The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 September 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1875.

An inquiry into the stranding of the ketch Alert, was hold before Major Turner and Captain (Algers, acting ns nautical

assessors, on "Wednesday last, and the verdict arrived at completely exonerated the officers of the vessel and the pilot from all blame. We trust that the Government will lake early stops to provide a suitable anchor for this port, as it was conclusively shown in. the evidence that the late disaster to tbe Alert would have been avoided had heavier anchors been available. Those brought into requisition proved of too light a diameter, failing to take hold in the sandy bottom of our river, and the current eventually set the vessel on to the south beach. We regret to state that the ketch was not insured, as the policy effected in the National office had only force whilst the vessel was trading on the East Coast, but having encroached her restricted latitude, her claim was disallowed. As will be seen by advertisement, Mr William Dale has received instructions to sell her bull and gear, at three o’clock this afternoon. The Following are the names of t lie players selected to play in the cricket match on Saturday next, at Carlyle, between the heavy and light weights of the club. Heavy weights McKay, (Captain) Garwood, Taplin, Jenkins, Walker, Arundel!, Horner, Croft, Morse, Lupton, Mcßae Williams. Symes. Light weights--Frazer, (Captain), Baggett, Tonnent, Finnity, Meredith", Eeddln, Dasent, Dasent, Nicholson. Inman. Turner, "W. Frazer, Coworn.

As tlio time approaches for the Pate a District Jockey Chib race meeting, so does Iho interest increase with owners and trainers, who are anxious to get their favourites into racing shape. In our •advertising - columns will bo scon the programme of the races, and wo must say groat credit is due to the committee for the handsome added money given in almost every event, when it is taken into consideration that the Club is only in its infancy, and this their maiden meeting. The first day’s racing comprise four events. Produce, Patea District Cup, Scurry, and Ladies Purse. The second day lias also four evnts (not including a (he principal of which is the Jockey Club Handicap of 75 sovs, added to a sweep of 4 sovs. This, of course, is the great race of the meeting, and we have no doubt will have good entries, both in quality and quantity. The last few days have enabled owners and trainers to put their horses into active work, and should the weather hold line some of the “ dark-mis” will be put through the “ mill ” in a week or so. Both north and south we hear of horses likely to put in an appearance (some of these regular clinkers), and there is every likelihood of a good tussle for the great event. The names of (lie stewards (which appear in the advertisement) are alone a guarantee for the carrying out of the preliminaries to make it a success, and should “Old Raul” favour us with his company on the two days wo fed confident that the meeting of 1875 will be the greatest; success which has been attained in this district.

We learn that a good deal of dissatisfaction is expressed amongst settlers at lie action of the Defence Department calling in (he rifles now in possession of settlers formerly members of the late Patea Militia. They advance that peace among the two races is by no means permanently restored, and are desirous of being allowed to continue in possession of the rifles served out for their protection for a further period. The notification however, demands the restoration of all accoutrements, &c., to-day, or legal proceedings will he taken to recover their value against ’any militiaman neglecting to comply with the order.

The pure Clydesdale stallion President, a rich roan 4 years old, is advertised to travel this season between Hawera and Carlyle. We had the pleasure of inspecting- this horse some few days ago, and found him in the pink of condition, and full of muscle. His services, we have no doubt, will bo highly appreciated by the settlers of the district.

We observe in our obituary notice, says the New Zealand 'Times , the name of Mrs Vallance, wife 0. A. Vallance, Esq., of the Wairarapa and sister of Mr R. E. Mcßae, of Patea. Mrs ARillanco was the daughter of Mr Mcßae, of Nelson, one of the early settlers of that Province, and was first married to Mr Donald Drummond, of Wellington, who was unfortunately drowned whilst crossing the mouth of the Wairarapa Lake. .She was afterwards married to Mr Valiance, and has resided in the Wairarapa for a considerable number of years. She was much esteemed as a kind, genial good woman, ever ready to assist a new comer in making a home in this new land of ours, and her loss will bs deeply regretted by her family and a large circle of friends.

