THE ADVOCATE ON FEILDING AND ITS PROSPECTS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 1, 21 May 1879, Page 2

THE ADVOCATE ON FEILDING AND ITS PROSPECTS.

Judging from the tone of the articles in the Rangitikei Advocate since it was publicly known that another Manawatu journal was aboul to be launched, the gravitude of our Marton contemporary must be very much of the kind wittingly defined by Prince Talleyrand, the great French diplomatist, as “a lively sense of favours to come.” Anticipating that the favours to come from this district would no doubt be diminished after the establishment of a local paper, the Advocate has thrown all gratitude for past support to the winds, and has taken a short respite from girding at the Wanganui Herald in order to traduce Feilding and its prospects. Let any one mark the depreciatory tone lately adopted by the Marton paper towards Feilding, compared with the fulsome praise with which this township was bespattered only a tew short weeks ago. Now all is changed. The timber trade is about to become an extinct industry, town and rural sections will no more bring fabulous prices, there is no agricultural industry near Feilding to support it should the timber trade fail, the Bank of New Zealand and the National decline to open at Feilding, and the absurd assertion was made, though since retracted, that American timber could be landed in Halcombe at a less price than the mills on the spot were able to offer the native article for. Since the commencement of the Manchester settlement, some five years ago, its utter and hopeless failure has been predicted over and over again, the prophets having since had to, more or less, gracefully eat their own words; but now that it is confessed on all hands that the Manchester Block has, almost alone ot all the New Zealand settlements, proved a. success, the Advocate discovers, at a time suspiciously coincident with the project of the FEILDING GUARDIAN being mooted, that all this hard-won prosperity is about to vanish into the

air. If, when the tariff was revised last session, the Advocate had, in the interests of the district, lifted up its voice in protest against the remission of the timber duty, and pointed out its probable disastrous effects,we might

have allowed its present . utterances more weight, but now these same utterances calculated to throw doubt on its bona fides, and to lead to the belief that having got all it is likely to get from Feilding, it now thinks that place may safely be thrown over. The Advocate's support of the Foxton via Sandon to Greatford route for the west Coast railway upheld a course directly antagonistic to the interests of the district, but great care was always taken to smooth the matter over as much as possible, by representing that such a change of the main line would not affect Feilding, whose prosperity was so firmly based, though possibly Palmerston might be damaged by the diversion of the main line. The people of the North Manawatu relied too strongly upon the merits of their claim to the main line to pay much heed to the Advocate’s views, accompanied as their expression was by gross misstatements of matters of fact; but now that the animus of that journal is booming so manifest, we feel bound in our newly-assumed role, as the FEILDING GUARDIAN, to protest against depreciatory remarks. As the export trade of white pine to the South Island from Feilding station has only reached the insignificant amount of 400,000 feet for the past six months, we fail to see how even the total stoppage of that trade can have created any depression such as is represented to be existing. There is no sign of any such state of affairs in Feilding—at present land is even at,|a higher price than the fabulous rate sneered at by our contemporary, jM business is as brisk, or brisker, than-Cver. It is true that the two banks-spoken of hesitate to open, but every one here was of opinion, when their intention to start was spoken of, that the opening of the two banks, jn adjition to the two already established, was very premature, and that the intending new comers exercised a wise discretion in not starting busines at present, as rapid though the progress of Feilding has been, and is likely to be, four banks would have been far beyond the legitimate requirements of the place for some time to come. Feilding need not fear for its future. . The timber trade, like every other trade, will have its periods.of depression and prosperity, but with the railway opening up to Kai Iwi and Patea, wealthy districts whose timber demand we shall have the mmopoly of supplying, no lasting injurjrj can be done to our export trade. The prices ruling for sawn timhejlliave been high, and it may well hi|pep that the saw-millers will see thejf way to reduce, thereby keeping down the import of timber from Pelorus Sound into Wanganui and stin ting local consumption, which has hitherto been nearly stifled. We admit of course, that till the duty is reini posed, aad.no stone should be left untu ned to effect .that object, the development'and-expansion of the saw-milling industry into a large export trade to the South will be checked; but this scarcely affords a tangible ground for the. Advocate to compassionate the: people-of Feilding for the existence of a depression which at the worst is still in the future.

