Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 1899

Manawatu Herald, 16 February 1899, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 1899

The sea beach was largely patronised by pleasure-seekers on Tuesday, and the weather was in every way suitable. Those who had occasion to visit the sea side on Tuesday were of the opinion that something should be done to make a road that could be used. What might have resulted in a serious accident was just averted in time to a buggy full of human freight who were driving over the newly-formed portion. The horse on going through a bog became restive, and finding itself sinking started to plunge and dragged the vehicle into a pool of water where it was fortunately pulled up. Had the horse swerved in any way, the vehicle would surely have capsized, as the road is higher and an accident was just stopped through the horse pulling straight on. Visitors to the Sanatorium are also put to much inconvenience through the want of a reliable road in wet weather, therefore while the road is allowed to remain in its present condition it must assuredly deter a great many from visiting the beach. The Rev. Otho Fitzgerald of Wellington will conduct the services at All Saints' Church next Sunday. Mr Bridge, the well-known dentist of Wellington, has been unable to keep his appointment in connection with his visit to Foxton owing to pressure of business in Wellington. His next visit will consequently be a few days later, but the actual date will be advertised in a few days. Mr C. H. Mills, M.H.R. for Wairau, with Mrs Mills and two daughters, have been paying Foxton a short visit. At a meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday a letter was received from a Wellington firm with reference to the bridging of the Otaki river, and it was decided on the motion of Mr J. Davis, that the writers should consult with Mr J. E. Fulton, the engineer appointed in connection with the Wirokino bridge, and report to the Foxton Borough Council on the system of bridging suggested, which it was claimed was from 25 to 35 per cent, cheaper than the usual plan of bridge building. At the Education Board meeting at Wanganui the question of repairs to the Foxton school fence was referred to Mr Sanson to report. Mr W. H. Russell, formerly private secretary to the Hon. J. G. Ward, was married to Miss Laery at the Lower Hutt on Monday. There is a likelihood that the tele" phone bureau service will be extended to Foxton Heads (says the Palmerston Standard), so that visitors from Palmerston could talk over the wires to their friends. One of the sights to be seen at the beach on Tuesday was a kauri plank about 20ft long and i^in. in thickness, which had been left high and dry at the last spring tides. Adhering to the plank was one mass of living barnacles, in fact they were so dense that any part of the wood was not to be seen. The mass presented quite an uncanny look, and was inspected by a great many. Although the relic of the sea had probably been buffeted about for a number of years, the wood was found to be in a perfect state of preservation. The Town Clerk informs us that the head teacher of the school has reported a case of scarlet fever in a family on the Moatoa Road. News is to hand that a Tungese tribe has discovered in Yeinseisk, a province of Eastern Siberia, a part of a balloon three bodies, and a number of instruments. The bodies are supposed to be those of Andree and his two companions Herr Fraenkel and Dr Strindberg. The Supreme Military Court has determined to prosecute Admiral Cerevera and Captain Moren in connection with the destruction of the Spanish fleet by admiral Sampson off Santiago. Colcnel Kitchener having found the Khalifa in a strongly entrenceed position on Lake Sheekeila has returned to the Nile for cannon for the purpose of bombarding the position.

