IMPENDING RUIN.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 39, 26 March 1879, Page 2

IMPENDING RUIN.

All is lost ! A terrible calamity has fallen upon us, and we are now clothed m the orthodox sackcloth, while our throbbing brow is bending beneath the .weight of the proverbial ashes. We hare dared to ink our pen against the mighty Jove, and be has let fly a thunderbolt which has levelled us m the dust. Our punishment has been severe, but its chief severity has been the sudden nature of our chastisement. No friendly warning of the consoquences ; no opportunity allowed us to escape from the avalanche of destructien by which we were to be submerged. No ; a retribution, keen, awift, and terrible, has come upon us, Hear our tale, oh you of the Fourth Estate, and fly our fate — "John G-owbe has stopped his papbe." Desolation has entered our household, and ruin m the guise of a raven has perched above our door; henceforth our muse shall be silent, and our mind a blank, wandering over the aq,d waste which lies before it, the dreary stillness ever and anon broken by the solemn dirge — " John GOWBB HA"S STOPPED HIS PAPEB." The power has flown from our mind, the Btrengfch from our arm, the light from our soul. ' Henceforth our friends of the "Microscope" shall be strangers to us, our P,D. become a veritable imp of darkness, and ourselves — well, ourselves wear our heart upon our sleeve, and represent the Knight of the Rueful Countenance, for has not" John Gqweb STOPPED HIS PAPEB ?" Mr. JOHN Q-OWES — who ou his native heath is, known by the characteristic sobriquet of " The Hinged tail Squealer from the South " — long itched for an onslaught upon the editor of the Times. For- a considerable period his bump of caution, held sway, but self-esteem and pugnacity getting the upper hand, m an evil moment he girded on his armor aud went forth into the battle-field. He shoj forth his inky stream into the journals of the North and the South ; he mounted the stump and denounced his foe with all the flatulent oratory for which he is notorious ; he took his seat m the County Council Chamber, fyut he was yet upon the, warpath. During all this time the pmyed-for blight refilled to come ; ; tne paper w,axed rich, the. editor grew fat, and he appeared not one. whit the wowe for all the hard things which were sard and written about him. In, this dire extremity some demon was^at hand to prompt the diabolical'design, and- John G-owobr stopper his paper I"v^e will do him the credit to say he broke the. sad ne,ws as easily a.s possibles intimating, that if the account to the end of the month' w.ere rendered it would b* puid, so that J ruination, has at least been staved off for a time, but we will not avail ourselves of the rq3pitq, No, w» will be equally m»S»aai.. ; .

mo us iind inform him that as it is just possible the contents of the Times for some past has been a pill which he wiu forced to swallow against his will, we will absolve him of all liability. We take his name from our lgdger, his address from our list, and we shed a silent tear when , we think that we have now one subscriber less, and each week are a sixpence poorer. Luckily the catastrophe has come at an opportune time ; relief is near at hand,— for through the open portals of the prospective District Court shall we seek an asylum.

