Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 1898.

Manawatu Herald, 29 December 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 1898.

The Brass Band contest is to be held in Palmerston North in February next. The contractor for the Beach Road expects to complete his work in a few days. On Christmas Eve the Town Band played several selections very creditably in the Main-street, afterwards serenading different townsmen of the Borough. The night was fine, and the progress made by the bandsmen was most favorably commented upon. The Friendly Societies' sports and picnic to be held in Victoria Park next Monday are sure to attract a great number. Together with the members and their friends from Palmerston North there is every likelihood of upwards of a thousand persons being present. The secretary (Mr S. Watson), announces that milk and water will be provided free, and eatables may be procured at Mr G. Langley's refreshment booth, which will be on the ground. The Palmerston North Brass Band will be in attendance, which will make the sports still more attractive. A sequel to a breach of promise case which recently occupied the attention of a Judge and jury in the Supreme Court in Wellington, was the marriage of the parties at the Registrar's office there on the 12th instant. The Advocate says it is rumoured that Mr John Stevens, M.H.R., will contest the Rangitikei constituency at the next election, instead of the one which he now represents in Parliament. In his report to the Minister of Agriculture. Mr John Holmes, the flax expert, states : — " The continuous travelling by land and sea involved me in heavy expense far beyond my original estimate. Apart from the time and service which I freely gave in proclaiming the many advantages possessed by this colony, I find that the cash outlay for bare expenses has exceeded by £750 the small allowance already extended to me." The sea beach was patronised by a large number of people during the holidays. Mr Fred Pirani's six-year-old daughter Dorothy put up a good record this year, having had no less than three attacks of measles, one in August, one in October, and one last week. Robert Wallath, who was convicted of highway robbery at New Plymouth, has received a remission of nine months of his sentence, and was sent to his home, in order that he may spend Christmas with his friends. As several Wellington people are interested in the Taitapu gold-mine, the following item which appeared in the Nelson Mail this week will be pleasant news, especially after the reported failure of a former crushing : — Mr Fell has just received the result of a month's crushing from the reef at Taitapu belonging to the Australasian Gold Trust and Pioneers of New Zealand. Sixty tons crushed cleaned up for 3280 Z. of retorted gold — a magnificent return, equal to 5.460 Z. per ton. The battery is a small threestamper prospecting plant, which has just been imported from England. We (Manawatu Daily Times) deeply regret to have to record that Mr L. G. West's eldest boy, Hubert, has succumbed to his illness. The deceased was a fine intelligent lad of 14, and was just going to take up a cadetship on a station. Much sympathy will be felt with Mr and Mrs West in their sudden bereavement. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was very argely attended.

The polo match between the Oroua . aud Wellington teams 6n Saturday was a complete ' walk-over ' for the' local team, B. Gower playing well and scoring six out of 12. joints for this winning teariiu fhd visitdr*s managed \o gain one point. The other fixture for Boxing Day— Wellington v. Horowhenua — was not played, two of the Horowhenua team being absent owing to the wet, .A scratch match was then . played-, but the weather much interfered with the enjoyment of the game. . . , . > . Mr Charles Dahl and hid empldyeeS from Pajmeretdn Nbrth are now enjoying their annual holiday at the sea beach. On Christmas Eve most places of business were crowded, but the shopkeepers generally complain there was not much money about: According to a Nelson clergyman, the over dressing of most church-goers has been a curse to Christianity, by influencing those who cannot buy good clothes to absent themselves from church. The annual picnic in Connection with the Rongotea School was held at Mr Ransom's farm on Thursday last* when the children were treated to th' 6 usual amusements. In the afternoon the prizes, which had dost over ten pounds, were distributed. Family Thompson and Fred Mitchell were awarded Mr Bennett's prizes for good ! conduct. On Sunday evening, about 9 o'clock, the Feilding State School was totally destroyed by fire. Only a few seats were saved. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The reflection of the conflagration was plainly seen from Palmerston. Tyson estate has been sworn at two millions. It's not as much as it was cracked up to be. McGill won the Sheffield Handicap I at the Feilding sports on Monday. Messrs Kerrip and Jupp in another column offer a substantial reward to any one giving information that will convict the person who tampered with the boiler of the " Florence " last Sunday night. It was most unfortunate for the owners, as the boat was to leave on an excursion on Boxing Day, and after trying for 9 hours to get up steam the attempt had to be abandoned. The matter has been placed in the hands of the police, and we only hope they will elucidate the matter. Each of the Lyddite shells, which had so much to do with the victory at Omdurman, weighs solb. Lyddite was first manufactured at Lydd, in Kent, from which place it takes its name, and consists of picric acid brought into a dense state of fusion. Picric acid is obtained by the action of nitric acid on carbolic acid, a constituent of coal-tar oils. The Rimutaka left Hobart at 4 p.m. on Tuesday for New Zealand. She. brings 31 saloon and 29 steerage passengers and 1 170 tons of cargo for Wellington. There are also 50 saloon and 38 steerage passengers and 1326 tons of cargo for other ports. She should arrive in Wellington on Saturday night.