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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 36, 30 December 1879, Page 2

New Yeaii'b Day.— Owing td, (he holiday on Thursday next. New Year's Day, Tub Manawatu Mekalo will not be published until Friday afternoon. Railway Travei.iixg. — The disappointment of the holidny jet-ker.s on Boxing Day must certainly have been equally felt by the General Manager of the Wailway, who doubtless expected Boxing Dly to " pull up " conaidorably the receipts for the month. Every provision ha I been made with that view. The whale of the carriages on the line were got ready, whilst every available timber-truck or wagon had been seated, to acoommodtte the large pasaengor traffic expected. The pouring rain, however, prevented the public from t:avellijg, and the Government coffers from being filled. Had a "special" train been started from Foxton about 11 a.m. on Saturday, we believe it would h ive been largely patronised by persons desirous of attending the up-counlry sports. The Moa. — The sfceanw Mo.t is expected to arrive at Otaki in n few days, for the purpose of taking to Wellington a cargo of wool. Otaki Schoolhou.se.— The chief part of the framework of the new schoolhouso at Otaki has been completed, and is up, but further progress is stayed, for lack of timber, owing to the non-arrival of the Osprey. The building, when completed, will be both large and handsome. The site chosen is extremely central, being near the new Post and Telegraph Office, and will greatly improve the appearance of the southern township. The want of a State School has been grrotly felt at Otaki for some time past, and we trust before long it will be supplied) Chbistmas Festivities. —On Friday last, at Palmerston, during an altercation at Dyke's Hotel, between a Scotchman named Robert Kerr (who is well known in this district) and some Scandinavians, one of the latter opened the ball by breaking a billiard-cue over the former's head, and was then joined by four of his countrymen in a violent attack upon Kerr. Somo assist ance was given Kerr, who was rendered insensible, and badly hurt on the ribs, back, and head, and Constable Grilles* pie shortly afterwards arrested two brothers named Hoffman, who were the ahief assailants in the brawl. Tho men were brought before the Court on Saturday last, and were remanded till Monday, bail being allowed for their appearance. We understand that the assault was a moat murdarous one, and eye-witnesses declare that hud not assistance beeu given, in all probability Kerr would have been killed. Utaki Trade, — Numerous enquiries are being made at Otaki, as to when the Osprey, which so successfully inaugurated a trade a few weeks ago, will visit tho port again. From Mr Liddell we learn that a difficulty has been experienced regarding the certificate necessary for the steamer, if trading beyoad the river. It appears that somo time ago a promise was given to him by an official to make the necessary declarations in order to enablo the certificate to bo granted, but on attending at the office to take it out, it was discovered no such declaration as that promised had been made. The effec* of this was of course to throw matters back, but it is hoped in a few days matters will be so adjusted as to enable the little steamer to run regularly. The delay is to be regretted, as the steamer would by this time have been doing a very fair trade. We understand Mr C. Manning, the popular chief mate of the June Douglas, has accepted che position of master of the Osprey, and that he will take command immediately tho sorvices of a competent engineer have been secured. Rrmova.l,.— We regret to heaT that Constable Coyle, of Otaki, is likely to be removed from that township. During the time he has beea in charge of that part of the district, he h»s proved himself a most' efficient officer, having succeeded to a remarkable extent in bringing about a Btate of order. Should be be removed, he will carry away with him the good wishes of a iwge number of persona.