Thb San Fbancisoo Mail. — Wo have been requested to announce that the outgoing English Mail, via San Francisco, will close at Palmerston on Friday evening at 7.45 ; and at Feilding at five o'clock. Too Mxtoh Liqtxids. — A woman named Mai-y Collier was taken m charge for her own safety on Friday night, it being found that Bhe had imbibed during the evening rather more beer than was good for her. As she was very penitent when brought before the Bench on Saturday morning, the Mayor, who was the presiding Justice, discharged her with a caution. Soap and Candle Company. — There was a very poor attendance at the meeting called last evening for the purpose of taking steps towards the formation of the above Company. This is to be regretted, as the proposed new indutfcry, could not fail to be of material advantage to the entire district. We were glad to learn, however, that Mr. P. E. Warburton, the originator of the undertaking, intends to go into the manufacture of soap, as he is sanguine that it will be found to pay well. Thb Taonttc Block. — We would wish to draw especial attention to the fact that the tenders for falling and clearing the road lines on the Kairanga Survey District will close at noon on Friday, so that persons intending to compete should do so without delay. We understand that the contract will be a pretty large one, running unto almost £1000, an amount well worth making an effort to obtain. Persons m the Upper District can see the specifications at the Bailway Station, Palmerston ; and m the Lower, at the Public Works Office, Foxton. Tangi. — A large number of Maoris arrived m Feilding by the morning trains from Foxton and Wanganui. Several vehicles were m town awaiting the arrival of some of the more influential among them, and conveyed them to where the tangi was to be held, a daughter of .Qheta, chief of the Ngatikawatu, having died on Friday last. A good few went well prepared to stay, apparently, some time, as they carried blankets, pannikins, and a lot of other et ceieras, to make their vi«t as comfortable as possible under the sad circumstances which necessitated the assembling of such a large concourse. Ax Acknowledgment. — We have been requested by the Hon. Sec. to the Manawatu Acclimatisation Society to acknowledge, with thanks, the donation of £5 ss. from Mr. Walter Johnston, M.H.R., towards the funds .of the Society. That amount entitles Mr. Johnston to rank as a life member, while he has alao the honor of being first on the list. We trust, however, he will not be allowed long to enjoy the privilege alone, and that his example will be followed by others claiming the same position. The Kaebbe Road. — As will be seen from our report of the proceedings of the Ma.aawatu County Council, Mr. Linton, the -j-onvftsAijtaiivft of the Taonui Riding, has succeeded m securing the £3uu ror cne a.uu>« work. By a resolution of the Council, passed at its last sitting, tenders are to be called for without delay for metalling Karere road to the extent of £300, and that the work be commenced at the end adjoining the Jaekytown Shunt. The Engineer was likewise instructed to call for tendere for filling up the old gravel pit adjoining the Taonui School. Still Anotheb Settler. — During the past week Mr. R. H. Rhodes, and Mr. Robert P. Rhodes, the brother and nephew of the late Mr. B. Rhodes paid a visit to Palmerston. The latter gentleman, who has just arrived from England, m addition to some £22,000 cash, lias inherited 1250 acves m the Bunnythorpo Block, and it was with the view of inspecting that property that both gentlemen were m the district. They were highly pleased with the land, and the owner not only gave Messrs. Thynne, Linton, and Co. authority to have 200 acres felled, cleared, and laid down m grass, but also instructed that firm -to look out for a f urther 700, acres. Wo understand that the elder gentleman has over £200,000 invested m landj and that it is the intention of his nephew fca return from England — whither he sails shortly — and settle upon his Manawatu property. A Rare Chance. — Perhaps one of the best chances which have beea m the market for some time, will be offered by Mr. Maysinor on Friday m the sale of tho Hulcombe Hotel. The property has been placed m his hands for disposal under a bill of sale, but we learn from an excellent authority that were it not that tho late lessee went into the premised considerably hampered w.ith prior engagements, he would have sulsceoded m clearing off the incumbrances m a very short time. To a. person with a small capital to work upon, a, fortune might be made m a few years, us tho buildingcontains twenty-»six rooms, and has still scarcely, sufficient lodging accommodation. Hotel property is generally not only a safe but a remunerative investment, but we know of nono to equal that to be offered upon Friday. The Palmerston Police Coyivr. — We learn from Mr. Fovster, the Clerk of the Palmerston Police Court, that notwithstanding some considerable, time has elapsed since he entered upon his appointment, he has never been forwarded the b,ooks and other documents necessary for the proper and eiHcient discharge of his duties. With the distinct promise of tho Government with regard to^ the establishment of a District Court, it is nocessary that pressure should bo brought upon the Department to compel it to carry out the contemplated step without a day's unnecessary delay. In view of the daily increasing growth of the population,, aucl the rising township, of Ashurst within eight niiios of it — the residents of which, no doubt will have their cases heard at Palmerston — it is highly necessary that the. Clerk of the- Court should huve all the machinery of his office at Court. We are infownod that no less than thirty summonses have been applied for by the Secretary to fche High ways Board, and ulthough Mr. Forster telegraphed to Wellington, Marton,, and Foxton, he was ui\able to receive a supply m, time to have the cases heard at the next Court day. 3&ETWE.HN, PALMEaSTOX AND ASKURST. — When the County Council passed the resolution, for the widening of tho. Stoney Crepk, road, we doubt if it had the slightest, idea of tho urgent necessity for the work which would spring up. Of coiuve, as it I was the highway to the East Coast, it was I patent that sooner or later the amount of traffics upon it would compel an alteration, but s\ich a contingency then appeared very remote indeed. However, with fcho birth and growth 'of Ashurat, tho work haa become a paramount necessity, and w.e are pleased to see that it is being pushed on with all pjsdihle spaod. From being notably one

