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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 84, 31 July 1878, Page 2

We have frequently regaled our readers with the details of friendly contests for mastery between horses of " blood " and others of iron, but such exhibitions have generally been tho outcomo of choice not necessity. In the following little incident, however, the motive-power was reversed, as the fair competitor had entered tho lists for a higher stake than barren honor. Just when the train wns on the point of starting from IToxton f r Palmerston on Monday evening, a young married woman, who with her child had takon her seat, remembered something she had forgotten. Hastily dropping the child m the lap of a male fellow passenger, she ran "across the road to Gray's storo, but whilo she was there tho train started. Instantly snatching her hat from her head, she started m pursuit, and hand over hand was fast overhauling the fleeting train, amidst the plaudits ot the onlookers, bufc just as she stretched out her foot to catch the rail of the guard-van, it caught m the points, and she went sprawling on the line. With a courage worthy of success, m an instant, she was up and on again, but the delay was fatal, and, like Lord Ullin, she " was left lamenting." Five minutes later, however, she might have been seen on horseback, babitless, and showing plenty of leg, careoring m the direction of Palmerston. A stern chase is a long one, and as the road between Foxfon and Palmerston is not calculated to accelerate speed, her perseverance did not meet with the reward it deserved. It may be as well to mention that as tho male passenger alluded to happened to bo her husband, the kind offices of the "softhearted station-master " had not to be again called into requisition. The Crown Brewery, on the Kangitikei road, Palmerston, had a narrow escape from destruction by fire on last Saturday nigh*. Mr Crawford, manager for Mr Duigan, locked up the premises m the evening before going into town, at which time all wa° safe and secure. On hi 3 return at an early hour, he found the lower portion of the malting room all m flames. It appears that the upper storey of the building is used as a burning pan for tho malt, for which purpose it is coated with three layers of bricks. As it has been much m use of late, it is supposed that the fire burned through the mortar division between tho bricks,' and so reached the wooden beams underneath. It is most fortunate that Mr Crawford rrturnod before the (lames had gone very far, as otherwise there would be very little hope of saving the building ; as it was, however, although some little trouble was given before all was safe, the damage done was not very much. There are tricks m all trades, and the West Coast parson who retained all tho threepenny and fourpenny pieces put upon the plate until there was not another m circulation, and then sent them to Melbourne m exchange for golden sovereigns, was guilty of a very wordly action, yet took, no doubt, a most necessary step. That the latter was a fact, was evidenced by the material increase m the amount of the Sundays' collection. Palmerston is certainly without a resident clergyman, but if the following be a fair specimen of th.3 munificence of the church-goers, we are not surprised that the pulpit should be empty. Sixpences appear to do duty for the smaller coin, but a compromise is effected by the donor making his devotion every second week. On last Sunday we heard a youthful gentleman, who felt inclined for an extra dose of devotion, but had not been | prepared with the requisite coin for such a contingency, ask a friend if " lie were going to church ; because if not, he wanted to borrow the sixpence." Luckily the friend had an invitation elsewhere, so the religious intentions were not frustrated, and wore carried out without too great a drain on the exchequer. We are glad to perceive that, although work is proceeding with tho platform at Nees' Mill, it will be constructed only so far as is necessary for tho reception and stacking oP timber. In deference to the wishes of the residents at Terrace End no stops are at present being taken with regard to the passenger platform until the result of the resolutions forwarded to Wellington is known. We are informed that the only objection the Public Works Department has to the second platform, is the fact that m the distance of a mile and a quarter thero would bo three stoppages. In viewing the matter m that light, however, wo might point out that inasmuch as there will be an absolute necessity bcHora long for the laying on of a goods train, that objection will be done away with, as then the passenger train will not stop at shunts or sidings. We are given to understand that, m response to numerous applications, Mr Halcombe purposes commencing business m connection with tho solection, sale, leasing and management of landed property m tho Manawatu and Eangif ikei Districts. With this view he has established a land agency at Feilding which will be placed under the direction of Mr Sherwill, so long and so favorably connected with the. Ilalcombo . branch of the E. &C. A. A social ion. Possessing such intimate knowledge of the district, and the value of land m every part of Feilding and its surrounding noighbour-

