Untitled

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 40, 7 March 1877, Page 2

The first meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board is appointed for Friday next, the 9th March. We notice by advertisement that the partnership hitherto existing between Messrs. Nash and Davies, has been dissolved. The Manawatu Highways Board calls for tenders for clearing, cutting, forming, mettalling, &c, on roads adjacent to Sandon Carnarvon, Foxton and Palmerston North. We draw attention to the fact that the time prescribed by law for the registration of votes is fast passing away. The following are the weights declared, and nomination of the Manawatu Handicap : — Ada, Bst 121bs ; Haphazard, Bst 71b ; Clymenus, Bst 21bs ; Te Whetu Marama, Bst ; Ouida, 78t 51bs. The acting Engineer for the Manawatu County Council invites tenders for metalling 180 chains of road from Awahuri to the Rangitikei River ; 110 chains on the Foxton to Sandon line ; and 58 chains through the township of Feilding. We direct attention to advertisements m other columns notifying the commencement of a great clothing sale to-day, on the premises formerly occupied by Mr. Chitham, and adjoining Mr. Moffat's butchery. We are sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Daniel Coutie, which took place at Foxton, on Friday last, the 2nd March, at the ripe age of 65. Mr. Coutie was a native of Scotland, and had been 37 years m the colony, 18 of which were spent under J. T. Stewart Esq. The enquiry m reference to the Eli Whitney catastrophe has not yet terminated. The inquest was adjourned from the 26th of February to the 6th of March, partly, we believe, with a view to elicit any particulars that might be gathered on the return ol the s.s. Taupe

The Hegnrty Globe Combination Troupe performed on Monday and Tuesday evenings m the Foresters' Hall, and with success both as regards attendance and artistic skill. The entertainment embracing as it does, music, legerdemain, and ventriloquism, affords ample scope for the faculties of wonder and mirth to riot m. Nor did it want for a due appreciation m Palmerston if we cnn judge by the plaudits that rewarded each retiring artiste. Miss Harrison with her vocal performance, Mr. Henakie's sleight; of hand with cards, bottles, &c, his serial suspension, and Mr. Powell's ventriloquism, each m turn elicited a hearty approval. Mr. Powell, by the way, is considered by the press to be a ventriloquist of great promise, and is credited by some with being already superior to the well-known Davis. The Arabian box mystery was not the least of the wonders exhibited. The entertainment was repeated yesterday afternoon at a minimum price for the special benefit of the juveniles, who evidently regarded it as a rara avis m the shape of a treat. An important alteration has taken place m our postal arrangements, but whether for the better or worse we are scarcely yet m a position to judge. The coach from Wanganui is now supposed to arrive m Palmerston every Monday and Thursday at 9.30 p.m., and leave for Wanganui again every Tuesday and Friday at 3 a.m. On and after Monday next, the Napier coach is to arrive m Palmerston every Monday and Thursday at 9.30 p.m., leaving again for Napier every Tuesday and Friday at 3 a.m. The night train from Foxton with mails will arrive m Palmerston at 9.40 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, and return to Foxton agaiu ou the same evenings at 10 o'clock. On Monday evening last our township was enlivened, if not alarmed, by the inauguration of this new regime. First was heard m the distance, proclaiming the approach of the iron horse, what might be characterised as the tolling of a "fog bell," only that we feel inclined to repudiate the existence of fogs m the salubrious locale of our township. Next was heard the puffing of the locomotive, and then were seen the red lights of the fast approaching train. By this time the inhabitants were fully alive to the fact that a novelty of some description was being introduced, and the consequence was a genei'al rush to the railway station. After a delay of a few minutes the Wanganui coach appeared m sight and quickly drove up to the platform, and from the scene which presented itself there for a time one might easily have imagined himself suddenly transferred to the heart of a large city. Quick travelling is all very well m its way, and a little excitement now and then is very good, but still we must ever consider the expense at which we purchase these things, and we think the cost of these night trains will prove something considerable. Moreover the residents of Foxton and Palmerston will be manifestly inconvenienced by being unable to reply to Wellington and Wanganui letters by return mail. However, as our experience of the working of this new arrangement is at present very limited, we will defer any further remarks upon it till a future time. The Manager af the Manawatu Building Society notifies by advertisement m another column that the third issue of 150 investment shares will take place during the present month. Notwithstanding having laboured under disadvantages almost from its commencement, the progress made by this Society is really encouraging. Its establishment has already proved a boon to our community, and it is to the interest of every bona fide settler m the district to encourage its operations. Its business is conducted on truly economical principles, and by patronising it interest on borrowed capital which had heretofore to be sent away is retained m the district. We understand that at the general meeting to be held shortly a very flattering report of the progress of this company will be submitted. We are very pleased to notice that the railway authorities are now issuing return tickets at single rates, available from Saturday till Monday. This will no doubt prove a great boon to many, and should be the means of augmenting our railway returns. We feel sure it is a step m the right direction, and is deserving of that recognition which largely increased public patronage can alone bestow. Sittings of the Assessment Court m this County will be held as follows :— Foxton Local Board District, at the Court-house Foxton, this day (Wednesday), commencing at 10 a.m. For Manawatu Highway Board District and Palmerston North Local Board District, at the Court-house, Palmerston North, to-morrow (Thursday) at 10 a.m. For the Manchester Highway Board District, at the Immigration Depot, Feilding, on Friday, the 23rd instant, at 10 a.m. At Foxton, on the 4th March, the wife of Mr George Trask of three sons. Mother and children doing well. The foregoing extraordinary intelligence reached us m a concise note yesterday morning. We heartily compliment Mr and Mrs Trask ; but if this sort of thing is likely to spread to any extent, immigration will surely be superseded, and the sooner we recall Sir Julius Yogel the better. We are sorry to observe that petty thefts are becoming of frequent occurrence m our

