Untitled

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 67, 18 April 1879, Page 2

Poet 02 Entby.— So many hopes have been held out and promises given which have never been realised, regarding the proclaiming of Foxton as a Port of Entry, that it seems almost likn repeating a thricetold tale " to refer to it. The distinct assurance, however, given by the Hon. Mr Bnllance to the Foxton deputation that Mr Seed's report was favorable, and that the Commissioner of Customs -would shortly Gazette the appointment of Foxton as a Port of Entry, appears to have good foundation. A gentleman who recently vinled Wanganui, has told us that whilst there he was privately informed that the Proolama* tion will shortly be issued, and that the appointment of Collector of Customs at; Foxton was likely to bo conferred upon Mr Burgess, who formerly resided at Wanganui, but has recently been living at Lyttelton. We understand he is at present in Wanganui. We hope the information is founded upon fact, and that we shall shortly have the pleasure of welcoming the Collector of Customs to our midst. We may state, however, that from enquiries made, we learn no steps have been taken as yet for providing offices for the Customs Department. In Explanation. — The Commissioner referred to in a local in a recent issue, regarding summonses for rate 3in arrears, has called ab our office, and complained of the statements contained in the paragraph. It appears that the rates in question were paid, and the Commissioner holds a receipt for the amount, which, however, was not entered up in the rate receipt book. Consequently, our reporter naturally concluded the rates were not paid, and hence the paragraph. We regret that the bungling of a former Clerk to the Local Board, whohas since left Foxton, should have led to the mistake in our columns. The error was a very natural one. For Sale — In another column appears an advertisement offering for sale MOO acres of the Baineaae Farm, owned by Messrs Simpson and Mace, and situated about 10 miles from Foxton. We understand this land is being offered for sale only because Mr Mace, one of the partners, is about to proceed to England, and wishes to realise upon his New Zealand property. Mr Christopher Simpson, his partner, inten is to keep the 128 acres immediately adjoining the homestead, the remaining 1400 being offered for sale in lots of 100 acres and upwards. The quality of the land is known to be of the richest description, part of it being bush, whilst its favorable position, abutting the present railway line, and having the contemplated line to Sandon running past it on the west side) will largely enhance its market value. We anticipate Messrs Simpson and Mace will not need to seek far in New Zealand for buyers. Heavy Fogk— Yesterday morning a dense fog hung over the township, and extended seaward. Tbe steamers Jane Douglas and Huia crossed the bar at 7, and madi> for the wharf. However, just as the Douglas (which was leading by some distance), was nearing the island, she brought up all at once with her bows in the mud. The en* gines were immediately put " full speed astern," and she came off, this time going ashore on the other side The Huia then came up, and followed the Douglas, going hard and fast on the bank. Before she touched, Captain Fraser called out to the Huia, warning them of the shoal, but ib was too late, and she remained hard and fast. Captain Fraser then got out an anchor, and pulled the Jane off, and she reachad the whorf at 8 o'clock. The Huia, being heavily loaded, was not so fortunate, and she had to remain there till the evening's tide, Captain Fraser kindly bringing up her passengers in the Douglas. Highways.— Mr Ward held a sitting of the Assessment Court at Palmeraton yesterday, to hear objections against the valuation for the Manawatu Highways Board. Most of the objectors were from Foxton. Mr Purcell's valu ation was reduced by £30, Mr Macpherson's by £10, Mr Nye's by £15. Messrs Smith and Carter, of Moutoa, also objected, the objections being sustained. Mr Prior appeared for a few Saudon objectors. During the hearing,two ratepayers asserted that " a raupo swamp had been mistaken for standing corn," whilst Mr Simpson, of Pukevotara,said his place had been " valued by candlelight." His Worship made some remarks similar to those delivered at Foxton and reported elsewhere. Elsction. — An election takes place at Otiki for a member of tbe Highways Board at 11 a.m. to«day. Mr Lin ton, of Palmerston, is the Returning Officer.

