Our Country Letters.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 25

Our Country Letters.

«■' WOODVILLE. "With the opening of the Gorge Railway it was reasonable to expect a reduction in. the carriage of goods and produce between, here and Wellington, but, we have been grieviously disappointed. It is found that the cost by rail is as high as when we had to pay cartage from Palmerston. The reason is. that the Manawatu Company calculate their charges for the distance, ending at Longburn, and the Government charge the higher rate for the short distance between there and Woodvillo. There being two proprietaries it appears we cannot get the benefit of the long distance rates unless they arrange a through tariff, which, it is to be hoped, they will soon do. It is strange the Commissioners did not have the matter arranged simultaneously with the opening of the line. Overworked, I suppose, when will they get relief? On Friday a cricket match was played here between the Palmerston Club and our local team. Our men hit out * freely’ and succeeded in scoring in their first innings 7j * ducks ’ and 31 runs, and in their second essay, 4 ‘ducks’ and 15 runs. They showed some fine semicircular hits, most of which were, however, jußt a little too late. Their bowling was at times dangerous to (by-stauders), and difficult to score off. The Palmerston batsmen struck everything that came within reachable distance, and knocked up 84 runs in one innings. Our cricketers will do better by returning to the old style of playing with a straight bat, and bowling at the wicket. On Saturday, acceptances for our local race . meeting were due, and a large number paid up. The grand stand and other improvements are near completion, and everything points to a successful meeting on the Ist of April should the weather hold fine. ®' FE ELDING. St Patrick’s Day passed off very quietly here, there being no local celebration of any kind. Most of the people went either to the sports at Palmerston, Ashurst, and Marton, or to the races at Sandon, everybody, apparently, having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Manchester Rifle Volunteers having resolved to form themselves into a Rifle Club, Captain Pleasants is taking the necessary steps to have this brought about. Several business changes are about to take place. One storekeeper, having bought a farm, purposes going to settle thereon, and another is relinquishing business, his lease having expired, and the premises are to be occupied by a branch of a boot and shoe establishment in Palmerston. A Palmerston draper, who formerly had a branch here is, I understand, about to re-open the same. The Primitive Methodists have just had erected a very substantial and commodious parsonage. Mr W. Watts was the contractor for the building, which certainly does him great credit; and on Good Friday there is to be a special circuit gathering, with a banquet and tea meeting to celebrate its completion. The Kiwitea Road Board at their monthly meeting on Saturday last, sat for about four hours, and did a lot of business as usual, amongst other things, letting tenders for works amounting to over £650. It may be of interest to the members of some other local bodies to know that a resolntion to the following effect was passed :—That the attention of the Minister for Bands be drawn to the fact that one chain width is not sufficient for laying off roads on the sides of the steep hills, and the Board is of opinion that at least a chain and a half should be allowed, it having been put to considerable inconvenience in consequence of the narrow width as allowed at present. At half past 6 on Saturday night the firebell rang out a mild alarm, and the fire brigade with their engine turned out promptly and in goodforce. In the meantime the flames which raged fiercely from a chimney only, had been subdued. However, it gave the firemen an impromptu opportunity for a practice in the streets, and furnished a good test of how far their hose would extend (to be of practical use in time of need. It is now proved beyond doubt, that|from their large well on Manchester square, the brigade can bring an inexbaustable supply of water to play upon most of the principal buildings of the town. The committee of the Feilding Jockey Club met on Friday night, and went through the usual business of making final appointments and other arrangements for the races to be held on Easter Monday, and which again promise to be a great success. The priviliges were sold by auction on Saturday last, and as usual brought good prices. We have a pretty complete bill of fare for the Easter amusements. The programme will really open on Wednesday, with the Phonograph ; then follows the cantata ‘ Red Riding Hood,’ by the school children on Thursday ; band contest on Friday and Saturday ; races on Monday ; finishing up by a grand musical and dramatic entertainment and dance. Our band played out on the retunda on Sunday afternoon a number of selections, including the contest pieces, and many among the crowd of listeners expressed their opinion, s very correet one, that our local musicians have very much improved in style even since their last public performance; and to do them justice, I ‘think I never heard them play better. (?EOM A CORRESPONDENT.) A' grievous accident occured to a little boy 10 years of age, son ofMrSwasß,at Halcombe on Friday. The poor child was kicked by a horse, and in some unaccountable way had both arms and five ribs broken, besides injury to the head. He is conscious, and Dr Charlton from Feilding, holds out a hope of his recovery. A severe whirlwind visited Ashurst on Friday afternoon. It was heard, passing through the bush by the residents, and unroofed some sheds in its track. A large Willow tree at Mr Whibley’a house was twisted into a spiral and laid flat to the ground, but sprung into an upright position immediately. It alarmed many people, and the vagaries of the. cloud banks over the Gorge was a remarkable sight.

