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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 78, 30 May 1879, Page 2

The Cost of Timber — We understand that a gentleman in Foxton received a few day.? ago a letter from a merchant at Patea, in which he stated that he had just ordered 100,000 feet of timber from Nelson. The Patea steamer is to take the timber from Nelson wharf to Patea, receiving 5s 6d per hundred feet as freight. The timber has to be despatched 60 miles by sea to Nelsr>n, which will of course be an extra freight charge. Sufely Manawatu, which is much nearer to Patea, should bj able to compete with the millers of the South Island, considering that freights are so high from thence.

Concert.— The Foxton Choral Society held a practice on Wednesday evening last, when a considerable number attended. The various choruses, glees, &c, were gone through in a spirited manner, which gives promise of a very good concert. Ie <vas odginally intended to hold the concert next Wednes'Juy, but owing to Sir Wm. Fox's lecture having been fixed for the following evening, the Society has determined to postpone its concert for a week. It will therefore take place on Wednesday, June 1 1 . The object of Wednesday ÜbXt being selectei in the first place, was to take advantage of the full moon, in order that persona at a distance might be able to attoud without inconvenience. We trus>t tho general public will appreciate the action of the Choral Society in this matter, especially as the funds of the Sjciety are rather low, and give them what they well deserve, — a full house. It is said several new songs will bt» sung at the concert, and also a number of very excellent duets, trios, &c.

Additions to the Onou.v Downs Homestead. — It will be seen by our advertising columns, that tenders are called for additions to the Homestead at the Djuglas Station, Oroua Downs. We have glance.l over the plans, which have been designed by Mr J. W. Liddell, architect, of this town, and drawn in a very neat and clear manner by Mr A. Moinet. The additions will comprisefourcommodious rooms, under one roof, and placed on the North side of the present homestead. They will inolude a drawing; room, 20ft x 21ft ; dining room, 22ft x Isfc"; and two bedrooms, each 15ft x lift. At rear of tho dining and bedrooms, a passage 6ft wide will be left, which will terminate at tho door of the drawing room.thus affording considerably more accommodation, and leaving that room 20ft x 2lf t. On the North side of the building, standing out as a projection, but in complete harmony with the remainder of the structure, is an office, 1 lft x 10ft, with a door opening to the front, and also one connecting with the dwelling. The drawing room will be lighted by three windows, one of which, a "bow" wiadow, faces the road. The ceilings will be handsomely panelled and polished throughout. We ua lerdtaud the materials will b 1 fouud by Mr M'Leunan, manager of the station, and that the tenders will be for labour only. The building will be roofed with corrugated iron, and the timber us:d in the other portions will be totara ami rirau. The plans appear to have beon excellently designed by Mr Liddell, aud th 6 additions will give a greatly improved appearance to the homestead.

Lbcturb.— ln another column, the Chairman nf the School Committee announces that Sir William Fox, K.O.M.U-., will deliver a lect-iru at th* Public Hal, Foxton, on Thursday next, June 5, at 7.30 p.m. The subject is — " Personal (experiences on the American Overland Route," and a great treat may bo anticipated. As a keen observer of mci and manners, Sir William Fox has the « ar e taouity of " noting iv his book of memory," not only the leading features of the countries through which he passes, but also the details of social life, and the oustoms of tho people, lie i» (aa every one knows) a racy speaker, w.th a keen sense of humor, w'th which he invariably enlivens his lectures. The lecture is to be given for the benefit of the Foxton School funds, and a small charge of Js for adults is made, children being admitted at half-price. We trust the resident* of the town named after Sir William will turn out in large numbers to heir the lecture.

