Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEB. 20, 1900. Extension of the Tramway.

Manawatu Herald, 20 February 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEB. 20, 1900. Extension of the Tramway.

It is a matter for congratulation that tha Chairman of the Manawatu County Council has drawn tie attention of his Council to the importance of extending the CarnarvonSanson Tramway to the gravel beds at the Bull's bridge. He does so from a purely local view which makes the case one of greater interest and one which will more certainly appeal to all classes of settlers. From figures quoted a great saving will be made in gravelling nearly all the roads in the County if gravel is hauled along the Tramway. This does not apply simply to the first gravelling but it affects the cost of repairing in just the same proportion. The point to be reached by the Tram is some three miles from Sandon and it is estimated the cost would be £5000 with another £1000 added for repairs to the present line. If a loan was obtained from the Government on the 41 years' term there would be an annual charge of £210 for interest which we understand would cease at the expiration of the 41 years. The Chairman says that the saving to the County in the cost of repairs to the roads by the use of the Tram would amount to £392 a year, which in itself gives a large margin between interest and income. This is not, however, the only gain as for the new gravelling proposed to be undertaken there would be an additional saving of £1300, which means, in other words, an increased improvement to roads to that amount. We have thus a clear statement of gain to the ratepayers of the County and the only surprise is that this was not so easily seen previously. The real difficulty the Chairman appeared to forsee was that of the loan having to be secured over the whole County whereas the greatest advantage would only be felt by the Ridings of Kawa Eawa, Waitphi, and Campbell. If this fact was J fairly discussed wo buye no doubt Councillors could arrange a plan whereby the Ridings not participating in this advantage could do so in some other that could be proposed, but it appears almost certain no part of the County need be asked for any money as the traffic and saying will find the interest. It is evident that what gravelling is done now costs so much more than by the way proposed. As the saving is almost double the interest to be paid, a give and take arrangement with Ridings using the gravel could be made by which they could be charged a little extra than the cost of haulage so as to recoup the interest charged on the loan, they would then be saving fifty per cent on their repairs, besides the whole of the £1300 for new works. To-day we have no time to urge another view of the proposal, that of the benefit to the Tram itself, as the shifting of its terminus within a mile of the Township of Bulls must mean the tapping of a very much larger trade than it does where it is situated now at Sanson. There is also the almost certainty of its speedy continuation to the Marton station, which is now at the junction of the Hunterville section. A look at the map of the Weßt Coast must convince everyone that each mile further north the Tramway is carried adds largely to its success as a traffic earning property. We shall review these other other advantages at another opportunity.

All along Jenk's-street the soil is particularly good, having been in years gone bye a flax swamp. Here Mr James Ingram has his house and garden, and the latter is a great credit to him. Just now he has the finest show of tomatoes to be seen anywhere, the plants all being trained to framework and the leaves cut back, exhibiting immense clusters of clean fruit in various stages of ripening. These plants must be of some considerable value at the present market price for this fruit. Lord Lonsdale has given 280 carts from his estates for transport service, and the Stock Exchange of London has given 100 mounts. It is pleasing to note the number of new buildings being erected. Two cottages are being built on Johnstonstreet, two on Robinson street, besides many additions to existing buildings. Mr Jenks has added a large addition to his dwelling, Mr Whibley is doing likewise. Mr George Gray has had a verandah put to his residence in Mainstreet, which makes a decided improvement. The Boynton bullet-proof shield has been experimented with. It weighs no more than ylbs and affords complete protection to the soldier against the service rifle at 400 yards. The material of which the shield is made is Cammells specia^jtullet-proof steel. The shield is attached to the rifle by a special band. It can be detached as quickly as unfixing a bayonet.

