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Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 63, 8 April 1881, Page 2

Bay of Islands Coal.— We have to acknowledge receipt of a pamphlet containing particulars of th<* B»y of Islan Is oal mine, also a number of testi monials to the excellence of the coal. Bye-law Committee. — The Committee of the County Council appointed to draw up a set of bye-laws met at Foxron on Tuesday last, and got through a good deal of work. Foxton Highways Board.— A meeting of the Foxton Highways Board was held at the Athenaeum on Monday evening last, when all the wardens were present. The business done was purely formal, consisting chiefly of the passing of accounts. Foxton-Otaki Road. —A few weeks ago Mr Nye got up a petition to the County Council, asking that body to have certain work done to the Foxton-Otaki road between the river and this town. The petition was numerously signed, and in due course handed to Mr Rockstrow for presentation to the Council. At the Bye-law Committee meeting on Tuesday Mr Rockstrow brought it before the councillors and as the work was one of great urgency, to make sure of getting it done before the heavy rains set in. the sum of £50 was voted for expenditure upon it. Tea Meeting.— The farewell meeting to the Rev. Mr Dewsbury, of Palmerston, took place in local Weslayan Church on Tuesday evening. The tea meeting began about six o'clock, and was largely attended. The edibles were provided by the ladies of the congregation, and gave every satisfaction, the display of fruit, confectionery, sandwiches &c, being exceedingly tempting. At 7.30 p.m., the public meeting began, and after the usual devotional exercises. Mr Jas. Linton took the chair and briefly addressed those assembled, expressing the general regret that was felt at the approaching departure of their pastor. Later in the evening he presented the rev. gentleman with a purse of sovereigns. Addresses were also delivered by the Rev. Mr Parsonson and several others. During the evening the church choir, under the leadership of Mr Hartley, sang a number of anthems, including "Awake! awake! put on thy strength, O Zion," "Happy beyond description he," and others, with very great taste. The Rev. Mr Dewsbury spoke feelingly of the great kindness he had received from all classes during his stay in Palmerston, and heartily thanked his people for their good wishes. In consequence of the delicate state of Mr Dewsbury's health he will be nnable to leave Palmerston for a month. His successor will probably arrive in a few days. Primitive Methodist Church— The Rev. Mr Horsley, who succeeds the Rev. J. Luke as pastor of the Foxton Primitive Methodist Church, has arrived and entered upon his duties. We cordially welcome the rev. gentleman, and hope his stay in our district will be pleasant to both himself and his flock.

Humas Skull.— While the workmen were engaged at the new bridge in the Foxton Main-street on Wednesday, they came upon a human skull amongst the sand. It appeared to be in a very good state of preservation, a number of the teeth being perfect. The jaw bone was found near the skull. It was taken charge of by Mr Russell, and was yesterday afternoon buried in the old cemetery near the Herald office. The skull was a Maori one. We believe it was dug up some years ago when the men sunk for the old bridge, and was than and there re-interred. Local Board.— The Foxton Local Board will meet at the Athenaeum this evening, at 7.30 o'clock. Police. — Inspector James yesterday visited Foxton for the purpose of inspecting the police buildings before drawing up his annual rep trt. His official district is a very large one, extending from Otaki to Waitara. A. &. P. Association;— In Wednesday's issue the Manawatu Times advocates the formation of an Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the county. We cordially agree with our contemporary as to the desirably of such an association being started, and quite irrespective of local considerations will be glad to support anything calculated to improve the stock in the district, and extend the practical knowledge of the farmers. Odd Fellows. —We are glad to see an attempt is being made to establish an Odd Fellows Lodge at Foxton. A meeting of persons willing to join will be held at the Athenaeum on Tuesday evening next. Olive Branches —At an extraordinary coincidence it may be mentioned that a few months ago two cases of triplets occurred in Wanganui, within two months of each other. In one case the family of the local gaoler received the addition, and the other case occurred in the family of one of the Wanganui constables. Both families resided in the old redoubt on Gaol Hill. All the youngsters in one batch are alive, in the other only one survives. School Treat. —The State School Treat Committee met on Tuesday morning. An offer from the Railway Department to convey the scholars to Bainesse was read, but was not entertained, owing to the difficulty of providing shelter if the day turned out wet. It was resolved to hold the treat in Mr Rockstrow's paddock, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee for the purpose, also to issue tickets to adults for admission to the ground at the rate of one shilling per head. The treat takes place next Toursday, April 14, and i the weather proves fine the youngsters may count on having a thoroughly enjoyable day. Taniwha.— The April number of Taniwha is to hand, and fully sustains the reputation this spirited and capitally-illus-trated comic paper has already gained. The cartoons show a decided improvement, the " set " on Inspector Foulis being really well executed. The Manawatu Coronership — We understand it is probsble Mr D. H. Macarthur will be appointed Coroner for Manawatu, vice Mr Piers Warburton, resigned. A petition signed by a number of Palmerst n residents was sent to the Minister of Justice asking that Mr A S. B. Forster, the Palmerston Clerk of Court, might be appointed to the vacant office, but the Government declined to accede to the request. Sandon Railway Co.— A meeting of the directors of the Foxton-Sanson Railway Co. was held at Messrs Thynne, Linton & Co's office on Wednesday. As no invitation to attend the meeting was sent to this office we are unable to report the proceedings. We will endeavour to obtain a copy of the minutes for publication in next issue. The Douglas Block. —In his speech at Newtown on Tuesday night Mr Hutchison said — In 1876 there was an Act passed known as the Douglas Settlement Act. Two gentlemen took up land on condition that they were, in a certain time, to place seventy families on it, but they had not done so, and were not interfered with ; they were members of the Government, and wealthy men. The Act, therefore, was not touched.