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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 66, 13 April 1880, Page 2

R. M. Covbt.— A sitting of the R. M. Court will be held at Otaki this day, bofore the local Justices of the Peace. Customs Duties — We have on previous occasions expressed our extreme surprise that after the long fight we hud as a town to secure the creation of Foxton as a Customs port, the facilities a local Custom house and bonded store offer are so little taken advantage of even by storekeepers in the place. Some of those who are in business and spoke the loudest of the necessity of getting the town declared a port of entry, and who are constantly passing dutiable good 9 through their hands, hnvo not yet received a single package of goods under bond. Such a course is simply recklessly playing with the commercial interests of the town, asd if our local business | men display such a state of inactivity, they need not wonder if some fine day they wake I up and find the Foxton port closed, and the Customs officer removed. Such a thing:, if it occurred, would he the heaviest blow that | could be dealt to the future of Foxton, and j would delay for years its chances of beconiing what it should one day be — the commercial town of Manawatu. The Condition of Colonial finance is such that extreme economy is necessary in every department of the public service, and we warn our townspeople that unless th<*y do their best to work up the Customs trade, they will probably regret it when too late. We are the more surprised at the inaction displayed when we consider the facilities the local bonded warehouse affords to those who use dutiable goods. Take for instance a hotelkeeper. He pays 12* per gallon duty on spirits. If he boys 100 gallons, and leaves 90 in bond, he htts the use of the £51 duty on that quantity, instead of paying it into the hands of Government. He can take out of bond 5 or 10 gallons whenever he chooses, and pay the duty on that quantity, leaving the remainder in bond. The same with storekeepers using tea, candles, sugar, or any other dutiable goo Is. Hitherto Messrs. Thynne, Linton & Co., have been ilmosl the only importers under bond. We now learn that Mr Honore, of the cash store, 1 has sent orders to Wellington that all dutiable goods for him are to come up under bond. It is to be hoped this example will be followed by others, and that the Foxton Customs returns will in future " show up " better in the Gazette, and prove to the Colony that our di-trict in not the paltry one it might be inferred to be from the wretchedly small amounts which have hitherto appeared opposite to the name of our township. We have only to add that w« are sure the Collector of Customs will be only too glad to afford every information to any persons desiring to take advantage of his department. As it used to bb. — The cry is often beard that money is scarce, and ao it is. But those who look back to the early days, and regard with envy the successes of the old identities, would do well to remember that thoae same old identities have gained their fortunes and built up their prosperity only by the exercise of the most sorapulous frugality, combined with the most persistent industry. A fact bearing on this occurred a few evenings ago. Captain Sharpe, of Wellington, a very old settler, was spending the evening at Foxton, and in course of conversation the all-absorbing subject of the scarcity of money turned up, especially the amount of " paper " that is flying about. Captain Sbarpe remarked to the effect that paper currency was a very old institution in New Zealand This statement he verified by producing fiom his pocket-book a pieoa of paper some 35 years old, and which turned out to be a New Zealand Company •irder fur a whole two pence This was the ordinary medium of exchange, and there was an endorsement to the effeot that any one taking to the Treasury thirty of these orders would receive, not, as might be expected, a " cartwheel," but a Government debenture of the valne of five shillings! That waa paper currency, with a vengonnce. It would appear that the scarcity of money has been a complaint of New Zealand since its foundation. Legal. — We understand that as the result of a correspondence which has taken place between Mr S. Herbert Hankin*, solicitor, of Hokitika, and a settler in Foxton formerly a resident of that town, Mr Hankins has determined to remove to Fox. ton, and practice his profetaion in this township. On the West Coast of the other island, Mr Hanking is highly esteemed both as & lawyer and a citizen, and from personal knowledge of him we can safely predict that his advent in Manawatu will prove beneficial alike to himself and the district in which he haa determined to cast his lot. His reasons for leaving the West Coast are principally because of the evanescent character of the mining townships, and he therefore has determined to remove to some settled and rising dfetriot. En passant, we may remark, that two of the lawyers already settled in Manawatu are old West Coasters, Mr Staite, of Palmerston, hniling from the quartz district of Reofton, whilst Mr Hawkins, who also has pitched his tent in the District Court town, comes from Hokitika. ScABIiATTNA. — The above epidemic ig spreading at falmenton, as we learn from