Ii rn.iy by .that w n have mis'imleib »oo * I t lie nipuiiintr of the Advocate’s article, and that the depression spoken of has refehntce only to a depression in the’support the Advocate is like! for tlie future to receive from this quarter. If this be so, we humbly apologise, aid beg to assure oiir contemporary that no more certain means could have bpen adopted to ensure such a resdli than the gloomy vaticinations indulged in by it during the past few weeks. 1 -. We shall in another issue refer to this matter of the remission of the timber duty, its probable effects, and the state of trade generally, as there is no doubt that in the repeal of the timber and grain duties a very grave financial bluuder has been committed. Since the above was in type we notice that the Manawatu Times, in its issue of the 17th instant, has an able article on the same subject. We quote some very convincing figures set forth in that article, showing by the surest of all tests, .the railway returns for freight, that the import and export returns from Feilding station for the past six months have been .steadily increasing :—

We .think-Hhat our object in disproving .the unfounded assertions of the Advocate is, sufficiently effected, and feel sure that the returns of freight, for the next six months will show dio same steady.'increase, not only at Feeding, but at all the timber-ex-porting stations in ihe Manawatu. DISTRICT AND GENERAL NEWS. FORESTER'S BALL, FEILDING — Invitations have been sent by the Foresters for a ball to be held on the 26th instant, and Mr Maysmor's large hall has been secured for the occasion. Judging by the succes-ful ball given by the Foresters about two years ago, the undertaking promises to be a success. Tickets, 10s. (to include two ladies), can be secured from the secretary Mr T. W. R. Foster. SIGNS OF PROGRESS. — The town assumed rather a lively aspect on Satur-

day week on the occasion of Messrs Stevens and Gorton’s cattle and land sale About 11 o'clock troops of horsemen from-all parts of the country commenced to arrive in town, and at 2 o’clock, the time appointed for the commencement of the sale, there must have been over 300 people at the yard. Great interest was manifested in the proceedings, and the friendly bantering of rival farmers on the merit or demerits of each other's stock was very amusing. There were also a large number of Maori present, and they appeared to possess as much knowledge as the pakeha on “horsey" matters. It speaks well for Feilding that the place is able to support two sales of this description each month, each of which are always remarkably successful. The prices r-alia d were < t a most sat-sfictory character*

Water Tanks. —We have seen some of Mr P. Thomson's water tanks, to which he dirtcts -peciat atiei.U-n m ouadvertising cluim*. They appear admirably atanted f*r the purp.se in tended, and s/onish n.'ly ehe p. Sporting —There seems to be a little difference of.opini n between the sporting men <f the Manawatn and Rangitikei districts on the subj.ct of pheasant sh lotine. 3' appears that the licenses to shoot pheasants are. issued. by the Wun gauui Ac.-liraatisiition Society, but n > stipulation is made as to what part of the coudry the privilege extends. The Mniiawatu sportsmen contend that a license taken out at llangi ikei is notexercisable in the Manawatu, and they therefore object to their rivals in th-* adj lini-.g.coanty b ing allowed loe-m* down and **po>- -the line birds o! this district.. H»w the di pu'e will end we know no', b.it we .should imagine that a license issued at Wanganui wou-d poriud the holder to shoot pheasants through >ut the wiiole of the M n.watuanl liangitikei districts. Nous verronsJ

