Woodville Examiner (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 1884.

Woodville Examiner, Volume 2, Issue 129, 5 December 1884, Page 2

Woodville Examiner (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 1884.

Few townships in the colony have afforded a greater scope for hind speculation than Woodville. Fortunately for the credit of the place, the residents of Woodville have themselves had little or nothing to do with the wholesale “ cutting up" and selling of suburban lands which has taken place. That Woodville may have a good future we have no doubt, as it is the centre of a vast area of fertile country; but a good many years must elapse before it reaches the importance which some of its more sanguine supporters declare it will yet attain to. Of late it has grown rapidly in population, and appearances have favored its rapid development as an important centre. Laud has gone up in price, and high values are placed on many of the sections, ami at the present time there is o tendency to fictitious prices. So great a name has been obtained for Woodville outside its own district that people from all parts of the colony own land within its boundaries. They have bought sections, they know’ not where, except that they are on the maps, and in many cases prices have been paid for sections some distance from the centre of the township which the purchasers will never probably realise for them. In Knorpp’s Township, for instance, land has been bought which the present owners would sell for a great deal less than rthey gave for it. Intending settlers have frequently represented on plans and in advertisements certain inducements wdiich never did nor ever will exist, and the unwary purchaser has fallen into the net thus carefully spread for him. There are times in the history of almost every place when a “ land fever ” has raged more or less severely, and the victims have in many cases been ruined. Our object in introducing this subject is to raise a warning voice against the reckless system of speculation of which signs arc already not wanting. A fair and reasonable price for land in Woodville wall doubtless be a safe investment, but where sections pass in rapid succession from one purchaser to another, the chances are that its value is far exceeded in the end, and the purchaser may have good cause to wish he had never seen it. Although, with large public works about to be begun, everything may seem prosperous, a time of depression is bound to come at some future time, and overspeculation will intensify what might otherw’ise be passed over without much inconvenience, Land purchase in towns should always be judicious; whereas there is too frequently a tendency to recklessness as the tide of prosperity flows on. We trust that purchasers of land in Woodville will profit by the “ shocking example ’’ of other New Zealand towns which have “gone up like a rocket and come down like a stick," Owing mainly to over- ( speculation, their prosperity has been ‘

bright but short-lived, and their declining days have been marked by ruination to some of their most enterprising pioneers. Far be it from us to decry in any way the prospects of a town holding the important position which Woodville bolds and will attain to, but the district is now entering on what will be the most prosperous period of its history, and it is our bounden duty to point to the breakers which may be supposed to lie ahead, though invisible or but dimly seen in the present.

At the last meeting of the County Council Mr Smith showed himself the champion of the Bush settlers, and made a nice little expose regarding the conduct of the late Chairman, who at the last meeting of the Council, when the runholders’ interests were in the majority, moved a vote of .£SOO to his own riding. Had the late Chairman been anxious to show that he wished to do everything fair and above board, ho would, in common decency, have left the matter to the new Council to deal with. The whole thing goes to show that if these runholders could, they would monopolise everything. Here is a riding, containing the smallest number of ratepayers of any riding in the County, whos« representative at the first favorable oppor-

tunity practically gives .£SOO to his own district. What protection, we should like to know, thus exists that the members representing the runholding fraternity will not abuse their power at every chance, to the detriment of the interests of the small farmers and bush settlers ? The runholders have never shown in the past that they can bo trusted, but on the contrary have abused the power placed in their hands, and while the Waipawa County exists they will require to bo watched. Not until the Bush settlers can get rid of the County will these abuses cease, and it is to bo hoped that the time is not far distant when the squatters will be confined to the government of their own community, while the Bush settlers may be free to do as they like with their own.

The crops in Hawke’s Bay are generally looking well, but are very late this season. Mr Illingworth, the contractor for the parsonage at Tahoraite, is making good progress with the building. A substantial pound is being erected by Mr Martin at Danevirke.

