Our Country Letters.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1037, 15 January 1892, Page 15

Our Country Letters.

TARANAKI. A good deal of the enjoyment of New Year’s Day was spoiled by the weather, which was exceedingly wet and squally. About 12 p.m or soon after there was a rather heavy shock of earthquake, causing a good deal of rattling in the houses. The 2nd and 3rd were line, but the 4th was again very rainy, though it grew fine towards afternoon. On. tho sth a tremendous gale accompanied with thunder and lightning and. torrents of rain raged, doing much damage in some places. Heavy rain came down at intervals throughout the day, an icy cold wind blowing from the south. Tho 6th, 7th, and Bth, were lovely tine days, all the more pleasant that the dust had been well laid by the recent rains.

It is prophecied that grass seed will bo at a high price this year. There is a large amount to be cut, but there is also a large area of newly cleared land to be sown, and it seeni3 difficult to get sufficient hands to cut the seed, which is to be full and heavy and not at all injured by the rain. Maoris and others are asking £1 an acre, and Is an hour for cutting grass seed, and refusing per lb. a 3 not good enough. But the most popular method with farmers appears to be to let the grass 3eed ‘ on thirds’, the cutters having twothirds to the owner’s one-third. This distributes risks aud profits most fairly amongst all concerned. A number of young men have, arrived from Auckland expressly for the glass seed season. They greatly admire ihe splendid grass in Taranaki, saying they have never seen such grass. The Exhibition at Stratford closed on the evening of Friday, after a very successful run. It is said the Committee made £7O, and as all the sawmills in the district are giving the necessary timber no doubt a very comfortable manse will be built for the Presbyterian minister. The Stratford Sunday School picnic was to have taken place on New Year’s Day, but that being wet, the picnic was postponed to the 4th, which proved equally wet. Mr Burgess, of the Stratford 'Sash and Door Factory, made the picnicers very happy in one of the large apartments of his factory. On the 4th the ‘Egmont Settler’, the local newspaper which ha 3 hitherto appeared twice a week, changed its days of publication, and will, in future, be issued three times a week, namely Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This is only one of the many signs that, great as has been the boom in Stratford during the past year, it still continues to increase steadily in population and trade. Mr Brown from Patea has opened a most attractive shop with a goodly show of drapery and millinery. Mrs Blair finds her book and stationary business so increasing that she ha 3 determined to build more commodious premises on the opposite side of the street, and also add a dressmaking business. Mr Watkins, general storekeeper, has also accepted a tender for building him a handsome place of business and residence on the main street, so builders and carpenters wili continue to be exceedingly busy for some time to come.

On the 6th there was a splendid Twelth Night cake exhibited in one of the stores in Stratford, which shows that there are still some who keep up these good old festivities.

It being an ideal day for pe lestrianism, with no dust, and just enough breeze to modify the warmth of the sun’s rays, 1 took a ton mile walk with a view of seeing the country down tho Pembroke road, which turns to the west just north of Stratford. I hey say colonials dislike walking, and would rather spend an hour catching a horse than walk a mile, which could be done in a quarter of an hour. But I think it is well sometimes to leave the horse in the paddock when one is nob iu a hurry and looking about one is the object rather than getting over the ground. The Pembroke road looks as if it had been settled a longer time than most of the roads in the district. It is surprisingly clear of dead timber, and rich pastures or. crops cover the smooth, level or undulating fields. I saw beautiful clean crops ol potatoes, barley, &c. Here also I saw a .mowing machine drawn by tiro horses finishing the cutting of a field of hay. Machinery for farm work is likely to be largely used in Taranaki, as the ‘settlers’ become fullblown farmers, and labourers continue to be scarce and expensive. The farmers wives are all wishing that one of these ingenious machine-inventors would construct a floor-scrubbing machine, which would only require to be gently propelled like a perambulator, and would cleanse the floor and wipe it up as it goes. But this is a digression. After admiring the grand scenery extending on all sides, and the well-to-do looking homesteads with their brilliant flower gardens, along the Pembroke road, I turned off to pay a visit to Fernside, the estate that Mr J. Arthur Jones has laid out so charmingly as to attract numbers of visitors. Mr Arthur Jones has two rivers, which are crossed by romantic-looking bridges, narrow and oscillating, but with wire handrails and perfectly safe. Tho rivers he has utilised iu the cultivation of fish, in which he has achieved a marked success. The Acclimatisation Society has granted him special privileges in acknow-

