PALMERSTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 46, 9 December 1871, Page 15

PALMERSTON.

(from our own correspondent.) November 27. The accident to the Mosquito has not only been a loss to the shippers and consignees, but detrimental to a certain extent to the prosperity of the community ; inasmuch as the Gorge contractors have had, through the loss,of the powder shipped by her, to discharge a large number of hands ; and the last day or two has witnessed a number of sturdy roadmen leave with their swags, perhaps never to return. Some have gone to Auckland, some to Nelson, others to Napier and Wanganui; all of them more or less with well lined pockets ; who, if the Government had only been in a position to give them land to occupy on deferred payments, might have helped very much in the work of subduing the wilderness. What a ponderous machine the Government is ; what power it requires to make it swing. Distinct expressions of public opinion have been, through the press, forced upon the attention of the Government from this district on the following subjects, viz., land on deferred payments, Rangitikei main road, and a local constable, but all have been of no avail. An accident, which might have proved fatal, happened at the Gorge during the week to a man named Bruce, who was cutting away a tree that was hanging over a cliff about forty feet high. As the tree fell over, a limb got entangled in the man’s clothes, and threw him down the precipice. Strange to say, no bones were broken, but the man was fearfully bruised. A meeting of persons desirous of establishing annual races and sports at Palmerston was held at Coles’ Palmerston Hotel on Saturday evening last, when it was decided to hold the first race meeting on Boxing Day, and the Caledonian games on New Year’s Day. From the programme agreed upon, and the committee appointed, it augurs well for a success. The competition for the first three and a-half miles of tram to be laid here will likely prove very keen. A great number of intending tenderers have been to see the line during the week, and, from all I can learn, the Government will get the job done at less than the original estimate. lam happy to say the late flood has not done any material damage to the Upper Manawatu. I hear that an agitation is being raised to induce the Government to push forward the road to Fitzherberttown. I trust it may succeed, and that the town named after our worthy Superintendent may be a success like the “ original.”