The Rev. T. F. Reeve, in response to an invitation from the Patea Good Templars, delivered a highly interesting lecture on

Templary, its constitution, and objects, at the Immigration Barracks, on "Wednesday evening last, and notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather, there was a very fair attendance. The rev. lecturer prefaced his address with an apology for the shortness of notice accorded to him, which necessitated his reading the lecture ; but tbe apology was not necessary, as the address disclosed a very careful study of the subject, and was interspersed with in. torosting statistical matter, showing the order’s origin and progress, the vice’s arising from intemperance, and the rev. lecturer at the conclusion of his address exhorted the newly-arrived immigrants in particular to join the order, assuring them that their compliance with the invitation would ensure them true friends. The address throughout was listened to witli marked attention, and was frequently applauded. Mr W. Williams occupied the chair. Mr Keys moved a cordial vote of thanks to the rev. gentleman for his highly interesting lecture, which was carried by acclamation. Mr Thomas Gordon has commenced business as a general blacksmith, in the premises adjoining Odgers’ Hotel. We learn that Mr Gordon possesses a very high reputation for workmanship, and his name is familiar with many in this district, as he started the business now so success | fully carried on by Mr AY. Williams, in Carl vie.

His Lordship Bishop Redwood is expect eel to arrive in Patea early next week. A meeting of Catholic residents is advertised to take place this evening, in the Catholic Church, at 7 p.m., to arrange matters for In's reception.

The Wairarapa Neirs- in discoursing on immigration affairs thus concludes a leading article—“At Gravesend an inspection took p l nco, but this, like the medical examination, was a complete farce. Many cases of drunkenness and fighting have occurred at the depot at Blackwall right under the nose of one who was supposed to be selecting sober industrious and still more of the emigrants bore on their countenances traces of leccnt illness and physical weakness. Very few indeed of the whole number were bona fide labourers, yet all were passed, and in some cases sickness broke out immediately after the ship sailed. Many of the immigrants were dirty, unhealthy-looking objects, picked up out of some of the back slums of London, and sent to till the soil and swell the population of New Zealand. This is strong language, hut it is nevertheless true, and can easily be borne out. The annals of our Pohce Courts will reveal the class of people we get. Ibe increase of drunkenness and crime is olden strikingly illustrated soon after the arrival of a batch of immigrants, and the small percentage of bona fide immigrants is so thoroughly well known in all parts of the cohmy as to need no comment from us. It is high time that a change was made in the conduct of our affairs in England, and it behoves our Ministers to see into this matter at once, and then wo may be able to secure the sending of some of the many thousand working people of England who would bo a credit to the colony, and materially assist in settling the country [Patca has fortunately enjoyed an immunity from the above character of immigrants. Ep. P.M.] A handsome present (says the Lyttelton Timed) was made lately by one of our most, respected citizens to bis little daughter, on her fourth birthday, in the shape of a receipted annual premium, for a policy of “Endowment" under the Government Insurance. The yearly premiums fall due on each successive birthday, and the receipted premiums, representing each on animal investment, go on accumulating' until the child’s twentieth year, on which birthday the last ) remium is paid, and the whole of the amounts paid in, merge on her twenly-hrst anniversary into a solid and handsome gift, presented by her father in the form of a Government cheque for £2OO, placed by him absolutely at her own disposal. This is a laudable example for fatherly foresight and fularc provision for a child, and doubtless many parents and guardians might have previcusly availed themselves of this secure and gradual means of investment, had they been aware that such investment by instalments existed. This is mentioned for the information of those who may not. be aware of the various ’shapes of Government Endowment. It mav lie stated that in the event of any child dying before the terra of payment of such endowment is due, all the money paid by the father or guardian to the Government (up to the date of death), is immediately refunded in full, but without interest.