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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 132, 15 July 1876, Page 2

There are none of our readers, at least none to whom the history of New Zealand has been familiar for a few years, but will learn with regret that Dr, Isaac Earle Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand, died in London on or about the 21st of last month. The deceased gentleman was for many years Superintendent of Wellington, and it was with that province that he was always more immediately connected, but at the same time he was one of the ablest Colonial statomcn for a lengthened term, and his high ability was recognised by .his most hostile political opponents. His character, during his long public career, was irreproachable, and in private life he was valued and esteemed by a very large circle of friends. Who will be his successor becomes now the question, for the appointment may be deemed the best, as well as the most permanent of of those within the gift of the Colonial Government of New Zealand. It has been freely stated by the Opposition press that the present Premier, Sir Julius Vogel, has been waiting to seciire it, Dr. Feathorston’s health for some time past having been precarious to a degree, and his tenure of life consequently very uncertain. If there be

any truth in tbe allegation it will be soon known, as, even if tbe Government did not care to fill the vacancy till tbe close of tbc session, Parliament will be sure to fully ventilate tbe subject before being prorogued.

As will be seen by advertisement, an emergency meeting of the Paten. Kilwinning Masonic-Lodge will bo hold on Wednesday next, at 7.30 p in. The sale of Mr Lyttelton’s property will take place to-day, Mr Cowcrn acting as auctioneer. As stated in tbc advertisement everything is to bo sold without reserve, and very probably bargains will be to be had on the occasion.

We have been favored by tbe Chairman of the Town Board with a copy of the following telegram, received by him from Major Atkinson yesterday : —“ Power to grant from reserves taken in Waste Lands Administrative Bill, which has boon read a (list time. Patca Harbor Bill read a first time, is waiting with several other Harbor Bills until it has been decided what powers arc to be included in a general bill. Will send copies directly the point is settled.” Some time ago it was hoped that the improvements in the Patea river, recommended by Mr Camithcrs, Assistant En-giiiccr-iu-Oliief, in his report of some months ago, or at least a portion of them, would be recommended during the present session, but such expectation seems likely to bo disappointed, as nothing further has been heard of the matter. A public meeting will, we boar, be shortly called to consider the subject, and a petition to the House is being prepared for signature, which will be presented as soon as possible. That the public have been so long apathetic on a question of such vital importance to them, is surprising.

At the K.M. Court yesterday, To Kongo escaped the heavier charge of larceny in taking Mr Mediae's saddle after another native had stolen it, but in partially exculpating himself hegot lusthicvingfriend Tuhia into trouble. The latter, no doubt interested in ascertaining the extent to which he had involved To Kongo, hung about the Court to have the earliest news of the result. On the case being concluded, this fact coming to the cars of the police, he was arrested and lodged in the.lock-up, his quondam friends being conclusive evidence against him. He will be brought up this morning,, and will* probably be dealt with more severely as the principal, instead of an accessory only.

We arc glad to say that the timber famine, from which Patca has been so long suffering, is likely to bo partially supplied by the arrival of the ketch Fawn, from Pelorus. She has brought 30,000 feet, consigned to Mr J. Milroy, who, as will be seen by an advertisement in another column, is willing to sell at reasonable rates. There will be no lack of customers for him, but this shipment will only be a drop in the bucket of demand. Other vessels arc en route, and the Kichard and Mary, partially timber-laden, has boon off the bar some days, but her draught of water compels her to wait for higher tides. The sooner they arrive the better, so that the pent up building energy, latent in the township, may find vent.

A sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court was held at Ilawcra on Wednesday last. The only police case was that of a Maori named Eatoia, who was lined ss, with the usual alternative, for being drunk. On the civil side, the following cases were set down for hearing, J. Dick v Chubbin, to recover £8 14s, wages alleged to have been due. It seemed that plaintiff had been offered work by defendant at 15s per week but, at the lime the offer was made, refused it. Subsequently he went to work, without anything further being said, and on leaving was paid his wages at 15s per week. The sum sought to bo recovered, was the balance at £1 per week, to which plaintiff said he was entitled. He failed to prove any fresh agreement, and was non-suited with £1 8s costs. Qninlivan v. .Dale was an action to compel defendant to refund the sum of £l2 10s, alleged to bo charged in excess of commission for services rendered by defendant as auctioneer) in disposing of property belonging to plaintiff. The whole point was whether 5 per cent on a sale, taken by defendant as the one in question was, was ausnal commission or not. After hearing both sides, the Magistrate reserved his decision. In Quinlivan v. Sherwood, plaintiff was non-suited on his bill of particulars. Furlong v. Hickie, was a judgment summons for £ll Gs 6d ; defendant was ordered to pay the amount in a week, or go to gaol for two months Conway v. McGuire, a claim of £9 for three weeks services some two years ago as cook. It appeared that plaintiff had been paid in full at the time, in addition to the amount being absurd, and the case was dismissed, with costs. McGuire v. Nuku, and Davidson v. Budd were settled out of Court. Verdicts for plaintiffs were given in McGuire v. Conway, £4 12s Gd ; same v. Baylcy, £3 15s ; Alzdorf v. Palmer, £B. In a judgment summons Beamish v, Kelly, £22 15, the amount was ordered to be paid within a fortnight, or two months imprisonment. The claim was for costs allowed to plaintiff at the last District Court, when Kelly sued present plaintiff for between £GO and £7O, This was all the business, and the Court adjourned.

