HARBOR LOAN FOR WANGANUI.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 523, 22 May 1880, Page 3

HARBOR LOAN FOR WANGANUI.

A deputation from the Wanganui Harbor Board having been to Wellington to arrange financial accommodation for the navigation works, the following statement was made at the last meeting of the Board : —Mr Duthie, in the absence of the chairman, said the deputation had waited upon the Manager of the National Bank in Wellington. After fully explaining the position of the Board, the Manager had agreed to allow a special advance of £3,000, but would charge the ordinary bank interest for overdrafts. The point was thoroughly understood that should the loan float the Board would not require the accommodation. The opinion of the Manager had been asked as to the prospects of the loan. Mr Steele replied that he thought the loan would go off as now prepared by the Board, that on the previous occasion the surplus revenue had not been sufficient. A Harbor Board loan required a good margin, seeing that the revenue was liable to fluctuation in consequence of the chance of new ports interfering with the trade- The deputation had further agreed to execute the mortgage deed over the Manawatu land. This deed had been promised by the Board, and the Bank desired to have it done. Farther, that if the loan did not float the Bank claimed the right to call upon the Board to sell the land.

BIRD, BEAST, OR FISH ? A settler at Omani writes: — “On my way home to night, at six o’clock, I drew the niton tion of two of my follow workmen to sight wc never saw before, in the shape of bird, beast or fish between the sea and sky. I camo in sight off tho Awamoa Crock, and passed through tho air nearly Kakanui. It then turned, stopped half way, anp looked of immense size. Then it proceeded back to where seen first, and disappeared in tee sea. It looked a huge black object—l thought a baloon, but I eaunot form an opinion of what it was on account of its immense size. It appeared to be about two miles off, close into land, and say 200 yards high in the air. It was quite distinct to look at, but. what it was we could not tell. The object was certainly wonderful in its appearance,” Tho Oamaru settler must have been reading the “Arabian Nights entertainments;” or, being rather “fou,” ho may have been pretty near the condition of Tam o‘ Shanter.

It is stated that trout are now numerous in the W ainuiomata stream, and that fish Gibs weight arc frequently caught. The Steamer Manawatu was unable to reach Wanganui from Wellington, and had been out from Monday till yesterday.