BULLS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2696, 3 February 1876, Page 2

BULLS.

(From our own correspondent.)

Feb. 1, 1876.

It is now certain that a branch of the Bank of New Zealand will open for business in a few days here, one of Mr Fagan's new cottages being temporarily secured for the purpose ; and although the position may be slightly removed from, the business centre, there is little fear but that it will prove a great boon to the inhabitants. Land is still the cry, and many are disappointed by the Avant of a map of the block to be sold on the 25th inst. On previous occasions maps have been deposited with the principal storekeepers and publicans in this town, but now there is not one to be had, and even application to the District Surveyor was futile, he having none on hand, and the office being continually closed. The mail service to Parawanui is in a most abominable state of irregularity and conf usion,aud from what I can gather from an excited conversation which took place at a public dinner-table the other day the matter stands thus — The inhabitants of Sandon and Carnarvon, through their member Mr Ballance, petitioned the Post-master-General to assist them in employing a mail carrier, who could collect and deliver letters from house to house, except in cases where settlers lived in most out of the way places, when letters would be left with and called for at tho nearest and most convenient neighbour. The Government agreed to this proposal, and promised as their share £70 per annum towards the service ; the settlers subscribed an extra £10, and a man was found willing to undertake the duties for £80 per annum : but some most unreasonable people, as far as I can see, also required the Post office at Parawanui to be kept ■ on at, of course, a considerable expense which the Postmaster-General does not consent to, and therefore at present the matter stands in abeyance, and neither the new or the old services are carried out with efficiency or regularity. If the correspondence of a few people is so small and unimportant that they can afford to put up with the present delay, etc., they should remember ;• their neighbours and the inconvenience, possibly even loss, .vlrich may be entailed by any further opposition to the new and improved plan. I have been told of several letters being delayed on the road, but when I am informed that the Postmaster at Wanganui said he had a good mind not to make up any more Parawanui mails, all wonder is at an end. I am glad to hear that there is now no necessity for alarm about the future of our sheepflocks, and where the surplus fat ones are to be boiled down ; for Messrs Douglas and Co., of the Oroua Plains, are immediately going to erect the neces-, sary plant to dispose of about' 10,000 a month, which will more than exceed the wants of these districts. A sad story comes from Mr Flyger's camp in the bush above Feilding, which is a portion of the Rangitikei-Manawatu Block for sale on the 25th inst. Preparations were being made for the departure for the Christmas Holidays, when one man who was of a saving disposition, determined to remain where, he was rather than engage with his companions in the festivities usual at such a season. The deceased was not very well at the time, but not sufficiently ill to cause the slightest anxiety in the minds of those leaving him. The usual parting and leave taking passed, and the two companions left, never dreaming that when they would probably be enjoying themselves, eating, drinking, dancing, racing, or what not, their poor friend would be lying helpless in the still solemnity of the dense deep bush, dying with no friendly hand to hold the ief resiling cup to , the parched lips, or to soothe the departure of the soul, wearied, may be, with intense longing for some one to hold communication with in the long stillness of the night, until at last breaking the bonds of its earthly tenement, all that remained of life of the lonely bushman was wafted away to that bourn whence none return. The deceased had I believe nearly £100, which he had saved from the fruits of his industry, and it is sad to think that he should have remained there by himself when possibly his life might have been saved had others been with him. When' found the body was in bed, the head resting on both hands and in such a state of decomposition that it was impossible almost to approach. The police wore of course informed, and an inquest will take place and the result will of course be known in time. It is but a few years ago that a late physician while giving evidence touching the death of a man burnt to death at the YVangaehu, informed Judge Johnston with the utmost gravity, impossible to any one else than the worthy Doctor, that he did not expect to see the remains of a goril'a in the neighbourhood of the Wangaelm ; but I fancy if he had seen a gorilla there alive he would not have been more astonished than was Mr J. McLeay, who was suddenly alarmed out of his reverie in the twilight by the appearance lof a kangaroo, which he certainly never

expected to see there. There seems to be cvevy reason for them to prosper here, and if only for sport's sake, the Acclimatization .Society should do their utmost to introduce them, the more so as being easily caught and more easily tamed ; there would be Hi tic trouble, risk or expense in the matter. The effects of very sudden fortunes or misfortunes are sometimes disastrous, and I am pleased to see that a friend who has had to forfeit to both is not very seriously affected. He received amongst his other English letters one containing a draft for £2,000. The names seemed to tally, but the sender he knew nothing nf, and yet still he hoped that all might bo as he wished. But upon enquiries teing made another person of the name was found who had been anxiously waiting for the draft, of which he had previously been advisee!, and of which, of course, he ultimately became possessed.