The Patea Minstrels have been diligently and successfully practising for some little time past, and intend to give their first entertainment this season, on Wednesday week next, August 2nd. As yet they have not determined on the object, in aid of which they will devote their talent, but it is not improbable that the Literary Society will have the benefit of their exertions.

A Wairoa correspondent writes us, asking how it is that none of the banking institutions have as yet thought fit to open a branch there. He points out that the Wairoa township is nearly as large as Carlyle, whilst settlement around it is quite as extensive, and sufficient to create a business. At present many, indeed most of the settlers, bank in Wanganui, it being as convenient for them to do so there as in Carlyle, but would not do so were there a local banking branch. We cannot offer any opinion on the matter, but merely repeat the query of our correspondent, for the banking authorities to answer in a practical manner by complying with the uggestion, or by letting it alone, as they deem most desirable.

As we stated in our last issue, four men of the party that recently started from Hawcra to Waikato, under Mr Skeet surveyor, returned a few days ago. Since then wo have learnt the following particulars in reference to their trip. The party succeeded in penetrating 80 miles, when their progress was arrested by a wide river, which proved to be the Wangachu, a tributary of the Patea, and running through a block of land purchased from the natives last year. In order to cross it, trees were felled, and two canoes constructed. These were not large enough ti carry the whole party and their baggage and provisions, so Mr Skeet, with Messrs Blake, Maguire, Jenkins, and a native named Tumahuki, crossed in the canoes, the other members of the party travelling along the bank and ridge iqi the river for a favorable place to be put across. By some means the four oil the bank lost sight of the canoes, and camped one night on the river bank, waiting there till noon on the following day, when they returned to their last camp, from where the caroes started. They then were compelled to return, as they were without provisions, and they reached Kctcmarac on the third day. It is clear from this that the bush must be tolerably open, and, we are informed, the natives know nothing whatever of the country passed through.- There is no cause whatever for any anxiety respecting the safety of tho other portion of tho party. Those who have returned have some portions of Mr Sheet’s instruments with them, but not "'of sufficient'importance to seriously interfere with his work on the way. There is little doubt of the ad venturous surveyor accomplishing his task, if lie has not already done so, and his report is looked forward to with great intci'ost.

In tlio R. M. Court yesterday, Major Brown, Dr Croft, and 11. F. Christie, Esq , J. P.’s, occupied the Bench, Major Turner being absent on his usual tour of A. C. Inspection. A Maori, named To Bongo, was charged with having stolen a saddle, the property of Mr R. E. Mcßae of Kakaramea, on Boxing Day, 1875. Prisoner admitted that the saddle was a stolen one, but said that ho did not steal it, and that ho had ci idcilcc to prove that he did not. The facts Wore as follows. Oa Boxing Day last year, Mr Mcßae, in company with Mr Knyvett of Fielding, were in Carlyle, and attended the meeting hold by Mr Ivess, then contesting Egmont. Prior to the meeting, they left their horses tied up at the butcher’s shop, but on going to get them at its termination, they found that one horse, with saddle and bridle, was missing. The horse and bridle were found next morning at Ivakaramea, but there was no trace of the saddle, and an advertisement, published by Mr Mcßae, notifying the loss and offering a reward for its return, had no effect in recovery. A few days ago, Mr Nicholson saw what he thought was the missing saddle on a horse ridden by To Bongo, and subsequently, on Mr Mcßae examining it in Patea, it was at once identified by the maker’s'name, and certain marks. The joollcc seized it and hence the charge against the accused. In defence Bongo called two native witnesses, Ngahoho and Kopi Kopi, who corroborated him in stating that the horse, saddle, and bridle were stolen by a native named Tuhia, on the evening in question, and brought by him (Tuhia) to the native pah at Manutahi. Tuhia made no secret of the fact that he had stolen them, but let the horse go with the bridle on, and hid the saddle in the fern. Some little time after this, Bongo wanted a saddle, SO, according to his own account, he re-stole this one from the place where Tuhia had “ planted’’ it, and was using, it when found by Mr Mcßae. This kind of conversion he evidently thought a very venial matter, and was greatly surprised at finding himself in the dock for it. Iho Bench availed themselves of the license, allowed by the 105 th section of the Resident Magistrate’s Act, in dealing with native offenders, and fined prisoner £lO, £8 10s to go to the Crown, and £llos to Messrs Mcßae and Nicholson, for expenses. There were a few undefended civil cases against Maoris, and one, Wright v. Baynton, in which plaintiff sought torecover £8 8s fid for services rendered, but was .awarded £4. This was all the business and the Court adjourned. .

