Saw 7 Friedlander pull Struthers oft' the third step. Heard Struthers say the property was his. Rudolph Friedlander - Am a merchant. I have made a bet to-day that I would win this case. I took hold of Struthers and put him off the stairs. The Secretary put another man in charge. I claimed a right to go up stairs. Struthers refused to let me go up stairs. Ho used very foul language to me. Several members com plained, and the Committee deputed myself and Wilkie to go and settle the

matter; and after appealing to Sergeant Pratt, we sent Mr. Denshire up, and on his being refused, wo removed Struthers. Cross-examined by Mr. Joyce—After reasoning with Strutthers we found we could not persuade him to allow anyone to go up. He told us he would see any member d d before he would let him up. Henderson was engaged to collect money at the saddling paddock. Was cautioned not to collect money. Cross-examined by Mr. Branson—Was told by Struthers not to allow horses and jockeys to go through the gates. Mr Branson, for the defence, charac terised the plaint as the most extraordinary plaint he had ever heard. He argued at length, quoting numerous authorities to show that there was nothing upon which a case could be-founded.

The Magistrate said that against Mr. Campbell there was no case, but against the other two, there was probably a case of assault, and he would take evidence on the matter.

Mr. Wilkie gave evidence that the as sault was a mild one, Struthers having been deposited gently on the ground. Mr. Crisp gave evidence that he was prevented from going on the grand stand although a member of the Club. Rudolph Friedlander said several' com plaints were made about Struthers. Went and saw him, and he refused to allow either him or other member’s to go up stairs. No more violence was used than necessary to eject him, Botlr counsel having addressed the Bench, His Worship, in giving judgment, said the case was whether an assault had been committed, and whether the defendants were justified. Jt was clear that the state ment of plaintiff as to the purchase of rights was not correct. Therefore he, having refused to allow members to go on the stand, broke one of the conditions of sale. Two members had ejected him, and the question was, had they any other remedy. He thought they had ; and they might have put a notice on the stand that Struthers had no right to collect moneys. The plaintiff on the other hand was very blameable, and he did not think that any damages were due for his loss of contract. For the assault, it was of so nominal a nature that he would give judgment for sa, damages in the case, without costs ; pro fessional costs of LI Is. to be paid by plaintiff on account of Mr. Campbell. Orr and Co. v. Fold—Claim LSO.

Mr. Branson for plaintiff, Mr. O’Rielly for defendant. Plaintiff was nonsuited on teelmcial grounds.

THE PUBLIC WORKS STATE MENT.

The following is an abridgement of the statement on .Public Works delivered by Mr. Oliver in the House on Tuesday night. The report is supplied by the Government It AIL WAVS. After dealing with the railways in the North Island, the Minister for Public Works referred as follows to the South Island The original public Works scheme for the Middle Island was finished in the last financial year, communication by railway being established between Christchurch and Invercargill. The Western Railways in Southland, however, the construction of which was taken over from the Previn cial Government, and some small exten sions of the iGeneral .Government lines, are not, yet complete. With the excep tion of the Riverton-Orepuki Branch, these will be finished during this financial year. A connection is being made on the Nelson and Foxhill line with the Port at Nelson, and inland ah extension of three miles from Foxhill is in progress. The Picton and Blenheim line is being carried into the town of Blenheim. The harbor works at Greymonth, which may be re garded as an adjunct to the railway system, seem as far as they have been completed to answer the purpose for which they were intended. From the engineer’s report it would seem that the employment of a dredge, has materially facilitated the work, and reduced the cost of these im provements. - The works in progress during the year on the Amberley-Bluff railway consisted chiefly of extensions of stations, workshops at the large towns, and increased wharfage at Port Chalmers. A large expenditure has been proposed, in relaying the main line with heavier rads, but after much consideration it seems in advisable to do this, as before the present rails could be lifted most of them will be so much worn that it would not he worth while to put them on another line.' Short extensions are made, or are in progress, of the Malverh-Awamoko and Green Is land branch lines. The Waipahi-Tapanui railway contract was undertaken on terms of payment differing from the usual ones, inasmuch as no progress payments were to be required as the work went on, all pay ments being deferred until the line was completed. It was thought the adoption of this method would enable us to de finitely extend bur system, and to obtain such an increase of price for Crown lands in the neighborhood of new lines made under similar conditions, as would pay the cost of construction. I grieve to say that these expectations have not been fulfilled. The works which were pushed on with great vigor for some time, are now almost entirely suspended, and the contractors have stated their inability to finish their contract without progress pay ments being made to them.

