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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 98, 3 August 1880, Page 2

The Maobi Tollgatb.— The vexatious tollgate maintained by the natives for several months about half-a mile west of the Foxton ferry is now a thin? of the past, the Maoris having on Friday last removed U. Mr Alex. M'l)on»ild, <he newly-appoint ed Nativo Linda Purchase Commissioner, arrived in Foxton on Thursday afternoon, en route for Otaki, and in the evening interviewed the natives, the result being that on Friday morning they charged the mail codch driver tho usual toll, and immediately afterwards removed the gate. While the gate was maintained it was a Ronrce of extreme annoyance to the travelling public, who will be heartily glad to hear of its abolition.

The Last Scene. — Several persons who were standing near the Kaiiway Platform on Friday afteruoon, enjoyed a hearty laugh at the last scene of tlie Maori toll gate farce. Old Haimona, the toll gate keeper, who has previously figured in these qjrfumiiß, was standing near, waiting tlie ■arrival of the ooftcfa r ,an& pNaentty <( the gerial" Pugsley drove up. At once Simon elbowed his way to the coach', and said,

" Ullo, Greorgo ! Homai to ringa ; Kubore te Ki-eti ; no more ; all done — no more money !-^^ lie.!'.! «It is presumed Simon wished to sßow Pu asloy he felt no animosity towards him for all the blessings ho had muttered on his aged head, and it is h rdly n^ceMnry to siy the Knitcht of the Rein* extended his hand end warmly shook the old barbarians paw.

Foxlox Chuistyß. — We are glad to nolice that the recent entertainment given, in which the sable performers took part, has bi:eii the mean* of starting a Christy Mi - strel Company nt Foxton. A meeting was hold last week, at which all those who took part in the recent performance formed themselves into a company, to be called '•The Foxton Chrislys." Mr J. Russell was elected musical director and R+age manager, and Mr G. Gray seoretary. The committeo elected consists of — Messrs Howe, Wilson, and Young, with the above two nfficers. It was resolved that the com pany perform on behalf of any suitable fund or charity required in the townshi", after an entertainment had been given on behalf of " properties " for the club. This performance will be given in three weeks' time. The members are now in active practice, and it : s expected that a marked improvement, will be shown on the last appearance of the Christys. The company intend to produce the amusing favce of " Love in a nib," besides another sketch, on the occasion In addition to the ordinary chair business, the company will give n burlesque on "The Conspirators' Chorus," from "Madame Angot," and the celebrated " Rain, rain " chorus from " Chilperic." It will thus be ?eev. that a capital programme has been arranged, and we predict a successful entertainment will be given. In a company of the kind there are always certain properties necessary, and we consider that the Chri.-tys have a good claim for support, and hope they will receive a bumper house on the night of their jperl'ormance.

The Ashurst Schoolhoxtsb. —At last sitting of the Education Board an account for £1.71, sent in by the Feilding Corporation, for timber supplied for the erection of the Ashurst Schooihouse, was passed for payment. Tbe sum mentioned seems an enormous amount to pay for the material lor a sclioolhouse in a very spaisely-popu lated district (one, too, plentifully supplied with timber), and we should be plad if some explanation oould be afforded why so lai^e a sum was necessary ; also, the rate per hundred feet that was paid.

The Local Board — It will be remembered that recently no election took pluce when candidates were invited for a Commissionersbip of >he Foxtotj Local Board. It therefore devolves upon the Governor to appoint a member The matter appoaTs to have been turned over to Mr Walter Johnston, M.H >„ for his recommendation, and that gentleman telegraphed to Mr A. Gray, asking his opinion as to who would be a suitable person for the position. After consulting with Mr T. Euston (Chairman of the Local Board), Mr Gray replied, recommending that Me Andrew Jongon should be appointed As Mr Jonson was " nearly elected" a short time ago, having been beat«n by only one vote, we think the choice that has been made will meet with general satisfaction.

Campbelltowx School.— We fear there is no probability of the Campbelltown settlers obtaining a gran ; for their schoolhouse this year, the Education board having received the following circular from the .Minister of Education :— '' Referring to last paragraph of Departmental Circular No 50, I must a<?ain press upon the Board the absolute necessity for positively refraining from incurring liabilities on school buildings beyond what can be covered by moneys already in their possession or ex pres-ly authorised. Government will not be responsible for any other expet.diture '' Half a Id if is better than none, and as there is no possibility of th' ir getting a schoolh'luse just now, we would suggest to the (Jampbelltown >choo Committee that 'h.-y should press upon the Board the demrab ; lity ■>f reiitiug a eoltage or ? ome other building in which to curry on school for the present. The matter is a most important one, and it will be a sad pity if, because the Board is short of funds, tlie education of the children o:t the Douglas Block is utterly neglected. When the preliminary meeting was held a f-w mouths ago, it was stated 37 children would attend the school, and since then several families have gone to reside in the locality, so that now there would most probably ba 50. So large a body of juveniles should not be neglected iv the matter of education

What Does it Mean ? — We notice from the Ailvncite thai Marton possesses a street with the enphonio'is title of •" Cubbab'taln street." There must surely have been some very strong reason to induce the City Fatht rs of Marton (or whoever else is responsible) to confer such a name upon one of the streets of their pretty township. At any rale, it would be interesting to know .\ho, where, or what " Cubbabbala" i 9.

University Degrees. — The degrees obtained at the last University examination were presented on Thursday last, at the old Provincial Council Chamberp, Christchurch. Th> re was a large gathering, including many ladies. The usual cere~ monies wero observed, Miss Connon, the second "sweet girl graduate" of the British Empire, was presented with a boquet of c tmellias in addition to the degree. The Chancellor of the University presided, and Judge Johnston was amougst thos.e who spoke.

