Manamatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1880.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 60, 23 March 1880, Page 2

Manamatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1880.

Crowded Out. — Owing to tho pressure on our space from reports, letters, &., the usual leading article is crowded out ; also a letter from Mr Loudon, re Local hoard matters, and v report of the R.M. Court. Tub Weatiieu. — The dry weather which has for some months past been experienced in Manawatu broke on Thursday night, and since that, time till the present (Monday, noon) there has bor-n a heavy fall. As "v consequence, a great deal of the country is at present lying under water, and floods have occurred at Oroua, which are reported in another column. The Vacant Skat — On Thursday last, Mr Halcombe resigned his position as member of the Comity ( 'ounoil for Manchester Riding, and on Friday morning proceeded per buir^ry Jo Kopna, in I'uu/C for N.'mier, whence he wdl go on to Auckland in tine to catch the San Francisco mail steamer. We understand Mr Fry, of Kiwitea, is spoken of as likeiy to be a candidate for the seat in the Council rendered vacant by .Mr Halcombo's resignation. We also hear on very good authority that Mr Bailey, of Taonui, has also been asked by a large number of influential electors to contest the sea!, and that he has consented to do so, having very good prospects of success. From what we can learn, wo opine that either of the gentlemen named would be likely to make a good representative, though we rather fancy the Corporation influence will be worked to secure the return of Mr Fry,- as Mr Bailey would bo mere likely" to " kick over the traces," than that gentleman. Whoever is elected, we trust he will be a representative that will work amicably with the other members for tho good of the County as a whole. Sale. — Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co. report that their sale of laud and horses on Saturday last passed oil' very satisfactorily, notwithstanding tho prevailing depression. The^ sale room was crowded. Lot 1, tho goodwill of the lease at Carnarvon Station fetched £11. Lot 2, the goodAvill of the lease of part of Block VIII, was sold for £10. Lot !3, allotments 2Sand 31 in Foxton, a little over 7 acres, and on which a sum of £30 was due, fetched £5. Lot -1, being two town sections in Campbelltown, on which £9 was to pay, only realised £,'■). Lot 5, a section in Taonui street, Palmerston, was run up to £1 3. Lot C, a building only, £10. Let 7, shares in Sandon Flour Mill, only realised one shilling each. The Building Society shares were not offered. Lot 9, the goodwill of business at Makino, brought £175. Lot 10 was withdrawn. Lot 11, two horses, brought £4. Lot \1 wn» passed in, but lots i-'i and 1-i fetched £'25 each. Lot 10, a good hack by Towton, fetched £13. The Sandon seetionf was not disposed of. The toial amount o the sale was near £:JOO. The Shilling Rats.— We il.id that tho shilling rate is by no means so popular even in the Manchester block as we expected it would be. A leading settler a?sured us a few divs ago that largo numbers of the settlers there are opposed to the high rate, and that if a vote were taken, he believed uinetenths of them would vote for the sixpenny rate. At Otaki, not :i single set tier supports Mr Kebbell in his action, and a meeting is to be held there during the week to protest against his voting so directly opposite to to the wishes and interests of his constituents. What Mr Macarthur says about road rates being a good ino-i'stiiivtif. is very true, but where are- the settlers who have or arc likely to have any money to inoosl during next year ': They will bo fortunate who can manage to keep their heads above water, without " going in " for investments. Boatinu Ct.ru. — A meeting of the 1 Manawatu Rowing Club, to consider the 1 desirability of purchasing another boat was ' called for Friday night last, but tho heavy rain prevented a full attendance, and the meeting was therefore adjourned till tonight. Meeting at Otaki. —We are glad to learn Mr IvebbelPs action in voting for the shilling rate is not to be allowed to pass unquestioned. A meeting of his constituents will be held this evening, to discuss the matter. AsoTitKit Settlek.— We understand that the property recently owned by Mr Geo. Woods, of Moutoa, has changedhands, the purchaser being Mr Mitchell, formerly owner of the well-known lioyal Tiger Hotel at Wellington. Mr .Mitchell is one of the most real i Id identities, and in his old age is reaping the benefits of economy and hard work during his earlier years. "He is the father of a large family, and is settling his sons on land. Having recently purchased an estate on the Rangitikei line, Palmerston, and placed one sou there, he has now purchased Mr Woods' farm at Moutoa, and inlends placing upon it his eldest son. We hear the price, paid in ha.id cash, amounts to between £o and £0 per nere. Coming from so excellent a stock, we have no doulit Mr Mitchell's sons will n.ake good settlers and we wish them every prosperity in the Manawatu district. Local Board.