OUR RANGITIKEI-MANAWATU LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4600, 17 December 1875, Page 2

OUR RANGITIKEI-MANAWATU LETTER.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Marion, December 9. Wonderful to relate, Rangitikei has come out of its shell, and at the present moment is in a state of feverish excitement. As I hinted in a former, letter, there was a “ dark ” man in reserve for the representation of the district. Last week a requisition was presented to Mr. James Bull, asking that gentleman to allow himself to be nominated as a candidate for the representation of the Rangitikei district in the General Assembly. The requisition was signed by upwards of fifty of the electors, including many of the leading settlers of the district. Mr. Bull, rather reluctantly, complied with the request, and has since announced himself as a candidate. For a long time there has been a growing feeling among the settlers that should the intention of the present Government be carried into effect, a large portion of affairs hitherto administered by provincial institutions would be relegated to the House of Representatives, and a corresponding increased amount of responsibility would devolve on members with regard to local government ; that it was therefore highly necessary that their representative should be thoroughly up in all local matters, and one whose interests were bound up with those of the district. Moreover, there was a suspicion on the part of some that Mr. Ballance has private ends of his own in view, and that when these were achieved, the constituency, for all he cared, might go to Hong Kong. Mind, lam not expressing any opinion, but merely stating the reasons that have induced the settlers to bring forward a candidate in opposition to Mr. Ballance. Though at present matters seem to favor Mr. Bull, there can be no doubt that he will have an up-hill fight of it owing to the prestige Mr. Ballance undoubtedly enjoys. I shall endeavor from time to time to send you reliable accounts as to the prospects of the rival candidates. My reports, as you are well aware, will be devoid of rose coloring. In the Manawatu, both the late member, Mr. W. Johnston, and the new candidate, Dr. Buffer, seem equally confident of success. Major Mcßarnet has not, I believe, been actively canvassing the district, having been busy with his sheep shearing. His chances will no doubt be greatly diminished, and the contest unquestionably will lay between the two first mentioned. It is well known that the Balmerston vote “ rules the roast,” and as I have ascertained that this is decidedly in favor of Mr. Johnston, I think that this gentleman stands the best show. Dr. Buffer, however, will have the native vote, so that the contest will be a pretty close one whichever wins. The weather is beginning to create a little uneasiness. For two months prior to last week we have had nasty continuous rain. It then took up, but on Monday last it broke out again with one of the grandest thunderstorms I have ever witnessed. From ten o’clock at night until two in the morning the heavens were fairly ablaze. The lightning was extremely vivid, and almost without interruption, and the rain for nearly half an hour came down in torrents. The weather here since has been very unsettled, rain alternating with high winds, and to-day it looks, but does not feel, like winter. Oo wet lands the early potatoes have rotted in the ground, and the wheat and oats, which a month ago looked remarkably well, have now a sickly appearance, owing to the superabundant moisture. Should the broken weather continue much longer a very serious amount of damage will be sustained by the Rangitikei farmers. While speaking of the farmers, I may mention a circumstance which, though trifling in itself, is suggestive to them of pleasant anticipations. Two waggons were yesterday loading up with farm produce for Palmerston and Fielding, one with five tons and the other with four. If with bad roads, or rather no roads, they send off their produce in such quantities, what will it be when the railways are finished? The Tutanui bridge is now open for traffic, which will prove a great convenience for many, as a steamer plies regularly between Lower Rangitikei and Wellington, affording storekeepers a quick, easy, and cheap conveyance for their goods, and the settlers the same for their produce to a good market.

The last-Jink in the line of the railway between Wanganui and Foxton is to be tendered for in a few days. In all probability the line will be completed within two years, so that things are looking np in farming matters. An immense impetus will be given to agricultural pursuits, when by this railway easy access must be afforded to two good markets, Pending and Palmerston, as well as to port. . . Our races tbis summer give promise of bein„ the best we have ever had. The acceptances (which I send) for the principal some respectable nags, and some of that havedistinguished themselvesdunngthe present races on your ground will putman wet weather has prevented the various cricket clubs from practrsmg, and “ a result not a single match has been either pLed or arranged for. But they live m hopes that it will not always ram, and that there Will be time enough when the weather takes up to distinguish themselves *1 hear that it is likely, that quite a sensational case will occupy the attention of the Gentlemen very soon, being no less than one of breach of promise of marriage, in which both plaintiff and defendant are natives. There was a Maori wedding celebrated with oreat rejoicings at Matahiwi some two or three weeks ago, the only circumstance that tended to mar the enjoyment being the absence of one who was to have taken the leading part in a second wedding which had been arranged to come off on the, same day. The intending husband failed to put in an appearance, and tbe intended bride's friends having been put to considerable expense in providing the wedding breakfast, intend to punish the defaulting.would-be bridegroom by sueing him for breach of promise. The case will be interesting as being the first breach of promise case among the natives.