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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 52, 10 April 1878, Page 2

We have to thank Mr Moinet, the manager of the Poxton line, for a copy of the' proposed time-table, and in accordance with our promise proceed- to criticise its : merit's.- Before doing so, however, we must congratulate the department upon the judicious course it adopted in inviting suggestions from die public before being fully committed; to the scheme, for we feel bound to state that in our opinion the table is open to vast improvement. As we understand the arrangements, it is proposed that but one train should run through the entire line daily, starting from Foxton and Wanganui simultaneously at ten each, morning. In addition to those, there are evening trains, starting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, at five in the evening, from both termini, but proceeding no further each way than Halcombe. On the mail days it is proposed that the evening train should leave three hours later than on the other four: days, in order to; ,wait for the Wellington coach, but as it likewise stays overnight at Halcombe, neither mails nor passengers arrive at Wanganui until next day. This we consider quite sufficient to condemn the arrangement, as we were certainly led to expect that, with the opening of the line, both mails and passengers could be taken through from Wellington to Wanganui in one day. The 'distance, we believe, between Foxton and Wanganui is somewhere about seventy-five miles, and it is simply preposterous to think one through train, per day is sufficient. We hold that it is not too much .to ask that two trains should run both ways, the one starting at six in the morning, and the other at four in the afternoon... By. this arrangement persons having business) in Wanganui could leave Foxton in the morning, breakfast at Halcombe, have five hours, in which to transact their affairs, and be back again by nine the same night. And now, with regard to the Wellington mails, we have it on the best authority that immediately upon the opening of the line, Messrs Hastweli, Macara & Co. intend establishing a daily line of coaches' between Wellington and Foxton, so that by leaving the former place two hours earlier than at present, Foxton would be reached, in time for the evening train, and mails and .passengers landed in good time Wanganui.* We make no reference to goods-trains, for we feel quite certain that ere long distinct arrangements will Have to be. made* for the timber trade, and, consequently, confine onrselves to dealing with the passenger traffic. We offer the suggestions in ■ the' firm belief that the requirements of the district necessitate far more extended provision than is contained in tho proposed table. Mr E. T. Q-illon, the editor arid manager of the new morning paper at Wellington, "The New Zealander," arrived in town yesterday evening, by train from Foxton, Mr Gillon is at present travelling throughout the North Island, making arrangements for agents and correspondents, it being his determination to hare the paper represented in:every town in the oolony, sojas to make it what it lays claim to be, the journal of New Zealand. "The New Zealahder " will make its appearance on the 29th inst., be published at one penny, and in addition to an efficient staff- in Wellington, will' have able writers in the different provinces, so as to publish a precis of every matter of interest. Mr Gillon has recently returned from the South Island, and during his visit he secured the services of some of the ablestcontributors in both Dunedin and Christchurch. We have been forwarded the prospectus for publication, but regret the crowded state of our columns compels us to delay -its insertion till next issue ; meanwhile we may state that it will advocate liberal views, and endeavor to become the exponent of national sentiments on all colonial questions. The drawing for ; the harmonium, as advertised in our columns, took place at the Clarendon Hotel, on Saturday night, and resulted in it again becoming the property of Mr Summerhays, by whom it was raffled. To account for this coincidence it may be stated thatt he full number of tickets, not having been taken up, Mr Summerhays bought them in himself, with one of which he became the winner. We have been informed that Mr P. Byrne, the owner of the race horse Awahou, has disposeS of the animal to a gentleman hailing from Napier, the sum received being £100. We are pleased to be able to announce that the vacancy in -the head-mastership of the Palinerston School,' caused by the death ' of Mr Waite, has been filled up by the appointment of Mr Locke, who for* the last ten years has held a similar position in the Rangitikei district. When the application was received, the school committee Communicated with Mr Lee as to Mr Locke's adaptability for the post, and that gentleman forwarded the very highest recommendation in his favor. Mr Locke was in Palmerston in the earlier part of the week, making the neeessary .arrangements, so that we may expect in a few days that he will commence his duties, and take possossion of his charge. ' We are glad .to see -that our repeated strictures upon the insufficient wharfage accommodation at Foxton, appears to be bearing good fruit, as the Government, recognising the neoessity for greater facilities for timber export, have given orders for the addition to the jetty of a another berth. Although that will be a far way off of meeting the requirements of i the trade, yet, as it is a step in the right direction, we must be thankful for small favors, ; and receive the concession with becoming gratitude. We trust, however, that ere long, the Government will become alive to > the fact that the time has now arrived *v^

whenapermament harbor Bcheme should be ■commenced, and the obstacles which havehitherto militated against Foxton becoming the principal port on the West Coast, removed. .. A game of quoits was played at Foxton dming the. week -.between Mr Valentine, of the Lower Hutt, and Mr P. Byrne, of sporting 'celebrity. The game, which was for £10i was a -very one-sided affair, for although Mr Byrne scored first, almost from the ,starV' he" was -completely out' of .the game, the following being the score of each : —Valentine— o, 1, 0, 1,- 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 0, 0, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0, ;2,- 2, 0, 2 ; total, 21. Byrne— l , 0, 1, 0, 0,0, 0, 0,0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0 ; total, 6. A second game was then played, and although Mr Valentine at its start was willing to give a liberal handicap, his opponent would accept of no concession, and the Fates being still unpropitious, he he was defeated by oven a greater majority than before. On to-morrow Mr Ernest Thynne will hold three important auction sales, at his sale room, Foxton. The first will embrace a valuable Freehold Farm, of 165 acres, •within one mile of the Foxton Post Office, with a 'small cottage thereon, and about twenty acres sown down in English grasses. The terms are of the ltitofc liberal kind; and as the property must be . sold,.- the highest bidder will obtain it. After disposing of the above, a few sections on the Deferred Payment "Block, ranging from one. to four acres, will be submitted afc the upset price of £3 an acre, for- the acre: sections, and Jt>6 103 ah'acre of the larger ones j and laier on in the day will be offered that suburban section iti\J?6xtoTi, No; 229, containing 4>. 3r ; $0p: on terms which will be mentioned at the sale. . We are credibly informed that arrangements are pending : for the disposal of WhyteV Hotel,: Foxton. We have heard the amount asked for the property, but as nothing has been definitely, settled,. we do not feel at liberty to make it known. How-, ever, Mr Valentine, of the Lower Hutt, is the probable ; purchaser, and the amount, asked, a good round sura. .; We. would draw- the attention of contractors to the fact that tenders for the various works ,under "the Manawatu Highways Board, 'must be sent in t'd 'the Chairman not later than ten o'clock on Friday morning. 'Particulars bf- the work required will be found in another portion of fthis issue.. Amongst the passengers from Foxton to Palmerstbn last evening Was Mr John Knowles, Under-Secretary of Public Works, and Mr'Maclean, solicitor, who has returned frem the Supreme Court Sittings.