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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 122, 10 June 1876, Page 2

It is with real regret that we have, at this early period of the winter, to complain of the infamous state of some of the roads in this district, notwithstanding all the pledges that have been given respecting them. Even the road be tween here and Wanganui is in a shocking condition in places, and the steps taken to effect necessary repairs are simply ridiculous. In some places, loam in lieu of gravel has been used, and sloughs of despond of various depths are dotted along portions of the highway as thick as plums in _ a pudding. The injury and inconvenience thereby occasioned are almost incalculable, and if nothing is done, and we have a wet winter, it is just possible that communication may be almost cut off. But the road between here and W'anganui is a howling green to the track, we cannot say road, between idtawera and. Ketemarae, and in connection with this we are sorry to be compelled to charge Major Atkinson, member for the district, with a distinct breach of faith. Last year he faithfully promised that the work should be done, but it is apparently as far off as ever, and the route is one succession of bog-hplcs. Communication by vehicles has already almost ceased, and Mr Wilson, of the Ketemarae saw mill, has been compelled to stack his timber, where it will have to remain until the road is made passable. This is too bad, and the Government do not seem inclined to stir one finger in the matter. We believe that delay has been occasioned chiefly through want of gravel, or rather because the contractors could not come to terms with Mr Livingstone, who owns the only land near where suitable gravel can be found. Rurely when such a difficulty arose, a difficulty that threatened to defer the work indefinitely, it was the duty of the Government to step in and arrange it, as could easily have been done. Such was not the case, however, and the result is that another winter must pass away before the road can bo made, and, in the meantime, what has been done will have to be done over again. Under these circumstances, some prompt action should be taken, to at least patch up the worst places sufficiently to allow traffic to be maintained, and not permit a muddy blockade to be established. This much could bo achieved a comparatively small cost, and is the least the public have a full right to expect. If it is possible to push on the completion of the contracts, so much the better, but as that is hardly likely for some months to come, any temporary expedient that will keep open communication should be forthwith resorted to. We trust that the subject will attract the notice of our member, and that, however engrossed with the impending political battle he may be, he will find time to give, or induce some other person to give, instructions for the remedy of the evil complained of.

In our report of the proceedings of the Lit easing Court, we coupled wholesale Hcer se-holders witli bottle license-holders. This wai an error, the licenses granted under that hea l were wholesale only. We would direct the attention of our readers to an advertisement in another column, calling a meeting of those interested in re-forming the Patea Star Minstrels. The company won for itself golden opinions last year, and we see no reason why it should not again be reorganised this winter. We wish the promoters every success. Tenders are called for lining and seating the Wesleyan Chapel, and will be received till Wednesday next.

The Annual ploughing match, under the auspices of the Patea Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held in Mr Davis’ paddock, between here and Kakaramea, on the sth July next. The prizes to be given, will be liberal, ami great interest is felt in the result. We shall have more to say on the subject on a future occasion. Tlie Waihi Amateur Dramatic Club areup and stirring, and have resolved on g.ving the first entertainment of the season on or about the 29th iust., A piece has been selected and is in course of preparation, at 2 o’clock. We remind contractors, that tenders for work in Garscd liuad will be received by the Patea West Road Board up to Monday next.

It would almost seem as though the perpetrators of the Kakaramea outrage are to go unpunished after all. On Wednes* day last, a number of Maoris from all the surrounding districts came in, and Laurie, the man first attacked, who took out summonses for Broughton and Huraugi, was confronted with them, Broughton being one of the number, but failed to identify any of them as his assailants. Under such circumstances, it would bo clearly absurd to bring up any one, if no proof against him can be produced, and, as identification is a primary condition for conviction, the escape of the cowardly miscreants seems assmed. At the same time, we certainly hold it to he the duty of the Government to leave no stone unturned to ferret out the offenders, in order that they may be taught an unwonted lesson, and be convinced that however the brutal beating of a defenceless pakeha may bo a source of enjoyment to Maori roughs, it is a pleasure that cannot always be indulged in with impunity. Evidence, we doubt not, could be procured, were the Government in earnest in seeking it.

On Wednesday evening last, his Honor Judge Kenny gave his promised lecture at the Town Hall, in aid of the Carlyle Literary Society, the subject being “ History of the East India Company.” The learned lecturer very naturally feels a deep interest in India, and all connected with that magnificent portion of the British empire, inasmuch a; 1 it was the place of his birth, as we are informed, and the manner in whicli ho handled the subject showed conclusively that lie had studied it deeply. As might be expected it was not possible in one lecture to condense even a brief epitome of the Com" pany’s rise and long tenure of power, to show the vast changes that took place under the rule of the India House, when the descendants of the few original traders held sovereign sway, where their ancestors were glad to serve, to trace the events that made the rulers the ruled, the vassals, the chiefs, and the gallant deeds innumer. able that won for Great Britain so noble a possession. The lecturer therefore was necessarily only partially delivered, but we hope that on his next visit the remaining portion of John Company’s strange story will bo told as felicitously as the first portion was. The lecturer was heart and soul in the matter that he spoke of, and the largo audience were evidently deeply interested, highly appreciating the admiiable manner in which the romanticfacts were put before them. We regret that space will not permit us to give a resume of the lecture, which we may say was worthy of the gentleman who delivered it, and afforded great gratification to those, who were fortunately present to listen to it. Major Turner occupied the chair, and the funds of the Institute are likely to reap substantial benefit from the kindness of his Honor.

