PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5240, 9 January 1878, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 7. There is as usual somewhat of a reaction here after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and the rainy weather we are now having does not tend to enliven us. Mr. Charles Clark lectured here on Saturday night last to a full house, which appeared to be well pleased with the entertainment: but as he had just come from Wellington, I need not go into particulars. His subject was “The Tower of London.” The Church of England inhabitants are using their best exertions to obtain a resident clergyman, and it certainly does seem somewhat extraordinary that a town of nearly 3000 inhabitants should be without one, more especially when we find a much smaller neighboring town promised one, who is to “ visit us occasionally.” We are very anxious here to know when the railway line to Wanganui is to be opened, but it seems impossible to get any reliable information on the subject. An engine has run from Feiiding to Halcombe, and we are told that the rest of the line is being pressed on day and night, but the opening day appears to recede as the time advances. This weather is singularly trying to children, and I regret to hear that several have lately died of whooping-cough.