THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 3, 21 April 1875, Page 2

THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1875.

We notice that an alteration has been made in the hours of telegraph mails at Opunake and Stoncy River. During the winter months, and until further notice, the messengers will lo.tvc Opunake and Stoucy River at 8.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., arriving at their respective destinations at about the same hours as hitherto. Telegram’s for transmission by the morning’s. mail should bo presented at the TelcgrapiuQftico before 5 o’clock on the previous CA r ening. A pilot reserve has- been laid off at the Hoads, consisting of. '2B acres ; upon this will be; erected .t by pew Pilot house. The wardens of 'the Whenuakura Road District are performing good work in the fovmatiop,of the main road through that block,'thereby opening up for traffic that magnificent district. The Government Avbufd jiet*wisely in continuing the work right Through the bush, as by so doing they wbuld considerably enhance the value the land at their disposal, f Wo hoar that a ploughing- match is likely to take place shortly ; and Mr. Wilson, of Wairoa, having offered a donation of £5, provided the match is held on his farm, we have no doubt the committee will aA r ail themselves of his liberal offer. The late dry weather is beginning to exercise a most detrimental influence OA-er the grass, and if rain does not shortly make its appearance, it is feared that the interests of stock oAvners will suffer severely, as the grass noAv presents a tanned appearance.

We had the pleasure on Monday last of visiting and inspecting the new Maori whare, or meeting house, recently erected at Ketemarae. The structure faithfully portrays the extraordinary ingenuity which the Maori mechanic is capable of exercising, and (ho perfection which architecture lias attained among'the native race. The interior of the building - discloses a most peculiar style of workmanship, and its walls arc remarkable for the intricate and artistic manner in which the flax and raupo have been worked, affording quite an embellished appearance. The building is BG feet long by 22 feet in width, and 14 feet high. The studs, plates, battens, and rafters are about 14 inches in width by 4 inches in thickness, and strange to remark not a single nail has been introduced in their erection, the several pieces of timber having been mortised, in order to iit in the most correct manner, which gives quite a solidity to the building. There is a massive pillar in the centre, bearing a ridge-pole fully 2 feet in width by an enormous thickness, which sustains the weight of the entire roof. The building is thatched with an alternate layer of raupo, toi-toi, and mini, the latter material forming- the outer coating of the roof. The whare is the liberal gift of Pope Hoke, a i opxdar and good-natured chief, who is highly respected both among his own brethren and the whites, as a kind good-hearted fellow. The building has cost something like £SOO. These Jigures may perhaps he regarded as stretched, but nevertheless they are correct. The chief agreed to furnish the contractors with a certain quantity of spirits. Hour, stores, pork, Ac., as a quid pro quo for the work, and wo have a knowledge that one of Pope's orders to a storekeeper exceeded £2OO, while another readied £BO, to say nothing of many minor orders which wore received from the chief. The affair has been regarded as quite an event in the district, and the business people resident in that, quarter have in consequence bencfitted considerably from the execution of Pope’s orders. On the completion of the whare, a grand feast was held, at which the Maoris thoroughly enjoyed the frntsi of their labours. The Post Office at Whenuakurahas been abolished. We beg to draw the attention of the public to an extensive sale of stock to bo held by Mr. William Dale, at Ketemarae, on Friday next. The stock is the property of Mr. O’Donnell, who is about leaving the district. The sale will commence at one pan. Captain Blake, who has recently purchased a considerable quantity of grass seed from the Maoris resident in the Ketemarae district, which was obtained from the rich plains of Waimate, will divide the sum of ,£I,OOO among the natives during the week. The business people resident, in that quarter will no doubt find a slight improvement in their business after the division of the “spoil.” We wore rather surprised to learn Hint the rising district of Ketemarae is destitute of mail communication, its residents having to travel a distance of over four miles to the nearest post office in quest of their correspondence. Wo understand that Major Atkinson; during his late visit, recognised the incon-A-enienee the inhabitants Avere subjected to from the Avant of mail communication, and intimated that if a petition Avere signed and foi-Avarded to the Postmaster-General praying for its establishment, the matter Avould receive his best attention. We trust the residents Avill at once take the hint, and apply for the establishment of a Post Office in their midst.

We are pleased to notice an advertisement in another column convening a meeting for Saturday evening, at 8 o’clock, at the Albion Hotel, of all gentlemen interested in the formation of an Amateur Dramatic Club, for the purpose of inaugurating a scries of entertainments daring the winter months, in aid of some local object, to be approved of by a majority of members forming the proposed new club. Noav that the winter of our discontent is fast approaching, these class of social entertainments will no doubt be hailed with satisfaction by both sexes of the community, and are certain to bo cordially supported by the public. AA r c would take the liberty of suggesting to the members of the proposed club the advisability of directing its efforts to the raising of funds for the establishment of a public library, the existence of which would have a strong tendency to improve the intellectual minds of many. AYc hear the question frequently asked, Avhat has become of the Patea Foot Ball Club. Other clubs have already begun to stir themselves in the matter of practice, and arc almost certain to bo forwarding challenges to Patea, in Avbich case our club, avlio last year enjoyed a good name for its proficiency, Avould be certain to figure at a disadvantage in the field. It is, therefore, to be hoped that they Avill at once commence practice, in order to be prepared to meet the challenge of a foreign foe.

