EVENTS OF THE PAST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3845, 15 September 1928, Page 3

EVENTS OF THE PAST.

GAS AND ELECTRICITY IN MANAWATU. FIRST INTRODUCED IN FOXTON. An old file of the “Manawatu Herald,” dated December sth, 1879, contains the following:— “We are pleased to chronicle the advent of gas in the Manawatu, Mr. A. J. having, with his usual enterprise, determined to lead the van in the matter. The machine to be employed is a small one purchased from; Messrs Gardiner and Co., of Wellington. It will be placed to supply about 30 burners in the well-known hotel. Whilst congratulating him upon his enterprise, w’e would also congratulate the district upon the possession of a settler w’ho is determined that Foxton shall lead the district in improvements.” Following on the above, on February 17th, 1880, the following paragraph apjpeared: — “We recently announced that Foxton had the honour of being the first township in the Manawatu in which gas was burned. Messrs Thynne, Linton and Co., have determined that Foxton shall lead in the matter of electricity also, having recently fitted up in their offices an electric 1 bell.” NO FUNDS FOR HIGHWAYS. Highw’ays were evidently a matter of much concern even in those days. A column was devoted to a “leader” in the same issue complaining about the action of the Manawatu Highways Board in passing the following resolution: — “That no more tenders be called or accepted until the Board be free from its liability.” This step w’as taken owing to the financial position of the Board, which, “notwithstanding the receipt of the last subsidy, was still £I,OOO in debt.” THE HIMATANGI BLOCK. Reference urns also made in this file to the Himatangi block, a paragraph reads as follows: — “We have to inform our readers that the contest for the Himatangi block is rapidly drawing to a close. After a most searching and exhaustive examination of a deed containing 1700 names, the Native Land court has at length found out the persons w’ho have a bona fide title to the block; and w T e believe that in a few days the Court will be enabled to finally determine W’ho ore to be declared the ow’ners. The Ngatiteau, Ngatituranga, and Ngatirakau hapus of the great Ngatiraukawa tribe are the persons* whose claims are likely to prove successful. ,Judge Heaphy presided over the sitting of the Court. WEATHER CONDITIONS. In 1879, November was considered a very risky month for shearing and haymaking owing to rain, the average rainfall for the month be ing in the vicinity of four inches. DRAPERY SALE. A drapery sale conducted in Foxton by Mr. Loudon during the fortnight ended December 6th, 1879, showed that £1,250 passed over the counter during the fourteen days. A similar sale conducted in the township of Palmerston North netted not one-fifth of that amount.