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Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 18, 24 October 1879, Page 2

Wiunr, Tariff.— On Tuesday afternoon, a conference took place between Mr Lawson, Commissioner of Railways for the North Island, and the principal business people in Foxton, including Messrs Thynne, Flower, Gray, Liddell, Crowther, London, and Rus sell, regarding the proposed tariff of wharf and storage charges. Mr Rotheram, General Manager of the looal railway, also attended. Mr Lawson informed those present that he proposed to have the new tariff gazetted on the Ist Of November, and as he desired to meet the wishes of the business people as far as possible, he had thought it expedient to consult with them regarding the propysed tariff. He remark* ed that in preparing the draft, he had endeavored to make it bear as lightly as possible upon all industries • goods required for, or produced by industries in the district had therefore been taxed at the lowest possible rate. The schedule of charges was then gone over seriatim, a number of items being discussed at length. The item upon which the greatest amount of discussion arose was timber. After a very long conversation, Mr Lawson consented to lower the wharfage upon timber to 2d per hundred feet, being a reduction of Id. The vexed question of handling engaged a considerable share of attention. Several Foxton residents urged upon Mr Lawson that as the double handling was necessitated by insufficient accommodation, the Government was acting unfairly in insisting upon the payment of an extra 3d ; also, that the charge itself was excessive, as the work performed did not cost 3d. Mr Lawson re-.-plied that he felt the accommodation was insufficient, and had repeatedly urged the Government to push on the work, which was dehyed for want of money. He had made careful enquiries as to the cost of handling timber, aud found that, taking it all round, very little if any profit was left to the Department. He could not take notice of the insufficient accommodation, as that matter belonged to another department. His regulations necessitated a charge of 3d for each handling made. The whole schedule having been gone Hirongh, the residents expressed their satisfaction with the propeped tariff, and after thanking Mr JLawaon, withdrew. ' A Sea Waif. —On his down trip on Wednesday morning, Mr T. MaUer, driver of the mail coach, picked up on tho beach, between Fozton and Olaki a very fine life buoy, marked "Sarah Pile," Wellington. He brought it on to Foxton yesterday. The string to hold the buoy is still hanging, as though it had been either cut or broken. The finding of the buoy has caused considerable speculation. Probably it hns been thrown to some person in the water, and missed. In The Box. — Some amusement was caused in Court on Wednesday morning by Mr Maclean, during the cruelty to animalsoase. The prinoipal witness was Dr. Rockstrow, who gave a detailed description of the condition of the animal, but when the learned counsel with the suavest manner possible asked « the Doctor" whether his professional training enabled him to say what was the matter with the beast, the witness modestly declared " No, " whilst a suppressed titter went round the Court. The Third Tbain. — During the conferenoe with Mr Lawson on Tuesday last, Mr Loudon referred to the long-promised third train to Foxton, and asked when it was likely to be started. Mr Lawson replied that at present the workshops for the line were in a backward state, hence the rolling stock could not be repaired fast enough to enable them to run the extra train. At present five engines were in the sheds being repaired He thought, however, that in a short time the rolling stock would be In sufficiently goo-l order to enable the third train to be run, and it would be tried during the summer months. Thb Sawmill Hasb.— The ease of Loudon v. Ferreau, heard at- the KM. Court on Wednesday laafc,,showß that greed, like ambition, sometimes o'er leaps itself. The faots disclosed were something as follows : — Four working men were desirous of taking a oontrabt to out timber fur MrM'Beth, of the Paiaka mill. The latter, however, demanded a deposit of £40 as seourity, to obtain which sum the men went to Mr Perreau. This gentleman agreed to ad* vance the money, but demanded an endorsed bill a* security for the amount, and as interest for the money, a fifth share in all profits over the wages of 10s per day the working partners were to receive. As the profits were likely co be considerable, Mr Perteau thought he had done very well, and was likely to make good interest for his money, having also a private agreement that he shared in no liability. He there fore entered, with the others, into an agreement to cut timber for Mr M'Beth. But somehow or other things went badly The oontraot did not pay, and as no money was forthcoming, Mr Loudon, «vho supplied the party with goods, began to press for a settlement. The men paid him a sharo in timber, and for the remainder he sued Mr Perreau, as one of the party. Mr Perreau's defence reßted upon his private agreement, but it Appeared that he had never shown this to Mr Loudon, and as it was on the strength of the knowledge that Mr Perreau

