Feilding

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 116, 1 May 1888, Page 3

Feilding

(Wanganui Herald's Correspondent.) Feilding just at the present time bears a most unenviable notoriety for the number of fires which have occurred here, and the inhabitants have been galvanised into taking preliminary steps in the direction of forming a Fire Brigade. The material is here for the formation of a good corps, and the great drawback — the want of water—should not be a greater obstacle than is the case at Hawera, where it is obtained from wells by manual power. A heap of distorted roofing iron now remains to mark the place where the Town Hall stood intact a few weeks ago. The blank on the opposite side of the Square where Henry's old shop and the Bank of New Zealand stood is being partly filled up, the Bank having replaced their building with an unpretending edifice devoid of architectural adornment. Until recently the accommodation at the railway station was totally inadequate and the extension which has lately been completed has greatly added to the convenience of those whose business takes them to the place. The extension did duty at Manutahi before the line was through, and there being no further use for it it has been brought here. The meeting called to consider the question of forming a Fire Brigade resulted in the appointment of a committee to prepare a scheme to be submitted to another meeting. Mr Macarthur stated that he had the authority for stating that but for the heavy insurance rates an industry employing a large number of hands would have been started in the town. A local industry has recently been established by two former residents of Wanganui, Messrs Wrightson and Wright who have commenced business as brewers. A building suitable for the trade has been erected, and the first brew was placed before the public two or three weeks ago. Mr Wright has the reputation of being a first class brewer, with a large experience of the business and competent judges speak in commendable terms of the quality of the article turned out, and predict for it a place high in the estimation of those who partake of it. Business people in Feilding hold very decided opinions as regards the future of the town and anticipate a largely increased volume of trade in a few years to come. It is claimed now that the station is one of the best paying ones on the section, but this is mainly due to the timber trade which cannot be termed a permanent industry. The town, however, is situate in a very well favored district, and is the centre from which a large number of roads radiate. In one direction there is a good road to the Makino district, in another to Awahuri, another to Taonui, and in another — the most important of all—to Kiwitea and the small farm settlements. The settlement in the Kiwitea district of late has been enormous, and the natural result is largely to increase the volume of trade with Feilding. Altogether the prospects for the future are hopeful, and it is to be devoutly wished that the anticipations of those interested will not go unrealised.