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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 54, 17 April 1878, Page 2

So many rumpr3 have., been flying about of late as to when the Fpxton-Wanganui line — or even /the portion to .Halcombe — was to be opened to the public, that it was nec'eesary to receive each succeeding report with considerable caution. However, now there need be no further speculation or uncertainty as far as Halcombe is concerned, as a notification from the manager m another column' states that traffic will be opened between that place and Foxton on next Monday, on which occasion trains will run the double journey at single rates. As the Martonians have prepared a most inviting programme of sports for Easter Monday, it is a pity the line' could notfbe Open to Martbn : by that time. Were such the case, we have no doubt the attendance would.be largely, supplemented, and the coffers of the Railway Department considerably" the gainer thereby; That the line is m a state to be so utilised cannot be denied, for on last Monday an engine with improvised carriages ran through from Halcombe to .Hawkeston — within a couple of miles of Marton — with a picnic party/ Although, as we are aware, there is a portion of the line unballasted, an excursion train could be taken across with just as much facility and security as any of those which have been travelling to and fob f or some considerable time, and as -the Government have now taken the work into their own hands, there would be no difficulty m dealing with . contractors to obtain the concession. Before leaving the subject, '. we feel bound to add that the conduct of the Government has been most reprehensible m the matter, arid the delay iv resuming the work' most un-/ justifiable. It/is now close^ upon six weeks since the first stoppage took place, and there was nbfr the least necessity for the works lying idle beyond a fortnight. Had the Government taken the step then that they hay &; noW, the line would be m full swing at'the -'present time. As it is, however, a month of the very best time of the year has been' -wasted, the men have been' standing idle, business at a standstill, and with a prospect that before the works are how finally completed the weather may break up at any time, and so cause another delay. .;■!■. , „/ \ . ■ " - - ■ Amongst the recent passengers through Palmerston^ was Mr John F. Perrier, late editor of. the Argus, -who was on his way from Hawkes Bay to the /capital. Perhaps however, not . a few to r whom he would be unknown by his name proper, would be able to recollect'him when mentioned by his professional mow* de plume of " The Intelligeufc Vagrant." • Evil-minded persons from time immemorial have insinuated; that the general relations between the Publicans and _ Scribes have been much close than they needbe, but," The Intelligent Vagrant " has ; determined that, aa far as he is concerned, the coalition -will be still greater, as it is his I intention to fuse the two callings into. one. With such intent he has taken possession of a capital site at Ekatahuna, half way (between Woodvi&e'andvMa^tertOn. on which ■ ■■••' ■ '■ - ■ 'V'-;'.r' - ' ."■ ' ■ .•-. ■ ■ • ■ ■ •■• he intends erecting a commodious hotel/ The position is, an admirable, one, being the stopping ; place for- the coaches, and_ we believe, it was the intention of Mir Hastwell, had he not been thus forestalled, to have carried. out the; same idea. "The Intelligent Vagrant M has already made a name for : himself /with : his <:■ pen, .w-hioht being now : laid aside, his fund of anecdote will m future find another channel/ and be given to the weary traveller; garnished with the cheering concomitants of a roaring fire and a steaming tumbler of whisky-punch. In our. issue of the 10th instant we stated that " the Government, recognising the necessity for greater facilities for timber .export* had .given orders for the addition to the jetty of; another berth," the foregoing being an extract from the para— graph m question. We were, therefore, .; considerably surprised to learn, from Saturday's/"New i^alandj^rimesi" that, on the previous day, <,dr two days' subsequent" to pur announcement* Messrs. Loudqn and Bishop, acting as -.a-, deputation to the Public Works Departraerit, were informed by Mr. Macandrew that the Government had already given instructions for the wharf to be extended so as to give accommodation -for another- vessel, arid' further, that the "information was so far satisfactory, and having: thanked the Minister f6r his courtesy and attention to the matter, they withdrew." We are not at all surprised that Mr. Macandrew: should confirm 1 the statement we made, but it is really somewhat odd that those by whorii Messrs-. Loudon arid Bishop had been deputed, should not have taken the trouble, during the three/ days whicKiritPi'Veriedjtd telegraph ! to them 1 the information/ / It '- is somewhat a qoiricidence that the proprietors of the two. principai hotels m PalmerstOii shojild have disposed of their iritbrrists almost upon the same da j. Mr. Owen, the proprietor of the Clarendon, is at .present m Wellington, and beyond the mere fact that the hotel has changed hands, nothing definite is known. The reasen of Mr Owen's intended removal from, the district ■ '-' -'i '-:':* '.-ii*- -■ -■'" ■■ ■; i': ' '. -"' ; T is purely Of a fanuty nature— a desire to give his eldoir.children that education which it was impossjible they could obtain m Palmerston. Mr. Gilbert has disposed of his interest to Mr. Bachelor, so long and so favourably kiiown m Marton. It appears that the incomer takes over the establishvaehb under >enfc for about, four mouths, when a liceuse will be obtained m his own , name A and extensive additions, .necessary to.

