AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 3, 3 September 1878, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

In another column will be found a notice signed by Messrs. Walker and Purcell, calling a meeting for the formation of an Agricultural Society for the County of Manawatu. The meeting will take place at Whyte'a Hotel, Foxton, on Thursday, 12th September, at two o'clock p.m. This hour has been chosen for the convenience of distant settlers, who can then reach Foxton by midday train, attend the meeting, and return by rail the same evening. There should be a large attendance, as the object of the meeting is an important one. Agricultural and kindred societies always act bene- i ficially, where propeily conducted. They create a spirit of emulation amongst farmers and cattle pros prietors; they assist in producing a better class of stock; and they form a field upon which friendly contests in ploughing and similar work can take place. The Canterbury Agricultural Society's Show is one of the greatest days of the year ; and that society has greatly assisted the fanning industry upon the Canterbury Plains, so that now Canterbury bears the palm amonfj^ the farming district^^^agflj|^H Other instanc^flti^H^^^^^H Ith^^^^^^^H^^H

xiii., aud 1 v., tho rev. gentleman referred to the desolating effects of Avar, and the destruction of life, happiness, and property it entailed, urging upon tho congregation the duty of thanksgiving for being saved from it, aa, if war had broken <mt, -\vo probably should have had to defend our shores. The Holy Communion was administered at the conclusion of the service. Coach L\te.— On Fiiday night, owing to a heavy flood in the Otaki, the down coaoh had to wait (in the north bank until the arrival of the one from Wellington. The passengers from each were then ferried across, and the two coaches returned to their respective starting points. Tho up coaoh did not reach Foxton until about 8 o'clock. Otaki Covrt House.— This edifice is in a disgraoeful condition. Half of the window panes are broken, cattle roam all round the building at their own sweet will, the lock is out of gear, and generally it is in very bad order. The building was originally erected as a native rununga, and our paternal Government pay £20 per annum rent. But though it is easy to find a receiver for the «money, it seems impossible to find the right man to spend a few pounds in repairs. This is like the noble savage, and like the pakeha too, as Josh Billings says, " Because he is a man." Yet in this dilapidated building Courts are held monthly, and we pity the discomforts of the officials. A few days ago, when Mr. T. U. Cook, the Returning Officer, was making up the votes, the lights were repeatedly extinguished by the winds. The matter demands immediato attention. Phrenology. — On Ihursday evening next Professor Fraser is announced to give one of his popular and amusing lectures on phrenology in the Town Hall, Foxton. Subject— " Heads and Faces." The Trofessor comes to the Mana^atu with a very high name in hia profession, and we have no doubt the Foxtonians will enjoy a rich intelieHjjj^gMtt^ttifeitfflfeMtfMM

i i tion, and avo shall bo glad to see an attempt '■ j made to get the assistance of the Cove. 1- ■ j mcnt in the matter. This might be done i cither by a subsidy, or by an arrangement '■ to mako the Provident Society a branch of • th s Grovcrnmont Life Assurance Bees in* the Field. — Mr. "Win. Bees, ' j M.lf.tt., is one of the greatest talkers in the Lower House. He is also good at foot- , ball, and perhap3 his aotive temperament accounts for the free manner in which he kicks his opponents about in the House. The Napier men are going to i-lay football against the Poverty Bay men to-day, and , the Press Agency correspondent telegraphs this melancholy wail over the absence of , Mr. Kees: — "The absenoe of Mr. Eees from the Napier team -w '.11 be much felt." L It sounds like an obituary notice, of a mild character ; but that correspondent must be in the veal period of his literary career; 5 The Beeh Tax.— When referring to the L beer tax in his speech on Friday night in . the House, the Hon. Mr. Ballance said :— . "In 1863, when there was a duty of 6d L upon English beer, the consumption was six t gallons per head. In 1869 op 1870 the , duty was increased to Is, and what was the j result? That the consumption was only one gallon per head of the population. The t revenue in one year was £86,000, and when , the duty was increased to Is, it fell down L to £23,000. , It is genbrally admitted by everybody who has visited Jacobs' Athenaeum Bazaar, that it is the only shop in town ' that contains a good and complete assort- ■ ment of Fancy Goods and Jewellery suiti able for Presents, Birthday Gifts', or Wedding Presents. Parties requiring any of the above articles will save themselves a ; lot of trouble by calling and inspecting the , immense assortment, which is ioo gigantic to particularise by advertisement. An 1 inspection is respectfuily solicited. — A dtt.