Country News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 227, 22 January 1876, Page 16

Country News.

The Wanganui Chronicle has the following complimentary remarks on the New Zealand Times:—“Modest Journals.—Chief among this class might be placed the ‘New Zealand Times,’ whose innate delicacy when referring to its merits is most refreshing to contemplate.” In the same issue, the Chronicle reprints a paragraph from the New Zealand Times, about an incident in Mr. Allan’s defence of a prisoner in the Supreme Court, and reprints it without acknowledgement. Modesty will never be a bar to the success of the Chronicle. A veritable member of the sword-fish tribe was caught in the harbor, says the Otago Daily Times of the 18th instant, yesterday afternoon, and is, we believe, the first fish of the species not only ever caught, but seen in these waters. At least, so says the oldest inhabitant, &c., &c., and, as there is no one to contradict them, we may accept their dictum as conclusive. The fish in question was caught by William Jewess, the well-known Port waterman, who whilst conveying several “fares” from Portobello to Port Chalmers, observed the fish swimming with its dorsal fin and upper lobe of tail out of water in a small bay of the Quarantine Island. At first it was thought to be a shark, but closer inspection revealed the fact of its being a very strange fish indeed, and consequently, with an eye to ultimate profit, the waterman resolved upon its capture. Pulling alongside of it, he struck it with a boat-hook several times, and at last succeeded in making fast the painter in a running bowline round its tail, and after drowning it, towed it in triumph to the Port. A crowd of people assembled to examine the stranger, but no one appeared competent to pi’onounce upon its identity until it had .been removed to the new Port Chalmers Hotel. There two or three old salts gathered about the creature and recognised it at once as a swordfish. It is a large fish, but a small one of the kind, its length from the tip of the sword to the tip of the tail being 10 feet 4 inches. The sword is eighteen inches long, and each of the tail lobes two feet, doi’sal fin about eighteen inches high, and the pectorals about the same length or rather larger. It has two peculiar ventral appendages, something between fins and sharppointed weapons of offence or defence. The head is not unlike that of a porpoise, only the jaws are less elongated. The color of the body is dark slate, and the girth behind the gill opening, about four feet six inches. A decided curiosity iss,this queer .fish, and worthy to find a place in the Museum, its ultimate destination we have no doubt. The capturer of the fish improved the opportunity by doing a little in the showman line of . business, and gleaned during the afternoon and evening a great many sixpences from persons desirous of inspecting the stranger.

According to the Guardian, the new Princess Theatre, Dunedin, is getting on apace. The whole of the walls are nearly up, and the roof will shortly be on. Already the woodwork above the stage is assuming form and substance, and the actors’ dressing-rooms are beginning to appear, while the timbers of the dress circle are down, and the horse-shoe and stage-box rails are in position ; the posts supporting the dress circles are fixed, and indeed the whole work is being pushed forward so vigorously that we have no doubt Mr. Sibbald will be able to keep his promise, and have the theatre open in time for the races in March next. Deferring to the Port Chalmers election the Star says :—“ Everything passed off very orderly, if we except a little difference between the representatives of our morning contemporaries at Port Chalmers. With true journalistic esprit, each espoused the side favored by his paper ; each was an equally strong partizan, but he of the Guardian was somewhat more important inasmuch as he was a committee-man. When they met, in the course of the afternoon, the Guardian representative accused his journalistic brother of unfairly reporting Mr. Reynold’s meeting on Saturday, and making an improper allusion to the part he (the Guardian representative) had taken at that meeting. This he followed up with a threat to slap the other’s face, but the latter, dissatisfied with his opponent’s mode of expressing himself, immediately struck him in the face. Of course a crowd collected ; but what might have proved a serious combat was happily prevented.”

OUR R ANGITIKEI-MANA WAT U LETTER. (from: our own correspondent.) Marton, January 15. Every one seems pleased that the bustle and excitement of our elections are over, and that we are again permitted to resume the even tenor of our way. Now that the affair is settled, any bitter feeling of coolness that may have arisen during the struggle has all passed away, and we are all once more “ good friends.” In Marton, during the early part of the election day, not much interest was manifested, but later on matters assumed a different aspect, and as the final hour approached there was evidently no lack of interest taken in the all absorbing question of the day. When the result became known and Mr. Ballanee appeared on the balcony of the Club Hotel to return thanks, he was received with enthusiastic cheers. The frequent manifestations of applause with which he was greeted, while briefly returning thanks “ for the honor done him by re-electing him by such a large majority ” show how high the newly re-elected member stands in popular estimation. Mr. Dull also, in a few brief sentences, returned thanks to those who had voted for him. No one seemed to expect that Mr. Ballanee would have had such a large majority, though his return was looked upon as certain by the major portion of the constituency; but a majority of 74 was never dreamt of. This was no doubt owing, in some degree at least, to the want of organisation on the part of Mr. Bull’s supporters, coupled with the fire and the accident that befell Mr. C. Bull, thus curtailing the amount of time at the candidate’s disposal for electioneering purposes. But even had he fought under less adverse circumstances, the result would have been the same, though the majority might have been considerably less. There can be no question that Mr. Ballanee has obtained such a hold on the electors as even to surprise himself. That he was unprepared for such a demonstration in his favor may be inferred from the fact of two settlers in the Patea district having votes for Rangitikei being summoned in hot haste to attend the election by Mr. Ballanee or his supporters. The hon. member will no doubt feel prouder of his position now that he has gamely won his spurs, than if he had been conceded a quiet walk over.

