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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 38, 6 January 1880, Page 2

The Third Tbaiv. — A great deal has been said and written about a third train to and from Fot toil, and a vast amount of promises have been uttered, and excuses made for their nonfulfilroent. The chief excuse has been a lack of engine power, but we notioa from a return attached to the public works statement that on tho Wangaimi-Foxton line there are at present 14 locomotives, 10 first-class carriages, 15 second-clas* do, f> brakes, 18 timber truck?, 4 catile do, 8 sheep do, 5 horse boxes, 555 covered goods wagons, 67 high side do, and 108 low side. Surely with that number of locomotives upon a Hue 95 miles in length there cannot be a lack of engine power. Bbadshaw's Gitide. — We have received the January number of the above excellent publication* It coatains a very large amount of valuable information, and no merchant's office or storekeeper's desk should be without it. The Rimatakoi Races. — Our readers are reminded that the Himatangi Rajes take place on the course, about three miles from Foxton, this day, commencing at 51 a.m. The programme is published in another column, and those who enjoy a d.y's racing sport snoulil not miss the opportunity. There will be a special train from Foxton at 10 o'clock this morning, by which visitors will be able to proceed to Himatangi, returning at A p.m. Every effort has been made by Mr Whyte to make successful arrangements, and we can safely promise) a day's genuine sport to all who attend. The Atproachixo Regatta. — We trust the regatta will commend itself to the sympathies and pockets of the district. For years past it has been the Custom to hold a regatta on Anniversary Day, and now that vre have a Bowing Club, and a largely in* creased shipping trade, our annual regatta should improve. Last year, ab will bo remembered, a n>ost successful holiday was spent, two crews attending from Wanganui, whilst over £80 was given away in prizes. Probably the depression in trade may prevent the prizes being so large on this onca sion, but if a thorough convass of the district is made and every settler contributes a small amount, a good programme Bhould be got up. Highways Matters. — An adjourned meeting of ratepayers in No. 3 Ward was to have been held at the Foxton Athenreum on Saturday evening last, but at the appointed time only three or four persons attended, and after waiting for a short time they wended their way nomeward. The fail are of the meeting was due to the fact that not having been advertised, ratepayers were not aware of it. R.JI. Coubt. Otaki.— A sitting of the R, M. Court was held at Otaki on December 27, when Michael Tobin was charged by Constable Coylc with being drunk and disorderly, and wi>B fined 10s and costs, 2s, or 24 hours' impisonment ; for a second offence, malicious injury to property, ho was fined 10s and costs, or 48 hours' imprisonment. The Otaki Lock-up. — The above edifice ia good for little else beside causing a hearty occasional laugh. A few days ago, a man named Tobin was fined 1 0s and costs for malicious injury to property, such injury consisting of the destruction of one of | the boards of the look-up. The building is j of such a character, that Magistrates are afraid to commit prisoners to it, in case they escape ! We presume tho frailty of his prison tempted poor Michael in thia case, with the result mentioned. Court Sittings. — A sitting of the R.M. Court will be hold at Foxton to-morrow, before R. Ward, Esq., R.M. There will be no criminal business transacted, — only a few unimportant debt cases, and a charge of allowing cattle to wander. Local Board. — A meeting of the Foxton Local Board will be held at tbe Athen - teum on Thursday next, at 7.30 p.m We may explain that the Board have doi termined to hold their meetings in future at the place and hour mentioned so as to give ratepayers an opportunity of listening to the discussions. In tho old meeting place at Mr Palmer's office, there was barely room for the Commissioneis, whilst the accommodation of the public wan a sheer impossibility. These difficulties will be done away with in future, and we may expect, the attendance of an admiring audience to have a magical effect in developing the oratorical powers of our City fathers. Seriously speaking, the attendance of the Eublic is a wholesome check upon all pubo bodies, and the ratepayers should show their appreciation of the action of the Board by " rolling up " on Thursday night. Foxton Beoatta. — A meeting was held at Whyte's Hotel, on Saturday evening last, to organise the arrangeraeats for the Foxton Regatta, 1880. Mr J. T. Stewart was voted TO the chair. It was resolvsd, " That the usual Foxton Regatta be held on January 22 (Anniversary Day.)" Mr Wm. Shore was appointed Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, and it was also resolved to request Captain Mowlem to act as Judge. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee, with power to add to their number, vis., Captain liatt, Messrs J. T. Stewart, A. Burgess, A. J. Whyte, E, 8. Taynne, F. London, A. W. Howe, J. Young.