RAILWAYS AUTHORISED LAST YEAR. Contracts were let almost to the full ex tent of the votes on nearly all the lines authorised last year, and in several cases the votes were largely exceeded. Sections were let by piecework and day labor at Weka Pass and Albiny, in Canterbury ; on the Livingston branch and Otago central railway, in Otago, and at Kaiwarra, near Wellington. On all these there are about 2,200 men engaged at wages some what less than current rates. It is certain that the number will rapidly become less as the summer advances. ROADS. The Government expenditure on roads and bridges in the Middle Island last year was comparatively small, having been almost confined to Westland and the Northern end of the Island. COAL EXPLORATION. The most important work of this class which has been undertaken during the past year is the examination of the coal beds of the Mokau by Dr. Hector, who reports thst the coal formation there is of considerable extent, the outcrops having a width of over two miles, and stretching

frcra the Kawhaia harbor to the upper portion of the Wanganui river. ' Coal seams crop out oh the banks of the Mokau river, varying from two feat to six feet in thickness, and the quality is excel lent for steam purposes A. new mine has been opened at Fernhill Green Island. The Kawakawa coal mine, at the Bay of Islands is undergoing development, and the coal is rapidly acquiring in established position in the market as a valual* le steam coa . A shaft recently sunk disclosed the existence of four seams four and nine feet thick, of superior quality, - and at a greater depth than any previous working in the Waikato coalfield. The company- which were working the Kupakupa mine have opened another mine on the opposite side of the river, and indications of the im provement of the quality of the coal with increasing depth have also been shown by recent discoveries. The heavy works undertaken by the Westport Colliery'Com pany for developing' the rich coalfield of the Mount Rochfort district, are making rapid progress, and in a few months it is expected the market will receive supplies from this source. The further develop ment of the principal coal inines of the colony by increasing facilities for shipment deserves most careful consideration, as the means of fostering an industry that will profitably employ at home a large sum of money which is at the present time sent out of the colony for the purchase of foreign coal.

WORKING RAILWAYS. The traffic returns for July, August, and September show a considerable tailing off, compared with the corresponding period of last year. No doubt this is owing to the financial' depression, but much may be expected from the grain traffic of the approaching season, which bids fair to be a prosperous one. . A good ha; vest and the revival of trade, symptoms of which are apparent, would speedily produce happier results. lam glad to say that we are; extending the use New Zealand coal on our railways, and after the expiry of existing contracts* for the supply of Australian coal, our arrange ments will enable us to dispense to a large extent, if not altogether, with imported fuel, and save several thousand pounds a year. I find that the cost of railways open for traffic at the end of the last financial year is L 8,690,417 os. 4d., including L 633.228 os. 4d. for interest to date of opening. The gross traffic returns amount to L 1,729,955 3s. 7d., from which must be deducted L 1,250,797 ss. 7d. for working expenses and maintainenance, leaving L 479,057 18s. for payment of interest on loans out of which these railways were made. Table No. 11, which will be ap pended to this statement when printed, shows for the past year the receipts have been L758,09G Bs. 2d., and working ex penses L 545,478155., leaving a surplus of L 212,617 13s. 2d. This amount repre sents 2.054 per cent, on the averagecost of construction, leaving 2.946 per cent, to be supplied from other sources. We all believe that New Zealand is a country of such groat resources that in the course of years even those railways which are now the farthest from paying will become remunerative. In the meantime, how ever, the inhabitants of districts which have no railways are taxed to pay for them, as well as those, who inhabit more favored places. Hbw burden some this charge has become was lately shown by my colleague, the hon. Trea surer, and the dftty is placed upon us of. considering how to make our railways pay a larger contribution towards their cost by skilful and economical management, and of submitting all future proposals for new railways to the same rigid scrutiny as private investors would make, and firmly rejecting them unless a strong pro bability can be shown that they will prove remunerative. It must not, however, be forgotten that the demands of the public have forced on the Government the adop tion of a more expensive mode of con structing railways, and greater speed in transit than was at first intended, thus necessarily interfering with the paying character of these undertakings. No doubt groat collateral advantages are gained by the construction of railways, but after all the practical test of usefulness really is their being or not being used.' If,' therefore, it is found that on any railway the traffic is so small that great loss results from its working, it may, I think, be assumed that either it is badly managed, or that, being useful only to a few, it ought not to have been constructed. To quote from the statement made by my liredecessor in 1878, “Difficulty com menced from the moment when the Legis lature repealed that cardinal condition of the public works policy, that in the event* of the proceeds of any railway failing to meet interest and sinking fund on the cost of its construction, the property in the district should be rated to make upitsde fiicency. ” The proposal of the Government, ashonovable members know, is todevotethe proceeds of sales of land to local and colonial public works. But if this fund is to be supplemented to any great extent by ad ditional borrowing to- complete the general scheme of railways, there is no doubt in my mind that either- those al ready constructed must be made to ap proach more nearly to a paying condition, or else a system of rating districts beneficially affected mnat' eventually be resorted to.