Over Huknles.— Mr J., "Robinson took his horse Bun jo to compete In the Hurdle Race at the aportfl at Paltnerston on Boxing Day. Ah, however, tlie sports were postponed, a match was made for £5 a side between Banjo and a liOwa belonging to Mr Akersi The race Was for half a milcj over two hurdles. Banjo won easily. Palmeuston Spoets. — Tho committee of the above held a meeting at l'almerston on Boxirg Day evening* and decided to postpone tLe holding of the sports till tll9 22nd January (tho anniversary df the settlement Or the province), this decision was brought about by the fact that other attractions were arranged foronSatiii'dayj ihcludingthe Awahuri Itaces and Feilding Sports, and also that the ground would be in a rather sloppy condition after tlie rain. We hope that the pluck of the Pahnci-stonians will be well rewarded by a n.onster attendance on tho day named, should the weather be favourable. Fuee Pass.— We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a free railway pass from Mr Lawson, Commissioner of Railways for tho North Island. A Complaint.— Mr M'Qivern, of Moutoa, has forwarded to us a complaint of injury done to his property by flooding through the drainage. Tub Otaki Races —The forthcoming Otnki races on January 22 (Anniversary Day) are looked forward to with great interest in that part of the district. The subscription list has been very generously filled up, that at Grecnough's hotel having upon it nearly £50, which speaks well for the public spirit of the settlers there. Messrs F. Bright and T. Bills, who are at present in Wellington, aro also canvassing for sul script ions, and it is hoped a good programme will be made up. En passant we may remind tho committee that time ia rapidly slipping by, an I that no further delay should take placo in the publication of the programme. At least the larger events should be at once decided on, and the stakes fixed, so that owners of horacs will know the value of the prizes, and be induced to attend the meeting. Notice of the events and prizes should be given as long before the meeting as possible, to induce a greater number of men and horses to attend. ExcunsioxisTs. — The Jane T»onglas arrived iv port on Christmas afternoon, with about 50 excursionists, iucluding the Wellington " Patchwork Amateur Company." As the steamer came up the river, tho company were heard singing the favorite Saakey n.elody called ''The sweet bye-and-bye." Upon arrival it certainly nppeuved the hymn was more appropiiate than soraeot.hers they might have selected,for the woebegone countenances of several of the company s-howed clyarly that the " past,' had not been sulticiently " sweet " to form the subject of joyous •song. Probably there was not sufficient inspiration in the Ternwiti "rip" or the westerly " swell" to call forth a song, whilst the " sweet bye-oud-bve" of their holiday at Feilding had its prospective delights iutensified by the remembrances of a " night at sen." as the steamer neared tho wharf her gun was fired in honour of the ocnasion, whilst the bridge and after-deck, which were packed with excursionists, pvesenlttd a vtry animated appearance. During the stay of the steamer at Kapiti, waiting for the ride to make, a number of the exciu'diontPts went ashore and inspected tlie island, bringing back with them to the ship a quantity of Karaka branches', with which the Dooglaj was decorated from topmast to stern, the effect bein« heightened by the hunting which was displayed. Acciubxt. — On Saturday morning lust a painful aeclleut happened to Mr A. J. Whyte's eldest daughter, Agnes Whilst engaged in some domestic duties, a teapot was capsized en her neck, and a portion of the contents went down her back, scalding her very severely, a large portion of skin coming away when the clothes were removed. Dr Burbitr was sent for, and speedily arrived, when the sufferer received every attention at his hands, and we are glad to say is now recovering from tho effects of the accident. A Good HonsK. — On his last trip to Wellington, Mr R. Stevens made a wager for £10 thai he would ride his horse from the Empire City through to Bulls in fifteen hours. On Wednesday morning last, a start was made at 4 o'clock, and Mr Stevens made Foxton at 3.30 in the afternoon with his plucky horse seemingly as fresh as ever. After resting some little time, another start was made, and Bulls was reached easily within the time. Counting the distance from Wellington to Foxton at 75 miles, and 24 miles from the latter place to Bulls, via Sandon, would give 99 miles as the distance travelled in 15 houro. This is romarkably good work, and Mr Stevens possesses a good hor.-o. The woight the horse carried would be about 10 stone* Clearing Sale. — Mr Win. Smith, of Otaki, announces a great clearing sale of drapery, grocery, clothing, hardware, &c., &t his store. Settlers in that part of the district should pay an early visit to the establishment, and secure some of the bargains offered. Suirj'ixG. — The schooner Elizabeth has beeu rather unfortunate in her visit to this port. She arrived here some 18 days ago, aud proceeded to the Paiaka Sawmill, to load tin>ber On arrival there, Captain Cochrane fonnd that all the timber available for.shipment, with the exception of some 8,000 feet, had been seized, owing to Mi M'Beth's insolvency. After loading that quantity, and waiting some days to see if matters could be arranged, the schooner came down the river, and is now loading a cargo of poles for the Telegraph Department, to be landed at. Wellington. She will be ready for sea in a day or two. A Uia Pole.— During tho laijt visit of Dr Lemon to Foxton a few days a io, it was brought under his notice the damage the telegraph wires might sustain where they cross the river from the hillu above Ihakara's bend, by vessels going up the river with their topmasts standing, aud not noticing the fact thut the wires were stretched across tho river. The necessity of some thing being done was brought prominently wider tho General Manager's notice by the fact tbat he was crossing on the punt when the sohooner Elizabeth was going up to the mill, and the wires would undoubtedly have been carried away then, had not Mr Gannaway, who was passing in his boat at the time,Jdrawn the captain's attention to them. Dr Lemon at once gave orders for a high pole to be sent here for the wires to be fastened to on the hill, and a monster pole — 40 feet loug, 16 inches square at the butt, and a foot square at the top— was brought do>vn by rhe midday train last Wednesday. When this pole is put in position, the wires will be placed out of all danger of being carried away by the masts of passing vessels. Nautical Enquiry. — An enquiry into tho recent stranding of the schooner Jane Andcreon will ba held at tho Court House to-morrow, before R Ward, Esq, P.M., and Captain Batt, as Nautical Assessor. Had the stranding not been of such a serious nature the Collector of Customs would havo held the inquiry, but that officer thought it would be bettor to have tho matter investigated by a Court comprised as above. The Huia is expected to-morrow, so the evidenoe of Captain Wills and others on her will be available*.

