Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1880.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 71, 30 April 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1880.

Traffic. — We are glad to learn that the traffic on the railway line shows signs of improvement, both as regards the number of passengers and the extent of the timber trade. Otaki School. — Mr Ross was appointed to the charge of the above School by the Eduoation Board on Wednesday last. Scholarship. — At the Board meeting on Wednesday a letter was read from Mr Flower, opening up the question of the scholarships for 1879, and claiming a two years' scholarship for his son. After investigation, the Secretary was instructed to reply that the interpretation put upon the regulations by Mr Flower was correct, and that his son was entitled to a two years' scholarship. Runanga House. — We are given to understand the Runanga whare at Motuiti is now completed, and will be formally opened by a feast in about a fortnight's time. Preparations for the opening are now being made on a large scale. Concert. — The Choral Society announce a concert for Wednesday next. The members have been working hard for the past two or three months, and there should be a most enjoyable performance. We understand the first part will comprise selections from " Maritana, " the overture to which will be played by a lady performer who has not yet appeared before a Foxton audience the second part will consist of miscellaneous items. We trust to see a good house on the occasion. We are requested to remind the singers that a practice will be held this evening, at the hall. Time TAnLE.— It is stated in the Upper Manawatu that an alteration in the railway timetable is proposed, viz., to run a midday train from Palmerston lo Wanganui and back on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Supreme Court.— ln another column we publish a full report by our special reporter of the two Supreme Court cases of most iuterest to our readers, viz., that of Alexander Cameron, of Ngawhakajrau, for cattle

si ealing ; and Herman Rookel, of Carnarvon, for forgery and uttering. The Forgery Case —The oose against German Rockel. a well-known Manawatu settler, who was convicted of uttering a cheque which he knew to be a forgery, occupied ihe Supreme Court the whole of Wednesday la-t. Prisoner was defended by »ir Ca_-h, of Ms.! ton, who certainly did vis best w.th a very weak case. A large array of witnesses were called for the prosecution, including several experts i-i writing. No witnesses were eailed for the defence, but r Cash addressed the jury for about three quarters of nn hour. Aft»-r a retirement of nnHrly an hour, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. Yesterday morning, he was sentenoed to 18 months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Thk Osfrey.— We understand the paddle-steamer Osprey has been sold by Mr J. W. Liddell to Mr Gibson, of Wanganui. Rate.— By reference to the Foxtou Local Board report in another column, it will be seen that that body has determined to levy a rate during the ensuing year of sixpenco in the £. Local Board. — At the Looal Board meeting, reference was made to the publication in this journal of Messrs. Conolly and Pitt's opinion regarding the disqualification of Mr Gray. _ The simple reply to the comments made is this. Any ratepayer is entitled to see any document belonging to the Local Board or any other publio body to which he pays rates. In the exercise of our undoubted right we asked to see the letter referred to, and it was shown to us. Still further, for the information of our readers we published the letter, and to provent the necessity of other ratepayers asking to be allowed to read it at the Board office. Any ratepayer can at any time demand the opportunity of Beeing publia documents in possession of the Clerk of the Looal Board. Tenders.— Tenders are invited by the County Engineer for bush«feliing in Kiwitea. Those interested will find particulars in another column. Hop.se Sale. — We remind those in wont of horseflesh of Messrs Thynne, Linton k Co's sale of horses to-morrow, at 2 p.m. False Pretences.— The man Stevens, who was committed for trial at Foxton some few months on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences from Mrs Wallbutton, pleaded guilty to the charge at the sitting of the Supreme Court on Tuesday last, and received a sentence of four months' imprisonment with hard labor. Vacancy.— Tt is stated that Mr Hislop, the member for Waitaki, will resign his seat, in consequence of being prevented by private businees from attending the next sitting of Parliament. Convicted. — Alexander Cameron, who was tried at Palmerston last week for cattle stealing, and committed for trial, was convicted at the Supreme Court sittings at Wanganui on Tuesday last, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor. Cameron was a settler near Oroua Bridge, and was reported to be one of the greatest sufferers by the flood at that locality a few weeks ago. It was the general opinion of those who heard the case tried, that had Cameron employed a solicitor he would most probably have been acquitted. Produce. — Tn another column, will be found a notice to the effect that Messrs Armitage Bros, are cash buyers of skins, hides, ite. ; also, that they have on sale best Canterbury potatoes and seed peas. Armitage Bros is a Canterbury firm, and one member of which has determined to reside in Foxton. The settlers will doubtless find it greatly to their advantago to bs able to dispose of their produce on the spot, and we hope Mr Armitage will receive sufficient support to induce him to reside permanently in Foxton. Incendiarism at Napier — .Shaw, the Rate Collector at Napior.'has confrsf-ed to having embezzled money belonging to the Corporation,' but denies having set fire to the building. It is not known at present how much money has been appropriated. Thb Rangitikei Election.— The Advocate of Tuesday says that Mr Maclean has definitely decided not to oppose s*ir William. Fox for the Rangitikei seat. The Guardian, ou Wednesday, stated that several influential requisitions were in course of signature to Mr Maclean.and that it was more than probable that gentleman would consent to stand. The same paper in the course of a long article analysing Mr M'Lean's chances of success, comes to the conclusion that he is suro to be returned. Our Palmerston contemporary also has an articlo in favor of tliat gentleman's candidature. The Wanganui Herald is, of course, also opposed to Sir William Fox, so it will be seen if Mr Maclean contests the seat,the Knight will have no mean oppnent. Of course it is very difficult at tliis early stage to " spot the winner, tut there can be no doubt. Sir William will have all his work to score a win. The Comet. — Concerning the come*, lately seeu in New Zealand, a memo, from the Royal Observatory, (.-ape of Good Hope, has been published, dated February 16th. It states : — " The comet was first seen on the evening of Sunday, the lst instant, both at Port Elizabeth and Sea Point. The nucleus wns seen through a break in a cloud on February Sth, somewhat to south of « Scnlptoris. So far as can be judged at present, the comet is not identical with any known comet. It certainly is not the comet of 1843, as has been suggested by some correspondents. The period of revolution of that comet is at least 500 years. The head of the present comet is dim and nebulous, with no well-defined nucleus; hence it cannot be observed with extreme precision. This makes it desirable to postpone the computation of an orbit till as long a series of observations as possible has been obtained."