the local paper that a deputation consisting of Messrs. Mitford, Hayns, and Keeling have waited on Mr Snelson, member of the Education Board, asking him to close the sohool, and stating that "eight decided oases were already known, and that it was spreading." Mr Saelsou promised to consult the local doctors, and if necessary request permission from the Chairman of the Board to close the Rohool. Gone.— Mr IHackie, butcher, of Palmer* ston, has determined to " take out " his £10 fine for breach of the Falmerston Borough bye laws, nud has gone to Wanganui to " serve his time." The Rangitikbi Seat — Our Marton contemporary is very wild with the Wanganui Herald for suggesting that Major Willis has acted the part of a " warming pan " for Sir Wm. Fox, in the matter of the Bangitikei seat. We remember distinctly that at the time Major Willis contested the sent against Mr Maclean, tbe question was raised whether or not he would resign to albw of Sir Win. Fox getting into Parliament, provided he were not returned for Wanganui. To this question Major Willis replied emphatically in the negative. His resignation the other day, shortly after tht return of Sir William Fox to Wes'oJ, and the wpidity with which the Knight of the Scolding Tongue has announced himself as a candidate, taken together with the whole circumstances of the case, all give colour at least to the idea that Major WUlis has acted as a M warming pan " for Sir Win. Fox. Any jur* viewing the matter apurt from the well-known integrity of Miijor Willis, would give a verdict if not of " Guilty ,"at least of" Highly suspicious." If Major Willis haa not acted simply and purely in the capacity our Wnnganui contemporary says, the opinion of the majority of the colonists will be that he has resigned ohiefly for the purpose of making room for Sir William, for he says in his address, " I feel sure, however, that though you will never obtain a member more honestly desirous than I hare been to farther your interests, you will have little difficulty in finding one more capable." Tlii« may be either the cxprestion of great modesty, or the pointing of an index to Sir Wm. Fox. It looks most like the latter. County Council — The Alanawatu Herald report of the County Council proceedings appears to be doing ttervice in a general capacity Our falmerston contemporary published it in Wednesday's issue, but owing doubtless to tbe unfortunate and serious illness of the editor the report was unacknowledged. In Saturday's issue the Marton paper copied the report, and credited our Palmerston contemporary with it. We would suggest to the Rangitikei Advocate that if it consider! the Manawatu County Council report of so much importance to its readers, it would be fa<* more dignified and certainly more in accordance with journalistic etiquette, to send a reporter to the meetings, instead of constantly levying on other journals for their reports. Advertisement. — Public attention is directed to Mr Honore's new advertisement on the third pige of this issue. To Spohtsmen.— Those who wish to engage in the noble sport of "potting" game would do well to remember that Mr John W. Liddell has got in stock a largo supply of gun* and ammunition. Nobbiton. — Further particulars regarding Norbiton will be f-mnd in this issue. Sad Accident.— We rrgret to record a sad accident at Marton on Thursday last, which resulted in the de<tu of a promising little girl thirteen months old, daughter of Mr M'Minn, editor of the Feilding Guardian. It appears the child was crossing the kitchen hearth, and being only just able to walk, lost her balance, and in trying to recover herself caught hold of the kettle, which pou*ed its bulling contents over her head, neck, and shoulders. Medical attendance was obtained, but the poor little thing died on Friday afternoon. Greut sympathy is felt throughout the district for the bereaved parents. The Colonel and the Coachman. — On Saturday afternoon, owing to the flooded state of the Otaki, the Wellington coach was some ten minutes late, and when it ranged up alongside the train there was a hurry and a bustle to get aboard as soon as possible. Amongst the passengers was a gentleman of martial aspect, whose portmanteau was branded " Inspeotor of Militia and Volunteers, North Island." This was Colonel Leckie. In a few moments the luggage and mails were aboard, and the station-master gave the word, " Take your seats, please ! " But just then the Colonel was seen darting across the platform with a voucher-book in his hand, and a railway station pen in his ear. It was seen at once that he wanted to pay the driver, who was, with military prudence, asked to sign the paper before the Colonel handed up the money. With his usual obliging disposition, Tom consented to do this, but again " Take your seats, please ! " uttered the station master, and just as hp signed his autograph the train started. The Colonel had got the voucher, but the driver had not the money, and away the train was speeding faster and faster, the driver running beside it. The military man whipped out two one pound notes, and handed one to the driver, but before he would give the second he wanted the change. By this time the train was going along at a rattling pace, and the driver was tearing alongside the train at a pace terrible to behold. He got the chjnge in his hand ready, but with military prudence the colonel must have the change and look at it before he handed up the not*. This was too much for Tommy Maher, and so was the traiu, which had headed him, so he gave it up, and returned, his countenance expressing (so the by. standers thought) a determination to " bump" that Colonel most thoroughly the next time he got him in the coach ; whilst the Inspeotor of Militia and Volunteers, North Island, waved to tbe retreating eoaohman an assurance that he would send him the unpaid balance. Grass Sb*d. — Mr Osborne, of the Foxton Ready Money Store, has on sale an excellent sample of grots seed, grown at Jaokeytown. It is a really fine lot, and farmers about to sow would do well to visit Mr Osborne, at the store. A sample of the seed is lying at this office, and is well worth inspection as being remarkably oleun and good. Bank aw Australasia.