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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 147, 6 September 1876, Page 2

Tue Hon. Major Atkiusok made his Ministerial statement on Monday evening, but it did not contain anything new or startling. The number of Ministers is to be increased, and tho treatment of natives is to be assimilated to that of Europeans. Sir 1). M‘Le.m and Mr llichardson will retire at the end of the session. The Government propose making Sir Julius Vogel, AgentGeneral, and promise to strictly carry out the Abolition policy. Tho Financial Arrangements I3ill is to be slightly altered, the proposed Education Bill shelved, and the Native Lands Bill withdrawn. The composition of the Ministry docs not give satisfaction to the House.

It is not usual to have anything in tho shape of larrikinism to chronicle in our usually quiet humdrum township, hut that element was largely developed on Saturday night last, and may yet lead its perpetrators into trouble. It seems that some festive youths thought fit to aid the elements, which were at the time turbulent enough, and helped to lift gates off their hinges, throw over closets, and do other equally foolish and idiotic things, worthy of those guilty of them. The gate at the Bank of New Zealand was carried off and some horses driven into the grounds, destroying a croquet lawn and doing other mischief. The same tomfoolery was displayed in other places and the season’s crop of some gardens almost or wholly ruined. The offenders, so far, have had all the fun to themselves, but it is more than probable that they will yet have to answer .for the wilful destruction of property, and this has in gome cases been so wantonly wicked that imprisonment in lieu of fine will wait on conviction. A joke or a jest is all very well, but in those cases gross injury has been caused and it will go hard with the delinquents, if they are discovered. A number of natives have recently passed up to Pariaka, to bo present at the iangi over the venerable Maori chief, who recently died there.

Tli; Education Board held their usual monthly meeting on Monday last, at 6 p.m. instead of 10 a.m,, as a quorum could not be gathered at the legitimate hour. There were present —Messrs Middlemas (Chairman), Dale, Furlong, Milroy, Mcßae, aid Coutts. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Mr Lee, Inspector of {Schools, was read, in which he spoke highly of Mr

Harrc, schoolmaster of Hawera, ami Miss Williams, pupil teacher in the Carlyle school. In the same communication, he stated that Mr Dyer, master of the Carlyle school, had taken a first-class certificate,

and on this subject Ids letter ran as follows:—" Mr Dyer has passed creditably as a First Class teacher, having obtained over the 300 marks required to pass into the highest class. All his papers were well and carefully done. He is a good Latin and French scholar, and possessed of considerable general information. I strongly recommend your Board to retain his services and raise his salary £4O per annum. Ho would bo paid £220 per

annum in similar circumstances in this province.” The Board will no doubt act on their Inspector’s recommendation. Prior to opening tenders for the reserve at Waihi, it was resolved that the reserve price should he 10s per acre. Two tenders were received, one from G. McLean at 6s and another from J. V. Riddle at 10s 6d per acre per year. The latter tender was accepted. Five tenders were received for the erection of a cottage for the schoolmistress at Mauutahi, as follows :—J. Goodfellow, £B7 ; Holtlmm and Warren, £79 ; G, Syme, £77 ; T. North, £76 15s ; W. Aitchson, £77. After some discussion the tender of Mr G. Syme was accepted. Lloyd and Williamson wrote to complain that owing to the pegs of their leasehold having been wrongly placed, they had erected 25 chains of fencing unnecessarily . The matter was referred to the Chief Surveyor to report on. There were no less than seventeen applications for the position of master at the Ketemarae school, including one M.A. and a French count. The choice of the Board fell on Mr Weiss, and it was resolved that, in case of Mr Weiss declining the appointment, Mr G. H. Christie should bo chosen. The sum of £1 was allowed for cleaning the Kakaramea school. A few small accounts wore ordered to be paid. The Board, after a long sitting, adjourned till Monday, 2nd October.

