WOODVILLE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5324, 7 March 1879, Page 2

WOODVILLE.

| FROM OUR OWN CORBESPOJSrDENTS. | March 3, 1879. Since my last communication very little has transpired worthy of note. On Tuesday, February 18, the Hon. Mr Fisher, Postmaster - General, and Dr Lemon, General Manager of the Telegraph Department, visited this place for the purpose of deciding as to the site of the post and telegraph offices, and I understand that they decided on the site originally intended for the police station, which is a section reserved opposite the schoolhouse.

On Wednesday, 19th inst., several gentlemen from Palmerston, including Mr Snelaon (Mayor of Palmerston), Mr Lenton, Mr Dairy mple, Mr Marsh, and several others, visited us for the purpose of holding a meeting to discuss matters in connection with the railway route from Wellington via West Coast. As far as I can understand the matter, the question at issue is as regards the most suitable place for the terminus — Fuxton or Palmeraton. The Palmerstonians consider it should be at Palmerston, and the Foxtonians and the Rangitikei people wish it to be at Foxton. Several meetings have been held in connection with the same. The above-named gentlemen met at the Woodville Hotel for the purpose of explaining to the Woodville people what benefits they would derive by the terminus being at Palmerston. Mr Holder was voted to the chair. After a few remarks to the effect that not knowing the exact object of the meeting he would invite one of the gentlemen present to open the proceedings, Mr Murphy proposed that in consequence of the poor attendance that the meeting be adjourned to a future date. Mr Fountain seconded the proposition, and the meeting was accordingly adjourned. On Saturday, March 1, a meeting of the ratepayers was held at the hotel for the purpose of electing a new road board. Mr Joseph Sowry was voted to the chair. The chairman read the Gazette notice calling the meeting, &c, and then explained that the new board about to be elected would only be in office until June next ; and as this was not the ordinary annual meeting there were no accounts to be presented, but he might state there was about £317 worth of works in hand at present. The following gentlemen were then nominated and ballotted for: — Fountain, 26 ; Sowry, 27 ; Hawken, 17 : Elliott, 20; Holder, 18; Hughes, 14. The first five gentlemen were therefore elected. The chairman asked those present for an expression of opinion as to what rate it would be desirable to strike. It was proposed that a shilling rate be struck. An amendment was moved for a sixpenny rate. Upon the vote being taken, it resulted in favor of a shilling rate. Mr Joseph Sowry was re-elected chairman. The report of the doctor's guarantee committee was then given, which showed that the sum of £150 had been promised, but as all the subscription lists were not in, the total amount was not known. It was proposed that if the subscriptions guaranteed should reach a certain amount that the committee take what steps they may think proper to secure a doctor. This terminated the proceedings. Work is plentiful at present, as the several roads leading to the settlements are being formed, besides the usual work required to be done at this season, in the shape of logging, fencing, and grass-seed sewing. Building is not very brisk, not so much so as was expected, owing to the delay in the acceptance of the tenders for police station and teacher's residence. Mr Holder is having a house erected on his property near the Manawatu river, on the Masterton-road. Mr C. H. Bevan has leased his town property, as he is about to build on his ten acre suburban section. Mr Murphy has added to his stable accommodation, as the changes of horses for the Masterton and Napier coaches are now stabled there.

Our fine school building is nearly finished, with the exception of the inside varnishing, which is expected will have to be done.

The weather has been splendidly fine lately, but it appears to have set in for rain to-day.