Our Country Letters.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 15

Our Country Letters.

TARANAKI. The 3rd, 4th, sth, and 6th were fine but very windy days. The 7th and Bth were wet, with plentiful warm rain, very beneficial to the farmer: The 9th was a glorious fine warm spring day, with just enough breeze to be pleasant. The tearing winds of the early part of the week abundantly proved the wisdom of planting numerous shelter trees which are also such an adornment to a home. Out in the Mountain Road the wind was so furious it was difficult to walk along and doubly difficult to retain one’s hat. Inside a garden thickly planted with shelter trees, the branches of apple trees clustered all over with blossom were scarcely stirred. I am glad to say the apple trees are showing every likelihood of producing a good crop. They are looking healthy, and the blossom is fine and appears to be setting well in sheltered places. "Where there is not sufficient shelter, I fear the recent high winds will have done damage. It seems the Auckland people are beginning to object to being cut off from the rest of the island by the want of railway communication. Certainly one- would have thought there ought to be a railway running from one end to the other of the island, if only for defence, let alone commerce. The distance still to be completed is a little over 100 miles, and it is stated in Auckland that £550,000 would be sufficient to connect Wellington with Auckland, via Stratford. Certainly this would be greatly to the advantage of both cities. There have been special meetings of both County Council and Stratford Town Board to consider the loan proposals. It was decided to drop the loan for the present until these bodies ascertain their precise position. The chairman of the Town Board received a letter from the AuditorGeneral stating that the Town Board ought not to expend its funds upon its main street, which is the County Road. It appears that this is just what Town Boards have been doing all over the Colony, and if the Auditor-General is correct there will be confusion in many places, and Stratford will have reason to congratulate itself on making the discovery while still young. It has however already expended over £IOO on the main street, which perhaps the County Council will refund. It is a good sign that the sawmills at Ngaire are extremely busy, having more orders than they can immediately supply. No doubt, after the sale of town sections at Stratford the building trade will be very active. It is said the Ngaire people are endeavouring to form a rifle club, the membership to be fixed at 10s. Any efforts to provide innocent and useful occupation for young people after they have left school must be hailed with satisfaction, and deserves universal support. We English do not give so much attention to that subject as some nations on the Continent of Europe do. In several countries quite elaborate arrangements are made to provide occupation both instructive and recreative to the youthful until they arrive at years of discretion. But for the youth of this country what is there ? No evening classes or lectures, no gymnasiums nor swimming baths, except perhaps in the largest towns, and the subscriptions required to belong to libraries or clubs are high. However, we are improving, for we have now a County Band and the Ngaire Orchestra, and after the rifle club is established perhaps swimming baths may follow. The children of the Ngaire school were given a holiday on the 9th to enable the carpenters to proceed with the alterations they are making in the school house. A large porch has been added to the girls’ entrance. Another will be added to the boys’ entrance, and will be a great improvement.

MARTON. A requisition addressed to the Chairman of the Rangitikei County Council and the Mayor is now being largely signed asking that a public meeting be held to protest against the diversion for the Stratford line of the money voted by Parliament for the extension of the Main Trunk Railway line from this end. The Auckland people appear to think that they have only to ask to receive. They are not satisfied with the thrashing they got over the question of the rival routes when it first came before the House. The decision then arrived at after the most exhaustive surveys was accepted by the country as final and conclusive that the present line was the only one practicable, and there is no doubt that the Auckland people were of the same opinion except for their insatiable longing for having everything their own way, even if it be at the expense of broken pledges and the general public weal —skinflints in all that concerns others, but touch their own fireside and they rise as one man. Their requirements must be attended to if the rest of the Colony starve. This last attempt to stop the extension of our line from this end for the furtherance of their pet scheme, the Stratford route, is so monstrous as to be scarcely credible. We at this end kaow that every mile that the line is finished from Hunterville inland opens up a magnificent country only waiting occupation, that as the line now pays handsomely tho tyvthot 9St;9asi9« TCW to pay

