Untitled

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 10, 30 November 1878, Page 2

We wish to explain that we are unable to give Councillor Halcombe's speech, m the County Council, as it had been delivered bofore tbe arrival of tho train. Had our reporter been present, we would have given it m its entirety, aswe wish to deal fairly with both sides. Evidently the season for lunatics has commenced. Word reached town yesterday that the man, Micklesen, who tried to commit suicide a few weeks ago by throwing himself under- the railway engine, has again become violently insane and unmanageable. He will be brought to town from Bunnythorpe to-day. But three tenders were accepted for works of the last sitting of the County Council— Those of Mr T. V. Cook, for forming aud metalling street at Foxton, £275 ; Harvey and McColl, widening and grading Gorge road, £230 ; aud Harvey and and McCeJl, Palnierstou-Fcjcton, road' £233, It is necessary to go from home to learn news of oneself, and the result of our last journey has been to find that Mr Walter Johnston has been m treaty for the purchase of the Manawatu Times. Well, perhaps ho has, and perhaps he has'nt ; but as this journal has been entered for the "£IOOO Stakes," should our member become the purchaser, we presume the bargain will include aii its " engagements and responsibilities.'-* There is every probability of the Hon. the Native Minister being m ;Palraerston m a few days. We have been informed by fche. Maoris that Mr Sheehan — who is afc prosent m Taranaki — lias made arrangements with the various chiefs to visit the distriots, m order to confer with them concerning Natives matters of interest. Mr Sheehan will telegraph tbe day upon which ho will arrive, and the Natives will assemble m Palmerston to meet bAmIt will be seen that m compliance with a requisition which has been presented to him, his worship tho Mayor has called a meeting of the settlers from all parts of the Count}', to. be holden m Palmerston on Monday night week. As the principal matter to be discinsed is the immediate prosecution, of tlie West Coast railway, a work of the utmost importance to the Comity of Mima watu, residents from ' all parts of tho district aro invited. We . believe, Mr Halcombe, and other prominent settlers from other parts have promised to attend. As will be seen from our report of the County Council, Mr Macarthur, the senior member for the Manchester Riding, has been ejected Chairman, forthe next twelve months. His -nomination was proposed by his colleagne, Mr Halcombe, who, i;*i doing so spoke m high terms oi Mr Macorthuv's integrity and ability, a verdict which was heartily endorsed by every member of the Council. It had been arranged by the Southern members that Mi' Sanson should be nominated, hut as that gentleman expressed a wish to retire m favor of Mr Macarthur, it was not brought to an issue. A new industry is shortly to be opened m the Square, Palmerston, m the shape of 3 photographic studio, the works o.f art, however, being entirely different from, anything exhibited m the district. We have been shown several specimens o,f photography upon 'poreelnin, which aa likenesses aro admirably executed, and possessing tho merit of being almost imperishable, neither dimming m color or acuteness of outline. The artists, Messrs. Tyree and Huff, have to. perfected their system ihat they can transfer likenesses to the dials of watches with wonderful correctness, one of which we were shown — and although ten years have elapsed since it was taken — being aa fresh and perfect as ever. The photograph being m miniature, does not at all obsc-nre the figures on tho dial. The settlers of Karere have no need to i regret the choice they made of a representative for- the County Cuuncil. At the sitting on Wednesday, a sum of £232 was voted for metalling the road down to Karere and building culverts, while it is maro than possible another £-300 wiU be obtained for its cent m nation down to Jackeytown. Then again, £300 is to be spent m grading and widening the Gorge road from the town boundary to. the boundary of the Manchester Riding. This work will join into a contract which bus just been let by the Corporation, of £230, for the road right to the river, The settlers of Fitzherbert have also been allowed £102 for road works from the Manawatu Bridge toward the Gorge ; while the Scandinavians on tl\e llocic at Awapuni are to hare thoir land drained by the deepening of the outlet from tlie railway line to the river. Taken as a whola, the iihai-e is not bad for a first meeting of the Council. . •. ; Constable Gillespie, on Wednesday, took a cab up to the Gorge with the view of searching for the lunatic said to be at large iv that locality. While making inquiries fronj Boyd, the ferryman, he saw the ohject of his search come ont of the bush aud make off mau opposite direction. After a little trouble he came up with the man, <itid being m plain clothes, asked him if he want i'd n job. The poor follow 'foil into the trap at once, a id upni replying m the affirmative, was hired- by. the constable for cutting light bush, They then both repaired to the cah, and were driven b:iok to tpvfn, the uuly aot of the prisoner during the trip which would, leave any doubt of. his sanity, being scattering some money along the road, IJe was safely lodged pi

the lock-up before he had the slightest idea of the ruse which. had been played upon him, and he then coolly remarked, "I have been m such a place before." Upon being interrogated upon this point, he replied, "Oh, before they sent me to the Lunatic Asylum." The form of his madness is evidently religious mania, as he asserts that he has a letter from God, and that he has his ticket for heaven. On Thursday he was examined by Dr. Maclaehlan, and a telegram was forwarded to the Resident Magistrate, giving him the facts of the ease. His name i 3 Francis O'Connor, and he is about forty years of age.