Untitled

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 130, 8 July 1876, Page 2

The ordinary meeting of the Ilawcra 7’oAvn Board Avas held at the office of the Town Clerk, on Monday last, Avhcn there Avero present Messrs Winks, Baker, Bam ford, McL’Doavio, Cameron, and the Chairman. The minutes of the special meeting held on the 29th May', wore read and approved of. It Avas resolved that the Axarious building sites about to be snrvcy'ed on section No. 35 he leased for a term of 21 years, and .that Air Walter- Alzdorf bo employed to execute such survey', should ho not delay in the execution thereof. Mr Quinlivan and Mr DaA’ldson Avero each granted permission to put in box culA'erts from their Axarious residences, such Avorks to be at their oavr expense, and to the satisfaction of the Board. It Avas resolved that Captain Wray' be asked the reason avliv a road Avas made on the north end of section No. 30, subsequent to the said section being granted to the Board for town purposes. The Clerk Avas instructed to communicate to Mr Alzdorf the decision of the Board, and also to expedite the surveying as speedily as possible. ’The meeting then adjourned. It was our intention to haA’o published the Financial Statement to-day, but aa'C lin’d that it amounted altogether to nearly 15,000 Avords. This is altogether too much, tor it AA'ould occupy about eleven columns of close print.. Uml'T the circumstances, avc must let the statement, or rather the carrying out of its proposals be evolved, as the session proceeds, and so afford information of its contents to our readers.

According to announcement, the Good Templars gave one of their pleasant monthly entertainments, known as Open Lodges, on Thursday night last, and wc are glad to say that it was an unqualified success in evmy respect. The weather was beautifully fine, and the moon being at the full, enabled many from the country to come in. To say that the Hall was crowded would not convey any true impression, for it was literally crammed to overflowing, and many could not gain admission at all. The first part consisted of a concert at which several members of the Order, both ladies and gentlemen assisted. It passed oil:* most agreeably, although the vocalists bad to sing from the depths: of a green baize cavern as it were, for the intended screen to the proscenium had been loosely nailed up, but, ns no roller was affixed, it had to be drawn back to the wall, and thereby effectually deadened sound. Notwithstanding this drawback, everything wont off well. Mr Contts occupied the chair, and Mrs Tapi in most kindly not only lent tier piano, but accompanied many of the singers on it. Mis Contts also rendered valuable assistance iii accompanying Mr Patterson in bis two songs. At the conclusion of tin’s, a cordial vote of: thanks was tendered them by the Good Templars, but at the time the confusion was great, and few beyond those in the immediate vicinity of the stage could hear the deserved compliment paid. The chief interest was in the Spelling 800 however, which was the second part of the entertainment. For this fifteen competitors came on the stage, and were allowed two mistakes each before retiring. Amongst those who competed were found all ages and one of the fair sox, Miss K. Williams. The young brigade came out with flying colors, the second prizetaker being Joseph B.mrke, a youth of sixteen, and the third, Thomas Hirst, a wee chap between twelve and thirteen years of ago, but clever to a degree. Both these have been locally educated, and did Mr Dyer great credit. The first prize was won by Mr Thomas Payne, of Wbomiaknra, and the clear unhesitating style in which ho spelt out his various tasks was most satisfactory to the audience, and creditable to his orthographic training. We regret that wo are unable on this occasion to give fuller details of the amusement caused, hut will on the occasion of the next “ Bee” which will buzz in four weeks from Thursday. All who attended were satisfied, wc are glad to say, and the novelty thus introduced promises to become as fashionable here as elsewhere. Mr Sherwood made an exceedingly efficient chairman, Mr Dyer was pronouncer or interrogator, and -Mr Meredith officiated at the bhck-bi a”d. The referee’s diems were light, only being appealed to once during the proceedings. At the conclusion, the successful candidates were duly presented with their prizes, and the fourth prize was handed to Miss Williams, she being the only one to whom, according to the conditions, it could be given. ' Alto gether the Open Lodge was a real success, and the next one will, wc feel sure, bo as crowded as that of Thursday last. A sitting of of the Resident Magistrate’s Court was held on Thursday last, Major Turner 8.M., Dr Croft and J. W. Kenah Esqs J.P’s, occupying the Bench. An assault case, Wilson ax Wright Avas settled out of Court, and there Avas no appearance of either party. . Judgment by default Avas given in CoAvern (Secretary to the 25th Road Board) ax Manly Dixon, 10s 4d ; Same ax G. B. Worgan, £5 12s ; McGuire ax Stapp, £5 4s ; Odgors ax Weiss, £l3. Several other summonses were set down for hearing, but Avero not served. The adjourned case of Lett ax McGuire, and McGuire ax Lett Avcre disposed of by thotAvo justices, Major Turner having boon subpoenaed by Mr McGuire as a Avitnoss. The debt of £1 7s claimed by Mr McGuire Avas admitted, but a counter claim Avas made by Mr Lett of £G ss, £5 of this being for commission in securing a tenant for the Ketemarae hotel for Mr McGuire, and £1 5s for kegs and corks supplied in 1874. Mr Lett stated that though lie did not receive any written authority, he bad been asked by Mr McGuire, to procure a tenant for the hotel in question, and had accordingly spoken to his brother-in-law on the matter. The latter took the house, and lie (Mr Lett) originally claimed £lO as commission, but consented to take £5. On the other hand, Mr McGuire denied utterly that he had given Mr Lett any authority to act for him, and asserted that, so far from liaAdng assisted in getting the tenant, Mr Lett dissuaded Ids brother-in-law from taking the house. As to the other claim, it had never been preferred till Ids summons had been taken out, though they had had several settlements of account since the time Avhen the kegs &c. Avcre said to have been supplied. The Bench regretted that they had not the assistance of Major Turner, in deciding a matter where the evidence of the parties Avas so contradictory, hut they gave a verdict for defendant, on the grounds that they thought the c’aim for the kegs should have been made sooner, and that Mr Lett should hawe received an order in Avriting to procure a tenant for the hotel. There had clearly been a mistake somewhere, owing to the absence of any Avritten authority. Yesterday there was also a sitting before Major Turner, bnt the only business was hearing a judgment summons case, Cowern a-. A. Edgecombe, Defendant Avas ordered to pay the amount £IG 7s 7id, Avith costs £2 3s, or go to gaol for tAvo months. This, was all the business) and the Court adjourned. A nOA-elty, in the shape of skating rollers, Iras been imported into Patea by Air Jacomh, who tried his new purchases doAvn the footpath on Thursday, and sailed along very Avell considering the earthy rink that he passed over. These means of locomotion excited the utmost curiosity amongst a number of juveniles, as also the Maoris) being the first ever seen in the toAvnship