NEW WAREHOUSE.—A large and substantia “look ng warehouse, which will be a de idod impr.>vmn mt to outliriv ng to«n is in course of erection at the corner of Manchester and Grey streets, for Mr J. C. Thompson, of the Feilding Exchange. . Tlii frontage to Manchester street is 50 feet by 4') feet t > Grey stree 1 . An elegant pavilion roof, hav ng a •-lan ern light, tote her with. id verandah r u >d 'lie en ire building, will give the ediKcj a very hai.dsime effect Afateiial of the best totara and rimu is being used i:i its cinstruction. Mr Thompson has decided to have the whole structure occupied as an emporium where the visitor cm from a'-iy point command a view of the large and varied assortm nt of goods The utility of tinarrangement is obvious. Liri’e pla e e-lass windows will torm a chief feature in The edifice. In.the rear commodious reserve xfcoivs will bs erected. Thoinps n d- senes ev-ry success .for his enterprise, and has our best wish s am* oordingly. Messrs Bauckham and Ronald, contractors, are both the builders and iireliitects. They are vigorously pushing on the W'Tk, and antieipa.e its completion, should tho wrath-T prove favorable, in abujit, si-.

Furious Riding —We have received numerous compl tin 8 regarding the reckless miiuter in which nrsem n ride through the s'reets after dark. _Ou Tue-day evening Inst a lady an 1 little girl narrowly esc ip-d being run over by a couple of men who were riding up Manchester .street at a hand gallop, The practice of furious riding is. a m'B reprehensible oie, and strong 'm-'HSures should be tak-n by <he polio to p-ev.-n 1 it. Uur streets are not by any means too well lighted, a id on that, acc unt idem - horsemen shou'd exercise m 're care when riding al ng them W-* mention this as a timely warning and trust tinhint will be taken.

An Improvement.—' We notice with pleasure that the residents of Fergusson street have taken steps to have the footpaths formed, metalled, an I kc,b d in front of their premises. This will ad I very considerably to the value of the land in i.h it *tr< el, nu'd al o prov • a gr at c onvenience to pedestrian. The whole of iln w .rk i< b dug done by subscription and we trust that ere long resid n s in o her potions "f the town will see the exnedienc.y of doing lik- wise. as it will pri/bib’v be sun* time b lore the locd I3<innl will have .ufiioieiit funds 'll hand to wiirant them in carrying ou such a desir ib e work. VALUABLE PROPERTIES. —We have b ’cn < i-quc ted to call attention t < several ve'uable p-r-p *rti*:-S for sale and !««*•• by Mr John Maysmor, auctioneer. These compi' se s >rae of the most choice building sites in tin* townships of Halcombe and Feilding, and anyone in semcli of a prop rty either for business purpo.es or f, private resid'-nO's wou’d do well ’o inspect Mr Maysmor’s list. The list will be found in our a i.verising columns.

Postage Stamps.— Mr Metard of Fergusson street has been licensed to sell postage and duty stamps. FIRE BRIGADE.—In towns such as Feilding and Halcombe, where the buildings are en'irely built of wood, we think that a well organised Fire Brigade should be formed in both plaees. So far. these towns have' enj ycd an immun'tv from serious fires, but still, there is no tel,mg how soon the services of >uch a body might be needed. There is an oid adage which says, that “ Prevention is h-tter I liar cure," and in this instance i' i* par .ini'arly applicable. There is n > dmi’or. tint a Ii dy ' f men properly organised an 1 supplied with a couple of engines will'd do much to «t-iy th progress of r. fire... di I *u-li a cn'ami v befall e.t ,> r* wo We feet su e thin if smile genii' min would •ak* the ma'tej n ham! h- w. id I fin I u any willui V.,1 onteers to H"is him in the f Tmiiio 1 of a C igarle. which i*' times of fir-' would b (mm I of e.in.-iderable serve - in -arm;’ ijvip a d . r p • ty..-, ODD FELLOWS.—Steps are being taken by some gentlemen in town to form a Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows . We lul l ividi. delight *-'Uch a uilile in pi u'ion, and hope that those vv!i.' are it* kin: the initiat-ve in the matte will be Miccrs.sfu- in their “Hons to unfi.r' t e banner of Odd Fellowship in Feilding

