SANDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5050, 31 May 1877, Page 3

SANDON.

The weather in Manawatu lias been very wet for the past fortnight—streams and rivers bank high, quite unusual for this time of the year—and has greatly impeded ploughing operations in this district. Nevertheless there is a great deal of land already sown, and more prepared for wheat, I hear there is likely to 1)0 about 700 acres in wheat this season in Sandon and Carnarvon. So well satisfied were the settlers with their wheat crops last year that they intend planting on a much larger scale this year. Mr. Hammond, who is working with a double-furrow plough, the first in the district, is putting in 100 acres. A preliminary meeting was held in the schoolhouse lost week, to ascertain the best moans of erecting a flour mill in Sandon. The meeting was unanimous in forming a company (limited liability), so as to give all the settlors a chance to take up shares. The mill is to be a good ono, and to cost something like £3OOO, in £5 shares. A number of the settlers have already applied for shares, and I have no doubt hut that they will all bo readily subscribed for. The threshing this season has been nearly all done by steam power at less than half the coat of last year by the old travelling horse machines.

Our new Post and Telegraph Office is now open, which, independent of its usefulness, is quite an ornament to the township. It is to he hoped that so soon as the money order, savings’ bank, life assurance, and other branches are attached, it will prove a success financially. Mr. Hill, who is in charge, is doing all that lies in his power to oblige the settlers. The Anglican Church now in course of erection by Mr. Cieghorn the builder will, I think, be completed within the contract time. It is being built at the south end of the town, on a section the gift of It. Burt, Esq., of the Hutt, and will be a very handsome edifice when completed, and will be seen for miles around the country. Mr. Triugham is the architect. The Bishop of Wellington has just licensed Mr. George Williams as lay reader, until a clergyman is appointed. The Sandon library is now in good working order. £BO has been already subscribed, and about three-parts paid up, which has been spent in good standard works, magazines, and tile leading newspapers of the day.