MARTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5099, 27 July 1877, Page 5

MARTON.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) ■ . . : : ‘ : J«i.y 23. When is the railway to be connected between Turakiua and Feilding ? The first unfinished contract, viz., that of Messrs. Stewart and Go., I have every reason to believe will be completed by the end of the present month ; and as tenders are called for laying the permanent way, Marton will in all probability be in communication by fail with Wanganui by the latter part of October next. , This will in all likelihood’ greatly increase the Turakina line revenue, which is at present terribly deficient, and, according to the last returns published, was only a trifle over £1 per day. To continue on the journey. We next come to Messrs. Locket and' Co.’s contract, which extends- over the ’ Rangitikei River a distance of some fifteen miles from Turakina. This will be taken over by the Government in a few days. The work has been done in a most satisfactory manner. The bridge over the Rangitikei River gives immense satisfaction, Proceeding on this route, we next reach Messrs. Nathan and Wilkie’s contract. 1 This firm have, lately, I believe; applied to the Government for an extension of time, as .they find it quite impossible to make satisfactory progress with their deep cuttings during the winter months. Should the Government favor the petitioners, it is expected that about two mouths’of fine’ weather would end their troubles, as the work is in a forward state. We how come to that piece of the railway which will ultimately connect this line with Feilding, and which the Feilding Corporation are busily engaged at. Taking all things into consideration in connection with this railway line, I now thinklwithout doubt that the train ought to run between Wanganui and Foxton ere this time next year. At the conclusion of an interesting ‘ lecture, lately delivered by the Hon. W. Fox in the ; Town Hall, Bull’s/on the subject of temperance, a meeting was held for the purpose of forming a temperance society called tlieClifton Total Abstinence Society. • After the election of officers, it was resolved that the meeting be held fortnightly, and that the secretary (Mr. Alexander Munro) provide suitable printed tickets for membership, having printed on them the objects which the society have in view, viz., the practice of total abstinence among the community, and the dissemina- : tion of the principles of economy. This society at present numbers about forty members, and from the general public interest taken in it, will no doubt exercise an important influence for good in that locality. ’ The number of churches in Marton! equals at present the number of public i houses; ’ It is a matter of regret that the affairs' of the former are not in -as flourishing a condition as those of the latter. Our English' Church pastor certainly deserves far more liberal support from his congregation than he at* present receives. His various acts of benevolence are too frequent to escape public notice. Nevertheless there seems to be' many difficulties with regard to the payment of his and : also as to the working of the choir, which is now almost a farce, and in the arrangement of all those matters in which congregations ought to assist their minister. At 1 a public meeting held oh Saturday evening last, to take these affairs into consideration, I was glad to observe" that many responded in a very liberal manner, so far as the question of money was concerned.. The annual Marton 1 ploughing match is advertised for Friday, the 17th August. The last one was a most unqualified success, and I have every reason to believe that the next will be equally as good. ! This match is held under the auspices of the Rangitikei and' Marton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Baker’s Hibernicon Troupe, after disappointing the inhabitants of Marton on two former occasions, performed on Saturday night in the Marton Drillshed to a very small audience. This is perhaps partly due to the former disappointment, and partly to the fact that .two public meetings were being held the same evening. ■ ’ ■

The Reohabites are becoming quits a formidable body in this neighborhood, probably from being under the- fostering care of that great apostle of temperance the Hon. W. Fox. The sympathies of the Marton youth have likewise been enlisted in the great cause, and they have been enrolled in large numbers in a special lodge; These temperance bodies at : present hold their meetings in the Marton Schoolroom, which is, however, hardly suittable for these purposes, as the property of the Education Board is thereby liable to damage. I may mention also that amongst thenumerous buildings in course of erection in this thriving township is a temperance hotel. These facts augur well for Marton sobriety, and probably when our juvenile Reohabites have attained years of discretion, Marton will ho longer present sufficient scope for the unwonted energy and zeal of our new police officer. I may mention that the- Rangitikei Cavalry Ball takes place on Thursday next, at the Town Hall, Bull’s; and judging from the number of tickets disposed of, the corps can confidently expect a large assemblage should the weather prove propitious on the occasion.