Fresh butter is getting scarce and dear in Auckland on account of dry weather and eowss are being sold because owners being .short of water cannot keep them in paddocks. A peculiar case has been before the Oamaru Bench. A young man named Walter Hoßsack, well to do, was charged with being illegally on the premises of a young woman named Allport. It appears Hossack is in love with a Miss Forrest, who lives with Miss Allport, and though she did not reciprocate the affection, and has forbidden him the house, he persists in annoying her to accept him, and on Sunday broke into the house, from which he was removed by the police. The Bench reserved judgment, Hossack’s counsel contending that he cannot be convicted under the Vagrancy Act, however imprudent and unjustifiable his conduct. The Banks will bo closed on Friday next, being St. George’s day. Mr. Win. Dale will hold a sale of fat stock to-morrow, at Manntahi, at 1 p.m. It will he observed from our advertising columns that the police intend strictly enforcing the provisions of the Municipal Police Ordinance, 1872, which Act has been extended to the town of Carlyle. As our readers may not perhaps be acquainted with the nature of its provisions, we may state that the Act provides against the keeping - of pigs within the limits of the town i boundary ; furious driving ; and the obstruction of public thoroughfares by the exposure of grinds. The large accumulation of plans and valuable documents in the Survey Office, Confiscated Lauds Office, &c., has rendered it necessary to provide a strong room. Tenders were accordingly issued, and Mr. Milroy is tho successful tenderer. The room will he built at the back of the Court House, Carlyle. We regret to learn that Mr Peacock, M.P.C., met with rather a serious accident on Saturday whilst attempting to lift a heavy post. It is feared that the result of the accident will Ixj means of incapacitating tho gentleman from attending to his business for several weeks. Wc learn (says the “Otago Guardian”) that the Hon. Robert Campbell has successfully negotiated a portion of the Oamaru loan—Mr. A. W. Lowe having- purchased debentures to the extent of £20,000, at £9O, bearing interest 7 per cent. Ten hundred and twenty-three immigrants arrived in the Colony during last month. Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington received them. The “ Dunedin Star” says ; —“ The Good Templars at Waikouaiti are evidently in earnest, and mean business. There not being any store in the district but what is engaged in the liquor traffic, the Good Templars have determined to form a Limited Liability Company, with a capital of £I,OOO, and open a store on their own account, iu w'hich the obnoxious lirptor shall not appear,” A meeting wall he held at Manutahi on Wednesday, the 28th April, to take into consideration the matter of petitioning the Government, praying that the road through the sand hills may he made before the winter sets in. This is a step in the right direction, and we hope the settlers of Carlyle and Haw-ora will support the petition. It seems a somewhat singular fact that this piece of road should have been so long neglected, as it is notoriously the worst piece on the lino from Carlyle to Hawcra. Tenders have been advertised month after month, commencing nearly two years ago ; and why some sent in were not accepted, we are at a loss to understand. One reason why the work is not now- being carried on is that during the long delay the money which ought to have been expended lias been frittered awa}elsewhere. The way in which road works have been carried out in this district, lias been simply disgraceful, and of this the settlers arc fully aware. Wc consider Mr. O. Carrington much to blame in tho mutter, and wc hope the settlers will make out a good case, for such they evidently possess.

After an experience of New Plymouth climate, extending over thirty years, we do not remember such an unhealthy season as the present one, in which the mortality has been so great, or has included so many in the prime of life: most of the deaths have been, wo believe, from pleuropneumonia. We have great faith in Dr. Dewar’s cure for it, in animals or human beings, fumigation with the vapour of burning sulphur, or what would be more scientifically termed, the inhaling by the patient, of the fTimes of sulphurous acid. As some doubt has been thrown on the existence of plcuro-pnemnonia, a reference to any standard medical work will satisfy anyone that it is here, as well as the measles.—“ Taranakic News.”

Mr. Holt, of Christchurch, and formerly of the Union Bank, Melbom-ne, has been appointed manager of the Bank of Now Zealand, at Sydney, at a salary of £1,500 per annum. Flour will extinguish the flames of burning kerosene promptly. It readily absorbs the fluid, deadens the flame, and can be readily gathered up and tin-own out of doors.

An Auckland telegram in the u Lyttelton Times” says that Mr. Beckham, 11. M., will shortly retire, and will be nominated to the Upper House. The Melbourne Cricket Club has decided to send to England for a professional bowler, at a salary not exceeding £l5O per annum. Princess Beatrice, it is positively announced, will marry the hereditary Grand Duke of Baden. Both are eighteen years old, and the marriage takes place in twelve months. In the “Tagblatt” of Vienna, is published "* a singular telegram from London statingthat Prince Louia Napoleon and his mother, the Empress Eugenie, have contracted with certain English hankers a loan of three and u-hiilf millions sterling, that Queen Victoria gave it a guarantee, and that the affair was conducted by the financial agent of the Prince of Wales.