Our local footballers will remember that the Patea team were hardly satisfied with the adverse decision on the occasion of their late match with Wanganui, when the game was given against them. We at that time, stated the reasons for tin's dissatisfaction, and also published the text ol: the case submitted to the Australasian for an ultimate verdict. This was forwarded to the Wanganui club on the 28th of last month accompanied by a most gentlemanly letter from the hon. secretary, Mr. Inman, that the case had been so submitted. The Wanganuites however are not pie’s d thereat, and the answer of the secretary of the club there can hardly be termed an exceedingly courteous epistle. We give it however, at the request of members of the Patea team, for the public generally to form an opinion as to its tone and contents It runs ns follows, is addressed to ths Secretary of the Patea Club, and dated September 2nd Sir,—l am in receipt of your letter of the 28th ult., and am very much surprised at the steps your club have taken. I observe in the question submitted to the Australasian that yon state Wanganui claimed a touch down after time was called, that is altogether erroneous ; the touch down being obtained prior to time being called, and for which two points were added to our score by the umpires, which alone testifies to their opinion. The only question that could bo, and was raised, was whether we were entitled to a try for goa,. That the umpires disallowed. Their decision in all such matters of dispute being final, our club distinctly refuses to allow the authority of the Australasian or any paper or even the umpires themselvee to upset their decision. We very much regret to find that your club cannot take a defeat in the friendly spirit that should characterise all such contests, and in conclusion we cannot but hope your letter will be withdrawn and an apology given, failing which we shall be compelled to decline any further matches with you.— John Stevenson.

Tho weather during the last few days has fairly puzzled the oft-quoted oldest inhabitant. On Saturday night, Sunday, and even during the early part of Monday, it rained, hailed, and blew great guns, thunder and lightning, being the appropriate accompaniments to the atmospheric disturbances. Things improved a little on Monday afternoon, but the wind was high, and the advent of the equinox was made unpleasantly manifest. The Sabbath impounding case, in which two Government officers are the disputants, will be heard to-morrow, Thursday, in the Resident Magistrate’s Court here, and will be listened to with unusual interest, owing to the position of the parties interested. Sub-Inspector Capel has left Waihi for Taupo, and* Sub‘lnspector Norcroft, last from Cambridge in the Waikato, now does duty in his stead. The latter officer arrived on Thursday last.

The usual monthly meeting of the Town Board was hold on Monday last, when there were present, the Chairman, Messrs. Williams, Rhodes, Taplin, Hirst, and McCarthy. The minutes of three meetings one usual, one special, and one committee, were read and confirmed. By the record of. the special meeting it seemed that in addition to making arrangements relative to the cemetery, the question as to those who applied to bo relieved of their leasehold purchases of Town Board reserves was decided. The Board obtained a legal opinion to the effect that purchasers were bound by their bargains, and resolved to hold them to them and not relievo any. An application was made by Mr. 11. Guyatt, to fence in a portion of Durham street, and granted on conditions. The draft of a lease from the Board to the trustees of tho cricket club for the present

cricket reserve, was submitted by Mr. Adams, solicitor, ami was tho cause of about an hour’s discussion relative to the course the chairman had taken, the privileges demanded, and sundry other matters. Eventually the draft was approved of, and the lease agreed to, the name i f Mr. H. F. Christie being substituted for that of Captain Wray, ns one of tho trustees. Mr. Hirst road a written statement, the burden of which was that as a member of the Board, ho had not received the courtesy due to him from the chairman, Messrs. Williams and Milroy, in connection with the lately formed Public Works Committee. The Chairman and Mr. Williams disowned any intention of discourtesy, and regretted that any conduct of theirs should have given rise to such an impression, with which disclaimer Mr. Hirst said lie was perfectly satisfied, and the matter dropped. Mr. McCarthy moved, and Mr. Williams seconded that tho Recreation ground bo leased, and that Messrs. Milroy, Rhodes, Hirst, McCarthy and the Chairman bo appointed a Committee to draw up conditions and report to the next meeting. This was agreed to. Tenders for fencing in the

