Foxton'a Gala Day.

Manawatu Herald, 2 August 1900, Page 3

Foxton'a Gala Day.

The pressure on our space last Tuesday occasioned the omission of several notes on the Governor's visit ■which we had ready. The public, without counting the 180 school children, must have numbered between 500 and 600 at the railway station when the Vice-regal train arrived. The number at the Wirokino bridge on land and on the steamers approached very close on to 1000 persons. Their presence impressed the Premier with" the need of a bridge. It is a capital- thing to prove to the powers that be, that the district does not ask simply to obtain government money, but to secure a long-felt need. The number of steam launches running on the river will also be a proof that the river needs snagging. The landing stage at the bridge was very convenient, being formed of a couple of flax punts attached together, with a gangway to the bank. The span of the bridge made to open was worked by a couple of men in a very easy manner and afforded proof of the good workmanship displayed in building the bridge. The crowd on both ends of the bridge slightly resented being barred from entering on the swing span when the Governor and party entered to out the ribbons. The reason was nofctery apparent until the span was swung and then those on the fixed

spans saw, and were glad stepß had been taken for their safety. The s.s. Flower of Kent had been made very natty by Mr R. Fraser, the Managing Director of the M.R.S. Co. One small detail, which set the boat off very much when viewed from the bank, was the scarlet cloth draped along the iron staunchions looped with gold braid. Why the reporter of the N.Z. Times insists on renaming the Flower of Kent, the Tuna, no one seems to know, unless the yarns he heard on board were what would be vulgularly termed, " rather fishy." The Foxton Brass Band played many selections on the river whilst going to the bridge, in the s.s. Matara, but as that crack boat was some considerable distance behind the Governor's yacht, their sweetness, so far as the chief personage was concerned, were lost. Having arrived late and in a hurry, the members lost nerve to climb up to the bridge, and played on the flat ground to the audience above them. We all appreciated their efforts to keep pace with the times.

Mr Jupp, with his steamer Planet and punt, must have raked in a few shekels that day as he was loaded to what would be termed Plimsbll's mark.

At the luncheon it may be as well to note that it was not rushed at until grace was said by the Vicar, the Rev. H. Leach.

In the evening Mr and Mrs A. C. Stansell gave a free invitation to the children to a plain and fancy dress ball. This was the time when the Governor and the Premier, the great admirers of other people's children, should have been present, as the hall was packed. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and Mr A. Stansell placed his father in charge knowing that his experience with numbers of young people was much larger than his. It was a pleasing way to impress the events of the day on the juvenile mind, and Mr and Mrs A. C. Stansell have to be thanked for taking so much trouble. After the children had left, their seniors enjoyed dancing for a couple of hours. After last Monday no one can say that the inhabitants, when properly led, are without public spirit or enthusiasm.

We congratulate Mr F. E. Jenks, the Acting-Mayor, on the quiet and attentive manner he carried out his duties. It was i-atLter hard upon him, however, to have the toast set aside for him to propose, stolen by so big a man, in every way, as Mr Seddon. He has now no recourse but to wait upon the editor and confide to him the words he was prepared to utter. Everybody, in the know, was astonished, but the only excuse for such a high-handed proceeding must be found in the Premier having been ruthlessly cut down in speech owing to the short time the committee could allow speakers, and it was better that the Premier should have another chance for his money. Mr Jenks can console himself that he made way for a more important, if not a better, man.

The reporter of the N.Z. Times says " Mr J. R. Stansell briefly sketched the 35 years' agitation for the bridge, 'in which he had taken part.' " This of course is vastly rich seeing that the town has not been settled that long, but then Mr Stansell has only himself to blame as his speech evidently conveyed to an outsider that he had for ever and ever worked for this one object and a few'years more or less was not of the slightest consequence. The Hon. H. C. Butler accompanied the Governor on his visit to Foxton.

One hempmiller rose to the occasion on. Monday. At Messrs Hickson and Reeves mill, on the bank of the river there was a trophy exhibited of our leading industry, consisting of the bundles of green flax, some tow, and a very neat bale of hemp. Well done !