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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 145, 30 August 1876, Page 2

The sale of the hull of the Fawq, now lying stranded, took place on Saturday last, but Mr Dale was only able to obtain £2 for it. Mr F. McCarthy became a shipowner at that price, but whether his puchase will prove a profitable one or not remains to be seen. Captain Davis had previously taken out her masts and her standing and running rigging, but offers them at a low price in case of the buyer floating the hull and desiring to refit her.

On the 25th instant, a celebrated Maori chief named Nikorima, an old native of Matakaha, died near Opunake. This man, from circumstances stated by natives, cannot have been Jess than 110 or 120 years of age. His own statement is that he remembered the last visit of Captain Cook, and at that time his beard was beginning to grow on his face, and he had killed his lirst two of his tribe’s enemies. Though not a chief by birth, he gained renown as a warrior of such importance that the enemies of his tribe in war time generally told off from 20 to 30 men, whose duty it was to look out for and kill Nikorima. His great ago is spoken of by other very old natives on this coast, who, when children, remember Nikorima a middleaged warrior. Natives have been assembling from all parts to tahgi over this old warrior, who they look upon as an ancestor.

Wo remind those interested that the auction sale of the Hawera Town Board leases, by Mr W. Dale, takes place on Saturday next, the 2nd September, at Hawera. They comprise sections of all sizes, conveniently situated for business or other purposes, and are of a valuable nature. Sale to commence at 10 o’clock. After which Mr Dale will dispose of a large quantity of merchandise at Mr Furlong’s store.

The want of a respectable private boarding house has long been felt in Carlyle, and wo are glad to Jind that Mrs Ussbcr has signified her intention of supplying it on .and after Samrday next. Mrs Ussher has been long resident in Patea, and is universally and highly respected by all who know her, so those desiring accommodation of the above kind Avill bo lucky in falling into such good hands. She will open the house owned by Mr Smith, and formerly known as the Temperance Boarding House.

The enquiry into the loss of the ketch Fawn, held yesterday, before Major Turner, E.M., and Mr Odgcrs, avlio sat as nautical assessor, resulted in their coming to the conclusion that no blame Avas fairly attributable to anyone, thcmastci-, Captain Davis, and the pilot, Mr Wood, being specially exempted from fault. A lot of things connected Avith the port Avcre brought up, amongst others the need for a lighter boat and a boat’s creAV to render aid Avlien needed, but nothing definite Avas arrived at.

On Thursday last a good deal of excitement prevailed amongst a lot of the Whcnuakura natives, in consequence of one of their body having relieved a fellow countryman of £SB in money, a valued piece of greenstone, and a Avatch. In con sequence of the hurrying and scurrying of the dusky fraternity, Constable Buckley interviewed several in connection Avith furious riding, in apology for Avhich the desire to capture the culprit Avas pleaded. Though Sergeant Whelan volunteered his services, they Avere not accepted, and the matter dropped, so it is to be presumed that restitution took place, and that Maoii justice Avas appeased.

As avc recently stated, the Patea team Avcre hardly satisfied Avith the adverse verdict in their late football contest Avith Wanganui, and an appeal to the Australasian -was resolved on. The case has been submitted to that tribunal in the folloAving form, and a reply may be expected in about a month from the present date. The Bateaus haA r c put it as folloAvs : —“ In a game of football (Carlyle a-. Wanganui), Avhcre it had been agreed upon to “ change goals” every half-hour, Wanganui obtained a “ touch down” after the umpire of the Carlyle team had called out “ time” to his brother umpire. Some of the players heard the Carlyle umpire call “ time,” and abstained from further play ; others did not, and Avent on playing, and the “ touch down” Avas obtained, after Avhich both umpires called out time, loud enough for both sides to hear. Wanganui claimed a “ touch down” (2 points), but Avere not allowed by the umpires a “ try at goal,” which is ahvays consequent upon a “ touch down.” Can Wanganui therefore claim 2 points for the “ touch down,” Avliich Avas obtained after the half-hour had expired ?

The concert in aid of the Carlyle Catholic Church Fund, came off on Monday evening last, in the Carlyle Town Hall, and although the house was not crowded, there were a good number present. The programme was commenced by an overture on the harmonium, violin, and flute, by the Messrs Connolly and Mr Francis, who certainly showed .themselves masters of their instruments, and at the conclusion were loudly applauded. The following ladies and gentlemen also took part in the performance.—Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Lyttelton, Mrs Dalton, Miss Higgins ; Messrs Baggett, Oakley, Rhodes, Hirst, and Black. Each performer did their best to please, and their endeavors met with repeated encores from the audience. The gem of the evening was a selection from the opera of “ II Trovatore,” by Mrs Dalton and Mr Connolly, which was certainly given in a most artistic manner. After the concert the room was cleared for a dance, which was kept up with unremitting energy till about 3 o’clock, when “God save the Queen” was played, everyone departing well pleased with their night’s amusement.