The Hon A. H. Wilson, M.L.A., a prominent figure in Queensland politics, and his wife, have been paying a short visit to Mr John Bartholomew in the Manawatu district. They left for the north on Thursday, and express the greatest delight with the country and its wonderful autumnal pasturage. In the bush where agriculture is yet only carried on in isolated patches, it is really a wonderful thing to see the immense flock of sparrows feeding upon the grain. It is not any exaggeration to state from two to five thousand birds are sometimes seen upon a single acre at one time. t Some curiously inconsistant statements appear in the Auckland telegram of a few days since, with reference to the disposal of the bequest of John Proberfc, who it may bo remembered, left all he had to the Wesleyan body, excluding needy relatives. First they decide to expend money in a monumental, memorial to the donor, next they refuse help to those needy relatives on the technical grounds, and last they indulge in a picnic 1 The requirements of brevity in telegraphing this item have surely dealt unfairly with that worthy body. SJ, MARTON. The great event of the week here was the banquet to Mr Bruce at the Drill hall on Thursday evening. When extra space is required for an occasion like this the want of a hall sufficiently large to provide for such emergencies is much felt, and the want of sufficient space caused some difficulty in seating all the guests. The reception to Mr Bruce was in every respect such as he deserved, as he is deservedly popular amongst all classes of the community. For the six years he represented Rangitikei in the House of Representatives, he proved himself thoroughly consistent, carefully guarding the interests and will being of his constitutents ; while the attendance at the banquet of many of the foremost politicians of the colony, and the very flattering letters of apology _ read from others who were prevented from being present, showed the estimation in which he is held in the House and throughout the colony. It is not easy for a politician to hold the good opinion and respect of all his constitutents for any length of time. Their individual inteersts are always puttingindifferentdirections, and a man would be more than mortal who could please everyone; but the secret of Mr Bruce’s 'success in this respect lies in his practical sympathy and personal interest in all that concerns those amongst whom he comes in contact. I have heard it said that he is a ‘ self made man, 1 but in the popular sense of this term it is a mistake. .He is well connected, has had a good eeucation, and in the voluntary roughing he experienced in his younger days, he learned to rub shoulders with his fellow man to his own advantage in a practical point of view. Rough company could not influence him for bad, and would only result in the improvement of his associates. His early experiences therefore, and travels, may he taken as his own mode of educating himself in the ways of the world, and he has certainly profited by the course he pursued. I say Mr Bruce is popular. I go farther and say that I don’t think he has a personal enemy in the world, although he is very outspoken, his manner of saying a decided ‘yes’ or * no,’ is robbed of the offence it would bear from the mouths of the majority of other men. If you do not happen to agree with his views on any subject, you feel that you respect them at all events. Such is my estimate of Mr Bruce, and I think those who know him best will agree with me. His political career was a pattern of strong and faithful adherence to his party so long as their actions were in accord with his principles. His last contest for Egmont was fought against his own inclination and altogether at the call of his party. Apart from his popularity there was nothing to recommend him to the electors of Egmont. Indeed, if we go back a few years, we find him fighting the Central Railway question successfully against them, and his action with their Harbour Bill should have been calculated to to assist him to find a place in their hearts ; yet his defeat was anything but crushing, notwithstanding the strong efforts to make it so However, in dropping the subject of Mr Bruce, I may take occasion to say that I look forward confidently to seeing him once more in the House, and in time making his mark in the leglislation of New Zealand. The banquet had the farther advantage of diverting our minds from our troubles, which are numerous this season. Our . crops have not been over well harvested, and farmers are now alive to the fact there will be a considerable shrinkage in the amount or corn they confidently expected to place