Our Country Letters.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 992, 6 March 1891, Page 24

Our Country Letters.

WOODVILLE. Weather permitting, the railway line through the Manawatu Gorge is to be opened on the 9th, and as the Minister of public Works is to be present, our worthy Mayor has convened a meeting of citizens to discuss the advisability of receiving him in a manner befitting his high office and the occasion. His visit will give us the opportunity to let him know that we really have a bona fade grievance against the Railway Commissioners in the matter of the delay to the erection of Nelson’s freezing works if nothing else. The settlers hereabout are terribly annoyed at the obstaclesjthrown in that firm’s way, as they fear that they might be driven to abandon the idea of constructing the works here altogether, which would be a serious calamity as it is reasonably estimated that all sheep within fifteen or twenty miles of a freezing establishment are raised in value from sixpence to a shilling per head,. People are anxiously inquiring if the Com. missioned aretobehereatthe They have a burning curiosity to see the trio who block the way to farther progress as completely and obstinately as did the three famous Romans. The centrality of Woodville is beginning to be recognised by stock-salesmen, dealers and others interested in stock. Since Stevens and Gorton’s last sale another important and successful sale has been held, 5009 sheep were yarded and sold under the hammer, realising good prices. There was a large attendance from all quarters, Palmerston, Fielding, and the districts around them being well represented, and all I spoke to seemed impressed with the belief that from its central position Woodville would be the stock market of the future. Another sale is to be held here on Tuesday next by Stevens and Gorton, at which there is an entry of nearly 5000 sheep besides other stock, which goes to show that tbis place is growing in importance as a stock centre. The section of land well known in this locality as ‘dummy hill,’ about which there was so much investigation, litigation, and botheration between Sowry and the Land Board, has at last been put up at auction and secured at £1 15s 6d per acre by Mr A. Peebles. The section comprises about 200 acres of steep broken land at the upper end of the Manawatu Gorge and was originally reserved from sale or lease, for some purpose by the authorities. Nobody thought it worth having until Mr Peebles, whose farm adjoins it applied to lease or purchase it, and to give him the opportunity to do so, it was thrown open for public application. The fact that Mr Peebles was known to want it gave it a speculative value, and a great many applications were made for it chiefly on the strength of being able to resell to him. Subsequent proceedings have shown that a number of those applications including the successful one were dummies, hence its forfeiture by the Board and subsequentsale atauction and purchase by probably the only man among the original applicants who wanted it for really bona fide settlement. The weather is terrible, a heavy westerly gale accompanied by cold showers has been raging since Tuesday morning.

TARANAKI. The weather has been very changeable beginning the week with much rain, and cold winds, continuing with three fine days, and then turning to steady rain, and winding up with a mixture of fine and showery, warm and cold that is extremely trying, and numbers of people are suffering from colds in consequence. The” Ladieß Bazaar was a great success financially. It was held on polling day avowedly to catch the voters in a liberal or even an extravagant frame of mind. The ladies worked hard for the benefit of the Anglican Church as the Bazaar continued from 2p.m. to 10p.m. and they netted £23, which has paid the debt of £2O that remained on the church and left a few pounds over to provide more seats for the church. The Rev Mr English comes once a month to preach in the church, and Bishop Cowie is expected to visit Stratford shortly. On the 24th there was a meeting of farmers to discuss the best means of promoting a cheeße factory in Stratford. It was agreed that several of those present should canvas the country to ascertain who is willing to support a cheese factory, nnd_ to what extent. There is no doubt it is a most necessary undertaking. Butter has fallen now to 4|d per lb, a poor return indeed for all the labour and outlay entailed in the producing of it. The Italian blackberry is now fully ripe, and all those who are so fortunate as to have it in their gardens are enjoying the most rapturous gastronomic delights. To see a a dish of this handsome fruit, so fine and large, and every fleshy drupe shining like polished steel mirrors, is a treat artistically speaking and then to partake of them with cream, it 13 worth living in the country for that alone ! The Italian blackberry is finer than the English, and does not ran so much as the American, though it also ha 3 to be kept in bounds. The fruit makes most delicious pies and preserves of splendid colour and full rich flavour. I am very sorry to see in the papers letters advocating the wholesale indiscriminate poisoning off of the small birds. If instead of sewing such small patches than every grain a bird takes is missed, they would sow considerabe areas of anyone crop, the coinpara; tively few birds there are m this country would do very little harm. New Zealand seems almost eaten up by tho swarms of every kind of insect pest in the air, in the wood, on the branches and on the ground. Where the small birds may eat a few grains or peck a few plums, the leeches, green beetlee, caterpillars and grasshoppers arrange matters so that there shall be no plums to peck, and no crops either. Surely the birds are the lesser evil. Ana how .hoy add to the interest of the country by their beauty and song. A country where there are no birds must be dismal indeed. A great many strangers are observed to be in Taranaki at the present time. Borne are

