Untitled

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 40, 13 January 1880, Page 2

Tiir Bridg*? Jon.— We did not refer to the Avenue Bridge job when Mr Rockstrow carried his motion iv tho Oounty Council, as wo desired to heur the explanation of Mr Gray's rather singular action before doing so. That explanation is unsatisfactory. Mr Rockstrow evidently ■rot the blind side of Mr Gray, ancl cajoled him iuto an illegal action, in writing such a request as ha did without tho sanction of the Board ; the expenditure of £50 on the work in question beiug utterly unnecessary at present. The Avenue Bridge is a substantial one, and though slight damage was dono by a storm a few months ago, in weakening the ap proaehes, the Locai Board spent the sum of .fill in puttirg it into first class repair, it being now "as good as new." Why, in the face of that, the sum of £50 should vow bo thrown away in the erection of a now structure, is a difficult thing to under stand. The real explanation of course is the fact that Mr Rockstrow resides near, and is in possession of considerable property in -he viciuity. Whether uny property iii that part of tho town is likely soon to come into the market, wo have no means of knowing, but ifc is certain the property near by wouid bo considerably enhanced in .alue by tho erection of a handsomo bridge, or tho levelling of the roadway for the formation of a culvert. Certainly thero was uo need for hurry on puhlic grounds, as the bridge was, is, and will bo for years, perfectly safe, with slight expenditure for repairs, as tho necessity may arise. We would remind Mr Gray that if ho will look over the Estimates again he will see these unexpended items : — Culvert oyer Awahou Creek, Main-street, £120; Foxton-Sandon road, £50* road from Mr J.T. Stewart's corner to tho Brickfields. £'30. These were all in Mr Rockstrow' s celebrated estimates, and if no oue else will romind him of them, we will do so (as ho is a constant reader of a freo Press), in '-he hopo that now ho has svirewed up Hufficiont courage to try and get the Avenue I'-ridgo done for his own benefit, he will do some small act for tho general good. Meantime, ns the Local Board nre not competent to spend tho £50, having no Engineer, and as it would bo a pity to waste money in such hard time-:, we suggest thoy should at once obtain the £.0, and let it out on mortgage to needy rate payers. That would be far bettor than throwing it into the Awahou Creek. Regatta Entertainment. — Active steps are being taken for the purposo of supple mentiug tho sport . on Regatta Day by an entertainment in the evening, at tho Public Hall. Wo un tcrstand that several new faces will appear at the ontertaiument, which is intended by the promoters to be of a rather lighter class than those generally given, nnd which will be varied by the introduction of the dramatic element. The jprogrammo will comprise vocal selections, both comic and sentimental, recitations, readings, and a dramatic sketch by two gentlemen, one of whom has .alroady made a name for himself by his excellent singing and acting at tho entertainment given on behalf of the Rowiug Club. The services of our best vocalists have been secured for the occasion, and we hope that the performers will receive a bifmper house, and that a substantial sum will be handed