to the credit of their hank account, and which I have no doubt would have changed many an ugly overdraft into a smiling credit balance. The reports from inland are not of an encouraging nature, good burns are few, had ones many, and a great many have given up all hopes of getting any at all. These are great drawbacks, but, on the other hand, there is an abundance of feed, we hear of no lungworm amongst sheep, and if we do not have a snow blizzard, there is every prospect of the stock being well wintered. There is plenty of work going on. The damage done by the heavy rainfall about a fortnight ago is being rapidly made good, and threshing operations are being started. The Caledonian sports here on St Patrick’s Day attracted a large number of all nationalities. The kilts, however, were predominant. I have not seen so many kilted laddies together since I attended a similiar meeting in Scotland, which, however, was not held on the Irish Patron Saint’s Day. The bagpipes Were ‘jist grand, mon,’ and it speaks well for the taste of those present, when I state that I did not hear anyone complain of the stomach ache, which is said to be so prevalent within sound of the pipes. There was no grog on the ground, however, which may have accounted for the happy condition of affairs. Building operations in and about the town are progressing. A new restaurant has lately been erected by Mr Tartalinis. Alterations are being made to our Post Office, which will greatly increase the accommodation. A large sash and door faotory has been erected by Mr Zajouskovski, fitted with the most perfect machinery obtainable, and worked by steam. A new daily paper, to he called the ' Mercury,’

will be published in a few days. So soon as this makes its appearance, we must look out for squalls. Marton is growing and prosperous, bat somehow, I think two daily papers will crush us. The tendency to swell is too great, and like the frog in the fable, I hope we nmy nob burst. However, we are making hay while the sun shines. There is not an empty house in Marton, and if the influx continues, , there will be plenty of work for the builders. Last week’s Mail has not yet reached me. Is this to be accounted for by s weeping reductions in the Postal Department ? THE W AIM ATE PLAINS. The Normanby Horticultural Show has been the leading event of the week. As regards exhibits it was fairly successful, although not up to last year’s. There were, however, two serious drawbacks, which it is to be hoped will bo remedied in future. One was the ahsenoe of music, and the other is, perhaps, a matter of opinion, but, for my own part, I don’t think it advisable to pack about 500 persons in a quarter-acre section on a hot day. The evening concert was a success, as the entertainments provided by the Hawera Orchestral Society always are. Soon now we should hear news of the state of the colony, from a commercial point of view. The 31st of March will see the accountant fogging over a balance. May the injuries caused by the strikes be less than they are supposed to he. Air George Hurley is to be complimented on his happy suggestion, which the Minister of Justice, at his request, has acted upon. In future postmasters will be allowed to take statutory declarations. This to the hack settlers will be an inestimable boon. Mr James Nicoll, of the Normanby-road, Manaia, has interviewed Mr F. Ataguire, M.H.R., with reference to the feasibility of exporting cream to England, oitlier for consumption as cream, or for turning into butter on arrival. Mr Nicoll thinks that this will ensure a uniform sample of butter. Ho proposes to heat the cream to 160 deg. Fall., then rapidly cool down to 60deg., and add preservitives, and tin. He suggests small tins for table use, and tins about the size of those used for holding kerosene for churning. The serious objection seems to be (pendiug experiments) that of freight, as the cream .will necessarily take up more room than butter. But, on the other hand, the superior quality of butter might counterbalance thah Our local Freezing Works are evidently stirring the district up. Several lots of sheep have lately been brought across from Napier for fattening. What with butter and meat export, Mokau coal, and tourists to the mountain, given honesty, one might reasonably predict a brilliant future for Taranaki. The Exhibition to he opened on the 30th should enhance its reputation. The Manaia Caledonian Society hold their meeting on the 30th. This society has hitherto always acted up to expectations. Good meetings and excellent programmes have ever enticed a sport-loving public to witness the prowess of the locality. A popular fancy is the