KoßHEity.— A gentleman who arrived last night from Wanganui, informs us that the sum of £200 was stolen on Wednesday last from the office of Scott & Co., railway contractors at Okehu for the Wailotara line. The Jalje Douglas.— The directors of the N Z. 5.3. Cdrnpany have determined to take the Jane Douglas off tile Foxtori trade, and run her between Wellington, Kaikoura, and Lyttelton, excepting an occasional trip she will make to Rangitikei. This decision has been come to, as one of a series of changes in the services performed by the Company's steamers, and will be read with regret by a great numVer who have been accustomed to travel in the Jaue Doug* las. During the paat two years Oap'tain Fraser has been constantly running between Wellington ajd Foxton> and we only BtaJs what is an acknowledged fact when we say he has made Ills boat »n institution of this port, havmg by his uniform kindness and skilful seamanship, gained the respect and Csteimi df all who have travelled with him. Whilst writing thus of the skipper, we de3ire also to pay a tribute to the unvarying courtesy of the whole of his subordinates, all of whom have at all times dove their utmost to promote the comfort of the passengers. Spanking as a whole, probably no boat on the Coast has a reputation equal to that of the Jane Douglas, and the manager may find it to the interest of thd Company to put htir again oil the Fox* ton trade. The Sandon Eaimvay. — According to a resolution of the directors, Messrs Sanson aul Tompkins are now in Wellington, canvassing for /shareholders. The great success which has attended the floating of the Company in the Foxton and Sandon districts is the best possible guarantee of the bona fide character of the concern, and of the faith the settlers have iv it. We expect in a few more weeks to hear that the whole of the shares have been subscribed for. SAwMifcL Plant,— The plant for the sawmill to be erected at Feilding for Mr Pawson was brought up yesterday by the Huia, and will bo landed on the wharf immediately. Meeting. — Mr A. Gray, Chairman of tha Directors, calls a meeting of shareholders in the Foxlon/ Public Hall Company for this evening, the business to be transacted is of pressing importance, it is hoped all shareholders will attend. Post Office. — We understand several tenders were received for the alterations to the Foxton Post Office. The particulars, however, havo not transpired. They will probably bo nude public in a few days. Tenders. —In another column, Mr M'Lennan, mnnagdr of the Oroua Downs Station, calls for tenders for bush foiling en some 30 chains of road, and forming same. Particulars will be found in the advertisement. Valued Too Much . — At the Assessment Court on Wedneaday last, Mr J. Harris objected to the valuation upon his property in Main-street, saying that it was not worth more than 16.s per week. His Worship asked Mr Harris a number of very ominous questions, each of which suggested an increased value to the tenement in question. Finally, the valuator, Mr Moinet, broke in "with the remark, " Why, Air Harris, you asked me 10s a week for one room upstairs," supposing that to be a cdncher. " Yes," ejaculated the appellant, lugubriously, " but you wouldn't give it ! " whereat the Cour: laughed. Finally his Worship remarked to Mr Harris that he thought the property would be cheap at a pound per week, and disallowed the objection. iMPROVEMRNTa. — Messrs Welsh and Gurin, tho contractors for the formation of a part of Jones' line, are making good progress with the work. The line ruus through a swamp, and originally, in bad weather, was uttorly impassable. Tho present contract is for 50 chains, which will improve that part of the road which hitherto has been so bad. The road is being made by laying down manuka fascines, and thea spreading sand on the top. The work is being done in a very workmanlike manner by the contractors, under the supervision of Mr Hayns, for the Manawatu Highways Board, and will prove a great boon to the settlers in that locality, during the coming winter. Campion's Ling.— This line, which leads right into the square at Campbelltown, is gradually being cleared and made available for cart traffic. A section of the line near the Square is now being formed and drained, and tenders are shortly to be called for forming the next section in the direction of the Sandon road. The Prize Fight. — We understand active steps are being taken by the police authorities to secure the punishment of the two men who engaged in the prize-fight near Feilding last Sunday, also their abettors. The names of tho combatants are well known. Recently, some of the New Zealand % journals published long and minute accounts of the prize-fi^ht between Foloy and .licken, in Australia. The details were disgusting. It is Just possible that the recent encounter at Feilding is the result of the sensational account ot the Australian pugilism, the two local uaea desiring to emulate their fellows over the water. A cold -bloo Jed stand-up fight *br money is the quintessence of brutality, and in tho interests of the youth of this district, we hope the combatants in the recent encounter will be severely punished if the charge be proved. Attempt to upset a Train. — Tho express train from Christchurch to Dunedin had a narrow escape on Thursday morning. About 11 a.m. Mr A. Smith was crossing the line, on horseback, on the road leading to the Maronan Station, to the south of L'inwald, when his uttention was attraoted to a number of stones wedged between the planking and the inner part of the rails. Tlio stones, twelve iv number, were placed, seven on one side and five on the other, aud from the way they were fixed, together with their size, had tho train reached the crossing, it must have been inevitably upset. Mr Smith averted, by his promptitude, what would doubtless have been a deplorable accident. Tae train was in sight when he saw the obstruction. In a moment he hud dismomted, and by vigorous exertions he managed to clear the line just as the express train came up. The stones must have been placed in their position subsequent to t >c passing of the first up-train from Tiuv.iru to Ashbuiton, or within an hour of the time when they were observed. — Ashburton Mai).