Sir, we do not think that the pro posals for. the various lines of railways •which are now in course of construction have been subjected before their adop tion to so close a scrutiny as their im portance demanded. It has, moreover, become, apparent that the funds which will be at our disposal for the prosecution of these works will prove inadequate to -complete them. We think that the time has come when our whole’ future policy with regard to public works must be con sidered, and it is, therefore, our intention to ask Parliament for authority to appoint a Royal Commission to make a more full and complete investigation into, the cost and economical value of the several works commenced and proposed, than would be possible for the Government unaided to complete before next session of Parlia ment. The Government hope, by means of the report of these Commissioners, to bo placed in a position to make pro posals to Parliament for the prosecution of public works upon a plan carefully adapted to the circumstances of the colony. Our eiforts must now, therefore, be earnestly directed to the economical management of the railways, and, amongst other means, I think the keeping the ac counts of the various sections separate and distinct, so that it may be seen what each is earning and spending, will have the good effect of arousing emulation

among the officers, as well /ah I 'of showing which of the lines a different system of working should be adppted., - , - PROPOSALS FOR THE .PITftJRE. . \ Sir, my predecessor has had the gratifi cation of proposing and instituting many now works of great, magnitude. To,me • has fallen the unwelcome task of showing that our resources are inadequate to bear the continued strain: of so rapidly con structing these expensive work; BelieV- ; ing that to be the case, .we do 1 not intend to ask for authority to begin many how works; The funds at disposal . for the next few years .will be only sufficient to meet the necessary requirements for jnisr: cellaneous pUblic works already author ised, at a rate proportioned l to dflr re sources, and l to the point at which they will be of real use to the community. Our ! position is barely this. In respect of the . L 5,000,000 loan, and the balance of L 517,120, including credits, with which we began the year, the positive engage ments on contracts entered into: and; lia bilities which must be met, together with , the expenditure already made during, the current year, will absorb L 3,800,865, in cluding L 1,210,802 for land purchase,;and L 184,791 payable to counties inthe pro vincial districts of' Canterbury and Otago, in respect of stoppages from the surplus land revenue of the districts. If finished is the stipulated time, these works will re quire L 2,559,082 of'this amount to be paid before the 30th June next. The re-' mainder of the liabilities, excepting a per-/ tkm of thoao for land purchases, will fall within the following year. The balance . therefore, which is available out, of the; new loan, is L 1,872,046, and the only method of adding to this for pub lic _ works, in addition to . receipts i from land sales, is by . diverting ...tpi, tb ; s purpose a sum from one of the other;. objects for which the loan was authorised.: , I have stated generally our. intentions, and the principles which we bpliet®-muat, ( guide onr proposals. Whatever may bo’ the opinion oi the House as to the ex pediency of 'the, course which we-, propose, that course must: to. a. large extent be guided by circumstances which w? cannot control. It is my duty to inform the House that the understanding, onwhich the loan agents are likely to obtain the : L 5,000,000 loan is such as will.preclude our going upon the English money market fbr further loans .for_ a period,; of ;three years. It is imperative, therefore, in the. • interests of; settlement-that the expendi ture of this loan should, be .judiciously spread over that period. Our proposals for expenditure will be placed in detail before you. I regret to state that’ although, an earnest endeavor has been made to keep the estimates within« rea sonable compass, they reach a very much larger sum than hon. members will eir pect. It will be seen, however, that no , less a sum than £2,366,729 7s. in our estimates is for liabilities which We found/, in existence upon our assumption of, office, and a largo , pprtipn of the,,i;er mainder is for works which are necessary, , to make available those sections already* in the course of construction.. However -much. wo. have desired; to ..contract: large expenditure to whiph i#! . committed, we have felt bound to ask for . appropriations which- we are advised* will, 1 be re(]uirod,for the above.purposes. . But;., should Parliament agree.to our propb&ls, v it will be our anxious endeavor to limit the actual expenditure during the currant .year considerably within the amount... pf ’ , the vote. . : ,i ... ,