Tenders. Fite. Manawatu '‘-cuniy Council are’ nJvertising.'for tenders »or hu-dr-felling iu 'the Ta.nui and Kiw.to.a Ridings, the formitiou of the Otak’„Foxtou Roads, • and the lease of the FoxtbnPoTi t.-. Tend rs must be Sent in 'by 2p‘*»i. Y)Vi til 1 2id J »lUC- • ARCHITECTURE. —li *sid/nts iii Feilding, Halcombe, and surrounding districts, will be pleased to Iharn that Mr. F. de J Clere. architect, has commenced business in his profession at Feilding. Mr. Clere lias r.-.-eivel apt excei--;nt traim.ig, and no doubt will prove y • y, su;-ces,-t.ui .iu bis n-w sph'i e i; of l.ibour. He was articled to Mr Edmund Scott, undoubtedly one ~f t ie m st e'ever luchi'ect.s 11 tCngland, and at -11 * expiration ot his pupilage b -c-ime. c.uet. assi-lant .-t > Mr Robert Jewell Withers. F.R.-j.R-V., one of the leaders of ill- prof’s iom.m, the Old Cou - rv. Mr Clere then came to this cob.iiy, and w;.s for some ti ne.with Mr Thos Turnbull, of Wellington, and afterwards, in tlie Colonial Arcliit.cts office. In 1875 Mr Clere had the honor of beiug elected a member ot the Vi-Caii tectural, Associate i, wuieli is sufficient evidence that lie has attained'a high position in Ids profession. Mr Clere is at present engiged in drawing plans for the new Town Hall, which, judging by the sketch plans, wilt add greatly to hicredit,

The Timber Trvde.-Oii Smut-day last n m -eiiug of saw' miller- a id oth -r interested in the liiiiber trade Wis held at Roe's Denbigh Hotel, ti take inio consideration the present unsatisfactory stale'.d' the trade, m tin- Manawatu district, cons q i**nt upo i the ab dition of tho timber duty at the . last in-. ting oj Parliament; aid also for tue purpose ot discussing ms t ! -rs geuera ly eoutiected with tlie tra le. There was a large attenda ice and Mr C. Bull was voted to the chair. Alt-r considerable discussion it was resolved that a committee should be form-'d f. r the purpose of collecting stati'tics and 'co nrnuuic itiiig with tlie. various di-tric s in the colorty on tin-, matter, so tha' united action should beat o ice taken t j'pl ice the trade On a proper, footing. The (J' mmhtee appointed wertMessrs; Macartnu , 'Malcolm, Bartholemew, L.s i,. Bailey and Jansen, with power to aid to.their: number.

CHIROPADY.— Mr C. Basstian, the eminent ciiirppodr-t, is at present onca visit to Feilding, and may be consulted in, all .brandies, of bis profession at tin* Denbigh H >teT. Mr. Basstian Ins per form-d sen- wonderful cur -s, and brings with him some v -ry fialtering lestunonial.i from wi-ll known gentlem-n tn the iinrther’ii portion of tin-is-and. it t.i r are any iu °ur midst who are suffer.mrfrom corns, bunions, or. warts, we W' uIJ advise them to pay Mr Basstian an early visit. Special a raugi-raents have been made for visiting ladies at their own ■ esuh-nce.s.

Magistrate s Court. Yesterday tu n-iiiog a in hi ti ihi• I WMbaui Siuitn was br ught b for.* A. F- Halcombe, Ksq.. K-q., J.B*. charged with haying be-n. illegally, on the pranises of; Mr T V Brown, and also with unlawfully. es>au ti g Mr Brown. The fir-t etiarge wi» d ismissed; iand-4he-saoond .wUh, IraWIU bv. tlie prosefntor..

