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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 60, 16 May 1877, Page 2

It would appear as if that portion of the Foxton-Palmerston main line of road, comprised between the Carnarvon Junction and the crossing at the Palmerston Post Office, now belonged to no one. Very soon the Government contract for metalling will be finished, and we suppose that then the General Government will wash its hands of the whole concern. The County Council does not appear to recognise it as a County road, and we understand that the Manawatu Highways Board is not inclined to accept the responsibility of keeping it m repair. This being the case, the public, and particularly those settlers residing along this line of road are entitled to enquire to what authority they are to look for its maintenance ? The present contract for metalling, so far as we have heard, is being faithfully performed, but there appears to have been an oversight m the specifications for this work, as sufficient provision has not been made for carrying off the surface-water. Culverts should - have been put m at intervals of five or six chains, and as a natural consequence of this not having been done, the water from the late rains is running over the metal at different points along the road. There is also another matter m connection with this line to which the attention of the authorities requires to be drawn. It will be remembered that to avoid certain inequalities of surface that portion of the road between the Junction and Oroua Bridge winds about a good deal, and at one or two points encroaches upon private property. We understand a settler upon whose land the road thus encroaches, having called for tenders for fencing, is now enclosing his property, and m so doing will have to take m portions of what once formed the main road. Outside this settler's boundary there are sandhills, and at one part a 1 swamp intervenes, so that unless something is done m the way of formation at this point, we may look upon the main line between the Oroua and the Junction as virtually closed against traffic, for it is questionable if even a horseman could pass the obstructions to progress which at present intervene. If taken charge of at once this line of road would not cost much to keep m repair for years to come. The requisite culverts, and formation at the point indicated, would necessitate at present a comparatively small outlay ; but if the " stich m time " be not given, the settlers along this line will soon be -m almost as bad a position as though they had no road at all. By the courtesy of a gentleman who arrived m Palmerston yesterday by the Masterton coach we are placed m possession of the following particulars : — Three roadmen made attempts to work the punt across at the Maugatainoko ferry, but their endeavours to reach the opposite bank of the river proving futile, the coach passengers, one of whom was a lady, had to put back and remain some m the coach and some m the roadmen's tents all night. This of itself would not have been so bad but for the fact that they were unable to obtain food either for themselves or for the poor hoi'ses which had travelled over some 27 miles of heavy road during the day. We understand that the punt at this crossing has been finished nearly a month, and the wire rope has been on the ground since or before the finishing of - the punt, but for some to us inexplicable reason it has not yet been stretched across the river. Considerable danger was also experienced m crossing the Makakahi ford, about the bridging of -which nothing has been done, although the matter has been much talked about. We think it but right to state, lest unjust blame should be attributed to our Palmerston Post office, that as a natural consequence of this delay letters which should have been included m the Palmerston outgoing mails on Thursday night were only received m this township yesterday afternoon. The Chicago Minstrels are again about to visit our township, and will, as announced by advertisement, give a performance m the Foresters' Hall to-morrow (Thursday). It will be remembered that on the occasion of their previous visit to Palmerston this troupe gave but. a hasty performance, but it was of such a nature as to whet the appetite of those present for the dish which- they promised on their return. The opinions of the New Zealand Press as to the performances of the Chicago Miustrelsare very flattering. We quote that of the " South Canterbury Times " of recent date : — " The company far surpass anything of a similar kind that has appeared m Timaru before, which is accounted for m the fact that they are all trained musicians. The choruses of the songs were splendidly executed, and at the conclus o 1 of this part of the programme it was apparent that the Minstrels had rendered themselves especial favorites with the audience." Tenders are invited m our present issue for the erection of a schoolhouse at Awahuri. Plans and specifications may be seen at Mr Bennett's store, Awahuri, and tenders are to be sent m to J. T. Dalrymple, Esq., not later than the 28th instant.