till better, that the greater portion of the and along the line is in possession of the Government, and that it will tap a very great extent of country that is already settled, and the traffic from which alone would feed it. Those who are not acquainted with the facts cannot realize the extent of settlements that has taken place in the country north of Hunterville, and all under the greatest difficulties. If the land had..not been good this would not have taken place, and yet the Government are asked in all seriousness to drop what they know will be of immense service to the country generally and spend the money in making a railway through land that does not belong to them, and that was years ago proved to be not worth purchasing, and again it is surely known that the amount asked to be devoted would only build a few miles of railway, sufficient to make it for ever valueless. Close settlements on both sides of the Rangitikei River has extended for quite twenty-five miles above Hunterville, and strenuous efforts have been made and are being made to bridge the river at two or three places so as to provide outlets for the holders of these lands, who, in many cases, are members of Small Farm Associations and are quite cut off from communication with the settled portions of the district for want of roads. Can those who cry out for the Stratford line say that there is a single settler on the land they propose to place their railway? or that it would be possible to induce any one to take it up if it were given away. All we want is that every facility should be given o those who are prepared to go so far back in their endeavours to make future homes. From one end of the ' Colony to the other the Cry is ‘ land, land,’ and though there are thousands of acres within thirty miles of Marton, all Government property, it is not at the disposal of those who are so anxious to obtain it. If the departmental surveyors cannot get it ready for sale in time to supply the demand there are plenty of them in private practice who, I hear, no doubt would be glad to do the work on reasonable terms. The entertainment given in the Drill Shed held last week in aid of St. Stephens’ Anglican Church was a great success in every way. The maypole dance was a special feature of_ the evening’s amusement, Mr Towgood, the resident curate, had happily returned from the Diocesan Synod meetings in Wellington in time to take part in the proceedings, which passed ■ off to the satisfaction of all concerned. j Since I wrote you last we have had a , very welcome rain, lasting all one night , and the following day, and the weather i has since been very fine, except perhaps rather cold during the nights. The i growth, however, has been very marked, and farmers say that the grain crops will now do very well even if we should not 1 have any more for some considerable ' time. I understand that an association for taking up land is being formed by Mr Sieely, survejmr, and that he is in communication with the Government as to blocks open for choice. Ido not think | he will have any trouble in getting suffi- 1 cient members to make it successful if the land is suitable. i I learn that Mrs Chaney has recovered ' consciousness and every hope is now entr j tertained of her ultimate recovery. It is said that Mr Chaney is disposing of his ’ property about four miles from Marion J and intends living in the town. j A testimonial is to be presented to Dr ( Skerman on his departure for England for , a well earned holiday. He will be missed * in many ways. The Royal Rifle Volun- i teer Company, of which he is Captain, i were photographed in a group and a copy ] is to be given him as a souvenir of re- ’ membrance. His departure will also necessitate a fresh election for the mayoralty of the borough, a position he has occupied with great satisfaction to the ratepayers, and a complimentai’y goodbye resolution was passed to him at the ( last meeting of the Borough Council. '

WAIRARAPA. The annual ball in connection with the Red Star Football Club was held in the Masterton Drill Hall on Wednesday evening last. Unfortunately the weather was exceedingly rough, and prevented a large number of people living outside the town being present. Otherwise the gathering (which will probably be the last of the kind this season) passed off very successfully. During the evening the Mayor presented the trophies won by members of the first and second fifteens, and in a short speech congratulated them upon the position of the club. At the last meeting of the North Wairarapa Rabbit Board it was stated that if re-elected the present Board would probably be in a position to reduce the present rabbit rate to one third of the present amount paid. This, if carried out, will be a considerable burden off the shoulders of stockowners. It is highly satisfactory also to note from the Rabbit Inspector’s report that there is a marked decrease in the number of rabbits in the North Wairarapa District, and although the season has been favourable to them, they are less numerous than they have bee.i for the last half-dozen years.

Messrs Lowes and lorns have been holding some very successful etock sales of late, the demand still keeping in advance of supplies. On Wedneslay last a sale of dairy stock was hold at Mr F. Shaw’s, Te Ore Ore, the result being in fill respects satisfactory.

Quite a number of old settlers and respected residents have passed away during the last week, in some cases the deaths being remarkably sudden. On Saturday last Mrs Frances Shaw, who for some time past had been in indifferent health, was proceeding to Wellington ia company with her husband, to obtain a change of air, having been ordered by tier medical adviser to the seaside, when, just between Kuruguui and Clareville stations, she suddenly gave a little gasp and fell back lifeless In the arms of one of the passengers. Mrs Shaw and her husband have resided in the Wairarapa many years, and it was only last Wednesday that Mr Shaw sold off his splendid dairy stock, in order to relieve his wife of the labour and responsibility of attending to what was one of the most successful and best known private dairy farms in this neighbourhood. The funeral, which took place on Tu;sday afternoon, was very largely attended, the deceased lady being generally held in high esteem by all who knew her.

Mr P. M. Reynolds, another old settler, who for a number of years has carried on his business as a builder in Masterton and round about, died on Sunday evening last, of enlargement of the liver. One of the last contracts undertaken by Mr Reynolds was the erection of Mr T. 0. Williams’fine block of buildings at Pahiafua.

