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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 69, 20 April 1880, Page 2

Cattle Shipments. — We understand it is probable that extensive shipments of cattle will shortly be made from the Oroua Downs station for Lyttelton. The matter has been brought under the notioe of the Railway Department by Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co., and the officials have promised that immediately it is positively known Mr M'Lennan intends to ship the cattle, the best temporary arrangements possible will be made at the wharf for transferring the animals from terra firma to the steamer. A spaoe near the present wharf will be partitioned off, and a lead built along which the cattle will be driven, preparatory to the "slinging" process. Should a start be made, it is probable a very large number of cattle will be shipped away. As it ia of the utmost importance that trade should be pushed forward between Foxton and . other parts of the Colony besides Wellington, we nail with satisfaction the prospect of large shipments of cattle from Foxton to Lyttelton, as being likely to foster a trade between Manawatu and Canterbury. Claims to Vote. — We have received and forwarded to the Registration Officer nine new claims to vQte. We would repeat oar invitation to all persons over 21 years of age who are not on the roll, and are entitled to register, to call at our office, and fill up the claim. Every man who has resided in Manawatu six months, and lived in New Zealand a year, is entitled to be enrolled ; also, every nan who owns landed property of the value of £20. Highways Boars. — It will be remembered that some few months ago an agitation was got up for the separation of No. 3 Ward from the Manawatu Highways Board and the formation of a separate Highways Djstrict, The petition required by law was duly signed and forwarded to Wellington. We learn that it has since been returned for the usual endorsement as to the tfenuineness of the signatures, and their proportion to the whole body of ratepayers. These necessary attestations having been made,

the document has heen again forwarded to Wellington, and the ratepayers may therefore expect in the course of a few weeks to learn that the prayer of the petition has been granted, and that Foxton has been made the headquarters of its own Highways District. Wandering Cattle — Why are no steps taken to prevant the wholesale wandering of cattle in the township of Foxton, and its vicinity P Things have now come to filich a pass, that it is imperative sOme decided steps be taken to put a stop to it. The Moutoa road especially appears to be a favorite resort for theje animals. On Sunday afternoons, when ladies and children frequently -walk in that direction, it is quite a common thing to see pedestrians clambering over or creeping uniler fences into the paddocks.in order to ba " on the safe side." These wandering animals are as a rule entirely at their own free will ; occasionally, a small boy may be seen for the sake of appearances, accompanying them, to" drive them further on if any complaint is made. In either case, the practice must be put down, in order to secure the safety of the public If people have no land, they must be told positively they will not be allowed to drive oattle about the streets in search of food. If they have land, they must be made to keep their cattle inside their fences. It is perfectly preposterous that people cannot walk the streets without danger of being rushed. If the Local Board bye-laws are unworkable, it will be a simple matter for the Board to prepare a new set and have them gazetted. If the bye-laws are workable, the}' should be administered fearlessly by the officer whose duty it is to do so. Mr Hulke, the master of the local school, asked the school committee a few days ago to try and stop the nuisance " before an inquest would be necessary." We would commeud the same remark to the Local Board. Norbitox. —It is hardly necessary t° remind the public that on Saturday "next the sale of Norbiton takes place, at Thynne, Linton & Oo.'s salerooms. The property comprises the 16 acres owned by Mr Gower opposite the residence of Mr M'Culloch. The land is extremely rich, and in every way suitable for villa residences, and will doubtless in a year or two be largely enhanced in value. The terms are exceedingly liberal, extending over h" ye yea>s. Full particulars can be obtained on application to the auctioneers. Results or the Flood. • •» Before proceeding any further wi<h the intended sale of the Kairanga block, it would be wise for the Government to have a full report prepared and laid before the Crown Lands Board of the height of the land as compared with the flood level of the Oroua. We nre assured by persons who know from observation that the recent flood has shown that for purposes of actual settlement the Taonui section of the Kairanga block it utterly useless, because the laud is so far below the flood level, that it is impossible to prevent it being submerged whenever the Oroua is exceptionally high. A gentle man who went over the country recently, informs that he notice I the flood mark us high as 14 feet above the ground. Under these circumstances, it would bo utterly dishonest on the part of the Government to induce working men to soUle on that block, and invest their savings there, when they may be ruined in a day, or at least subjected to such losses as would drive them to btmkruptcy. A full report, should at once be .made as to the depth of water which lodged on the block referred to during the flood, and whether a recurrence would be prevented by the drainage now being carried on. That the land is really good eyerybody admits, but whether the whole of it, in view of the late flood, is fit for placing settlers upon is a question that should be fully considered by the Government. Wanganui HAiuiot'B.— The Wanganui people havo been holding a meeting to express their opinions upon their Harbour rioard, with whom a number of them appear to be very much dissatisfied. A for - mal resolution of "no-confidence" was proposed, and declared to be carried. During the meeting, one of the speakers (Mr Willis) said — " There was not the wish on the part of some of the members to push on the works, and the consequence was that their river was becoming a reproach. Foxton river was nuw in splendid condition siuco the late flood, while Patea river would take in a larger vessel than Wanganui (No, no.) Well the Patea Engineer's report practically stated so. If they wished Wanganui to keep the front place among the rivers of the coast thf y must not allow rivers North and South to bo better manaired, or else the brilliant anticipations of Wanganui's future would fade into mist." During the course of an able speech in defence of the Harbour Board, Mr Duthie said — " Increased wharfage dues were detrimentul to the trade of the port, for even with the present rates Foxton was a formidable rival, goods even for Martin and Bulls coming through that port." Referring to the endowment, Mr Duthie remarked that ; 'lt was true they had got the Manawatu endowment, but it was not immediately available. Two surveyors wore now on it, and he hoped when times improved to be able to put it into the Market." We are pleased to notice our Wnnganui friends are getting more correct ideas of the capacity of the Manawatu river and the trade done at Fo.iton. Australian Meat in Esglaxd. — The February number of the N. Z. L. and M. Co's circular contains the following in reference to the above : — " The " Strathleven" Ja), from Sydney and Melbourne, arrived in London on the 31st January. In addition to her ordinary cargo, she brought a quantity, say about 35 tons, of mutton and beef in carcase and in joints, frozen in a specially constructed chamber in the vessel, refrigerated by the process known as the " Bell-Coleman." By this process it is understood that the natural air is withdrawn from the chamber, washed, dried and cooled, and returned at a low temperature, wherein the meat freezes without the aid of chemicals of any kind. On inspection of the meat while the vessel lay in dock, and while still subject to the action of intense cold, it was found to be in a perfectly sound state, frozen quite hard, and covered with an artificial rimo. The beef, in quarters, was less attractive than mutton, some of the former having been handled roughly at time of shipment, and presenting in consequence an unsightly appearance. The latter consisted principally of whole sheep, and looked much better. So far as the initial experiment of safely transporting meat from Australia by this method is concerned, it must be said to have succeeded. It is proved beyond doubt that meat can be brought to this oonntry in a sound and sweet condition, and it remains to be seen whether, being landed here, it can be put on the markets and sold satisfactorily. In the first instance it is probable, judging from what has been observed of the present shipment, that in tha interval which neaessarily elapses between the time of arrival and consumption the increased temperature to which the meat becomes exposed may have a prejudioal effect upon it, rendering it soft, flabby, and liable to early decomposition. Such of the joints as we have seen since their sale at Smithfield gave strong indications of these defects, and had lost, in a great degiee, the fresh, healthy ap.

