MANAWATU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 26, 22 July 1871, Page 15

MANAWATU.

[Feom our Own Correspondent.] There is very little news stirring in this district just at present, owing mostly to the time of year, and the very wet and windy weather we are experiencing. It is exceedingly fortunate that the mill proprietors managed, after much labor and expense, to get their steam engine safely to Palmerston, as they will now be able to carry out their contract of sawing the rails for the tramway, and thus the work of laying it will be able to be commenced as soon as finer and drier weather sets in.

Two contracts are open to tenders, one for the forming of the road from Foxton to the beach, and one for a cutting through a sand ridge for the tramway. For the first time in Foxton for many years an auction sale was held, and attracted a large number of buyers. The auctioneer was Mr Thynne, who has commenced business in that line, and as surveyor. The sale of the furniture realised for the owner higher prices than what they originally cost him in many cases. It is very satisfactory to have such an institution as auction sales established here, and many will be only too glad to take advantage of them, as a great difficulty used to be experienced in effecting any sales of cattle and effects before. It is to be hoped that the auctioneer will meet with every success. The Rev. Mr Paterson gave a lecture in the Scotch Kirk on " Colonial Life" last Thursday, while on his way up the coast to Turakina, but unfortunately, owing to the very wet night, there was but a small attendance. The rev. gentleman, has however been persuaded to repeat it on his return, which will be in about a week's time.

Our little steamer, the Pioneer, has been laying idle for the past fortnight, owing to the non arrival of any of our coasters, which have been delayed by the stormy weather. There is a rumor that the Government are willing to grant the steamer a small subsidy, which I trust will be done, as she should be looked upon in the light of an instrument in opening up the Manawatu river, and certainly till the tramway is finished, some reliable means of communication with the Palmerston settlers should be encouraged. In granting a subsidy for this boat, it should be borne in mind that, for the present, she has little chance of being able to pay her way till the roads are improved, as she only gets a cargo up to Ngawakerau, every one holding back a return cargo till the cost of transit of land carriage becomes reduced, by the improvement in the state of the roads.

The militia and volunteers paraded the other day, but there was only a very small attendance ; it is said that a grand field day in the Pi. M. Court is preparing, similar to the one held in Eangitikei. It is peculiar that such unpleasant steps should be taken with the settlers in the lower block, when the militia authorities do not attend to the training of the militia up at Palmerston, on account of the inconvenience they would be put to attending there. A fellow feeling should make them wondrous kind.