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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 16, 17 October 1879, Page 2

Choral Society. — The first practice of the above society for the ensuing season was held at the Public Hall on Wednesday evening. There was a very good attendance of performers, and two new mombers took their places. Several choruses were tiied, and were snng very creditably indeed for a first practice. It is intended, if the music can be obtained, to give the celebrated "Market Chorus," from Auber's Musaniello, as the principal chorus for the next concert; the "anvil" chorus from II Trovatore will also bo sung. The Society appears now to have taken a fresh lease of life, and we cordially wish it increased sue cess and prosperity. iErtATED Waters. — We are requested to direct attentioi to the notice attached to Mr Deards' advertisement, announcing that Mr Ed. Cole has been appointed his agent at Foxton. Local Board. — The Foxton Local Hoard will hold its next meeting on Monday next, at 3 p.m. Court.— The next sitting of the RM. Court will be held on Wednesday noxt. Amongst the cases down for hearing is that of Mr J Purcell against the Local Board, for damages sustained through overflow of water. The Hokomai — We have been requested by Mr Greenoush, of Otaki, to state thflt tho Hokomai, which was recently stranded at the mouth of the Waikanao River, is a boat of 16 tons, and that the accident was caused by tho br aking of the tiller when crossing the bar, and not through those on board mistaking the channel. Wo understand strong efforts are being made to launch her, and it is hoped that in a few days she will be in her native element. It is intended to run her up to Foxton for a cargo of timber. She may therefore be expected in our river in a few days. The English Corn Market. — Referring to the English Corn Market, the N. Z. Loan Co' s circular says: — We have to report a continuance of the very unfavorable weather which has so fur characterised the present season. Tho English harvest can scarcely be said to have commenced yet, and in many districts where in ordinary years it would by this time have been almost completed, the crops are still far from lipe. The general yield will unquestionably be a poor one, both In quality and quantity With a considerably smaller breadth of land under wheat this year as compared with 1878, and having regard to the decrease of prod'.ic tion, it is estimated that to compensate for the deficiency, no less than two millions of quarters of wheat will need to be imported into Great Britain during the ensuing ceroal year, in addition to the normal importations. Shipments from the United States during the past month have been unpiecedentedly large, aggregating two and a half millions of quarters, of which more than half is for this country, and the remainder for the Continent The visible supplies are further estimated at twenty millions of quarters. The effect of such enormous shipments has been to neutralise that of our own poor prospects, and prices are on average Is to 2s per quarter lower than at date of our last report. Supplies of Colonial wheat into London have again been heavy. New Zealand descriptions are in fairly good demand, but Australian is comparatively neglected. We quote New Zealand wheat at 46s to Sis per 496 lbs ; Victorian, 50s to 51s; South Australian, 48s 61 to 49s 6d. Beef. — Two mobs of cattle were taken acrosi the river on Wednesday last. The first, a small mob of about 40, were in charge of Mr Crosbie, and were for the firm of Woods, Ciosbie & Co, Wellington. The cattle came from Hangitikei, and were in splendid condition. The second n>ob of about 70 head were driven down to the ferry by Mr Croker. 'ihey came from the Oroiu Downs Station, and gave fine proof of tha quality of the Oroua Downs land for pasturage purposes. These cattle go to Mr Gear's stockyards. The Sandon Railway Co. — A considerable amount of misapprehension prevails amongst shareholders in the Railway Com pany, owin^i to a circular recently issued by the directors. We nay explain that the intention of tho circular is as follows : T o llot the shares to applicants, and to in-

form those who have not already paid up tho <3s per share that the same i.s now due. When the second call is payable, a notice to that effwfc will le issued by the directors. ' Foxton Sawmill. — By advertisement in another column, it will be seen th»t Mr ft. G. Knigli!. lias boon appointed iigent for tlw Foxton sawmill, and is prepared to underta'co orders for timber of various kinds. Otaki Couut.— A sitting of the R. M. Court was to have been held at Otaki on Tuesday last. The only case down fov hearing was that of Harper v. Fly^er, for meat supplied, but tis tho summons was not served, the case was adjourned. "Bulls' Rux."