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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 129, 5 July 1876, Page 2

The Financial Statement was made by the Colonial Treasurer last night, in the House of Representatives, and we had made all arrangements for its publication, notwithstanding its great length. Owing however, to delay in Wellington, in telegraphing it, we were not able to carry out ent intention in this respect, and are therefore compelled to hold it over till our next issue. We may remind the “ brethren of the ■mystic tie,” that the Patea Kilwinning Lodge meets to-night, when important business, in connection with the Order will be gone through. Thd r p|gaighing match under the auspices of the Patea Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is, as will be seen by advertisement postponed, as far as white competition is concerned. The native match v will, however, come off to-day as previously announced. Ycstqrday was not only the anniversary ,of the declaration of American independence, ;bst completed the century since that memorable sll3O. As a matter of ..course high festival was held in America, and probably in the-clfief towns of the colonies, but in oyr district the event called forth no enthusiasm., nor oven the mildest display of banting anyAvhcro. We again specially remind our readers t\iafc to-morrow (Thursday) evening, is •the Good Templars Open Lodge night, and that the first Spelling Bee held in Patea, will come ofE on the occasion, in addition to a concert, in which a number of good singers will assist. Every arrangement has been made for a most enjoyable entertainment, and the Hall will no doubt be crowded. The charge will bo but sixpence per head, and a shilling for a family ticket to admit all hona fide relatives of one family. It is to bo hoped that t bc weather will bo favourable for the povelty. .

We arc requested to notify that the next sitting of the Hawera Resident Magistrate’s Court has been adjourned from the Bth till the 12th iust. A saddle, stolen from Messrs Mcßae and Nicholson some six months ago,“was found in the possession of a Maori on Monday last, and was at once hr pounded by the police, the holder of it being at the same time summoned to appear at the R.M. Court ami account for It. It had been resolved by the Town Board to discuss- the Pound question at their last meeting, hut it somehow slipped the memory of members, till after they bad adjourned. It is necessary more tlian ever to take some action, as Mr H. Davis has resigned Ids position of ponndkeeper, and as the yards are on his land, and there is no place for the police to lodge errant animals, no matter how energetic they may be in gathering them. ■ Tenders were recently called for by the Provincial Government, for bush-falling on Ball road, the widths being respectively one and two chains. The contract has been taken by Messrs Caddie and Baker, at 15s for the first, and 18s for the second, per chain. Some of the flour produced at Contis’ new mill has been tested thoroughly, and has turned out excellently. Mr O’Sullivan recently purchased a quantity of this flour, and used it for the first time in producing the baking which was distributed amongst his customers yesterday. The bread made from it was of capital quality, sweet and wholesome, and the public generally had last night, and have to-day, an opportunity of judging of it themselves. It gives us great pleasure to be able to adduce tin's convincing proof of the value of the mill, even in what may be deemed its preliminary operations. Let ns hope that very shortly imported flour will bo a thing of the past in the Patea district, as it is already in many other parts of the colony, not half so capable of producing .necessary first-class grain.

The Patea District Education Board mot on Monday last, there being present the Chairman, Messrs Milroy, Furlong, Conits, and Dale. An application from Messrs Lloyd and Williams, for a transfer of lease from Mr W. Williams to Lloyd and Williams, .was granted, provided the applicants agreed to the conditions laid down by the Board. Two applications for the position of .'female teacher at Manutahi, from 'Mrs Davis and Miss Corrigan, were received, but, after some discussion, it was resolved that the appointment of a female teacher for the Manutahi school, bo deferred for another mouth. Mr H. S. Peacock was appointed a member of the Board, in the place.of Mr J. D. F. Christie* resigned. It was agreed .that the midwinter holidays -should commence! on Monday next, the IOHi inst. Some other unimportant business was done, after which the Board adjourned. The usual meeting of the Town Board was held ,on Monday evening last, when all the mpmbera, with the exception of Mr Sonth'by, were present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Applications were received from several purchasers of leases of Town Board reserves at the late sale, asking .to be released from their engagements on various grounds, the chief of which were that the prices were in excess of what could be paid. A good deal of discussion took place respecting them, but it was ultimately resolved to take a legal opinion as to the powers and position of the Board towards the leaseholders, and that, as soon as that was obtained, a special meeting of the Board should be called to consider the whole question. Mr J. Southhy sent in his resignation as a member of the Board, which was accepted, and steps ordered to be taken to hold an election to supply the vacancy. Mr Tennent asked leave to withdraw his letter in which he applied to be placed on the ratepayers’ rol', and was allowed to do so. A letter was received from Mr G. W. Williams stating that ho was too much engaged in Government work to be able to do what the Board desired, and suggesting that the Board should employ and pay some one else. This caused great discussion, but eventually, on the motion of Mr Milroy, it was resolved that Mr Williams be again asked to undertake the work, and that the sum of £25 for his past and future services for the present year bo paid to him. An amendment by Mr Taplin, “ That the Board employ a private surveyor from time to time, as the Government surveyor could not give the required time,” was lost by the casting vote of the Chairman, Messrs Taplin, Williams, and Rhodes, voting for it, the Chairman, ' Messrs Milroy and McCarthy, against it. An application by Mr James Hirst, to have two chains of road made in Suffolk-stroet, from Yorkstreet in the direction of the river, was not entertained, as it had not been handed over to the Town Board. Permission to fence in portions of streets was asked by Messrs J. G. Beamish, W. Aitchson, and Pender* by Mr Hirst, was given conditionally. The Chairman stated that no reply had- been •received from-the Government in reference to fiie last letter sent, requesting the use of the Court House for the meetings of the Board. The Town Clerk applied for a proper office desk, which was agreed to be supplied. This was all the business, and the Board then adjourned.

