COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 870, 2 November 1888, Page 14

COUNTRY NEWS.

PALMERSTON NORTH

(EROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

October 24.

The earthquake of last evening was the most violent experienced here for the past eight years, and although I do not hoar of any actual damage being done, the shock was sufficient to cause some alarm. Buildings were roughly shaken, pictures swung on the walls, and in many cases lamps were barely saved from being capsized. A loud rumbling preceded the tremor, which appeared to come fiom the north-west, and an undulating movement was very perceptible. The exact time of the disturbance was 8.18. On passing the Theatre Royal last evening I was attracted by the sound of children’s voices, and on entering I found that a rehearsal of “ The Happy Family,” a kinderspiel or juvenile cantata, was croing forward. The characters of the pieoe are—Tho old woman who lived in a shoe ; her sons Aladdin, Sinbad (captain of tho Nancy Lee), Blue Beard, Robinson Crusoe and Ali Baba; her daughters Miss Mufiett, Marjory Daw, Dorothy Draggletail ; Ciuderella and her sisters Grace and Patience and) Goody Twoshoes ; together with her adopted sons Friday, Tom Bowling, Ben Bolt, Will Watch, the Midshipmite (crew of the Nancy Leo); and Dalus,lN iffarap, Rotsac and Revilaoc, four of the Forty Thieves, with a chorus of the

old woman’s family Dot mentioned in history—truly a goodly company, numbering some seventy in all. Some few adults will take the principal characters, and I hear the dressing of these will be “immense.” The object of the entertainment is to provide funds for the completion of the new infant school at Terrace End, and the affair will come off on the 15th November, the second day of the Agricultural Show. Judging from what I saw and heard, this will prove not only a great treat • but a great surprise. There are a freshness and a sweetness about these juvenile performances which the Palmerston folk seem to appreciate thoroughly, and I trust the “ Happy Family ” will be well patronised. ... _• _ ... The proprietors of the Skating Rink are sparing neither trouble nor expense in their catering for their patrons. Tonight. the mile handicap race comes off; on Friday (the fashionable night) there will be a race between a skater and a bicyclist; on Monday the Five-mile Champion Race will take place ; on Wednesday there will be a polo match, and oA-<? the Prince of Wales’ Birthday a benefit will be given to tho Fire Brigade, when there will be exhibitions of fancy skating, races by members of the brigade, and other items too numerous to mention.

The Manawatu Lodge, No. 1721, E.C., met last evening for the installation of Bro J. H. L. Mclntire in the chair of K.S., when there was a large attendance, both of members and visitors, Manawatu, Kilwinning, Feilding, Marton, and Foxton Lodges being well represented. P.M. Jos. C. Nathan acted as installing master, and was assisted by P.M.’s War-' burton, Keeling, and Haybittle. The following were invested by the W.M. as his officers for the ensuing year :—Bro J. Perrin, S.W. ; Bro M. Cohen, J.W. ; Bro Hnsking, S D. ; Bro W. Reed, J.D.; Bro Woodroofe, 1.G.; BroSchlager, Tyler, Bros J. Grace and R. N. Keeling were appointed respectively secretary and treasurer. The proceedings were of the usual interesting character, and after the labours gof the evening the brethren sat down to an excellent repast provided by Bro. Frazer.

