Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, OCT. 24, 1899. The Coming Election.

Manawatu Herald, 24 October 1899, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, OCT. 24, 1899. The Coming Election.

Within the next week or two we shall be having two or three excellent gentlemen appearing before ns most anxious to do all that lies in their power to promote the progress and prosperity of the district, as well as to secure the future good government of the colony. Such an opportunity of making a selection occurs but once in three years as well all know, and it appears a waste of opportunity not to take the fullest advantage of it. The Borough has many wants, some of which could be easily filled, and would be were there but the least public energy displayed. Our paths appear to have run these latter years so much smoother than they did previously, that the rising generation fail in much the same manner the young Boers are said to likely fail, in not being able to shoot straight. Just from want of practise our representative men seem unable to organise and clamour for their rights. Of course unless we do, we shall have very little attention paid to us by whatever government may be in power, and we think a preliminary skirmish with the rank and file of the parliamentary army might awake our slumbering energies to greater deeds. At election meetings the candidates are always most anxious to know what are the chief wants of the district, and there arises, here and there some hardy elector who succeeds in asking a question, but who refrains from explaining the position to the candidate so that he really never understands the query. The answer obtained generally is, "Oh yes, I will make inquiries, and if the matter is as you have represented I shall do my best to have it carried out." By this the candidate escapes a direct promise owing to the way the question is put. Now as all candidates' promises are not like pie crust it would be as well if some arrangement could be come to whereby a series of questions should be put to each candidate by some one publicly chosen for the position. The questions must be those only affecting the progress of Hie town and district, so that all, no matter what their political faith may be, could take part. We suggest to the Mayor that this is well worthy of consideration, and that j he might call a meeting at an early date for this purpose, and if he would, we think he should be the proper mouthpiece to voice our needs.

The Foxton Cycling Club hold their annual meeting at the Victoria Hall at 8 to-night (Tuesday.)

It appears from a return laid before the House that there are 214 newspapers published in New Zealand.

We believe the highest prices yet obtained by millers in this district was taken the other day for parcels of hemp, but we firmly anticipate a much higher rise before Christmas.

The Town Clerk notifies that Frederick John Shadbolt has been appointed poundkeeper for the Borough.

There are wanted at the Paiaka mill two scutchers who must be able to press, two feeders, three catchers, and an engine driver for night work.

Our river gets plenty of churning by the screws of steamers, as frequently two steamers leave the wharf together and meet others coming up to town.

Mr Pascal is about starting his flaxmill at the Oroua Bridge.

Messrs Morgan Bros, are about to go into the army of flaxmillers, having applied for the site next to the Manawatu Rowing Club's shed.

On Thursday afternoon Air Hdrite. will sell by public auction at the Public Hall a consignment of furniture, including a suite in tapestry.

The large boiler weighing between 8 and 9 tons for Mr Joe Tos's Kiwi mill was brought up by the s»s» Himatangi on Sunday morning, artd Was safely placed on Messrs Kemp and Jupp*s big punt this morning.

Yesterday the s.s. Charles Edward brought in a cargo of coal for Messrs P. Hennessy ana Co.

Messrs Symons Bros, expect to have another stripper at work before the end of the week, having obtained the engine lately used by Mr H. F. Davidson at his mill at Manakau.

Mr W. R. Rutherford's roan gelding Zola, who won the first prize at the Hawke's Bay Show last week, in class 43 for weight-carrying hacks, was found last Monday morning with a broken leg and had to be shot. It is supposed to have been kicked by another horse on the station at Riverslea. Mr Rutherford was recently offered a large sum for Zola, the animal being a very valuable one. — Advocate.

It is not often the Coroner's juries fail to agree to a verdict, and it appears from what Mr O'Regan related of the troubles of one jury tbat did fail, just as well not to. " Some time ago in the Reefton district, an incident occurred whereby a miner was killed. An inquiry was held, and the jury disagreed. The result was that after the Deputy Coroner had been advised by the Coroner it was decided to remit the case to the Supreme Court. The jury were accordingly discharged, and, after the lapse of more than a mouth, they were summoned to appear at Hokitika, about eighty miles away. Subsequently the Judge adjourned the case to Reefton, and he there gave them a direction, with the result that they retired again and brought in a verdict. They got no payment of course."

The British strength in Natal is said by the Argus to be, reckoning the Indian troops which arrived in Natal a few days ago, about 14,000 men, composed of 2500 sabres, 1600 artillery, and 10,000 infantry, to which -bout 3000 more men on their way out will have to be added.

The Premier does not appear well up in geography. Speaking on the Immigration Restriction Bill he explained that any person would be called upon to write in any of the characters of Europe, and continued " Well if it be found by the officer that the man is a Russian he will be aske.d, of course, to write this in Russian • .

. . and, I say if he can write in any of these languages of Europe, &c." We have been taught that Russia is principally in Asia, though there is a part in Europe, so the Russ stands a good chance of being denied a landing in the colony.

The proprietor of the Rongotea Flax mill wants to let the stripping &c. by contract. Tenders must be sent in by the 31st October. Specifications can be seen at the Manawatu Herald office.