tug-of-war, at which our dusky brethren, owing to months’ training beforehand, always come off victorious. It is a fine thing to hear them crowing ever their strength. Another exciting contest will he the wrestling between Mr D. Hughes, junior, and Te Aro, who hitherto has justly earned the title of Cock of the Walk. At Inglewood, however, Mr Hughes threw him, and Te Aro is eager to regain his lost laurels. Air Hughes is very tall and slim, and scarcely gives one the idea of a Btaunch wrestler ; however, his action in the arena quickly dispels the error. Anent the name * Caledonian Society,’ I have observed the protests of several correspondents. The name is harmless enough, and, if the community are satisfied, let it remain. Still, as a young nation, it seems a laudable desire to stamp our public gatherings distinctly. It is not every colonial that knows the origin of the word Caledonian, and, consequently, its application is lost upon them. New Caledonia is quite within the range of their knowledge, and very probably these meetings and their originators are mixed up in their minds with New Caledonia and the French escapees. Perhaps, altogether, it wouldn’t be a bad plan to call it ‘ Athletic Club ’ and leave the ‘ pipes ’ out, for it’s only the most bigoted clannishness and original conceit that can detect any music in the uncanny thing. An agricultural joke is generally good. A press representative was doing the district for news. A canny farmer knew of it, and invited him to dinner. After the corned beef and its comcomitants, the pressman was shown over the garden. • Grand country for spuds this,’ remarked the farmer, ‘look here.’ Forthwith he stuck the mattock under a root and, wonder of wonders, the murphies were there in legions. The pressman suggested weighing them ; but the farmer had put them there the day before. Ah 1 what a wicked generation we are. # TARANAKI. The weather has again been variable this week. On the 14th there was a furious wind blowing, and blinding dust all along the Mountain Road, so that one felt it a most grateful relief to step aside into the green fields and orchards which flank it on either side. In the afternoon there was heavy rain, which continued all day on the 15th and intermittently on the 16th. The 17th was cool, with grey Bky, but fine ; the 18th the same, with Very high wind towards evening. The 19tb was a fine sunny day, but the wind blowing all day prevented it from being hot. The 20th was fine with high wind and a few showers. It was said that the heavy rain had unfortunately very much damaged the flowers at the Normanby Show. This show took place on the 17th, and as the sports initiated by the Stratford Caledonian Society took place on the same day at the Stratford Recreation Grounds, no doubt they interfered with each other. A great many felt it to be a boon that they could enjoy a day’s holiday very pleasantly without having to catch trains, which is particularly annoying when it has to be done before all the events are over. Over 500 adults and 250 children passed the gates during the day. The keenest interest was displayed in all the sports, which

were exceedingly varied, the money to be given away in prizes amounting to between £3O and £4O. The Society is young, and has not yet had time to do things which they will find necessary after a while. Ropes placed so as to keep a tolerably wide spaoe round the performers would also enable a larger number of the public to see what was being done. As it was, a number of men closed in triple ring much too close to the athletes and must have hampered them Bomewhat. Throwing the oaber, putting the shot, wrestling, walking, running, obstacle, hurdle, and four part races, were all contested with pluck and vigour, the four part race especially causing great amusement and laughter. The Inglewood Band eulivened the proceedings with pleasant music, and abundance of refreshment of all kinds was supplied by oaterers in booths and fruit sellers. Everyone seemed chatting and enjoying the day socially with their friends, and most remained to the very last event, notwithstanding that there were no other seats than could be found on certain lengthy trunks prone on the earth, some of them blackened by fire. In the evening there was a concert in the Town Hall, after which the prizes were given to the winners at the sports. This ceremony was followed by the amusing farce entitled ‘Little Pickle,’ performed by some of the school children of Stratford. The whole wound up with a dance, to give the ladies an opportunity of showing that, although they could not wrestle, they could stand all day looking on and then dance all night.