meet the growing requirements of the town, will be made. Mr. Bachelor takes possession on this day week. Wo believe it is Mr. Gilbert's intention to take a lengthy holiday, as he intends rusticating for some time at the Hot Springs. We learn that the oontraot for the erection of the Halcombe Station, which was lately abandoned by . Messrs. Nathan and Wilkie, is to be again prooeeded with, without delay. The bondsmen, Messrs. Bradley and Brown, hare made arrangements with Mr. James Bull, of Bulls, for the completion of the work, the same gentleman also providing the necessary timber for the structure. We are likewise given; to understand that Mr.. Bull satisfactorily settled Mr. Jerissen's claim for timber supplied to the late contractors. It is .'satisfactory to know that with this arrangement ends the dead-lock which has unfortunately delayed the opening of the line for so long. We are given to understand that his Lordship Dr. Hadfield during his recent visit to Falmerston was so impressed with' the necessity for a resident clergyman, that it is more than possible such an appointment will be made ere long. _ : :. It is notified elsewhere that- the rolls for the several ridings m the Manawatu County will be open to inspection at the office ofthe Council, Foxton, and at the places mentioned hereafter, from the 20th of April to the 16th of May next ; arid further, that all or any objections thereto must be lodged before the last day of May at the Resident Magistrate's Court m the "Biding. For the Manchester and Kiwitea Ridings, at the office ■of the Manchester High ways : Board, Feildingj for the Taonui Riding, at the office of the Mariawatu Highways Board, Palmerstqn North ; for the . Oroua Riding, at Mr. Tompkiris' store, Sanson ; ;for the Kawakawap-Riding, at Mr. McKehaie's Post Office, Carnarvon ; and for the Horowhenua Riding, at Mr/Small's store, Otaki. The morning train t to Foxton on Monday had rather an u^g|ual consignment, in^the body of a deceasra^[a6ri girl, which/was being conveyed from' Karere to Oroua Bridge for sepulture. Some little delay was experienced m the fuheral^pwing'to the high rate charged for the conveyance of the corpse, whicli, according to the regulations, is placed at £1, that being the minimum. Taking a very common-sense view : of the matter, the relatives argued that, as the girl was neither old nor big, some. reduction upon the adult charge should be made. The rule was cast-iron, however, arid ttiefull i«ate had to be produced before the strange passenger was placed m the van, f There seems to be some fatality V; over those who. leave the country* intent upon seeing the Great Circus in ' Wellington. Last week the steamer conveying the Kaikoura people arrived four days/before tHeMenagerie was prepared to begii>; and. the vacuum had to be filled up by periodical visits to the- patent slip. The Jane Douglas, which was to have left Foxtori on Saturday with the excursionists, did not take hep departure; until Monday morning, as, although she" hauled off into the; stream, owing-' to. tempestuous weather it was judged advisable to return again to the wharf. Mr Collins has requested us to correct a statement -which appeared' m our columns, whjch would lead one to infer that. there was a vacancy for a school mistress m the Palmerston school. We do so with pleasure, at the same time we are by -na means answerable for .the mistake, the notification having been extracted, from the Education Boards advertisement m : the Wanganui .daily. ' ■'.-■' '■' ■"■• ; ••■•■ : '-' ' ■■'■"•' /'.;..' ' The last number of the" " Gazette "intimates that his Honor Judge Richmond has appointed Mr Herirv Samuel Fitzherbert -ReVisinu ; Officer for the .'Electoral districtsam ongst others— of the Manawatu, Rarigitikei, and Wanganui. " - It is notified m our advertising columns that the usual tea arid public meeting will be held m the Wesleyaii Church, /San Von, on good Friday. The tea will s b'e on the table at four m the afternoon, and the meeting will be held two hours arid a half later. Persons desirous of nominating relations or f rierids m Great Britain should bearjin lniifd that the monthly list will close at. Wellington to-morrow week.- iFull particulars as to the mode . of procedure may be seen An another column. ... ■' , ; " '.■::■, We are informed by the rail way manager that there will be. no alteration m starting the trains, on Good Friday, the time being the same as on other days.