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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 39, 10 January 1879, Page 2

Ministerial Visit. — Wo understand the Hon. Jan. Macandrew, Minister for l'ublio Works, will vi*it this district in the course of a few days. It id probable lie will procoed right through to Wanganui, and hayI in;j transacted his business there, will return to the Munawntu, where ho will spend a few days. We have no doubt tho settlers in various parts of tha district will take advantage of Mr Macandrew's presence to bring under his notice their wants so far as his department is concerned. It is highly gratifying to soe the thorough interest displayed by the .Minister referred to in tho practical working of «he department under his charge. llecently, Mr Wakefieid, tho member for Geraldine, told his constituents that whilst Mr Macaudrew was in office no other portiou of the colo:iy but Ot&go would have its railways constructed. 'Jho energetic action of i\ir Maoandrew, and the interest he displays in the work of his expansive department iv all parts of the colony, are a sufficient contradiction to Air WttkefieLTs. statement?. The Panorama. — On Tuesday and Wednesday last, the panorama of tho Arctic Regions was exhibited at the Foxton Tublie Hall. Coming so soon after the holiday season, during which the settlers havo been surfeited with amusements, the attendance was not not so largo ns it would, doubtless, otherwise have been, but thoso who did attend spent a most enjoyable evening, and gained, no doubt a very good idea of the periU and excitements incidental to life in the Arctic Ucgionß. Owing to tho absence of gaslight, it was of course impossible to do justice to many of the scenes, such as tho aurora and others, but even with the imperfect means of illumination at command, the views were extremely beautiful. The various mechauical scenes were perfect, and groat paius must have been taken to make them run so smoothly. Tho " transformation scene (which is a leading feature iv the entertainment), was extremely beautiful, and elicited the hearty applause of the aulience on each occasion. We aro unable to give sufficient space for a detailed description of the views, but speaking gene* ral'yi we may say the panorama is well worth seeing. The accompanying music i 9 rather poor. Foxtox School. — The Local Schoo Committee met yesterday afternoon. The Chairman reported thai as a result of the visit of Mr Liddell and himself to Wanganui to see the Buildiug Committee of the Education Board, (he arrangement had been made for .Mr Fry to take up the contract for th? additions and alterations to schoolbuildings at his tender of £500, inoluding therein the raising of the roof of the old buildings and covering in with iron. The contractor commenced last Monday. Mr M'Lsau was appointed auditor to examine and audit tho accounts as required by. law, imd it was reaolvod to draw up a report for presentation at the ensuing annual meeting on .the 27th, such report to bo submitted to committee at meeting to be held on the 24 th inst. Chokal Society. —Wo would remind those interested that the usual practice of tho Choral Society will take place to-uight. A full attendance is requested, as it is proI posed to have a concert on Itogutta ui^ut. BeoATTA.— A meeting of the Regatta Committee was held last night at Whyte's [ Hotel, when the programme was arranged, and will be found published in another column. Mr W. Johnston. M.H.Li., has sent a donation of £5 to the committee. New Mill. — We understand Messrs. Manson and Bartholomew ure erecting a sawmill near tho Manawatu Gorge. The timber to be cut will be totara, and will bo oxported via Foxtail, a market having boen arranged for it. Land Sale.-— We understand Mr McLennan, the new manager of the Oroua Dowua Station, intends to hold an oxtonsive sale of about 6,000 acres of the Douglas IHock during tue ensuing month. The land to be sold lues between the road and the sea, and is sa d to vary in quality, some being very good. We understand it will bo cut up into allotments containing from 2500 to 1000 acres, Messrs Steveus and Gorton are making the necessary arrangements for the sale. The Htdkuud.— lnformation was received yesterday to the elfect that ou Wednesday uiorniug's tide, tho Hydrabad was got off 30 feet, and that on the same evening she .was got off another 65 feet. . An attempt was to re made to get her out into deep water last night, but we hare of course not been able to hear the result. We understand Mr Robs is very sanguine that, barr-