Competition is the life of trade, we are told, and an illustration of the public benefit derivable from it, may be seen in the revised price list, issued from the Carlyle Meat Bazaar. A joint now is really within the reach of the poorest, and we arc sure that housekeepers will wish long life to the present moat tariff. In this hope we cordially join. We would specially direct the attention of our Presbyterian readers to the announcement in another column, that the Rev. 11, J. Allswortli, will hold divine service in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon next, and on every future alternate Sunday. The iwcrcnd gentleman has been duly inducted into the charge of the Wavcrley district, and purposes organising Presbyterian congregations at all the townships within the district. Wo are sure that in addition to members of his church, the whole community will warmly welcome him, and we cordially trust that Ids labors will he crowned with the most complete success.

The Patea East Road Board met on Monday last, Messrs Sonthby (chair), Gibson, and Symes being present. - The baUnce-sheot for the year was submitted by Mr Campbell, secretary, approved oL and ordered to bo dealt with in the usual way. This, as in the case of the Patea West Board, was a veiy creditable production, and appears in our advertising Columns. A letter was received from Mr G. W. Williams, reminding the Board that Major Atkinson had sanctioned his receiving fees for survey work done for public bodies, and suggesting that the sum of £ls would not bo inadequate for services ron--dered by him to the Board. The claim was ordered to be paid, on Mr Williams rendering a detailed account to the secretary. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Gibson, seconded by Mr Symes, “That the Pntahi road, as pointed out on the map by Mr Williams, Government surveyor, ho considered by this Board the most suitable road to open up the back country occupied by Eason and others, and that this Board undertake to prepare plans and specifications, and call for tenders for the making of this road, and providing means for crossing the Whcnuaknra river; and that the Wairoa Board be asked to appoint some one to meet this Board on the subject.” There was some other unimportant business, and the Board adjourned.

The Patea West Road Board met on Monday last, Messrs Morgan, Hoiieyfiold, Gane, M‘Rae, Christie, and Hunter being present. In reply to an application from Mr Sonthby, relative to clearing a portion of Ball road, as he intended to fence his land there at once, it was resolved that the letter he handed to the new Board for consideration. An application was made by Mr G. W. Williams, stating that he considered that he was entitled to some remuneration for services performed as surveyor to the Board. On the motion of Mr Mcßae, seconded by Mr Gane, it was resolved, “ That, in consequence of the Board believing that they were receiving the services of a General Government surveyor free of cost, they have made no provision for the payment of such an officer.” There was only one tender for work on Garsed road, that of Mr T. Delamore for £l6, which was accepted. It was stated by the chairman, that the late rams had damaged the embankments on the Manutahi road. Messrs Morgan and Hunter were appointed to inspect it, and authorised to expend a sum of money not exceeding £5, in effecting necessary repairs. On the motion of Mr Mcßae, seconded by Mr Christie, it was ordered that the balance-sheet, as submitted by the secretary, Mr W. Dale, be published in the Patea Mail. (It will be found elsewhere, and is a most satisfactory document.) On the motion of Mr Hunter, seconded by Mr Honcyfield, it was resolved, “That the Chairman of the Board be authorised to take legal proceedings against Mr James Pnuthby, to recover the sum of £2, value of a pine tree cut and removed by him from Ball road, and that Mr Adams be engaged to appear in Court on the Board’s behalf.” An amendment by Mr Christie, seconded by Mr Mcßae, “ That no action be taken in the matter,” was lost, only those two gentlemen voting for it. It was resolved that Mr Hunter should be supplied with sufficient timber for making a culvert on Garsed road. The following accounts were passed for payment:— Patea Mail (advertising), £1 IGs ; W Dale (salary as secrotaiy), £l. The Board then adjourned.

The Manawatu Times of the 28th nit,, records a fatal accident as follows :—“ We regret to learn that an accident, attended with very serious consequences, occurred as a coach belonging to Mr Goodman was crossing the Otaki river on Friday last. Before crossing, Goodman took up an old man named Gaby, who sat inside the coach, which was drawn by two horses. Goodman started to cross an old and almost disused ford, and when about half way over the coach capsized, and the fore part becoming detached, the horses swam with it to the other side. The body of the coach was carried down the stream some distance, and then sank with the old man inside. Gaby’s body has since been recovered, and an inquest will bo held upon it. We understand that there was about £2OO worth of property in the coaeli at the time of the accident, all of which has been lost.”