In my letter last week a slight mistake appeared, the name of the popular teacher at the Ngaire being not Mr James, but Mr lanes. The headmaster who has taken the management of the Bchool during Air Cooke’s absence seems to be very much liked by the children. They are especially delighted that he comes into the playground and shows them how to use the gymnastic apparatus, which before was neglected. Even boys seem to require the interest and example of an adult to induce them to make the best of their opportunities in this way. For want of showing the proper uses they had mainly U3ed their gymnastic apparatus as a goal to kick the ball over in football.

Taranaki is the land of subscriptions, livery week almost some fresh subscription is set on foot. There is a talk of getting up a subscription at Ngaire to pay a sewing mistress, dewing having never been taught in the Ngaire school. Of course sewing is as necessary as any other of the.subjects taught, but why the inhabitants should have to subscribe to pay for the teaching of sewing when they pay taxes to cover the cost of necessary education, Is not easy to understand. At Stratford there is an attempt- to get the already overburdened settlers to subscribe to build a parsonage and to pay a clergyman £15!) a year. With the price of produce at its lowest ebb and many of the settlers puzzled how to keep their children in school suits, socks and boots, it hardly seems opportune to press this subscribing a snug little iucome for an outsider. It is unfortunately true that there is too much drinking at Stratford, but for some time past there have been two resident ministers of different denominations, besides periodical visits trom Episcopalian and Roman Catholic clergymen. The four churches at Stratford are well served, not to speak of the Salvationists and Plymouth Brethren, and yet drinking has certainly been on the increase. If the beseeching persuasions and the distress of loving mothers and wives are unavailing will a young man in orders have any more success ? If so, the drinkers should certainly build him a parsonage and ensure him £l5O a year. The citizen of the world would find it difficult to reconcile these strange facts—the willingness of people to take burdens upon themselves at the same time when they hesitate or refuse to support a cheese faotory, whLoh is not only an absolute necessity for the district, but would also materially help them to bear their burdens. To judge from the difficulty iu getting the settlers to cooperate in starting a business which nearly all agree would be beneficial, they must all be very poor. But to see them out for a holiday all riohly and elegantly dressed aa we saw them on St. Patrick’s Day, they must all be very wall off indeed. „ GREYTOWN. ,,— , The secretary of the Greytown hospital haß received a choque for £SO from the exeouters of the late Mr Bicknell of Kaiwaiwai, as a bequest in that gentleman’s will to the institution. This commendable * free will offering’ should be an incendive to many other rich settlers in the district to go and do likewise. The Licensing Committee elections and local option voting is eventuating throughout the district, with results calling for no particular comment. Albeit sundry controversialists have argued questions of this kind, ‘ how many drinks a publican should he allowed to serve one man in other words how many consecutive drinks does it take to constitute a man ‘ a drink’ in the eye of the law ? In reference to this, two instances of this occurred within the past week in this town worthy of record for the sake of its truthful curiosity. One man asserted that he drank 26 brandy and sodas during the morning, and they had not the least effect upon him, neither causing him drunkenness or headache. Two days after the above statement, another individual staggered into a shopintheafternoon and asked permission to lay down, saying' I am drunk' (which was a palpable truth), ‘ and yet,’ he continued ‘I solemnly assure you all I have drunk has been two pints of colonial beer. Last Sunday, St Luke’s Church was suitably decorated in accordance with the thanksgiving service for a bouutiful harvest, conducted by the incumbent Mr Wyatt, with his usual eloquence. In the evening the Presbyterian Church was filled with an attentive audience. The Pastor, Rev. C. Murray, M.A., whilst ‘improving’ the harvest season, his text being * whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,’ in a moral and spiritual sense, delivered'an eloquent and stirring discourse. It is worthy of mention that the attention both at church and Sunday school is increasing. The pastor has commenced a week night bible class, at which members of all denominations are ac- ’ corded a cordial weloome.

