WANGANUI.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 311, 10 April 1878, Page 4

WANGANUI.

(FROM our own correspondent.) There is a lull in matters political just now. Even the County Boundary question at Eangitikei is at rest. I hear that Sir George Grey is to include Wanganui in his slumping tour, and, with the Hon Mr Bailance, : may be expected shortly. I learn that both have been privately assured that the visit just now would be attended with more or less risk of possible loss of political prestige. I fear Mr B. cannot set all doubt at rest anent that game county boundary question, and Sir George’s antics —well, they have not gained him any permanent confidence. I question if either show up for a month or so, till things have settled, or till some favourable indications make themselves apparent that their appearance on the scene would be well timed and welcome.

The Wanganui Education Board is tomeet for the first time on Friday, but I suppose proceedings will only be of a preliminary character. While on educational matters I may mention that the new boys’ school here is to be a very fine building. A gentleman from another part of the colony is to be appointed to the bead mastership, and Mr West, of the grammar school, will probably be offered a position on the staff of the teachers. I regret to hear that Mr H. H. Godwin, of the collegiate schoolj has resigned his connection therewith. Mr Godwin is one of the most able teachers of youth in the colony, and in that capacity has been indefatigable, securing large percentages of successful candidates for the Civil Service. I have not heard who is to succeed him.

You would scarcely credit how the traffic has left the road and taken to the railway so far as opened. The No 1 Line, that is the route via Turakina towards Wellington wears quite a deserted aspect, there being scarcely whceltracks to be seen. You might stand a whole day and not see a conveyance pass. This time last year between coaches, waggons, drays, and horsemen, it was alive at all times of the day and night. Such are some of the changes effected by railway communication.

The theatre project promises to be a success, and lam told that shares have been taken in great numbers. The site chosen is in the Avenue, nearly opposite to the English Church. Plans are now being prepared. They are to include two handsome shops. When speaking of railway matters I forgot to say that the unfinished portion of the contract on the Manavvatu line has been taken over by the Government, and the work is to be rapidly pushed on to completion. Traders, in the Manawatu district are actively preparing to take advantage of railway communication with Wanganui.

I believe we are to have a visit from tire great titled engineer.' re our harbour works. I presume Patea will follow suit. If the colony is to pay the expenses of his visit every Harbour Board should avail itself of his presence and services. Though for my own part I do not anticipate that he will throw any special light upon matters with which the several Boards have not already made themselves acquainted. However, let him come by all means. He won’t set the rivers on lire.

The Rev Mr Bavin, the Wesleyan minister, is about to take his departure, Ins successor being a Mr Lee. The validictory demonstration by the congregation was a pleasing reunion, though tinged with rather sad associations, through the approaching severance of the pastoral connection. Mr Bavin has made himself a popular man during his stay here, and has taken an active part in various local associations calculated to benefit the community from a physical or social point of view.

Our steeplechase is to. be on Queen’s Birthday. The Hon. Sec. of the W.J.C. told me that ho thought an effort would be made to postpone it to some other holiday, owing to the Christchurch meeting also being arranged for Queen’s Birthday. But the suggestion was not carried into effect. The two meetings are bound to clash with each other, and many will be disappointed who would like to have attended both. I suppose your district will be represented as on former occasions. The cavalry tournament is to be on Easter Monday, and I hope some of your Waverley equestrian champions will put in an appearance and so contribute to the success of the gathering. The Vipan section dispute has not assumed any fresh aspect, nor probably will it do so until the 10th—the day appointed for business to be transacted with intending purchasers or lessees on the claimed sections. Then will come the tug of war. The Admcateof Monday last says :—The Sandon Steam Flour-mill is now an accomplished fact. Steam was got up on Thursday, when the engine was found to work very smoothly,to the great satisfaction of the directors, of whom there was a good number present. A letter, of which the following is the literal text, was picked np in the street : “ Here Gim cum up too the hous too nit, the old mans goin to the lodge and mars Got The roomytism so bad she kant here hurselfe sneeze be Sure An bring Sum of That kandy with sent ontoo it cause we’re goin to have Fride Injuns for super. Yure own JuLYANA. The Napier Telegraph referring to the breaking of a plank on a bridge near Woodville, as the coach from Whirarapa to Napier was passing over, and the almost miraculous escape from a general smash up, says :—While the heads of the Government are stumping the country unmindful of anything but obtaining a feeling of popularity, roads are permitted to get into disrepair, our bridges unattended „ to, and we get nothing but promises, promises, and promises. The Telegraph says :—A half-drunken Maori caused some amusement on the race course at Napier. He had received some rough treatment from some European, and on being picked up by the police narrated to them his grievances. He was sure it was not an Englishman who treated him so cruelly. He must be an Irishman or Scotchman. “Englishman,” he said, “ fight fair and no kick,” but “ holme Irishman.’.’ He was taken care of.