PALMERSTON NORTH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 3096, 6 April 1878, Page 2

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) April 4.

Since my last the Maoris have finally taken their departure, leaving the town with its usual quiet aspect. Both the Palmerston Borough and the Manawatu County Councils have passed resolutions, urging the desirability and indeed the necessity of roads and drainage works being formed on the Karere Block before its being placed in the markets The latter Council is willing to undertake the work i£ the Government will supply the necessary funds. Their is no doubt but that if this work was done, the valuable land thus rendered approachable, would by its increased value amply repay the Government for the outlay.

Changes are going on iv"our midstf principally in the hotel businesses. It is well known that Mr Gilbert is about to retire from the proprietorship o£ the Boyal Hotel, and I believe it is the iutention of his successor to largely extend the accommodation of the Hotel by extensive alterations and additions. The abbeys and toners in the old country show by the various periods at which their several additions -were made, the rise and history of their owners and districts, and so it is with the Royal. From the germ of a small corrugated iron shed it (after being transplanted) has thrown out branch after branch, extending in all directions, and is still growing, exemplifying in itself the rapid rise, and progress of this town. When Mr Gilbert takes his departure he will be gen ei ally missed from our midst. Although we have only four hotels in the place, I hear one of the other three is in the market, either for sale or to let. I notice an advertisement announcing the dissolution of partnership between the members of one of cur leading storekeeping firms. A new smithey is about to bo erected near the square, I believe j for the accommodation of Mr Williams, blacksmith and farrier, who by the way got a nasty throw from a bucking horse, resulting in his arm being fractured in

two places. He has I understand obtained tho services of somebody to conduct his business till he gets well again. Blacksmiths must do well here as one of thorn has rocontly taken in a partner, and we have now three establishments all I believe doing a good trade. The Bank of New Zealand I am told endeavored to acquire a freehold of the building in which their business is now conducted, but were forestalled by another purchaser. I should think the agent of the Bank here, on such a windy day as to-day is, must every time the door is opened undergo considerable mental anxiety for fear any of his paper should be blown into the middle of next week, an event by the bye which some of his customers who have bills to meet, would decidedly not object to. The Banks in Palmerston are not remavkable for their architectural beauty. Palmerstonians have for the last two days had an opportunity of " being took " as we have had a visit from a professor of the photographic art, and I noticed him today taking a full length portrait of one of our public buildings, and was particularly amused to see the number of people who had important business round about at that -moment, and the ihoughful mauner they would stop in front of said building to consider their next proceedings. I was not in time however, myself to be "took" for nothing. Miss Leaf gives another concert tonight under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor, and I anticipate a crowded house, as everbody I have asked seems going although the weather just now is against them.