— A. meeting of the Foxton Local Board will be held to-night, at the Athenaeum, at 7 o'clock. The tenders for tho Avenue Bridge will be opened, and other business transacted. The programme is of sufficient interest to warrant " a crowded house" of ratepayers. Giant Pumpkins —A few days ago we were shown a couplo of monster pumpkins, grown by Mr David Hughey, at his farm, near Motuiti. One of them turned the scale at G3lbs, and the other was only a few pounds under tha* weight. Mr Hughey informs us that he has obtained at least 2 tons weight of fruit from a plot of ground only about 50 feet square. Foxtox-Otaki Road.— On Saturday last tenders for metalling pprtion of the above road, between J. Symons' corner and C. Symons' house, were opened in presence of Messrs Loudon and Rockstrow (Councillors for Awahou) and Mr Hnyns, County

drays axle-deep in mud. Then, instead of a banquet that would do honor to any tow.i in New Zealand, he was glad of a meal in the store at which the emigrants obtained their rations. The table was a box placed in the centre of the room, and the food was cooked in the camp oven which stood in one corner. The contrast showed progrer-s. It proved that, the Briti-di were, admirably adapted for the work of coloni-a'i.ui, and only saw diilionlties to surmount, them. At the start of the settlement there were great difficulties. There were the want of locomotion, the want of means, and what was worst of all, the want of hope, for hardly anyone expected it to be a success. Another difficulty was that tho principals were behind the scenes, and were too far away for frequent commuuicathn, and could neither sec nor conceive the obstacles to success. Then there was tho financial difficulty, and also the fact that men came out finding things different to what they expected, for amongst the home agents there were men who re resented things falsely to the immigrants, so as to secure large profits. But the settlers had British plucic and heart, which had brought them through, and made the settlement a success l He paid a high tribute to the gentlemen associated with him who had, he said, sai riease and comfort to nromote success, and bore testimonyto their disinterestedness, they having seen only one of tho principals of the company, but finding work and responsibility placed on them threw themselves heartily into their work. The Chairman had referred t« the difficulties arising from the Feilding settlement being on forest land. There certainly were difficulties', as at one time they could only traverse the town of Feilding, which was surrounded by bush that had advantages only those who J know could appreciate. 1 hiring the present I d pression in the timber trade, which was their chief export, he saw the need of care j and economy, bu' no cause for despondency, fov they h.-d all the elements of future prosperity and untold weilth. Though the Mmbrr was a great difficulty it whs also a srreat advantage. They had a forest tbe like ef which they would never see again, ft was the growth of centuries, and if they enulil only .yi.-t it .ippi-eei.-iferj over the world it would bring them wealth and prosperity. Already it had eiven the district a high position in the Colony. Canterbury had been referred to as an instance of progress but the early settlers Hiere had difficulties also. A high hill divided the port from tho good land, and where Ohrisfchurch now stands was at one time a vast swamp. Their roads were for years masses of mud, no mon y came in, whilst quantities were going out, nor could they see (as those present did) the great future lying right before them. Time had done for Canterbury what he expected it would do for Feilding, for ho felt sure that notwithstanding his high cnlogmm, tho Chairman bad still underestimated its future. The soil of the block was far superior to any similar mass in the South Island, their roads were extending, and they had the benefit, of mci eased scientific knowledge. On arriving off Nelson 2o years before, an old settler who was on board the same ship refused to believe the pilot's statement that a steamer was in port. Yet to-day, the Colony possessed a magnificent steam fleet. If 13 years ago any one had said that to-day New Zealand would possess over 1000 miles of railway, he would have been regarded as a madman. Yet these were accomplished facts. He looked forward to the time when Feilding would number its population by thousands, and when he would see pouring into it, wool, grain, and other produce as into Christ church now. It was almost impossible to do what the Chairman had asked him— give an account of the progress of the settlement— without appearing egol istical. But he would assure them that throughout he bad done hisbe^r. He felt