Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1881. THE CENSUS RETURNS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 71, 6 May 1881, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1881. THE CENSUS RETURNS.

In another column we publish the ceHSUs returns for the Manawatu and Eangitikei districts. In the latter there has been a slight increase of population. When the census of 1878 was taken the population of Eangitikei County was 8,690. At present it is 3,963, showing an increase of 273, which represents scarcely the ordinary natural increase. Manawatu, however, has progressed in a most gratifying manner. When the last census was taken, the population of Manawatu County, including the Borough of Palmerston, was 5,780 The returns already completed, and published in this issue, show a population of 7,142. To this number, however, we must add the population of Kawakawa riding, which will be about 1,000 ; of Kiwitea, which will be about 100; and of Manchester B, which we will set down at say 800 ; these figures will increase the total to about 8,500, representing a degree of progress of which we may feel justly proud. Turning to the towns, it is satisfactory to note that the three principal centres of population in Manawatu show a considerable increase. Palmerston takes the lecd with a population of 1364 against 880 in 1878; then comes Feilding, with 912, against its former 759 ; whilst Foxton follows, with a population of 783, against 563 in 1878. The population of Awahou riding has increased over 200 during the three years, and it h with some plea,sure we note that Foxton has now a larger population than either of the Kangitikei towns Marton or Bulls. Halcombe is the only town in Manawatu that has a decreased population compared with 1878, there being at present 68 less people there than there were t^en. Taking the returns as a whole they are exceedingly gratifying, and we venture to think that in view of them Parliament will hardly dare, even on the population basis, to deny Manawatu two membra when the representation is ad justed.

Crowded Oct.— The full report we have given of the County Council meeting has rendered a curtailment of the looal news in this issue necessary. The Tararua Disaster.— Eleven bodies have been washed up from the Tararua wreck. All Saints' Churoh —The services at the above Church are announced in another cojunw. Harbocr Board.— A meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held en Wednesday, at noon. Present — Messrs Thynuv (in the chair), Gower, Easton, and Russell. A resolution was passed asking Mr Blaokett, Chief Engineer, to act as umpire of the competitive designs for river improvement. As soon as his answer is received, the BoaWwill be called together to determine on the conditions under which the designs will be invited.' It was intended to have called this meeting for the County Counoil day, but by an error the day after was fixed. Foxton Local Board.— A meeting of the Foxfcou Local B >ard was held on Tuesday evenin^when *U the members were present. ' Mr S. M. Biker wrote, and attended in Btij>j»ort o£ the letter, asking for a grant* towards maltibg a culvert in continuation of the road Rhencoles had just "c6*ple^ed.' vr Ehe Board was naahle 16 accede to the request, owing to lack of funds. Letter read from Mr G.W. Russell, suggesting that the Board should pass certain :teaomtt*D* ttf Btippt«M the cattle nuisance, and forwarding drafts of the same. Letter read fr><m Mi S. VI Baker, enclosing cheque for £4 IS* Id, being one-third cost

of road from Avenue to Norbiton road The following tenders were received for removing sandhill on Avenue : — W. H. Reeve, LlO9 9s 6d ; J. O. Nathan, Ll2O ; C. H. Symons, Ll2l 10s ; J. Henderson, L 143 10a ; Williams & Co, Ll9O ; Bremen & Walsh, L 250. There was a long discussion over this item. It appeared that the specifications had been lossely worded, and that even the members of the Board were not decided as to where the sand was to be deposited. It was eventually resolved not to accept any tender and to call for fresh tenders when "proper spscifiuations had been prepared. A rate of one shilling in the £ wa9 formally struck, Messrs Purcell and Jonson protesting against it. The following resolutions were passed :—" That the Board hereby declares the whole «f the public highways in the Foxton Local Board district subject to the provisions of 'The Local Districts Impounding Act (Welling* ton) 1875;' " "That Samuel Tansley, ranger, is hereby authorised to proceed under 'Tne Wellington L>cil Districts Impounding Act, 1875,' against persons allowing cattle to wander on public highwaj s under jurisdiction of the Foxton Local Board, and also to impound, under section 101 of 'The Public Works Act, 1876/ all cattle allowed to wander on such roads in the Foxton Local Board district under jurisdiction of this Board as comt within the meaning of that clause." counts passed — W. Reeve, carting.Xl fla 6i ; H. Wilson, work at culvert on Avenue, IA 7s 6d; J. Sullivan, work at drain on the Avenue, L 5 si ; W. Alz lorf, for plan of township, Lls las ; J. Jo nston, labor on Avenue, 18d ; Bourne, work at drain on the Avenue, L 5 18s 6d ; J. Rhencoles, for culvert on the Avenue, L22s ; total, L 35 la* Gd. The clerk stated that after paying the accounts just passed the Boaid's account would be overdrawn by about Lll. Returning to Business.-— We'are glad, to see that Mr Francis Loudon has once more started in business. Owing to his being unable to devote his whole Jime to the Government Life Asanrance Department, he has resigned his connection with that office, and is now a trtvellirig agenV for the A. M. Provident Society. We believe he intends shortly reopening his old store with a large and varied stock, and as he has a marvellous aptitude for trade, there can be no doubt he will soon drawtogether his old business, which was one of the largest in the country. Phoenixlike he ia about to rise from his ashes, and as he is a man nf grit and enterprise we hope he will succeed. Mr Loudon's bu*tinssa notice appears in another column. ToSuBiipiJREF.DEKs — The Prarie Farmer (• hicago) estimates that in ten years' time it will- requite the fl^eses of eighty-four mil'iinn of nheep to supply the population of the Uuitcd Stnt^s with tho wool they require for tht-ir home manufactures. At the present time there are about forty millions of sheep in the United States, so that th.re is a grent incentive to th'j Bhi;ep*breedern" industry.