Some time back a report of Te Kooti’s visit to this district appeared in the Mail. A few days ago Te Kooti’s secretary wrote wishing for a large gathering of chiefs of the North Island, to be held at the Carved House, at the table lands, about thirteen miles south-east from here. A number of influential chiefs have written declining the meeting, for the reason ‘ that we cannot conceive why this meeting is called,’ signed Piripi te Maori, and eleven others. THE WAIRARAPA. On Saturday last the football season in Alastertou was fairly opened, and the Alasfcerton and Star Clubs both indulging in practice. In the evening the annual meeting of the Masterton Club was held, officers for the ensuing term being elected. The balancesheet showed the club to be in good financial standing. Mr R. S. Hirschberg, who last year presented medals to he awarded to the best back and best forward, was again to the front, and this time, with the view of encouraging training, has offered a gold medal for a half-mile handicap, to be run during the season. Mr Whatman also offered a medal for the best back, and Messrs Keisenberg and C. Perry signified their intention of presenting trophies to the second fifteen. The Theatre Royal, which for some time past, has languished in popularity, has now been taken over by Mr Barnard, proprietor of the Greytown Palace Hall, and it is understood that he intends thoroughly renovating and refitting it. Certainly it needs attending to very badly, and Mr Barnard will be conferring a boon upon the inhabitants by taking the matter in hand. A prominent footballer and athlete will soon he ‘ missing ’ from Masterton in the person of Mr H. T. Mowatt, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, who is to be removed to Wellington. His many friends will be glad to learn that his transfer means a well deserved promotion. Another well known player, Mr Joseph Perry, will be unable to take part this year in his favourite game, by reason of an unfortunate accident to his leg, which has partially disabled him, but it is hoped that with proper care the injury will not be permanent.

At the recent examination of schools held in this district, some of the more remote made remai’kably good percentages, which fact speaks very highly for teachers, parents, and scholars, more especially when it is taken into consideration that a majority of the children have a .distance to go, and in many cases the road is not too good, particularly in the winter weather.

Easter is now at hand, and will be observed with the usual ceremonies. At Masterton nothing special iu the way of amusement has been arranged, but a race meeting is to be held at the Tauherenikau, which will doubtless attract a good many, as the South Yalley meetings are becoming very popular. In the Forty-mile several large bush-felling contracts have been let, and, as road-making is also going on apace, work is plentiful, and the gentle swagger is • disappearing from the towns. Of course, the usual number of loafers, who never work (except when, in gaol), still hang about the corners and solicit sixpences, but the real working man is. ".pretty well employed, and there is every reason :to believe that the coming winter will he a good one. On Wednesday night next the trophies won at the recent meeting of jfche Wairarapa Rifle Association, are to be ;-presented at the Volunteer Drill Hall. After.- the presentation a smoke concert is to be held. The success of Colour-sergeant Matthews, winner of the Association belt, is rather a popular one, as he has been identified with the Masterton Rifles for a long time, during which he has won the golden opinions of his comrades generally. As this is the second consecutive time he has scored a win, the belt becomes his own property. People who had been expecting some real fun, combined with cheap travelling on the Eketahuna-Woodville coaching-line, have been doomed- to disappointment, unexpected and bitter. When the Gorge line was completed, and the veteran Peters, and the no less wellknown Jones and Hunter, announced their intention of bringing their plant in force, in opposition to Mr Young, great things were expected because all parties had been at the game before, and understood cutting in all its branches with the thoroughness gained only by experience. But, somehow, the opposition did not last, the rival Jehus grew friendly, exchanged cigars, and imbibed together. Finally Messrs Jones and Hunter have drawn off, and it is rumoured that Peters and Young have amalgamated. The cheap travelling, therefore, appears rather distant, and the natives are once again beginning to agitate for the completion of the railway. Masterton, March 19. Lieutenant Morris and Foreman Pragnall, delegates from the Municipal Fire Brigade, left for the Auckland Conference to-day. Messrs Lowes and lorns held a very successful sale of unbroken horses yesterday, nearly 100 animals being disposed of. Masterton, March 20. Thomas Munday, carpenter, of Carterton, has just filed his schedule. His liabilities are £1045, and assets nil. Masterton, March 21. The Masterton School Committee last night