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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 6, 7 November 1877, Page 2

We have been compelled more than once of late to draw the attention of our local authorities to the present unsatisfactory management of our Ferries. An incident that has just occurred at the Lower Gorge Ferry calls very loudly for something in the way of reform. It appears that on Sunday last; Mr Fordham of Wellington and four other gentlemen left Palmerston for the purpose of travelling towards Woodville. They arrived at the ferry and found that the man in charge was not in a fit state to put them across ; in fact he refused to do so. It appears that, the river was quite safe at the time and might have been crossed in a canoe. After waiting about three hours in the hope of being put across they were forced to abandon the idea and return. Such gross carelessness or impudence on the part of any public servant should not be tolerated. Complaints have repeatedly been made to us of this person's misconduct and we trusted that ere this some change would have been made in the management of this ferry. The late ferryman, Mr Stanley, gave great satisfaction during the whole time of his tenure, and we long ago spoke against the penny-wise procedure of taking the Ferry out of his hands and giving it in charge to the highest bidder. The Council, have since found out that they have not saved anything by the transaction. We trust, in the interest of the public the County Council will improve the management at the Lower Gorge Ferry, and as speedily as possible. In appointing a ferryman it is not superflous to enquire, is he a sober man ? for if sobriety be a virtue that is estimable in all men, it is absolutely indispensable in a ferryman who has charge of the lives of his fellow creatures. The Bishop will preside at the first meeting of parishioners which will be held at Feilding on Saturday next in the Immigration depot at 8 p.m. On the following Sunday the Bishop will conduct morning service. The choir have arranged to hold a full choral service on the occasion. We notice that the time to tender for a portion of the work required by the Borough Council has been extended to enable contractors to send in separate prices for forming and metalling. The fresh tenders are to be in by 10 a.m. on Saturday. We are unable in our present issue, to publish the minutes of the meeting of the Manawatu Highways Board held on Monday last. We desire, however, to draw attention to the large number of tenders invited by the Board for road work at Sandon, Carnarvon, Foxton and Palmerston. Tenders are to be sent in by the morning of the 22nd inst. It will be seen by advertisements m another column that the Banks and most of the stores in Palmerston will be closed on Friday next, the 9th inst., in honor of the Prince of Wales' birthday. The Indian Famine Fund meeting was held last night in Mr Snelson's auction room. Arrangements were made for canvassing the district previous to Saturday next. As the report arrived at such a late hour, we are reluctantly compelled to hold it over until our next issue. The sum of £12 was reported as being on the list for the evening. The speech of Sir George Grey in reply to Major Atkinson, on the no confidence motion, has been printed in pamphlet form, and distributed over the Colony, to the extent of 20,000 copies. The second Concert held at Feilding in aid of the Indian Famine Fund was well attended. The proceeds of the two concerts amounted to about £16. Private donations amount to £6, making a total of £22 from Feilding.