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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 22, 18 January 1879, Page 2

We have not been, favored with a copy of the Wanganui Herald for over a week. Will the publisher kindly rectify the omission. His Worship Bishop Hadfield will hold a morning Service, with Holy Communion at the Barracks, Feilding, to- morrow, at eleven o'clock ; Baptismal Service at two ; and evening Service at seven. We regret that pressure upon our space precludes us paying that attention to Mr. Gower's notice of motion in the County Council which its importance deserves. We feel sure Mr. Gower will forgive the omission when we inform him we will do himself and his motion full justice in our next. The return cricket match between Foxton and Palmerston, which was to have taken place to-day, has been indefinitely postponed. The cause of the delay has been that most of the team are otherwise engaged, practising for the forthcoming regatta. A meeting of the Committee of the Palmerston Cricket Club was held on Tuesday last, when considerable routine business was transacted, and some accounts passed. It was decided to convene a general meeting of the members of the Club for next Thursday evening, when as business of grave importance has to be transacted, it is requested every member will be in attendance. We intended to have referred to the Fox ton Regatta at some length, but as the programme has not been forwarded to us for insertion, we are in perfect ignorance of its nature. We would, however, desire to draw attention to the fact that the railway manager, with his acoustomed enterprise has made ample provision for up-country visitors. We learn that Messrs. Snelson and Linton, the members of the committee appointed to select the site for the Palmerston School Fete, have decided upon holding it in the enclosed paddock opposite the Roman Catholic Chapel. The ladies of Palmerston have nobly responded to the solicitation for their aid, and we learn that through their efforts a very considerable sum has been collected towards the treat. We are pleased to see that our enterprising fellow settler, Mr Christopher Simp son, is determined upon thoroughly utilising his magnificent farm at Bansey, for breeding purposes. By the Ringarooma he received a consignment of two pure bred bulls, two pure bred cows, and ten pure bred heifers all in calf. With this splendid addition to his already large stock, Mr Simpson may look for a magnificent breed in the future, With commendable consideration the shop-keepers of Palmerston have resolved to close their various places of business on next Wednesday, so that their employees may enjoy a holiday. As the Palmerston School Pic-nic is held on that day it will give persons an opportunity of patronising it ; while those who are fond of aquatics can be take themselves to the Foxton Regatta, to suit, which the trains have been altered specially. A list of those stores whioh will be closed, appear in another column, It will be seen that our Nature friends at the Oroua Bridge have determined to hold their Annual Sports on Saturday, the Ist of February. A capital programme is to be submitted, embracing seven events in the horse racing line, while the intervals between the races is to be filled up with foot, jumping, and other matches. The originator of the sports, Harry Larkius, has been indefatigable in his efforts to make them a success; and by his labors the committee will be enabled to give away about £50 in prizes. The committee do not wish to make any profit out of the concern, whioh has been got up for the promotion of legitimate sport. With reference to Mr. Dalrymple's letter, which appears in another column, we may state that it was clearly shown at the meeting that he had addressed letters to the various Wardens, asking their consent to the appointment of Messrs. Hoe and Keeling. If from our report that fact is not made sufficiently clear, then we have done the Chairman an injustice, which we wish to rectify. That we did not mean to lead to that supposition is evidenced by tlie statement put into Mr McKenzie's mouth, to the effect that he had received a circular from the Chairman. There is now mail communication between Napier and Palmerston regularly three times a week, but so far arrangements have not been made for the coach to arrive in Palmerston in time to transfer the mails and passengers to the night train to the north. By a little judicious management this could be easily done, as upon the last three nights of arrival the Napier coach just got into town as the train was leaving it. If the train from Napier were to start an hour earlier than at present, that end would be effected, and by making up the mails for Wanganui, &c., separately instead of placing them in the Palmerston bag, they could be transferred at Terrace End. This would be a great boon to the travelling public, and cause a letter despatched from Napier in the morning to be received in Wanganui at