Country News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 233, 26 February 1876, Page 17

Country News.

The Standard says it is stated on the best authority that the resolutions of the Wairarapa Jockey Club, re Fishhook, were only carried by the casting vote of the president. The Lake Wakatip Mail, of February 10, contains seven notices under the Bankruptcy Acts. The district, thougli its population is not large, evidently does its best to have some kind of local industry. Sator’s first foal from a thoroughbred mare, named Melrove, the property of Mr. P. A. Buckley, is now running in a paddock near Greytown. The local paper describes it as a promising little animal, with a decided feator stamp, which bids fair to grow up a valuable racer. The Auckland correspondent of the Otago Daily Times is responsible for the statement that a letter from the Marquis of Normanby to his English friends, eulogises New Zealand as a most prosperous country. He expressed his belief that wages were higher here than in any part of the world. A correspondent, writing from Parawanui, makes the following complaint:—“We have been without a mail carrier ever since the Ist January, and cannot get the Government to appoint one. Betters and telegrams without number have been sent, but the post-office seems to take little or no notice. It would be doing the settlers a service if you would draw attention to the fact.”

When asked the usual leading question at the Dunedin Resident Magistrate’s Court the other morning, “ What are you ?” a youthful witness exclaimed, “ I am a Scotchman !” This unexpected reply (says the Daily Times) convulsed the Court with laughter, which was heightened by his Worship Mi\ Bathgate humorously saying to the witness, “ Well, you need not be ashamed of your country.” The people of Foxton are arranging a race meeting, to take place on the 17th March. Every endeavor is being made to secure success. Already the sum of £l2O has been subscribed, and hopes are entertained of getting a considerable amount in addition to that. Horses from Wanganui and Napier will compete, and an endeavor will be made to lay on an excursion steamer from Wellington. A coachman at Nelson is not going to give in to the railway, and calls upon the public to support his vehicle for the following reasons: — “ (1). It has done good service for eleven years. (2) It is cheaper. (3) After this week the hours will suit you better than the railway. (4) I pick up and land passengers at their own gates, (5) I take your parcels and deliver them at their address in town. (6) I don’t pretend to take you to Foxhill and drop you two miles short of it. (7) I know you, and you know me, and that I may be depended upon to execute your commissions faithfully.” TTls Honor Judge Weston, according to the West Coast papers, gave another forcible hint from the bench lately. He commented in somewhat severe term 3 upon the paucity and antiquity ©f the text-books from which members of the bar quoted authorities, saying that he was asked to give., what might be an important decision “ on two lines of an authority.” He considered “ gentlemen of the bar had as much right to provide themselves with authorities as workmen had to provide themselves with proper tools ; it was simply part of their trade, which appeared to be sufficiently prosperous to enable them to spend a few ten pounds upon procuring proper law books.” He had mentioned this before. Judge Weston (says the Grey River Argus) is determined to maintain the dignity of his Court. On Monday he reproved one of the constables in attendance for not wearing white gloves, and administered a lecture to one of the audience for coming into court with his liat on, and making a noise with his boots, remarking that as people took off their hats when entering public halls it was only proper that they should do so in a court of justice ; as to the boots (the noise of which the offender said he could not control), his Honor said that when he was practising at the bar he had, when a similar necessity arose, “ walked on tip-toe” in order not to interrupt the Court. If the offence was repeated he should commit him for contempt. In reference to the “unemployed” agitation at the Thames the Advertiser 'writes : “ Charles Rowley has been wildly telegraphing to the Superintendents of the other provinces, and petitioning the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales for employment for three or four .hundred able-bodied men, but has met with no encouragement in his philanthropic efforts. Rowley’s want is supplied in our advertisingcolumns. He will see that the contractors on the Masterton railway, in the province of Wellington, advertise for four hundred men, and guarantee twelve months’ employment. Rowley will be able to telegraph to these contractors, and get himself appointed labor agent, so as to arrange for the passages of those unemployed who are so anxious to leave the district, but have not the means left to take them down to Wellington.” According to the local papers, the harvest throughout the Auckland province will be an almost complete failure this year. The Bay of Plenty Times of a recent date says :—“ It is with very great regret that we have to announce the almost total destruction of the wheat crop in this district. In the early part of the season there was every promise of an abundant yield, and the expectations of farmers ran high. The incessant rains experienced during the last two months have, however, worked sad havoc. On several holdings in this neighborhood cattle and horses have been turned into the wheat fields, the returns not being calculated to recoup the cost of reaping. We learn from a gentleman who arrived from the coast yesterday that a similar course has been adopted by many of the natives residing along the coast, and that there is every probability of great distress among the several Bay of Plenty hapus during the coming