cemetery were received, and that of Mr.*H, Davis, for £1 4s. 6d. a chain accepted. The Inspector of Nuisances brought under the notice of the Board the fact that horses and cattle were continually straying in the street, and that without assistance it was quite impossible to impound them. Several members referred to the nuisance and loss that these vagrant animals occasioned, and on the motion of Mr. Hirst, seconded by Mr. McCarthy, it was resolved “That the Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to at once impound all stray horses, cattle, sheep, or pigs’ or to lay informations against the owners thereof. ” In addition to this, authority to enlist other aid to got the animals to pound was given. Payment of a small account to Mr. J. Gibson was authorised, after which the Board adjourned. The quarterly Licensing meeting was

hold yesterday, the sth last., when the following mngistrates occupied the Bench ; —Major Turner, R.M. (Chairman), Dr Groft, J- Livingstone, anil G-- VV_ Williams, Ksqs J.P.’s. The business was not of a very important nature, the only cases for hearing being an application for a transfer by Mr E spagne of Hawcia to Mr Prosser, and applications for wholesale licenses by Mr Redding of Normnnby, and Mr Overend of Wairoa, the latter being a transfer from Mr A. 0. Fookcs. Mr Hirst appeared as agent for the latter. At the conclusion of the business the Chairman remarked upon the very barren and unsatisfactory nature of the reports sent in by the police at tiro various stations, as to the houses within their districts. This brought up Mr Meredith, Clerk of the Court, who stated that in accordance with his duty ho had furnished Sub-Inspoctor Kenny, of Waihi, with certain information as to a probable broach of tire Licensing Act, and had requested that officer to take such stops ns lie thought necessary in consequence. Sub-Inpector Kenny bad however, sent a very strange memorandum in reply, which ho (Mr Meredith) thought insulting and he begged to hand a copy for the Court to inspect. Nolhingfurther was done, but the Chairman by the consent of the other members, desired the clerk to communicate with the various officers and regret that their reports, that of £Jub- Inspector Kenny’s wc presume were not properly got up. After his the Board adjourned.

It is of course not surprising that in these days Maoris are allowed to do pretty well as they like, but there is certainly a limit to even pakeha patience, Sir Donald McLean notwithstanding. The Manutahi natives have of late found profitable sport in shooting the cattle of the settlers in that district, and by way of climax have the audacity to bring the hides into town for sale. On Monday last, two beasts were killed in this way, at the back of Mr Lysaght’s, and their skins offered for sale in Manutahi. They were readily identified as the property of Mr T. Bayley, but the men coolly stated that Major Brown had. authorised them to kill the animals, and the natives escaped scatheless. Now* tender as Major Brown may be in dealing with his dusky charges, we do not for a moment believe that he authorised them to commit felony, and we think he will be as much astonished at hearing his authority quoted as the public and the sufferers. If anything that could, by the wildest stretch of native imagination, be construed into such permission, it is high time to revoke it, for a slaughtering license of the kind may he expanded to anything, under native hands. The simple fact that settlers’ cattle are being killed by the Maoris, as they say, with the permission of the Native Commissioner remains; it is for that officer to offer some explanation, or for the Department to state on what grounds robbery and spoliation of the kind is authorised. '

We hear that ns soon as the talked of Patea District hospital is started, the Waihi Amateurs propose to play in aid of it, and some of the leading members of that efficient company have already notified as much to the lately appointed committee, who, by the way, are somewhat dilatory in bringing up their promised report.

