The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 47, 22 September 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1875.

After a hopeless struggle the Oppofftion, or at least that portion ol it not wholly bereft of common sense, has agreed to withdraw all factions opposition to the passage of the Abolition Bill, and to confine its efforts to the amendment of the bill during its passage through Committee. But a few of the hot headed defenders of Provincial institutions cannot keep to their good intentions for a day together, and we see Mr Reader Wood at one time, and Mr Stout at another, jumping up and offering the most puerile objections to the various clauses ot the Bill. D they were sensible men they would see that a minority so small as the one they help to constitute, is utterly powerless to force its wishes on the House, and would, in acc>. pting defeat, settle down to an unobtrusive attempt to amend the faults of the Bill as it passes through Committee. By such a meritorious selfsacrifice they might achieve something useful, and spare their friends the shame of seeing them playing the part of spoiled children. The spectacle afforded by Sir George Grey scattering accusations broadcast against the Government —accusations, too, of so serious, a nature that their ntterer hardly dare refer to them outside the privileged precincts of Parliament—is a most pitiable one. If Sir G. Grey can prove a tithe of the charges he has brought against the Government, collectively and individually, he should take steps to do so without delay, as were ministers guilty of many of the things laid to their chargc by the leader of the Opposition, they would richly deserve translation to “ another place,” where the Government benches are not quite so comfortably cushioned, nor the “rules of the House” so elastic; but although so lavish of accusations Sir George Grey is singularly niggard of proof, in fact, admits lie “ almost despairs of proof” of the charges he has been so indiscreet in making. We would be the last to censure a member for bringing the wrong doings of either a Government or its individual members to light, as we deem it a duty which every man owes to his Allow men, that he shall not allow

wrong: doing - to go on undenounced or unnoticed. But it is equally binding lliat no one shall accuse his neighbour of improper action,s without first being assured of the truth of such allegations, and of the means of proof, it is a despicable tiling to make serious charges and then to shrink from the proof, and wc hope Sir George Grey will not attempt to make any more until he shows he 'bad some reasonable ground for making those above referred to. The Abolition Bill is so far getting through c nnmitte ; favourably, as the few amendments made have been only such as went to increase the usefulness of the measure. It will in all probability emerge from committee in a very creditable guise, having its obvious defects carefully framed, and its best parts carefully protected from the mischievous hatchet of tlie Provincial party, who would fain deal it a death blow. We feci a little dubious as to how the Bill will fare with the “ Lords” who are generally in favor of leaving things as they are, but from the numistakeablo way in which the country has declared in favour of abolition, wc hardly think the elder respectabilities, who recoil in horror from Hie bare idea of marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, will risk their own abolition by standing in the way of that of the Provinces. Besides, we think the members of the Upper Chamber, being men who do not hold offices of profit under Provincial Government, will view the matter in a very different light to that through which the question is looked at by the prominent members of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, who to a man, we were going to write, hold some Provincial office or oilier. No wonder that some of them fight for their cherished form of Government; it is the only one under which many of them could hold office, and they cherish it accordingly. Whatever else is laid to their charge they cannot be called ungrateful to their political foster mother. How Air Reader Wood, (he father of the Abolition resolutions of last session, could, so far soothe his qualms of conscience as to notoriously renounce the General Government and all their works, but to actually take an office of profit under a form of Government lie had been at such pains to denounce, fairly passes our comprehension. He would be a “ cabinet ” maker, but has only made himself notorious as a “ turner” and “joiner.” Ho lias forfeited all claims to stability of jmrpose, and has earned for himself the nnenvious character of a political weathercock, with its head the wrong way. Perhaps by the time the general elections comes on he will once more be clothed in Ids right mind and have abjured Provincialism with an inward resolution lo keep clear of its allurements for the future ; if he does not, ho may liml himself out in the cold bewailing the demise of his popularity.

A jiektinc has been convened by His Honour A. Btandish, Esq., Deputy Sn-P'-rinteinlent of the householders of the Patea District, at the Court House, Carlyle, for to-morrow (Thursday), at 12 noon, to elect two members for the Patea Education Board. It will be remembered that at the last session of the Taranaki Provincial Council, the Government upon a motion tabled by Mr Peace E. brought down a Bill to amend the Educational Ordinance for the purpose of increasing - the number of members forming' the Board from live to seven, and it is to 1111 the newly-created s mts that the ratepayers are summoned for to-morrow. We regret the very short notice afforded to the publicity of this important announcement, as it is almost impossible for it to be read by the general bulk of the ratepayers in time to allow them an opportunity of being present in order to take part in the proceedings. Anything tending to increase the power of so important a body us the Education Board, should not bo dealt with in a hasty manner, as the proper a Iministration of our educational affairs is all-important to parents having - children to be instructed in our public schools, and wc, therefore, trust that a sufficient number of candidates will be proposed, in order that a poll may follow, to afford the ratepayers an opportunity of considering the respective merits of the candidates to fill the position to which they may aspire. The Board, so far, have conducted its affairs in a most admirable manner, and wc should very much regret to learn of any discordant element being imported by the result of the forthcoming election to mar its proceedings. We, therefore, trust that the ratepayers will pay due attention to the qualifications and aptness of the different candidates soliciting their suffrages, as large discretionary powers are vested in the hands of the Board, and with the prospect of its revenue being considerably increased from the receipts of the reserves shortly to be handed over to the Board, and the endowments to be made under the proposed Local Government Bill to Educational bodies, it behoves them to look carefully around them and select two fitting representatives likely to work harmoniously with the present Board.