The first Good Templar’s Open Lodge of the season was held here on Thursday evening last, in the Town Hall, and despite the gloomy and chilly weather, the Hall was filled completely. On the platform the members of the Order, taking part in the entertainment, were grouped, the ladies on the right, and the gentlemen on the left of the chair, which was occupied by Bro. P.W.C.T. W. Williams. Mesdames llhodes, Keys, Davis ; Misses Higgins, Fish, and Patterson ; and Messrs Rhodes, Keys, Murray, E. Williams, and Patterson were on the stage, and each contributed to the evening’s amusement. Mr Meredith came forward fiom the body of the hall, and rendered good service by two songs, capitally given. Mr Taplin, too, though not a member of the Order, most goodnaturedly volunteered his aid, and sang “ The Old Sexton,” and “My Mountain Home,” with great effect. It would be invidious to criticise an entertainment of this kind, but if prolonged applause and repeated encores at the conclusion of all the songs, &c., are any criterion, it is very certain those present enjoyed themselves heartily. Mrs Taplin, in the most generous manner, not only lent her piano for the occasion, but very efficiently presided at it during the evening, playing several pieces at intervals with great taste. Miss Jenny Coutts also gave her aid in accompanying Mr Patterson m two capital Scotch songs. At the conclusion of the entertainment, the Chairman made a few remarks in support of the cause of Good Templarism, and announced that similar gatherings to the one held that evening would take place every month, during the winter months. On the next occasion they hoped to have part songs, &c., which there had not been time to prepare'for that' evening-. A cordial vote of thanks was unanimously given to Mrs Taplin for her kindness, after which the National Anthem was sung, and proceedings terminated.

“ Saunterer,” of the Wesi Coast Times || is responsible for the following A pair of trowsers caused considerable commotion in a place of worship on a recent Sabbath. A lady was observed to take her seat with a pair of these male garments hanging gracefully over one of her shoulders. It is only fair to say, however, that the lady was under the impression that the garment in question was her husband’s overcoat, and she was only made aware of her delusion when her neighbor in the pew in which she took her seat, called her attention to the inappropriate garment. The fair neighbor who did this kind action happened to possess—singularly enough—a tailor for a husband, and her possession sat beside her. Tire kind lady took the unmentionables away from the origmal introducer of them into the place of worship, and passed them on to her husband, who is reported to have grabbed them with suspicious eagerness. Things remained in statu quo until about ten minutes before the religious service concluded, when Mrs Tailor startled her fair but unsuspecting neighbor by uttering sotto voce the'following remarkable words, —“ Mrs , what do they want doing to ? ”

A very funny thing happened, illustrative of Chinese customs, near the famous city of Hong Chow. A wealthy married Celestial, who was not blessed with a sweet voiced wife, concluded to try a second venture in the great lottery. Making the acquaintance of an an oilytongued tailor through the medium of a pair of satin breeches he had ordered, he was informed there was a perfect angel longing for the nuptial chains. So the marriage-broker arranged the wedding ; the bride appeared in the orthodox scarlet veil ; the ceremonies were finished ; the beauty with the lily feet retired to the sanctity of the bridal chamber ; the anxious and expectant groom lifted the scarlet veil, and in the place of beauty he saw the wrinkles of age ; she was blind and deaf and dumb. The poor old hag had been used as a tool by the gay and festive tailor, who had robbed hia new friend of the big pile of Mexican dollars he had give to him to buy the bridal gifts and then disappeared. So much for the Chinese custom of taking a second wife, because you do not like the first, and of taking her to your bosom without looking at her before the fatal noose is tied.— Star.

Amateur phrenological research is turned to good advantage at Shortland. The Thames Advertiser, in acknowledging the receipt of £2 from a Mr Leydon, on behalf of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society, says the sura was not exactly subscribed by M r Leydon himself, but, as many are aware s Mr Leydon is an adept in phrenology, that is in reading character by means of bumpsMr Leydon’s great object appears to be to get hold of characteristic subjects, and his delineations, although only for the purpose of private information, are invariably acknowledged to be correct. In the pursuit of his legitimate game he dropped upon Mr James Mackay, and lost no time in manipulating. He read Mr Mackay’s character so accurately that he acknowledged its correctness, although the details were not very flattering to a gentleman whoso “ love of approbation” is a predominant characteristic, but the operator was so successful in touching up the bump of benevolence in his subject that Mr Mackay generously donated £2, to be applied by Mr Leydon to the funds of the Ladies Benevolent Society.