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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 77, 27 May 1879, Page 2

Ax Overdrawn Picture.— The Feilding Guardian of Saturday last contained an article which was an elaborated report of Mr Halcombe's speech in the County Council on theFoxton-Waikanae Road. We do not write, however, for the purpose of pointing out this very marked coincidence, but. rather to correct some glaring misstatements in one portion of the article. The following sentences profess to contain an explanation of " what the present mode of transit is": — ''Every morning of every [ week, at either end of this line, fro:n twelve j to sixteen shivering passengers have to turn • out in the midnight darkness at 2 o'clock j in the morning at Foxton, and 4 a.m. in the i Wellington streets : they are stowed away as best they may be inside and outside a nine^passenger coach, without the slightest care for their comfort, and with an apparently utter disregard for their safety ; then during a period of from 12 to 14 hourr they are bumped over sandhills, swum through flooded rivers, dragged through bogs and over logs, frightened out of their senses, cramped, bruised, soalce I, and otherwise maltreated till they reach their journey's end. At tha bjst of times this journey of 70 miles is a severe tax on a strong man's powers of endurance, but when the weather is rough, and the tides and rivers high, it means twelve hours of utter misery and very frequent and imminent danger, such as no ladies or children ought to encounter, and no delicate persons could endure. This account is by no moans overdrawn." So says the writer in the I'Vilding Guardian. But after some slight experience of the road, we venture to sny it is a most untruthful and highly-colored picture. The absurdity of from twelve to sixteen pa c sengers being stowed away in a 9-passeiigor coach needs nS contradiction. We remember the list time a certain County Councillor, who represents a Northern Hiding, travelled up from Wellington in the coach, the Waikawa stream was banked up by a heavy weaterly gale, which detained the coach. Perhaps that gentleman was then "frightened, cramped, bruised, soaked, and otherwise maltreated,' 1 to the dreadful extent described in the Failding Guardian. If that is the experience which has suggested the "not overdrawn " account, we oannot of course wonder. Every journey, by sea or land, is liable to variation. Somf times it is pleasant, sometimes otherwise. But to take the very worst aspeot, and represent it as " the present mode of transit," is unjust. The line of coaches between Foxtoa and Wellington is excellently conducted. A start is made from Foxton at 2 a.m., only when

t lie state o£ the be:itj'.i necessitates it — about once a month ; the drivers arc skilful, ant), speaking from personnl experience, we may say we always enjoy, as the best part of the journey, the ride along the beach. We nevertheless consiler, a3 we havti already strongly urged) that the inland road should be pushed on as rapidly as passible. That Wonderful Bahy.— A few weeks ago we announced the existence at Bulls, Eangitikei, of a human monstrosity* in the shape of an infant 22 yaars old. Yesterday the mother,Rosanna Bond,who has obtained a protection order against her husband, passed through Foxton on her way to Bulls. She intends to claim the child As it is understood the rildther is in favor of a show, the public of New Zealand may yet have a sight of this " wonder of the world." Held Over. — Our report of the last meet n*j of the Foxton Local Board, which was crowded Out, la published in this issue. In Season. — In our advertising columns Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co. give notice that they will hold a sale of fruit trees, and ornamental trees and plants at their sale room, Foxton, on Wednesday the 12th June. As nothing tends to improve the appearance of property so much as planting, we little doubt, but that all kinds will meet with a ready demand, and also as we understand that these sales, which have been regularly held every year for some years past, have always been very successful. Wo have been inform :d ihat some niw features will be introduced at this sale : — one, the supply of a large quantity of forest trees, to provide shelter and ornament, and another, the iraportation of some exceedingly large fruit trees, that have been in full bearing, and which may be relied upon for a crop this ensuing season, ay the time has been carefully