MANAWATU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 691, 29 May 1885, Page 15

MANAWATU.

(EROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Palmerston North. It may be gathered from the published statement with reference to the past financial year of the Palmerston Borough Council, that the liabilities have been somewhat increased owing to the fact of a heavy outlay under the heading of “maintenance,” by opening up and forming new streets. For the current year the expenditure lias been estimated, including the paying off of a Bank overdraft, at L 3444, and the revenue at L 1846. The overdraft required for the year is estimated at about LI6OO. The valuation of the Borough appears to be slightly in excess of last year ; but it is satisfactory to maintain the status quo, when the municipalties are retrograding. The authorised loan of L 50,000 is in a fair way to be operated upon, the Bank of Australasia having made what may be considered a very liberal offer. The Council must be congratulated on the result of their efforts so far. It was resolved at the meeting of the Council held on Wednesday, the 20th instant, that the general rate be Is in the £, and a library rate of Id in the £ be stiuck for the year 1885-86, to be payable in one instalment on the Ist of June. The special rate for the year is to be lOd in the £.

The anniversary of Her Majesty’s birthday falling on Sunday, it was considered necessary to proclaim Monday a public holiday. In response to the wish of a number of influential burgesses, his

Worship the Mayor consented to this. The Manawatu Racing Club took advantage of the day to hold their third race meeting. The weather at the present time does not look very cheering; rain seems to have set in with every sign of continuance. A concert and tea meeting in connection with St. Patrick’s Church, took place on Wednesday evening and passed off very successfully. The Town Hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens, banners, &c. The inscriptions, “ God save the Queen,” “Long live Leo XIII.,” and “ Ceade Mille Failtha,” “Erin go Bragh,” were very conspicuous. The Rev Father McManus seems to be highly esteemed by all classes and denominations, every assistance being rendered on the present occasion to make the entertainment a success. _Our neighboring town, Ashursb, is receiving attention from the Education Board. Tenders are to be received for the erection of a schoolmaster’s residence and additions to schoolhouse. Ashurst will, ere long, become a favorite resort for tourists, the % approaching railway works and bridges, the beautiful scenery of the gorge, the well-appointed hotel, offering every inducement to those who are desirous of enjoying themselves for a few days or weeks. Your correspondent was lately taking a tour through the agricultural districts, and found that on all sides the result of the harvest has been disheartening. Land in the Sandon District seems to have depreciated in value. A first-class property of 200 acres, well fenced and subdivided, with six-roomed house and all out-buildings, was offered at auction on Tuesday, and only fetched £7 per acre—about one-half its real value. The usually quiet township of Bulls was all alive on Thursday, several hundreds of Maoris being congregated from all quarters to pay the last tribute of respect to the Chief Kawana Hunia To Hakeke, who died at Parawanui on Saturday la3t, aged 60 years. The deceased was a friendly Native, and chief of the Ngatiapa. The woodman’s axe is in full swing this season in the Fitzherbert District, nearly 2000 acres being operated on in blocks varying from 100 to 500 acres. This will represent a large amount of money being circulated in the district.