The letter boxes on the trains are proving a great convenience to the travelling public. The Rev ,T. Clover will take the morning and evening services at the United Methodist Free Church on Sunday, in place of the Rev Mr Worboys ; also the afternoon service at Awapurua. A long-felt want in Woodville has been supplied by Mr Geo. Gilbert, ho having secured the services of a first-class plumber, and in future will combine plumbing with his present business. Owing to the heavy rains of the past few days, the Manawatu was too high this morning for the coach or mail to bo brought over at the Lower Ferry. About noon, however, the river had gone down sufficiently to allow of traffic being re-

sumed, anil the coach came on to Woodville. Inspector Hill Ims expressed himself highly satisfied with the results of the examination of the Danevirke School. The ground recently acquired for the Lutheran Church at Danevirke, has been fenced in, and funds are now being raised for the erection of the Church. Several bogie carriages for use on the through trains are now being fitted up at the railway workshops. The siding at Henderson & Wratt’s mill, over which there has been so much agitation in the past, is now being laid down, and we are certain no siding on the line will more justify the expenditure.

A number of buildings are being erected at Danevirke on the sections recently sold by Government. A useless expenditure has been incurred by the Public Works Department in the erection of a stationmasters’ house at such a siding as Mangatera at Danevirke, where no stalionmaster will bo placed. The Hon. J. Johnston and Mr Walter Johnston were passengers by special conveyance from Masterton on Wednesday night.

The Dairy Factory will be opened on Monday week. On Sunday next Mr Dinsdalo will deliver a lecture on Spiritualism.

The committee of the Jockey Club are requested to meet at the Tamaki Hotel on Saturday week. Those desirous of entering exhibits for the Horticultural Show may obtain forms of entry at the various stores in the district. Schedules may be obtained on ap- : plication to the secretary. The Hospital question is apparently not yet settled. Wo notice that Dr Do Lisle has boon requested to take charge of the Hospital until a resident Surgeon is appointed. Karaitiana, who was committed for trial for horse-stealing, has been sentenced to two years’ hard labour. We have to apologise to our readers for having issued no supplement with to-day’s Examiner, our Melbourne parcel having evidently miscarried. The Jockey Club invite tenders for the purchase of the priveleges at the forthcoming meeting.

The meeting of the Road Board lapsed on Wednesday night owing to the absence of the Chairman, who had gone to the County Council meeting. Messrs Fountaine, Moore, and Murray were present, and Mr Carlile subsequently arrived. The meeting was adjourned for a week. The number of the Illustrated New Zealand News just to hand is a specially good one, and contains a prettily got-up picture entitled “ What you give.” Steps should be taken to have the Harding’s Road formation and metalling contract proceeded with at an early date, as wo believe the road is now in fair condition, and the work should bo done before tiie wet weather sets in. The Rev Mr Rohortshaw is about to resign the mastership of the Danevirke School, and devote the whole of his time to his pastoral duties. Probably owing to the state of Harding’s road not an acre of bush has been felled on that line this season.

Mrs Wright of Kurneroa gives the- local school tne handsome gift of i’l worth of prizes for the children.

The dead-lock in the County Connci I still continues. At the next meeting Mr Dillon will be present, and the result will then doubtless be in his favor.

Mr Hogg, having now taken up his private residence in the township, notifies that ho can be found at any hour of the day or night at his premises. A Wellington telegram announces the death of Mrs Wordsworth, the only lady who the wreck of the Strathmore, and ot whoso hardships so much was written at the time. This lady had been living at Ashurst with her son for some time.

Mr J. Sheehan is at present at Tahoraite, where he has held a meeting of the natives regarding dealing with their lands. As a result we understand several of the native leases in tKe district will be tested as to their legality shortly; 300 acres of the Tahoraite clearing will be cut up into town sections; the native lands in the Seventy-mile Bush will be thrown open for settlement, and a land Court will shortly be held at Woodville for individualisation of titles.