ledgment of the good he has done. Ho sells considerable numbers of young fish to those who wish to store their streams, and many trout are now seen in the public streams of the district. Mr Jones showed -me some shallow tanks where thousands of tiny trout were darting. They understand feeding, like most young things, and will come to receivo hard boiled eggs, small worms, &c. The tanks are covered afi over the surface with wire netting to protect the young fish from ducks or other predatory creatures, and also because, in the gaiety of their hearts, the young fish will spring right out of the water, to their own destruction. Here there are pleasant walks along tho river, adorned by trees, shrubs, and flowers. A powerful dam supplies the house with abundance of water for domestic purposes. The stockyard is hard aud clean, being for the most part paved with stone, and altogether Fernside 13 quite a model farm, and shows wbat satisfactory results may be reached by any persevering, industrious person, who will devote ten years or so in creating a beautiful and profitable homestead, especially if he has good ta3le aud original ideas to help him. t HUNTER VILLE. Constable Stacey, who has for the past four years been in charge of the Hunterville district, has been transferred to Wanganui. He left for his new quarters last Friday. On the Thursday evening previous a number of gentlemen assembled in the Argyle Hall to present him with a purse of sovereigns, which is a very evident fact that the way in which he has performed his duties has been approved of. Constable Crozier, from Wanganui, has arrived to take his place. This man has done a great deal of good work in his time, he liayinsr been twenty- \ one years in the New Zealand police I force. 1 The work in the Postal Department is rapidly increasing, and in addition to the ) work done by the Stationmaster and Post- ) master, a porter or boy to deliver telegrams is urgently needed. According to some new regulations, thej-time at which a telegram is first sent is put down in some unknown cypher which is rather a drawback to men in business. The department have at last provided thirty private letter boxes ; it is a pity that double the number were not put up at once, but those people who are fortunate enough to be able to get one will find them of great convenience, as they will be able to get their mail, which arrives by the 5.10 p.m. train, the same night, instead of waiting till the next day. A petition has been started and received a large number of signatures with the object of getting the train to start from the Hunterville end of the line in the morning instead of from Marton, as it does now, which only allows two hours in Marbon to anyone going from here and returning the same day. Whereas it might be arranged that a person might have five or six hours to spend. Mr Macarthur, M.H.R., has interviewed the Commissioners on the subject, with the result that they are making enquiries. The Hunterville Caledonian Sports should attract a large number of competitors. Over a hundred pounds are to be given in prizes, besides special ones given by private people. Messrs Thain and Co. are presenting a five guinea cup for the Mile Handicap, which has to be won twice, and Mr D. Mackay, junr., a four guinea one for tho 120yds Handicap Hurdles, and in addition to this, one guinea is added, given by Mr R J. Smith. The first and second prizes in the Married Women’s Race will both bo useful ones. The President, Mr D. Mack-y, senr., is giving several special ones m money for the dancing events. Mr Copeland, of Wanganui, is > o be appointed handioapper. This Socie-y was wailing to see the results of some of his work before finally deciding on employing him, Judging by his handicapping at Foilding he is giving every satisfaction. WANGANUI. The Maori meeting at Parilcino is over, and the largest assembly of Natives on this coast ’for some years is slowly dispersing. Many Europeans availed themselves of the facilities for visiting Parikino while the meeting was in progress. An attempt was made to upset the license granted to the Wairere, on the ground that the Borough bench (which refused the application, or, to be strjetly accurate, intimated their intention of refusing it and offered an adjournment) was the proper authority, and not the Makirikiri bench. All the facts were admitted and the police simply took a test case. After consideration the Resident Magistrate decided in favour of Mr Hatricli, so passengers per Wairere need not be teetotallers while on board of her.

Lieut.-Col. Newall paid us his usual monthly visit on Tuesday. This was the first parade of the year and also the first since the C.O.’s promotion to his present rank.

11. M. Stanley is here. He lectured on Monday night to a good house and gave a second and final lecture on Tuesday. In the early part of the day he, together with Mrs Stanley and her mother went for a trip up the river. We seem to be in for a spell of dry

weather now. So far we have had more than the usual amount of wet.

