FEILDING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5118, 18 August 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

FEILDING.

(FROM OUlt OWN CORRESPONDENT.) By the time you published the account I gave of the very fine winter weather we had here during the months of June and July, a changeable wot week set in, which commenced by one of the heaviest falls of hail that I think I ever saw, and ending as it appeared to do by a warm, thundery, and oppressive state of the atmosphere. In a newly-settled country, where the streams are unbridged and the roads mostly unformed, and where the bulk of the work done is by out-door labor, a wet week at this season is a serious drawback to the agriculturist, however it may favor the mere graziei - . . The public of Feilding, and more especially the people in business, complain very much of the manner in which mails sent by steamer are needlessly detained at Foxton. There are two trains a day leaving Foxton for Feilding; the first train starting at 6.30 a.m., and the second train at 1.30 p.m. When a steamer from Wellington delivers a Feilding mail to the postmaster at Foxton too late for despatch by the 1.30 p.m. train, ono would naturally expect that it would be.despatched by the 6.30 a.m. train next morning; but no, it is detained at Foxton until the 1.30 p.m. train next day takes it. When ono considers that the Government incurs the expense of running a night train twice a'week from Foxtonto Palmerston, to carry the mails to Napier and Wanganui, it does seem extraordinary that the Feilding mails should be needlessly detained at Foxton, which often causes a IoS3 of half a week in getting a reply sent to Wellington letters. ' '.lliero was a very general fooling of satisfaction hero last week at the Palmerston people succeeding in securing their emancipation from tho Manawatu County government, and a considerable number of our leading settlers attended the inauguration ball after the election of tho Palmerston Mayor and Council.

The loyal manner in which the representatives of the Palmerston Riding in the Council have all through supported the claims of this, district in the County Council has had a beneficial effect in cementing the good feeling that has always existed between the inhabitants of the two townships. I am also pleased to be able to record the satisfaction with which the people here learned that the people of Sandon also refused, by resolution at a public meeting lately, to support the counter petition that was submitted against our separation petition from the Manawatu County. This question of separation, indeed, is the subject of all absorbing interest here just now, and one hears it talked of from ono end of the locality to the other, at all times and seasons. Our Palmerston friends are now rejoicing that they are now no longer under the county government, with its contending interests of north v. south. The Feilding Benevolent Society held thengeneral meeting sir.ee I last wrote. It was well attended, the ladies especially mustering in strong force, and their committee has been several times multiplied. On the following day news reached Feilding that a German laborer had broken his leg. The unfortunate man lives in the bush four miles from Feilding, and the president of the Benevolent Society immediately went to see if the man had any means o£ support; and on finding him in absolute want gave him an order on a storekeeper for necessaries. In the meantime some other Samaritan started a subscription list in Feilding to assist the disabled mau. The person taking the petition round was referred to the Benevolent Society, who took the matter in hand, and by this means one of the objects of the society was attained. Dr. Johnston is attending to the patient, who is progressing favorably. The Chairman of the Manchester Highways Board, in laying upon the table a letter from Dr. Johnston, of Feilding, and also the reports from the Inspector of Nuisances, submitted , suggestions recommending the Board to take prompt and decided action in enforcing the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1876, and especially the passing of a by-law to compel householders to adopt the earth-closet system. He also recommended that the Inspector of Nuisances should be authorised to serve written notices, on behalf of the Board, on all persons on whose premises nuisances were found to exist, requiring them to abate the same. He concluded by saying that the experience of the last two years had shown the imperative necessity which lies upon the Board strictly to enforce the provisions of the Public Health Act, in order to prevent the spread of epidemic diseases ; and unless the Board availed itself of the full powers placed in its hands, it may fairly be held responsible for the consequences that will certainly ensue from neglect of the precautions which are recognised as necessary to prevent the spread of disease in our midst. The Board passed a resolution authorising and instructing the Inspector of Nuisances to act as recommended by the Chairman of the Board. It is noteworthy that the late Municipal Conference at Wellington recommended that the same powers be granted by statute to the Inspectors of Nuisances as the Manchester Highways Board has delegated, by resolution of the Board, to its Inspector of Nuisances. Since I noticed in my last letter how the Government is erecting its buildings here on sites requiring drainage, without doing anything towards draining the Railway-square reserve, on which they are putting up dwellinghouses, I have se<m the recommendation of the Municipal Conference, suggesting that owners of property in towns should be compelled to drain wet lands injuriously affecting the health of the inhabitants of neighboring properties, and I think such a provision would be desirable in dealing with the undrained and unimproved town and suburban lands or absentee owners. The enforced improvement would increase the rateable value of the property, as well as abate what may really be considered a nuisance, especially in warm weather.

Business of all kinds has been very quiet here for some time past; but the workmen of Feilding have been fairly employed throughout the winter, now nearly past.