Mr W. Courtney, of New Plymouth, advertises in another column that he will hold an i nportant sale of cattle, &c., at his yards, Glenavon, on the 7th of September, when he will offer 150 head store cattle, and several draught colts. The sale will take place at 1 o’clock. The following, taken from the Taranaki Herald , will be of interest to our farming readers : —“ Mr Joe Ward is manufacturing barrel churns, which we learn from those who use them are far superior to the ordinary box churns more generally in use. Mr Ward has made a barrel churn for Mr J. B. Cunnctt, of Bell Block, who informs us that he has made 501bs. of butter in eleven minutes, with the labor of himself and a girl. Mr Connett’s churn is intended to make 150ibs. of butter. Its diameter at the head is 2ft. Gin. and at the bilge 2ft. Bin. the length being 2ft. Gin. The difference between a barrel churn and the box chum is that whereas the beaters of the latter revolve, the beaters of the former are fixtures, and as the churn revolves, the fall of the cream being great, the butter is more quickly made. There is a bunghole for letting out the butter milk, and on one side an opening for putting in or takingout the contents of the churn. The beaters, which are fixed between the staves of the barrel, are made so as to admit of a scrubbing brush passing round the edges of the churn and thus the interior can bo easily cleaned. There arc many other advantages to bo derived, we believe, from these churns, which those who use them will discover.”

The N.Z. Times says—“ It is stated that Sir George Grey contemplates visiting England after the session, for the purpose of bringing under the notice of the British Government the wrong done to the people of Ncav Zealand by the Vogel administra* tion.”

By the Broad Arrow, of the 24th, the Southern Cross notices that Captain Henry Burton, of Auckland, late of the 40th Begiment, on half-pay, has been ordered home, and gazetted captain of the 57th Foot, vice W. Gilmore. This, and other appointments Avhich have been recently made, no doubt proceeds from the unsettled state of Europe at the present time, and the active preparations Avhich Britain is making to be ready for the strife should Avar unfortunately arise.

“ iEglcs” says:—“ It is said that amongst the largest holders of Thrkish and Egyptian bonds are Jewish linns in London. Some of them, who have been living gloriously on the high rate of interest yielded by Egyptians, have now to retrench, and there have been even such sad occurrences as carriages put down and furniture sold off. Indeed, my friend De Splash—who is suspected of private correspondence with several crowned heads—tells me that some one lately mentioned to the Khedive how the poor Jews were suffering through the depression of Egyptian securities, and how sincerely they regretted having lent money to Egypt. To width said the Khedive—- “ Well, you know, it can’t be helped. It’s our turn now. They got at us pretty smartly some centuries ago—just before they crossed the Led fica !”

A rather impious Yankee was out hunting one day, and was thrown over a clilf by his hores stopping suddenly, but was caught by his waist belt (about 100 feet from the bottom) by t limb of a projecting shrub, thus remaining suspended in midair. In this frightful position his past reckless life passed through his mind like greased lightning. He prayed, and prayed earnestly (the first time in his life) winding up by saying, “ Lord, if thou should think lit to perform a miracle now is your time.”

The Auckland Herald says —“ It has probably never come within our province to record a more providential escape from a terrible death than that which occurred to Mr James Browne '(f Snyder”) on Monday morning, 14th hid. This gentleman had gone on board the Argylc for Coromandel. Thinking tint the boat was not going to steam away for some minutes, he stepped on shore to speak to a friend. ■ He had not landed more than a minute or two when the Argylc moved astern. To save his passage ho ran alt, and seizing a wire rope held on, but wai unable to make the required leap to reach the deck. It was at this moment ho fomd himself becoming jammed between the boat and a belaying post on the edge of the wharf. An instant of time lost, and Mr Browne would have been crushed to death between the post and the steamer's boat. Perceiving the danger, Mr Browne threw himself at full length on his back oi» to the wharf, and saved his life by a mere hair’s breadth. Those who saw the dinger were too paralizod with fear to uttel a warning cry. It was well-that it was so, as Mr Browne’s attention would have been distracted and his life sacrificed. Mr Browne then jumped into the boat, which immediately canted and nearly precipitated him into the water. He clung desperately to the side, and so was saved. A narrower escape from being crushed to death can hardly be imagined. ; Trying,—“ I don’t know anything more tryin’ to the temper,” says old Uncle Joe Stebbins, “than fora man to wind up a clock every day for 20 years and then Hnd out that the pesky thing is an eight-day consarn.”

