Shannon.

Manawatu Herald, 10 March 1892, Page 2

Shannon.

(prom our own correspondent.) Shannon is larger than ever. Even as I write one can hear the noise of the steam saw mill and the tapping of the carpenters all busily engaged adding to the welfare of the first township on the line. We have a church now, you know, and now and then a real parson to preaoh in it, and failing him, there are plenty good natured cockatoos who don't mind expatiating on the glory, &c, &c. And you also should hear our choir, can beat Foxton easily. With one or two exceptions the bush burning was an all round success this season, and grass seed commences to be spilt round about the station house, and men in little groups telling each other what to do and how and when to do it. One can hear nothing but Pace's rye, crested dogstail, cocksfoot or feet, not to mention the clover, which evidently is a sort of sugar put in to sweeten the mixture. Here is a tale, too true. On a certain morning train to Wellington, two big wigs of railway fame enter a Ist smoking carriage. But they did not escape the eye of the sometimes too vigilant assistant conductor, who, book in hand, confronted one of the powers. Where going, sir ? eh ? Return, sir ? No thanks ! Fare, please sir ? If you don't pay I shall call the guard. Great excitement among the passengers. So the fun went on. Enter the guard, looking daggers at the clerk. Here, come out of this and don't be bothering ; you'll find plenty to do in the second class. Exit boy, with his head down, quite disgusted. Poor boy, don't you think he ought to have been, say, granted a bonus or something, instead of being told not to worry people. Ever since, when the train passes Shannon on its way to the great city a boy may be seen eagerly taking stock and making inquiries concerning the different passengers who may get on board, as to whether they are dead heads or otherwise. Of course you know that we can all ride to Palmerston now. Splendid road all the way, takes 2& hours. But we may also find it necessary to come over your way now and then, so they needn't take the punt away. By the way we've got a first-class man for a ferryman, Hillary by name, and also not wanting in energy or hilarity. The next item on the programme will be a stock sale by Messrs Stevens & Gorton. So if you have any old crocks, or in fact anything with wool and teeth, you might do worse than try our side of the river for a market. Or if the Foxton people should take it into their heads to want another hotel, Jones Bros, of the Shannon steam saw mill, will be most happy, &c, &c. The merging business connected with the Road Board did not quite come off. We used to be rather dense in these matters once upon a time, but time and experience work wonders. In fact we have got some real old veterans at the local body game who can speak their minds when the time comes. | The Company are goiug in for another clearing sale, no 1/11 per yard business, but very good pastoral country at a fair price. So as Kennedy Macdonald puts it, if the business man desires to send his eldest hopeful to the country where the olive and grape flourisheth. Here's a chance for him! The land is easily got at by a good road, better than the Ferry road, which by tbe way is not so bud at present, you can. easily find bottom on it, and there are guides to point out the boundaries of the different biofiks, and who don't take tips for their services. Senor O'Loughlin is erecting a billiard saloon in conjunction with the Manawatu Club, so when you come over next time you can get some- ginger ale and pass away the time at billiards. Fancy all this gaiety at Shannon. We will have an Amateur Operatic Company here next. <■