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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 102, 2 October 1878, Page 2

His Worship the Mayor held a sitting of the Palmerston Police Court, on Monday, but the business was adjourned until the usual Court, to be holden before, the Resident Magistrate to-morrow. The lecture by Professor Fraser m aid of the Palmerston Literary Society takes place to-morrow evening, and from the large number of tickets already disposed of, promises to be a groat sucoess. We have been asked to announce that persons wishing to have their seats 'reserved can do so by application to the hon. eeoretary, MrLockie, at Mr Coleman's office. Mr Hill who has been so long m charge of the Taonui School, Rangitikei road, took his departure for Normanby by yesterday morning's train, he having been removed thither by the Education Board. Mr Seaton, from Matarawa has been appointed Mr Hill's successor at Taonui, and will re-open that school to-morrow morning, at the' usual hour. A meeting of the shareholders m the Manawatu Building Society was held m the Public Hall, Palmerston, on Saturday. Mr Macarthur occupied the chair, and Mr Lewis, of the firm of Buller and Lewis was m attendance. A draft of the rules were read and several alterations made, after which being done they were ordered to be printed. The settlers residing on the road between Stoney Creek and Otangaki are about petitioning the Government for the establishment of a post-office at the latter place. It is nine miles to the Otangaki Hotel from Palmerston, and they very justly assert that they should not be called upon to undertake such a needlessly-long journey, when an arrangement could be easily made to have a local post-office m the district. We understand several of the influential settlers are moving m the matter. We have been shown an influentiallysigned petition from the settlers at Jackeytown, praying that a shunt be put m at that place. Amongst other reasons given, it is stated that last year, independently of shingles and timber thero were three hundred and twenty six ton 3 of produce sent from Jackeytown alone. In addition to that there are a number of settlers on the Fitiherberton side of the Manawatu, who send all their produce across by a natural ford to market by way of Jackeytown. The Wardens of the Manawatu Highways Board held their last meeting m tbe Board rooms yesterday. There was a full attendance, the Chairman^ (Mr Henry McNeil) presiding. A number of letters and applications were received, but m every case it was resolved that the matter of dealing with their content, should stand over until the election of the new Board. After accounts amounting to £125 9s 2d were passed for payment, the members before separating passed a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman for the able and impartial manner m which he had occupied the chair duing his term of office. i We have received No. sof the "Waipawa Mail," a journal lately started to advocate and guard the rights and interests of that distriot. As Mr Hugh Thomson, its editor and proprietor, is a thoroughly practical man, it is needless to say that as a specimen of typography it is fully up to the mark, while the subject matter oontains a vast | quantity of local and other intelligence. Mr | Thomson was recently editor of the Wellington " Chronicle," and the leading co- ! lumns of his new veuture bear the same ! ability as was evidenced during his connection with the former journal. The public will be pleased to learn that ! there is erery probability of the Public Hall falling into the hands of the Borough Council upon most advantageous terms. A special meeting of the shareholders m the building was held on Saturday night, when it was unanimously resolved to accept the hut offer made for the hall by the Corporation, with a slight modification. It may be recollected that at its last sitting Or. Linton moved that the Council take over the mortgage and pay tbe balance of the £1500 .m equal annual instalments extending over ten years free of interest. The shareholders have accepted the terms, providing the Council pay the balance m eight years and a half instead of ten. There can be no doubt that the offer will be accepted by the Council at its meeting this evening, and this eligible building and site be thus secured to the town upon most favorable terms. Mr Miller Lewis, m another column, ! draws attention, m forcible and graphic language, to the disgraceful state of the Waikanae Perry. Although some parsons might be under the impression that his account is somewhat overdrawn, we are m a position to know such is not the case : the ferry is simply and positively disgraceful, dangerous to liFe, and a wilful tempting of Providence. The Waikanae River is the boundary between the Manawatu and Hutt Counties, and a dispute existed ai to which of the two bodies were bound to keep the ferry m order. Fortunately that has heen amicably arranged, and at. the last sitting of the Manawatu County Council the matter was duly considered, and the Engineer instructed to visit the ferry and report upon the best scheme for its proper working. The next sitting of the Council will take place on the 6th instant, when, 'no doubt, immediate steps will be taken to remedy the evil of whioh Mr Lewis has justly complained. The orators of St. Stephen's seem to be considerably exercised over the pleasantries of the Wellington Correspondent of the " Rangitikei Advocate," and appear to jump to the conclusion that the Hon. Mr Fox is the writer ,• that he is so is merely a matter of Supposition, and to ourimihd the manner m 'which the hon. gentleman was baited in' the House unon the authorship was afar greater outrage than \f- hat complained of. Mr Fox's Ailence upon th> matter,, and his refusal to Am*W ft J? Pp^eiaptorily put, is by

