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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 2, 29 August 1879, Page 2

"Under "Which Kixg, Bezonian?" — Our Palmerston contemporary is evidently faltering in his disloyalty to Mr Johnston. Although he has during the past year systematically praised that gentleman's painstaking action on behalf of Falmerston, the last few weeks have witnessed a wonderful change in his political opinions. The Grey Government had ceased to be a collection of blunderers ; their past offences were to be condoned ; the leader of the Opposition -was — well, a collection of very dreadful things ; and Mr Walter Johnston -was the incarnation of uselessness, and ineligibility. But a gradual change is coming o'er our contemporary, In Wednesday's issue, he admits " Mr Johnston's sins have been those of omisßion rather than commission ;" and goes on to say — " We can now believe him a scholar, we feel that he is a gentleman, we can suppose him a statesman, and admit that upon some points his utterances would cany weight as a representative; nevertheless we do not think him an ofmorV Will our contemporary apply these considerations to Mr Snelson, and see how they fit. If we are to reject Mr Johnston because he is not an orator, what are we to do with Mr Snelson, for the same reason f Our contemporary can suppose Mr Johnston a statesman. We are unable to return the compliment upon his pet candidate, not even by the greatest stretch of imagination. We fear our contemporary, while " taking a breather," is looking back longingly upon Mr Johnston, and wishing he had stayed by his side. During the year he has consistently fought Mr Johnston's battles, and doubtless his " better self " is now reproving him for his backsliding. However, we all like to be on the winning side, and we credit our contemporary with the very best intentions in hauling closer up to the wind. He should not, however, rest too lonsr, but "remember Lot's wife." She took "a breather," and got turned into salt. Perhaps our contemporary may " breathe " long enough to be turned into sugar. Committed. — Two men named Benjamin Pepper and William Batchler were committed for trial at Palmerston yesterday ; it appeared the latter had picked up a cheque at Eketahuna for £9 9a, and Pepper bought it from him for £1. Pepper was allowed bail, himself at £200, and two sureties of £200 each. The cases were tried before Mp. ' JUrtrrior. New Zealand Wool.— The N. Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Oo.'s Circular, dated July 4, contains the following : — " Much disappointment had been expressed at the inferior condition of many of the leading New Zealand clips of merino growth which have been fairly represented as to quantity during the past serie# v It would appear that whereas some flocks have suffered from the severity of the last winter in New Zealand, others have been prejudicially affected by drought, according to the locality where the wool was grown. The result in both cases has been alike detrimental, and a comparison of the prices obtained in 1879 and the corresponding period in 1878 will therefore prove especially disappointing. So far as can be judged at present the production of coarse wools in that Colony is on the increase, and it is to be regretted that the want of care in growth and preparation for this market, to which attention has previously been directed in these columnsis still apparent.while the multiplicity of small parcels, wherein these defects are particularly observable, and which fail to elicit the competition secured from larger shipments, tends still further to "depreciate the value oiLNew Zealand coarse wools. Remediul measures in this direction ought promptly to be taken, so that by the exercise of greater care in classing and packing, these wools may in future reach this centre in a more marketable condition, and thereby yield more remunerative returns." The Illusionists. — Messrs Thorn snd Darvin, the Roya l 111 usioniats, gave an entertainment at the Foxton Public Hall on the last two nights. Ve*y large and appreciative audiences met them on each occasion, and the repeated plaudits of the audionce testified to their ability. Chevalier Thome has an inexhaustible fund of quaint sayings, and uses his humorous talent in such a way as not to weary the audience, whilst thoroughly sustaining the interest. The •« tricks " he performs are marvellous and must be seen to be believed. He can ram a silk handherchief into a decanter, which he holds in his hand, and at a word the handkerchief disappears from that in his hand, and ia found to be in another decanter half-a-dozen yards away. He invites the audience to select half-a-dozen cards from a " pack," and he then shuffles them, and stands them in a glass, and at a word the identical cards selected by the audience, ascend from the pack and drop on the table in full view of the spectators. He can take (what appears to be) a live canary in a small square cage, and hold it between his two hands, md it sud - denly disappears like a flash of lightning. He can. secrete about himself four or five glass dishes filled with water, and oan take a dozen rings, and place then one upon the other in different positions. He can draw a glass of sherry out of a bottle one moment, and a couple of minutes after he will break it, and take from it a pigeon with a lady's ring attaohed, which ring and pigeon he appeared to hjld in his hand a second before. Mr Thorna tells his audience in the most tantalising manner, that ",It is very easy if you oioe knew how it j is done." The entertainment all through is a complete and excellent illusion At eve-y " trick" the senses ore bewildered, — and believing one's eyes v quite out of the question. As a "spiritualistic" and illusionary entertainment it is excellent, and a few hours spent with Messrs Thorn and Darvin are most enjoyable. Mons. Calon proves very efficient rs muaical accompanist. .-^A MJJajj^^^^^M^j^K^eting of the Fmr