An advertiser wants to rent a room for a- single man. Mr Andrew Jonson advertises to-day for a housekeeper. There will be a general holiday observed to-morrow. The Rev. W. Woollass will attend at Mr A. Osborne's shop to-night to sell tickets for the Wanganui excursion to-morrow. The train leaves at 6.45 a.m. The Queen has been pleased to accept 12 militia battalions for service out of the United Kingdom. Seven battalions (five English corps, one Scottish, and one Irish) numbering about 6000 men, will serve in South Africa. Lord Lovat has raised a corps of 150 gillies and stalkers from Highland estates with whom he was to leave last month for South Africa. The Highlanders will be alt mounted on their ponies. It is expected this corps will be of great service. They are a very hardy and powerful body, used to long marches in the Highlands, and, while deadly shots, their mobility will be great, the ponies being accustomed to pick their way in all states of weather through the glens and depths of Highland forests. The Victorian Government will issue twenty thousand twopenny war stamps and forty thousand penny stamps, to be disposed of at 2s and is the proceeds to be devoted to the Patriotic Fund. His Honor Judge Edwards at the Hatuma compensation Court remarked upon the fact that the same thing was being gone over and over again with each witness, and counsel might give the Court credit for some common sense in regard to how many sheep died and they didn't starve. He did not like to say much about it, because a lot of money was involved. Still, the Court might be given credit for possessing as much common sense as an ordinary laborer, and then they should save some time. On Saturday afternoon a match was to have been played between the Oroua Polo Club and the Levin Club, but Mr Baldwin, one of the last named club failed to appear* Just for, fun three men on eacn side had one game, when the Orouas scored 3 goals to o. To make events a little more interesting, Messrs Robinson and A. and W. Strang played four, being the three Levin members, Messrs Hitchlngs, Webb and Wilson, with whom Mr J. Strang joined. This resulted in no better ludk, and a Levin man arrived at the conclusion that it was of no use amateurs attempting to play professionals. Mr O. Robinson got a very nasty cut on the cheek from a ball hit by Hitchings, but after some cold water application to the face and liquid application internally he soon remounted and played as well as ever. Shirts and neckties in all shapes, colours and makes can be obtained at \iv Loveday's drapery establishment ! induing by the display of those goods shown in one of the shop windows. We saw a couple of rows of scarletrunners in Mr James Ingram's gavcien which cannot be beat. They stand { eight feet high and aro a thick compact mass of leaves and beans from ground to top. It seems odd that Mr , Ingram finds these hard of sale, as a scarlet runner is a delicious vegetable when grown quickly and picked young. We recommend apple-eaters to be careful to peel all apples before eating j as the scale blight appears to be very j thick on the fruit this year, and all the insects are alive and cannot improve the consumers health. Peaches are scarce and 'dear. In j many orchards, hpwever, the new trees seem to be growing healthy and strong, those in Mr Ingram's garden looking very healthy, and free from the curl and other blights. The old trees in other gardens do not seem able to get over the troubles that afflicted them some years ago, and it would nppoar best to eradicate them and plant young trees. There is much excitement about the trip to Wanganui to-morrow and the trajn is likely to be well patronised. Many will have to get up very early. Our Borough Councillors are just now worried about the Codlin Moth, now, unfortunately quite an old identity in the district. It is little use, even if legal, to pass by-laws on the subject, the very best plan being an amalgamation of all the orchards and the careful destruction qf all apples on the infected trees early in the season. United action would soon stamp the pest out. Fruitgrowers had better work together under the Act provided than attempt any new-fangled notions. A correspondent at Lady smith writes — On Saturday, December 3rd, one of the London correspondents, Mr Lynch, of the Morning Herald and Echo, went off, declaring jocularly that he would visit the Boer lines, see Joubert, and ask an advertisement from him for the Ladysmith, Lyre. He carried a large white umbrella, on which was painted the inscription, "The Ladysmith Lyre. — Advertisement Department," and he was mounted on a sorry nag, nicknamed Kruger. Kruger was pretty old, and was white, but one half had been dyed, by means of Condy's fluid, to the color of khaki, Mr Lynch rode off in the afternoon towards our outposts, no one dreaming that he would be so foolhardy as to go beyond our pickets. Go beyond them, however, he did, and, well, he has not been heard of since, (December 7th). There is a rumor that he was seen at Modder Spruit, a prisoner on his way to Pretoria. Mr Lynch was a good-humored Irishman, but he made a mistake when he attempted his fun on the Boers. The Boers cannot understant anyone being funny. So apparently Mr Lynch has discovered to his cost. Reliable information was received that Mr Lynch was sent as a prisoner to Pretoria. [Mr Lynch was subsequently released and sent to Delago? Bay.] Yesterday Constable Forster arrested a man named Ernest Stevens, alias Codger, on a warrant issued in Wellington for assault. He was brought before Mr Rhodes, J.P., and remanded to Wellington.

The old Ready Money Store has been leased and Mr Davies intends putting it iuto repair. Early this morning two sharp earthquakes were felt. The first was at 3.30 a.m. and the second, which was preceded by a long rumble at 4.45 a.m. Yesterday morning also a shake was felt about 3.30. To-day at the Justices Court before Messrs Thynne and Davies, J's.P., a first offender was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse, and was cautioned and dismissed. Michael Qunilan charged with stealing £2, the property of John Robert Johnstone, on the igth Feb., pleaded guilty and was fined £5, cost ss, witness 6s, and ordered to pay £2 the amount stolen, in default 3 months' imprisonment with hard labour. On our front page will be seen the altered advertisement Of Mr Osborne, of the Centre of Commerce. In it he announces that the balance of summer goods will be offered at reduced prices from to-day. Having secured a superior dressmaker frohi Sydney Mr Osborne is now in a position to take orders for any kinds of dresses and costumes, at the most reasonable prices. Tohunga ointment and Qureca come in for their share of attention in the advertisement We hear that the members of the Foxton Cycling Club ate in for a great time next Friday evening. The club is to be disbanded and its demise celebrated by a " free and easy social." The programme will include progressive euchre, Songs and speeches, and an excellent supper. That capital family residence, at present occupied by Mr F. Cook in Jenk's street, is offered for sale. The property is a very desirable one, either for occupation or as a safe investment.