J W. Liddell, aud Gr. W. Russell, with Judge and Secretary members <•* qfflcio, 5 to form a quorum. Mr Russell was requested to arrange with some suitable person to caavass the district for subscriptions towards the Regatta funds, an allowance to be made at per cent, upon all moneys col lected. It waa resolved to hold a meeting of the Committee this evening, at Whvte's Hotel. Separation.— The feeling throughout the Foxton Ward is very strongly in favour of separation from North Manwai v, and we believe the settlers will to a man sign the necessary petition. There has been some talk of joining on to the proposed Sandon Bo ird, but such \ plan would be unworkable, as the settlers in both districts are in favour of purely local self government. VetEeinauy Surgeon.— We are pleased •o notice that a much-felt want in this district is about to be gupplied, Mr C. W. Langstone having determined to settle in it, and practise as a Veterinary Surgeon. Air Langstone, who is a M.K.C.V.S., has had great experience in the treatment of both equine and bovine ailments and dis eases, and we have no doubt his advent in ManawaUi will bo hailed with satisfaction by the farmers and stockowners of the district. His precise location has not yet been ibted, but will probably be made known in our advertising columns in a few days. The Esplanade. — Our attention has been called several times of late to the condition of the liver bank road, at rear of Mr Liddell's property. As is well known, thiß is the only approach by cart or trap to the wharf, and is also a very pretty promenade — in fact, the best in Foxlon. During the past few weeks it has been turned into a workyard, makiug it utterly impossible for vehicles to reach the wharf, and extremely inconvenient for footpassengers — the whole advantage of the place for a promenade being destroyed. We are quite aware that permission was asked, an<l given, to use the afreet, but the Chairman of the Local Board distinctly stated all the contractors wanted waß permission to lay a line of rails npon which finished trucks could be run out to be painted. Instead of this a line of rails has been run the whole way round to Mainstreet, down the centre of Liddell street, whilst the Esplanade has been converted into a workyard. Wo are sure the Local Board would not have granted permission had it been known the public street* would bo left in the condition they are at present, and we therefore advise that body, in the interest of the ratepayers, to insist on the original condition being adhered to, and the Esplanade at once cleared of everything but the line of rails and trucks on same. Highways BoAitn. — The Manawatu Highways Board met yesterday at Palmerston, when all the members were present, except Mr Farmer. Tenders were accepted for metalling Fagan's Road (Sandon), and formation on Whale Road (Carnarvon;, the money being provided out of funds voted by the County Council. The Engineer was instructed to prepare a schedule for next meeting of the liabilities of the Hoard for works iv progress. The Board will meet ou January 15, to consider the valuation list prepared by Mr Linton. Ministerial. — The Native Minister ar* rived in Foxton last night, m route for Wellington,, to which place hu will proceed per coach to -day. Coxstahle Cotlr. — 'A correspondent writes to us as follows, under date Otaki, January 2, 1880: — "Otaki, Jan. 2, 1880. Dear Sir — We are about to lose the services of Constable Coyle, for some time stationed in this district. We cannot part from him without stating our opinion that we are losing the services of a most excellent officer. His gerviccs have been in requisition on many trying occasions. He ha 9 added Courage and perseverance to the faithful and gallant discharge of arduous duties. He will be a great and valuable acquisition to any district that may secure his services. — I am, your 3 &c, A Settler ANn J.P." Pilotage Dues. — The following are the pilotage dues collected at Foxton during the past three years, viz. : — 1877, £77 3s ; 1878, £«2 13s Id ; 1879, £1U 12s Cd. The light dues collected at Foxton duxing the six months ended December 31, amounted to £12 3s Id. Struck. — A large number of operators in the Telegraph Department have " struck," owing to the vexatious nature of the regu* lations which came into force on the Ist instant. Public sympathy throughout the Colony is entirely with the operators, oh it is felt they are a hardworked net of men, with but poor salaries. Riots.— The riots down South on Boxing Day have resulted in a large number of rowdies being committed for trial. Judge Johnston will probably teach them a severe lesson. Holiday. — We hear a general holiday will be kept in Foxton to-day, owing to the Himatangi Races. Entbies.— We are requested to state that owing to a number of natives not having properly understood matters connected with the Himatangi races, entries will be received on the ground by Mr Whyte, ud to half an hour before each race. Fee Stamps.— lt is said that, in consequence of the inconvenience which suitors have experienced in hhving to pay all Court fees by affixing stamps to the various document in a case, the Government have determined to revert to the old system of cash payments. A Ltjckty Ticket.