His Lord hip Bishop Redwood has intimated his intention visit Patea on Friday next, and at a meeting of (he Catholic residents of Carlyle, held on Monday even, in# last, to make arrangements for His Lordship’s reception, the following programme was arranged, subject to the Bishop's approval : —The reception committee will leave Carlyle at 11 ;vn. on Friday next, for Whenuaknra, where His Lordship will be met, and a buggy (which has been placed at -the disposal of the Committee by Mr McGuire) will be in waiting, in which the Bishop will be driven into Patou, accompanied by as many members the Church who can make it convenient te ride out. The buggy will halt opposite Sir McGuire’s cottage, and his Lordship will descend and partake of refreshment. An address of welcome will be presented to the Bishop in the Church at 7 p.m. It has been arranged that a number of young girls, dressed in white, with white veils, will form a line on each side of the aisle, under the charge of Mesdames Lyttelton and Wheolan, and as His Lordship outers the Church, the children will sing the hymn of the Good Shepherd, At its conclusion, the address of welcome will bo presented, when His Lordship’s reply will follow. After the ceremony being concluded, the Bishop will be driven out to Mr Burke’s residence at Manutabi, where it is understood His Lordship will reside during his stay in this district.

The schooner Blackwall arrived in port on Monday last from Lyttelton, having left that port on the 11th inst. She brings a cargo of oats, chec c e, coal, and Woods’ Hour, and is consigned to Mr S. Taplin, of this town. The whole of her cargo has been landed in sjdendkl condition. We learn that two of our enterprising settlors—Messrs Gano Bros.—have chartered the s.s. Egniont to proceed to the Wairan (o load up for this port, with agricultural implements, fencing and building material. &c. She is expected to arrive in Patea about the 29th inst. The sum reported to be paid for the charter is £l2O.

The ketch Alert was submitted to auction by Mr William Dale, on Saturday last, and a number of intending purchasers wore attracted to the sale, but the condition of the vessel dispelled all hope of launching her, as she was fast breaking

up. The hull was purchased by Mr John Milroy for £2O, who, we understand, intends using the timber of the ketch for the construction of a wharf. The sails, spars, hawsiers, &c., were sold at very fair prices, considering the expense likely to attend the transit of these articles from the scene of the disaster to a favourable market.

As will be soon by an advertisement, (in Provincial Treasurer has authorised Mr William Coweru to take proceedings against defaulting ratepayers in the 24th and 2(Jth Toad Districts, for the recovery of all yoad rates now overdue, and also those that may hereafter become due, and remain unpaid in the above-named districts.

The Wellington Education Board have once more jibbed at the building of the above. It appears that they called for tenders and received one from a Wairoa firm and another from a Patea contractor ; the Palea one being the lowest, £‘24o, was of course accepted, but the successful tenderer, ap pare ally having discussed that, he was 100 low, refused to take up the contract. Upon hearing of this the Wairoa tenderer, for the sake of getting the building up, reduced their ofler to the

lowest possible limit which would pay them, viz., £271. The Board at its last meeting decided to adhere to the £240 tender, or if it could not bo done for that, the balance £3l must be paid by the people. The Board appear to have fancied they had the power of Parliament to tux the people, but the people do not see it, and have distinctly refused to allow it. The Board have ample funds at their disposal, and there is no reasonable excuse for not putting up the house at once, and now that a new Board has been elected to take the place of the last somewhar poor apology for a Board, we hope to hear no more of such paltry dealings.

It is gratifying - to loam that the eight bush sections submitted at the Late confiscated land sale, and passed, have since been taken up at upset prices, Mr A. C. Fookes, of Wairoa, being the purchaser of six. Mr Wilson, of Whenuakura. one, and the other was applied for by telegraph yesterday. The only lots now remaining undisposed of, included in the catalogue of the late sale, are three sections, which are overrun with sand-drift, and almost of a worthless character. We trust that the respective Road Boards having charge of this newly-acquired territory, will urge upon the Government their claims for liberal subsides out of the proceeds of the late sales, foi the purpose of constructing roads in order to assist the purchasers in turning their land to profitable account.

