PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 21

PALMERSTON NORTH.

Palmerston North, February 3.

The District Court opened to-day, the hearing of the charge against Jameson for alleged false [representation occupying the Court all day. Several visitors from Palmerston to Sydney have lately met Mr James Linton, our erstwhile popular townsman, who, by all accounts, is looking better than for many years. All his sons are occupying good positions in Sydney, and it is likely Mr Linton himself will be shortly engaged in business pursuits. Sydney appears to agree with him remarkably well. He was one of our enterprising and progressive public men for a period of some 25 years. Mr R. K. Simpson, who has not long returned from a trip to Australia, greatly enjoyed his journey. Among others whom he saw was Mr A. Stevens, brother of Mr John Stevens, M.H.R., who is in a large way of business in the butchering' line “ across the water.” Mr A, Stevens has many friends and acquaintances in this district, who will be glad to hear that he is prospering. It is generally admitted that the floral procession at the Ram and Ewe Show was the most attractive feature in the programme. The decoration of the fireengine alone took six members'of ’’ the Brigade no less than four hours to complete. It was greatly admired, and had a very pretty effect.

February 7. During the heavy gale which raged over this. district on Friday night, a draught mare running on Mr Stevens’ property in Kairanga was killed through a dead tree falling on her and breaking her Mr Cbas. Carr had a stock sale at Feilding on Saturday. Those who were present from Palmerston state that the demand for stock was fairly brisk, and the tone of the sale decidedly lively. There were buyers present from as far north as Hawera. Mr Carr’s offer, at a former sale, to reduce the rates of commission charged to unfortunate vendors who had been compelled to sell owing to their feed having been destroyed by recent disastrous bushfires, has been much appreciated on alj, 11 would appear that the sum of .£lO is the market value for a severe handling by which a |man is incapacitated for over % week from following his usual calling. In the District Court on Saturday H. J. Woodfield sued R. Searle for damages for violent assault committed by the defendant. Dr Wilson stated in evidence that the effects of the assault were very severe. The nasal bono was broken, the man’s face being also very much battered and swollen, and the physical pain endured must have been very severe for a considerable time. The only satisfaction the jury gave the plaintiff for the very severe handling he got was a verdict for .810 and costs. His Honor remarked, during the address of counsel for the defendant, that in any case of assault, even when both parties were implicated, such as a stand-up fight, for instance, it was quite competent for either party to sue the other for damages. The Rev A. M. Wright, formerly in charge of the Presbyterian congregation in this district, preached at St. Andrew’s Church here yesterday, there being crowded congregations on each occasion. Mr Wright is now located at Lincoln in the South Island.

During the hearing of a case in the District Court on Saturday, His Honor Judge Kettle expressed a decided opinion

is to the impropriety of exami&ing yit^ - nesses as to any previous imprisonment to" which they had been sentenced. Her Btated that such questions should not her put to' witnesses, unless doing so w£«; absolutely necessary. His Honor ruled, that all questions of this nature, which might materially injure a witness’ reputation, before being put should be submitted in writing to the Judge. His Honor s ruling in this* matter will be universally endorsed, by all right-thinking people. The A. and I*. Association is prepared for a financial loss in Connection with thee late Ram and Ewo Show, at which, unfortunately, the attendance was not sufficiently large to bring the receipts near the expenditure. The Association has nob itself to blame in any sense, as bub for the previous bush fires, the terrific gal® ©f last Tuesday and the very uncertain Weather which prevailed during the foranooii on! the day of the show, there would have bean a very much larger attendance. But even bad it been so, there would still have been a loss. It is contended by some that the members’ tickets sopfer rather too much value in the way os privileges. For instance, a member pays dBl as his pearly subscription, and if he makes full use of all the privileges secured by his tickets, he obtains’ value for £2 6® in return for the invested. It remain® to be seen whether the Association will decide to in any way alter exis&ng arrangements with regard to members privileges. Although there will undoubtedly be a financial loss in-connection with, the Ram and Ewe Show, it must not be forgotten that the object sought has been to a great extent attained in establishing the fact that Falmerston is the most central and suitable place in the North Island for buyers and sellers of stud and flock sheep to meet and do business together. The question is, would it have been more* advisable to have started the sale on the* afternoon of the show day ? No doubt the matter will be fully discussed before the end of the year, and probably things will be somewhat differently arranged with regal'd to future fixtures. Even if there has been a loss, the annual central sale has been established, and no doubt those who took advantage of the inaugural sale will find it to their interest to be present, or be represented, at future sales. Ths Cuba street Wesleyan Sunday school anniversary services--were.held in the Theatre Boyal yesterday, there being three services altogether, all being largely attended. , , Messrs H. MeHardy and A. S. Baker are entitled to credit for the quality of their flock rams offered at the sale on Thursday, In conversation with an ex-sheep inspector of long experience, he expressed the opinion that Mr Baker’s sheep were of very superior quality, showing excellent points of breeding. • ... •jftc A portion of the recently erected audition to the Fire Brigade Station is now in use as the library, the books having being already removed there.