NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2116, 9 October 1885, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

We have had a slight change for the worse in the .weather this week. Up to the end of last week the days have been beautifully warm and fine all through the month, enabling farmers and contractors to proceed with their respective works without interruption. This week, though the weather cannot be called bad for this time of year, it has been sufficiently rough to effectually put a stop to block laying at the breakwater. A mass was, however, deposited on Thursday, completing the first new section of the season. Since then, nothing has been done on the structure itself, the sea being too rough. The work of making concrete blocks continues, as usual, and all necessary preparations in regard to arranging blocis and repairing machinery have been made. As soon as the weather moderates, operations will be recommenced, and I hope to report great improvements ere long to the pier. A "Gift Auction," comprising contributions from the settlers in the district towards the Courtney Immigration Fund, was held on Monday. There was a numerous assortment of articles, but the proceeds did not amount to as much as was expected, reaching only between £25 and £3O. The numerous subscription lists towards the fund are not yet in, and I have been unablo to ascertain what support has been accorded Mr Courtney towards his mission in this direction. Mr Courtney hopes to leave for home early this month if possible, A promenade concert by the Auckland Artillery Band on its return from the Exhibition concert, was a great success. The concert was given in the recreation grounds. £l7 was collected in shillings and sixpences at the gate, half of which sum was transferred to the Recreation Fund, New books to the number of 215 volumes arrived from home during the week for the Public Library. They comprise a number of valuable works, Accommodation room is being provided for the new works by the Committee. The case of assault by which a Maori lost his eye in a bout with a publican, has been further adjourned till next week, The Maori is out of the Hospital, and is very viciously inclined towards the licensed victualler. The case is exciting some interest, and it is believed the evidence will go badly against the publican. A new town band is being formed by a well-known musician here. The old one succumbed to the inevitable some time since, through bad management. The new band is being well supported, and more applications for membership than there are instruments are being made. The Volunteer corps has kindly handed over the instruments of their dispersed band to the new body. A slight change in the railway timetable has been made here this week. Formerly the only trains by which a person could leave town were one leaving at 7.30 in tlio morning, and another at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, An additional tram will now run on Wednesdays, leaving town at 11.30a,m. Tliisarrangement, however, only exists between Waitaraand New Pjymouth (a distance of ten or twelve miles)) so' that ng gfeqt will be derived by the running of the extra train. Whether or no this is the effect of the recent agitation I cannot suy. Nothing has yet been heard in regard to reduced rates of carriage. We are expecting ft flying yisjt. from His Excellency'the Governor shortly. Sir William intends paying an official visit to Wanganui on the 10th, and from thence will come on here by train, The settlers in the Stratford district have subscribed tljp sqiif qf L2O for the benefit of the Saville family, who, it will be remembered, were burnt out a short time since, losing everything, ono of the children also getting severely burned, The Benevolent Society have also added .to the above sipi), and the whole will in a .degree recoup'th? Unfortunates for their loss.

The usual quarterly concert of the Philharmonic Society takes place on Thursday, whei) Farmer's Mass in B flat will (jo produced, Theso pqncerts are so generally appreciated that this one cannot fail to be successful, especially when suoh a production as the piesent one is to be made.

A firm under the style of the Taranalci Pioneer Butter factory commence operations next week. The company propose working _ ijp butter, and tinning and tagging it for expprb to the Sydney and Melbourne markets. Seeing that the valuable product is very scarce at the present time in the Australian markets, the new industry should be able to work with a fair degree of success. I believe Mr Ballance, the Native Minister, intends paying Parihaka a visit shortly, haying received a pressing invitation' from ah influential chief in the district to come and open "a new road the Natives been making during the winter, _ While in tUo disfcriat Mr Ballance will probably visit Opunake on business connected with the Native Lands Department.

Professor Proud, an eminent phrenologist, will probably lecture in this town shortly, He is at present "doing" the out districts, The Annual Horse Parade under the auspices of' the Taranaki Agricultural Society took place this (Saturday) afternoon on the reclaimed ground. Owing to the \yet weather the parade was not a success, only five horses being on the ground—three bloods and two draught horses. The boisterous weather also spoiled the attendance of farmers, which is generally so marked upon such occasions as these. A new importation by a well-known local "sport"—Fitz-Hercules, son of Yattondon and Peeress-appeared to be the general favorite in the blood class, although the two other competitors —the Governor and Flintlock (both wellknown horses, the latter being a son of Musket)—made a good impression upon the judges, k the draught class, Young Charlie, ahorse of iirstrclass breeding, seemed most generally approved of, he showing some splendid points. His compeer, Lord Ravenwood, a horse well and favorably known in this district, also showed up well, being in fine condition. A number of other horses were intended to have been shown, but the unfavorable' weather decided their owners not to display them,

Mr Newton King, auctioneer, holds a sale of thoroughbred horses and brood mares on the 17th, Among the list I notice the thoroughbred brown gelding Octopus, 5 years, by Isaac Walton, dam Fishwife; a chestnut gelding, half brother to Octopus, 3 years, by Endymion,' out of Makuka; Electra,' a 4-year black gelding, by War Eagle, out of Fishwife; and the 3-year chestnut filly Fraud, by Isaac Walton, dam Anomaly. There are also numerous other 3-year-olds of equally good breeding, and a number of brood mares in foal to wellknown stallions, Although money is by no means too plentiful just now, our sporting gentlemen will, doubtless, - find means to make satisfactory purchases at this sale.