winter. Great fears are also entertained for the safety of the potato crop, which the floods throughout the Bay of Plenty are calculated to have materially damaged. Altogether the agricultural returns of the season are reduced to a minimum.” The New Zealand Herald of February 4 compares the different state of affairs of the Auckland and Canterbury provinces in the following words :—“ While we are hearing from almost every part of our own province of entire or partial loss of the grain and grass crops, from the continued wet weather, from Canterbm-y we have accounts of an abundant harvest. Thx-oughout the pro.vince oats will average 36 bushels per acre, wheat 30, and barley 28. But for the unseasonable rains of the last few weeks, the crops in this province would have been considerably above the average.” Four foreigners introduced themselves on Tuesday - last to the Provincial Secretary of Public Works at Dunedin. It appeared, says the Guardian, that they were immigrants who had been sent to some special settlement on the West Coast, and did not succeed very well there, so they thought they could do better in Christchurch. But how were they to get there ? Well, they met with some good Samaritan who kindly provided them with a piece of paper on which were written the words, “ Is this the way to < Christchurch ?” With this simple compass ' they ultimately arrived in the City of the Plains. But yet they found no rest for the soles of their feet. There a kind friend also supplied them with another scrap of paper bearing the words, “ Is this the road to Dunedin ?” By its assistance they ultimately arx-ived at Port Chalmers, and from thence were forwarded on to the Provincial Secretax-y. What was to be done with them now ? One Government official suggested that they should be sent to Skene’s Laboxxr Exchange, or else to a certain contractor who is advertising for 300 or 400 navvies. Mr. Green, however, took a more lenient view of the mattei-. He armed them with a letter addressed to his Honor the Supex-intendent, and the last our reporter saw of them, hats in hands, they were standing outside the Sxxperintendent’s office, waiting for his return from the meeting of the Hai-bor Board. As they touched at Christchurch, cn route to Dunedin, we were informed that the Provincial Secretary sixggested that they should be forwarded on to the Minister for Public Works, as that gentleman is at pi-esent in Dunedin, and as he is representative for Christchurch in the General Assembly. OUR, RANGITIKEI-MANAWATU LETTER. (from our own correspondent.) Marton, Febrxxary 19. One of the subjects that have come prominently to the front since my last communication is the insufficient provision for the administration of justice at present existing in this district—the largest magisterial district throughout the colony, extending from Porirua harbor to Turakina, and fi-om the sea-board to the dividing range. When it was first instituted our Resident Magistrate, holding covxrts periodically at the different centres of population, was no doubt amply sufficient to meet the wants of the sparse population scattered over its surface. Since that time, however, Palmerston, Feilding, and the Small Farm Association at Sandon have sprung into existence, with a numeroxxs and ever increasing population, and during the same period Bull’s has more than doubled itself. The wondei’fully rapid development of these several townships seems to have been overlooked by the Government, else they certainly woxxld have afforded the l-esidents more adequate machinery for the redress of grievances that require adjudication in court. At present, in addition to bi-weekly sittings of the Court here, our worthy R.M. helds a Court at Bull’s once in two months, at Palmei-ston once in three months, at Foxton twice in three months, and at Otaki monthly. No provision is made for a Court at either Feilding or Sandon, and suitoi-s must either betake themselves to Palmerston, Bull’s, or Marton. The exigencies of the case demand the speedy division of the disti-ict, and the appointment of a Resident Magisti-ate for the Manawatu portion ; and if a gentleman were appointed conversant with the native language, who. coxxkl exercise the functions of native officei’, no additional expendi-tui-e beyond the last estimates need be in-ctu-red. The loss to ti-adespeople by being compelled either to travel long distances or to run the risk of defaulters “bolting” mxxst be apparent to all. It is a grievance that has long rankled in the bi-east of the residents, though no outward demonstration has as yet been made. I may observe en passant that there is only one clerk of the court from Turakina to Wellington, and only one policeman at Palmei-ston. As the New Zealand Times .circulates extensively throughout the district in question, I feel sure that an article on this subject from the editor’s vigorous pen would be duly appreciated by his numerous readers." A sad affair occurred at Fitzherberton, about three miles from Palmerston, on Monday, which has l-esulted in the death of Mr. Stewart, one of the staff of Provincial Engineers. It seems that Mi-. Stewart arrived at the camp about seven o’clock in the morning, and having given directions to his men as to their wox-k, he sent the cook to Palmerston for stoi-es. When the latter returned, and was storing away the goods he had brought, Mr. Stewart sang out, “ Is that you cook ?” and on being answei-ed affirmatively, said, “ Come here and see me die.” The cook went into Mr. Stewart’s tent and found him weltering in blood, which was issuing from a wound in his chest, and one in his shoulder, the ball from a carbine haring passed completely through his body. Assistance was sent for to Palmei-ston, and Mr. Akin promptly attended ; and as Mr. Baird, the Provincial Engineeiy was at Bull’s, he was telegraphed to, and immediately set out for Fitzherbei-ton with Dr. Donaldson. Everything that skill and attention could do was

