Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

Foxton

From Our Own Correspondent, Old Landmark estroyed. An old and well-known landmark in Poxton, Manchester House, situated on the corner of Park street and Avenue road, and better known of late years as Bryant’s Billiard-room, was totally destroyed by lire shortly after midnight on Saturday. The three houses adjoining, which are occupied by Mr L. C. Bryant in Park street, and Mrs Pliers and Mr J. Wyeth in Avenue road, were also in great danger of being destroyed as a strong westerly wind was blowing at the time, and only the strenuous efforts of the brigade prevented th spread of the flames. Although there are no definite records to throw any light on the matter, it is reckoned that the building was erected in 1877 by Mr Loudon, and was opened as Manchester House a shop carrying a stock valued at £5,000, and where the purchaser could obtain anything ’ from a needle to an anchor.” Mr Doggett next took over the premises and specialised in drapery. Since then it has seen an auctioneer and cabinet-maker in occupation, but perhaps the gayest period of its existence was when it was converted into a temporary hotel when the Manuwatu Hotel was burned down. It was hoped that the license would remain with Manchester House, but it was found that the hotel had to be rebuilt. Later the premises were used as a boarding house and at the time of the influenza epidemic it was used as a temporary hospital. Later it became a billiard room and it was in use as such by Mr E. Bryant at the time of its destruction. An incipient fire occurred tn the Club premises some time ago, but the outbreak was checked by the brigade before any great damage was done. The building was insured in the Ocean Insurance Office for an amount in the vicinity of £4OO which means that Mr Bryant will be a heavy loser. The furnishings of the billiard room were not covered by insuron the Foxton Beach Road The Boxton Beach road was responsible for two accidents during the weekend The first occurred on. Friday evening, when Mr W. Minto, of Messrs Niven and Company, Palmerston North, while on his way to the Beach In a light truck, . pulled his vehicle over to pass a car, and in doing so it skidded in the loose metal opposite the late Mr Francis Robinson s house, and capsized. Considerable damage resulted to the truck and Mr Minto suffered abrasions and injuries to his head and body. „ , The second mishap took place at a late hour on Saturday night, when a car containing four men, en route from the Beach to Foxton to witness the fire locally, skidded in the loose metal opposite Mr M*. 15. Perreau’s farm and capsized. The occupants had a miraculous escape, the rough nature of the ground saving them from fatal injuries. All were shaken and bruised, and the driver had to receive medical attention In Foxton and was later convevod to Palmerston North by car. Intoxicated Motor Driver Fined. Sydnev Harris, of Foxton. was charged at the local Police Station before Messrs M. E. Perreau and F. Woods, J’s.P., on Monday morning, with being in charge of a motor truck in Harbour street on Januay 31, while in a state of intoxication. Accused pleaded guilty. Evidence was tendered by Constable R. Owen who said that there was a prohibition order out against accused. During the last week or so he had been drinking fairly heavily. Complaints had been received about him driving a lorry, but he had not been seen until 7.15 on Sunday evening when he was found sitting in his lorry near the railway station. He was obviously drunk and appeared to have just aroused from a sleep. He was not in a fit state to be in charge of a vehicle. He was arrested and subsequently examined by Dr. S. Crawford, whose certificate was produced. This was accused’s first offence and he possessed a driver’s license. The lorry did not belong to him, having been purchased by another man to enable him to cart wood from the Moutoa swamp. Asked if he had anything to say, Harris said ho had just arrived back from Sanson when accosted. The Bench said that while accused’s offence was, perhaps, not as serious as that of a man found actually driving a vehicle In a state of intoxication, still, on his own admission, he had just driven the truck from Sanson. The charge was a serious one which carried a penalty of £IOO or three months' imprisonment. A fine of £lO was imposed with 10/6 costs and accused’s license was cancelled for twelve months. Default was fixed at one month’s hard labour, and one month was a "owed m wh-h to pay th* fine. The following are the vital statistics for Foxton for the month of January, the figures for the corresponding period of last year being shown in parenthesis:—Births 3 (4); deaths nil (1); marriages 1 (1); Maori births 1 (2), Maori deaths nil (2). The Weather. Rain fell locally on fifteen days during the month of January, the total fall recorded being 2.34 inches. .The maximum I fall occurred on Friday the 15th., when .73 of an Inch was recorded. The hottest day was Monday the 4th.. with a temperature of 70 degrees, while the coldest day was Tuesday the 26th., when the thermometer registered 58 degrees.