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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 92, 28 August 1878, Page 2

There appears to be a very prevalent opinion amongst certain officials on this Coast that Wanganui is the sun from which less favored places should draw the light. When tho news of tho drowning of Mrs Taylor became known m Wellington, Inspector Aitchison telegraphed to Constable Gillespio to start for Foxton to tako charge of tho case, m the absence of Constable Purcell. Ho obeyed tho instructions, and toolc nil necessary measures for tlie conduct ot the cisc, only to find on arrival of tho Wanganui train that Sergeant Donnelly had been despatched by his superior officer to supersede him. Unfortunately for that zealous officer, the inquest was almost at an end, and consequently there was but littlo honor to bo gained ; but the worthy Sergeant was determined not to bo baulked, and notwithstanding the fact that the Coroner, by his warrant of committal, had summarily disposed of tho matter for thj time being, ho telegraphed to' Marton to the Resident Magistrate to go to Foxton to pursue the magisterial inquiry, intending to bring the accusod before tho Police Court on tho following morning. No doubt tho police officer based his stop upon tho 23th clause of tho Coronei*3 Act, 18(57, whicli says: " Whenever upon tho termination of any inquest held under this Act a verdict of wilful murder shall have been returned, and m all other case 3 when it shall appear to the Coroner holding tlio inquest that it would be proper that a further investigation into the circumstances attending the matter giving occasion for such inquest should take place, it shall bo the duty of such Coroner to cause a copy of the evidence taken on such inquest to be forwarded* forth witli to tho nearest Resident Magistrate, who shall thereupon cause such investigation as may appear proper and necessary to be forthwith made." It will be seen, however, that to carry out that clause, judgmont should be deferred, and the functions of the Coroner, as it were, relegated to the Police Magistrate. In the ease alluded to, tliat courso had not been adopted : the Coroner, as we stated, had recorded tho verdict, und committed the accused for trial, thereby precluding any further judicial action until the Grand Jury wa» called upon to deal with it. Mr Ward answered the summons without delay, only to find on his arrival at Foxton that his services were not required. We imagine that hitherto tho Constable m the Palmerston District has given sufficient evidence that he was quite able to deal with such an ordinary matter as an inquest, and we fancy the Police Magistrate will not have a very elevated opinion of tlio Wanganui official experts after his subjection to useless expenso.'mueh inoonveuience, and a journoy of one .hundred and twenty miles, through their stupid blundering.