township. All the Local Board tools were stolen from the premises of Messrs Wool--cock and Hoskings between Saturday evening and Monday morning last. [We have since heavd that the tools have been found by the Board's working overseer deposited on a pile of sleepers m the midst of the Square.] By proclamation m the " New Zealand Gazette," the jurisdiction of the Kesident Magistrate's Court, Upper Wanganui, is extended to £50. The " New Zealand Gazette " of the Ist instant, notifies the appointment by His Excellency the Governor, of Archibald Moinet, Esq., as Traffic Manager of the Foxton-Mannwatu Railway from the 25th December, 1876. The revisers of the authorised version of the New Testament, met recently at the Jerusalem Chamber, for their 65th session. The company carried on their revision to the beginning of the sixth chapter to the Hebrews. An authenticated ghost story comes from Port Chalmers. A lady who died suddenly a few days ago, stated to several persons before her illness that she heard her father, lately deceased, to whom she was much attached, calling for her. The Governor has appointed Mrs. Mary Tautare, of Kawa Kawa, Bay of Islands, to be interpreter under the Native Lands Act. The " Argus " states that Langley's store at Otaki was burned down on Sunday. The building and stock were insured for £500, but the loss is much greater. A youth named Spry was stabbed by a man named Mick, a blacksmith by trade, on Tuesday evening at Bulls. It appears that several lads had been pestering the man, who became furious, and rushed m among them with an open knife, inflicting a nasty wound on the body of young Spry. Mick has been arrested, and is now awaiting trial at Bulls.—" Herald." We learn from tlie " News " that since the Te Ore Ore estate came into the hands of Mr T. H. Murray he has imported into the Wairarapa not less than £1,000 worth of pure-bred stock. A flock of valuable Lincoln sheep arrived at the station last week. A somewhat amusing incident, says the "Evening Star," occurred at Mangawhare •the other day which may not prove uninteresting to our readers. A man was engaged cleaning out a store, and amongst a lot of other rubbish was included a stale loaf of bread, this he flung with all his might into the river, and the tide setting that way it soon reached the centre. A " porker " was witness to this proceeding, who, after grave consideration, plunged into the swiftly -running Wairoa, and started m vigorous chase of the " bi'ead cast upon the waters." After an exciting chase piggy came up to its prey, and made most determined efforts to seize it. The shape of the loaf prevented the voracious animal from getting it into its jaws ; however, hard down the stream bobbed the loaf, piggy following, and making most determined efforts to raise a meal. Success crowned his efforts after a chase of half a mile down the river, and m piggish glee the loaf was borne to the banks of the river and devoured, after which this most determined member of the porcine race slept soundly. We learn from current southern papers that the late winds have occasioned an immense amount of damage to orchards and gardens. The ground m many of them being thickly strewn with fallen fruit. The hop gardens m some of the more exposed positions m the Waiineas present a pitiable appearance, the poles and vines being blown down m all directions. Fortunately the greater part of the com was cut, so that there has been no very great loss by shaking out. This visitation so quickly following the late floods completes a very formidable chapter of accidents for colonial experience. The " Wairarapa Standard " says : — Just at the present time the building trade is almost at a standstill m the neighborhood, contractors have only small jobs on hand, and Timber Mill proprietors have to look outside the district for orders. We trust to • see this important local industry revive as the winter sets m, otherwise many of our carpenters will have to seek fresh fields and pastures new. The " Home News " says : — Dr Featherston's successor is to be Sir Julius Yogel, who is now m England, having arrived from New "York m the Eussia. Sir Julius has grave defects of manner, but those defects are only superficial. He is a vigorous man, who has the interests of New Zealand at heart, and let it be hoped that no drawingroom prejudices will be allowed to operate against him m town. The " Evening Argus " says that : — Having sold the premises adjoining the Empire Hotel it is, we believe, Mr Walter Turnbull's intention to at once build on the magnificent self-contained block, which he some time ago acquired from the Corporation, on the reclaimed land, having frontages to Featberston, Johnston, and Waring Taylor streets and Custom House-quay. Mr Turnbull intends to have his new stores built m brick and to concentrate the various departments of his large business under one roof. The new premises will be the largest, most substantial, and most expensive building yet erected m Wellington by any private firm. The "Wairarapa Standard" says: — There appears to have been a great deal of excitement m the Vincent County as to which should be the county town, Clyde or Cromwell. Mr. Pyke, the chairman, tried to please both parties. The result may be gathered from the following extract from a correspondent's letter to the " Otago Daily Times " : — " Intimation was sent to Cromwell that the chairman would vote that Cromsvell be the county town if that municipality merged into the county, and so declared m forty-eight hours. It was direct from the chairman, and the matter having been under consideration by the Town Council, that body m order to make matters smooth for the chairman's promised vote, actually met, resolved, and obtained some sixty signatures to a petition that the municipality be dissolved. Judge then the surprise and indignation excited when the question came up for final settlement, by Mr. Pyke giving his substantive rote for Cromwell, and his "adjective" (or casting) vote for Clyde. :"..••