NEWS FROM FOXTON

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 395, 24 April 1908, Page 5

NEWS FROM FOXTON

THE REVIVAL IN FLAX. MILLS WORKING MERRILY. (From Our Correspondent.) Foxton, Yesterday. The false prophets who predicted a permanent fall in flax have happily been mistaken. A month or two ago we were presented with the doleful anticipation of closed mills, trade stagnation, commercial depression, unemployed problems and I don't know what else. To-day things are just as lively as ever in our progressive little community. All the mills have practically resumed work, and now that the holidays are over a supreme effort is being made to turn out a maximum quantity of fibre before the season closes. Business people say that money is a bit scarce, but that is to be accounted for, I think, owing to the scare of recent date of an early closing of the mills. Now that that bogey is removed the usual channels of circulation will flow. BUSY ON THE WHARVES. Work at the wharves has been carried on of late with great vim. Last Saturday no less than five steamers arrived, and although the day was very wet and work had to be suspended for a time ou account of the heavy showers falling, four out of the five vessels were discharged the same day and were able to leave port again on the evening's tide. The Railway Department had their hands full in coping with the heavy traffic, and all classes of vehicles had to be brought into commission to carry off the heavy imports. There is no doubt that this is becoming a more important and popular port every month, which the formation of a live Harbour Board keeping the river in good navigable order and properly lighted at night, will materially improve.

HOLIDAY VISITORS. The Easter holidays passed off without auything of special note. A good many from your city paid us a visit and spent an enjoyable time at the beach. With the exception of Saturday the weather was delightful and visitors to the beach thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Leviu and Company organised a river excursion to the heads on Easter Monday, but it was not as well patronised as it deserved to be. Although the charge was very reasonable many preferred going by road on account of tlio much shorter time required for the journey. A large number of local residents left by the traips on Monday and Tuesday for Feilding and I have heard some of our business people making somewhat serious remarks regarding some of their debtors who manage to attend the race meetings and leave certain responsibilities unattended to. This hint should be worth something to some folks. CHURCH ITEMS. The church services during the Easter time were well attended. All the local ministers made the services in harmony with the season of the year. Special decorations in the way of beautiful white chrysanthemums made a pleasing change in altar and pulpit appearances. Special singing in solos and anthems made the services more attractive, while the sermons were above the average in interest and eloquence. A welcome social was tendered to the Rev. Mr Mairs, Methodist Church, last night and was well attended. An interesting musical programme was submitted and much appreciated. Mrs Bath, of Palmerston, sang several songs very nicely, which added largely to the pleasure of the evening. The local musical items were also good and received. The Rev. Aitken, Presbyterian, made a speech in his usual happy style in wecloming Mr Mairs on behalf of the Presbyterian community, and received a most unusual compliment to a public speaker in the form of an encore. Mr Mairs made a short speceli and gave some humourous experiences in former circuits. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by a sumptuous supply of coffee aud cak<\ Satisfactory rains have ' ;iilen throughout the district and tluTe i* now an abundaut supply of v.- ;fpr, two inches having falleu during the last two days, while feed is everywhere plentiful. TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Technical education matters aro progressing satisfactorily. The gentlemen appointed to canvas for subscriptions have been eminently sueeessful aud I expect to be able to chronicle the fact in the near future of the old school building being adapted to the classes it is proposed to start, and a good beginning made with the work. Now that the election of a school committee is upon us it is to be hoped that parents anil others interested will see that they put progressive, active men into office that will use their best endeavours to place our school in a conspicuous place as an educatioual institution rather than use disreputable animosities. A move ought to be made at once to have Foxton created a high school centre so that our youth may have the advantage of pursuing their studies in the higher grades without the necessity of going from their homes.