— Two mobs of cattle were ferrried acmss tho Manawatu River on Wednesday last, affording the usual amount of excitement to the townspeople. Wo are pleased to be able to report that no casualties occurred, although there were some very narrow escapes. If tho County authorities do not quickly have either the new reserve fenced, or else the old fence repaired, we very much fear we willhuve to chronicle some fatal auei<lont. The stockmen worked like Trojans, and managed to prevent tho bullocks from charging down the town, although tho infuriated hrutug in several cases gave the men 6ome long and rough rides nut to the soutliwjrd of the town. One or '.wo rather comical incidents occurred during the day. An active old lady was coining down the Tram Iload, when, some distance clown, she espied a bullock tearing along, with some horsemen in pursuit Hastily taking in Hip situation, the old lady, seeing that she was rather heavily handicapped for springing over tho fence, bethought herself of the open drain, and jumping down into that, disap peared under a small bridge till all danger was past. In another case, a beast that had given a great deal of trouble, was being brought back to the yards, when, catching sight of two onlookers the other side of a fence, charged full tilt at them, with head down, and tail extended, sweeping rouud and round. Of course the onlookers " left," ns quickly ns their heels could carry them, and gained a place of safety. Later in the ilny one of tho above individuals was relatinjjf to swine fonr or iivc people h>w it wa3 quite safe to stand when a bulimic charged, but, on being questioned why ho did not put his theory in practice earlier iv the day, his reply was omineutly unsatisfactory. Mn Liddell's New Oven. — Mr J. W. Liddeil, our enterprising fellow townsman, has added a baking branch to his business, to carry on which he has erected a commo dious and exceedingly well appointed baker j'. It stands some distance behind his main buildings, and is built of corrugated iron, the dimensions being 40ft x 13ft. The oven, which is Oft x ti|ft (inside measurement), is fitted with all tha latest and mosc improved appliances, the side walls being 2ft 9in thick, and is capable of b:ikin<i 280 loaves at each batch. At the side of tho ovenj mouth, and above the main fur nace, a boiler is erected for heating water, whilst a small flue lead? off the fumes from the coal which is burnt as fuel ; a stopcock being fitted by which to draw off the water. Below the main entrance is a proving furnace, iv which pastry, cakes, &c., are placed to " rise " ; a small fireplace being <ilso erected, with flue leading into tha main chimney. The bakehouse is well lighted, and fitted up with the necessary tables, bins, &c., whilst an attached apartment is devoted to the accommodation of the employes. The wholo establishment is of a most complete character, and should the trade warrant it, Mr Liddeil will be able to turn out from s<>o to 600 loaves per day, besides pies, &c. We are glad to notice this latest addition to the industries of the township, and hope Mr Liddeil will not regret his new venture. Native Petitions. — The Maoris in the North Island are fond of petitioning Parliament, especially for the granting of things that they are not likely to get. The other day we mentioned that a number of the race had petitioned for £1,000,000 and 1,000,000 acres of land for some real or fancied wrongs inflicted upon them. Now we learn that a number of them have petitioned for a Lieutenant-Governor. What next, we wonder ? — Exchange. Oxe ivm Him. — A few days agn, during the progress of a ball at — well, a Manawntu township — a dandy with an immense display of gloves and shirtfiont, approached a dashing young colonial damsel, who was fanning herself after a dance. Walking up to her he said, "Ah, Mis 3 Dashington, I should so like to bo thut fan, that I might cool those lovely cheeks of yours." "Sodo I, most sincerely, wish that you were my fan, Mr Sloper," she replied. " May I venture to ask why 'i " he breathed in soft accents. " .So that I might shut you up," she replied with a most patronising smile. He imuiediately left, and was last seen nrar the supper table. It is unnecessary to add that ho did not ask that young lady for any more dances. Naturalised. — A Chinaman named Wong Hup, a gardener, residing at Arrowtown, Otago, has beyu made a loyal British subject, hiving received letters of naturalisation. Sheep Returns. — According to returns published in the Gazette, there were at the end of 1878, 1,49.5,708 sheep in the Hawked Bay Provincial District, being an increase of 110,611 shejp over the previous year, notwithstanding Ihe fact tha"t 200,000 had buen boiled down, and 70,000 exported to other districts. The largest flock reported is that of Mr S. Johnston, of Oruawlnira, being 49,000. In the Wellington subdivision, there were only 118,569 sheep, being an increase of 6,805 over 'lie previous year; the largest flock is owned by Mrs M'Manamiu, comprising 6,000 sheep. Iv Marlborough there are 707,100, being an increase of 2),'JSC on the previous year. The largest flock is down to the familiar names of Clifford and Weld, und comprises 49,500. In Canterbury there were on December 31, 1878. 