pearance exhibited while in the freezing room. It was assumed that after being cooked both beef and mutton might be Wanting in iiavour, and that the longer they remained out of the freezing room the more apparent this defect would become. That assumption, however, ha 3 not been up to the present justified by actual tests, and, whatever may be the case in warmer wonthei?) such portions of the meat as wo tlave seetl cooked during the present week have been found lacking neither in flavour nor quality. Tho joints certainly require caref'il and slow cookinsr, but with that attention given they come to the table in good order. It is suggested that the extreme degree of cold to which the meat is exposed may have a tendency to injure or partially destroy its natnral juices, aud that this effect will become more pronounced after a long continuance of the process. There are, doubtless, grounds for this apprehension, which is based upon the well-known practice of butihers in this country preserving their meats from frost whenever practicable; but in practice it may prove to be exaggerated. In the meantime, also, it may be found that the successful application of the " Bell-Cole-man " process is not incompatible with the existence of a somewhat higher temperature than that adopted on board the " Strathleven." If it should be so there may be less danger of inj ury to the meat and less likelihood of its turning bad before it reaches the cousumer." At Last. — By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that at last tenders are oalled for the " Foxton Station Contract," which will, we presume, include the reclamation. A representative of this journal called at the Koxton Public Works office yesterday afternoon, in order to give our readers a brief description of the works, but the plans had not been received. They would probably arrive per yesterday evening's coach. Circti.ating Lihrary. — Attention is directed to the advertisement in another column, announcing thac a circulating library has been opened at the Manawatu Herald office. The annual subscription is fixed at the moderate sum of 15s, and as th« circulating library will supply a long felt want, especially to country settlers, it should be well supported. Rowing Ci.cn.— A meeting of the Manawatu Rowing Club was held at Whyte's Hotel ot\ Friday evening last. Mr J. T. Stewart in tho chair. The meeting was called to consider an offer by the owner of tho four-oared outrigger Dolly Varden to sell that boat for the sum of' £10. A lengthy discussion took pliico as to the desirability of accepting this offer. The meeting generally was of the opinion that an outrigger was necessary to enable the Club to compete in nil the races at any regatta at which it iright be represented ; whilst the successes already gained by the Club were a sufficient ground for believing that it would be able to bring forward a crew which in an outrigger would be " hard to beat." These views prevailed, and the meeting determined to buy the Dolly Varden nt the price named. The Club, we are glad to learn, has sufficient funds in hand to pay more than half cash for the boat, and Mr A. J. Whyte generously offered to advance the balance. The offer was accepted with thanks, and in a few days we may expect to see the Dolly on the river. Scirooi, Report.—- Mr Inspector Foulis 1 report on several of the schools in Manawatu County is in type, but is crowded out. His remarks on the County schools will appear in next issue. Gone. — Hakaraia te Whena (Bevan) has filed his schedule. He estimates Ms debts at £500, and his assets at A'O Os Od. Hakaraia has beon working- as a contractor for the County Council on tho Otaki-Foxton road. E. M. Court. — The usual fortnightly sitting of the It. M. Court will be held at Foxton to-morrow, when there will Ye tried several cases of iuterest, including two in which well-known resident of Otaki will figure. J. R. Evans will be charged with maliciously wounding Mr Chas. Howe, the prosecuter being diisatisfied with the decision in the recent assault case.