In another column will be found Robin Hood’s programme on the C.J.C. Summer Meeting, consisting of 3000 shares, at 10s each. This consultationist has proved himself so genuine in his dealings that those who invest in this way may have every confidence in him, numerous press notices testifying to the fair way in which his drawings are invariably conducted. At Mr E. Lyndon’s monthly land sale at Napier, announced to take place on Friday, 12th December, a number of sections in Woodville and the tewnship of Danevirke (extended) will be offered, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. Committees have been appointed to carry out the arrangements for the Friendly Society’s tea and ball on Boxing night, and tickets may be obtained from any of the members.

The popular consultationist, Ada Mantua, notifies a sweep on the Christchurch races, the first prize being £IOOO.

General Schamatswechakiemenkoff intends to advance the railroad interests of Russia. If the Geuesal could only be induced to emigrate to New Zealand, ho might work wonders in the railway business in this land. For instance, if he were sent along to Woodville, his name alone would fill the gap between here and Tahoraite.

The papers tell of a baby born without brains, who died in a few minutes. Nothing remarkable about his being born. The wonder was that he died, instead of growing up and going to Parliament, as so many do. We arc sorry to hear that Mr Graydon, Resident Engineer, has met with an accident, by which he sustained a sprained ankle. By the aid of crutches, however, Mr Graydon is still able to supervise works near the town. Mr Blackett is to visit Woodville very shortly to confirm the selection of the station site by the Resident Engineer. There are rumors of a Wellington capitalist who unfortunately owns land and does nothing to improve it, using his inlluonce to get the site altered to his own ground, a quarter of a mile from the township, and he will give the necessary ground. Woodville people will require to have their eyes open to prevent the porpertration of such a job.

Wo notice that the Wellington Land Board have taken an important step in urging on Government the desirability of increasing the survey staff, so as to allow of the Crown Lauds being " cut up ” with sufficient rapidity to satisfy the demands of settlement.

We regret to hear that there is some talk of opposition at Ashurst to the scheme for raising money under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act for the erection of the bridge at the Lower Ferry. We have blamed Manawatu people in the past for their apathy in regard to this bridge, and now when the work is on the verge of being carried out, it is to be hoped they will now show a little generosity.

In a case at the sittings of the Supreme Court at Napier, the jury could not agree, and the foreman reported the matter to the Judge, asking to he exempted himself as ho was ill. The Judge was about to inform him that lie could not comply with the request, when the juryman fell in a fit on the floor, and the jury had then to be dismissed.

With his usual earnest desire to forward the interests of Horticulture, Mr A. Lascelles, of Napier, has forwarded to the secretary of the Horticultural Society il to be allotted in prize-money by the committee.

MrJ. G. Wilson will probably finish this week the survey of the first 51000 acres of the Mnharahara block, adjoining the Victoria block. The sections are from 100 to 210 acres in area, and this portion of the block is some of the finest in the district, consisting of a large alluvial flat. Indeed, with the exception of the “ break down” from the range, and a low ridge, the whole of the portion is a dead level plain, and the soil could hardly be beaten. Mr Wilson will now work back towards the range, and lay out what land should be available for settlement.

The Marlborough Express says that Mr Harding, G.W.C.T., recently on a visit to Blenheim, was the prime mover against Mr Johnston in Wnipawa. More shame to him, and his conscience should never ho at peace during his present life nor in the life to come after.

A brutal outrage on a woman was made shortly after 12 o’clock on Tuesday night at Christchurch, by three young men. Two of them in turn held their hands over her month while she was criminally assaulted. The assault took place in a paddock near the railway station. The woman’s screams were heard by a constable, who arrested one of the men named Austin Tyrrell. Two others, named John Arthur Cotton and Wm. Peacock, have since been arrested, and are supposed to have been Tyrrell’s companions.