Several letters have reached us, but we are reluctantly compelled to hold them over till next issue. We learned by telegram yesterday afternoon that owing to a southerly gale which was then blowing m Wellington the Napier would be detained at that port until to-day, and consequently would not leave Foxton till noon of Friday the 18th instant. On the 22nd instant will be given a concert m the Foresters' Hail, m connection with the Forester body for a purpose that has been already specified. In another column appears the programme, which will speak for itself. We trust that the enticement offered and the good object of the entertainment will together bring a large audience within the doors when the day of music arrives. We direct attention to new advertisements appearing m our present issue m reference to the assigned estate of E. & W. H. Brightwell. The remainder of the valuable stock m this estate will be on sale for fourteen days only, after which the balance remaining will be disposed of by tender or otherwise. Final notice is also given as to outstanding accounts, all of which mnst bepaid within 14 days from date of advertisement, or legal proceedings will be taken for their recovery. We are pleased to learn that the Eangitawas have at last agreed to sell one-half of theTutakaraßlocktothe Government. This block is situated m the 40-Mile Bush, and contains about 72,000 acres. It was awarded to the ltangitawa tribe by the Native Lands Court some eighteen mouths ago. We understand that the Government have been negotiating with the natives for its purchase for a considerable time, and actually advanced £12,000 on the block so far back as December, 1873. It is said the purchase will be finally concluded m about a month. The Manchester Highways Board has decided upon striking a rate of one shilling m the £ on the annual value of all rateable property within that district for the period of twelve months, commencing 31st April, 1877, and ending 31st March, 1878. This rate is payable at the office of the Board, Manchester street, Feilding, on the Ist, June, 1878. The Eate-book is open for inspection at the office of the Board. The clerk also notifies that the collector will be m attendance at the Board's office from the Ist to the 15th June next, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to receive payment of rates'. By telegram of the 11th inst. we learn that the tenders for the extension of the Wellington wharf were opened that afternoon. There were thirteen m all, but two from Auckland were informal. The work was divided into two . contracts, and separate tendei-s called for each with alternative prices, allowing the Council: to choose between iron bark and black birch. The following are the amounts of the contractors' tenders for both contracts : — No. 1 and 2 for iron bark, the tenders for black birch being generally about 10 per cent lower; J. Goodenough, £22,473; J. Saunders, £23,448 ; C. McKirdy, £22,268; J. Brown, £25,907; J. Lockie, £26,950; T. Coffee and Co., £23,286, all Wellington contractors. Hughes and Co., Palmerston North, £30,820 ; T. H. Kerr and Co., Christen urch, £23,577 ; W. G. Bassett, only tenderer for No. 1, £22,551 ; D. Proudfoot, Dunedin, £22,860; Donald Ross, Auckland, £22,300. The Council postponed further consideration of the matter till three o'clock to-morrow. The " Times " of the 12th says m reference to the tidal wave. The cause of the great phenomenon which yesterday visited us is at present veiled m mystery, but one or two solutions of the problem have been suggested. Fir3t, that the rush of water all along the coast is neither more nor less than the effects of a great gale m the South Pacific, the proximity of which has been indicated by the extraordinary depression of the barometer and high tides m the southern part of the South Island. It may be remembered as a matter of fact that on the 7th, Bth, and 9th the indications referred to did present themselves at the Bluff and Port Chalmers, but whether they have any connection with the occurrence of yesterday, or whether there was any connection between the high tides and the falling barometers on those days, must be left for determination by minds above the common herd of mankind. The idea which finds most favor is that the whole occurrence is a repetition of the event of 1868, and that the effects visible m our habors yesterday proceed from a similar cause to that which produced the former tidal wave, though the earthquake may have been less severe. The recent alterations of the time table of the Wellington and Masterton Kail way, affecting the interest of the Upper Hiitt and Wairai-apa traffic is causing some excitement and more dissatisfaction. The übiquitous Passniore is supposed to be the author of the objectionable changes. This official's aim and object appears to be to show how railways can be made not to pay. Cannot something be done with Mr Passmore ? Could he not be made a Commissioner to Australia or Europe, or has he not already done enough to entitle him to retire on a pension ? From different parts of the colony for the last three years there have been outcries against, his peculiar system of management. If lie does not pass more trains to the Upper Hutt thei-e will be little peace for him for the next few months. — " Argus." The " Wananga " learns on good authority that the promise made by the AttorneyGeneral, Mr Whitaker, to the House of Representatives that he would draft a new Native Lands Bill during the recess has been fulfilled. A new Bill sweeping away all existing -Acts -has been drafted by Mr Whitaker with the assistance of Chief Judge Fenton. We hope that the Government will secure the confidence of the Natives m this important matter by circulating the Bill a month before Parliament meets. Queee Feelings. Odd sensations-, , m various parts of the body, particularly m the head and lower extremities, which do not amount to actual pain, but are, upon the whole, rather worse, trouble many persons. Almost invariably they proceed from nervousness and weakness. A few doses of that peerless nervine and invigorant, Udoipho Wolfe's Schiedam Abomatic Schnapps invariably dispel all such queer feelings, and establish perfect bodily comfort and tranquility.-