The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 62, 13 November 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1875.

Mr Coutts Ims lost no time in making preparations for the erection of his flour mill, and in a comparatively short time it will bo in full swing - and ready for grist, lie has .selected a site at Kakaramea, and has I ■ .scd the necessary amount of ground from ihe Messrs Williamson, of that place. The mill site itself is to be in a hollow, through which a small but deep stream runs, and the dam will cover what is now it swamp on the edges of the brook. Tins stream has the advantage of never drying in summer, nor of being unduly swollen during - the winter rains, and the position chosen is, in all respects, exceeding suitable for the purpose in view. It is a little distance from the road, hut a good approach can readily be made to the mill. There is already a quantity of timber on the ground, supplied by Mr Wilson’s mill at Ketemarae of all -sizes, some 10 x lOin for the most massive portions of the work. It is matai of excellent quality and admirably suited for the uses it is to be put to. The mill will certainly ho in working order by harvest time, and will he a great convenience to farmers in the district, whilst at the same time the enterprise of Mr Coaitts connot fail to meet with a fitting recompense. Whilst on the ground we took the opportunity of looking over the Messrs Williamson’s farm, tiio proprietor most courteously showing - ns over it and being mosthospitable in addition; we need hardly say that our best thanks are due and cordially tendered to,him. The farm comprises 652 acres all well and substantially fenced. It is divided into several paddocks, in which stock of all kinds and first class quality arc contained. Some of the sheep were specially deservingof notice and, though the liock is not a large one, some of! the heaviest fleeces wc have seen this season, will be found amongst them, lie has also a considerable amount of land laid down In grass, oats, aiid wheat, and there are some paddocks intended for hay, with grass knee high. The garden portion is also well looked after and some very vegetables and small fruit will shortly be ready for table. Kakaramea has already its Town Hall ; it will shortly have a mill, lias monthly stock sales, and altogether is growing rapidly in importance. The grass and crops look splendid and the district bears every evidence of solid and substan. tial prosperity and progress. Notification had been given relative to revising the ratepayers’ roll for the 24tb Road Board District, to which wc recently' referred, and Thursday last was the day appointed. At the hour named, 2 p.m., the only member present was the chairman (Mr Derrctt), and the proceedings therefore lapsed. Possibly this was as well as not, and before proceeding further, it should be a question with" the three gentlemen nominated whether it would not bo wisdom on their parts to take care that their constitution as a public body is made unimpeachable.

The Commissioners of the Patca West Road Board will meet on Monday next, the 15th iiist., at I p.m., for the purpose of hearing objections to the rate roll fbf 1875-6. Tenders for works on Ganb, Ball, and Manutahi roads will' be received by ihe Patea West Road Board up to 2 p.m. on Monday next, at the office of Mr W. DalCj ■secretary. Wo remind cricketers that aa extraordinary general meeting of tiio Patca Cricket Club will bo held this evening at 8 o'clock, the Court House being the place of gathering. There has, unfortunately, been a little unpleasantness owing to some cause or other, not necessary to refer to, but we understand the olive branch will be held'out to-hight, and all differences arc likely' to bo healed to the satisfaction of all parties. We need hardly say we sincerely' hope such may be the case, so that a united club may carry on operations harmoniously during the season just commenced.

A most interesting uiiil instnicLivc,lecture, in the cause of temperance, was delivered on Thursday evening, by Captain Sheet, at the Court House.' There was a very good attendance, this no doubt being in some measure owing to there being no charge for admission. The lecturer, in the course of his remarks, depicted the evils of intemperance, showed that it was easy for the most continued timer to reform, and read a number ol: statistics hearing on the question, proving that th'-' working men obtained a lower per cent ago* for their labor, in (he production ol: beer, or spirits, than in any other trade. He dwelt oil the loss sustained, both indivi dually and collectively, by drink, and he also referred to the great number of crimes having their origin from the same source! ami the cost of their repression. He also advocated woman’s right to vole uti any matter in connection with public houses’ In reference to liquor answering the pmpose of food, lie said that a gallon 01. beer in nutriment, was only equal to a penny loaf and he also spoke of the vile adulterations that the liquors vended were subjected to. He concluded an excellent lecture by quoting examples of the ill effects of liquor, from the early ages downwards, and congratulated those present on the fact that drinking habits ware steadily on the decline. After a few remarks from other speakers in support of the cause the meeting separated. The Town Board held a special meeting last night, all the members being present. The business was to make an estimate of expenditure and a schedule of works, and to determine what rate should bo struckIt was resolved to impose a .sixpenny rate, to be spent as follows : —Hoad from Bed-ford-street to wharf, .£100; footpaths,’ £4O ; contingencies, £lO ; drainage, £23 . With reference to tui engineer, it was resolved that on the arrival of Major Atkinson—daily expected in Palca—a deputation from tire Board should wait on him, and ask that the occasional services of a Ciovcnimcnt engineer should he allowed them. This was all the Business, after which the meeting tonninatexi. A narrow escape from a miserable death occurred on Monday night last. A man named Michael Sweeney had Been indulging too freely in stimulants, and by some means or other, cither fell into the open culveit, opposite the Aus/rahrsian Hotel, or selected that spot as a resting place. Be this as it may, Sergeant Wlielan found him there at 10 o’clock at night, blissfully unconscious of the rain and wind that was pouring on and howling around him. By the aid of the police he was better bestowed in the lock-up,, and, having been introduced to the Bench, next morning, was lined ns, with (lie usual alternative. The tine was paid. Thedanger in man was may he well estimated, if the state of the weather at that time be taken into consideration. Before morning the place where lie was. lying was the bed of a r taring torrent, and, but for his providential discovery by the sergeant lie must inevitably havehave been drowned. The Kakaramea Town Hall is to be opened on Wednesday next with great eclat, ami a large number of visitors are expected. There will be a tine moon, and. the weather appears settled, the entertainment will l>e well worth a visit, and a dance will lie (lie wind up. Under tfcioso circumstances a crowded house is certain.

The settling day for (ho late races; is fixed fot this day week, when stakes will bo handed over to the owners of winning horses. It was intended to fix Monday as the day, but a number of subscriptions are not collected, and a postponement has been rendered necessary in consequence. The race ball given by Mr M'Leau, of Wairoa, on Tuesday and Wednesday last were not as well attended as they might have been. Mr M‘Lcan provided an excellent band, and the refreshments, it is hardly necessary to say, were unexceptionable. Those who were present enjoyed themselves greatly, and thclos.s only was to those who stiyycd away. It has been definitely fixed that the next Colonial prize firing shall take place at Wanganui, Rules and regulations to bo observed are published, but we are compelled to bold them over till our nextissue.