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Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 17, 9 June 1875, Page 2

During the last few days the weather has been very boisterous. On Saturday last about 6 a.m., we were visited by a severe hail storm, and the ground bore the appearance of a large sheet of snow. After the hail storm it rained incessantly till about noon, when the weather cleared, and it remained fine all the afternoon, with the sun shining brightly. However, early on Sunday morning a strong south-east gale commenced to blow, doing considerable damage to windows, fences, chimneys, and gardens in the town. The wind blew with such force that it shifted the Roman Catholic Chapel out of its proper position, and the building is now leaning over on one sid*. Owing to fears being entertained that the chapel would be blown down altogether, service was held in Mr F. McGuire’s large room. The Albion Hotel also suffered, some of the iron roofing and part of one of the chimneys being blown away. The wind was accompanied ■by heavy rain, and almost every house in the district suffered, on account of the water beating in. Such a gale has not been experienced here for eight years, since the time when the old Court-house was blown twelve feet from its proper position. The weather has now moderated, and we hope we shall not again be visited by such a gale. The p.s. Tongariro is still in the river, the bar being too rough to get out. The contractors for the erection of the Bank of Now South Wales here have been obliged to cart some timber overland from Wanganui, in order to prevent delay in the completion of the building. This must be rather expensive, but we suppose it will prevent the work from coming to a stand-still. The monthly meeting of the Education Board took place on Monday last, a report of which will be given in our next issue. At the monthly sitting of the Hawera R.M. Court on Saturday last (before Major Turner, E.M.), Mr James Southby, storekeeper at Kctemarae, was charged with Sunday trading. This being the first case of the kind brough before the Court in the district, the defendant was fined ss. The case of sly grog selling against the same person was dismissed. A number of debt cases were also decided. Mr W. Gowern’s monthly sale of stock takes place at Kakaramea to-morrow. For further particulars wo refer our readers to ow advertising columns.

We have received the following communication from a correspondent:— “ Among the notices for discussion at the next sittings of the Provincial Council, I notice one which was brought forward by Mr McGuire in January last, viz., the great desirability of commencing a section of the Waitara-Wanganui railway in this district. I was under the impression from the late meetings held by Mr Sherwood, that the whole question had emanated from himself ; but I am pleased to see that our other members are not forgetful of our interests. However much we may admire the energetic action which is being taken for so desirable an object, I think credit should be given where it is due.” A gentleman called on a rich miser, and found him at the table endeavouring to catch a fly. Presently he succeeded in entrapping one, which he immediately put into the sugar bowl and shut down the cover. The gentleman asked for an explanation of this singular sport. “ Til tell ye,” replied the miser, a triumphant grin overspreading his countenance as he spoke, “ I just want to find if the lassie steals the sugar.”