Palmerston Notes.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 84, 8 February 1902, Page 20

Palmerston Notes.

THIS town appears to be booming. The already overwhelming number of commission agents is being rapidly increased. Two new offices in this line have been opened since the New Year, and there are rumours of still more ' commission hunters" pitching camp in or around "the Square." The New Zealand Times" office, under the supervision of Mr. C'has. dimming, is now in full swing. * * * Another legal firm have commenced practice in the main street, a few yards out of the Square, namely, Messrs. Bell, Gully and Cooper, a branch of the wellknown Wellington firm, Bell, Gully, Bell and Myers. * • * In addition to the above evidences of prosperity, a close observer will notice new buildings, alterations, and additions progressing in all parts of the town. « • • Mr. Walter Manning, the popular and well-known publican (late of the Club Hotel, Wellington), arrears to be prosperous, and naturally, therefore, quite contented here. Evidently, his endeavours to improve the conduct of the Post Office Hotel have proved satisfactory, not only to the public, but also (judging by his smiling countenance and his rapidly increasing sixteen or seventeen stone) to the genial proprietor himself. » * * A pleasant sentimental matter was remarked on by a visitor the other day. The widow of a gentleman long connected with public matters was left not too well provided for. The visitor commented favourably upon the readiness with which the public purchased the prefctv little button-holes on sale throughout the town for the benefit of the much-respected widow. * » « There is to be a monster polo meeting here in March, when teams from all over the colony will gather together and compete in the various events. The whole of the available accommodation in at least one of the hotels has been already booked, so that there is every prospect of a gay week

It seems likely that our national winter game, Rugby football, will be re\n ed in Palmerston during the coming .season. Already a few enthusiasts have taken up the cudgels, and are endeavouring to rouse some interest in the good old British game. It is to be hoped that our athletes will rise to the occasion, and roll up in tull force at the meeting, which, I understand, is to be called shortly for the purpose of getting together a senior team. * * * Palmerston was fortunate so far as regards weather in holding the holiday on the Wednesday. On Thursday (the day observed in all other parts of the proiince^ it rained heavily, while Wednesday was a splendid day for holiday making The town was deserted, most of the people journeying to Foxton for the races.