PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5402, 20 July 1878, Page 2

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(from our own correspondent.) July 17. X regret to have to record another death, that of Mr. H. Hobie, brother-ia-law of Mr, R. N. Keeling, the town clerk. The deceased, who was only a youth, has been under medical treatment for some time, bat no fears of his life were entertained. He, however, expired suddenly last night. I am glad to say that after all we are not to lose H. McNeil, Esq., J.P., from the flistrict, he having purchased about 70 acres in the township, where he intends building himself a house. . .

A meeting was held at Shenstone farm on Monday evening last of the Bitzberberton settlers, when it was stated that not one single halfpenny of the Government, Provincial, County Council, or Highway Board’s money had ever been spent in the district, although rates had been collected there for six years. Several cases of great hardship resulting from this were mentioned, and motions to take steps to have roads made were passed. The carpenters appear to be very busy here just now, as iu addition to the Bank of Australia’s new premises, and the Bank of New Zealand fitting up the house they have purchased from Mr. Liddel, new buildings are going up in every part of the township, and numerous additions to houses already erected are being made. It appears that we are to have at least three candidates for the honor of representing the County of Manawatu when Mr. Johnston resigns, which he is reported to be about to do immediately. Mr. Haloombe will be the Bedding caudidate, and if it were only to represent that town he would undoubtedly be the best person to choose, but I fear that the rest of the county would suffer were he elected. Dr. Buffer will, so far as X can understand, represent himself. As for any claims he can possibly have to the suffrages of the county, they are nil, he being an absentee, with no interests- iu the place, and of no fixed politics. Mr. •G. M. Snelson, Mayor of Palmerston, will, I believe, be requested to stand, and if so, would probably be elected, as he is well known to have the interests of the county at heart, and to have devoted a great part of his time for the last five years to its advancement. It is rumored that Mr. B. London, of Foxton, intends to coma forward as a fourth candidate, but I hope that he will show more sense than to do so.