Anniversary Day is close at hand. The . Caledonian Society have their: annual sports that day and their concert in the evening. The Caledonians always have a big success, and the moving of • the sports from the Race Course to Victoria Park is exercising a very beneficial effect upon the entries. A series of Picturesque Atlas cases are occupying the Resident Magistrate at present. He has not yet delivered judgment in any of them. WAIRARAPA. Beautiful weather has set in and harvesting is proceeding a pace. Several crops are already in stook and others are being cut. Notwithstanding the unfavourable predictions of some people, the yield bids fair to be quite up to the usual average, and unless unexpectedly bad weather sets in, the farmers will not do so badly this season. The annual Ram and Ewe Fair, in connection with the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has been fixed for the 2nd and 3rd of February next. The first day will be devoted to the sale of Lincolns and the second to Romneys. On the Friday following the Wairarapa and East Coast Society’s annual fair will be held, thus giving visitors from a distance an opportunity of attending both sales. Mr L. F. Ayson, curator of the Masterton fish hatcheries, who, after a particularly busy season finds his health, giving way, has been granted six weeks’ leave of absence, and on Tuesday last he left for the South Island. During the time Mr Ayson has been in charge of the hatcheries he has made many improvements, and the Acclimatisation Society’s grounds now form a very pleasant resort.

The Pahiatua poisoning case still continues to occupy a good deal of attention here, and the slightest detail in connection with the tragic and mysterious affair is eagerly looked for. A good deal of excitement was caused in Masterton on Monday by both the local papers reprinting a highly sensational and stupid article from the Woodville Examiner, in which the writer stated that positive evidence was now forthcoming to show that the calamity was caused by a certain person wilfully placing arsenic on the slices of cold lamb. Even the hour at which the ghastly deed was done was given, and until tho police had officially denied the false report, a good deal of uneasiness was felt. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the inquest to know whether or not our police have discovered anything at all reliable, as at present the most startling rumours are being circulated without the slightest regard for common decency or the feelings of any one concerned. The business of the Wholesale Drapery Company, carried on by the late Mr Dickson, will still continue trading in Masterton, Mr J. L. Murray (for many years in the employ of Mr Dickson) having been appointed manager by the executors. Mr Murray is a thorough business man and a popular salesman, and there is very little reason to doubt but what the business will continue to prosper under his management.

La Grippe seems to have pretty well played itself out in these parts ; but that it has not altogether left us was forcibly illustrated by the very sudden death of Thomas Redding, an employee of Mr T. Thompson, of the Empire Hotel, Masterton. It appears that Redding had a very severe attack, but was able to get about again, and must have taken cold, for although he was able to get about at 12 o’clock, shortly after that hour he was taken bad, expiring a few minutes after being put to bed.

(by TELEGRAPH. —OWN correspondent) Masterton, January 11.

A man named Charles Maybey was charged in the K.M. Court, this morning, with stealing a piece of Boap valued at Sd. He was convicted and sentenced to six hours’ imprisonment. Four hundred and twenty-five thousand trout have been liberated this season in the streams in this district by the curator of the Masterton Hatcheries. The annual Ram and Ewe Fair in connection with the Masterton A. and P. Association has been fixed for February 3rd. Masterton, January 12. A naan named James Dalton, of Martinborough, was brought before Messrs F. H. Wood and T. E. Price, Js.’P., at Croytovvn yesterday charged on the certificate of Drs Bey and Spratt, with being a lunatic. He was committed to the Mount View Asylum. FEILDING. The Grattan Riggs Dramatic Company played ‘ Arrah-Na Pogue ’ in the Assembly Rooms on Monday night to a good house. The piece went Bplendidly, and the performance was a rare dramatic treat. The company will make a return visit on the 28th instant. On Friday we had an exceptionally grand musical treat from the Auckland CoDOert Company, comprising Mrs Kilgour (soprano), Mr T. M. Jackson (tenor), Mr A. Eady (violinist), Miss Alice Rimmer (mezzosoprano), Mr Percy Dufaur (baritone), Mr Sam Jackson (clarioaettist), and Mr A. Bartley (pianist). Mr E. A. Farrington pioneered the company, and did their busi ness management. I will not make com parisogs (vfhiQQ are said to t>o odious

between this company and the Wellington party, whose performance I referred to last ■week. Suffice it to say that each of them gave us such a musical treat as we have not had for many years, and may not have again £or some time—i.e. of the kind.