— ~ — 7 —,-r~Ti w ii!■ hi 1 ih trUrirriili' '-'r Tr'ii T Wo beg- to direct attention to an important auction sale to be held by Mr William Coworn, in the spacious upstair room, over Mr McGuire’s store, on Saturday next, at 2 p.m., of a lot of new furniture, wines and spirits, drapery, crockery, and merchandise.

Dr. Walker notifies in our advertisingcolumns his intention of visiting Wairp'n on Friday, for thy purpose of perfoh s ing free vaccination in that dist ■Parents who have hitherto been compelled to submit to the inconvenience of bringing their children into Carlyle for the purpose of complying with the Act, will be glad to learn of the welcome change in the conduct of vaccination in this district.

We are glad to observe that a new industry—the manufacture of butter kegs—has been established at Wairoa by an experienced cooper, and the kegs are pronounced perfect by competent judges. The exceedingly moderate prices quoted in the advertisement should alone be sufficient to completely shut out the foreign article, and vve trust butter makers will find it to their interest to encourage the new industry, by forwarding- their orders to Mr John Gibson, of Carlyle, Mr J. Davidson, Hawera ; or Mr T. Lloyd, Whennakura, early, in order to mark their appreciation of the manufacturer’s desire to establish such an important industry in our midst.

Scaled tenders will be received at the Chief Post-office, Wellington, until Saturday, the 2nd October, for the conveyance of the Inland Mail Service. Full particulars will be seen in our advertising columns.

We learn that the total receipts from the late confiscated land sale amounted to £14,295. These figures should surely dazzle the eyes of our Government, and induce them to expend a little of the proceeds in order to encourage settlement, which would have the effect of enhancing the value of the land to be next submitted to auction.

The establishment of a saw mill in the Patea district is now ail but an accomplished fact, and in the course of a few weeks we may reasonably hope to hear of the saws being actively employed in the interest of the venture so pluckily undertaken by Mr K. Wilson, who has spared no expense in providing first-class machinery, and wo sincerely hope that builders and settlers will use their best efforts to discourage the importation of timber from the Bound, and other places, as it is believed that Mr Wilson will be in a position to supply timber from the Kctemarae bush equal in quality and price to any that has hitherto been imjmrted, and as the development of this industry is likely to add materially to our population, we trust that ft will ho encouraged hy those who bine the welfare of the district at heart. Owing to the wet weather pre- - valent during the winter months, the country in the vicinity of the site selected for the mill, was of too boggy a nature to permit of the transport of the heavy engine to its resting place, but as the late fine weather had the effect of considerably improving the condition of the bush roads, the machinery will bo forwarded without delay. As will be seen by an ad--vcrlisement, Mr Wilson is advertising for two competent sawyers. Wo regret to learn that measles and fever of a dangerous malady have broken out among the .Maoris at Parihaka, and that the mortality which has taken office in that quarter during tire last lew days is' alarming. It. is t eported that upwards of 40 Maoris have departed to that “bourne from whence,no traveller returns.”

A t rap and horse were standing opposite Mr Fur'ong’fii store yesterday afternoon, in which were seated three young children, when the horse suddenly took fright and bolted at a smart pace down the road, and but for the courage displayed by Mr Felix McCarthy in promptly arresting the fugitive annual, a serious accident jnigli* have followed.

The Immigration Officer invites tenders for the erection of 18 chains (more or Jess) of paling fencing round the Immigration .Barracks, Gariyio, up to 2 p.m. on Satur-

day next. Mr Williams, the District Surveyor, is now engaged laying oil the main drains to be constructed by the General Government, in the swamp disposed of by" auction at the late laud sale, and as willbe seen from an- advertisement published -

in another column, tenders are already 7 invited for the work. Captain Wray is deserving of every credit for so early carrying out the promise of the Government, and wc trust that tiie earnestness shown in this matter will lead to the early construction of roads in the Okcrtuku block. Mr John Gibson has already commenced to improve bis suburban sections in tbc swamp. We learn that Mr F. McCarthy has chartered the BJaekwai! from this port for' Nelson to convey a cargo of lr.de>*tallow,pigs, &c.

The? Native settlem -nt of I‘arihnka lias presented a very ani nil ’ll appearance (luring the week. About l,h'o Maoris have .'mended—a larger number than ever mot there before. There .re at tlrs time two hundred houses in the. village which is an increase of forty in two years On Tuesday the food for the great feast < was distributed. , It consisted of 6,200 kits of |v<taloe.s, kiunaras and taros, 0 bullocks, lift pigs, 22 bags of sugar, 1,800 dried sharks. A present of ISO blankets was also distributed among tin* guests. The korcro commenced on Friday. Messrs. Commissioners Parris, Brown and party also Messrs. White, and Durham have arrived from New Plymouth. The weather is very favorable for the ceremony.— Taranaki New*.