English visitors who are seeking to benefit their health iu the mild and salubrious air of Taranaki. Many are looking for land, and others again are travelling about, mainly on pleasure bent. The down train on Monday from New Plymouth didnot arrive in Stratford until nearly lOp.m.instead of 6.20. A bag ofgrassseed had fallen from the up train across the rails and this had the effect of derailing three of the tracks. Considerable difficulty was experineed in getting thorn back on the rails but no damage waß dame. An ascent of Mount Egmont from Stratford was made on the 23rd the first this season. Messrs Arden Bros started on Saturday evening, but they were obliged to remain in camp all day Sunday on account of the rain. On Monday morning they started at daylight and reached the summit, returning the same day. A strong south easterly wind rendered the trip by no means an enjoyable one. FEILDING.

There was a large attendance at the confirmation service held at St. John’s Church on Tuesday, and conducted by his Lordship the Primate. About eighteen young persons were confirmed, after which, the Bishop preached a most eloquent and appropriate sermon.. The next day the Primate proceeded to Kiwitea for the purpose of consecrating the new church, there. Considerable interest was manifested among tho settlors, who attended in large numbers. In accordance with tho expressed desire of Mr R. Levett, the owner of the piece of land on which it is erected, the church was dedicated to St. Agnes. The members of our Fire Brigade have evidently had fresh spirit put into them by the encouragement they have received from the Borough Council, and are again coming out occasionally for both dry and wet practice. This they will have to pursue systematically for some time, as they have determined to send a representative team to the forthcoming competition to be held at Palmerston. The Court Loyal Feilding of the A.O.F. have decided to celebrate their next anniversary by a tea and ball. At their last fortnightly meeting they presented their secretary, Mr Foster, with a gold medal in recognition of his Valuable services for so many years. I may mention that Mr Foster has been secretary not only of the above court, but also of the local Masonic and Oddfellows’ Lodges from their inception. A week or two ago I mentioned that the settlers about Birmingham had petitioned the Postmaster-General for a Money Order office and Savings Bank iu connection with the Post Office. Mr Macarthur, M.H.R., presented the petition, and urged the claim, which has now been granted. This will be a great boon to a very large number of settlers, who have long suffered great inconvenience for want of this provision. The alterations and additions to Mr Lowes’ hotel at Birmingham are now completed. This establishment is now one of the most commodionß and comfortable kostelries to be found in any country district ou the coast. Our local Football Club have accepted a challenge from the Wellington Athletic Club to play them here on the Saturday following Good Friday, and have commenced active training for the occasion. The stock sale and annual ram fair of Messrs Stevens and Gorton which took place on Thursday last was the largest attended and most successful ever held in the district. The entries were exceptionally numerous, and comprised about 7000 head. Good prices, too, were realised, especially for sheep, ewes of various quality fetching from 6s Id to 10a 6d ; lambs in wool, 6s lOd to 8s lid; and shorn lambs, 5s 4d to 6s 9d. Mr F. A. Bryce’s rams brought 2J to 4:1 guineas, and others 1 to 2 guineas. Messrs Corpe and Co. are about to start a sawmill near the new Pohangina township on the Wanganui Harbour Board Endowment Block, and the engine fer this mill was taken up there on Tuesday last from Mr Corpe’s late sawmill near Feilding. _ The annual tea meeting in connection with the Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday evening. After the tea a meeting was held, addressed by several ministers. A collection was taken up in aid of the Manse building fund. The attendance was good, and the whole affair passed off satisfactorily. As a proof of the productiveness of the soil in this district, among other splendid specimens of fruit and vegetables, an apple was last week brought into town from Makino weighing 191- ounces, and a cabbage from Waituna weighing 351bs. During the past week the weather has been very changeable. Yesterday (Sunday) we bad heavy gales and rain, together with thunder and lightning. To-day there is a slight improvement, but storms have, occasionally prevailed. It is thought that the recent wet weather will put an end to any further bush burning this season, and, if so, this will mean a serious loss to many of the settlers who have large acreages of bush felled, and who have long been waiting an opportunity to fire it.