chosen, to ensure successful transplanting. On the receipt of a catalogue we shall refer more fully. Queen's Birthday. — Saturdry last, tho Queen's Birthday, passed off in a very quiet manner in Foxtou and the surrounding districts. The only public affair "on the boards," was a trip up tho river in the p.s. Odprey, bat though the little steamer was supplied with a neat awning, and seats for the passengers, her prolonged and frequent whistlings were unable to attract a sufficient number of passengers, and the trip was reluctantly abandoned by Captain Gibson. We regret that the owners of the steamer were not better patronised, as both tide and weather gave every indication of a most pleasant trip. We presume, however, that the charge — five shillings — was thought rather heavy, though we do not see how it could be done for less. A number of the residents, however, got up small picnic and riding parties, and succeeded in spending a pleasant holiday iv honor of her Mai esty's birth. Butchery. — By advertisement in another column, it will be seen that; Messrs H. Davidson & Co. have disposed of their butchery business in Main-street, Foxton, to Mr W. Hodder, of Moutoa. Was it Right ?— At the Bulls Police Court, on Friday, a civil case which possesses a feature of public interest was called. It was that of Dalziell v. LUley, in which a claim was made for £G 18s, amount of dishonoured cheque. Mr Cald« well, a local storekeeper, appeared in Court, and informed his Worship that he had recoived a telegram from Lilley, who is now in Wellington, askiug him to obtain the services of a lawyer to defend the case, but he had been unable to do sj, and wished the case adjourned. He also desired to make a statement, bearing upon the case. This was allowed, and Mr Caldwell produced a oopy of account, bearing the stamp of the Bank of New Zaaland. From this it appeared that the cheque in question had, in the first place, been honored bjr the Bank, but had aitorwarda been withdrawn from the account of Dalziell. Hence the actioa. We have since heard that the cheque was dishonored at the expressed desire of defendant's wife. Whatever may have been the cause, it strikes us as passing strangj that any Bank manager should, after paying in a cheque to an account, withdraw it therefrom, and dishonor it, Such a system, if allowed to become general, would If ad to a vast amount of confusion iv business. Judgment was given ex parte £ov the amount and costs. Sheep. — The Government have had printed in pamphlet form " Tho Sheep Act, 1878," together with all proclamations, orders in Council, and Gazette notices, aud forms to be used und?r the Act ; also a memorandum on the parasitic insects which infest sheep, including the scab, sheep louse, wingless sheep tick, aud the shoep bot, of all which enlarged woodcut illustrations are given. It is most desirable that sheepowners should become familiar with a law which so directly affects their interests, and we highly commend the actioa of the Government iv this matter, in placing so much valuable information in so small a compass. A note accompanying the pamphlet states that flockowners can obtain it at 2s per copy from the various Sheep Inspectors. We may remark that this method of distribution is rather an erratic one. 'J he Inspectors have plenty of work to do, besides acting us retail stationers, whilst the appointment of an a^esit in each town would be more Hlicly to ensure tho object desired, viz., tho distribution of fie pamphlet, than the attempt to circulate it, through the Inspectors . Cleuk, &c. — We remind those interested, that tenders for the appointment of Clerk, Collector, and Overseer for the Foxton Local Board, close on Friday next, .May 30. Collector.— The County Council invites tenders for the appointment of Collector lo the Council. They aro to be sent iv before 2 p.m. on the 2nd of June. Sandon Floweh Mill Co.- Mr H. Hammond sued Mr J. N. O .yen, of Wellington, at the R. M. Court, Bulls, on Friday last, for £l(^l2e,*f or arrears due on shares held by him in the Sandon Flour Mill Company. Judgment was given «a: parte for the amount claimed and costs. A Urtobt. — The Bangitikei Advocate of Saturday last, describes the Feilding Guardian as " the organ of the Feilding Corporation." This is evidently the retort direct for the criticisms of the Guardian upon the Advocate and its views upon the timber trade. Wanted, a Sunday School. — At the B, M. Court, Bulls, on Friday last, a man named Mich lei Co lins was charged with having stolen 2s 6d from a small boy, 1 1 years -of age, named Charles Brien. In the course of an examination by his Worship, the boy said he did not know what the Bible was j he never heard of heaven or hell ; and could neither read nor write. The offence was proved against the prisoner. It appears he forcibly took the money from the boy, and in consideration of his abject poverty as shown by the theft, Mr Ward, 8.M., gave him cheap lodgings at the expense of the Colony for three months. He will be expected, however, to earn his bread with the sweat of his brow duriug that period. More laxatiom.