over to the Regatta Funds ns the result. Tho entertainment will bo given for an objeot that should heartily commend itself to the sympathies of residents in the district;, and we hope that they will show their appreciation of the e_fort9 of those instrumental in organising the regatta by nsembling atthe Hall on the 22nd January. To Contractors. — We ato requested to call tho attention of contractors to the alteration in advertisement re metalling Mangaoneßoad, Tenders will be received or th c work in half -miin sections. Court. — There will be a flitting of the It. M. Oourt at Otaki to-day, when a man nam-'d smith will be charged with a breach of tho Licensing Acfc, in sly grog selling at Puikakaiiki. The Bench will be occupied by Justices of the Peace. Mfetikc; or Creditors.— A meeting of creditor.- iv the estate of Mr F. K. Crowther was held at Palmerston yesterday. Bir T. K. Macdonald, of Wellingtoh, represented the firm of Jacob Joseph & Oo , who hold a bill of sale. Mr Thynno was elected Chairman, ami was also appointed trustee, Mr Wingate, of tlio firm of Waring Taylor & Co., being supervisor. Ali. Saints' Chuku it — A meeting' of parishioners of All faints' Church, Foxton. wns held on i- riday last, at 7.30 p.m. Thero was a limited attendance. The meoting was c died to consider various matters in connection with the Church — especially finance. It was resolved to continue the present arrangement until the end of March, and to inform his Lordship the Bishop of the difficulty experienced in providing the nece'Sary funds for the support of the clergyman, and request him to suggest a plan which would not press so heavily on a few. Mr J. N. Flower also handed in his resignation as lay reader to the church. We understand the Church will in future be open only on alternate Sundays, when the Rev. J. A. Newth will officiate. Catholic Church. — The Rev. Fr. Ryan, of Hawera, was in Foxton on Sunday List, en route for Wellington, where he will attend the "animal retreat" of clergymen 'at the I- ishop 's residence The Rev. Father -gathered the mombers of hi.s churoh tit thn Foxton Courthouse iv the evoniiu uud addressed them in an earnest and impressive manner upon matters relating to Iheir spiritual welfare. Worse and Wohse. — Mr Macpherson, Foxton Warden on the Manawatu Highways Board, informs us that he has re ceived an amended statement from Mr Hoe, secretary to the Board, of the financial position j^f Ncl 3 Ward. It appears that iv the forjner statement three items, amounting in tho'" aggregate to £83 15s 2d, were charged agaiust the Foxton Ward, whereas tliey should have been debited to the Carnarvon Ward. These amendments give Foxton Ward a credit balance of ;£262 0s 9d, being £49 over the whole estimated rate to be raised from tho Ward this year. This is really going from bad to worse, i.nd if there is one settler in the district who wavers between allegiance to the Board and separation from it, the thought tha** £2.2 is still due to this district, and not a per.ny can be obtained for necessary work.*-, is surely sufficient to decide him in f;:\*or of cutting the cable. Dissolving- Views. — Mr H. Phillips, late (if the ship Ka kaiu, will this evening exhibit the dissolving 1 views brought out from England by Captain Metcalfe, of that ship. Tlio exhibition will take place in the hall at rear of Holmes' boarding hoase, Mainstreet. We may state the views aro highly spoken of by all who have seen them, and wu have seen many complimentary notices of them in both tho Wellington and Provincial papers. Iv addition to the, evening exhibition, there will be ono in tlie afternoon for children, at 3 p.m. There will be a dance at the close of the entertainment to-night. For further particulars, our readers are referred to the advertisement. To Stockowj-EKS. — Mr Langstone, veterinary surgeon, iv another columns announces that ho is prepared to rej.ivo orders for spaying cattle. • Removal.— Mr Robert L. M'Lean, who has for some years past held the position of local agent of the Bank of Australasia, is about to be removed to luvercargill, having received a well-de3erved promotion. During the time Mr M'Lean has resided in Foxton he has made himself a general favorite, having, in addition to extreme .ourteyy in his duties, taken an active part iv all matters for the good of the township. Iv the Choral Society • aud many other matters, Mr and Mrs M'Lean will be greatly missed, and we are suro they will carry away the besfc wishes of all the settlers. We hear a presentation is likely to be made to Mr M'Lean by his frieuds. Mr Cox, who relieved Mr M'Lean hist year, will succeed him at Foxton. Acknowleugment. — We have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of two bottles ol cordials — oue each of pine apple syrup and peppermint cordial — forwarded to us by Mr Goldstnid, of Poxton. They are excellent samples, and wo hope the manufacturer will receive tho patronage which is merited by the q ial ity of the articlo he turns out. Born Under a Luckx 1 Stab.— Mcs-rs Staito and Paln.er.ou, of the up ountry borough, were evidently born under a luo.y star Last year they " pool.-* tc i" l> tween themselves a thousand pouuds (or th.ivabouts) as fir.t prize in tlie West Coast sweep, amidst the congratulations of many friends. This year, again, their luck hns stood them in good stead. Having drawn Buonaparte in the sweep on the Champion Stakes, and not having heard tho names of the starters, Mr Staite concluded his horae was a uonstarter, and was comparing his illluck with the good fortune of .Mr A. J. vVhyto, when iv couversation with that gentleman a few days ago. Great was the ama-'-meiit ofthe lawyer upon being assure! by Mr Whyto that Buonaparte was a start.r, and that tho holders of -ho.ticket were entitled to one fourth of the £GOO devoted to starters. A telegram wii s soou produced, assuring Mr Staite of his good luck, and it is needless to add Buonaparte caused the glasses to fill, and success to the holders was druuk. .From first horse to a starter, is _-.tait.ly a descent, but we shall watch lo soe whether Mr Staite's star will not next ye.ir regain its z uni th, aud onco more bestow upon him first horso. Keep Yoi. a Rates Down, B.v.**. — At the lust meeting of the Munawatu Highways Board, au event occurred which provoked considerable laughter. Tho Valuator, Mr Jas. Linton, attendod iv his official capacity, aud explained tho value of rateable property in tho various Wards. Upon stating tho amount of Ward No. G, which is represented by Mr Dalrymple, a voice was heard from tho Chairman, " That's a capital increase in. my Ward," upon which Mr Linton drily remarked. '• Oh, that's because a lot of sections belonging to you were left out of tho valuation last year,'whilst amidst the laughter this evcJkod a surly momber whispered to his neighbour, " Well, what a -ner vo he had to object to his rates last yoar, when a number of his sections were not included at all!" The Maoui Prisoners.— The Government havo removed the ploughmen from Weliington Gaol — one contingent to Dunedin, and the other to Hokitika.