Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 1902. The River.

Manawatu Herald, 27 September 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 1902. The River.

However much certain people are interested in diverting the flood waters off land adjacent to the Manawatu river, more, by far, are deeply interested in the improvement to the Harbour, both of the bar and the wharf. It must always be the duty of the Borough Council to watch that any scheme, which may be proposed for flood diversion, does not involve any action which might hurt the river for navigation. The advantages of Foxton-, aa a port, is participated in by residents at Marton, Feilding, Palmerston, Ashurst, Woodville and Dannevirke, and it would be injurious to the trade of the large ana of country these towns represent,

were any proposal to lessen, or even to risk the lessoning, of any volume of water passing between the wharf and the bar. It has boon, and is, the aim of the Borough to encourage the improvement of the port by seeing that the pilotage is safe and prompt, and the conveniences for discharge and loading is ample and reasonable in cost- We arc glad to say that many of these little items are now being attended to with vigour, making a refreshing contrast to the past. On Thursday afternoon the Engineer, Mr Macintosh, was interviewed by the Mayor and some of the Councillors, in regard to a resolution proposed by Or Westwood at the last meeting of the Council, as to lengthening the wharf. The present facilities for work on the wharf are open to much improvement, and it was suggested the wharf should be extended one hundred feet, up as far as the*first groin. Material for filling in is quite handy in the road line in Harbour street, which wo believe the Council would give for the purpose. Mr Macintosh seined to approve of the idea, but thought if the lengthening was carried out, tha proposed dredging would have to be abandoned, we presume on account of the o thy, though both works are needed. There is no doubt, however, if there is only to be a choice, the extension of tha wharf would be preferred as not only would an extra berth be gained at the wharf, bu' the much additional room in the yards would also be gained. That an outlay is justifiable for the convenience of the shipping has been evident 1 1 all who have bad business at the wharf, when sometimes three and four steamers are at the wharf together. In the year ending 81st March, 1902, there entered the river 179 vessels of the aggregate tonnage of 28,432 tons, and the trade is not in any way decreasing, but rather the reverse, as from the Ist April to the end of August this year 78 vessels have already entered inwards.

Some time ago there was some talk, but it got no further then, owing to the want of energy on the part of the then Mayor, that the river should be lighted with beacons inside the bar, so that steamers could save a tide by going out or in of a night, A practical shipmaster says there would be little trouble in getting this dons, and would save shipowners a good deal of money. Possibly this may be attended to now, as conveniences to shipping means a concession in rates by popularising the port.

Entries for Messrs Abraham and Williams Palmerston sale are advertised to day. On Thursday reports from Mastertou state the weather is again very cold, with rain and snow. Mr Seifert has started operations at his new flaxmill on Brandon Hall estate, Bulls. - The Wellington Harbour Board has ordered a dredging plant from Scotland to cost £30,151. Question is, why are eggs only eightpence a dozen in town when they arc oae shilling and two pence a dozen in Wellington ?

Mr T. Bowe has some Circular Heads potatoes Tor sale. These should find ready disposal as the pula'-.> is a gixl cooker. Notice as to dates for the examinations f»r certificates for engine-drivers arc advertised by the Chiet Inspector of Machinery. Tenders are invited by Messrs Westwood and Co. for the erection of a grain store. Tenders close on Wednesday evening. Mr H. Wyatt, an envoy of the Navy League, has. started for Canada and Australia. Sir Edmund Barton and Mr Seddon have promised Mr Wyatt their support.

We understand that the Messrs Gardner will erect one or two mills on the bank of the Manawatu river, having secured a block ot grand flax from Mr Akers.

The Public Trustee requests all accounts in the estate ot John Lewis Kidd be paid to his agent at Palmerston North. All accounts against the estate must be sent in by the 24th October.

The Athletic Club has had two silver mugs presented by Messrs Speight and Co. through the agency of Mr Haywood- The club has been remarkably successful in having handsome trophies presented

The advertisement of Mr G..H. Stiles will appear in onr next issue ; but we may mention (hat the advertisement relates to dress making and the reengagement of Miss H. Collins, who is so well-known.

Mr W. Pegden is at present engaged in making extensive alterations to his premises in the Square, says the Manawatu Times, and when completed he will have one of the finest showrooms in the colony. Messrs Westwood and Walsh'-are starting another mill (they have a steam one at work now) at Mokau, which will be worked by water-power. Everything is proceeding very well in their flax speculations in the north, and will we hope, continue.

They say the poor you have with you always, and it might be adder valuers, governmeutor local. Air Robert Gardner i* favouring this district with a visit, which will propably be expensive to many as he is valuing for the Land Tax.

On Thursday, at Waipawa, died Renata Rophia,' a well-known and aged Native, who had considerable interest-; in the Himatangi run. The tangi will be held on Monday when the Maori# at Motuti and Oroua Bridge will go through to Waipawa.

To night the meeting of the Awahou ratepayers will be held at Haywood’s hotel. The discussion will be about the Shannon bridge.

We notice that the government have promised to send a surveyor up in a week's time to report on the “ possibility prrclicability and advisability ” of diverting the flood waters of the Manawatu-

As matters are looking for trade on the river it should pay a speculator to buy the s.s. Aotea belonging to the defunct Wanganui company. She draws very little Water and has good carrying capacity. ,

Messrs Reid and Baylis who objected to the Order-in-Couucil re Wellington electrical tramways have been upset, tha Referee stating that the objections were not well grounded. He ordered that the objectors pay £so 18s 6d to (he costs of the inquiry and to pay their own costs of Counsel and witnesses. Expensive to object.

We call the intention of all interested in the best of all outdoor games to the notification re cricket in another column. It is much to be desired that there will be a large and representative meeting of members, new ns well as old, as on the result of their deliberation and discussion will depend either a genuine revival of cricket in the district or sleep for another season. We say, “ Cricketers, roll up.*' The joint secretaries ol the Athletic Club have been very energetic in bringing the opportunities for prize giving before all. Mr T. Haywood has given then valuable help as at his instigation (he well-known firm of Thomson, Lewis and Co. have sent him up a handsome and unique clock for a prize. The sale of drapery at Mr Osborne’s establishment on Thursday and yesterday was a very successful one. The attendance was excellent, the store being crowded, and every lot offered was sold without the least reserve The arrangements were very good the assistants having the purchases all together before the accounts were ready so' that quick delivery was secured.

By the Waimate Times of last Tuesday vve fitul that Mr MacDermott reached there on the previous Saturday, and on Monday the weather was extremely wintry a Sou’-West gale was blowing all Sunday night and throughout Monday and snow and hail fell throughout the day. This would keep his last week in Foxton in mind. We trust the Borough Councillors in their hurrying to Council meeting will spare time to look at the Triangle. Once, sometimes twice, in a year it looks very nice, that is after the daymen have been spared for a week to dig the ground i at other times the weeds grow apace and the plot looks most untidy. Would it not be worth while to contract by the year with some one to keep it regularly in order and to sow garden seeds. What is worth doing should be worth doing well, and the plan would cost no more. The Grey Star states that a party of Chinamen at Payne's Gully came across a block of greenstone which weighed over jewt. They sold it to a local syndicate for £ls, who, in consideration of a sum of £4O, passed it on to a third party, who has decided to ship it Horne to a London market The block is one of the finest yet found on the coast, and it is thought that it will realise a handsome price at Home.