THE TOWNSHIP OF FOXTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 17

THE TOWNSHIP OF FOXTON.

This pretty little township is situated on the right bank of the Manawatu Eiver, about four miles from the sea. It is in the Otaki electoral district, 103 miles north-east from Wellington. The shipping trade of the town is considerable, several steamers plying regularly between Foxton, Wellington, Westport, Greymouth, Nelson and Hokitika. The staple industry is the preparation of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) for the English and American markets. Some idea of the present dimensions of this industry may be gathered from the fact that one local 'firm alone, that of McMillan, Ehodes and Co., pay over to its flax clients weekly not less than-five hundred pounds. Twenty mills are in full working operation in the town and immediate neighbourhood, giving continuous employment with good wages to a large number of hands. Foxton is connected with Palmerston North by a daily (return) train, and with Wellington by an excellent coach service, also daily, which runs to Kereru, there connecting with Wellington and Palmerston, by the Manawatu Eailway. The s.sQueen of the South plies bi-weekly between Foxton and Wellington.

: The spiritual wants of the inhabitants are supplied by four churches—Anglican, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, and Soman Catholic. Other denominations, such as the Salvation Army, Plymouth Brethren and Freethinkers, have severally a considerable number of adherents. The ' spirituous' desires of the inhabitants and the requirements of the travelling public are also well provided for by three hotels, all good according to their class, viz., Whyte's Hotel, the Manawatu Hotel, and the Foxton Family Hotel. These are all , well-conducted houses, and are a credit to their respective proprietors, Messrs Stansell, Cawston, and Border. As the cloud of depression has lifted from the town and district the hotels are flourishing. The general wants of the town and district are supplied by several large stores and shops of all kinds ; the principal one being the general store run by the enterprising firm of McMillan, Ehodes and Co. Next in importance are Hennessy and Westwood, grocery and ironmongery; Osborne, centre of. commerce; Loveday, draper; the Melbourne Importing Company, and others. '.The banks are represented by the Banks of New Zealand and Australasia. 1 There is a local newspaper, the Manawatu Herald, which has a considerable country cir- - culation.

The Post Office and State school, although placed in very good positions, are inconvenient buildings and badly planned. Generally speaking, the people are insatiably fond of amusements. These are provided in a large measure by a racing club, a tennis club, a boating club, an athletic club, three billiard saloons, and a public library. Of these the library is not the most largely patronised. The population of the borough is twelve hundred and fifty. The Borough Council oonsists of the Mayor (Mr George Nye) and six councillors.