County Council. — The County Council held its usual monthly meeting yesterday, when Mr Gray, who was recently elected for Awahou, to <k his sent. A report if the proceedings appears elsowhere.

Local B»akd — The Foxton Local Board meets ibis evening, at 7 p.m., at the Athenaeum, for the transaction of ordinary business.

R M. Cocbt.— The usual sit.ti-ier of the !{.M. Court will be held tomorrow, beforo Air Ward, K.M. There are no cases of importance down for hearing.

The Shooting Season. — We remind sportsmen that the close season for all kinds of game has commenced, and that any per sons found in the enjoyment of the pastime of shooting will be liable to " pains and penalties."

Honor Conferbed. — By last Suez mail word was received that J. T. Stewart, Esq, District Engineer, had been elected a member of tho lustitute of Civil Engineers, London.

The Sandon Chuktys. — The Christy Minstrel spirit appears to have taken a firm root in this district, as there are companies now at Olaki, Foxton, and Sandon. Ihe troupo at .Sandon recently gave a performance which was an unqualified success, and are, we understand, to appear at Bulls shortly. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming the Sandon ami Otaki troupes in .Foxton, end are mire that if they honor us with a visit they will reoeive a cordial reception. Since ihe above was written, we have learned that the

Otaki Troupe intend to perform at Foxtou during the present week.

Handioaps.t-. At a meetjpg of the Dunedii> Jnol.y Qlub last week it was reaolved, " Ihut ihe -secretary be reqiuf ied to ooin.

mnnioate with the secretaries of the leading clubs cf New Zealand, with a view of ascertaining if they wilt be willing to tiooperate with the Club In Uifi selection and appointment 6f & getifcletgß who will act as bandienpper for the whole of the Clubs in New Zealand."

" The Beach Road. —.At the County Council yesterday, a letter was read' from the General Post Office, in whioh, referring to the road ft ■' V ..-Jou r, '.?.-. ueaoh, it whs stated th- 'Air A. Burr, of Now' Plymouth, has stated to the Government tbft of his own knowledge the toad now being acquired by the County Council has been open for the past 38 years. The Postmaster- General thinkb it desirable that the Council should be made acquainted with this statement, which may have some weight in determining, the amount of com peoflntion to be paid the natives. Mr Burr is prepared to affirm the* statement."

More Light.— Mr J. W. Liddell, with his usual enterprise, has just ereoted a handsome lamp, at the corner of the two streets which pass at the front and side of his residence. Besides being very useful to pedestrians who pass that way, the lamp is also quite an ornament, and we should very much like to sea some more residents follow Mr Liddell's example. The lamp, which is supported on an iron pilLr, cost only the very small sum of £6.

Roads.— At the Council meeting yeater* day, a letter was read from Hutt County Council, in which it wab stated that Government ..do not intend to place any sum upon the Estimates for roads through lands upon which the native title is not extinguished. It is to be hoped this will not apply to roads already begui), or the money spent, upon the Foxton-Otaki road will have been literally thrown away.

Mail to Palmbrston — Business people and others will do well to note that a second mail to Palmerston will in future be sent from Foxton, closing at 8.30 in the evening.

Phoobess.— We are glad to notice that Messrs 'Ihynne, Linton & Co. find their wholesale trade progressing to such a degree that they find it to their interest to import from foreign 'markets. The steamer Tui, on her laßt trip, brought up from Wellington a considerable quantity of bonded stuff for the firm named, transhipped from the s.s. Rotomahana, one of the Melbourne boats Other shipments am to follow, and we trust Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co. will reoive Buch substantial Buppi.rt as to make Foxlou the wholesale town of the district.

A Market for Potatoes.— The Madras Times of May 2nd has an advertisement respecting the anticipated arrival of a trial shipment by the mail steamer of Australian potatoes for table and seed purposes. The potatoes were packed in four cwt boxes, and would no doubt arrive in excellent order. Should the shipment prove a success, there will doubtless be a co jsiderable demand for potatoes of Australian produc tion, and there is no reason why those grown in New Zealand should not find as go»d a market.

Thb Latest "Strike." — Feeling discouraged by the sneers of hon. members who regurd him or his office as unnecessary, and by the >icticn of the House in voting him only £150 for the year, a reduction of £100), Major Pivil.JSerge^nt-at-Arms to the House of Representntivos, has " struck." The New Zealand Times on Friday stated that on the pi-evious day the Sergeant at- Ami* forwarded his resignation to the Speaker, and at once knocked off " work." His duties were consequently in the uftrrnoon and evening performed by one of the messengers, and as the House .•whs in and out of committee a good many times the acting-^ergeant-at-Arms had au i xcellent opportunity of getting his hand in.

The Chinese Pbohibition Rill. —On Thursd»y last, .\lr Hutchison withdrew i his Bill from the Order Paper of the House of rtepri'Bentatives, at the request of the Colonial Treasurer, who said this Bill was one that should be brought in by the Governmenc The Government were in coir tnunication wilh the other Australian Colonies, as it was felt that joint action ou^ht to be taken npon such an important subject.

His Leggings. — A Sydney paper is responsible for the following story regarding Bishop Moorhouae : — " The Bishop of Melbourne, in one of his periodical tours through his diocese, lately put up at the house of an hospitoblu residtmt in the north of the Colony. The host wa3 a Presbyterian, who had never seen a bishop before. Ushering his distinguished visitor with the greatest politeness into the best room, he assisted him to remove his overcoat, &c The tired ecclesiastic stretched his limbs on the sofa. ' Won't your lordship take off your leggings ?' queried the host. ' No, thank you,' wan the reply, as the bishop touched the saceidotal gaiters, ' I never take them off — till I co to bed.' "