he had made mistakes, he might have worked harder, shown greater energy, and pushed things more. He hoped they WOllld overlook these things, and believe that ho had been actuated by an earnest eager desire to further the interests of those under him, and do the mo<t perfect justice to all. (Applause.) Ho might have trod upon the corns of some. Tf so, he asked at parting their forgiveness, and that diey would believe what ho had done had been matters of duty. Ho knew in other parts of tho district if, was felt he. was willing to sacrifice th-m for tho good of Feilding. To this he gave a pubiio denial. Me had never done what would injure oth^r districts, nor had he undervalued them. It was impossible to serve two masti rs, and he had endeavoured to honestly serve u;ie, —that is, tho district in which he lived, and whose interests he was bound under all circumstances to promote. He would refer to the. hito election. He had sought the position of representative as an honorable one, in which he thought ho could do good for the whole district. The majority had placed that honorable position in the hands of another man,— a gentleman who was ona of his oldest and best friends. The contest had not made the slightest difference between them, nor had Jio the slightest illwill toward all who honestly opposed him. He appreciated tho opposition of those who fought against him on principle. Probably in future years he would ask the same honor. Then he hoped their differences would be settled, and if again defeated he would accept the decision with all humility. Ho was an immense believer in the voice of the majority, but thought now (as at thr election) they would have done right in electing him. (Laughter.) He was anxious to remove a lurking suspicion that at this time of depression he was trying to Sihii k his duty ; but it was the depression •hat enabled him to get away. Also, in going homo ho thought he could as sisf, tho future progress of the place. Their greatest source of wealth— the timber — was not properly appreciated, and he thought he would be able to bring it just now under the favorable notice of Hie English mauafaeturers. Isolated shipments had been sent before, but the manufacturers said, '• What's tho u-o of our educating the people to use your timber, if We cannot rely on a regular supply." He intended to assure them that if a fair price could be obtained, regular and large sue. plies would be forwarded, and hoped that as tlio result of his visit :i steady trade would spri g up. He also referred to the visit of the Lincoln shire delegates as evidencing a great desire on the part of the English people to emigrate, more especially those with capital, because tho high rents and taxes, and the heavy competition, prevented farming from paying. They might rely that though leaving Feilding lie would' bo present hi spirit, and would do his best to promote the interests of the district. He? briefly recapitulated the great advantages the Colony, presented to immigrants, owing to its climate, institutions, progress, and facilities for the interchange of commodities. He wished to tsnder his best thanks to the gentlemen who had been associated with him iv tho management of the settlement. He was proud to find that the gentleman who had assisted even more than himself in its progress (Mr Macarthur) was so esteemed that the County Councillors had conferred upon him the highest position the, district could give, and had mado him chairman Ho was proud to have had tho assistance of a man who had received so high an indication of the good opinion 'of his fellow settlers. Whilst speaking of him he would

Kngineor. The following were received. — •lolni Gtirin, to tike metal from Robinson's pit. £<*> 17s per chain. The other tenders wore all to oh' aiu metal from Palmerston, as follows: — John Guorin, £« Iss ; Joseph Chatham, £7 os ; Ed. Collins, £7 l">s ; Jas. Fowell, -ef* 12s Sd. Tho tender of .las Fowell, for 2-3 chains, was accepted, tho portion to be metalled to bo decided by the Engineer. j Royaj.ty \su Fi-ilmng. — During his! speech, iv proposing Mr ILileonibe's health j at the bamiuet, Mr M' Donald informed those present that he had just heard that the Prince and Priucess of Wales took a deep interest iv the success of the Feilding settlement, and had sent a number of aitides, accompanied by their autographs, for sale at the gift auction to be held on behalf of the Anglican Church at Feilding. Notice. — Mr Metard requests us to call attention to a notice inserted by him in our advertising columns. R. M. Coukt.— At tho R. M. Court, Foxton, yesterday afternoon, before R. Ward Usq., John Richard Constantine was charged with having attempted to commit suicide on Thursday last, by jumping into the Manawatu river. The evidence of A. W. Howe, J. R. Evans, and Constable M'Anulty, was taken. There was not sufficient evidence to justify a committal, and prisoner was therefore discharged.