PALMERSTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 31, 26 August 1871, Page 14

PALMERSTON.

1 ■— l (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather during the last few weeks has been very inclement, and the rainfall has been considerable. It is much improved, however, the last day or two, and we anticipate an early spring. During the last week a man named Dowsett (from Wellington), woiking at the Gorge cutting, Manawatu, died rather strangely as it appeared to his mates, and in consequence- an inquest wrs held by J. T. Dalrymple, Esq., J.P., Acting Coroner. In the evidence some of his mates endeavored to attribute the cause of death to his having eaten bad beef, the carcase of an ox driven from Foxton to ihe Gorge. It appears that the animal got bogged a few miles from the Gorge, and was in consequence shot and cut up for beef on the spot. They failed, however, to prove this plea; H. Spratt, Esq , resident surgeon, proving beyond a doubt the cause of death to be inflammation.

A Swede named Scliauman, one of the last immigrants located here, had his house broken into the other day, and several articles of value taken therefrom. The thief, it appears, made a hole in the roof of the house to effect an entrance. From the want of a resident policeman, however, the matter has been hushed up. Several other petty robberies have recently been committed here, and the depredators have been allowed to escape with impunity. The authorities should certainly stir in the matter, and grant some sort of protection to the settlers by appointing a local constable. The establishment of a branch postoffice here is a great convenience to the settlers. The place is centrally situated, and the post-master is civil and obliging. It has just been made a post-office savings’ hank and money order office, and this will he a great boon to the district A registrar of births, deaths and marriages is very much needed heie, and I cannot over-estimate the inconvenience the settlers are put to foi the want of one. As populetion incieases, tho want will he more urgently felt, and it is imperatively necessary that the Government should provide tor the growing wants of this important distiict. Why not appoint the post-master at once ; he is well qualified to perform the duties, and would, no doubt, undertake them if requested to do so by the authorities.