— We understand that yesterday the Bank of Australasia completed the purchase from Mr A. J. Whyte of the corner seotion on the north j side of Mr Liddell's store, in Main street. I The prioe paid is £425, and the section is an eighth of an aore in size. It will therefore be seen that the rate per acre is £3,400. The Bank intend at once erecting suitable premises upon the section, whioh will be a great improvement to that part of the town. Homeless, but Swept.— On Friday evening, about eight o'clock, several persons walking into town fiora the Tramway road, stumbled over something on the footpath just past Mrs Burr's shop. A light soon showed the obstruction to consist of the legs of two men, who had laid their heads cosily down on the grass alongside the corrugated iron fence, stretched out their legs across the footpath, and dropped off into a sound eleep. In faot, aa Con-

stable M'Anulty onoe said of another individual, they were "sleeping so peacefully, it seemed a pity to wake them." Upon the matter being reported .to the Police officer, he at onoe went in search of the parties, but could find only the " marks of their heads" and c- swag, containing some blankets, a bar of soap, &c, whioh he took oharge of. The articles are still in posses* sion of the constable, and we insert this information gratuitously for the benefit of the " swagger." It would be well, however, to oaution him against indulging too freely in future of that cup whiah makes men lie down asleep on the footpoth, whilst fancying they are snugly ensconood in bed. A Deserving Fund.— We understand it is proposed to start a fund for the relief and assistance of those who were severely crippled by losses through the late flood. Of course some who lost heavily were in such comparatively good oiroumstanoes that their losses would nnt be felt ; others, again, havo been almost ruined by the disasters met with through the flood. These it is proposed to help, and we have no doubt when the list goes round the Foxton people, with their usual liberality, will heartily respond. Registration. — Several persons have called at our offioe to fill up the claim to be registered on the eleotoral roll. We shall be glad to give any assistance to those whose names are not already on the roll. Forms are lying At this office. San Fbancirco Mail —The San Francisco English Mail arrived at Auckland on Friday last, and should reach Manawatu by either Wednesday or Thursday's coach. Left Over. —'• A Settler's" letter on the County rate is left over, having been received too late for insertion in this issue. Assault. — A man named John B.Evans* lately a servant at Howe's hotel, was ar* rested on Saturday evening by Constable M'Anulty, charged with being drunk and disorderly. An information was also laid by Mr Howe, charging Evans with assaulting bim. The accused was brought before Mr Tbynne, J.P., yesterday, and remanded until Wednesday. Five at BuMNYTHonPE. — The dwelling house of a setter named Ha&ell was destroyed by fire on Wednesday afternoon during the absence of the owner and his wife ; the property was insured to tbe extent of £200 in the Victoria Insurance Co.. but we believe this will not cover the loss,. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Hasell, who was a sufferer by fire about 12 months ago, in which case he was uninsured altogether. A Roroii Tbip. — The up coach on Saturday lust had a rather rough trip. The Empire City was left at 4.30 a.m., and a hard N.W. wind was blowing, accompanied by heavy rain. No slips of any importance had occurred, and the coach reached Paikakariki at the usual time. A start was made from that place with a fresh team, but the tide was very high, and the coach whs driven along the beach cloße to the foot of the hills, and amongst a lot of logs and other debris. The wind was blowing hard, and a heavy sea was rolling in, and often the waves washed the bottom of the coach. On arrival at Waikanae, that river was found unusually high, and the passengers and luggage were ferried across in a boat, the horses swimming the swollen stream. A better beach was now obtained, and the coach, driven by the well-known Tommy Maher, rattled along to Otaki. This river was also found high, with a strong current rolling down. The down coach, driven by Pugsley, was waiting on the other side for the up coach, and on its arrival the passengers and mails were ferried aoross the river in a canoe. Another delay — this time of half an hour — thus took place, but still Maher determined to try and catch the train with the mails, so only waiting at Otaki for the passengers to have something to " warm them," a fresh start was made, and the west side of the Manawatu river was reached at 20 minutes past 4. Owing to the punt not being available, some fur tlier delay took place in the crossing of the moils and passengers, and the railway station was ultimately reached 10 minutes behind time. The driver of the coach is desiring of every credit for tho way he pubhed through, as, had he not reached Foxton in time for the train, not ouly would the up mails have been delayed, but fire passengers would have been delayed a day and a half on their journey. The passengers had thus been in three coaches and were ferried across three rivers, in the course of the day. Election. — Ratepayers are reminded of the election for Local Board tomorrow, at noon.