The Wairoa Highway Board held their usual monthly meeting on Saturday last, July Ist, all the members being present. The Treasurer’s balance-sheet was stated to be £421 9s lid. A tracing of the road near Brewer’s land, forwarded by tiie District Surveyor for the information of the-Board, was received. In icply to an application, the Provincial Surveyor wrote to say that there were no funds at command to open up lands sold, beyond what had been already paid to the Board. It was resolved that Mr Hansen be notified to remove his gate by the 6th of Novem her next. Certain works were agreed to in No. 4 ward, and tenders were ordered to be called for them. The following accounts were paid : —W. Dalziel, £4 10s ; Winchcombe, £2 11s Gd. A special meeting was then'held for the purpose of hearing appeals against the assessment; and the following were disposed of : —The valuation of Mr Brown was reduced to £790. J. Nicholson’s valuation was raised to £],B4G, and an objection by-Mr Thomas to liis being raised was not allowed. The clerk was instructed to notify to Mr Wilson that he would be rated for sections 78 and 79 at £175. Mr Shcahan opposed the raising of his rate, but his objection was not allowed. The valuation of W. and O. Hawes was raised to £2,530, as also the following to the subjoined amounts ; Illston, to £OIO ; E. Hunt, to £250 ; W. Symes, for Putahi, £SOO ; J. Sinclair, part section 87, £ll2 ; J. Allan, do do, £ll3 ; J. Aiken, part section 58, £180; A, Howie, part sections 5G and 57, £2G I.

The Taranaki Herald has the following in reference to a relic of the late war ; “ Mr Wilkinson, of the Uienui Hotel, has lately made a purchase from a native of a sword, which will revive recollections of the war. The sword, which is in splendid order, is in a steel scabbard attached to a buff strap The sword is believed to have belonged either to Major Von Tcmpsky, Lieutenant Hunter, or Captain Buck. The native from whom it was obtained came from TeNgnttu-o-te-manu. Mr Wilkinson is said to have generously expressed a readiness to hand the sword over to the friends of whoever it is proved to have belonged to, and for just what it has cost him The sword is spoken of as of excellent make, and having been kept well polished is almost as good now as when in the hands of the original owner. As men who served under the officers abovenamed are still to bo found in the Province, there will bo but little trouble in identifying the sword, if it has ever belonged to any of them. Holativcs of the deceased officers will be anxious, so the sooner it is identified the better.”

Topgjtriro, says a Napier paper, appears to bo again in a state of activity, if not eruption, for bright lights have been seen from a number of places, while some subterranean mutterings and earthquakes indicate that something is disturbing the mountain which Hochstettcr describes as having sunk down to nothing more than a large solfatra. What would the learned traveller say had lie watched it during (ho last ten years? It is a noteworthy fact that, during the time it was supposed to be extinct, several very heavy earthquakes occurred, and that since its return to a state of activity so little of the kind has been felt, that numbers of brick buildings have gone up where before people would not think of such a thing. New Zealand appears to be better off with than without a volcano.

Intelligence reached Sydney by the last mail respecting the movements of Edward Trickett, the champion rower of Australia, who went to England in February last to row Joseph Henry Sadler for the championship of the Thames. Trickett, and his trainer and backer, Mr J. Punch, of Sydney, arrived in England on April 8, just in time to see the Oxford and Cambridge boat race. Mr Punch communicated with H. Kelly, the famous sculler, who advised him to challenge Sadler ’at once, which he did, and thus forestalled John Higgins, who was on the point of making a match with the champion himself. It was arranged that the race shou’d take placß on Monday, June 26, at half-past 4 p.m., over the championship course, from Putney toMortlake, for £2OO aside. Kelly has been engaged to assist in the preparation of the Australian rower. A supporter of Higgins wished to stake £2OO on his behalf, in order that he might join in a sweepstake with the two champions, and compete in the proposed race, but Sadler objected to this deviation from the usual inode of competition for the championship of the Thames. Some surprise was manifested at Trickett’s appearance. He stands no less than 6ft. 4in., and weighs 13st 21b. He was born on 12th September, 1851, and Sadler on 7th May, 1840. The Chronicle of Monday says that Mr F. R. Jackson, as agent for the vendors, has sold the twin screw steamer, Clyde, 50 tons, to Messrs John P. Watt and J. Duthie. This vessel is intended for the Patea, Foxton, and Rangitikei trade, and may be expected to arrive from Lyttelton about Thursday or Friday next. The Clyde is said to be handy and sea-worthy little steamer, and will take up the trade formerly undertaken by the late Egmont. We congratulate the enterprising proprietors upon the spirit manifested in their speculation, which we trust will turn out a successful' venture, and prove serviceable to the several ports.