AWAHURI. Tho Oroua is again in high flood, and threatens the approach of the bridge upon the Palmerston side, and which must go unless the river rapidly subsides ; a thing unlikely, for as I write storm after storm of rain riding upon the hurricane wind, accompanied by blinding flashes of lightning and deafening peals of thunder, comes pelting down in such a way that my seventeen years’ experience of the Colony has never before witnessed. In spite of the inclement weather the hop harvest is fast being gathered, and the gardens present a busy scene by day as the pickers industriously cull tho hops into the bins, while at night the Beene is strikingly picturesque, as, tented among the leafy poles, the Maoris group around the camp fires and play at cards by the flickering light as it tints t.heir dusky features with its ruddy glow, and brings them out in bright relief to the pale green which surrounds them. One flaxmill still exists, and apprizes us that it does so by the nerve-shattering groans it unceasingly gives forth, like some doomed giant labouring on in agony.

Flocks of sheep are continually passing through here. Wlioro their destinations, I know not; but the last week has seen several thousands of them wending their lazy way along. Happy the man who in such a season owns sheep instead of grain.

THE W AIM ATE PLAINS. I regret to say that the other day I saw a hard working settler burning a paddock of oats. The oats were rusty, and so was the settler. , , _ 0 . , Our local soothsayer tho Hawera Star, commencing one of its recent leading articles spoke thus, ‘ Wellington has been oalled the city of stinks, The Hawera Star has very pretentious ideas of its own importance ; but like tho Tichborne claimant it’s oratorical idiosyncrasies materially damage those claims. In these latter days rabid politicians with delirious statements denouuce legislative matters, which to their minds are the causes of tho exodus of population from the country. They generally confine themselves to a fevered execration of the land laws, and go the whole hog in a most reckless manner. Experience however proves that even the simplest event is the result of a multiplicity of causes. Accordingly amongst others some blame should be attached to the irresponsible scribbler, whounder cover of his insignificance pens, what only his genus will pen, for instance : —Here is a party in Australia discussing the pros and cons of settlement in New Zealand ; says one as he glances at a local journal * They call Wellington a city 01 stinks,’ replies another, ‘ Here’s a paper running down the land laws, and saying that it drives people out of the country, consequently they Btay, oblivious of the Which taken at tho flood leads on to fortune.’ ' . , ... Thus is incalculable injury done to the colony. . „ , , Many of the readers of the New Zealand Mail must have come across those little paragraphs of natural history, which its contemporaries at times delight to publish, wherein is depicted the last resting place of the extinct Moa, where the manes of the rara avis took flight into the happier regious away from the relentless hunter, and the cruel shanghai, and left behind it nought but its temple incarnate now reduced to a small heap of crumbling bones, and fleshy dust, together with certain pebbles, which assisted the digestion of the noble bird. Much is made of these stones, they are the cream of the problem, the beloved and adored of the ardent student. Alas ! how susceptible is the human mind, how retentive in its eager pursuit of knowledge. Indeed ’twas wisely said, • A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,’ All right Sir, I’m coming to it, a low browed profound student of New Zealand Natural History betook himseif to the country for objects of research. In course of time he encountered a heap of goodsized stones, a patch of black burnt ground, a few bones and some ashes. The spirit of the mighty Buffon o’er came him. Quoth he, a prize indeed, the small bones and dust, and the digesting stones of the moa. Well, of course, when a man gets so far, there’s no end to his riotous fancy. He might quota Buffon by the mile, but none the less, those stones, those lpones, and that dust were nought but tho remains of a Maori feast off a lean gutted pukeko. In his saner moments, the naturalist admitted that he thought that those stones must have * stuck in his gizzard.’ It was very kind of your Taranaki contributor to offer those suggestions re Writers cramp. Constable Salmon asked me the other evening if I had come aoross a few stray lambs in my peregrinations. I mournfully shook my head for a negative reply, Xfc appears that someone had been to him and declared that some of his lambs 4 had been stolen.’ Now, between you and me and the gatepost, I strongly suspect that some people are careless about their fences, and allow their lambs to get out and stray, and get a poor bobby to hunt all over the place for them, thinking that they really are stolen. ‘The mild lamb’ wouldn’t be a term applicable to mo if I were the policeman going on a hunt for a careless settler, who begrudged half a crown to a boy for searching. ~ It’s an old saying that 4 what the world gays must be true,’ but tho world is all for making money, and forming syndicates, and other worldly things, therefore is liable to deviate from the path of rectitude. I have always been of opinion that the ‘ world s truths’ were tho most splendid conceptions of iniquitous falsehood than even the Arch fined himself could evolve. Separator butter has hitherto enjoyed a reputation which it seams it did not deserve. My own knowledge of the ‘essence of the bovine female’ is confined to tho art of laying it on to a penny roll with a trowel, but I am informed by a person who claims to have considerable knowledge and experience in the mutter, that in the process of separating by machinery tho real oil which is the _ whole strength of the milk is left behind in the luttermilk, and may be seen floating on the top of the buttermilk if allowed to stand for a little while. He also referred to the objectionable practice of mixing salt, sugar and alum with the butter in order to harden it. This he said made it tallow in whiteness and entirely spoilt it, and to this he attributed in some measure the_ bad name which the colony has received in London, and which it will take some time to pffflGß. An idea initiated by Mr Richard Smith, the Horticulturist, is steadily gaining favour on the plains. It is that of ploughing in mustard for a manure, which far supersedes all others. THE WAIRARAPA. Large mobs of sheep are leaving this district every day, and as the prices continue firm, the farmers are reaping a golden harvest. At Messrs Lowes and lorn’s stock sale, held last Wednesday, the supply was not equal to the demand, and the bidding was exceptionally spirited. On Saturday feet no fewer than ton thousand, sheep for freezing purposes were camped at Tinui|

and on very good authority I hear that the price paid was from eleven shillings to eleven and sixpence per head ; and yet some people have the conscience to boldy assert that the freezing industry does not benefit the Wairarapa. Another sad accident has been added to the list of fatalities esused while bnshfalling, nnd, on Saturday morning, a young man named George Clifford succumbed to injuries received at the Upper Taueru. Clifford (whose parents reside at Motueka, Nelson) was a native of Cape Town, aged twentytwo. He said to have bean an experienced bushman, bub although, in this particular instance, the accident may have been perfectly unavoidable, too many are caused by tho inexperience of new chum bushmen, or the utter carelessness caused by the over confidence of ‘old hands.’

