HALCOMBE NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12259, 6 July 1909, Page 2

HALCOMBE NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Variable weather has been the order of the day this last week—one day fine, the next blowing and raining—possibly the dying out of Mr Clement W 7ragge's predicted storm, yclept "Taylor." An important change is about to take placo in the business conditions of this town. The "Corner Store"" that has for many years been carried on by Mr \V. Beil, and latterly by his son, is to be taken over by Mr G. Franklin, traveller for the Wanganui. firm of Messrs D. McFarlane and Co. He will no doubt find it a most profitable investment.

A disastrous rire occurred last Saturday week on the Stanway road, about 2Jj miles from Halcombe, when. a sixroomed house, occupied by Mr W. Riddler, was totally destroyed, M'r Riddler losing everything. Much sympathy is felt tor them.

Visitors from Wanganui last- week were much impressed with the lovely scenery from the high ground overlooking Halcombe, and it is not to be wondered at as the surroundings of this town ara without doubt among the beauty spots of New Zealand.

The awakening of Halcombe is i>rogressing. Building is now to be carried on extensively, and I hear of no less tha,n 18 new residences to be erected. It 'seeSms as if this long-neglected township is at last to be appreciated by people of sense and discernment, who have found that Halcombe is really one of the nicest towns in the Dominion in which to found a happy and beautiful home.

Tho travelling correspondent of the "Dominion" has been round here spying out the land and his report is extremely favourable. He expresses himself to that effect in a long and interesting article in the issue of June 29th.

The many friends of Mr and Mrs James Linton desire to express to them their sincere sympathy in their sad loss of their son, who died in Wanganui and was interred last Saturday in the Halcombe cemetery. No doubt many would have, attended had they only known, for the Linton family are deeply respected in this district.

I regret to have to say that a series of petty thefts have been taking place lately. A saddle was taken from a horse, and this morning a number of tools belonging to Mr McChesney are missing. It is hoped that the mean thief will be detected and get his deserts.