-— Mr AJ. Whyte's lucky star has lately been in the ascendant, he having drawn two horses in Tonks Greymoutb. sweep on the Melbourne Champion Stakes. Tho sweep was for £2677, £600 of which went to starters, and a similar amount to nonstarters The horses Petrea and Avernus fell to Mr Whyte, the former of which whb third horse, thus plaoing a very handsome Now Year's Gift in the hands our fellow-townsman, whilst Avernus, being a nonstarter, will entitle Mr Whyte to about £15, so that ho is to be congratulated on the auspicious manner in which 1880 has opened to him. More Light. — The Brisccl Mercury says that Mr B. Kitt, the gas engineer to the Bristol sanitary authorities, has hit upon a device by which the lighting power of public lamps cuu be greatly increased without augmenting their consumption of gat. Mr Kitt' s plan is to substitue for the present single burner a couple of burners, eaoh consuming only half the quantity of gas per hour, and to suspend between these two small flames a convex lens, which acts as a powerful reflector. The plan was submitted to a practical test, and was found to anßwer perfectly, the reflector causing each tiny gas jet to appear in the distance like a globe of strong light. A Dangerous Business. — Frank Frayne, who calls himself a " shooting star " actor, has devised a way of endangering two lives at once in his stage riflo feats. He shoots an apple off his wife's head, and the bullet hits mechanism attached to the trigger of a second rifle, from which is shot a bullet piercing an apple suspended close over his own head. Mrs Frayne has only one thumb. The other was popped off by her husband last winter. — English paper. Musical Item?.— Mr Arthur Sullivan, composer, acd Mme. Antoinette Sterling, OQtttnlto, have each ra^ciyed over $000 doJ»,

already upon " The Lost Chord," the song which Mr Sullivan wrote for Mrs Sterling only two years and a half ago. — Sims Reeves, the English tenor, intends to make a farewell tour next year. He has already been offered £2">,000 by an English manager. Money Market. — We are unable to report any amelioration in the condition of our money market, which continues almost 88 stringent &8 ever. The successful floating of the New Zealand Loan in the London Money Market will, no doubt, exercise to some extent a beneficial effect; bat of much greater importance is the recent advance in the values of wool and other colonial produce, which, if permanent, will be a great relief to our shecpfarmers, and others interested. Our harvost of grain is likely to be large, if the recent somewhat wet weather should be followed before long by a Bpell of good harvest weather, such as wo usually get at the beginning of the new year. Business engagements continue to be fairly well met, and trade is on the whole sounder than it has been for some time past. In the open market the demand for money on mortgage of real estate is still far in excess of supply, and a consi- ! tierable sum could be placed on £ood secu-' rity at from 10 to 12 percent. — Wellington Price Current. \ he Propeetv Tax —The following pro perty is exempt from the operations of the Property Tax :— (1.) All agricultural implementß in actual use. (2.) All property of the Crown, or of any local body, or of any company or Soo.ety of perflons not formed -vholly or mainly for the purpose of gain or profi*JdivisuMe amongst the shareholders. (3.) All churches and other pines used exclusively for Publin Worship. (4.) All property of, or vested in, any body or persons lor public charitable, or public educational. (.3.) All properly of, or vested in, any public body, sooiety, or persons and uaed only for the purposes of public health, or recreation. (C) All public reserves of whatever nature made under any law granted to, or vested in, any body or persons. (7.) All property of Maoris. (8 ) All property owned in reversion, remainder, or expeotanoy of nny kind, the owner thereof not having any present beneficial interest therein at the time an assessment is rande thereof. (9.) All vessels of any kind. (10.} All policies of life assurance. The Jane Dopt,i.Aß.— The steamer Jane Douglas returned to port on Saturday morning with her machinery disabled. She left Wellington on Friday for Kaikoura aud Waipapa. When off Flixbourne the connecting rod of the high pressure engine broke short off, smashing the cylinder cover, besides other slight damage. Steam was immediately shut off, and the disabled engine disconnected. The stenmer then worked back to port under the low pressure engine, with the aid of her canvas, arriving in port at 1 1 a in. on Saturday. The execution of the repairs has been entrusted to Mr K. W. Mills, of the Lion Foundry, and are expected to be completed about Wednesday next. — K. Z. Times, of Monday. AOUDKXT TO TIIE EoTOMAHASA. — Tho N. Z. Times of yesterday says: — The Union Company's ss. Rotorrahana had a most miruculous esoape from total wreck on New Year's Day, while on an excursion trip from Auckland to the Great Barrier Island, with ovor 350 passengers. What might have been as fatal a disaster as that which occurre3 recently on the River Thames was happily averted by the fact of the steamer being built of steel; competent authorities alleging that tho vessel would have sunk instantly if she had been iron plated The Rotomahana left Auckland on New Year's morning, with about 350 passengers, on an excursion to the Great Barrier (a favorite resort with holiday seekers in the Northern city). When abreast of the island, the vessel steaming some twelve knots, she struck lightly on a sunken rock, and a moment afterwards heavily under the bilge. The engines were stopped at once, but she took a lurch almost on her beam ends, and cleared the rock, her way being never stopped. She then went full speed ahead, and an examination was then made to ascertain what damage she had sustained ; but it was -«oon found not to be of so serious a nature as to endanger in the slightest the safety of the vessel, the steel plates having given to the concussion, and although bulged in, a few rivets started comprised the most of the damage.