— Referring to the fiscal measures likely io be brought forward by the Government next session to meet the deficiency in revenue caused by the falling off in the Land Fund, the Evening Post

snys :— " The plan which we have reason to believe •will be proposed, ond which is rumored lo fee no# under the consideration of the Cabinet, is (I ) to im t One flfl income tax, and (2) to extend the present land tax by a graduated Bystem, so as to reach the landowners rather than the smaller proprietors. It ia argned that these two imposts would compel property of every kind to contribute its quota towards the public revenue. The extended and graduated land tax would touch all classes of real property, while every other description of property could be got at by a judiciously devised system of income tax. That Borne such proposal as this will be made in the coming Parliamentary session is almost certain, and it will be well that the subject should receive ample ventilation and public discussion beforehand. Magisterial Charges. — The Ashburton Mail states that Mr Mansford, R.M. at Wellington, and Mr Bathgate, R.M. afc Dunedin, will exchange places shortly. Tkottino MA"fen tfo» £iOO A side.— A large number of persons on horseback, in vehicles, and some on foot, assembled, says the Lyttelton Times, on Saturday morning at the Railway Gates, Riccarton Road, to witness a totting match for £200 a side between Mr F. Evans'_ (of Rangitikei) mare Millie and MrT. Milnpr's horse .tflack Boy. The distance was said to be Id mile?, and the course from the Railway Gates to the Yaldhursfc Hotel and back. .Black Boy led from the start, and when passing the racecourse was about 200 yards ahead. The mare then gradually drew up, and caught the ho"se at the turn. In the run home, Black Boy again gradually drew away, and below the Bush Inn was again leading by nearly 200 yards, when the rider of the mare pulled up, allowing the horse to come in at his own pace. The distance was done in 49min 2oaeo. The winner was very distressed at the finish, and was ridden by W. Thompson. The mare waa ridden by Mr Evuns' trainer. Millie had the call in the betting at the start, but after the horses had gone a few miles the betting was 3 and 4 to 1 ou Black Boy. A Difference of Opinion. — Talking of Australian Exhibition Commisaionera (writes the correspondent of a contemporary), there is a story about one of thorn which went the round* of the Colonials at Paris during our stay there. The Commissioner in ques> tion one day put on the Windsor uniform to meet the Prince of Wales, who had promised to visit his court. The Prince was a little late, and as the Commissioner walked up and down in the panoply of state, he paid to his secretiry, " How do^s the dress become me ? Do I look like a military officer P" — " Not that, quite," answered the secretary. " Do I look like an admiral then P" proceeded the querist. *> I should not take you for that, either." responded tho other party to the conversation. "Then, in Heaven's name, what do I look like ?"' persisted the Commissioner. Said the secretary, "You look like a blooming pirate !" HUMOUB9 OP THE WIBEB. — The following amusing story is from a Home paper. A lady named Mrs Gould was anxious to assist in decorating a certain church, and thinking an inscription would be suitable, instructed her husband while in town to procure one He, of course, forgot the inscription, and Bent a message to his wife lo that effect. The telegraphist in town was considerably puzzled when the following message from Mrs Gould was -taken off: " Unto us a child is born, nine feet long, by two feet broad." It is generally admitted by everybody who has visited Jacobs' Athenteum Bazaar, that it is the only shop in Wellington that contains a good and complete assortment of Fancy Goods and Jewellery suitable 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 too gigantic to particuarise by adverfciaetuent. — [Advc]