SLEEPERS. —A partyof Scandinavians have taken a contiact for the supplv of 2000 totara and matai sleepers for the Government railways. The men commenced the work yesterday. Railway Stockyard.—A number of men are engaged in the construction of a siding and er'ecii n of stockyards, at the Fifiling Station. This is a very necessary work, and will prove of g eat convenience to th >se who are in the habit of convey ing cattle by train. Hitherto tie arriu/era nits for loading and unloading cattle have b-en very inconvenient, although the slatioQ*inustt r, Mr Kirtim, lias endeavoured to carry out tie work successfully with tiie limited apparatus at lii< disposal. Tlie new yards will be completed in about a tortnight. t. Photography.—Messrs Duff and C >l*-' linsoiJ announce that their photographic studio will oe closed in a week froth tinpresent time. Those who are desirous of secu mg the shalow ere the substance fades ” Would do well to v.Mt the i<tudio at once, as arrangements have b *ca made by the proprietors for closing their business in Feilding positively at the tme m-ritioned.

Wanted a House,—The great want, of h'.use accommodation in this district is now b ginning to make itself yery miicit fel'. Wuh a fast-inceasing population tins d ißculty will Ji Ive 10 be got over s >me way or oilier. Hardly a day passes but whaf inquiries are made for dwelling houses an I slmp-i, ail ilie invariable answer is tbat they ere ail engaged. 01 course, this in iisei-f is ample evidence that the disuict is progressing at a rapid rale, but still something must be done to ke.p pace with it* Wants and requirements. Possibly the only way to solve the difficulty woo'd b,> tor's ml <-f our townsmen to iuvesi their s,are capital in the erection of four and five-roomed' cottages, and w ■ feel su-e that iheif enterprise would be fully rewarded. Ther i< no d' ny ng the fact that skilled arti-ans and meenuuics woulJ settle down here were this in luc m *nt held nu', uni thus a.'d mateVi lly to the p -pul Uiotii' Feilding bids fair to bee me a large- manufacturing iowii. and it w mid be well indeed to ofi‘ r special, inducements toj ih .-e who are skilled in t.c virioqs manufacturing trides to '.'a'ie Up their hoin -s Imre, and thus foirn Ihe nAcleous ..f what wdl eventually prove of great ben fit to the district. Certain y. buildmgs are going ,up ripidly all over the loan, but tor all ill's, as we have stated, new corners find it a very difliculi mitter to scour.i a c-mf<»riable dwelling house for themselve-* and families.

The “ Markiss," The following amusing story, is t->ld bv the Melliourne corresp n len.i . f tin Ca np'wdwii Ohm n cle :—!Som-* very smart critic,isms, aod eery strange storie-. are afloat as to the chief 0 •cupant of the Government House. You know, just as well as I do, wbat an u ter ao-senc th-re is of ostenta ion of manner a in ng the English nobility,exc pfc, perhaps, n a few in tunces. But the Murqois **f Normmby c»ries lie >evere <imp'ieity of his style of