The Minister then enumerated in detail the works to be carried , out . this year,, , amongst, which were : rHurdaui.W , taki—The main lino through the Wiifea,'. Pass to Hurunui Plains will be completed, and the stations at the large centre* improved. The branch line* to the Upper Ashburton, Little River* . and Opawa, will also be proceeded-with. ~. Canterbury ■ Interior.—Three sections’-., will be gone on with, namely, pne at each , end, and one south wardsfrom the VVhite* ... clifiabranch. ,• ; . ■ ■ • East and ' West Coast This line will-. not be lost sight of, and while nospecial portion can for the present he begun* the; surveys will be continued during the summer. Hitherto .. Only preliminary surveys' have been; made, and even these,-, have! not been cpmpletedj on the roptea. which seem to preaent the greatest adypn- ! tages. In the absence of the ftillesi ; formation* it would evidently be impo*-, sible to give a trustworthy estimate of the cost of this undertaking...

, DISTRICT BAXLWA.YS. ; ... , Nearly all the railway companies fprined ; under the provisions of the District" Bail* ways Acts have been compelled to suspend their operations ; bwitig ;,to the%en4ral financial depression, and the defects which have been found lit Working those Act*. Applications have been received from moat of those companies for assistance,' ori’ the* ground that unless the Government assume' their responsibilities the expenditure already made will be lost.' : branches would form - useful portion* of Out* railway Vaysteih', f J artd : regard these" the Government' : propose (to' -take; power .to treat with such companies’* a* have begun wofks and are’ unable plete their lines, and in the event ofsatiß* l factory arrangements being'made; to<'pdir*. chase them for the colony. : As the rating.'- power is intended to be retained by the Government, the risk willbe reduced to a minimum; the Government being already liable to pay 2 per Cent, per annnm. . In conclusion I have only to add that t should have made this Statement much earlier in the session if there had beeu-afijr certaintv as to the funds which would l bo at our disposal. Even how 1 should .hays liked to defer ’ making it for h ' few ‘days, until the result of our application for th* . five million loan had become known to tub but the advanced period of the session and of the year forbade auy further 'delay.

4

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

[Tuusdav, December ir, 1870



A Slighted Young Lady.— One after noon ft married lady of mature years, 'wa* reading upon the balcony of hertlegaiifc dwelling,in a New York western avenue. Along came a little school girl of apple ,five or six springs, and, peering thrPtigh the . fence-paling, called, . “ Miss, mtlHb . come down here j" “ What do.yoii WSnt.t** asked the lady.. ‘‘Come., down here/’ beckoning confidently with her flnger. Come, up here and tell me what yPu want.” “No, I shan’t; you come down here, and I’ll tell you,” No, mydear,” said the lady ; “if you. have anything to tell, me, come up here aiid say it, or I ‘say it where you are.” “.TYell, the nexittijnff I stop at your house and ask you to cdme down and pick me some of yourpahsiPs, you’ll know it!” And with a contemp tuous toss of the head, and a flaunt of her diminutive skirts, the indignant yonjig lady moved on.