NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 67, 1 September 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

I Explanation.— We are much pleased to be able to state that m presuming Mr, Dairy m pie had recceived the award between the Highways Boards we did him an injustice. The document had arrived m Palmerston, but had not reached his hand, cons'qnenfcly *we make this explanation with pleasure. The Cemetery Trustees.— The members o* the above body had a meeting a few days ago m order to consider matter* m connection with their twist, and after mature consideration, came to the decision to apply to the G-overnor to have the grounds bvought under the provisions of the Public Cemetries Management Act, 1877. It was further decided f o adopt the rules of the Masterton Cemetery. Important to Farmers and Breeders of Stock.— We would draw the P3p»cial altention of farmers and others to the very important cale which takes plane on Friday, when Messrs. Stevens and Q-orton will offer a^number of cows, wellbred heifers, prime wethers, besides a vast number of other articles useful on a faim. When we say that the stock is from the celebrated Waitatapia Station, further comment 73 needless. Passed Through.— On Monday, Mr. Yorke, editor of the New Zealand Timss before its amalgamation with the yew Zea~ lander, passed through Palmerstbn on his way to the Waimate. As a Pressman he takes the highest rank m the profession j and for his thoroughly gentlemanly qualities, his succeis was a source of supremo satisfaction to his fellows. He goes to take up land m the Waimate District, and while we wish hi>n success m his changed sphere, we regret that the Press should lose suoh an honorable and able representative. Wonderful, if it be True.— Th it racy writer, m the Saturday Advertiser, " Frank Fudge," gives the following key to a disputed point : — " Our Celtic friends are very fond of boast ing that the Gaelic was was the language spoken by ourfirstlpiirents m the groves of . Eden, but. I have just re ceived indisputable proof from a Ratiye friend of mine that Maori was the primitive tongue. My friend states that — When lovely Eve m Paradiae The lonely Adam say, Th-3 flrrfc words that she uttered were— | " Ten-a-koi, Pakeha." ■ Borough Elections.-As onr readers ! are no doubt aware the nominations for the vacancies m the Municipal Council take 1 place to-morrow at noon. The number of members who retire by effluxion is three, Councillors King, Paitnerson, and Metard, and while we believe the two former will be again nominated, we have reason to believe that Mr. Metavd will not accent nomination, [n fact he had intended resigning until informed that the elections were so near. For the vacancy, so far as we know, but two names have been mentioned— Messrs Manson I and John Mowlem— both eligible men i ; but then some candidates often prefer to run " a dark " race. Sad News. — The numerous friends of Mr. C. H. Mitford, of the Bank of New Zealand, will be grieved to learn that on Sunday he received a telegraphic message, informing him of the death of his mother. Although the deceased lady was somewhat m delicate health, still as no mention had been made of anticipated danger, the suddenness of the news was a great shock. The '»te Mrs. ifit'oH was t he second; wife of her bereaved husband, to whom ehe was ma vied m 18'»0, and consequently, it will be seen was the step-mother of Mr. C. H. Mitford ; sliJI as her truly motherly ca^e duted back to tender .childhood, her losi br'ngs with it a bitier pang, the more eopeH'illr no she has barm taken away withoat a last sight or a maternal emb.uce. Ooiitnendab^e Liberality.— Tt is with great pleasure that we chronicle wbat may ny>pp<ir a small, yet a thoughtful act on the part of a resident of the district. It is well known that our local Puhlic Library is not over burdened with funds, and no doubt- upon the wise axiom tliat every little help?, Mr. Monrad hns forwarded to the institution a firsfc-cJass ilhuKrated Danish par pe>\ Donni ions of periodicals of any" kind would he most acceptable, but more especially those of a foreign character, so rare m the Colonies, and so dear to some on account of their Home associations. We would not only suggest that his good example be followed by others, but also th,at the donors write a translation of the name of each c » ' graving, as by so doing they would possess an enhanced interest to those who are ignorant of the language from whence the publications come. A Parados. — If words be borne out by facts, then Legislative language must go by the rule of contrariety. An hon. gentle* man smarting under the taunt of the nonpossessiori of veracity, smartly retorts, "then you're another." But what is the consequence; why, Mr. Speaker gravely ■nterferes, and announce! that the language is not Parliamentary, and the dignity of the House must be maintained. What a farce, for there the lie is more esc hanged than elsewhere. No. 1 offender, under the pressure of the Chairman's eye, blurts out that no ore we was not meant, and No. 2, to show his knowledge of Parliamentary usngey just f s readily acknowledges that "he would be the last man to call the hon. member fo? Bungtown a liar," but the gla^e of e»oh other's eye an they take their seats, plainly says : " There, that's mv opinion of you ! or " I would if I cou'd." "The Three Blaok Crows."— Following upon the report reaching Palmer--Bton of the sad tragedy at Foxton, came a rumor that Honi Metliana, a Chief, of the Ran gaf anas, had been killed. Some said he, waj dead — killed at t*«e pl.itform at Oroua Bridge — and was then lying at his own hon«e, which is but a few yards distant. ; others, that he wa3 dangerously huyh by the train, but although all seemed to hare heard something about i , no one knew . anything definite. In our extremity we interviewed the station master and was by him informed that there was a starting point for the rumor, as Honi m getting out at the station ba'l had a very narrow escape, and as it was received some slight injury. In fact it was another edition of "The Three Blnfk Crows." [Since writing the above, jf. have seen the Chief, and are pleased r.o find he is much recovered from his acodent.] Tde Oiuy of the Dead.— We hear with pleasure that such efforts are being taken, and talent invited, as will make the proposed concert to be given m aid of the Palmerston Cemetery worthy of the sacred object, Through the indefatigable energy of the Trustees, much has been done during (he past two years, and what, was some months ago a blot upon a civilised community, now bears the semblance of 'lie resting place of the loved ones called awr.y. This has not been effected without a considerable outlay, for which we regret to state, the Trustees had become personally linhle, trn«fcine to the generosity of the public to be relieved therefrom at a future, time. We feel that the appeal will meet with a hearty response, and by the liberal patronage bestowed, the PaiinerdtQa people will again prove that they, have never been bjhu\d.-ui supporting a. deserving objej?(j.