The Wairoa Highway Board met on Saturday last, the 2nd inst., when there were present the Chairman, Messrs. lon, McLean, and Fleming, The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed) and the Treasurer’s balance to the credit of the Board was stated to bo £374 19s. 5dPermission was given to Mr. Old and to Messrs. Thurston and Axup to retain their gates for a year. A letter was received from Mr. G. W. Williams, Government Surveyor, stating that he had surveyed a road for the Board on the east and west sides of the township. The tender of Mr. Dalziel, at £1 15s per acre, was accepted for Howie’s road. The following tenders wore received for cutting, &c., in Howie’s road : —W. Dalziel, £3O ; J. Bowie, £2B ; A. Robinson, £24 5s ; 11. J. Dudley, £l9 15s. The last was accepted. For work on the Middle Mangatanga road, the tender of A. Robinson was accepted, those of H. JDudley, at £29 15s and J. Bowie at £34 being declined. The following accounts were passed for payment :—J. Duthie, £ll Gs ; J. Taylor, £1 10s ; Bowie and Co., £lB 17s Gd and £lO 15s, An advertisement was ordered to bo inserted in a Wanganui paper, cautioning persons from allowing gorse to spread. Messrs Walkington, Symcs, Thomas, and Riches, were to be notified to remove fences that they had put up across roads. In reference to a bridle track to Taylor’s Hill it was resolved to ask the Patea Fast Road Board, either to do a certain portion of the work, or to hand the money over to that Board for expenditure. This was all the business and the Board then adjourned.

The following, from the Auckland Star, shows a wretched state of affairs in the once capital of the colony. The Star says a correspondent writes that “ ho is a laboring man, with a wifejaml five children, who are in want of food through the inability of himself or his wife to get work. Ho says ho is a strong man, used to all kinds of garden and earth work, and his wife a good laundress. He wishes to know if there is any place of charity in Auckland.” The second coming of Christ on earth ia to take place this month (September), according to Dr. Cnmming’s latest prediction. The Jews will have to travel with extraordinary speed to return to Palestine I yy the time named. The Budget has the following:—“ A gentleman coming towards town from Ilenui yesterday, expresses himself astounded at seeing in a professedly temperance hotel window—the most conspicuous object, in fact —neither more, nor less than brandy. Yes, publicly exposed and labelled for sale, was to be seen Brandy Balls.” It is voted by teetotallers to be the most sinful of sins to indulge in brandy drinking. The gentleman would like to know if; brandy balls come under the head of allowable temperance refreshments ?

The following good story comes to us from a reliable source. A young but impecunious couple wished to clinch the sweetness of “ love’s young dream” at the hymeneal altar. Preliminaries were made, and both appeared at a certain bouse at a certain hour, dressed in their Sunday attire, but without any of that speciality which is said to “ make the mare go.” When the time came for placing in the hands of the officiating gentleman the customary fee, the bridegroom felt himself placed in an awkward dilonma, which somewhat detracted from the sublimity of the occasion. He felt in bis breeches pockets, then in those of his vest, and as a last resource dived into the pockets of his coat tails, but alas ! with vain results. Leaving his blushing bride for a moment he was seen to whisper in the car of two other acquaintances almost as hard tip as himself, but who in their good nature raised between them some ten or twelve shillings. This was given by the groom to the “gentleman of the black cloth,” with a promise to pay the balance after the ceremony. The latter expressed his satisfaction, and immediately closed his eyes and engaged in a final and earnest prayer for the immediate prosperity of the happy couple (probably with an eye to getting the balance due), in the midst of which the impecunious pair quietly left the premises. At the conclusion of the prayer the rev. gentleman opened his eyes, and found himself in solitude. He says in future lie will not transact any business of the kind without ready cash.

At Timaru, William Todd, a farmer, of Winchester, a “man in easy circumstances, welL educated, and a leader in church matters,” has been sent to gaol for six months, for stripping his daughter (aged ten) naked, and beating her in a most shocking manner with willow sticks. He said the girl told him lies, and that he “ corrected her out of pure loye.” Besides his six months hard labor punishment, Todd had to find sureties for his proper behaviour towards the child in future. The people in court greeted the sentence with applause.

Mr Elliot, the Immigration Officer at Wellington, in his 'report to the Government says : —Above all, I would strongly urge that on no account should any more Italians be introduced. Some few, I must own, have looked after themselves, and have been of little or no trouble, but the majority who have arrived hero have shown not the slightest disposition to work, and seemed to think that it was the duty of the Government to provide for them for the rest of their lives. The dis-favor into which the Italians have generally throughout the Colony fallen is attributable, I believe, in a great measure, to their injudicious selection.”