■we aro not aware if tny other members of tho old Board will offer themselves. It is said some " now blood " will bo brought forward, including Messrs Purcell and C. Honore ; it is also rumored that several former members — Messrs Whyte, Liddell, and Gray, — will be proposed, but we hear it is doubtful if they will consent. [At the Local Board meeting yosterday, Messrs Loudon, Easton, and Cdley stated that they intended to stand for ri-election.] To-Night. — Mr Walter Johnston will addmps tho Otaki electors to-night. **#Foxton School— We are pleased to learn that the attendance at tut Foxton Public School is improving steadily, the number now on the books being 141. Medical, — We desire to direct public attention to the notification in our advertising columns that Dr. Barber may be consulted at his residence, near the Racecourse Hill, fronting the railway (Mr M'Gullocn'B late residence). Highways Board. — The Manawatu Highways Board held its monthly meeting at Palmerston yesterday. A condensed reoort appears in another column. The full report will be published in Tuesday's issue. Local Board. — The Foxton Local Board held a meeting yesterday, at 3.30 pm. As it was thelaat ordinary meeting of the Board, a general " clear up " took jilace, the members being desirous of leaving everything straight for their successors. We have great pleasure in testifying to the zealous manner in which the members have performed their duties. As we have attended most of the meet nga in our professional oapacity, we deem it fair to say that there has been at all times a desire evidenced to expend the rates in a just and economical manmr, whilst the works carried out during the year, in the improvement of the town, show that the Board deserve oredit for their conduct of the public business. Foxtox Choral Society.— Pursuant to advertisement, a meeting of the above Society was held at the Athenaeum on Wednesday evening lust, to ratify or otherwise deal with a resolution passed the previous week to wind up. Mr Thynne, President of the Society, occupied the chair, and forcibly pointed out the desirability of such institutions being perpetuated, as they gave any township a standing higher than it would otherwise have. He strongly urged (he members to refrain from closing it. After some further conversation, the resolution to wind up was put to the vote, which resulted as follows : — For winding up, 4 ; against — 8. The resolution was therefore declared to be lost, and Wednesday next was fixed for a meeting to be held to consider the arrangements for the forthcoming season. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting, Libel. — Mr Wm. Hutchison, one of the candidates for Wellington City, has com21£n5cdan"actionagainst the managers of the New Zealand Times for alleged I libel, contained in the following criticisibs :— "We do not care much about Mr H.ktchison's political opinions, he can taka (them on and off as easy as an old glove. He has no character to loso, and he would be quite prepared to say one thing to-day, and another to morrow if it suited him. He is an adventurer of the most easily recognised type, and although Mayor of the city, we are morally certain that if he is retained in office the citizens will live to regret it. ♦ • • His (Mr Hutchison's) dishonest dealings with his reclaimed sections, his very doubtful transactions with tho bankrupt, Mr EYijfeßt, and his unlawful appointment e£a~ whaii "b4gcjal3^3ihqtiit^^ recent instances df his disregard for the law of the land, and the chances are that they will not be long left without some other illegal acts to keep them company." Mr Hutchison estimates damages at £5000 Tendehs. — Mr Loudon is calling for tenders for clearing and logging several sootions of land. Tenders close on Wednesday next. H. Brown's Estate. — A meeting of the creditors of H. Brown will be held at the Foxton Courthouse on Monday next, at 2 p.m., to consider the desirability or otherwise of granting him a certificate of discharge. Council. — The County^ibuncil holds its monthly meeting on Tuesday next. Native Tkouble Ahead. — We under stand a number of thejsWhakatere natives, who claim the land onrhe east sid» of the Mauawatu river, behind Moutoa, intend to prevent the surveyors engaged on the proposed line from Palmerston to Horowheniia entering on their laud. The reason stated is that some time ago, tho Government promised them certain reserves, which promises have not been fulfiled. Until they receive satisfactory assurances regarding the matter mentioned, they will refuse 10 allow the survey to proceed. We may mention it will be at least 6 or 8 weeks before either of the survey parties are likely to touch their boundary. Paiaki Mill.— Owing to the breaking of the piston of the engine, operations at tho Paiaki saw-mill are temporarily suspended. Surveys. — The survey of the line from Palmerston to Horowhenua is being rapidly pushed on. Mr Hill is in charge of the party working northward from Paiaki,; whilst Mr Armstrong is working southwards \ from Palmerston. It will probably be several months before the survey is completed. Speaking of the line from Palmerston to Horowhenua, the Chief Engineer, Mr Blaokett, in his last report, dated June 30, says: — "From explorations already made it is expected a very fair line will be obtained." Sanson.— Mr Halcombe visited Sanson on Tuesday evening last, and received a vote of thanks. Mr Johnston attended the same place on Wednesday evening, and received a vote of confidence. .Education Board. — At the Education Board n.eeting on Wednesday last, the Inspector reported that amongst others the following teachers had passed — First yeaj^ maximum number of marks obtaMflH 560, minimum 280-Miss E.R. Kee^^^^H aton, 420*; Miss M. H. r^^|^^^H 408; Mixs M. Goodiaon Miss S. B. Nathan, Felid^^^^^fl^^^^H E. Nash, Foxton, 280. E^H^^^^^l Mi9s E. Sedoole, of 423 marks out of a P^^^^^^^^^H classical assistant, Miss A^H^H^^^^^B

on the main South line, the Otajo Daily Times says: —The accident occurred to the goods train -which leaves Clinton for Clarksville at 4 p.m. It had got to within about a mile from Kaihiku station on Friday afternoon, wbeD the engine ran off the rails, down the enbankment of about six feet, and rolled over some thirty yards distant from the line. No cause whatever, it is stated, can be assigned for the mishap. The train was of an average weight, comprising three loaded and five empty trucks ; the engine wai a new one ; and the Hue at the spot was nearly straight. It is assumed therefore, that there must have been some obstruction on the rails. When news of the accident was received in Dunedin, Messrs Grant and Armstrong left for the scene in a special, t&king with them Dr Maunsell. The engine-driver, however, had died long before they arrived. He lived for six hours after the occurrence, and the doctor states that his injuries were so spvere that no skill could have saved him It would appear that the engine toppled over to the side on which h j was standing, and that, having been thrown off it, he received his principal hurt from one of the trucks, the wheel of which struck him on the back and pinned him to the ground.