was a partner that Mr Loudon supplied the goods, the Court gave judgment in his favour; Mr Stnite very pertinently remarking tint tho timber given in payment to Mr Loudon was undoubtedly owned by Mr Perrc-nu as one of the par«y, and it would be impossible to deny responsibility becanso payment of tho balance was now 8 mght in another way. It will be seen by the report that Jllr Hawkins g .ve notice of appeal. We hear that Mr Perreau's responsibility having been determined by the Oourr, several other claims are likely to be made upon him over the same affair. Glengarry — By adve'rti93ment ia an other column it will be seen that Mr Donald Fraser's newly-imported entire horse Glengarry will be on view at Whyte's Hotel tomorrow. Bonus Additions —The hearts of members of the Australian Mutual Provident Boriety resident in these districts were gladdened yesterday, by the receipt of notioe of their bonus additions, after the recent quinquennial division of profits. The additions demonstrated the immense busi* ness being done by the society, and fche enormous profits made. The HriA.— The Foxton trader Huia, when entering Tory Channel recently, struck on a sunken rock. It appears that a strong current was setting in at the time at the entrance to the channel, which canted the vessel towards the north-west shore, and although at once met by the helm, she struck on a sunken rock lying off Peak Rock, and sustained some slight damage to several of the plates forming the keel. The vessel is now on the Slip undergoing the necessary repairs. Card Playing. — At Bulls, on Tuesday last, Sir P. W. Evans, of tlia Rangitikei Hotel, was fiaed £l aud costs £4 Us, for ' permitting card playing for "money or money's worth," in his hotel. Trucks. — From oar report of tho Local Board meeting, it will be seen that Messrs " Campbell, contractors for railway trucks, intendjto build I*2o at Foxton. We notise thw Public Works Department are laying down a line of rails from the shunting lines to the section behind the railway workshops, to afford Messrs Campbell connection with railway and their sheds. The work of constructing the trucks will be commenced almost immediately. The original contract was let to Messrs. Gnthrie and Larnach, who have sublet those required for the Manawatu line to Messrs Campbell Bros. We hear about 300 tons of material will arrive per steamer to be used in the construction of the trucks. / Sale. — Messrs Thyn&e, Linton &Co held a sale of books, &c, at their auction rooms on Tuesday, when good prices were realised, although the attendance was small, on account of the sitting of the Court. An Early Tuaix. —By advertisement in another column, it will be seen that the authorities have, as we suggested, made arrangements by which persons desiring to attend tho Supreme Court, Wanganui, on Monday, will be able to leave Foxton on that day, instead of Saturday, as originally intended. The ordinary morning train will start from Foxton at 4.30 a.m., instead of 7.5 a.m., and will reach Halcorubo in time to catch the first train thence to Wanganui, arriving there at 10.20 a.m. Broke Dgwx. — On arriving at Wellington Heads on Wednesday, tho "steamer Wellington signalled that her machinery hud broken down. The steamer Waitaki was sent to her assistance, and towed her in. One of the piston rods had broken, and knocked the head of the cylinder off. Light.— The striking of the Huia on tho rock at the entrance of Tory Channel has resulted in the Government determining to erect a light there. Pahautanui Hotel.— Mrs Macarthy announces that phe has resumed proprietorship o&the Pahautanui Hotel. We believe she takes possession on the Ist proximo. Lecthue. —We remind our readers of the Rev. Mr Dutton's lecture at the Primitive Methodist Church on Monday evening. The subject is " Britain under the .Romans," Tenders.— The Local Board invite tenders for clearing 11 chains of scrub and bush on the road from Avenue Bridge to Racecourse Hill. Valuation.' — We are pleased to notice that the Tfoxtou Local Board have in a systematic manner gone about the valuation for the ensuing year, by inviting ten • ders for the work. The same course has been adopted by the Highways Board, and will doubtless give general satisfaction. A oareful and thorough valuation of rateable property in the Local Board district will doubtless lead to a great inorease in the rates. Judge Joiixstox,-- During the progress of a libel action at Cbristchurch. Judge Johnston, who appreciates a joke as well as any one, said that whilst -hearing a case at Timuru, he had had occasion to use the words cut bono, and the reporter, imperfectly hearing him, had stated that he had used the word kyebosh. (Laughter.) Whereupon Ihe paper there came out with an article commenting upon the use of improper language. The anecdote created a roar of laughter from every person in the Court.