The Akaroa Mail States that a large marine animal, said to be a sea-lion, was seen off Green Point by Mr Miller on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday at German Bay Point by some residents. It is said to be nearly eight feet long. On visiting German Bay Point, where the stranger had been seen, the adjoining rocks were found to be strewed with the heads and backbones of rock cod, on which ihe big seal had evidently been dming. A very gruesome "quack story" comes from Melbourne, that happy hunting ground of medical charlatans. An elderly woman in one of the suburbs of Melbourne had been suffering for some time from an extra-ordin-ary complication, and at length she was given up by the doctors, who declared her case to be hopeless, prescribed something to mitigate the pain and left the woman to die. But the family refused to give up hope, and somebody recommended the famous Professor Blank, whose cures of similar cases were simply miraculous. The Professor was called in, he looked at the patient, recommended his ointment and pills, and charged two guineas. Immediately after he left the house the appearance of the sufferer so alarmed her relatives that a duly qualified physician was called in. He glanced at the patient, said, •• this woman is dead; she has been dead for half an hour at least." The quack had prescribed for a corpse. A boat containing five men, upset at the entrance to Porirua Harbour on Monday. After hanging on some time awaiting assistance, John Windley, farm labourer, who was a good swimmer, threw off his clothes and started to swim half a mile to the mainland. He got about halfway and then suddenly disappeared. The rest were eventually rescued, at the last gasp, by i a boat which put off from Plimmerton, where it was suspected that something was wrong. The cause of the accident is unexplained. The day was quite calm. Mr Bryce's medical advisers are opposed to him re-entering political life. The consequence is that Mr Bryce will not be asked to take part in the election struggle which is to take place towards the end of the present year. Mr J. E. Marshall, cadet, of Rongotea, has been appointed pupil teacher, at the Foxton school. The Sydney Telegraph adversely ■criticises the New Zealand old age pensions. It considers a much larger amount than provided will be required to make provision for the needy poor and aged. It transpires that the offer of 3500 guineas recently made to Mr Stead ;or Multiform was on behalf of Mr C. Cooper, who was recently on a short visit to the colonies. Prior to leaving Sydney for England last week, Mr Cooper, it is stated, made a further offer of 4000 guineas for the son of Hotchkiss, but Mr Stead again declined. The New Zealand cricketers defeated North Tasmania on Monday by 151 runs. The Mangatainoka river was in high flood on Monday, and overflowed into a Chinaman's garden, washing away over 30 tons of onions, together with large quantities of other vegetables. The loss is estimated at between £150 and £200. A man named George Frederick Jones, known as " Carmo," the illusionist, was arrested at Eketahuna on Wednesday on a charge of deserting his wife at Sydney. He was taken to Wellington yesterday by Detective Cox. The Wellington Supreme Court was occupied on Monday afternoon in hearing the charge against Thomas and Annie Looney, brother and sister, of shooting with intent at three boys named Fraser at Waituna, near Feilding, in December last. The apparent motive of the shooting was that some of the Frasers had given evidence against two members of the Looney j family in connection with some court proceedings. None of the lads were [ hit. The jury found the accused 1 guilty, and they were remanded until to-morrow to enable the probation officer to make his report. The Bands who visit Palmerston in connection with the contest are to be asked to play at the racecourse on both days of the Manawatu Club's meeting. On the arrival of the s.s. Tarawera from Sydney at Wellington on Thursday, six stowaways were handed over to the police. Spectator says : — That Auckland is the prettiest city in M.L., Wellington the windiest, Christchurch the dustiest, and Dunedin the wettest. It is said that Miss Julius' wedding dress cost between £40 and £50. Her trousseau was ordered from England, but the vessel arrived two days after the ceremony. A Christchurch firm, says the Spectator", " filled the bill " satisfactorily. The Auckland Exhibition closes on February 18. About 150,000 persons have paid for admission to date. The Manawatu Times is informed that efforts are being made to induce Mr A. McHardy to contest an adjoining district at the coming elections. The Times has, however, the best authority for stating that Mr McHardy has definitely determined to contest Palmerston seat at the elections at the end of the yaar. Mr George Hughes very kindly brought down some magnificent plums grown by him. One is so large that it is almost more than one wants, but it tastes so well that the difficulty is easily got over. The plums are both yellow and red, and some we measured were z\ inches long and seven inches in circumference. Mr Hughes has a large crop. Holiday excursion fares are notified to-day by the Railway Department from next Monday to Friday to Palmerston North. The Dramatic Club are now in active rehearsal for the Catholic entertainment on 17th March.

There is some talk ot a doctor from Christchurch taking up his practice here. Harvest thanksgiving services will be held at the Methodist Church on Sunday next. The Rev. \V. Woollass will preach morning and evening, and Mrs Woollass will give an address on • Flowers 'in the afternoon. All the friends are asked to contribute flowers, fruits or vegetables, and kindly send them along to the church by noon on Saturday. A fruit banquet is to be held on Monday night, and a good programme of musical items, etc., will be given.