Speaking of 4 new chum ’ bushmen recalls the experience of an old friend, who, some years ago, becoming very short of dollars and dimes, determined to strike into the bush, as work in that line was reported plentiful, and his own particular calling was not in requisition of his valuable services. Disguising himself somewhat, in a wide-a-wake hat, a bran new pair of moleskin pants, and a Crimean shirt, be sought tho forest wilds of the Pate* country, and applied to tho foreman of a large contract for employment. He was engaged, as men were soarce, without too many questions, at the rate of ten shillings a day, the ‘tucker ’ bill to be deducted when squaring-up day oamo. As it happened the day our friend was engaged it was raining, and strange to relate Jupiter Pluvius continued his operations for the next five days. On the sixth it cleared, and this youth who had been contented eating and drinking during the wet weather, was given an axe and iuvited to commence operations in a certain part. Choosing a rimu about three feet through, he commenced carefully to 4 pegtop ’ the same, every Btroke blistering his hands and causing him to think of ‘ Home sweet home.’ But the determination to do or die, kept him clipping away, and just about nightfall the last blow was given and the tree fell. It did not kill him, although why not is still an unsolved mystery. When the boys came to look for him he was sitting on the ground too exhausted to speak, and after picking him up to see that he was not hurt, the good man, in a voice sadly reproachful, yet full of suppressed anger, said, 4 Young man git ! 4 I’ll forgive yon your tucker bill. You’re dangerous. You’ve laid down one tree, and likewise three of my best men. Somehow I don’t think yon will suit this job.’ It appears that our innocent friend had unintentionally felled his tree in the wrong direction, and as it crashed down the branches laid low three men who wera working near at hand. As luck would have it neither one was mortally wounded, but the would-be bush whacker from that time out never attempted the game again. Mr W. W. Collin’s, the secularist lecturer, has been paying Masterton a visit, and with his oratory obtaining many converts to his views. On Sunday last he spoke on General Booth’s scheme, denouncing it in no measured terms. He denied that he was an ‘infidel’ as he had been termed by many, pointing out the term ‘infidel’ meant • unfaithful,’ and this he maintained he had never been to his belief. The autumn show of the Masterton Horticultural Society was held on Wednesday. Some very fine exhibits in the fruit and vegetable class being shown. The Wairarapa was well represented, but singularly enough not a single thing was on view from the fertile Forty-mile bush, where vegetables are grown of enormous size. The Rev. W. Rowse, who for nearly three years has been in charge of the Wesleyan community here, is about to be transferred to 4 pastures new ’ in April next. As is very often the case, the rev. gentleman’s screw is considerably in arrear, and with the object of raking sufficient to send him off properly a musical festival is being got up.

Masterton, February 25. The Theatre Royal was crowded on Tuesday evening in response to the Mayoral advertisement asking ratepayers to assemble and discuss tho action of the Borough Councillors in refusing to accept Mr Renall’s terms for a water supply from his mill lead. The Mayor (Mr C. A. Pownall) opened the meeting with a summary of the Council’s work Binoe his election to the chair. Mr Rqnall then spoke at length, freely abusing those Councillors who differed from him, and informing the meeting that it waß for them to decide whether the water was stopped or allowed to run. 11® characterised the action of certain Councillors as futile and childish, and challenged them to come forward and address the meeting. A good deal of nproar occurred, and much amusement was caused by the action of one individual who would persist m making himself heard. Councillor Gapper came forward and defended the action he had taken against Mr Renall. Messrs E. Jones and Pownall then spoke, and on the motion that Mr Renall’s terms of £2O per annum for a Bupply of water be accepted being put the Chairman declared it carried unanimously. A motion was then brought forward 44 That a petition praying for the division of the Borough into wards be presented to Parliament,” the aamealso being declared unanimously carried. A number of those present .stayed behind and signed the petition, which had been already prepared by the Mayor. Masterton, March 3. A sharp frost was experienced here early this morning. Peter Gallager, Alfred Croop, and James Johnston, charged with theft of rugs, etc., from Te Awaite, were brought before Colonel Roberts to-day, and on the applicaBion of the police, remanded to Featherstou till next Monday. PALMERSTON NORTH. Palmerston North, February 27. A poll was taken to-day re tho extension of licenses in the Taonui District. It principally affects granting licenses to two hotels already ereoted at Longbnrn. The returns from yitZiherbsirt have not yet come in, but

