The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, August 10, 1909. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 10 August 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, August 10, 1909. LOCAL AND GENERAL .

Messrs Fowler and Gordon, estate agents, have a buyer for a small farm of from 20 to 30 acres. At the local Police Court on Saturday a prohibition order for twelve months was granted against a local resident. Mr Thomas Riramer was the presiding justice. A teacher at the local State School lost three £1 notes yesterday. Finder rewarded on returning same to this office. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., has consented to deliver an address in Foxton. The date will probably be the 24th inst. Full particulars will appear later. Cr R. B. McKenzie, speaking at Saturday’s banquet, said he remembered Foxton when its only means of communication were the port and the beach —that was 40 years ago. Means of communication had greatly improved since then.

Five years ago the local telephone exchange was established, with only 23 subscribers. Now we have 60 local subscribers, and still increasing. In money order and savings bank transactions, each year sees a decided increase over the previous year.

Mr Alf. Fraser paid a welldeserved tribute to the efficiency of the present postal staff, when proposing the toast at Saturday’s banquet. He also referred to the high positions now held in the service by ex-members of the staff.

Mr Newman, M.P., writes regretting that in his remarks when opening the Post Office, he inadvertently omitted to mention the contractors, Messrs Cooper and Sons, who had so faithfully carried out the erection of the building. This tact, however, was not overlooked by Mayor Stiles. The Hon. J. A. Millar in a message to Mr E- Newman, M.P., expressed disappointment at his inability to be present at the official opening of the local post office and added : “I will try to visit Foxton a: little later on and go into any matter connected with my department.” The annual general meeting of the Fpxton Athletic Club is advertised to take place in Mr Perreau’s rooms on Monday evening next at 8 o’clock, when the report and balance sheet for the 1908-9 year will be presented and officers elected for the ensuing year. All members and intending members are urgently requested to attend.

The Wellington Times says “As the residents of Foxton made elaborate preparations to entertain Dr Findlay, the weather's vagaries caused much disappointment. Dr Findlay hopes to visit the river town within a week, and receive a number of deputations upon local subjects.” This will be news to the Mayor, who has not yet received any intimation of the fact. A petition from settlers of Makowhai, containing over 60 signatures, has been sent to the Chief Postmaster, at Wellington, asking for a direct mail service from Foxton to Makowhai, in addition to the present service from Sandon. This would enable settlers in the district mentioned to receive letters from Wellington and Foxton the same day as posted. Mr R. B. McKenzie has been the moving spirit in the matter.

In his apology for absence at the opening ceremony of the local post office, Mr Field, M.P., for Otaki wired : “ You can rely on my continuing to do my share respecting the Levin-Mar ton railway construction which is demanded by the interests of the whole Dominion as well as the immediate district. The Minister of Railways assures me his reference to this railway to a recent deputation from Palmerston, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay did not indicate his hostility, though he thinks it should wait awhile.

Speaking at the opening ceremQhy of the local Post Office on Saturday, Mr Newman said that he-had no doubt about the future of Foxton. It possessed back country that cannot be excelled in New Zealand, extending from Otaki to Marton and up OhVkune on the Main Trunk All this country, said Mr Newman, should ship its produce and import its merchandise through Foxton. He concluded by adding “ we have a river here better situated in every respect ithad the Wanganui or Patea rivers but look how both Patea and. Wanganui have overcome theif difficulties as compared wM Fsx£qu. m We may add that Wa?B#njaj apd Patea are permitted to retain tbejr \yhaffages. Nofc 1 so Foxton, whiph i§ compel'fd to band this revenue over to help to swell the profits of the wording railways—a most iniquitous procedure.

J/'in want of Birthday, Wedding or other gifts, go to Parkks’, the jeweler, the shop for presents.*

A lost brooch is advertised for,

At last night’s Council meeting Cr Gibbs said that several of the trees planted in Victoria Park on Arbor Day had since been stolen. He expressed the hope that the trees would be recognised growing in the garden of the person who committed this mean theft.

Last night must have been a record one for the number of resolutions carried at any one meeting of the Borough Council. The Council sat for 2% hours and during that time over a score of motions were passed. In proposing the toast of the “Mayor,” Mr Newman, M.P., said Mr Stiles appeared to be the right man in the right place. He had been impressed with the manner in which the Mayor had presided over certain meetings at which he had been present. He also referred to the water and drainage schemes which were contemplated, and Mr Stiles’ connection with the Harbour Board, and considered Foxton was singulaily fortunate in possessing such a mayor.

Dr Mandl, President of the local Chamber of Commerce, strongly advocated, during at Saturday’s banquet, that the necessary steps be taken to have the local port declared a port of entry for dutiable goods. He had intended to place the request before the Minister, whose absence he regretted. He said the request found favour with Palmerston business people, and he felt certain that Levin and Feilding would support it. The Chamber of Commerce were moving in the matter. Mr Cowles, assistant telegraph engineer, informed those assembled at Saturday’s banquet, when responding to the toast of the postal staff, that cheaper telephonic communication had been sanctioned between Foxton and Wellington via Shannon and Levin, also that another circuit had been made between Foxton and Shannon, which would further facilitate telephonic communication with the Empire City. The charge for telephonic communication between Foxton and Wellington had been reduced from is 6d to is.