The Payne Family purpose making another Ttour of this coast before leaving the Colony, •and are booked for here on the 24th of next month.

At last the Borough Counoil have taken definite action in the loog-talkedi-of and agitated question of experimenting in boring .far artesian water. At the last meeting ■a motion was brought forward that the •Council expend a sum not exceeding £SO in •boring for water on Manchester Square, if satisfactory arrangements can be made with Me E. Martin, of Palmerston, who has proved to he a highly successful sinker of artesian wellß. Councillor Carthew brought forward incontrovertible proofs of artesian water existing in the district, nud that in ao -case had Mr Martin’s experiments been a failure. Several of the councillors who had hitherto been strong opponents of the proposal gave in their adhesion thereto, everyone speaking in favour of it, and the motion was unanimously carried. There is, it seems, very good reason to believe that the experiment will be a success, and, if so, it will be one of the greatest boons ever conferred upon the Borough, and will, in fact, be the making of the place, as the saying is. MARTON. There has been very little to report from this neighbourhood for the past fortnight. The weather has been fine and favourable for the croos, which are ripening fast. We have had'several nice rains, which have freshened the grass, although I think it was too late to do the. late-sown crops much good. Iu any case, the grouud i 3 now moist, and the warm weather will bring on a plentiful supply of grass for the autumn. i I hear of occasional starts at harvesting, hut it will be a week or ten days yet before j it becomes general. It is said that the Small Farm Associations are to combine to invite the Hons McKenzie and Seddon up to address us so soon as arrangements can be made for their reception. No banquets, you know, pleasure must take a back seat on this oocasion. The associations are neither flush of capital or the power to make it, except by hard work. Although we are essentially a Conservative county some think that even the best of people must occasionally shake hands with the nameless one ; but, after all, he may not be so black as he is painted, and a visit from the two Ministers will be of advantage in many ways. Oar roads, railways, and bridges, our laud question, especially so far as it concerns our associations, these, and many other things want to be talked over and explained. There is groat doubt yet in the minds of members as to their position in taking up land under the associations ; indeed, opinions seem to differ as much as they do about the Land and Income Tax. If we can even get some of these vexed questions decided in some way, we shall have earned the thanks of the country. Our MartoD Association a'ona has already been allotted 21,000 acres in the Otawkapua, and ha? applied for another 30,000 acres in the WMmarina, and forwarded the required' . deposit of £75 to bind the bargain. This means a total acreage for our Marton associations alone of 50,000 acres. You will agree with me that at that rate of settlement it would not be long before all the available land was out of the hands of the Government.

Mr McKay, the new Engineer and Inspector of Hoads for the county has arrived, and taken charge. As his duties while in the employ of the Government necessitated several visits to various parts of the county, he will soon make it all well known to him. The Government auditors are also here, and expect to get through and away thi3 week. MANAWATU. Palmerston North, January 8. Fred. T. Fitzgerald was to-day committed for trial on a charge of obtaining £3 from C. J. Hansen by means of a valueless cheque. At Stevens and Gorton’s stock sale yesterday nearly 8000 sheep and 500 cattle were yarded, the former fully realising recent prices and the latter showing a slight decline. The entry was the largest known here, and most of the lots changed hands. At la9t night’s meeting of the Manawatu Pacing Club it was shown that the finances are in a highly satisfactory state. It is proposed to make alterations to the stand, which will afford a better view of the whole course. About a dozen designs for the Palmerstqn hospital have been received by the Town Clerk from all the principal towns in the Colony. Further reports of losp of water supply, caused by the recent earthquake, are being received daily. Palmerston North, January 11.. A male child some ten days old was left on Dr. Satcbell’s doorstep on Saturday night, and che police are enquiring into the matter ; meantime the Charitable Aid Committee are providing for the little stranger. Mr Miltou, the very popular cashier at the Union Bank, and bis bride returned to Palmerston after their honeymoon on Saturday, The Auckland Concert Company had a good house at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, and gave a sacred concert last evening. Their performances were thoroughly appreciated. Messrs Stevens and. Gorton entertained their employes at the Clarendon Hotel onSaturday, on the occasion of the taking over of part of the business by Messrs Barraud and Abraham. Mr H. M. Stanley, who will lecture here on Wednesday, passed through to-day on his way to Wanganui.