MARTON.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 644, 4 September 1869, Page 2

MARTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Friday, Sept. 3, 1869,

It is difficult to send news to interest your readers from this place, whe.re there is generally such a dearth of that commodity. If 1 felt inclined, I could of course always find plenty of gossip to communicate, as is the custom of some correspondents, but as. that sort of thing is not in my line, and would be both unprofitable and uninteresting to your readers, I abstain from doing so.

Last Tuesday was the night for the agricultural meeting here, but owing to tho small number of members present, no business was done, and the meeting was adjourned till to-morrow evening. It is surprising to see so little interest taken in the matter. In other places—Otago and Canterbury, for instance, agricultural societies are encouraged and supported in a most liberal manner. The farmers there enter with spirit into the affair, and consequently their societies flourish; and do a great amount of good. But here, though the district is essentially an agricultural pne, and might be of considerable importance as such, most of the settlers seem indifferent to its advancement generally^ and aa a consequence stand in the way of their own. interests. A few of them wish to promote the welfare of the place by endeavouring to form and carry out the objects of an agricultural association, but the majority seem to think that so long as they can sell a few head of cattle and sheep, and grow oats and wheat in any kind of way, they do all that is necessary. They live for the present only, not considering that cattle cannot maintain their present price for ever, and that unless they adopt a better system of cropping, they cannot compete with other markets. Nor do they seeoa able t6 perceive that by having agricultural shows and ploughing matches, endeavouring to import fresh stock and carcass, in striving to ascertain the best and most paying way of farming their land, and meeting occasionally to discuss these subjects, that they will benefit themselves at all. They are too shortsighted and apathetic to effect any material improvement in farming, and are quite content to go on in the old unthinking way. I need scarcely say that unless more concern is shown in this subject, the few who would wish to do anything can meet with no success. I trust, however, that I shall be able to send you a better account of our next meeting.

Everyone is of course rejoiced at

the^prospect of the ; speedy erection df the Wanganui bridge. It is a pity the people v\there cannot agree as to the site/ Cduld it not be settled finally by a public meeting. No doubt it would be well attended and its voice would represent the feelings of the people generally. I think the majority of the people on this side would be in favor of the: Market Place site, and I cannot but think that any unprincipled persons would see the advantage of the upper site over that of the lower ferry site. I suppose we may consider the Fox Ministry in for twelve months at least. They have had plenty of opposition, and many of their proposals have been anything,but favorably received by the public, but in spite of this, I am inclined to think that their administration will, by next session; bear favorable comparison with that of the late ministry. Whatever people may think of; their policy, it is hardly fail- to find fault with it, until they see the result of the steps they have taken. I am not one of those who think there is much danger of another outbreak, and though the same prophecy has more than once proved false, I venture to predict that the Maoris are too much broken to use any combined and successful effort against us, unless, of course, the King espouses their cause, which I don't think probable.

A man: named James Southerland was brought up on Wednesday last, before J. W. Willis, and N. E, Beamish, Esq.'s J.P.s, charged with sundry petty larcenies from Hawkston Station. The charges having been fully proved, he was committed to gaol for three months without hard labor, The want of a constable here is greatly felt. The worst characters know they are pretty safe here, and the consequence is Aye have far too many of that sort Though the Government is so short of funds, I think that seeing the great .necessity there is fora policeman and a lock-up here, they ought to give us one without, delay. Had we one, there would be far less orime committed here, to say nothing of the inconvenience and expense, the want of one* necessitates. Can you assist us in getting one ?