of the worst, if not actually the very worst voad m the district, it is fast assuming quit* a different appearance. The crown has been removed, the level reduced, made twice its former width, beside being entirely freed from those miniature mountains and valleys, which resembled the waves of the ocean m their regularity, Not only has the traffic increased fourfold within the past month, but we also notice several houses m course of erection along the road line, giving altogther to that part of. the district an appearance of stir and life which it did not possess before. Register.— Register.— Register. — The Deputy Registrar, Mr. Snelson, and MessM Coleman and Dvingan, attended at the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when the former attested a number of applications for insertion upon the roll. They then made out a list of names not on the list, and it was determined to take same means during the week to call upon each of the persons and get the necessary signatures to the application form. It would scarcely be credited that more than a hundred persons were discovered, who although possessing the necessary qualification, had not been registered, amongst whom were some of the most prominont residents of the town. From what we witnessed on Saturday evening we feel convinced that m the Taonui Riding alone, the electoral list could be increased by 250 names. We would then appeal to every one who values the privilege of exercising the franchise to call upon Mr. Snelson, and if not on the list, sign the necessary document. He has already some fifty or sixty which he will despatch to Mr. Ross by Saturday's mail, so that it is absolutely necessary action should be taken before Friday evening. A Hitch. — We regret to hear that & hitch occurred yesterday, which resulted m the knocking off from work of the men at the gravel pit, Terrace End. From what we can learn of the affair it appears that the men employed for the County Council have exceeded the desired permission given by the Government, and hence the interference. It may be recollected that some time ago the Government gave permission to the County Council to use a certain number of feet of its gravel until such time as a way would be cut through to its own, when the stuff was to be returned. As it was found that if compliance with the permission alone were adhered to but one truck could be loaded at a time, the men m the pit paid no attention to the conditions, which coming to the ears of the Public Works Department, a man was despatched to the spot to stop the work. We trust, however, the stoppage will be but temporary, and that some mutual understanding may be come to between the Council and the Department. thk Feilding Police Barracks. — We are pleased to hear that tenders have been let for considerable alterations to the Feilding Police Barracks, and particularly that steps will be taken to have the residence of the Constable beyond earshot of the lock-up. We must certainly congratulate Subinspector Goodall for the very material change for the better which has taken place since the district has been under his sole control. It is another exemplification of having some one on the spot responsible ; for although we are quite aware that he of himself could by n» means order all the improvements which have taken, and to take, place, still we feel convinced that were it not for his agency we might have been allowed to jog along m the old style. Now that the purse strings of the Department have been opened, it would appear as every town were to benefit by the fact — Marton, Feilding, and Palmerston are already safe, and we near a is zuure rtiuupoooU>io Oonotoblo Purcell will also have quarters provided for him ; while the Wanganui quarters are to undergo a regular renovation and alteration. Pure Brbd Stock for Manawatu. — ■ It will be remembered that when Mr Christopher Simpson returned from Victoria, just two months ago, with his prize bull and other cattle, it was stated that he had also male a purchase of another short-horn cow, but that on account of it being near calving, he was forced to leave it behind him, until after that event. We learn that the animal arrived by the Albion upon its last trip, having dropped a very fine heifer calf to the Duke of Derrimut on the 15th of February. The Maid of Oxford, as the cow is cajled, is from theoelebrated Victorian stock of Mr. Robertson, of Colac, and is by Oxford Cherry Duke, from Fanny the Tenth, by Royal Butterfly, her pedigree being, it is stated, quite stainless. A few more importations to the district of a similar description would materially help m. raising the standard of our stock to such a pitch that we might be able m a short time to induce buyers from other places to pay many viaita to the districts. When th» father of fche present Mr. Robertson, of Colac, first introduced pure bred stock on his station, for which Jie paid what was then considered as enormously high prices, there were many doubts expressed as to whether the speculation would be found to pay ; but the sales held every year conclusively prq,ve that the fete Mr. Robertson was much wiser than that class of critics who cannot see much farther than their own limited horizon. We trust that Messrs. Simpson and Co. will ba equally as successful, for their efforts are deserving of all praise. A VICTIM OF MIBPJ,ACED CONFIDENCE..— A well-known borough councillor had a close shave from disfranchiseinent, through being a victim of misplaced confidence. The gentleman m question has been most indefatigable m hunting up and obtaining the signatures of electors to application forms, and appeared at the meeting on Saturday night laden with a good score of them. During the examination of the electoral roll i> was discovered that the name of a prominent councillor was $ot on the- list, neither had he tak.cn the necessary steps to have it inserted, and Mr. Blank dilated m indignant eloquence upon the culpable supine--11833 of tlioso who would risk disfranchisement for want of a little care. Mr. Snelson suggested that perhaps the gentleman thought his name was all right. " Oh, but," says Air. Blank, " he has no right to rest satisfied before he has taken means to be certain. It is not much trouble to examine the list, and it is the duty of every one to do so." Mr, Uuugan. asked the* chairman to apply to the list, and see if the name of Mr Blank appeared upon it, hut ap indignant curl of Mr/Blank's lip at the absurdity of the request deterred him from doing so until urged a second time, when lo ! aud behold ! horror of horrors ! the list was innocent of the name of Mr. BJank himself. The look' of dismay with which the gentleman most interested received the intelligence was not calculated to restrain the desire for laughter created by the intelligence, and the Tnerriin,ent was both loud and prolonged, m which, it is needless to say, Mr BUink did not joiu.