We refer our readers to another column for a summary of the Public Works Statement, expressing tho views of the Government on the West Coast Railway. For some unaccountablo reason our Foxton Correspondent's letter did not reach us this issue. Mr. Alexander Dundas, the District Suv • voyor, left town on Monday with a party of men, en route lo Marton, to survey a township m the Paraekaret v Block, about eight miles from Major Marshall's. We also learn from a private sourco that Mr Henrj' Jackson, Chief Surveyor, is expected m the Afanawatu at the close of the week, his visit being m convection with several survey contracts m course of operation for tho Government. Wo aro glad to see that tho railway authorities have taken the hint with regard to the ladies' wailing room at tho Palmerston Station, and on Saturday night tho fire was largely taken advantage of. It was especially acceptable, inasmuch as tho train from Wanganui waa fully an hour nnd a half beyond the ndvevtised tiino, and passengers had a weary wait. Wo havo repeatedly urged upon tho General Manager tho necessity of telegraphing to station masters when trains ara ovordne, with the view of having tho altered time of arrival pasted up. This ho has persistently refused to do — or at least has not caused to bo dono — and on Saturday night tho omission was tho cause of a passenger losing tho train. The travoller was on the platform punctually at nine, but after waiting wearily until twenty minutes past ten, he thought he would have time to run home beforo its arrival, and although ho made all haste m his return, just arrived at the station m time to sco the stern lamps on tho train as it sailod down tho line. The refusal of Mr Rotheram to issue such instructions is certainly adding insult to injury, for decidedly tho least tho department should do when xmablo to perform its duties is to lessen tho inconvenience its inefficiency causes the public. We will wait to see if tho hint be taken, and if not we will feel it our duty to bring tho matter prominently before tho Commissioner. Tho Foxton School Committee have lost no time m taking action with regard to tho money voted to them for improvements by tho Wanganui Education Board, and hare determined to erect a commodious budding for tho use of tho girls. We have been shown tho plans for tho proposed school, drawn m Foxton, which certainly aro a vast improvement upon tho ordinary pigeon-box structures to be met with all over the West Coast. It is m tho old Norman stylo of architecture, seventy feet m length, divided into two rooms, one of forty feet and another twenty, with a ten-feet corridor. Careful consideration has beon given to tho very important matters of ventilation and light, and when finished, tho building will bo one of tho most comfortable within the jurisdiction of tho Board. We believo the plans have to bo submitted to Wanganui, for inspection and acceptance, but thoro is vory little danger but that they will be endorsed by the Board. Wo aro given to understand that Mr Moinet, late Railway Manager, has severed his connection with tho Government service, with tho view of entering into business on his own account m Foxton. Ho is about to entor into partnership with Mr Robinson, and tho new firm will carry on operations as architects, engineers, and commission agents. The many friends of Mr Moinet will wish him hoarty succo3S and prosperity m his now sphere. Tho contract, of Mr Andreason for tho extension of the Foxton Wharf is progressing most satisfactorily. It is now ten weoks since tho work was first entered upon, and notwithstanding the wretched weather experienced during the whole of that time, about ono- half of the contract, or between eighty and ninety feet, — lias been completed. With anything liko propitious weather ifc is oxpected fche remaining portion will be finished m less than two months. Tho piles, a quantify of which aro on tbo ground, aro of the best totara, cut from Mr Andreason's own land, near Palmorston. When the wharf is finished there will be berthing for two extra vessel?, but wo think a great mistake has been mado m tho width of tho pior, which will be one hundred and sixty feet long, but only thirteen wido. As wo have declared all along, we' feel that the ox tension, will be found thoroughly inadequate to tho i*equirements of the port. Wo have received tho following mysterious communication, tho meaning of which wo confess wo havo been unable to discover. We do not know whether tho Hon. Mr Fisher ia responsible for the ukase, but if so, ho must bo particularly selfish to deprive his colleagues — the Premier, tho Native Minister, the AttorneyGeneral, and the Minister of Public Works, of the privilego that he himself ancl a select few would wish to enjoy : — " Chief Postoffiee, Wellington, 2 1st August, 1878.— Gentlemen, — I have tho honor to inform you that the following officers are permitted to receive files of newspapers free of postage : Tho Governor, Colonial Secretary, Treasurer, Po3tmaster-Gonoral. Filo3 for other Government, officers aro not permitted to be delivered. I send you this information to savo you noodless trouble and expense, should you be m the' habit of addressing them to officers other than those enumerated above. — I have tho honor to be, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant, Edward D. Butts, Chief Postmaster." At tho recently- held meeting of the Foxton and Sandon Railway Committee, the following resolution were carried : — " That the committee do immediately take the necessary steps to form a company for tlie construction of a line from Carnarvon Junction to Sandon." Instructions were also given for the procuring plans and books of reference of tho whole of tha three ridings through which the proposed line will run, so as to enable the ratepayei'3, before the matter carao to the vote, to see clearly what was intended to be carried out, and how they individually would be effected, not only with regard to tho position of fche line, but also tho proportion of the rate they might bo called upon to contribute. Enquiry is being mad© as to the probable cost of these plans and books of reference, whic'i the committee hope shortly to have ready for tho inspection of the ratepayers. One copy of each will bo deposited at. Foxton, one at Carnarvon, and a third at Sandon. The exact place of deposit m each township has not yet been definitely decided upon, but of this'ample notice will be given. It was also resolved — "Tliat the committeemen of Sandon and Foxton should foi*m tlie provisional directors ofthe company," tho prospectus of which may be expected to appear shortly. One by one the old buildings which marked Foxton m the past are disappearing, aud new and handsome ones are taking their places. Everywhere the rattle of the carpenter's hammer or the whirr of the saw may be heard. The hotel lately taken by Mrs Hillen is undergoing not only large alteration, but considerable addition is being made to the building, embracing a billiardroom on the ground-floor, with three new bedrooms and a drawinggpom" above. We also hear that it is .the intention of one of the principal storekeepers m tdio town to orecfc another store m close proximity to his present ose, to keep pace with -the increasing demands of his trader

TE.-" Some business of more than usual importance mn3t havo been transacted amongst the Natives yesterday at Hokowhituj -ais from an early hour Maoris of all .grades and? shades came flocking into town, only, to* wend their way m that direction, and it is calculated their numbers could hot have been less than one hundred. Old Governor Huuia put m an appearance on Monday, rejoicing iv a white bell-topper, and robed m the orthodox long-tailed freizo, trimmed and faced with the royal purple. Mr James Booth, the Native Assossor, arrived by tha first train from the North, and although we have not heard for certain that such was the case, it is more than possible his visit, will have been m convection with the Jcorero. A bibulously-inclined "teetotaller on a strike," named James Kielly, whose libations interfered with his power to preserve his equilibrium, fell into the clutches of Con> stable Gillespie on Monday, and as a consequence was accommodated with quarters for fche night. Upon interviewing his Worship yesterday morning, James stated that he had been seven years m Palmerston, and had never fallen into the hands of the Philistines before. The Mayor, before whom the case was heard, was of opinion it was about time Mr Kielly had contributed something toward the revenue, and mulcted, him to tho extent of five shillings, or 24 hours. Tho accused said a friend of his was his banker to tho extent of twice that amount, but up. to a late hour the "bank" had not honoured the cheque. Toward evening a publicau — a sinner, but wifchal a Good Samaritan — came to the. rescue, and released Mr Kielly from bondage. The elections for tho Foxton Local Board took plaeo on Monday, and resulted in'the whole of the old members being returned with the exception of one — Dr. Eockstrow being tho only new blood infused into tho body. Indeed, to our mind, the fact that there should bo any opposition afc all exhibited a somewhat ungracious spirit, inasrauoh as ifc was Purely a matter of honor which caused the old Board to resign, and they could have stuck to their seats had they been so inclined. The following are the successful candidates : — Messrs Liddell, Loudon, Whyte, Eockstrow, and Cook.' As the new man was somewhat a censor bf the acts of the old Board, he may not find the seat one of velvet and feathers. The election for the representation of the Biding of Horowhenuain the County Council, vacant by the death of Mr Hector McDonald, takes place to-morrow. Two . candidates are m tho field— Mr John Davis and Dr. Hewson ; and we have been informed that Mr Kebbell had also intended to contest fche seat, but through absence fi'om the district, had failed to comply with some necessary provisions.