done, and at first hopes were entertained that Mi-. Stewart would recovei-, but on Tuesday evening he became worse, and expix-ed at 7.30 on Wednesday morning. In reply to the doctoi-s as to how the affair happened, Mr. Stewart told them that the carbine went off while he. was playing with his dog. An inquest was held on Thursday, when an open verdict was i-eturned, that thei-e was no evidence to show how he received the wound that resulted in his death. I learn from a gentleman who ti-avelled with him from Dunedin to Wellington, that Mr. Stewart ai-rived in the colony aboxxt eighteen months ago, bi-inging with him lettei-s of introduction to some of our leading men from Viscount Kimberley. The affair cast quite a gloom over the township, where deceased was well known and greatly esteemed. Harvest opex-ations, owing to the late fine weather, are neai-ly completed, thei-e being but few patches of wheat now out. The yield, as far as has been ascertained, is vei-y satisfactory as respects the grain ci-ops, the only complaint I can hear of regarding potatoes, which are not turning out so well as they were expected to do, the wet cold weather of the early part of the season haring affected them very sensibly. The natives have this year been increasing the area of their cultivation very matei-ially on either side of the Rangitikei. Around Matahiwi and Wangamahoe they have been vei-y industrious, and have fenced and cropped an extensive surface of country. I do not know for what reason, unless it be the difficulty of obtaining the information, bxxt the collectors of agricultural i-eturns do not require them from the natives. This I think is a great mistake, as these returns would show whether the natives are devoting themselves to the arts of peace and civilisation, and to what extent. The returns might be obtained, it is thought, through some of the many officials xvho look after their intex-ests—such as native officers, interpreters, &c., —and the figures would prove interesting to those who love statistics. The settlers of Sandon held a public meeting in connection with the proposed l-ailway and telegraph office, in the schoolhouse last week. The meeting was very numerously attended, Mi-. Gower presiding. From the chaii-man’s opening remarks it appeared that the settlei-s had been convened for the purpose of hearing what had transpired on tlie presentation by the deputation of the memorial to the Superintendent on the subject of the railway, and taking action thereon. Mr. H. Sanson (who with the member for the district, Mi’. W. W. Johnston, constituted the deputation) gave a detailed account of what had occurred. From his statement it appeared that his Honoi’, while recognising their light to a road of some kind, and acknowledging the impossibility of constructing a metalled road, informed the deputation that the construction of railways was a matter which rested entirely with the General Government. At the same time, however-, he promised that, should their member during the next session bring forward a motion with this object in view, he should have the hearty co-operation of both himself and the Provincial Secretary. The committee appointed at the previous meeting was constituted a vigilance committee, to watch the proceedings of the session, and to act in concert with their representative, with the view of bringing the project to a successful termination. Mr. Baird, Provincial Engineer, has been lately on a tour of inspection throughout the disti’ict, and one of the principal objects of his mission was to x-epoi’t on a direct road between Foxton and Sandon. As I have reason to know that that gentleman’s report will be to the effect that the construction of a light l’ailway or tramway would be by far the cheapest mode of transit that could be provided, thei’e is a probability that something will come of the settlers’ efforts in this direction. There can be no doubt that they have a real grievance to complain of. When they bought their land they were given distinctly to understand that the main line of railway would take that course. Afterwards the route of the main line was altered so as to take in Feilding and Bunnythorpe, and Palmei-ston and Sandon were left out in the cold. Mr. Sanson also infoi-med the meeting that while in Wellington on the deputation he, in company with Mr. Johnston, had waited on the Commissioner of Telegraphs, who had promised that in the event of the settlers giving a guarantee to the extent of £6O, a telegi-aph office and post office would be opened in the township at once. As the sum of £32 was sxxbsci-ibed in the room, and many influential settlers were unavoidably absent, there is every probability of this shox-tly becoming unfait accompli. At this meeting a subject cropped up which, though not directly connected with its object, hope directly on it, namely, the conditions