Mrs Robert Rowe, of Gladstone, and Mr Samuel Jackson, of Grey town (both old residents), also died during the past few days. Warm summer weather has been experienced hero during the last week, and cricket and lawn tennis are again in full swing. Trout fishing is becoming more popular than ever, and the number of licenses taken out this year is large. Some very fine hauls of fish have been made since the season opened. With such a number of rivers teeming with fish it would bo difficult to find a better place in the Colony for angling than Masterton at tho present time.

WAIMATE PLAINS. The Dobson.Kennedy Company have visited us again, and met with thundering furores at every house. At Manaia on Friday last they gave the ‘Colleen Bawn.’ Apologies were made for the inability of Mr Kennedy to take the part of Myles, but this did not prevent the audience from recognising him as Father Tom, especially when he sat on the bedstead of the dying Danny, to rest that poor maimed prop that got such a nasty jar a few weeks ago. Mr Tighe has paid his annual visit to the district in aid of the Blind Institution at Auckland. As this is one deserving of the hearty sympathy of all irrespective of class, creed or opinion, it 13 to be hoped that his efforts will be crowned with success. The new Presbyterian Minister, the Rev, A. MacLennan, has arrived. His induotion is to take place on Wednesday afternoon. The Opunake Plain and Fancy Dress Ball was a thorough success. There are nineteen men staying in one of the Manaia Hotels waiting for bush contracts. I have before me a email handbook issued by the St. John’s Ambulance Association, which I think might be well studied by every busbman in theee colonies. It shows how, by means of a triangular bandage, many an awkward twist and break may be relieved of its dangerous effects whilst waiting for a medical man. Iu the wide bush, far away from any town, it is a duty that each man owes to his neighbour to be ablo, iu case of emergency, to do something more than look aghaßt at a gaping wound, a burst vein, or a limp, broken leg. Perhaps if the farming editor cf the New Zealand Mail were to take it up in his columns, the notice which it deserves might be taken of it. I hopo it will.

FEILDING. Early on Saturday morning last a fire was discovered in the new brick store, now nearly completed, belonging to Messrs Cobbe and Darrab. One of the carpenters on en. tering the building found it full of smoke, which emanated from a quantity of bales of wool packs in a back room. He called assistance, and the fire was soon put out, when it was found the contents of two bales were destroyed. A large hole was burned in the floor near the wall, and had the build, ing been constructed of timber instead of brick, there would have been little chance of saving it from total destruction. There is nothing to account for the origin of tho fire, which must have been burning for several hours before it was discovered. We have been having some summer-like weather of late. Roses are in bloom, and fruit trees of various kinds are in full blossom. Gardens and orchards are looking well, and in the pastures there is abundance of feed for stock. A cricket club has been formed among the young men of the town, and is known as the ‘Red Star Cricket Ciub.’ The entrance fee is ss, and Messrs Stevens and Gorton have kindly lent the olub the use of a paddock for a practice ground. The prioa of bread has been raised 1 d the 41b loaf, and timber fid the ICOft. With reference to bread, it would appear from several complaints 1 have heard lately that although the bakers have raised the price, some of thorn are not too particular about sending it out short in the weight. Some remedy for such complaints is now provided by tho Adulteration Prevention Acts Amendment Bill, passed in the last session of Parliament, which makes it compulsory to provide every bread cart with scales and weights, and authorises every purchaser to have the bread weighed in his or her presenoe. The Feilding Football Club celebrated the winding up of tho season by a ball in th,e Assembly Rooms last Friday, which passed

off in a very enjoyable manner. During the evening the Cup won by the senior team was formally handed to Captain Whiakor by Mr KirtoD, vice-Presidout of the Club, as was also a silver medal presented to Mr C. Nioholson, the best forward, and Mr John Robinson, the best back. Mr P. Bartholomew, the President, was the donor of the oup, and Mr R. J. Galway of the medals. The township of Birmingham is still flourishing. There is a money-order and life insnrance office, and now I hear the settlers are going to petition tho Colonial Bank to open a branch of its business there, unless either Banks of New Zealand or Australasia soon start a branch of their own.

A party of prominent Wellington vocalists are aunounoed to give a grand concert hero on Thursday, the 22nd inst. The party will consist cf Misses Trebair-Osborne, Maggie Johnson, Nellie Parsons, and Gardner, aud Messrs J. M. Nairn, and J. W. Kilner. It is also probable that Mr Frank King, violinist, will aocompany the party. Mr Kilner, the business manager, was here a few days ago, making preliminary arrangements for the appearance of the company in this and adjacent towns. From the reputation of: the performers I should think a rich treat is in store for lovers of good musio in the various towns aloDg the Coast. In addition to the due announcements iu the country papers I understand the tour cf the party will be advertised in the New Zealand Times, if not the Mail as well.

