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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 148, 9 September 1876, Page 2

We understand that it has been proposed to hold a Masonic ball hero very shortly, which in brilliancy is to excel any entertainment of the kind ever given in Patea. The proposition has emanated from the local Lodge hero, hut its promoters desire the co-operatioil of all Masons within the district, in order to carry out the affair in the style proposed. The Masons never do tilings by halves, and we have no doubt that the /'present proposal will be enthusiastically supported by all “brethren of the mystic tie,” whether belonging to the Patea Lodge or not,- provided they can possibly reach our township on the festive occasion. We would remind owners of entire horses that the annual horse parade, under tho auspices of the Patea Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held this day week. Those washing to show their animals should not neglect this opportunity.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ilawera Town Hoard was held at Mr Greig’s office on Monday last. Present— Messrs Bamford, Baker, Cameron, Winks, and the Chairman. The minutes oi! the special meeting held on the 24th August were road and confirmed. An application was received from Mr Tlawkc to have permission to temporarily fence in the road adjoining his section at the west end oi the town. Permission was given for so doing should ho have a swinging gate erected in the roadway. Resolved, that Mr Ilammerton act as solicitor to the Board in drawing out the various leases for the town reserves lately leased. Resolved, that Captain Wray be communicated with, with the view of ascertaining-whether the Board could leaso the quarter-acre of ground lately’ granted them by the Government (for the erection of a Town Hall and Library) to a company, such company to build a Town Hall thereon. It was resolved that the committee appointed to report on the work required to be executed, hold over such report until the next meeting of the Board. The local impounding case, about which great interest was felt, was not heard on Thursday as expected, MajorTurncr having been legally advised to pay the amount claimed into Court, and take subsequent steps in reference to its recovery. Mr W. Dale will hold a sale of miscellaneous merchandise at his rooms to-day at 1 o’clock, in addition to a stack of hay near Carlyle. Another high class draught horse, Young Lofty, is announced to be at the service of breeders this season, lie will travel between Ketcmarao and Manutahi, and from his pedigree cannot fail to produce first-class stock.

The late concert in aid of the Catholic Church fund, was a great success for the object to be bcncflttcd. After payment of all expenses, the sum of £lB 3s remains for the fund, and the church is relieved of all debt, with a few shillings to the good in addition. The co?nmittee desire us to thank those friends—of all denominations—who so generously rendered assistance, the great value of which may be gathered from the above result. A correspondent writes to enquire whether a storekeeper holding a wholesale wine and spirit license, can sell a less quantity than two gallons, without infringing the law, and states that six bottles, or one gallon are frequently sold in the district. We may say that such sales are contrary to the existing licensing law, and that it is as great a broach for wholesale license holders to sell six bottles, as one, or indeed to sell anything whatever less than the full two gallons. Storekeepers who do so must sell at their own risk, and arc liable to heavy penalties for so doing, if the offence be proved. The thoroughbred horse, Dcadshot, the property of Messrs. Moliac and Nicholson, is announced for this season, and will travel in the Wairoa, Patca, and Hawera districts. This is one of the best bred horses in the Colony, and his stock are of the highest class, though as yet his chances of showing his quality have been by no means equal to his merits. Ho is one of the strongest thoroughbreds in New Zealand, and has every good quality necessary to get either race horses, hunters, or hacks of premier class. The recommendation of the celebrated “Angus” as to one of his get, should be sufficient to prove what kind of animal he must be, and we have no doubt that breeders will largely avail themselves of such an opportunity. The foe is ridiculousty low for a horse of his stamp, and he will without doubt speedily fill his list.

With reference to the late Maori cattle shooting case at Manutahi, Major Turner has received the following telegram from Major Brown “ The natives have permission from Mr T. Bayly, through me, to shoot his cattle running on the native reserve, after the end of last year.” Major Brown promises further enquiry, which it is to bo hoped will be made, and prove satisfactorily a conclusion that certainly seems hard to believe. How the natives can know Mr T. Bayly’s cattle from those of other persons, before potting them, is one of the many Maori mysteries. The Post says I The three victims of the Hutt outrage—Young, Reidal, and Paul—arc in a fair way of being comfortably provided for, Reidal remains quite unable to do anything for himself, and the committee of the Benevolent Institution*suggest that he should be sent back to his native land, Germany, undertaking to transmit £9O or £IOO from the special fund through some German bank for his use on arrival. It appears that two of his sons arc working in the mines there. Paul has been found some light work in town, and Young as previously stated, has been placed in charge of a railway crossing'. The comparative recovery of Franz Smat’s victims, after their frightful injuries, is little short of a miracle. The natives at Awahuri, says the Advocate, are arranging the preliminary subdivision of their land among the members of the different hapus, with a view to its immediats sale. . Within a short time some 7,000 acres will be ready for sale. The land will be both open and bush, the former being situate on this side of the river, and the latter extending for two and a half miles from the bridge on either side of the road-to -Palmerston.

The 'veritable Orton is said to have-been discovered in Sydney, and the Claimant’s chances have improved thereby. The “find” is thus described in a letter -written last month to the Melbourne Uerahlhy Mr J. T. Wright, of tiic Enquiry Cilice, Little Coll ins-street, in which he says; —The credit (if any) of finding- Alfred Smith) alias George Orcswell, who is now confined in the Paramatta Lunatic Asylum, New South Wales, is duo to mo. I mentioned the particulars, which have been made public on my return from Sydney about 10 days ago, to the gentleman interested here on behalf of the Claimant. I then thought he would keep silent until further information had been obtained, but it appears that ho has not done so, and it no longer remains a secret, and I shall now give a few details. Alfred Smith, alias George Creswcll, also nick-named Leather Jacket, is said to be identical with Arthur Orton. Some valuable particulars I have in my possession, I think will account for his (Alfred Smith) having assumed so many aliases. A. Smith or G. Creswcll, is said to be a good butcher, good rider, and a capital shot, and it is a well-known fact that both bo and the Claimant were sworn friends and mates together in Now South Wales. Taking the Claimant’s own words in bis crossexamination, upon being asked where he left Arthur Orton when in Australia, he replied at Wagga Wagga, N.S. Wales, in Juno, 1800, passing under the name of Alfred Smith. George Creswcll is said to be the same person, and further the Wagga witness stated that Arthur Ortou hud very large hands and feet, whereas the Claimant is said to have remarkably small hands and feet. There is a decided discrepancy here, but Creswcll is said to have large hands and feet and bo a very large-framed man, about the same height as the Claimant, which in every way agrees with the description furnished by Arthur Orton. The sisters of Orton have always denied that the Claimant was thciiv brother. Steps arc now being taken to obtain the photograph of Creswcll to send to England for identification. Should the photograph in question be identified by Arthur Orton’s sisters, many others now living in Wapping may possibly recognise the likeness of George Creswcll as that of Arthur Orton. This important feature in the case once got over, combined with other evidence I have and hope to obtain, will, I trust bo the means of clearing up what has boon, up to the present, the greatest legal mystery on record. I have no doubt the claimant can, if ho likes, furnish the key to some very valuable information, relative to Alfred Smith, now he is found.