MARTON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3371, 14 December 1871, Page 3

MARTON.

*, (fuom our own couhespondent.) Marton is only just beginning to to assume its usual serenity, and its in habitants to settlo down quietly after the festivities consequent upon the opening of the Wanganui Bridge. What was dono, and what was seen, on that particular occasion, formed the chief topic of conversation amongst all ciases — to tho exclusion of almost everything else. An upper crust of dissipated feeling was formed then, which I think it will take some time to clear away. However, the strictest business or professional man did not begrudge a week's departure from the routine of every day work, to go in and see the actual completion of one of the noblest works ever begun and finished in the colony. We have been enabled to enjoy, in a slight degree the lustre which the visit of her Majesty's Representative cast upon Wanganui, as the Vice-Regal party passed through here on Monday. The visit was totally unexpected, and therefore there was no one to receive his Excellency and Lady Bowen in a fitting manner. Jt was quite thought that they had gone back in the Luna, and it took everyone by surprise when they made their appearance here about 12 o'clock. It was also imagined (no intimation of their coming having been given) that they wished to travel incog., therefore no demonstration of any kind was made. After partaking of a glass of cold wator, out of compliment, no doubt, to Mr Fox, the party proceeded on their way to Wellington. Lieutenant Pilcher and tbe Wellington Artillery paid a visit to Rangitikei, the head-quarters of tho Alfred Troop on Saturday last, and were entertained at a ball there. It was reported they would come through this township on their way back to town, and a cold collation was provided for them by Mr Howe, of the Marton Hotel. It appears, however, they were limited to time, and had to leave Rangitikei immediately on the conclusion of the ball. All here regretted not having a chance of seeing a corps of which thoy had heard such favorable accounts ; and that the said corps went away without having an opportunity of experiencing that hospitality which Marton would willingly have accorded them. For some time past, although a constable has been stationed at the township, no lock up has been provided, and any person taken in charge had to be placed in a stable lent for the purpose. The proprietor, however, got tired of having his boards kicked out, and running the risk of his place being set on fire without receiving any remuneration from the Government, and the consequence was, it was a case of either letting the man go or fastening him up to a fence. It was an agreenblesurpri.se therefore when the Provincial Secretary aud Inspector Atcheson made their appearance, and after enquiring into the state of affairs immediately set to work in a most business-like manner. The constable wns^sent for, carpenters were on the spot, aud in twenty minutes the plan was drawn out, estimates given in, and the contract signed. I believe in addition to the lock-up itself, rooms are provided for the officer in charge, Such promptitude and utter absence of redtapeism was something wonderful. There was no six months' correspondence, concluded by a letter stating the matter under consideration had been referred to another department, and so on ad infinitum, but in half an hour after their arrival the matter was settled, and these two remarkable men on their way to Rangitikei, leaving behind them the impression that better days were yet in store for New Zealand. The above forms a very good precedent in another case, I have frequently written about the utter unsuitableness of the present building, called (out of compliment, I suppose) a court-house. When the magistrates are on the bench, tho solicitors and constables in attendance, the place is nearly full, without taking into consideration plaintiffs and defendants. The consequence is, on the monthly court days the Town Hall has to be hired at a high price, and the books and papers taken there. When the committee of the English church required the ground on which the redoubt was built, tho old block-house, then used as a militia and volunteer office, was ordered to be removed. I pointed out that with a littlo patching up, and if put iv a proper place, it would make a very passable lock up, but the suggestion was unheeded. At considerable expense (about as much as the building was worth) it was brought down into the heart of the township, placed close to the telegraph office and other new buildings, and there ifc stands, an unsightly block; and a monument of the amount of absurdity which a Government can perpetrate when they set about it properly. In the wet weather you have to pass through a quagmire to get to it. It is also dangerous to public safety, as many thousand rounds of ammunition aro stored there. In consequence of this no fire can be allowed even in the depth of winter, and the

militia staff have to sit shivering overtheir returns. T think the Government ought at least to grant these gentlemen a free policy in the life assurance and annuities department, as they risk thoir lives every day without the hope of a pension. All this could be altered if the Government would consent to this wretched building being broken up for firewood, and would erect one to serve the purpose of a courthouse and militia offico combined. This would be an ornament to the township, and a boon to tbe settlers. In tbe course of time the amount paid for the use of the Town Hall would go far towards defraying the cost of erection. Wanganui has its new-court-house and splendid bridge ; Wellington can afford to spend £300 for an inauguration breakfast at the laying of the foundation stone of one at the Plutt ; and why should not Marton come in for some of the crumbs that fall from the Treasury table '? We are not to have a railway, although it has been clearly shown by statistics that a line through this district would pay far better than many already down in the schedule. Witness, for instance, the one from Napier to Ruataniwha, and another from Wanganui to Waitara. The first, no doubt, is a necessity, as it is generally understood that at least one of the Ministry looks upon Napier as New Zealand, and New Zealand as Napier. The one to Waitara was agreed to by the Government after a hard tight for it by Mr Bryce, who certainly did justice to the constituents who elected him. So much for good representatives! Wanganui and Napier are both fortunate in this respect. Your "special correspondent" at tbe opening of the bridge has a witty and humorous article upon Wanganui Majors. He is wrong, however, as to the number, as there are only four. Two of these are ex-officers of the Imperial service and occupy public j positions in Wanganui, and two others are colonial officers. If the latter were I holiday soldiers on that particular day, I they were not so when on active service in tho field, and if they were conspicuous by their scarlet waistcoats in Wanganui, they were jusfc as well known by tbeir blue shirts when at the front. Possibly "your special," in common with many others on that festive occasion, had an introduction to Mv Martell before he was introduced to the Majors, and consequently saw double. In fact from the number of officers he alleges to have seen, I think he must have had several introductions. Should he ever become a military man and go under canvas, perhaps a Rechabite tent would be the most suitable. Speaking of tents reminds me that Murray's Great World Circus -was out here for two days, but owing to the very high wind prevailing they were unable to erect theirs, and had to leave without giving a performance. I believe, however, they were more fortunate at Rangitikei, (Bull's,) and succeeded in attracting a large audience. Mr M'Donogh, the Sub-Commis-sioner of Insurance and Annuities, has just paid us another visit, and has insured a number of lives. The Government scheme is received here with great favor, and nearly everyone in tbe district is taking advantage of it. The Sub-Commissioner is very energetic, and even the most obdurate melt after being subjected for a time to his persuasive eloquence. In fact, so many have given in their names, that if Mr M'Donogh should again come out, he will be like Alexander when he had no more worlds to conquer. There are several clauses iv the act which induce people to give it a preference over any private Life Insurance Society. Notably one in which it states that if the party insured be unable to pay up his premiums after a number of years, forty per cent, of the money paid in will be returned to him. There are several other favorable clauses which space will not permit me to refer to.