ma accident?, his efforts on this occasion will be successful. The Hinemtn w.t3 to be up at Horowhoniia" to assist the Glcnelg in towing 1 tho Hydrabad off. Couut-Day. — We notice the next Foxton Court-day is fixed for the 22nd instant. j The arrangements for the Court had been made before the li.M. became aware thut it was the Regatta day. However, we understand no raora business will be taken than is absolutely necessary. Onoi'A BnfDGtfi— For a long time past, the traffic bridge over the Oroua Creek has been in a dangerous condition. The piles are rotten, and the whole structure is at present most unsafe. The Caunty Engineer has repeatedly called attention to the matter since he came into office, and we notice tenders are now called for a new bridge. They close on tho 15th instant. C.uuxF.T Mbeti.vo. — .1 Cabinet mooting was to bo hold at Wellington yestord ty, to discuss important matters. Ono subject for consideration was whether the extreme penalty of the law is to be carrkd out in the case of the man Walsh, convicted at InVercargill of tho murder of his wife. The Government would probably consider nt t!ie same meeting tho question of continuing free passes to trie newspapers. Upon this matter the N.Z. Times says in Tuesday's issue: — "Tho statement that the Government had resolvod to issue ono freo pass to every newspaper in the colony, was to aay the least of it, premature. No determination has yet b?en come to on the subject. Tho Uoa tho Minister for Public Works has received cortuin representations from newspaper proprietors, but as ho promised in Parliament that all free passes, except to members of tho Legislature, would be discontinued at the end of last year, ho does not feel disposed to give contrary instructions ou his own responsibility. Therefore the matter will remain in abeyj anco until thpre is a full Cabinet meeting, when a definite course of action will be deI cided on." The Government have certainly I not adhered to their promise, as & free pass j has only recently been grouted t o Mr Ward, | E.M. Wo think in this instance it was j desirable to confer tho pass, but as the ! Government have surrendered the principle. j a pass should certainly bo granted to the .representatives of the Press. Jcrvmhx's Pleasuiies. — Tho position of of petit juryman is, as a rule, most religiously avoided by the free and independent citizens of Wellington. Judging from what took place on Tuesday last, it is no 1 wonder. A. L. Sweet having been indicted | for forgery, the jury returned a verdict, i after a lengthened absence, of " Guilty of j ii'tering th> cheque." This, of course, his Honor could not receive, ns prisoner ! was not charged with that offenco. Tho | jury again ntirod, and at 10 p.m having been sent for, they returned into Court. : His Honor said ho understood tho jury had ! not agreed. The Foreman — Nor aro | likely to do. His Honor — Then as you | aro doubtlo.-s aware, I have no power to release you, or at least it is generally held so, and 1 don't care to take the re»ponsiI bility of relousiug you until twelve hours have expired. To-morrow I have my duties to perform, and so have the officers of the Court, therefore it s^ems usalesi for mo to stay here. The best thing I can do is to go home to bed and leave you here to deliberate. At the same time I think it is a pity the law stands a3 it does. I think where it is manifest a jury cannot agree they ought to be discharged within a reasonable period, less than twelve hours. However, I have power to order you to | have refreshments, aud that will bo done. There seems to be no reason for thinking that withholding refreshment would enable you to arrive at a verdict. Tho Foreman — It would not make tho least difference, your Honor. His Honor— Very wel 1 , gentlemen, you may retire to your room. The Court then adjourned till 10 o'clock next morning. Tim Luf© Tax.— Tho iollowiug Land Tax Valuers are gazetted : — Thomas ' Stephen Hoe, Pulmerstou, ftlanawatu, No. 2 District ; Richard North Keeling, Palmer.st.ou, Manuwatu, No 3 District ; Eraost Stephexi Thynue, Foxton, Manawatu. No. 4 District. Tho valuors are allowed to frank free of postage letters on land tax business only. Land Pluichase. — The New Zeaknder cf Wednesday says : —" Wo havo much pleasure in announcing to our readers that some large and fertile blocks of land are now being acquired by the Government on the West Coast of this island, other than those to which we hard already drawn attention. In a few days, when tho negotiations are concluded, fuller details will be given to our readers — and not till then — as experience has shown how transactions of this kind are sought to be frustrated by speculators, from their hope of acquisition to themselves, and by political opponents with the hope of adding to iheir bankrupt stock of political capital." Revenue, — Ihe land revenue collected in Manawatu during the month of December amounted to £75 13s. For the whole colony it amounted to £24,746 19s Bd, which shows a decided falling off.