NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2149, 19 November 1885, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From our own correspondent,)

Taranaki in the past was noted for its fruit growing. The unfavorable seasons experienced during the previous four or five years, have, however, made sad havoc among the numerous orchards in the district. Last year, what with tho cold mountain winds and the cutting sea breezes, most of the fruit-bearing trees were almost entirely ruined. A favorable spring would give them a fine healthy appearance, but long before the fruit had fully formed, one of the icy gales which we so frequently encounter, coming from the snow-capped peaks of old Egmont, would destroy its further growth, Only with the utmost care and attention could fruit trees be brought to bear at all. This year the season seems to have made an entire change, To be sure, there has been some disagreeable weather, but in every case it has been very mild, doing more towards the good of vegetation than otherwise. At the present time the fruit trees have a more healthy appearance than they have been known to have for years." "No sign of the blight or leech, which is causing such destruction to fruit trees and loss to growers in tho South Island, is noticeable, and'the quality of the young fruit at present observable is first-class, Whereas we, for several previous seasons, have had to import what fruib ia required for local consumption, it is believed that this year we shall be able to export to outside markets considerable quantities. Apples appear to be the most promising. Peaches, which last season were scarcely to be had, are looking particularly fine. Cherry and plum trees are in splendid fruit-bearing condition, and green gooseberries have been in the market for the past month, selling very cheaply. Should the season continue as it has begun, the reputation Taranaki has of late years lost as. a fruitprcllucing district, will this year most assuredly be regained. ThcMoturoa railway contract is proceeding rapidly. ~ The putting on of an extra staff of night hands has made a marked improvement in the progress of the work. Tlie building of a railway bridge is now one of the most difficult and lengthy jobs in hand, as nearly all the big cutting has been got through. The rails are ,being laid in parts of the line, and in a few weeks an engine will probably be pat on, which will metal the refuse rock and earth to be disposed of much quicker than can be done now. The work 19 expected to be out of the contractors' hands strictly to contract time, _ Some four years since, the New Plymouth Harbor Board purchased from home a punt, ostensibly for the purpose of dredging the harbor. When, however, this arrived, the Board decided that a steam launch would be moro suitable for the work to which they originally, intended to apply the punt. Therefore, the latter, after being partially fitted, up, was abandoned, and a launch purchased at a good round Bum. This has answered very well up to the present time, when the Board are of opinion the launch can

be dispensed with, and the long neglected punt will come into requisition. It is believed that now the,breakwater is so far advanced, vessels will not require to be tendered, inYrough weather, and as there is not much work in the harbor for the launch, it would be better to sell her and fit up the punt for dredging, It is expected £650 can be obtained for the steam tug, and this sum will be sufficient to place the necessary machinery in the punt. However,, in view of the necessary change, the Board intend going to the expense of obtaining the advice of a Mr_ Murray, an engineer at Wanganui, and getting him to come here and report on the machinery, etc. . On the sth November a grand pyrotechnic display was given by the Recreation Ground Board, The weather was not very favorable for the occasion, but notwithstanding this, a large number of persons visited the grounds.. About £2O ; worth of fireworks were let off, the display being made from the bridge across the lake. The effect was .very pleasing. The newly formed town band'made its first appearance on this occasion, and retailed some very passable music. A charge of Is was made for admittance to the grounds', and the proceeds amounted to a fraction over £3O. One pf the fireworks Committee met with rather a painful accident. He was holding a Catherine wheel in his hand prepatory to fixing it in position, when it exploded, inflicting serious burns, Other than this everything passed off satisfactorily. The Prince of Wales' Birthday was one of the finest days of the -month, The ' day was generally observed as a holiday. The programme of amusements for the day was not extensive. Thero was a small race meeting at Bell Block, which passed off very well, some very fair racing being witnessed. In town there was a Fire Brigade competition for medals presented to the corps, a cricket match and a parade of the volunteers. The latter paraded on the reclaimed land in tlio morning and after firing a fen de joie in honor of H.R.H.,thePrinceof Wales, proceeded to the butts, where class-firing was indulged in. During the parade in the morning, the presentation of the com? pany's champion belt was made to the winner. In the afternoon the' formal opening of the New Plymouth Bowline; Olub was made. A number of members were present, and a very enjoyable game of bowls was had upon the completion of the opening ceremony. The beautiful day tempted numerous private' picnic parties, the waterworks and breakwater beins/ the most favored.

■ The report ef Mr McGregor, the consulting engineer of the Harbor Board, in reference to the proposed wharf, was brought up at the last meeting of the Board. Mr McGregor intimated the total cost of the work to be about £13,000, This sum was, however, considered beyond the funds at the disposal of tho Board, and the idea of making the wharf was scouted as being premature, Early in the week Mr C. Rennell, Native Reserves Trustee for thß district, received a communication from Wellington,.notifying that .the Native Reserves Trust Office was about to be removed to; Opunake. This action on the part of the Native Minister seems to have raised public feeling on Mr Rennell's behalf as to the undesirability of removing the said office from this town, and this morning (Saturday) a number of influential burgesses, headed by His Worship the Mayor and Colonel Trimble, M.H.R., waited upon Ml' 0, Samuel, Member for the town, representing that it ..was their opinion that such an 'action was unwise. Opunako, as the headquarters of the Office, would be most inconvenient. There was no communication' by rail to other parts of the district, and business that now took but one day to transact, would, if the office was reinoved, occupy three. Mr Samuel,' in reply,. stated that he felt much surprised, and, in fact, hurt, at the action of Mr Ballanfe, more especially as the Native Minister had not consulted him (Mr Samuel), as member for the town, in the matter. The Native Minister must take advice upon local matters, and he, as a representative and well wisher of the presont was well able, and, indeed, entitled to give advice. He would represent the matter strongly to Mr Ballance, After thanking Mr Samuel for his liberal view, the deputation withdrew. A Free Public Library will be opened during the week. The Library comprises some three hundred volumes. Among these are some forty volumes pf Hansard, the gift of the Hon Mr Scotland, containing a record of the doings of Hie N.Z. Parliament since it was first constituted. Ure's Dictionary of Arts and Manufacture's is also on the shelves, being a presentation by a local resident.

While the s.s. Rotorua was lyine; alongside the breakwater on Friday, a heavy sea made a clean breach over the pier on to the deck of the vessel, - The water nearly filled the cabin, and made its way to the lower decks. Tlie vessel was discharging her cargo at the time, but no damage to the goods was sustained. A man who was standing on the pier was washed between the wall and the side of the vessel, but was rescued without injury. It was a most miraculous escape for the man, as, if the vessel had lurched towards the pier, he must have been crushed to death.