nominated Mr W. W. McCardle for the vacancy on the Education Board, and resolved to ask the other committees in the district to unite with them to secure his return. At the usual meeting of the Masterton Hospital Trustees yesterday it was resolved not to ask for assistance from the Hospital Board, as the trustees were of opinion that the institution could be maintained by voluntary subscriptions. Masterton, March 24. William Teare, who on Saturday night last, while under the influence of liquor, committed a cowardly assault on an elderlywoman, wife of the borough overseer, by striking her violently over the head, was to-day sentenced to a month’s hard labonr in Wellington Terrace Gaol. Masterton, March 25. Dr Hoaking has reported to the Health authorities an outbreak of the disease knowtj m the ifceh ia Masteries,

Messrs Robs and Muir, farriers and coaohbuilders, have filed their schedule. A five-roomed -cottage, the residence ot Mr W. Baker, Bessey street, Masterton,, caught fire last; evening, but the prompt assistance of the Volunteer Fire Brigade saved the building. Messrs Jjowes and lorns held a most successful stock sale this afternoon. _ Over 5000 sheep were yarded, and all quitted at high prices. An extra fine lot of youag ewes fetched 13s 2d. Good lambs fetobed 8s 3d. PALMERSTON NORTH. is —*— Palmerston North, March IS. St Patrick’s Day sport 3 came off yesterday under the moat favourable circumstances, and were in all respects a great success. The weather was delightful. -Lne attendance (notwithstanding that sports were being held at Marten and Ashurst) was very good, the various events were remarkably well contested, and lastly but not least important, the financial results are said to be highly satisfactory, Mr 1. H. James acted as starter, Mr Littlejohn (watchmaker), as timekeeper, Messrs IS. Valentine, Weight, Drew, Manning, and others assistin« in various capacities, and giving tae greatest possible aid in carrying out the dav’e programme, so as to afford pleasure to aff. Mr Creaven had the publican s booth, and Mr Morgan the refreshment stall, ihe band of the Fire Brigade, with Mr Clements as leader and conductor, added greatly to the day’s enjoyment. St Patrick’s Day Grand Handicap was won by R. Olipbant, who was in grand form, with 16 points, Foreman (9 points) second, and Newtfa third. In the Fire Brigade Competitions, Palmerston, Wnipawa, Woodvffle, and Greytown teams took par*, the Palmerston Brigade being successful in all three events. The wrestling m various styles, in all which Ross, the champion, took part, was a very hollow affair, but apparently afforded infinite amusement to the spectators. . . , I regret to say the heavy ram which set in on Saturday afternoon and continued without intermission until it" onday morning, has quite put a stop to all burning operatiaas, and has caused the result to be, m many instances, very far short of the expeciations of those concerned. To-day tne weather continues fine. The Chamber of Commerce has been summoned for Friday evening next, when several highly important matters will be under discussion, among others the bankruptcy laws, Pahiatua road question, and proposed changes in the land laws with regard to special settlement. n Palmerston North, March 19. A fire broke out in the hayloft above the Clarendon stables to-day at 10.20 a.m. The Brigade were promptly in attendance, and the four branches were so well managed that all damage was averted within half an hour. There was a good supply of water. Palmerston North, March 21. The fire bell rung out an alarm at 4.15 this morning, when it was found that a dwelling* house in Albert street, owned and occupied by a Madame Jacobson, was in flames, lhe fire had attained so strong a hold that the occupants barely escaped with their lives, some of them leaping from the winnows and sustaining injuries more or less severe, lhe Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps were promptly on the spol, but the building and it 3 contents were entirely destroyed, lhe insurance is said to be £SOO on building and furniture in the North German Office. Messrs Jarvis, Jackson and Mowbray, representing respectively as Secretaries, the Stanley, Palmerston, and Orona Special Settlement Associations, met this morning in Palmerston to discuss the new regulations under the recently published Order in Council. Meetings of the members of these Associations will be held within the next few days, and it is probable that a public meeting will be called at an early date to discuss the whole subject. TVbatever may be the real merits of the queation there can be no doubt as to the general reeling here, which is very strongly opposed to the action of the Government. The weather is still very unsettled, with heavy showers and high winds from W., glass reading 29*65. The Chamber of Commerce met last evening, but beyond the election of some 14 new members there eras no business done. The Secretary was instructed to obtain more copies of the new Bankruptcy Bill, and to supply same to members, so that the question may be fully discussed at the annual general meeting. - _