3.350.000 sheep, beiug an increase of 101,248. In 1864 the number of sheep in Canterbury was 1,433,644, the present return showing a large increase, In ihe same district, 1,437 persons own between 500 and 1000 sheep, whilst 53 own between 10,000 and 20,000, 8 owning Uoeks of between 40,000 and 00,000. The largest flock in Canterbury is that of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, at The Levels, comprising 86,000 sheep, ilIrG, 11. Moore, of Glenmark, coming next with 80.000. The number returned for Otago is 3,482,063, being a decrease of 445-837, mainly accounted for by losses attributable to continuous snow-storms ; whilst 24,467 were exported to other parts of thn Colony, and 74,500 were boiled down. Sir Dillon Bell owns 55,000 sheep; K. Campbell, jun., four flocks containing 214,000; Dulgetty, Nichols and Co., two flocks numbering together 164,732 ; J. F. Kitching, Moa Flat, 80.854. The New Zealand and Australian Laud Company is again well up, having 11 runs, mostly freehold, upon which are 205,349 sheep. Mortality At Parihaka. — By the statement of a native who has just returned from Parihika, it would appear that fever is thinning the ranks of Te Whiti's followers. During the last meeting, some forty-six adults are reported to have died, ajul a large umber are still in a precarious mte. It

is really not to be wondered at that disease breaks out where there is such a large gathering of people— people naturally un clean in their habits, and who huddle themselves together like pigs. A chance has now occurred for Te Whiti to exercise his supreme power ; and by clcansinir the desensed, he will no doubt ba exulted far above any position ho has hitherto held amongst the native race- — Patea Mail. Boiiouait Association. —At a recent meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council, the Mayor said he thought tho time had arrived for a Municipal Association, to be formed to hold district meetings, either representing Otajjo and Canterbury combined, or separately, once say, in three months. Such an organisation would be useful, because it would supply a meuns of obtaining loans by combined action, which could not be dono separately on advantageous terms in the London market. Ho proposed that they should, in the meantime, form a Canterbury Association with delegates meeting say in Christchurch. He referred to the ease with which a number of Boroughs goirg in for a large loan might obtain money. Again, the delegates of the Association would have the power r.f considering proposals to borrow, and henca they would put a check on impolitic borrowing on thn part of small bodies. He considered the system proposed would be immensely beneficial to local bodies if extended over the Middle Island. It was possible that the suggestion might be looked/ upon with coldness by some of the largtw centres, but ho thought it was a usefel onrf, aud that they would not be too bu to accept a wise suggestion from. a smaller body. A resolution embodying the suggestion was carried. The Rabbit Nuisance. — Referring io the rabbit nuisance in Otago, the Chief Inspector of Sheep, Mr B. Bayly, reports that the greatest loss to sheep owners last year took place in country infested by rabbits, a 9 not only is the pasture soiled, but tho constant disturbance of the stock in destroying the pest enfeebled the sheep to such a degree that they were in no condition to withstand the unusually severe winter. From personal observation Mr Bayly thinks the evil is " slowly and surely spreading throughout Otago proper." On one property he i-stunates that 30 meu and 6< 0 dogs are employed in the destruction of rabbits. He adds : — " Possibly some good might be effected by offering bonuses for cheap and effective methods of rabbit destruction, either chemical or mechanical. I witnessed a* the Castle Rock Station the use of bi-sulphate of carbon, which has been found very successful there ; and I believe that wherever burrows in stiff clay soil exist it will be very efficacious. There is great difficulty, however, in obtaining this chemical ; but lam informed that plant is low on its way, so that it may be manufactured iv the colony.' ' Mv Shepherd's Inconsistency. — Mr Shepherd, M. U.K., for Waimea, is a noto rious railsitter, and seems to have got mto trouble. The Nelson people have, rightly or wrongly, got the . impression that Mr Macandrew is opposed to their interests, especially in railway matters, and accordingly his constituents exacted a distinct pledge from Mr Sbephard that he would oppose any Ministry of which Mr Macandrew was a member. Upon Mr Hull's no-confidence amendment, however, Mr Shephard voted with the Grey Government, and ha 9 been called upon by his constituents to resign. Poor Shephard ! " Unstable as water, thou. shalt not excel !"