night. It is something truly appalling to consider the amount of ignorance displayed by the Wellington papers on the most momentous questions of the day. In referring to the West Coast route, the New Zealand Times states that "the Rangitikei and Manawatu papers are full of the great terminus question." We do not know whether it is ourselves or our Foxton contemporary which has been located in Rangitikei for the nonce. Then again the Post asserts that " the local TIMES devoted two columns to prove that Parliament fixed no route at all." Now that is unkind, as upon the occasion referred to, the local TIMES devoted three columns to the object, and flatters itself it proved its case. We are pleased to know that there is a likelihood of the difference between Councillors Halcombe and Loudon being finally at an end. At the meeting of the Manawatu County Council on Wednesday, the former assured those present that he m no way intended his resolution to reflect upon the electors of Awahou, and as that was till Councillor Rockstrow sought by his resolution, he Haked leave to, aud did, withdraw it. A letter was read from Mr. Loudon which had the effect of again unsheathing the oral stilletoes of the worthy Councillors and each one played " follow the leader" in having a stab at their victim, Mr. Loudon can well afford to ponkei the opinion of his confreres, backed up as he is by the Press at home and at a distance, his own constituency, and ..three-fourths of the people ip the Manawatu. As onr reporter wax not' present at the meeting, we merely give the actual business done, not the vioLent and vituperative utterances of the speaker, It wijl be seen that the long-promised entertainment in aid of the Palmerston -Hospital is to take place an mxt Thursday, and -the oommittee hi*s been fortuunte enough to secure the services of Messrs Margetts, Calon and Tully. The first

named gentleman is a Comique of the very ■first order* 4»eVija£.yhe hAiiTol' his .peofession on th'e' Melboarne Stage" for years-; andfrom pur own knowledge we can safely say that his character songs area treat m themselves. We have not now seen Mr. Margetts for some nine years, but at that time he was drawing crowded houses, m Melbourne, notwithstanding he was playing m opposition to the ii> glish Comiqite, Harry Riukards. Mons. Calou is a finished pianist, and those whe wish to gat a rich musical treat had better not let the opportunity pass. Mr. Tully is a stranger to us, but we believe he is possessed of considerable ability. We understand Mr. Margetts will have quite a uew stage erected under his supervision, and m vke sovei-al inn frjveaunts m scenery and accessories of the htA, t Although the erection of the Bank o Australasia, Palmerston, has been a matter of time, there is no doubt theowners will be material gmners thereby, every piece of tim ber.in it- .will have been thoroughly Jseasoned. Judging from the outside. no^one, would imagine that there was nearly so much room 10 the building as there really is. Besides the banking room, t he manager has a largo room, behind which is a large and spacious hall leading to parlor and bed rooms, with a large ba*h room contiguous. In addition, however to this accommodation, it is intended to remove the building lately m the occupation of Mr. Caney, photographer — which was bought from the Colonial by the Australian Bank — from its present site, and place it beside the new building, but facing Broad street. When 'finished, which it now will he shortly, the Australasian will be n must acceptable addition to the architecture of the town, while inside no expense will be spared m suitable convenience* and decorations. The walls and ceilings will he lath and plaster, the Utter having heavy and massive cornices which will give it a most finished appearance. Tho pio-nic given to the school children of the Taonui School took place on Wednesday last, and proved a most enjoyable and successful affair.' There were fully two hundred and fifty persons present, one half of whom were parents or visitors, who were right royally entertained during tho day. The entrance to the grounds had an ever green arch, m front of which the word *' Welcome " was tastefully woven into shape with flowers, while a large tent or marquee was -erected, underneath winch there whs nn ample supply of "the cup thit cheers." "Kiss m the Ring," apd all sorts ot games were indulged m ; principal, however, was one denominated "French and English," the players being divided into two parts, and pitted against, each other. The iSngUshmen proved too much for their Gallic foes; but the French ladies turned the tables upon the Maids of Merry England. His Worship the Mayor, who shamefully deserted his country, and enlisted under the French banner, dearly paid for his treachery, and when his side came to grief, received his share of punishment. The whole arrangements reflect the greatest credit upon the committee, and the teacher, Mr. Sealun, who worked most energetically, and contributed not aHi tie to make it such a success. Four ar five years ago you could not muster a doien children along the whole Rangitikei Line, between the Manawatu and the Oroua. while on Wednesday there was fully twenty times that amount, graduating m «iz -, like steps of stuirs. The reason was given by a philosophical Scotchman, whoa.