no means a proof that ho was the writer But even if he were, we imagine the senators went the wrong way to work to obtain the information, for we question if any correspondent would allow himself to be badgered and brow-beaten into the admission of a fact that was nob supposed to be made public. An accident of a singular nature took place last evening. A carter named Haines, was removing some articles from the Railway shed, and while stooping down to lift the weiglit upon the cart, his leg turned under him, and the bone snapped m two places between the knee and ankle. He was immediately lifted upon his dray, and conveyed home. Dr. Aker3 was summoned and after a short while attended the. in- ] jured man, setting the leg, but it will be months before the patient is able to move about. A report was current about town last night that the Royal stables were on fire, and looking m that direction four jets of flame could bo seen flaring up skyward. There was accordingly a regular stampede to the spot, only to behold a large carriage, drawn by four horses, at each of the four corners of the vehicle being placed a huge lighted flambeau, while reclining m the centre of the carriage m an arm-chair was a mysterious individual dressed m the height of fashion, huge moustache, and hair hanging over his shoulders. This was the redoubtable Professsr Scott, "The King of Pain," and such the means he had adopted to advertise his wares. We are pleased to learn that our hints with regard to the establishment of another saw mill iv Palmerstou have borne fruit, and steps are being taken prior to bringing the matter prominently before the public. Estimates are being made as to the required capital necessary to successfully float the venture, and when these are fully prepared a meeting will be called to discover the amount of support forthcoming. We have been spoken to by two gentlemen who are prepared to take up shares to the extent of a couple of hundred pounds each, and we j have little doubt that when the proper time arrives others will follow their example. As the scheme is one which will materially benefit the port of Foxton, we trust to see most liberally and cordially supported m it quarter. The movement would be one for the benefit of the whole country, for if the labor was provided to those at the upper end, the beuefit to bo derived from the port m resuscitating its languishing trade, would be fully an equivalent. Another sad and fatal accident is to be added to the one which we chronicled m our last issue, by which Mr H. S. Palmerson has lost a splendid little boy, two years of age. Mrs Palmerson and the children were on a visit to her father's residence at Raikopu, and the little fellow was straying . about the grounds on Saturday, when he tumbled into a duck-pond, without being observed. Dr. Johnston was hastily summoney from Palmerston, but notwithstanding every effort was made to restore animation, it was of no avail. The little fellow was an exceptionally fine child, and the greatest sympathy 19 felt for Mr fend Mrs Palmerson m their sad bereavement. Dr. Rockstrow held an inquest on Monday, when a verdict of accidental death was recorded. The funeral took place yesterday, and was followed by a large number of persons, anxious to testify their sympathy and respect on the melancholy oocasion. Through the courtesy of Mr Whittaker, proprietor of the " Waikato Times," who was a passenger at the time, we have learned of a serious accident which befell the Foxton co*oh from Wellington on Monday afternoon. After crossing Paikakariki, the vehicle sunk into a deep rut ia the suid, and m the effort to drag it out the polehook gave way, causing the horses to bolt at full speed. The affrighted animals' made for the surf, and after securing the coach, tlie driver mounted the remaining horse and galloped to the rescue. The breakers were so strong as to throw the horses off their feet, but not deterred at this, he gallantly went to their rescue, and succeeded m cutting the harness and letting them free. One of the horses, however, was smothered, and were it not for the courageous conduct of the driver, who placed himself m considerable peril, all three would have been lost. Fresh horses were procured from Paikakariki, and notwithstanding the mishap, the lost time was recovered, and Foxton was reached m time to catch the train. At the eleventh hour the G-ovornmemt have taken the step which we so strenuously advocated — the abandonment of the charge against Charles Harnett and