The Napier papers are indignant at Major Scully’s removal, but they never said a word about the frequent removals effected without consideration of the men by Inspector Scully during his term of office. Major Scully has been a very fair officer, but ho has so long been in Napier that it is quite time he had a change, if the important office a police inspector holds is to be kept as pure as possible. Other inspectors have been shifted before now, and why should Inspector Scully complain since his change has been so long delayed. The former Government saw the necessity of a change, and had for some time intended removing higpv-.and the present Government have probably acted on their predecessors’ intention. It is only fair to tiie men that the district should have a change of officers, and it is desirable that the public interest should not suffer by

any local favoritisms. Besides, the House last session passed a resolution urging on the Government the necessity of shifting police officers, and the Government must act on this mandate. Inspector Scully has been many years in Napier, and there is a feeling in his favor amongst old residents on that account, but this should not be allowed to interfere with the efficiency of the public services. We wish him all success in his new district, and as he has been in ill health for some time, the change will doubtless be beneficial to him in more ways than one.

The following letter received by the Road Board clerk from a non-resident ratepayer, is not very complimentary to the Woodville Road Board, and is rather a literary curiosity in its way:—“ Mr Fennell, —Sir, —I was pleased at receiving your circular, with rate notice enclosed, it seem as if there was some one who I can correspond officaly with at last. Please to inform me what section of land, I am being rated for, because in nearly all the notices I have received the number is different, and not one of thorn talley with ray Deeds My Land is Allotment 88, off Suburban Sections 3 and 4, and is fronting Bowen Street, Your notice give it as S.S. 83 & 4 which is wrong, Tell me what the anual value is that I am rat»d for, for it seem nonsence to me that a quarter acre allotment at Woodville should be four time the annual value of the same size allotment at Wellington city. I hope that the Road Board are not playing any tricks that are dark with the none resident rate payers, because if they are they will have to be exposed. If I understand your notice to mean a demand for three shillings and tenpcnce 3/10, it seems to little, but if it mean Three pounds ten shillings •£3 10 0 there is something radicaly wrong, please to explain, I have enclosed a money order for one pound Ll—o,o, and shall be waiting for your reply.” "Wednesday’s Herald says ;—“ A private meeting of the creditors of Mr William Harker was held yesterda}", Mr Newton in the chair. Mr Harker laid before the meeting some statements of accounts, from which it appeared that the total amount of his liabilities was LT676, and that he had expended £ll4O since July last. His assets amounted to between L7OO L’Boo, the principal amounts being furniture, L 305 ; claim on Meanee Mission for commission, L 220 ; cash advance for Mr Desmond in contesting the Hawke’s Bay seat, Ll7B ; and a promissory not of Mr Jackson. Mr Harker was requested to file a petition to be adjudicated a bankrupt, and he undertook to do so.” The Auckland Herald is rough on the American evangelists who are causing a religious excitement at Port Albert. It says : —“ It is high time that the parties who produce such scenes as those named should be made to feel that they are of the worst stamp of impostors. It is their way of securing a living, and is as discreditable as any of the low devices by which those who prowl upon society impose on their victims. Their practice is to quarter themselves on the w’ell-in-clined and hospitable, though week, people, and to change their habitat only when their imposture has been detected, or the resoufbes of their misguided benefactors have been exhausted.” Additional particulars of the religious excesses are to hand : —Several sist rs formed a ring round one of the unconverted, around whom, at command of the Lord, they danced seven times when it was prophesied the walls of Jericho, i . sinners’ obduracy, would give way. One evangelist pronounced the level of belief of another as “ a lie,” and there has been a split in the camp in consequence.

It is stated that the Government has recently issued fresh instructions to the terms upon which nominations for immigrants will bo received. The Government will fulfil all existing obligations, but no further nominations of single women will be entertained for the present. In cases where the husband is in the colony w'hose wife and family are at Home, the latter may be nominated on payment of the undermentioned sums. For the wife’s passage £1 10s, and outfit £1 ; for the passage of each child i>4 10s, and outfit of each 10s.