The result of the Manawatu election also took every one by surprise. The contest seemed so evenly balanced that half a dozen was the limit that even the most sanguine dared to claim as a majority for their candidate. The Eoxton people made sure of securing a majority of more than twenty in that township for Mr. Buller, and some worked very hard with that end in view; but in vain. As I stated in my last, it is the Palmerston vote that “ rides the roast” in the Manawatu; and so it has proved, although I see that in a telegram, wired to his proposer at Eoxton, Mr. J. W. Liddell, Mr Buller claims an actual majority in the district. This is but poor consolation, and one cannot help admiring the “ pluck ” of the defeated candidate in making known his determination again to offer himself. There must surely be about electioneering a kind of fascination akin to that of gambling.

Talking of majorities, those achieved by Mi’. Bryce and Sir Julius Vogel at Wanganui put all the others in the shade. These no doubt would have been somewhat still greater, but for a discreditable ruse adopted by some of the other side, who put out posters stating that Sir Julius Vogel had been returned for the Thames. These were pretty thickly posted as far out as Waugaehu. An extra fi’om the Herald Office was promptly issued, giving the true state of affairs at the Thames, but not before, it is believed, some few votes had been influenced by the canard. Harvest operations have fairly commenced in the Rangitikei district, with every prospect of an abundant yield. • Some two months ago, fears were beginning to be entertained on this point, as, owing to the long continued wet and cold weather, both wheat and oats were in many places looking very sickly. The recent dry warm weather seems to have had a surprising effect on both these crops, and more than an average yield is expected. There is a much larger breadth under both wheat and oats than in any previous year. There has been but a small quantity of grass land shut up for hay this season, and the crop has been rather light. Potatoes, which have been planted but sparingly, are looking everywhere extremely well.

The shearing season has been an unusually protracted one, owing to the continuous rains in the late spring and early summer months, but the wool is now coming forward very freely, and large quantities are now in course of transit to the port. Our local Board is about to effect great improvements in the township. High-street, as far as the Pukepapa line of road, is to be levelled, formed, and metalled the full -width, and to have a footpath and water channel on either side. The works, for which tenders have been called, and that of Mr. Anthony Nathan, of Wanganui, accepted, are to be commenced forthwith. When these shall have been completed, Marton will present a very respectable appearance. Building is going on at a great pace in every direction, and new industries started continually.

At Buller, the same activity in the building trade is apparent. Mr. Dalziel’s magnificent hotel is now all but finished externally, and presents a very handsome and elegant elevation. I doubt very much whether there is a better designed hotel in the colony. I have not met with one in my travels to excel it either as regards appearance externally or completeness of detail internally. Several stores and private residences are going up simultaneously, until each side of the road from Evans’ to the mill is pretty well dotted with them. An extensive system of drainage is about to be undertaken by the local Board. Tenders have been called for the works, and that of Mr. E. Read has been accepted. Operations will be commenced immediately. Coming on to Sandon, the same powers of expansion are observable. Scarcely a fortnight passes without some new building or other springing up. There is still a great want of the raw material, and a sawmill company is in process of formation for working the bush on the Oroua Downs, Messrs. Douglas and Co.’s px-operty. There can be little doubt that under skilful and prudent management such a company -would x-eap splendid returns for their capital invested. At Palmerston, another local industi-y is about to be developed. Another brewery is in process of ei’ection for Mr. Lingard, of Wanganui. The timber ti'ade is exceedingly brisk, and likely to continue so for some time. I heai’, on good authoi’ity, that in a few days the ir-on hor-se will run the tram car from Eoxton as far as the Oroua bridge, and, probably, befox-e the winter sets in, as far as Palmei’ston, if not right through to Feilding. The Rangitikei Cavaliy Volunteers have lately held their competitive firing for representatives at the intercolonial tournament to be held in Wanganui. The result has not been considered very satisfactory, only one trooper having qualified by obtaining the requisite number of marks.