attached to Messrs. Douglas and Co.’s purchase of land at Carnarvon. It seems that one of the conditions was that within a certain time 70 families wei-e to be located on as many sections of 100 acres each. The time allowed for this was almost expired, and no steps had been taken to comply with the conditions. It seems that Messrs. Douglas and Co. have a claim against the Provincial Government of some thousands of pounds, for having been interfered with in their operations by the natives, and it was rumoured that the company were trying to effect a compromise with the Government somewhat on this basis, that provided they were freed fi’om the condition of locating the settlers on the 7000 acres reserved by the Government, and this land reverting to them, they would forego their claim. The meeting, while not denying their claim to compensation, considered that such should be borne by the province generally, and that it would be a graat injustice to them if the land reserved for special settlement were allowed to pass into Messrs. Douglas and Co.’s hands for • grazing purposes. Ultimately the matter was left to be dealt with by the vigilance committee. Our Anglican Church is being considerably improved and enlarged. The esteemed incumbent —the Rev. A. Towgood—has, at his own charge, completed the chancel according to the

original elaborate plan, and very nice and ecclesiastical it now looks. A transept on the soxxth side is being built, and when the corresponding one on the other side shall have been erected, and the church finished according to the original design, it will be one of the most ecclesiastical structxxres I have seen in my travels through New Zealand. Tendei-s are called for the erection of the Rangitikei Hospital, and it is to be hoped that no time will be lost in its ei-ection. Cases are occurring neai’ly every day which prove the necessity which exists for such an institution in a more central spot than Wanganui. “ Foxton is to have a paper of its own,” is one of the most sensational bits of rumor that have gained currency during the last few days. I pity the unfortunate shareholders, forT hear it is to be a company (limited I hope) affair. Of all the mad schemes that have been from time to time pi-oposed this is about the most insane. But still if Foxton be ambitious to have an organ of her own, and is willing to pay for it, why should she not enjoy the luxury. We have been very well supplied in the way of amusement lately. We have had the educated dogs, then Dr. Carr has delighted large audiences with his interesting seances, and now we are to have a visit from the Wheeler troupe. When a decent time shall have been allowed for the settlers to realise on their harvest, I fear that we shall be perfectly inundated with these itinerating artists. THE JACKSON BAY TROUBLE. (Fi-oxn the Greymouth Star of the 10th.) The axxthoi’ities of Hokitika have evidently got some trouble to provide for their last shipment of immigrants. It appears that the instalment lately received are mostly Germans, who, according to their own statements, were brought out to New Zealand on a promise that they should receive employment in Otago or Wellington, but after arriving at the latter place they were induced to go to Hokitika, where they were told they should receive plenty of employment. On arriving at Hokitika the immigrants were immediately transhipped on board the Waipara and foi’warded to Jackson Bay settlement. But on the Waipara arriving at Jackson Bay the majority refused to land, only eight single men, it was said, having gone ashore, along with a married man, his wife, and a family of five. The others, equal to twenty-four statute adults, returned, and are at present, with those who preceded them, accommodated in the comfortable immigration depot at Hokitika. On Tuesday last an inquiry was made by his Honor the Superintendent and Mr. Learmonth, Immigration Officer at the barracks, Hokitika, into this seemingly strange conduct of the new arrivals, and in reply to questions asked they are reported by the West Coast Times to say : “ We were supposed to go to Otago, but we were told that there was labor for us in Hokitika. There was nothing said about Jackson Bay, but when we got there the German immigrants spoke to us, and said there was no doctor, and that they could not do more than pay for their provisions, and that it was impossible to live there —that everything was very deal’, and that they must live like wild beasts. We understood they could get no money. They could get what they could live on. It left them about a shilling in thi’ee months, after what they consumed. When in Hokitika we knew nothing about this state of things, but when we got there we saw it was not good for us ; besides some people in Hokitika advised us not to land in Jackson Bay. We expected to see a town or a village, and, on account of not seeing one, we got frightened. We thought it quite impossible to live in a place that was covered with snow six months in the year. Were aware that settlers got eight shillings a day from the Government. We were deceived by the Government, who never told us we were to go to Jackson Bay. We were quite willing to remain at Hokitika, and consider the Government should find us work thei’e.” On being told that they Avould get no work at Hokitika, they wished to be sent back to Otago or Wellington, and, being informed that that could not be done, asked to be sent home to Germany. During the examination his Honor remarked that “both his and Mr. Learmonth’s impression was that they had been specially engaged