Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 1892. Telephone Communication.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 2 January 1892, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 1892. Telephone Communication.

We are glad to find that our neighbours at Shannon and Levin are moving for better communication with the outside world. At present they are wholly dependent on the arrival of the trains on the Manawatu railway to obtain .access to the Company's telephone wire If any necessity occurs, such as illness, for immediate call for help, the settlers simply have to ride to the nearest telegraph office. We understand that the Government are to be asked to.jppnnect these two townships with Foxton by telephone. It is not I much to ask for, and the request will ! possibly be granted, as the outlay cannot be very large, and the income should provide a splendid interest :

and sinking fund. Tho distance by road from Fo\ton to Shannon is eleeen miles, but the wire could be carried by a mi eh shorter distance, which need nc« make it more than eight miles. The Harbour Board some years ago had a line erected by the Departs. }Nt to the Heads, which is some five milps in length, the cost of which was some £150, or £30 a mile. Thus the line to Shannon would cost say £240. Ten per cent is more than is needed for interest and depreciation, thus the .£24 would mean that one shilling and sixpence a day of revenue would cover it. Surely there is no doubt on this score! The addition to Levin, means a greater assistance towards revenue, as it would only entail four miles extra of wire and insulators, as the Railway Company's poles would, in all probability, be available. We are sure a private company could be formed to do this work, did the law permit, which, however, it does not. The settlers are not though without a second string to their bow, as should the Department refuse, they can call upon the two Counties interested who are authorised to erect such works, If a strong requisition was «ent to the Government we feel sure that they would see that there was " money in it " and do it. ."We advise prompt action.

The splendid rain of yesterday, the first real wet day for two months will be appreciated by the farmers, but we are afraid net by the holiday-makers. They will be inclined to agree with the old lady's remarks in Hood's Rural Felicity " But worse than that, in a long rural walk, suppose that it blows up for rain — And all at once you discover yourself in a real St. Bwithin's Lane— and while you're running all duck'd and drown'd, and pelted with sixpenny drops, — Fine weather," ' you hear the farmers say : ' a nice growing shower for the crops !'— But who's to crop me another new hat, or grow me another new gown ? — At the Lawn Tennis Championship Tournament at Napier, H arman won the Championship Singles ; Femvick and Logan the Doubles ; and Miss Douslin the Ladies' Singles. Mr J. C. Blythe, Government Engineer at Botorua, committed suicide on Wednesday by poisoning himself. He left' a written statement addressed to the Coroner, stating he had taken pyrogallic acid, as he wished to end all his troubles. Men for saving grass seed are required in Taranaki, but are not obtainable. A pound a day is offered at Stratford. The prevailing heat in New South Wales is excessive, and has reached nearly 120 degrees in the Bhade out west. In Sydney on the 80th it was over 100. , t An immense amount of property has been destroyed by bush fires in the Narandera district, about 350 miles inland. One fire swept everything before it for 30 mile's. Si ty thousand acres of grass and large areas of stan ing crops in the Kyabram district, Victoria, 123 miles north of Melbourne, has been burnt by bush fires. The Hon Captain Bussell broke one of his legs- on Wednesday at Nap er, while playing in the lawn tennis tournament We are glad to record a win for one of our oOal horses at the Otaki races, Mr S. Trask's Daybreak winning the Foroed Handicap. The usual monthly sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court will be held on Wednesday. The weather at the Otaki races was very bad from the holiday-maker s point of view. The officials were determined not to let the rain stop the sport, and every event was run off. Mr E. Ellery Gilbert will pay his usual visit to tune pianos on or about Wednesday next. Fresh instructions can be left at this office for Mr Gilbert. Exactly a year ago a lady lost her siver I brooch on the cross road between the Motoa road and Mr I>. \V hibley's house. Though every search was made at the time, no sign of the ornament could be found. •'! he other day, after the gale, one of Mr Whibley's boys found the brooch near where it was lost, the sand having been thus moved away from it. The brooch had only the pin broken. We have just been informed that Mr C. Honore has sold his business to a new firm, which will trade under the title of Hennessy, Westwood & Co. In our next issue further particulars of the change will be duly advertised. With a view to rendering shopping a veritable delight, anH imparting to it all the pleasures of anticipation, we shall during the present month, and until its close, present our cash customers with a Christmas gift, the value of whioh will be in accordance with the amount of goods purch*ed at Te Aro House. The cash buyer of 10s worth will receive a present, and so on, varying in value for parcels of £2 up to £100. 'I he larger the purchase the more numerous or valuable will be the gifts. Nevertheless every purchaser from the limit named will get a choice of presents as decided by the amount bought at Te Aro House. • This free distribution.will extend to and include the 81st. or last day of the month and year. Those who can appreciate the advantage of buying from the largest and best selected stock of summer drapery in the city, new, seasonable goods in perfect condition and fashion, and at the lowest wholesa c prices, wi 1 find the addition of attractive Christmas presents perfectly irresistible in v ging a visit to Te .-\ro House. — Advt. We are requested to direct the attention of our readers to the 4aot that Robs & Sandford, of the Bon Marche, Palmerston North, have opened up a large stock of Men's and Boys' Clothing, purchased direct fro the best mills and manufacturers in the Colony. The value and choice in this department this season surpassing anything they have previously offered to the public. Visitors from this district are respectfully invited to inspect the stock in this and other departments.