- attention we drew to the fact,, with the observation, " Oh, well, when the hush comes down, something must grow m itsjplace." Terrible as is the disaster of the S.-otoh Bank failure (remarks a contemporary) there was one characteristic in-idem with a gleam of humour m it. An old m.tiden lfiidv, who was post mistress and telegraph a.rent at Wick, had all her savings m t he local branch of the City of Glasgow Bank. A message came through early addressed to the manager, instructing him not to open the do»r<<. as the bank had suspended ptymant. The old lady presented herself at the branch at the opening hour, and drew out all her ca*h She then proceeded to the bank parlour and informed the manager that as an important Telegraphic message had arrived for him, she had just brought it along herself. To bury a man alive with the view of the avoidance of blo&Jphed, is rather a grim method of doing him to death. There is a story told by Sir George Grey about n Whan garei chief named Xirarua, which affords an illustration of this. Many years ago, when Sir George Grey was Governor, a murder was j committed by one of Tirarua's people, an t he (Sir George) wrote to Tirarau, asking j what he intended to do. Tirarau answered, that was written m Scripture that who«>\ sheddeth man's bood by man shall his bl ><>d ! hashed, and to avoid shading nhiud he buried the murderer alive." Sir George said the muderer was first buried up to his shoulder* and was then naked if he required anything. The victim asked and obtained some water, and after that his head was covered, and so he died. Sir George only heard of the aff lir after its occurrence. The wife of Mr. Alfred Tcinvson Dickens (son of the illustrious novelist) w:>s killed under very melancholy circumstances m Victoria a few days apo. She and four other young ladies were driving m a i>any carriage when the horses shied Hud bolted. The o. cv- j pants of the carriage were all thrown out, but no one was injured except Mrs. Dickens, who fell on her head. She never spoke again, and expired m the course of tw> hours. Mrs. Bieken* **"• one of the most beautiful and accomplished young ladies m Victoria. " .sSgles" writes m the Australasia*; — A squatting acquaintance of mine shears over 140,000 sheep. Towards the close of (he shearing he made his appearance at the station. The' evenings he found very dull, and at last suggested to the young fellow*, who served him for £1 a week ea h, a g+»n.» of whist- "Oli, not whist," suggested one of them, *' we have no oraetioe ; let us play a four-handed euchre !" The ompl >ver gracefully acquiesced, and ere I h.a sitting was over bad*|the I .O.U.'s of the whole party. Before returning to town all hands were paid, and their cheques were just about- enough to di- , chi*rgi> the liahihty of each of ihe partakers m the game which relieved t ie annul of the owner of I^,ooo sheep. The court stamp fee facce his been reduced to an absurdity. It would appear t hat when a person is fined 5s for being drunk he is bound to pay the Que m stam:>s. If htenders 5s he is told he must procure stamps and when ho replies that he is m custody, and he does not happen to have ass law stamp about him, he is t.01.l ho must get one, and m oivler to do so lie has to importune somebystander to hunt up a stamp depository and procure the necessary stamp. If he i* i unable to da this he is forthwith eam-mitted to prison. T'dsisa clear instance of redact ia. ad absurdant. A drunk has practically to [ solve a problem equal to squaring the circle [ before he can obtain his release when fl ie I ' 3s-. H* must pay iv stamps, but mutt not I leave the Court 'to procure them. If we [ m'ntake not there is a provision m the stamp r regulations which makes it incumbent on the ol 7rk '\f the Court to keep a supply of stamp* to meet such cases. If there such provision the sooner it is made Mie better. In the meanwhile (says the Wellington CHroiuV/e) vve would suggest to habitual drunkard* and) those liable to go on the spree that they should carry teii shillings' worth of ata>i> .» about them, so as v to be prepared for aa emergen -y, M f.>edit a "newspaper," says Rev. Mr. Tal(P4ge t " reauires. that one be a. statesman, a. i

esd.-i^visi, v gcogr.ipiier, la tact an en.-yelo-,j»a>dia. " Yin, and when yoti have done so -wit h itislin^ui-ilij.l.rtiicco.ss for t-he-betfer pari, of a lifetime, the statesman, essayist, geographer, an J encclopedi.i of a rival sheet will scat himself at. his desk-witis a heavenly smile and mi eren puUe, and tranquilly aver tliat you ai;e a brass-bound and double-ri-reMed eoutennial idiot, and a roaring, rednose johadotiko, of ihe w ndy wild !