NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1926, 27 February 1885, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH.

(dtOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The weather here has been simply delightful during the present month, and our farmers are hopeful of a bountiful harvest this year. The grass crop is extra fine and is likely to surpass that of many previous seasons. At Tataraimaka I hear a crop of oats is expected to yield at least CO bushels to the acre, while from Mokau comes the news of a crop of cocksfoot grass being six feet in height. Should the weather continue favorable for another month to enable farmers to gather in their harvest, the depression which has so long existed in Taranaki, should in a measure be lifted,

At the Police Court on Tuesday, Charles Robinson (Captain of the local Salvation Army), was charged with having on the 14th Feb,, committed a breach of the "Police Offences Act, 1885" by wilfully obstructing the public street. The defendant pleaded, of course, Not Guilty, From the evidence it appeared that about 7.30 on the evening referred to, the Army inarched down Dovon-street in a zig-zag course with colors flying, thereby causing an obstruction. They were requested by the poliee to desist, but the Army scorned the order. They were afterwards stopped by the Crown Prosecutor, but not without some resistance—hence the present action. After promises of future good behaviour and of dispensing with torches, the charge was withdrawn. One notablo feature during the hearing of the case in Court was the presence of the infinitely " noble" Army itself in the room, They inarched down in full uniform, and with colors flying; and after the adjournment re-formod outside and returned to their barracks, evidently under the impression they still knew a " little too much" for the police, Their movements havo since been a little more orderly, however. The Taranaki Rifle Volunteers havo decided to send five representatives from the company to take part in the New Zealand Rifle Association's competition, to be held in Wellington in March. At a recent meeting of the company a sum of £2O was voted to the representatives to defray expenses. The men are practising assiduously. They expect to leave on the sth March, as tho competition commences on the 9th.

A two weeks toumamont was commenced by the New Plymouth Lawn Tennis Club on Wednesday. A large number of spectators and players have been present since its commencement. Great preparations are being made by. the natives of this district for the big gathoring to bo held here in March next, Numbers of young men have been sent to all parts of the district in quest of work, in order to increase the funds. At Waitara the natives are busy building whares for tho accommodation of about 2000. The procession, which is expected to number 3000, will pass through the town, and it is thought they will spend about three hours here, Invitations have been sent to chiefs in all parts of tho colony to take part in tho proceedings. Total abstinence is advocated by Te Whiti, who iB to proclaim the exact date of the end of the world.

A great musical treat is in store for us during the present week, Remenyi, the celebrated violinist makes his first appearance before a New Plymouth audience on Friday evening, for a period of three nights. From the reports of the newspapers in the town in which Remenyi has already performed, it would appear that his equal has never been heard in tho colony, and we expect he will draw crowded houses, On Wednesday (February 12th) the New Plymouth Aquatic Club held their annual sports in the Recreation Ground pond, and as a half-holiday had been proclaimed by His. Worship the. Mayor, a large number of town people assembled to witness the proceeding. The gramme' provided by the Committee went off well, a goodly number of competitors taking part. About 4.30. a

shower of rain unfortunately came on, compelling the postponement of two or three events until Borne future date, _ A rather sorious accident happened during the latter part of the afternoon to a young man of this town,.. Ho was indulging in some rope walking foats on-a rope stretched across the pond, when he lo3t his balance, and-fell heavily to the ground. He was picked up unconscious, but, upon medical examination,' no bones wero found to be broken. Ho, however, sustained a severe shaking, which will compel him to abstain from work for some tocomo.

■ It has now been definitely decided to form a butter "and cheese manufacturing company in'this district.- At'a meeting held on the 12th iust, a unanimous resolution was passed, " That a company be started to be called 'The Pungarchu ■Farmer's Co-Operative Dairy Company (Limited)' with a capital of £2,000 in shares of £5 each. This is' good news indeed, as it supplies a want long felt in New Plymouth. As soon as our factory is in full working order we shall be enabled to supply not only colonial markets with butter and cheese, but perhaps contribute in a small degree towards the oxport of those articles' to foreign countries. ■ . .. The breakwater is still progressing favorably.. Since I last wrote two or three new sec tions have'.been added and some improvements effected in the machinery for the crane.