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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 138, 5 August 1876, Page 2

Mr. Whitaker’s resolutions proved a feint after all, and the real issue, Separation, is contained in Sir George Grey’s resolutions, tbo debate on which had commenced last evening. The strength of both parties will bo fully mustered, and .should the Government, as is now expected, win the day, the business of the session will probably bo proceeded with, without further delay. At the II.M. Court on Thursday last * 1 three Maoris named Wirimo Ngapnki, Wairo, and Tutangi, were charged with furious riding in the township. The offences were proved, but as the only object in bringing up the defendants, who were unaware that they had broken the law, was to put a stop to the practice, they were discharged on payment of costs. In the Road Board ease against J. Sonthhy, to recover £2 2s value of a tree alleged to have been improperly cut down by him, the plaintiffs were nonsuited, having failed to prove it their property. There were a few unimportant small debt eases which wore cither settled or the amounts paid into Court. A warrant was granted, on the application of Thomas Scowon, for the apprehension of Thomas Ingley, charged with obtaining money from the informant on false pretences. The Bench consisted of Major Turner, R.M., Dr. Croft, and 11. F. Christie, Esq J.P’s.

Wo have received the second number of tbo Ahtroa Mail, the new newspaper published in the place from which it takes its title, by Mr Joseph Ivcss, late of Patea. The first number is not to hand, though how it has failed to roach us is a postal mystery that wo cannot explain, feeling confident as we do that it was posted in Akaroa. The new journal is a particularly creditable production, a full sized double demy, and is got up very well indeed. It affouls a great deal of local information, is excellently printed, and lias an exceedingly good display of advertisements. It should bo a groat benefit to (bo district, and the public there by their patronage at the outset seem to recognise that fact. We have great pleasure in being fully justified in speaking thus favorably of this latest addition to the ranks of Now Zealand journalism, and sincerely wish our youthful contemporary a long and prosperous

career. Tbo Education Board will bold their usual monthly meeting on Monday next) at 10 a.m., but we understand that the business to be transacted is not of special importance. The Town Board will sit in the evening of the same day at 7 o’clock, at the Court House, and thus avail themselves of the recently granted permission to use that building for their meetings. The Good cTmplars’ Open Lodge came off at the Town Hall on Thursday evening last, and a full house attended. Mr Oakley opened the first part with “Johnny I hardly knew yer,” which was greeted with laughter from beginning to end. Mr Patterson’s recitation, “Look at the Clock,” was also well given, though rather long. Mr Jaeomb’s scone from the drama. Bon Bolt, was well given, although wo have seen him far more at home an the stage than on this occasion, but we believe it to bo owing to a lady disappointing him at the last moment in refusing to sing the song of Ben Bolt as she had promised to do during the scene. Mr J. Connolly’s song, with banjo accompaniment, was a treat, and elicited a well merited encore ; but tbo gem of the evening was the flute and violin duet by the Messrs Connolly. The second part, “A Spelling Bee,” was not so well '.Tttcmled as the last one, only ten competitors having having turned up, Mr Payne carried off the first prize, as ho did at the last, and Master Hirst the second, and the third prize was well won by Master Sydney Usher. The fact of two of the prize-takers at this bee, as well as at the last one, being pupils of Mr Dyer speaks well for education in the. Patea district.

The Bachelor’s Ball, to which so many have been looking forward witli great pleasure, came off last evening, and was a most brilliant affair. We are compelled to bold over further notice till our next issue. The Inglewood Advertiser slates that the murderer Sullivan left Wcdderburn on the sth ult., and says:—“lt is supposed that some an angements have been made by the Government for his exit from the Colony. He had a brief interview before leaving, with the woman who formerly shared his fortunes.” Another paper says, that Sullivan was assisted by the Prisoners’ Aid Society. A good idea, says an exchange, of the profits to bo derived from boiling down fat sheep may be obtained from Mr Parsons’ returns from the melting of fifty crossbied wethers. Those sheep were too fat for the butcher, and on being boiled down, yielded a ton of tallow, thereby netting to'their owner nearly twenty shillings a head.

Tlie Wellington Argus lias tlic following: —A ratlier amusing - accident aecniTed last night, in a certain street oil Cuba street. A number of youthful larrikins thought to have some inn with an old lady who lived in the street referred to, and on two or three occasions during the night knocked loudly at the door and then bolted round a corner unseen. The lady iu question determined to have satisfaction if they came again, and so filled a dipper of cold water and placed it handy. A short time afterwards a tremendous bang came at the door. The lady made a dash for the dipper, then for the door, which she quickly opened, and finally dashed the water full in the face of—not the real offenders, but an unsuspecting quiet-looking elderly gentleman who was passing the door just at the time. The latter was struck “all of a heap,” but a little explanation soon set matters to rights; and although the gentleman’s hat was knocked into the mud and his shirt front made limp, lie walked off Avith as good grace as he could assume ‘under the circumstances. The old lady Avent in again, turned down the lamp, and Avatched quietly for a long time Avith a poker close to her hand, but those boys seemed to’ guess it Avonld be unhealthy for them to come within cooey that night. Knocking at street doors is becoming a favourite pastime Avith the Te Arc yontln hut if knocking the youth on the head Averc to become a pastime with those Avho are thus annoyed, hoys would try to gratify their love of a lark in some more inoffensive manner. A correspondent of the Wanganui Herald of Monday fast, signing himself “ Presbyterian” gives an account of the “ most disgraceful” conduct of Dr Wilkin during Avorship in the Presbyterian church yesterday morning. Notonly did Dr Wilkin go through a number of “ pantomonic performances" to the extreme annoyance of several ladies and gentlemen sitting near him, hut on several occasions ho loudly contradicted the remarks of the minister during the delivery'of the sermon. One gentleman Avas compelled to move into another seat, such Avas the annoyance of the doctor. “ Presbyterian ” thinks some measure should be taken to rid Wanganui of such a nuisance as Dr Wilkin is. Wo were in hopes of the doctor amending such has been the improvement in his conduct lately, but it pains us (7 Jerald) to see that he seems bent upon rendering this opinion untenable.