iMPBovEitKSTsi at Otaki.— Amongßt other improvements at Otaki, we uotic/s considerable alterations bein<r made to the shop and dwelling house of Mr Win, Smith, storekeeper. The Verandah round the former has been removed, aad a handsome front is being erected on the edge of the footpath, to which the shop will be extendedi Two large plate glass windows will be placed in the front, one on each side of tho entrance, white*, a large Sign board will surmount tho front, giving tho shop a greatly improved appearance. Mr Smith Is also making a handsome addition to his private house, adjoining the shop. Tho whole premises, When completed, will be exceedingly neat aud commodious, and a credit to Otaki. Ckcikkt.— By late Melbourne papera to hand, we have iutelliaonce of some very "tall cricket," nothing approaching it having ever beeu recorded south of the Equator. A TuSmanmn team was sent over from the " tight little island " to do battle against the East Melbourne cricketers, but had to go back again without even obtaining au innings. The total scored by the East Melbourne Kleven was 742, out of which 250 has to bo placed to the credit of Horan, who carried" out his bat. This splendid batsman was one of the Australian team sent to England. A New Industry.—! writer in the Bay of Plenty Times says :— The potato, which is so prolific here, has not yet, so far as 1 am aware, been applied to any purpose of manufacture, while in other countries, where it is grown under less favorable circumstances, it is extensively utilised, in tho production of starch, spirits, vinegar, &c. We import here starch to the value of from £8000 to £10,000 annually, all of which might easily be made in small mill? established upon rivers or streams ia the vicinity of a potato-growing district. An immense quantity of potato spirits is made in Eu rope, and probably enters la-gely into the composition of the choice brandies, whiskey?, and other liqnors which are consumed with so much relish iv New Zealand, at" an import cos* of some A' 25,000 or £30,000 (exclusive of wines and beer). Vinegar is imported to the value of £12,000 annually, the greater part of which might find an equally good and cheaper substitute in the product of the potato, whilo the finer sorts might bo made in the vinegrowing districts. At Sea — The joung Princes Albert Victor and George of Wales, who have joined tho Bacchante, occupy two cabins fitted up for their reception ; they mess with the other midshipmen in the gunroom. Ah naval cadets their Royal Highnesses are each entitled to tho remuneration of one shilling a day. On their promotion to midshipmen they will receive pay from the Admiralty at the rate of Is 9il per diem, subject by tho rules of the service to a deduction of £5 per annum when receiving instruction from a naval instructor. Their sleeping cubin is under the poop— tho ship having boen built for an admiral — on tho port side, and in it aro placed a couple of swing oots supported by iron stanchions The cabin is hung with portraits of the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wale*, and Princess Beatrice, but there are no decorations of any kind. The Princess of Wales presented a handsome harmonium for use at Divine service, and a number of lithographs to the wardroom and gunroom moss. In consideration of the exceptional character of the cruise, the Lo d* of the Admiralty placed a small sum of money at the disposal of Lord Charles Scott, from which he can at his dis* ccetiou make grants to either mess when it is called upon to play the path of host. Lawn Tkxsis.— An exchange says this is the ugliest and siliieslgume ever invented. It obliges women to run, and hence there are moments when the .prettiest girl engaged in this imbecile game becomes * fright. Men who play lawn tennis should when they are tired of it, sit down nnd here handkerchiefs or dura socks. To see ay able-bodied man, with hair upon his. face playing this game is one of the moal humiliating spectacles that can be imagined, Pkess Matters — Arrangements have been definitely concluded for the rnnalga. mation of the two New Zealand Press Telegraph Agencies. From the end of the present year there will be only one Agency, The two morning newspapers will be amalgamated on the Ist January. The New Zealancler has been purchased by Mi Bain, M.H.R., and the New Zealand Time; by Mr Chantry Harris, a shareholder in Mi Bain's paper, the Southland Times. It is understood that the new morning journal will be in the Conservative interest. It is said that Messrs Bain and Harris an merely represeatatives of a firm of uoutherr. capitalists, though they will themselves hold shares in the new paper. Mr Chantry Harris is fo be editor and businoss manager, —Wellington Chronicle.