Mrs Wahle. It is now considerably over a mont h since the protest of the foreman of the jury was made against tho recorded verdict, and the amount of time which has been allowed . to elapse before the Crown Law Officers could make up their minds as to the course they intended to pursue, is not only unac- . countable, but highly culpable. There could be no two opinions as to the ultimate result had the case gone to the G-rand Jury, ond . the procrastination and delay m correctingthe blunder is by no means creditable to \ those concerned. The Foxton witnesses have been notified that the recognisances i have been cancelled, and they need not ap- J pear to them on the 7th. The acensed, I however, will have to put m a formal appearance, when, no doubt, they will be informed that the Crown Prosecutor has entered a nolle prosequi. A meeting of the Manawatu Agricultural Association was held last Saturday at tlie Public Hall, Foxton, Mr Thynne m the chair. Letters of apology were read from several gentlemen to whom circulars had been sent, expressing regret for unavoidable absence, but hearty sympathy with the movement. A discussion ensued as to the advisability or otherwise of holding a show at an early date, but eventually is was de-, cided that when the socioty numbered forty members, the date and particulars of the show should be fixed upon. The Chairman and the hon. secretary were appointed a committee to revise the rules with a view of having them printed for distribution amongst members. In addition to the annual subscribers of £1 Is, it was resolved to allow subscribers of 10s 6d certain privileges. The following office:bearers for the year were appointed, after which the meeting terminated: — Patron, His Excellency the Governor ; President, Mr F. Robinson ; Vice-President — Messrs. Qt. M. Snelson, A. F. Halcombe, E. S. Thynne, H. Sanson, and W. Johnston, M.H.R. ; Hon. Treasurer, J. Purcell; Hon. Secretary, A. Walker; Auditor, Gk W. Russell; Managing Com-mittee—-Officers aw officio, Messrs. Liddel, Carter, Whyte, J. Robinson, Russell, Davidson, Barnett, J. Hadfleld (Otaki), 0. Simpson, Ed wars, Dawson, Gower, and MKeuzie. In reply to the telegraphic summons re^ ceived from Mr Gtoodisson, Mr. Rotheram arrived m Palmerston by the night train on Monday. He and Mr Goodisson had an interview on Tuesday morning, Iwhen the latter preferred a claim for the injuries done to his trap. The railway manager resolutely refused to acknowledge either Culpability or liability, and after referring to the fact that •an infringement of one of the bye-laws of the line had been committed, threatened if the matter were pressed, to : place it m the hands, of the police. Mr G^odison, who is naturally wroth at having his life endangered, his carriage smashed, and then defiance and threats flung at him, failing to", get - t satisfac- ,' ' tion from, the manager, has taken: steps tQ.

obtain it by other means. In justice to the engine-driver it is but fair to state that a passenger voluntarily signed a document stating that the whistle was sounded when the train was within sixty yards of the crossing. Probably this statement may have ; had much to do with Mr Rotheram's treatment of the matter ; but inasmuch as Mr Goodisson had Mr Deard, who was m the trap, and also the testimony of a gentleman m the train, to confirm his story, the ex parte and high-handed conduct of Mr Ro- ] theram is open to the grayest censure. We do not say that the driver is culpable ; we not say the driver of the trap is free from blame, but we do think that when the manager had travelled over one hundred miles to hold an investigation, he should not have returned by the next train without hearing both sides of the matter. The nominations for Wardens to the Manawatu Highways Board took place for Wards No. 1 and 2 on Monday, and 4, 5, and 6 yesterday. There was a walk-over m all except No. 2, the Carnarvon Ward, for which there were two candidatds. In No. 1, or Sandon Ward, G-eorge Farmer, proposed by H. Sanson and seconded by G-eorge Phillips, was elected unopposed. In No. 2, Or Carnarvon Ward, Heury Dawson was proposed by John G-ower, and seconded by Richard Port; while Herman Rockell was proposed by Henry Phiips and seconded by Henry Hammond. Upon a show of hands the majority were m favour of Mr Rockell, but a poll was demanded for Mr Dawson by his proposer. The nomination for the No. 3, or Foxton Ward, takes place to-morrow, and no doubt will result m the return unopposed of the present member, Mr McPherson. In the No. 4, or Karere Ward, Mr David McEwen, was proposed by Mr G-eorge Richardson, seconded by Mr Alfred Tanner. There was no opposition, and he was declared duly elected. For the Fitzherbert or No. 5 Ward. G-eorge Bruce, proposed by John. Munro and seconded by Thomas Parkes, was returned unopposed; as was also John Taylor Dalrymple for No 6, proposed by Thomas Edwards and seconded by Robert Kirk. The nomination for the Kiwitea or No 7 takes place to-day, and the Otaki on Friday so that the official declaration by the returning-officer will appear m our next ; issue. It is announced elsewhere that the poll will be taken for the Carnarvon Ward on next Monday.