PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4854, 12 October 1876, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(FROM OUR. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

A most important meeting was called for last Friday evening, in the Forester’s Hall, by Mr.’Dairy tuple, J.P., to consider the obstructive tariff now 1 iU 1 force on‘the Foxton : and Palmerston railway, and further to agree upon some prompt action to get the grievance remedied.

The meeting, I need scarcely add, which had for its object the commercial prosperity of the district; was largely attended, and every one present expressed his opinion upon the questions. Mr. Dalrymple, I ought to have said, occupied the,chair, and the meeting agreed to a man that Mr. Johnston, the member for the district, be requested to call for a'committee of inquiry in the Assembly, to consider the present obstructive timber freight now charged upon the Foxton and Palmerston railwayj'and further, to ask that Mr. Bunny, the Deputy-Superintend-ent, be solicited to co-operate with'our member in laying the subject before the’ committee with a view to a speedy reduction being made, so that Our mill-owners: here' may be able to compete with'others : outside'the "district in getting their timber to the Seaboard; I regret to say that the local demand for timber is now satisfied, and that it is feared that the mills,' if not actually stopped, will be worked only half time. If a reduction is agreed upon and itjs satisfactory, there should'be'room enough here for other mills’besides the three now working, there being forty miles Of a bush to workih.' After this business "was disposed-' of, Mr. Snelson asked the meeting to assist him in arriving at some : course” of action' to 'get)the Government to settle ’the 'deferred payment block in Fitzherbert Town) as there now were such a number Of English and German immigrants in the township complaining of their inability to obtain work. The’ probability and feasibility of getting the Government to act in the matter was spoken of at some considerable length, many doubting the . sincerity of their wish to foster settlements of this kind, but ultimately it was agreed that Mr. Johnston be requested to use his best efforts to obtain a compliance with the resolution, which'was then moved, by Mr. Snelson, and carried unanimously. ’‘‘ ” The bridge across the Manawdtu river to Fitzherbert Town, and which is at some future day to connect us with Wellington, is progressing satisfactorily. Church building seems yet to be the mania of the inhabitants here., There are two others now in course of ereotion, the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian. The people to fill them will, I believe, have yet to.be brought here, as the English Church has discontinued its late regular services, and a new sensation is to be started, 1 as by advertisement; it is to be used for lecture ‘ subjects, commencing on next Friday. ; The Foresters’ Hall is now completed, and the Public Hall is within a few weeks of being finished. The new sohoolhouse, which will be quite an ornament to the town, is well under way. A new hotel is being erected at the east end of the town for Mr. W. Deard, who, notwithstanding the general depression felt by all, is a firm believer in the future of Palmerston.' I trust his faith will never weaken, and that brighter days are yet before us all. Several prospecting parties are out, and some good may accrue from their efforts to develop what is generally believed to exist in the ranges. The prospect of a goldfield is very alluring, and may entice some to be rash in venturing their little savings for the general good. .