NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2104, 25 September 1885, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent)

Spring is rapidly coming upon us, and with the next month business will be considerably enlivened. Operations at the breakwater will he shortly recommenced, and in a few week our farmers will be once more exporting large quantities of farm produce to outside markets. Numerous dairy factories have just sprung into existence, and these, in addition to the no mean quota supplied by our farmers, should keep the Sydney and Auckland markets well stocked. In the Taranaki Provincial Districtthere are now three or four dairy factories, and all of them, if not already working, are just on the point of commencing operations, They are apparently receiving fair support from farmers in the way of supplying milk, though many complaints are raised at the low prices the factories are willing to pay—from 2-id to 3|d per gallon. It is argued that if" farmers dispose of their milk to the factories at this price they cannot keep their pigs or calves, because if they require skim-milk they have to re-purchase it from the factories, for which they are charged lsd per gallon. Nothing bi(t loss could result from a farmer feeding his pigs, &c., upon milk purchased at the fabulous rate of per gallon. Unless some more satisfactory arrangemont can be arrived at between the farmers and dairy companies,'l am sore afraid that either one or both will come to grief. A " Gift Auction" to aid Mr Courtney on his trip home ior the purpose of furthering, immigration to the district., will be held during next week. JNumeroua gifts are coming in from all parts of the district,

The promised concert hy the Auckland Artillery Band was given in the Alexandra Hall on Monday evening last, tq one of the largest audiences an entertainment of any description has been favored with in New Plymouth. The concert was given under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor, and the officers, and members of the Rifle Volunteers. A number of local amateurs .assisted, adding greatly to the evening's enjoyment. The band gave selections from "Patience," "Maritana," " Martha," and numerous qther popular pieces, iiiclqdingtjte fantasia ''Honoria," the piece selected for the grand concert at the Wellington Exhibition. Tho concert was much appreciated by all, and a hope expressed that the visitors would give another upon their return.

At tho inquest into tho cause of the late fire at Opunake, by which a brewery belonging to Messrs Fabian Bfoa., of Gf,oytown, turned by the 'jury," That such fire was the result of a faulty furnace within the building".

One of pur publicans lyis been getting into number of Natives bei|,g in the hotel) and generally misbehaving themselves, an attempt was made to ejcot ono of the number from the premises. A fight ensued, during which the Native had an eye knocked nut. Ho has since been admitted to the Hospital, and an information lias been laid against the publican for assault by the police. i The mismanagenieiiti 0? o,ur railway line seems tq bo occupying tho public mind njost generally just now. week a public meeting was held, at whioh resolutions were passed condemning the present state of affairs, and asking the member for the 'district to make a representation to the Government in the matter, A committee to collect information was also appointed, and on its meeting on Wednesday evening a sub-commit-tee was appointed to draw up the report, and the following resolutions were adopted (1), That the department be asked to extend the running of the' local train an far as Patea,'' (2), That the Government be requested to run a mid-day train on Wednesdays and Saturdays to Waitara, (3), That the Government be requested to reduce the passenger rates between New Plymouth and Waitara, and place them upon the same basis as between Auckland and Onehunga, as coaohes are successfully competing against ! the railway, (4), That meeting'is of opinion that if the Government would issue return tickets at one and a-half fares, and reduce fares to l|d and 2d, it will considerably increase traffic, (5). That the attention of the authorities be called to the fact that passengers are liable to bo charged for'any small packages of merchandise they may carry with %m, and that a request be'made.that the carriage of such parcels be allowed, the limit to be 1121bs weight, or 5 cubic feet measurement. (6).- That the present rates on sheep and cattle between Waitara and Hawera be reduced one-half, and that, facilities be offered for increased carriage.' {(!). That the exemption be frqqi glasses "Q" aji'f} »s,'> 4. gopy pf'thege resolutions, together with' tl}e report of the committee, is to be given to the District Railway Manager here, who will forward same to tlje Minister of Public Works,

The Faust Family have, just concluded a season of four nights, having drawn good houses during their stay, The entertainment they provide is considered well worth witnessing, and the prices of

admission have been cheerfully paid by. visitors. ' ' . .

The Hon. Mr Scotland has just pre- . seated to the New Plymouth Public. Library 45 volumeß of Hansard.' Thfc.'., volumes contain reports of.'theGeneraM. Assembly from the; first meeting th* New Zealand Parliament' until't&'pre 1 sent time." '

A Fire Police Corps is about to be formed here. A deputation of citizens ' waited on the Borough Council at its las t; • meeting, with the object of ; ascertaining . under what conditions the Fire Commit-, i \ tee of that body would accept tlie services - - of the corps.: It was proposed to mate ;, • the Fire Police an auxiliary of the Fire :; Brigade. This, however, did not meet ' the viows of the deputation;: Another meeting of persons interested will be held during the week, when something defi< \ nite will doubtless be arrived at, - id -A rather imprudent Maori, maiden was ' T,. charged at the' Opunake R.M. Court last" week with appropriating flowers and shrubs belonging to a settler. Upon promises of future good behaviour, and at. the request of. the' prosecutor, a cautiotl was administerod, and the naughty one allowed to depart. ■ •