Palmerston Rifles. — The Palmerston North Eifle Volunteers paraded for Government inspection on Monday nighty fiftf-five putting m an appearance. ThftJ Inspecting Officer expressed himself ar highly pleased with the various-^ manoeuvres through which the men were.put/and.h oped that the efficiency of the "corps iwpnld continue to .increase at the pwsenfcratej.} After dismissal, a meeting was Jield at -VThich merely some routine business was-tranfa.-ted. Terrible Accident.— The danger of allowing children tr play near to railway crossings or ' Jines,. has Jysen. sadly .exemplified m the death of the "little girl Annie Songhurst. which took plane at Fox ton on Friday, From the evidence elicited atthe inquest, it appeared that with her little sister she was playiqg on the approach to the wharf, where there: is a. sharp decline, and the younger child;Tan_'but:f ijonv behind a staclc of .^imber ancTgol jm tlie way of an approach"ing ; trolly! l '■ 'The heroin* tried td' save her sister and did so "at the expense of her own life, for palling hi»r flat on : tße gr >und m the centre of the truck, the waggon left the one 4 scatheless,^ b\& Iliad lacerated her own arm m such a manner as rendered amputation 'necessary.' ; . Our. Foxton contemporary speaks of the heroic conduct of the. lit tie. martyr, who succumbed; under the operation, but before doing so, i had the forethought,of. acquitting any. one. of blame, and as the evidence bora out the child's; statement, a, verdict to that "', effect was returned.; ~~ * ' '•-•*;• •• ;• "^ ,-'^> A Par^&^..mpst laughable occurrence took place, oa a railway' platform not a, hundred miles from Palmerston a few days,.or rather evenings since. f ; A, ; iMaori special messenger had been despatched, into town for of creature comforts, sn the shaoe of three boftlins of rum. -The atores r were received,- :but. the' bearer seeing : a friend m. an adjoining carriage, ' left ;the precious burden, Ton the. .seat of the station m his eagerness 'to riiV" noses." No doub^in the plenitude of his joy,- -he- did' riot notice the guard's intimation; " Take jcmi- sentt, gentlemen," and the bad actually moved several yards before -be realised his' spiritual responsibility, f With ». look of horror he was about to spring to the ground, when; a meiiace^ from the .guard. -deterred him from the attempt, -and when the train shot putinto space [<](!&£ had. the . gr^in . coh-,-.| solation of se'ring- nn obsenrng stranger an- 1 I neiing the acceptable, Ywaif;" /.When that messenger we..t hjrue to his Pah, t bore -was no fatted calf killed — his was not the reception given 1 ' to the Prodigal-Son,' but"iujplace' of enjoyment there was touching tangi over the departed' spirits.- —-- — , ; --.-.- : A Strange Piienqmen,on,— Strange •tories are told, and strange facts occasionally come to light' with iregard to th'e swal-J Ibwing.powers.of animals- "but the follow-*' ing incident— for which .we can fouch—hairarely been jrarpassecl. A valnable' Horse belonging; t« > DJ M^Bwen, of Karere^ which had been ailing for but a short time, died) last ?week; and m order to sutisfy his curiosity and suspicions, the proprietor had; the body bperied.; Judge of h|s su~pri«e .fodiscover three. large'itpnes-^or, what at, first appeavei to ;be siich-— embocided m the insi4e> the smullMi; of which no loss than i: two ipounds two ounces. They closely reV semHled masses of greenstone, the surface being highly polished, bub upon pricking it vritlij a knife, the under-coating exhibited' appeared to be composed -of a material of : the consistency of 'mortar. Even Supposing* that j the- poor beast had swallowed brie— which, h6wever, ! -from : theiii»siae ; - i -we should say was highly improbable,, it is a moral, impossibility thatt lie three could have>beens taken into' the' stomach m I hut'manner, [arid; consequently the 1 only is. that aovmttiung which it had* eaten remained, un- : dlgejited, and s beenme petrified. If r therf should" bV^anybne scepticijl^f the truth of ; tile' jstory, fthey can easily be convinced by ; ca?l ing ; a^ ', the. offitt, and judging for themselves. -i ;/; ; \* ; '^= ' v s v^v-.'jiy.'j.