WANGANUI. Last week was fully occupied with the half yearly sittings of the Supreme Court. The calendar is both heavier and more serious than usual. The most important case was the charge of murder against Caroline Peyman. Public opinion prophesied that the jury would disagree. But in this caso public opinion was wrong. The jury did agree, and agreed to acquit. This acquittal is a new laurel in the wroatli of a rising advocate. Mr Hogg had a client possessed of conspicuous ability aud iron nerve, and he made very good use of tho accused’s evidence. The Premier’s speech, which has already appeared in your columns, attracted considerable attention. Mr Ballance has a peculiarly happy manner on a public platform It is impossible for those even who may disagree with him on points of policy to avoid enjoying his speeches. The Druids’ Dramatic Club produced the ‘ Octoroon ’ on Thursday and Friday. This club has had tho play in preparation for some considerable time. They met with sufficient success to justify them in repeating tho play on Monday. The district is about to suffer a considerable temporary loss. Dr. Skerman, of Morton, goes away shortly on a twelve months’ trip to the Old Country. His medical locum tenens is Dr. Auson of the Kaikoura. Dr. Anson is well-known in Wanganui, having been a master at the Collegiate School here. Dr. Skerman is also Captain of the Royal Rangitikei Rifles, tho premier corps of the Colony, I think, certainly of this district. His second in command will discharge his duties during his absence. Mr James Watt leaves hero shortly on a trip to Sydney, from which he will return a Benedict.

Mr Hutchison lias been making speeches to his constituents. He is endeavouring to show that he has been throughout consistent. It will require the vigourous exercise of his well-known powess of advocacy. He appears to be using Lord Derby’s contention, aud showing that his course has been consistent, and that the Liberal party have been wandering in devious ways. During the Laing-Noble trial Mr Coates wanted to know whether Mr Abbot didn’t want to ‘back the man who was to win.’ The Chief Justice interjected, ‘ Naturally, anyone would.’

Next week we are to have a regular carnival. Tho races are on Thursday and Friday. On Monday and Tuesday evenings tlie Musical aud Dramatic Association give a miscellaneous entertainment, and on Thursday and Friday evenings the same society reproduces the ‘ Mikado.’ The lambing lias been satisfactory. Lamb, by-the-way, has already appeared in the butchers’ shops. I hear reports of very good percentages, some exceptionally high. Boating has fuirly started. Beth clubs have several crews in training for Trial Fours. I hear that Mr Duncan, of the Wanganui Rowing Club (late of Star, Wellington), is the stroke who is most assiduous in training his crow.

Tho bowlers have got their green into working order, and as soon ns the evenings have drawn out enough we shall hear of matches. The President is an enthusiast, and won’t let the grass grow under his feet. Major Newall and Major Messenger arrived here on Thursday last, and left again by through train on Friday for New Plymouth. Major Nowall will return here on Tuesday, 13th inst, for his usual monthly Battalion Parade.

The big fircboll spoke from its new quarters on Saturday last for the first lime. The fire turned out to be only a scare; a few buckets of water was all that was wanted. Last week died Mr Noilson, for 37 years resident here. He leaves a grown up family.

ASHURST. The concluding meeting of the season of the Hnrinui Literary and Musical Society was held on 7th inst, and in spito of the inclement weather the attendance was good. Tho programme, which was a miscellaneous one, was well gone through. The audience testifying their appreciation by frequent rounds of applause. The success which has attended these meetings during the past winter has been mainly due to the energy displayed by Mr Goldsbury, the President of the Society, who has left no stone unturned to make them popular, and in Messrs Rowlings, Thomas, Dtorine, and others, he has able

coadjutors. At the close of the evening a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Goldsbury, also Mrs Goldsbury, who presided at the piano. Subjoined is the full programme :—lnstrumental selection, ‘ Home Flowers,’ Mr Greenliow (violin) and Mrs Goldsbury (piano) ; reading, ‘Bad Money,’ Mr R. Coony ; recitation, ‘ The Masher,’ Mr Clevely ; song, ‘ When Other Lips,’ Mr Rowlings ; reading, ‘ The Interview,’ Mr Goldsbury ; recitation, ‘ The Two Blacksmiths,’ Oscar Rowlings; song, ‘My Own Secret,’ Mrs Goldsbury ; recitation, ‘ The Tithe Pig,’ Mr Rowlings ; song, ‘ A Starry Night,’ Mr Andrew ; recitation, * Battle of Blenheim,’ Hugh Goldsbury ; reading, ‘A September Gale,’ Mr Goldsbury; song, ‘My Darling Mary’ Mr Print.