for Jackson Bay, but the impression of the immigrants apparently was that they were to come to Hokitika.” It is quite evident that these late arrivals are not the men required for colonising the wilds of New Zealand, and are certainly very “simple” individuals. They knew they could earn 8?. per day at the settlement (their wages in Germany were about 48s. per month), still they were afraid to land in such a “ wild place,” one of their number saying at the inquii’y that “He went to Jackson Bay, and was on shore. He was on the mountain. The scrub you couldn’t see through, and you couldn’t look over. He did not see any of the German homesteads, or any of the cleai-ings of the settlers. He was told that there were settlers who earned 245. per week for three days, but that it just covered the cost of their provisions. He was told they could work on their land for the rest of the time ; but the settlers had not taken ixp their land, as they could not see it was woi’th while troubling. People in Hokitika told him not to leave the steamer. They were told that if they left the steamer they would be lost—would be fixed there—would have to stay there for ever.” Although these immigrants were by no means badly treated in being taken to Jackson Bay, where they were given land to cultivate and steady employment ensured them, there can be no doubt that their ignorance and simplicity was taken advantage of by the Wellington authorities, who were only too glad to get them shipped off to any part of the colony, and in order to induce them to go to Hokitika held out promises of employment, when they were well aware no work could be had for them. From the statement made by Mr. Bonar it would seem as if

he had been informed by the General Government that the immigrants were originally intended for Jackson Bay, and, if this is correct, the action of the Wellington authorities, in telling the immigrants that they would remain in Hokitika, savors very much of getting the new arrivals to come to the Coast under false pretences. THE WAIT AH A RAILWAY. The Grey River Argus of the 7th instant publishes the following as from a correspondent : During a recent visit to New Plymouth, I availed myself of an opportunity afforded one of travelling in the train, which now runs between Waitara and New Plymouth—a distance of nine or ten miles. It was New Year’s Day, and everybody was bent on enjoying themselves to the utmost. Sports being advertised to be held at the "Waitara, three special trains were to start for that locality that morning. The scene was most amusing to watch the crowd that thronged the railway platform, endeavoring to obtain access to the carriages ; children squealing, women fainting, men elbowing, and boys howling. There were not sufficient cars to hold them all, so open tracks were attached, into which men, women, and children, umbrellas and dogs, were poured in and jammed like sheep ; two locomotives were hitched on, and away we started after two or three preparatory shrieks. The railway station faces the roadstead just at the entrance of the town, and the line runs through the heart of the city, crossing the main thoroughfare en route for the Waitara. Picture to yourself then our train, the interior of each car loaded with women and children ; the male portion clinging outside to the guards, or any other available space that offered itself ; no less than six hundred of us borne hurriedly through the streets, waving frantic farewells to crowds of on-lookers as if we never expected to see them again. But man proposes and God disposes. The first steep gradient proved too much, in spite of the throbbing efforts of our two engines ; before reaching the summit we were compelled to stop, and what was worse still, a retrograde movement became necessary. Again we rushed through the town, this time backwards, greeted by our friends with jeers and derisive laughter, right to the station. The next effort, however, proved more successful; our steam being now well up, we rushed through the town once more with great velocity, and surmounted that incline. Again another grade would have proved too much had not one of the stokers with remarkable presence of mind clambered on to the engine and sat on the safety-valve—-rather a burlesque by-the-by on our Public Works policy. The scenery through which we passed was most beautiful ; smiling fields well stocked with cattle, who either playfully gambolled as we thundered by or stopped gazingin dull amazement at the novel sight. An undulating country stretching far away, with here and there glimpses of homesteads nestled amidst shrubs and flowers, and many patches of various hues, occasioned by plots of russettinted corn and rich grassy meadows interspersed with clumps of bush, and flanked on our right hand by snow-capped Egmont, forming a noble background to the picture. On our left, some four or five miles distant, stretched the sea. We were enthusiastically cheered at every byway crossing by numbers of country folks, and at one place in particular were hailed in a frenzied manner by an old woman who flung her arms wildly about her in the most ludicrous manner, conveying to one an exaggerated notion of our figure of liberty and advancement, lightly clad in a short print dress and sunbonnet. The line passes close to Sentry Hill, where in former days (during the war) the natives met with one of their most signal defeats, and hardby, when making one of the railway cuttings, a number of the bodies of those who fell on this occasion had to be removed. Such is the ruthless and obliterating hand of Time.