PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 13

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(from our own correspondent.) January 14. The weather here for the past wsek or ten days has been very unsettled, and although the herbage throughout the district has, no doubt, benefited by the copious rainfall, I am informed that grain has suffered to a very considerable extent, the strong winds and heavy rains having completely beaten down, in many places, what promised a fortnight ago to be most excellent crops ; fruit also has suffered severely from the same causep. I have not heard much during the last few weeks of the Longburn Slaughtering and Freezing Company (Limited), but I now learn that Messrs Bailey Bros, have taken the contract for the timber required, and that it is intended to invite tenders for the buildings, at once, so that we may hope to see an actual commencement at a very early datp. The immediate prospect of the establishment of these important works is already causing quite a stir in Longburn. Land in the township and in the vicinity is rapidly going up in value, and tenders have been accepted for the erection of two hotels, one of which is to be built for Mr Thomas Frazer (formerly of Awahuri, and now of this town) and the other for Mr J. Walkley, of the Commercial Hotel. I have not seen Mr Frazer’s plans, but those of Mr Walkley, designed by Mr Atkin, represent a large and most commodious structure. 1 believe the “local option ” vote was against the granting of any license at Longburn, but there can be no doubt that one .hotel at any rate is much needed.

Colonel Trimble, Judge of the Native Land Court, commenced a sitting in Palmerston this afternoon, which I am informed is likely to last for some three or four weeks. A very considerable number of Natives have congregated in the town and I believe they are suffering great inconvenience from the lack of house accommedatinn. How they are to be eventually stowed away it is hard to say, for 1 don’t think there is an empty house in the borough. One important question to be considered by the Land Court is in connection with the sub-division of theHorowhenua Block as between Major Kemp and Warena Hunia, whose respective claims are to be adjusted. Some Natives of high caste areamong the visitors,and one of the old school, Ngatuari, a noted chief from the Wairarapa. wa3 pointed out to me to-day. It is whispered tha 1 . the Natives are not altogether satisfied with the interpreter appointed by the Government (Mr Hector Booth), and that, although they have no personal objection to that gentleman, they would prefer, and intend, if possible, to insist upon, a Native interpreter whose name I have not heard, but who has had a good training in the office of Mr Lewis, Undersecretary of the Native Department,