nuuu, lucre can be no doubt boiii yunLleiuoi.aro i'ully competent for the task they ha;e undertaken, nnd should secure a large share of public patronage. The Wanganui Footballers came to grief m the Otaki Eiver, while on their returr journey on Monday. As the boat m which six of the team were seat> d was crossing the river, the ferryman, w.io evidently war not up to his work, got it broadside on to the current and capsized her Fortunately tho occurrence took place at n sliallow spot m which there were but three feet of water, and they succeeded m righting the b:>at, and t ailing lier out with their hats. The ferryman was afraid to take the whole six again into the boat, so he left three m the middle of the river, standing up to their woists m wa er for half an hour. After hid return, and their relief from their disagreeable position, they went on to Otaki to dry themselves, ai'riving at Foxton at seven o'clock. We understand that the exploration party despatched by the Mnnawatu County Council, under the leadership of Mr Thomas Bow, to discover a rond between Otaki and ! Foxtoo, has stopped its opera! 'ons for the pi*esent. The reason for the- delay is the opposition experienced from the Native landowners, who, not thoroughly understanding the nature of the work, have refused to let ifc be proceeded with. It is hoped, however, that when the matter is properly placed before the obstructionists, that the opposition will be withdvav.r. For this purpose, however, it is necessary to obtain some person who can act as an interpreler, as Mr Bow is totally unacquainted with the Native language. As one of the many exam pies -which might • be produced of the rapid rise m the value of land m the Mnnawatu, we may menfion thatJMr John Stevens, of Rangitikei, lately ef:ised an offer of £7 103 per acre for his block of 400 acres lying between PabnersLim and Awahuri. About two years ago he purchased the property for £800, since when lie has expended about £-00 upon it, However, notwithstanding that outlay, m addition to some remuneration he has been receiving for some time, he can now obtain £3,000, or two hundred per cent, upon the lot. Mr J. T. Stewart, District Engineer, and Mr Patterson, Foreman of Woi'ks,*w«.iv engaged all day yesterday m a canoe taken soundings of the various portions of the Manawatu m the Tiuiniiy of Awapuni. The operations, we believe, have so.ne reference to the recent labor 3of Messrs. Knorpp and Stewart, with regard to the proposed West Coastline. The trip of investigation was finished last week, and we understand Mt Knorpp, who is now m Wellington, will shortly hand m a report of his investigation, and his opinion as to themo3t fitting place to tap the Wanganui - Manawat u line. Monday's Wellington mail was not delivered until yesterday morning, the cause of the delay being the swollen state of the rivers between the capital and Foxton. The coach did not reach tho latter place" until seven o'clock, and as it had been calculated that its destination would have been reached during daylight, no provision had been made otherwise, and the whole of the journey along the beach was performed without lamps, the vehicle forging its way through an inky darkness. Poperty is certainly fetching a high price at present m Wellington, as we learn that Dr. Buller has been offered an advance of £2000 upon the figure paid by him for the old Supreme Court-house and site. Notwithstanding, however, the profitable interest upon' the outlay, the tempting bait has been refused. A mob of about thirty horses passed through Palmerston on Sunday afternoon, en route to the Rangitikoi Sale Yards. The animals, which came from Mac Master's run at Tahorite, appeared of a inferior character. As a pendant to our sub-leader on the Police Department, we may state that one of the latest items of intelligence by telegram from Dnnedin, ia that several members of the police force m that city are resigning m consequence of tho low rate of pay. Poison litres m the air of low-lying, marshy localities, new clearings, m the vicinity of sunken lots, on the outskirts of cities, and m the atmosphere of tropical regions. Its name is Miasma, and it produces Fever and Ague, typhus, yellow fever, bilious, remittent and intermittent fever. Dwellers m such unhealthy localities, emigrants and travellers should remember this, and procure that most reliable preventive and remedy for malarial diseases, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Abomatio Sohnapps.