The schooner Sarah and Mary, bound for Patea, put into Wanganui on "Wednesday last, to await spring tides. Wo remind the Carlyle ratepayers, that the election J of a member of the Town Board, to supply the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Southby, will be held on Monday next, at the Court House, at 12 o’clock. The only names at present mentioned as probable candidates, are Messrs Hirst and Aitchson, and whether either or both these gentlemen will offer themselves, remains yet to be seen. Though the election is so close, the Town Board thought one announcement, published ten days before the election, sufficient notice to ratepayers. In order that no advantage : shall be taken of such a mysterious want of publicity, we thus draw the special attention of those interested.

There are many very fair whist players in Patea, to Whom a rubber is a welcome pastime, but up to the present time no opportunity for indulging in it has been afforded. This, we are glad to say, will not be the case in future, for at a meeting of gentlemen, held on Wednesday evening last, a Whist Club was formed, and all arrangements made for a winter campaign. Some thirteen members have joined, and an arrangement has been made with Mr Odgers, of the Australasian Hotel, for a room, the meetings to be bi-weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Mr Tennent was elected President, Mr Hurrell Hon. Sec. and Treasurer, and Mr Adams a member of committee of management, comprising himself and the above-named gentlemen. The rules of whist, as laid down in Cavendish, were agreed to, and a very moderate rate of subscription fixed. Any other gentleman than those first joining will have to be ballotted for, but any member will have the privilege of introducing a friend, if the lattci be not a resident in Carlyle. In order to prevent high play, a rule was made that half-a-crown points should be the extreme limit allowed. On the suggestion of a member, as there might be an odd couple left out in the cold, other tables being completed, it was agreed that cribbage should be permitted, though whether, amongst a strict whist party, this game will not be found objectionable remains to be Scon. The club will meet for their first night’s play this evening, at 7 o’clock.

Daring 1 the voyage of one of the Union Steamship Company’s boats to Wellington Very recently, a singular change was observed to come over a passenger. lie was at lirst the most talkative man on board, and brimful of animal spirits, though over 'middle ago. No laugh Was more hearty than his, and in spite of his, suffering somewhat severely from sickness, Ijo bore it bravely ftiid made his oWn, and the misfortunes of the other passengers in this respect the subject of continual merriment. The change spoken of came about just before reaching Nelson, His manner underwent a complete metamorphosis, at which everyone on board Was astonished During the remainder of the voyage be seldom volunteered a remark, never laughed, scarcely ever smiled, and only gave fbe shortest answer to questions put to him. He seemed to age also in ft most mysterious way, and there was a peculiar changed appearance about his face. Many comments were made on his singular behaviour, but they wore generally behind his back, for one or two remarks addressed to him on the subject caused him SUch- evident annoyance that they were not repeated. The secret oozed out soon after the boat reached Wellington, when it Was known that Mr ——’s first visit was to a dentist. During a fit of sickness, he had lost a set of false teeth overboard.

Two papers (saj’s the “ Intelligent Vagrant ”) now exists in Masterton, and the usual results attend their existence. One announced that its success was so great as to induce the proprietor to'buy a double demy press. The other immediately remarked, with polished irony, that what its rival wanted was not a double demy press, but a double demy head for its editor, who as yet had one the size of which there was no printer’s term sufficiently diminutive to describe. The following paragraph appears in a recent issue of that remarkable newspaper, the Lyell Argus : —“ We are glad that The Week is past. What with the Wind and Rain • The Thermometer at Zero ; The Chimney smoking like mad ; The Baby squawking j Social Misery ; A Pious Licensing Bench ; A Mad Chinaman, and a number of Subscribers; who, if we (through stress of business) happen to be an hour late ; doubt our, sobriety. We trust our shortcomings will be excused.” We (Nelson Mail ) hear ivith regret that Mr Redwood has sustained a heavy loss in the death of Harakckc, the dam of Korari. Harakeke was quite a young mare, having been foaled in 1857, and Was by St. Aubyn out of Waimea. This is the first of the eleven foals Waimea had bred for Mr Redwood in eleven successive years, that he has lost. Tie* has, however, been unfortunate with Harakeke foals, having lost early in the present year-a promising yearling colt and a filly foal bred by her, both by Towton. Taha, her foal of 1873', also by Towton, was not brought out last year as a two-year-old, but will not unlikely make her mark amongst the youngsters in the coming season.”