Land Tax. — In another column Mr C. Groirbie, Deputy In&d Tax Commissioner for the Wellington District, announce'! that the valuation list for the County of Mana«. watu is open for inspection at the following places :— -No ] District, Manchester Highways Board Office, Feildinff j Nos 2 and 3 Districts, Manawatu Highways Board Offioe, Paloierston ; No 4 District, at the County Office, Fox*.on. As required by the Act, 14 days' notice is given, and we would suggest that all those interested should inspect the list at once, in order to leave sufficient time to send in their objections to th.9 Commissioner. All persona who own

land vttKled at dyer £300 Are fated at |d for every £ dyer that uraoriilti Should any of our readers desire information regarding the working of the Act, we shall be glad to furnish it through our columns, if they will stato the point updn which 1 iriforniatidn is required. A. full explanation of the Act, and its working, wus given in our issue of January 7.

Foxton Schooii Comsiittbe. — A. meeting of the Committee was held at the Atlieu ueiun j-esterday afternoon, at \.30. Prdspitt -~Dr Uodtatrow (Chairman^, Meavi Fldwer, Wh.ytej Stewart, dnd M^u'.looh. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter wa6 read from Mr Hulkc, head teacher, pointing out that owing to there boiug no fireplace in tho Publ.c Hall; the childrenwero suffering fi<?:ri tile c" )ld; and suggesting tliAt the school be closed on the ijOtli instant, tt was resolved to cloje the school from tho end of the month until futher notice, for the reason given abov..'. A lotter was read from Mr Hi Fry} asking the ComiriMeß to pay the nniouut due to hinl upon tlie ( school building —- The clerk of the works, Mr M'Leari; repdrttid that the match lining Had nit bbcii 6 irriect dp to the proper lieig'llt-, though he considered 6 lien was I'equired by the specifications. He also reported that one of the porches and cloak rooms had not been altered as r. quired by the plans. By these things a, saving of some Mil had been efflJattsdi-^Mr" Whyte asked V'/ho had appointed Mr M'Lean as clerk of the works. — The Chairman replied the appointment in question Was made by the Education Board at Wanganui. — Mr Stewart thought if tbex allowed tUe £dvk to stand as «d.-nol(>bed, a deduction should be niade from the contract price. — Mr Fry was called, in, and asked if he would make the alterations pointed out in the Inspector's report.— Mr Fry said ho would do all the specifications required, but nothing moroi He refused to make any alterations w}iat dveri— M* Slower jlrap 1 jse.l "Tlint the B Idcatiou B"oar.J Bi iilfdrnied tnis (Joniiriitteu ttaVe adlei'mined not to take over the school building, though reported by the contractor to be ready for handing over, th-ire being several points in dispute, and that tlio Board be requo.ited to send down sdine competent \W6dn \6 arbitrate, duly au^ fcliorirting such person to decide the ques> tions." Seconded by Mr Stewart, and carried. \£r Whyte alono voted a ;ainat the resolution. — Tlic Committee determined to pay the whole amount duo to Mr Fry* excepting the 7a per cent) whicli is retained for 21 daya after completion of the contract, in terms of the specifications.-Dr llockstrow desired to resign th,e Chairmanship, but was requested to continue to act until next meeting.

A Dooiob foe Foxton.— We have very great pleasure in announcing that the tfoxton Medisal Committee have completed arrangemant3 with Dr A. Agassiz, and that that gentleman has determined upon settling at Foxton. Dr Agftssiz arrived at Foxton per steamei? Stofmbird on Wednesday last, and oh 'iMiucsday morning a special meeting of the Committee was held, to consult wiih him. There was a largo atteidance, and a number of testimonials were presented, and read by the Chairman to the meetiag. One from Sir J. Simpson of the Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, stated that 1000 cases had been successfully conducted in that Institution by Dr Agassiz. Another was from the Secretary and Treasurer of the Medical Guarantee Committee at Clinton, whioh place Dr Agnasiz has jusb left. This spoke in the must complimentary terms of the skill, genial disposition, and patience of that gentleman, and expressed the hope that he would continue to reside in that district. We understand Dr Agassiz's only reason for leaving Otago is owing to the frightful severity of the climate in that portion of the Colony, as oompared with the Bay of I -lands, in which district he formerly resided. He speaks the Maori language perfectly, and on that acooun; will be a great acquisition to the district. We under* stand it is probable Dr Agassiz will arrive in Foxton to remain in about a fortnight.