The Marton-Rangitikei Jockey Club held a meeting at Evans’ Hotel, Bull’s, on Thursday, Mr. Freeman R. Jackson presiding. After paying over the stakes for the late meeting and all existing liabilities, there remained a balance in hand of £65. At this meeting the members of the club paid a grateful and welldeserved compliment to their Secretary and Treasurer, W. G-. Watt, Esq., by voting him a gold stop watch, with the following inscription :—“ Presented by the members of the M.-R.J.C. to W. Gr. Watt, Esq., as a token of their recognition of his valuable services as Secretary and Treasui’er ; 1876.” No one can deny that the tribxxte has been well merited, for the success of the Marton-Ran-gitikei meetings during the last four years is mainly attributable to their Secretary’s exertions.

The fine weather w’hich we have been recently enjoying, came to an end last Thursday. We were in hopes from the appearances which then presented themselves, that our water tanks were about to be replenished ; but after a little steady rain, a cold south-easter sprang up, and has continued ever since, with little sign of abatement. The “ w r ater question,” I feai’, will force itself rather unpleasantly on the notice of some heads of families, unless rain comes to our relief. Before Thursday, there was a good demand for the water from the mill-dam, at 2s. 9d. the hogshead, and the slight supply which then fell will be soon exhausted.

LOWER HUTT SCHOOL. An entertainment was given by the boys of the Lower Hutt School on Friday evening, at which a large number of their friends were present. Most of the pieces which were recited were well rendered, and some were produced in a that would have done credit to persons v of much higher pretensions. Nearly the whole"of the boys spoke clearly and distinctly, and "one Master Chapman recited “ Marcellus’ address . to the Romans ” in a manner that took the-' audience by surprise. Masters Wilkins and Pringle, too, went through the scene between Sir Anthony Absolute and his son;, in the “ Rivals,” with great spirit. Indeed, all the youngsters acquitted themselves admirably, and did credit to their teachei-s as well as to tliemselves.

A Spelling Bee followed, and although only about a dozen candidates came forward, a spirited competition took place, and there was gi-eat excitement amongst the boys when only blasters Clifford, Wilkins, and Sinclair remained. Cliffoi’d stood a couple of rounds and then retired, but Wilkins and Sinclair spelt a dozen words each amidst the cheers of their respective friends before the former tripped, and left the first prize to Master Sinclair, of the Taita, l’eceiving the second himself. The Rev. Mr. Fancourt then presented the honor certificates and rewards for progress during the past year, and complimented the teachers upon the great advance that had been made during that period, both in the work done and in the standard and character of the school, which numbered about 120 pupils at the close of the yeai\ With regard to the honor certificates, he explained that the value of a prize obtained in a school should not be<,the money value, but the honor value —the honor of gaining the first position, or coming as near to it as

possible. With the desire of encouraging this feeling, the teacher woxdd issue honor certificates to the first and second in each of the four upper classes, and as they were neatly printed on dui’able material, they might be framed and hung up, making a wall ornament of which any parent might well be proud. Of course, it was optional for any parent or donor to make a present of books, to be given as special prizes ; but the master’s rewards now and in future would consist of a first and second certificate of merit to pupils possessing the greatest aggi'egate number of marks, or the highest daily average, and who have attended school at least one hundred and fifty days in the year. In handing the prizes to the several pupils, Mr. Fancourt made several appropriate observations, mentioning the special subjects in which each had done well, and urging iixcreased exertion on the part of all. The following is the honor list :

Class 6. Samuel Knight, 1 ; William Chapman, 2. Class 5. Lucy Mudgway, 1 ; James Hunter, 2. Class 4. C. Ashton, 1 ; John Frethey, 2 ; A. England, special. Class 3. Graham Pringle, 1 ; Sarah Mills, 2. Class 2. Hector Scrimshaw, 1 ; Robert Scrimshaw, 2. Class 1 (Division 1). H. Valentine, 1 ; Arthur Hall, 2. Class 1 (Division 2). F. Buck, 1 ; A. Knight, 2. Alphabet—H. England, 1 ; Annie Bolton, 2. EAST COAST ELECTION. The Povei'ty Bay Herald gives the following as the result of the poll in the above election : Bead 215 Morris ... ... ... ... 206 Kelly 185 Maihi (Marsh) ... ... ... 9 Captain Read, it will be seen, has been elected by a majority of nine. Captain Read is a pronoxxnced Ministerialist.