The “Loafer” in the Press writes:— “ There’s a new dodge for raising the needful, Which I want to tell you about. A man advertises “ bottles of scent, price one shilling, with something else in the wrapper.” A friend of mine on purchasing a bottle found enclosed a new farthing. Another fellow was surprised—very much surprised—at finding a half sovereign, and another whose impecuniosity is notorious, borrowed the neCeSSary robert, purchased a bottle of scent, and in the wrapper found a real five pound note. The above facts are confirmed truths, but unfortunately the scent as above is not sold here. I fc happened in England.” A correspondent of an Auckland paper gives the following description of the coat worn by the Marquis of Normanby on opening Parliament —“ The Governor was apparelled in, 1 supposed, the uniform of the ancient Assyrian cohorts when they came down like the wolf on the fold, for he was “ gloaming hi pm'pld and gold.” ; his largo chest was one mass of heavy gold lace, unrelieved by the slightest bit of color. You could see from the sleeves of this wonderful coat that the ground color was a dark blue. It struck me if that coat were under some of our stampers at the Thames that a tolerably rich yield would he obtained.

It is stated that there will shortly be started in New Bond-street, London, a fashionable hairdressing saloon, Where all the “ artists” will be elegant young women. It is also wickedly reported that the following plan for advertising the place is likely to be adopted by the proprietor :—A “hirsute ruffian," while submitting Ins Samson-like locks to the shears of one of the Dclilahs of the establishment will suddenly kiss her “ against her Will.” Of course a tremendous hubbub will be raised ; the “ scoundrel” will be arraigned at the Police Court, fined £6 (which the proprietor of the saloon will pay), all the newspapers will have jocose or mock indignant paragraphs on the subject, and all the young men about town will flock to see the fair “ victim” of the assault, under the pretence of wanting to have their hair cut—the result being a handsome profit to the proprietor* and the formation of a good business connection by him. “ F.” in the Nelson Mail says :—“ The duties of a ‘ whip ’ in Parliament are somewhat onerous, and must require a good deal of tact Mid discrimination,- to say nothing of a hard head not easily affected by alcohol. The gentleniati Who is selected to fulfil that office must lay himself out to study the habits and the weaknesses of the individual whose vote he desires to secure. He must wheedle himself into his confidence, find out whether he prefers dancing to dinner parties, whether the society of ladies is more agreeable to him than tluiS of gentlemen, whether there is any little local matter in which Iris constituents are specially interested, and finally whether, when he (the whip) takes him into Bellamy’s for a quiet and confidential chat, it would be wiser to ask him to sip a glass of old port nr to shout a glass of hot rurn for lu'm. One or two mistakes in thes e matters—trifles as they may appear—might prove ruinous to the party the f whip’ represents, and any want of astuteness on his part in studying the character of (be subject with which he is called upon to deal might, on a close division, result in a change of Ministry, and a complete reversal of the policy of the Government of the day. So it will at once be seen that the f whip’ is by no means an unimportant character in the political drama. Still, while I admit all this, I confess my back Was rather put Up the other day on learning that there is a probability of the Government ‘ whip’ receiving a salary out of the public funds. The Opposition is just as milch 1 Her Majesty’s’—that is, the people’'g—as is the Ministry, and the public are equally interested in the proceedings of both, so' if they are to be called upon to put their hands into their pockets to assist the one, there is no reason why they should not pay to help the other. With our form of Government ( whips’ appear to be necessary on both sides, and my idea of fairness is—pay ncitheff or pay both. Referring to the tie w Speaker of the House of Representatives, the, correspondent of the Otago Daily Times says ‘‘ He Wears the gown and bands, but has abandoned the ruffles which Sir Hillon Bell was so fond of wearing, Mf Fftzherbert gives great promise of making an excellent Speaker. He has had two or three' rulings to give already, and has given thhra concisely and firmly. On the motion fof adjournment on Friday night, when the Piako debate was re-opened, Mr Moorhousc tried to check by asking whether it wa& not irregular to debate the-main question under guise of a motion for adjournment. The Speaker turned the laugh on him by observing very dryly. ‘ Great latitude' isallowed on motions for adjournment.’ The way he said it was irresistible,- so also when called upon to give a casting Vote on Sir George Grey ’s motion, be did so without hesitation, assigning the usual reason for it. In fact, he seems thoroughly at homein the chair.” A remarkable quarry accident lias' occurred at Auckland. One hundred and fifty tons of rock fell,,burying & horse and cart, but only grazing the man in attendance.