'living to the grea cst- • .and some of our ‘.'stuck up " p -ople hirdly know wlml to make.of it. He is,, in ftet,.the p-fitili--u 'pf pljipi.m, : b ' ll.'s Kxeell ucy is p-oyjded .w-iii a > ■ '-derjv, <f course, biit ,d •••s ub I 'thin i ois b-.s -;e sto wait 'for his oid n-ly. 'but li< ord--rly s bu 1 mss to wa ' for ii i lia ii r iliso have that -taie.-d' dung r vh'i’.s <l. Ut - MiUquis ■ f N't iii'iiiby ’ W‘- i U t-S .uiis *b<Vi ft-/ if;' ordr M?, n u miiHing'-p-th -p* uiat 111-sis hi* Is . wry: much ..dr- need ophite . .. Well, hi*., l£xc- in « buggy as hoi ordinary .tar uer, a / J-not in appearance v.i-y it al i ,oi -Ji d.orc-i im-ro, drive .liiitj io.i'H li t .w,-..k-itod'-t. ft, ,hi< . juierly, wu > lia i )i )i ,i.a t, >ti.u»,..i,';iMag'i f<r hi* u io t. b -ni id .iiuu, ~ i’oi-,. iri.g -t have , -oip d u >:;C ;. uad; not in, f ibf.o|y barn b. r»vd ct-m: iU d, ai,i pt-•pjit-i u o . a iiu i 'f.pp- ig-n*irst), “at a f,-- ac spe d -tu r ms (Axe i4ncyi as ho c m il-aig - “ “ Did .you (ho G.ve. or?' f.ic ; q'i-diiji sa put to ouj : t’f tlie p-thce ,n Pr.uceVll i anl ilio answer but I seed uu old raa.t. i lyin’ h> w to had juit come r m G tver’itt.-nu Hou»«v’’-- -•**That’s him ’ .-ad.ill _o dea-.y,,«nJ : st?ci* used his speed..:. ’■“ .}‘ L N~ MAORIS FOR SYDNEY, -Mr R. W. Cary the well knownn -.uiticil- agent ’ hut offerred to take charge of a party of Maoris t‘ c :c n (ioCPir ’WUItSITTa to b- exhibi pd;,ii-J- >''y-lu!*y,--H^ -<-^i -— gg MURDER BY PIRATES. 4bou I »,m. th-* 27v-h i i-tuni nt 1 Hong Kong a daring seizure. aec< ipp tniej hy v was nude by pdates in Hi * lia-bir. , A fishing juuk iyifig .opposite tlnf-Government Hon e and under,the gun* ,of ihb fort was bj rded liy pirates .fmn a sumpau. They were armed , with sword*, ami revolvers. , UesUt'iincw wus dff-red by the crew of the junk, and the ownej*. #at tilled and two of-,.the c-e,w wound *d. On the pii-i.tea.tiikipg pos-ession they seized an l p ip.nl tie rest of tfi; ctyw. put them b low. cut the cable, 'and rasilo off vrith . the . junk. N-i clifeyhii*-- IT-cn gained to lend to the id;ntifievttQirot' fhe. pirates. HALCOMBE BAKERY our tid.i-i-lising c.ilumni. w it. sh I hat the Halcombe Bakery has changcd hands, Mt Caryr.glit iiavi >g sold hi* business to Mr W. T. Larsen. The price . hits not tiauspir d,; $\ Vf wi h Mr ba'tii' n every ,-uccess.' „ - '.

FEILDING PUBLIC HALL COMPANY At a meeting of uie Dir- ctbrs of ihi* 0 mpuiy. lieid list w -ek.i a sketch plan of a d -stgii ‘by Mr Gle,-«-,-w-it[i-' ; Bpi-cificA* ti-ms arid-7i-.-t.nl tek, ivere produced, and app-Mved by tbe ni cti.ig: ’ hMr tHer- wu i..-u u -led to c -mylete tne’pla is, and the D.r.ct irsres. lived >o cull for tenders and push f irwa d th.- mectum of Hi.* li.a'l as soon hs this is dope. Tne tl -sign is Very ti 'cf.i. aid wifi bb'au .-ri m-nt to' the f.Wi. 0 o'is .d rabli delay ha< b : eu ex* pi-r.c cod by t'm DiTvtcfbiir*ln. procuring pimi , b d Mr Cl r;; '-iiavjng now- been .-iili usM with tli - w »rk they *ru 1 1 o« t» tie iibl - to matte up.f,.r t lime.

. The Exhibition. -Tue NewZ a ander s iy.:—His Exei-Hi-ticy the Governor s.-ems determined that the Colmy he has assutn •'! t lie gos'et* .„||ijll make its niost ti.v..r.ibl "' mpf *s'iifon in tin; one Jlf,)-“\-.—■*, ■ -WG.. I.p^. greatest .pos.-iblmkpistt is6plWwjis7*angHni uls iliatun.ilg fi!f: } rnpre*enting._.,New Z-a.iaud a.'i th? Syi.iy.n- . Exhibition,., No del i seems to i-sciipe.hiVfpb^i-yatbih.

Month eiiflih; ■' £ « d May 3 d. 1379 ... ... 746 12 0 h |> it 5 h. .;. ... 741 11 0 March 8 h ... 7n0 7 6 . Febrim y 17th ... ... 650 0-0 January 1 Mi .... • 413 10 6 i oc. 14, 1H78 ... ... 44) 5 1