Those Sxag3. — Mr Gray, Chairman of the Board, iuvites tenders for removing suags.

Cheap Tisibeb. — Messrs Thynne, Ltnton & Co, are advertising timber for sale at reduced prices.

Scholarship. — The Education Board have resolved to cancel tho award ef the scholarship to ftlurdo Uoss, it being contrary to the regulations.

Revising Court. — Tho Revising C3urfc for the Electoral District of Manawitu will be held to-day at the Foxton Court House, by H. S. Fitzheroert, Esq., Revising Officer .

Bankruptcy. — A meeting of creditors ia the estate of Air H. Brown, baker, of Foxton, was held at the Palmerstou Court House on Wednesday last. The only business done was to elect Mr F. K. Orowther, one of the creditors, trustee in the estate.

Land. — In another column it will be seen that Mr A. J. Whyte advertises 175 acres of land in the vicinity of Foxton to let.

Local Boaud.— A meeting of the Foxton Local Board will be held at the office, Alain street, this afternoon, al 8 p.m. Tenders will be opened for the office of Clerk, &0., and a quantity of other business will come up for consideration. Regarding the matter of the Clerkship, we trust that before making decuive arrangements, or accepting any tender, the timed will consider the suggestions we made a few issues ago. The opinions we expressed are very generally held by the ratepayers, aud any sinecure ap> pointinent made at a fancy price will meet with strong opposition from ilia ratepayers.

Election. — The recent Mayoral election in Wellington, resulted in the return of Mr Wm. Hutchison, a former occupant of the civic chair. Tlie votes polled were — Mr Hutchison, G69; Mr Hunter, 634. The election however, is only for about 6 months, when the Empirj City will " suffer " another contost.

Dbainage.— We may point out to intending contractors that one of the survey men will meet the train tomorrow and the following Saturday, to show thorn over the line of tha drainage contract No. 1 on the Kiiranga Blook. We presume contractors from Foxton will require to go out by the morning traiu and wait at the Bridge for that from Palmerston.

Babbit Skins. — We have bjen furnished with a copy of the " Account Sales of 56 dozen rabbit skins sold in Melbourne." The price realised was about Ifd each, or Is 9d per dozen, from which has to be deducted charges— including freight, insurance, commission, ice., amounting to 20 per cent. As the Government give a bouus of |d por skin exported front districts proclaimed under the " Rabbit Nuisance Act," it would be worth while for all districts infested with rabbits to get themselves thus proclaimed. The: c ought to be a large export trade in rabbit skin* on these terms. — Wairurapa Standard.

Valuable Ashes. — A great many stories are toli in schools and homes, calculated to impress the " young and rising generation, with the importance of thrift, economy, &., but some Deutchera who live at the German settlement (Carnarvon) have given an example of savingness which Bhould place them at least in a corner of the Beading Book for schools. Some time ago wfarmer '

living a few miles away from the settlement engaged some of the Q-ermans to clear several acre 3of land. They accordingly camped on the larid; and after tHe wdrk was dono wont td the hdme'stead arid dbtained their nloney. But the farmer was rather Bupri-ed to notice that the Dutchmen had two bags, evidently full, slung over the pack-horse which carried their tools. Aa th 6 animal was going out of the gate, he slid to one of his men Btand,injr near) " Tom see whiit'd id tile bay I " Tom stuck his knife iuto one of tho bags, arid was amazed at seeing a stream of wood ashes run out. Further enquiry showed that in th«i spirit of true frugality, tho Germans had saved the ashes of the fires,, and we're " packing " thentl several miles to Ude 1 them as manure f (tr their gardens !