cannot possibly alter ths result. So far the totals are—B3 in favour of granting additional licenses and 50 against. At Longburn the poll was adverse, the figures being 19 for aud 27 against. The licensing committee which has been returned are understood to bo favourable to the extension of licenses. Considerable interest waß manifested in the polling. Palmerston North, February 28. The complete returns of the voting on the licensing question throughout this distriot (not including the town of Palmerston) are published this morning, and the results are as under, viz., —For gianting more licenses, S 7 ; against granting more licenses, 50. The votes recorded for members of the Licensing Committee are—Hitchings, 93 ; Grant, 89 ; Knight, 89 ; Monrad, 88 ; Thompson, 85 ; Matheson, 54 ; Wingate, 53 ; Clausen, 52 ; Collis, 50 ; Stubbs, 50. The five first-named, who are understood to be in favour of granting additional licenses, are declared duly elected for the ensuing three years. There appears to be very little doubt that what whatever may be the requirements of other parts of the district, the necessity for at least one good licensed house at Longburn, where, I may remark, the temperance party polled most votes, is thoroughly recognised by the 44 travelling ” public, and the result of the voting appears to have given considerable satisfaction to those who may be supposed to be (opart from the owners of the hotel properties) most interested—viz., the owners and drivers of stock. The weather is again unsettled. Barometer, showery, and reading 29.45 (falling). Palmerston North, March 2. As reported in my last, the weather for some days has been unsettled and threatening. On Saturday afternoon there were some drenching showers, and during the night heavy rain squalls passed over the district, the wind freshening nntil in the early morning it blew quite a gale with torrents of rain. Yesterday (Sunday) forenoon we had suoh a storm as has not been experienced here for some yeais, rain falling literally in sheets, with occasional thunder and lightning, accompanied by falls of bailstoneß such as are rarely seen here. Until this forenoon there has been very little change for the better, but since midday there is a marked improvement, and the barometer, whioh has risen two-tenths, now reads 29 - 65. It is greatly to be feared that what grain still remains unstacked in the district will be of little or no valne. A fire took place in College street west last evening about 7.30, when a cottage owned and occupied by Mr Just, nurseryman, etc., was entirely destroyed, scarcely any of the furniture or personal effects being Baved. The fire is attributed to the ignition of some clothing which was being dried at the fire and the explosion of a kerosene lamp. Mr Just is said to be insured in the New Zealand office for £250. Palmerston North, March 3. Three locomotives, connected, and having a Bhort train of carriages attached, on which were Mr Hales, assistant engineer-in-chief, and other officials, passed through Palmerston to-day en route for Woodville, the business in hand being the testing of the bridges along the line. A tine specimen of the shining cuckoo, an Australian bird which usually reaches our shores in October, returning about the month of April, after the breeding season, was found lying exhausted in the Square this morning. The bird, which is a very hand, some one, with black and white speckled breast and rich green feathers, shot with a golden sheen on the back and head, was handed to Mr W. Park, who is, par excellence, “the” naturalist of Palmerston, and who intends 44 setting it up.” Weather now fine ; wind, west. Baro« meter, 29.9, rising. PAHIATUA. Pahiattta, February 27. Frank Barlow, an elderly man, who was lately discharged from the Masterton Hospital, tried to cut his throat yesterday at Mr G. Whitcombe’s place, Kaitawa. He is impressed with the idea that he can only be a burden to himself and others. He will probably recover, but will require watching to prevent further attempts on his life.