One enthusiastic host, Mr Southcombo of Waitotara, kept up the 4th of July) and, in honor of the occasion decked Ids house out gaily with Hags and evergreens, a s well as exercising some substantial hospitality to his visitors.

A serious accident happened on Wednesday last to a valuable draught mare, the property of Mr H. S. Peacock, of Manutabi. It seems that in the morning of that day the mare by some means, whilst in harness, slipped one of her shoulders, but the dislocation was reduced. She was then turned out, but again came to grief the same day, by falling over a precipice into the gorge. By the last fall the old injury was renewed, a fracture super-added, and it is feared that the animal will have to be destroyed.

A great want, to which we have repeatedly referred, has, we are glad to say, been supplied, Charles Wallace, late of the Armed Constabulary, having been appointed interpreter, under the Pith section of the Nativc.Laiuls Act, and attached to this district. His appointment was gazetted on the 29th hist, and he has already entered upon his duties. Great complaints are made by travellers as to the very bad condition of the road between here and Wanganui, in the Wellington province. The contrast between them and the Taranaki roads in this district is great, and especially disadvantageous to .the Welhngtonians. It will interest Good Templars to learn that the Archbishop of York, who has long been an advocate of temperance principles, lias gone a step further, and become a total abstainer.

China is evidently the land of giants. By the Torres Strait steamer on her last trip there arrived at Sydney a Chinese giant, who puts Chang in the shade completely. He is thus described by the S.Af. Herald :—“ His name is Chiu Ki Te/.u. He is 7ft Sin in height, and weighs 2971b. He is SO years old, and is a native of Wang listen, of the Province of Shantung. He is in charge of an Italian, who purposes exhibiting him at the American Centennial at Philadelphia. ■ lie was picked up by his present proprietor in Clicfoo, where ho was found seeking employment as a coolie. He has an enormous appetite : it is said he was allowed fourteen large Chines bowls of boiled rice and vegetables each meal on his way down, and ate it all without complaining.” A Wellington contemporary contains the following The Wellington wharf has no lamps, except the pier-head ones,' to shod their refulgent rays on the inky darkness which prevails on moonless nights—particularly Sundays. This has its advantages, but the latter are greater than the former. There is a preacher who holds forth on the wharf on Sunday nights who loves the darkness, not because his deeds arc dark, but because it helps to instil into men’s minds a greater reference for the subject of his harangue. This is an advantage, and the effect is sublime. The other side of the question borders on the ridiculous. The wharf is the favourite promenade of cooing lovers, or whete meetings of such are agreed upon, and as these throng the wharf in scores, often some amusing mistakes occur. Last night one young gentleman had agreed to meet a young lady near one of the goods sheds at a certain hour. At the appointed hour he came, and seeing what in the darkness he took to be his ‘ girl,’ he hastened up, and putting his arm round her waist, attempted to kiss her. Before he could discover his mistake he was knocked ‘ head over heels,’ and an angry voice asked what he meant by fooling with other people’s property ? At this moment his own ‘girl ’ came up, and seeing * how the wind lay,’ laughed so heartily at the mistake, that her lover made a start for home, without wishing her even good night. Motto for lovers : Keep your eyes open in dark nights when you arrange to meet your sweethearts.”

The Bristol Times and Mirror tells the following curious story :—A somewhat eccentric old lady recently died, leaving a considerable amount of property, amongst it being a very valuable collection of studies from the nude by well-known artists. A married niece, in the house at the time of the death, thought these were highly improper, and as soon as the breath was out of her aunt’s body, consigned them to the flames. Imagine her chagrin when, on the will being read, it was found that these very sketches were all that her relative had left to her and her children. They wore worth about £BOOO. The poisonous spider of- New Zealand, the Kaiipo, is fortunately not often met with, its bite being dangerous. Wc (Napier Mercury) regret to report that on Thursday onr esteemed fellow townsman Mr Witty was bitten by one these insects while working in his garden. The spider crawled on to the palm of his right hand, and in killing it by closing his fingers Mr Witty felt a sharp prick between the thumb and fore-finger, which was instantly followed by a painful sensation running up the arm to the shoulder. As soon as possible he came down to town, and some snake-bite antidote was applied to the limb, hut at noon the hand and arm were paralysed. Medical advice was then obtained, and, wo trust, will he attornl' 1 1 v- , hr-v<-f-