It is much to be regretted that the meeting called to promote the formation of a Floral ancy Horticultural Society, with a view to holding a show in connection with that of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association to be? held next month, was so complete a failure. Pobsibly the wretched weather cast 1 a damper upon the movement for the time being, and I sincerely trust another effort may yet be made to carry out the very excellent suggestion. ", ;.V: . October 25. , At the District Court to-day, before his Honour Mr Justice Rawson, and a jury composed of Messrs Coombes, Kirby, Oakley, and Larcomb,- the case of W. Akers v. the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company—one of great interest —was heard. This was a claim for the the sum of £7O, being the value of three horses, the property of plaintiff, which had been killed on the Company’s line, upon which they had strayed, owing, it was alleged, to the fences and gates erected by the defendant Company having been negligently and badly constructed, and not properly kept in repair. Mr A. Southey Baker appeared for plaintiff, and Mr W. T. L Travers for the Railway Company. At the outset of the case, Mr Baker wished to put in, a 3 evidence of the liability of the Company, a letter relating to the taking of the plaintiff’s land for the formation of the .. line and to compensation in connection therewith, the Company therein undertaking to erect and maintain the fences. As, however, the statement of claim did not set forth the company’s statutory liability, it was ruled by his Honour that evidence of a contract was not admissible. Mr Baker then contended that under common law the Company were liable, as having voluntarily . erected the fences, which he maintained they were bound to keep in repair, and put Mr Aker in the witness box to prove the erection of the fences, that up to the time of the accident they had not been properly kept in repair, that damage had occurred to the posts from grass fires caused by the Company’s engines, and further that in the first instance the wires had been badly secured to the strainers, which themselves were improperly put in. Mr Aker’s evidence further showed that after the accident, by which the horses were killed, the Company sent and repaired the fences, &c. The case occupied a considerable time, and was somewhat complicated. Finally, his Honour, without allowing the case to go to the jury, ordered a nonsuit on the ground that no breach of any legal duty had been shown, and that consequently evidence showing negligence on the part of the Company could not be admitted. Costs were, by agreement, fixed at LlO. In the Bankruptcy Court, his Honour having business elsewhere to-morrow, decided to postpone the hearing of all cases until the 7th proximo. I hear Mr Joseph Beale has j ust finished the slaughtering of 150 head of very fine . cattle, partly from Oroua Downs and partly from Woodville. Some of these weighed nearly as much as llOOlbs. October 31. The “ Messiah ” is now in active preparation for Christmas by the Falmerston Harmonic Society, and there was a very satisfactory-fehearsal last evening at the Bank Chambers. It was suggested that all available assistance of amateurs in the neighbourhood, both vocal and instrmental, should be secured, so as to-') give this magnificent oratorio with a sufficient number of performers to

do it justice ; but the great difficulty appeared to bo the want of a hall sufficiently largo for the purpose. The new skating rink was named as being suitable, but nothing definite was settled. I beliove some well-known soloists from yeur city have promised to assist, Mr ■Prouso being mentioned among others. During th-3. interval last night a new march by our local professor, Herr Norberg, was played by the orchestra for the first time; and vras much admired by all present. The funeral of Mrs Jarman, of Pokangina, whose melancholy death was reported yesterday, took place at tho cemetery here this afternoon, the service being conducted by the JEtev E£. B. Harvey. Thera was a very large attendance of settlers from Pohangina, Ashurst and neighbourhood. Mrs Jarman died at the early age of 21, and leaves an infant child only a fortnight old. * His liordship the Bishop of Wellington passed through Palmerston to-day on his way to Wanganui and other places along the coast, where he purposes holding confirmations.

An. entertainment is to be held at Bunnythorpo on the 12th proximo, in aid of the library fund in connection with the local school. Several of our Palmerston amateur celebrities have promised their services.

The Returning Officer again (for the fourth time) invites nominations for the vacant seat in Ho. 3 Ward, and I hear that Mr E. Larcomb, C.E., will be a candidate. Mr Larcomb has had experience in Council matters, and, as I said before, will doubtless, .if elected, be a very suitable man, practical knowledge being much wanted at the present time. I am told there is every prospect of the Fire Brigades’ competition (to be held on the. sports ground on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday) being a great success. Teams are expected from Wanganui, Napier, Spit, Waipawa, Woodville, and possibly from Feilding. Our two local teams are in active practice, and should give a 1 good account of themselves. The Bports wilLbe thoroughly enjoyable, weather permitting, and I believe the public are' subscribing liberally in the way of special prizes. After the brigade competition the new brigade is to be christened by Mrs Macarthur, the w ife of our Parliamentary representative. As previously intimated there will be a benefit given in aid of the brigade’s funds by the proprietors of the skating rink, and there is some talk of the day’s proceedings finishing with a ball, at which latter the local ’Volunteers will take a permanent part. [By Telegraph. J Palmerston North, October 25. In connection with the waterworks'question, a writ-has to-day served on the Borough Council by Mr G. F. Hawkins, solicitor, acting for Mr Hubbard, who claims £I2OO damages.