MARTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5117, 17 August 1877, Page 3

MARTON.

(from odb own Ooekespondent.) 1 - j August 13. The Native Lands Court is to be held here in a few days, and it is! expected there will be a large gathering of the different tribes, as they are in anticipation of some £6OOO from the Government; but in all probability this is an over-estimated amount. However, should the Maoris be so fortunate as to succeed in getting the above sum', Marton will be in a flourishing state for a considerable time. The recipients are few in number compared with other tribes, and no doubt each individual will receive a eood round sum. An amateur concert in aid of the Temperance Heading Hall took place in the Town Hall, Marton, on Tuesday last. _ There was an exceedingly large attendance, in fact it was quite impossible to obtain seats for the whole of the audience. The programme was exceptionally long, no less than twenty-three performers taking part in it. The singing was very indifferent, with the exception perhaps of the “ Gipsy’s Warning” 'and a comic song, the latter causing great amusement. The entertainment concluded; with a farce called “ The Jealous Husband,” Mrs. Wiltshire, the celebrated pedestrienne, taking the principal character. This lady played her part in a very creditable manner. We hear from Masterton of land fetching as much as £l6 per foot. We have not yet reached that figure in Marton ; but as a proof that land in this township is rapidly rising in value) I may mention that quite recently some land here fetched as muoh_ as £5 per foot frontage, and nota fancy section either. For the past three or four weeks we have been enjoying splendid weather. The nightly frosts have been unusually keen, but they do not spem to have done much harm to anything in this locality. The farmers have been avail-ing-themselves of this favorable season to put in their wheat, of which a large amount has been sown. No doubt they reckon upon obtaining labor more cheaply and easily next year. Indeed, judging from the number of swagmen and others out of employment, they may reasonably expect a reduction in this direction. The health of the district seems to be at present very good, but we shall be able to nidge better of the healthiness of this locality in a few month's time, when the dry weather sets in. The great evil that the Marton residents have had hitherto to contend against has been want of water during the summer months, and a too copious supply of it during the winter. Some few years' ago the summer drought was felt to be very serious, and the inhabitants have sometimes been compelled to cart water from the Rangitikei River—a distance of six miles. ‘ This state of things has now considerably improved, and no such pressing want as this will, -I think, ever be felt again, as nearly all bur houses are now supplied with iron tanks, and many are provided with underground wells. 1 Artesian wells have often been discussed, but persons experienced in these matters state';that the township is unfavorably situated for them. A congregational meeting of the Presbyterian Church was Held here during the early part of last'week. The treasurer read a statement showing that the Church and manse were now free from debt, and that by good management the church committee had lately raised . £450 from the proceeds of a bazaar, after paying all incidental expenses. Although

this church had been in existence for a number of years previous to' this meeting, no name had been attached to' it. The congregation were unanimous in styling it St. Andrews. - ■ A few years ago this township boasted of a good Harmonic Society, whose performances were really a credit to the place. Under the able management of Mr. Ward pur concerts, in the opinion of competent judges, were equal to any given in Wangenui. This society has however been defunct for the last year ; but hopes are now entertained of a new one being formed. In connection with this matter, a great difficulty has always been felt in obtaining soprano voices ; indeed Marton, unlike its sister township, is singularly deficient in female talent. Eligible young bachelors are to be found in great numbers, having been probably enticed to this neighborhood by the many advantages offered to the bona fide settler; but lady pakehas are very scarce. A great sale of fruit trees, &c., was held here on Saturday last by Messrs. Harris Brothers. The sale was numerously attended, and surprising prices were realised. • Many of the settlers in this neighborhood are taking great pains in the cultivation of fruit, and some remarkably fine orchards are to be found both in and arround-Marton.

Mr. Denby, who has the contract for the Rangitikei Bridge, has. been accepted as the lowest tenderer for laying the permanent way in the Marton contract. The price is £1474, and the length of the line is about thirteen miles. Mr. Denby has to finish the line to Marton within five months, and a further extension' of three months is allowed for completing the remaining portion. An. accident occurred here on Wednesday last, which nearly ended fatally. It appears that four friends were driving as far as Turakina and back with a pair of fractious horses. When coming down the last incline before reachingMarton they overtook the mail coach, and after passing it the horses became desperately afraid, and consequently bolted. The brake was intantaneously used, and the driver pulled with might and main at the reins, but without avail, when suddenly it crept into his mind that the horses would run the buggyagainst the corner known as Watts’ in endeavoring to make for their stables. Hereupon the driver lost his presence of mind, the pressure was taken off the brake and the horses were allowed to take their own course, and while turning the corner the buggy capsized, the occupants were thrown out, and two of them were carried away insensible, viz.,. Mr. Trice, of the White Hart Hotel, and Mr. Powell. The others were severely cut and disfigured about the faces.

The return football match between Wanganui and Marton was played upon the Marton ground last Saturday. Messrs. Jacob and Montgomery were captains of the respective teams. The Wanganui men arrived in Marton about 1 p.m., and play commenced at 2.30 p.m. The weather was not very favorable, a’id the ground was soft and sloppy. After about two hours’ hard play the game resulted in a draw, neither side having obtained even a point. The two teams were apparently very evenly matched. Marton, however, was laboring under,some disadvantage, as one or two of her best' men were unable at the last moment to coiue . to , the scratch. The match was watched with great interest by a large number of persons, who repeatedly testified their approval of the brilliant play exhibited by both sides. Messrs. Jacob, Chaldecott, and Wheeler on the Marton side, and Montgomery, Holditcb, and Broughton on 'the Wanganui side, were especially noticeable for their plucky and spirited play. No serious accident occurred. One or two of the combatants, however, were seized with violent cramps; and this, combined with a few bloody noses, made up the only casualties. In the last trial of skill, which took place about three weeks ago, Marton was completely victorious ; but she cannot expect to retain her prestige either in this or in cricket without regular and steady practice, which has been hitherto almost entirely neglected. There is evidently now far greater apathy manifested in these matters than there was a. few years ago in Marton, and it is, in my opinion, much to be regretted.