Th aLyell Argus has produced a “ leader.” Here it is verbatim el literatim: — “Uphold the Bight. Saturday 15 July 187 G. We dont know anything about Politics and wo are not like some of our brother Editors ; we dont profess to know everything ; But this much,we do know. Viz That the Powers that be ; are through their neglect driving our best men out of the district, men take up land, deposit their money ; and then have to wait till dooms day for a Surveyor. The least a Paternal Government can do, is to forward to these confiding beings, a copy of The Budget, or of the Four Million Loan. Or any other light reading matter tire may have on hand. Just to while away the time till Sir Julius can go home (in a Special train) to bring out A Boy, to survey their leases.”

There are 110 Shires in Victoria ; five of these have 12 Councillors each ; 83 have nine Councillors, and the remaining 22 Shires are governed by six Councillors each. Thus there are 100 Presidents, 829 Councillors, and 110 Secretaries in the Colony. Bather a novel spectacle was witnessed in Masterton the other day (says the Wairarapa News of a late date). A whole rank and file of the local bar was seen staggering along the main thoroughfare under the weight of some hall-dozen canebottom chairs. Bmglary was the first idea that struck the spectators, but the wellknown respectability of the gentlemen concerned soon dispelled the illusion. The local temple of justice, it seems, is so destitute of furniture and fittings, that the practising counsel have to carry their seats along with the green bags. We question very much if all the thousand and one examples afforded of the penny wise and pound foolish procedure of Government will compare Avith this one. “ A stormy scene has taken place in the Italian Parliament,” according to the Examiner , “in consequence of a ‘ Black Book’ having been found in the secret Ministerial achi ves, Avhich contains a detailed and generally libellous account of the private lives of members, especially of those of the Opposition. This clandestine spying upon the representatives of the people Avas done under the previous ; Consortera’ Cabinets for a great many years. The new Liberal Minister, Nicotera, having himself been the object of these pryingpractices of Cabinet detectives, endeavored to avoid a discussion Avhich might have led to the contents of the ‘ Black Book’ being divulged. The ex-Minister Lanza sought to excuse himself, but did so very lamely, and ended Avith the unblushing aA r OAval thatthe proceduresiu question Avero correct, as being in the interest of GoA rcrnment! Finally, the House dropped the unpleasant subject by almost universal consent.”

An account of the execution of six of the men concerned in the murder of the French and German Consuls at Salonica, is sent by a correspondent of the Daily News. They were undoubtedly (the writer says) among - the murderers of the Consuls; but they were notorious as assassins, and consequently men more likely to be employed by others than to origin,',te such a deed. The wife of one, as he struggled in the air, expressed her pleasure at his death, rejoicing at her freedom from such a monster. Another had recently extorted money from his ownmother with a violence which caused her death. All of them died with a false heroism which great brutality seems to give. They were executed by the sea-shore. Each of them as his turn came, refused the assistance of the officials, and placing the rope around his neck, kicked the box from under his feet. In a later letter the same correspondent states that the Commissioners arc still pursuing their investigations into the murder of the Consuls, but they have not been very successful, owing to the difficulty of obtaining evidence. Many persons who were arrested have been discharged because no one would come forward and speak against them. The prospect of any Patea Harbor Bill passing during the present session has been already regarded as almost hopeless and the following sent by a well informed correspondent of the Taranaki Herald —Mr Kelly, M.H.R., we believe—on Friday last, seems to extinguish all hope. The extract is as follows :—“ The House has been inundated this session with Harbor Board bills. Patea, ’Wanganui, and Eangitikei on the West Coast were among the number. Others were coming, such as the Waitara Harbor Board Bill and the Opunaki Harbor Board Bill, but a sudden - stop has been put to these measures, which, for the time being, has thrown a gloom on the members interested. All these Bills aimed at land endowment for harbor improvements. As there is a general feeling that the land will not last for ever, there is a disposition to seize on it for local purposes, but the Speaker is determined to protect the public estate, and has ruled that such bills must be treated as revenue bills. They consequently collapse, and must be introduced in another shape. This causes delay, and if they escape disaster in the House they are said to be in greater danger when they enter the domain of the Legislative Council. The probability is that they will come to grief.” - It is calculated (says the Post) that the present session of Parliament has already cost the country upwards of £15,000. This is rather expensive amusement.