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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 168, 18 November 1876, Page 2

Wo arc glad to sec that some public spirit is being manifested in reference to Christmas Sports. A meeting is called for this evening at Haywood’s Albion hotel, at which it is to bo hoped, all interested will attend.

Mr McGregor offers for sale a most valuable property —the Normanby hotel, now in course of erection. It is situated in one of the most progressive districts in this part of the Colony, and will no doubt command a good price. To-day the Wairoa boys will encounter those of Patea in a friendly game at cricket. The former were to come up last Saturday, but the weather was so bad that they declined the contest, though every preparation had been made for their reception. Let us hope that better fortune may attend to-day, and that the best team may win.

■Mr F. 11. Jackson will bold an important sale of rams at his yards, Wanganui, on Thursday next, the 23rd instant. In tiie course of hfS travels, Mr Lee lately examined the Waverley scliocTl. The following is an extract from his entry in the log-book :—“ Sevonty-twO children present for examination, out of seventyfour on the books. Thirteen new passes were made in Stand. [. ; live passed Stand. IL ; seven passed Stand. 111. ; and one (L. Symcs) passed Stand. IV. These results are very satisfactory, and the school is taking a good position among tiie schools of the Province. One candidate for Stand. 111. (James Mathiesou) obtained full marks in Arithmetic for Stand. 111. and 180 marks in all out of a possible 200. Robert Lee, Inspector of Schools." A significant hint as to the early realisation of Countydom was given this week, Captain Wray having - received a telegram from the Government, in which suggestions as to the division of the

County Into ridings were invited. It was thought that three ridings would be sufficient, and a hint to this effect accompanied the telegram. Captain Wray consulted some of the chief residents in the township—not having time to consult country settlers, as an immediate answer was requested—and eventually it was agreed to recommend three ridings, as follows—One from Waitotara to Whenuakura ; another from Whonuakura to Manawajjou ; the third from the Manawapou to the northern boundary of the County. It was urged that the last would ha too large, as it would embrace the whole of the Waimatc Plains, but it was pointed out that these were as yet unpeopled, and that it would probably be some time before they were occupied. Moreover, when that was the case, Waimate would be of sufficient importance to justify its creation into a riding by itself. A reply recommending the above was sent. There will bo, we presume, nine members for such an extensive county as that of Patea, three, for each riding. There arc already a host of Richmonds ready to take tlie field when the day of election is notified, and that surely must bo within a month or so, as the Councils are to enter into active existence with the New Year, and the functions of the exSuperintcndenls, now Government agents, cease at that lime.

We hear that it is intended to open a branch of the Australasian Catholic Hibernian Sociol.v, in tin* T’atea district very shortly. Persons wishing to join can make all necessary arrangements by applying to the Revd. Father Pertnis. The branch will be established, we understand, almost immediately.

A special meeting of the Patea Good Templars Lodge is called for Thursday next, when, it is stated, business of an urgent nature will bo brought forward. Messrs. Ash forth and Liffiton are keeping up their Waitotara horse, sheep, and cattle sales, and will offer a varied assortment on Tuesday next, comprising va’uable cattle, Lincoln rams, store sheep, an Alderney bull, and horses of ’all classes) in addition to some thirty pigs These Waitotara sales promise to be alike profitable to the enterprising auctioneers, and convenient for settlers having stock to dispose of. Settlers will see by advertisement elsewhere that Mr J. Anderson, of Wanganui, •is prepared to supply Ca'vert’s Carbolic Acid dip. It is said to be most effectual for the objects it is intended, and, if so, will no doubt be largely availed of by settlers.

Mr Greig, the well-known Commission Agent and Town Clerk of Hawera, lias become associated with Mr McGregor of Kctcmarac, and will in future reside at that place. In conjunction with Mr McGregor, however, he will still carry on his Hawera business.

Mr Co worn’s- weekly horse sale will take place to-day at Erskluc’s yards. Wo direct the attention of those having horses to dispose of, to the notice in reference to the sale appearing in our advertising columns.

A meeting of the Francis Committee was held on Thursday evening last, when it was resolved* that an entertainment, consisting of songs, to wind up with a farce, should be got up, and come off on the 29th inst. Mr Smith has been communicated with, and wants 30s for the use of his piano. Possibly, under the very dear circumstances under which ho got it, this may not be out of the way, but the fact that the Hall Company want"to exact a similar contribution to their own funds, for a charitable object, is altogether different. Such is the case, however, and “ the blessings of those who are ready to perish, will (not) fall” on the Company in connection with this matter. The Company will, however, take their pound of flesh ; Mr Smithwill get 30s for his piano ; but there are charitable people enough in the town to make the entertainment, in itself a success, to say nothing of what may be gathered from it for the benefit of the poor fellow now lying sick, and his wife and young children. The Town Board will hold an adjourned meeting on Monday in the Court House. We mention the place particularly, as some misunderstanding as to it occurred on Monday last.

Mr W. Dale will hold a sale of household furniture this'day, at his rooms, a fc 2.30 p.m. He will also offer a large quantity of timber on Wednesday next, particulars of which appear in olir advertising columns, lie also offeis five and six acre sections at Woodville, on Very liberal terms, and, as this township pro* miscs to be a Very prosperous one in a short time. We have no doubt they will be readily taken up. It has been customary of late for people to tether their horses to the. fence enclosing the Wesleyan Church, and the consequence has been that the Wires are pulled about in all direction-;, and in some parts rendered useless. A notice appears in another column, asking those who have been guilty of the practice to abstain from it in future. Surely such an appeal will not be made fruitlessly. The Licensing Courts for Patea and Waitotara will sit on Tuesday, the 6th December. Notices of the following applications have been lodged. In the Patea district, Thomas Lloyd, late of Whcnuakura, has applied for a license for a new house at Hawera, William Dale has applied for a new license for the Woodville Inn, Woodville ; Mr McGregor has applied for a new license for the Nomanby hotel, Normanby. In the Waitotara district, W. Prosser has given notice of application for transfer of license of the Whenuakma hotel, from T. Lloyd. C. Edwards has applied for a transfer, from the late linn of Christopher & Edwards, of the license of the Wairoa hotel.

In the Resident Magistrates’ Court, yesteiday, two paltry civil cross cases were heard, the result of which will, we, think, euro at least one of the parlies of such litigation. Of. Knowles sued G. Hillman for £1 3s, alleged balance of value of a pair of trousers, said to be illegally retained by defendant. The complainant’s story was that he borrowed 5s from defendant’s wife, for which the garment in question was to be security. That on demanding the clothing, the lady not only refused to give it up, but knocked the hat olf his head, and, by way of adding insult to injury, her husband came out and punched his head. Mr Adams appeared for the defence, and proved by the evidence of defendant and his wife, that plaintiff had absolutely sold the unmentionables for the ss, and hence the disinclination to give them up. The Resident Magistrate, who occupied the Bench, dismissed the case with ill 13s costs. The parties men changed places, Ulilman summoning Knowles for £1 7s, wasting done during twenty-seven weeks. The latte admitted the debt, but said ho had done carpenter's work in payment for it. This was denied by Hillman, and a verdict was given for the amount claimed, with another £1 18s costs, making Knowles’ total £o Gi, a decidedly bad investment in endeavoring to recover the trousers. The magistrate commented severely on Knowles' folly, and declined to mike any o.der giving time. In Dale v Davis, to recover £4 3s Bd, calls due on Town Hall shares, judgment was confessed, but defendant said that he did not understand he was liable, further than to forfeit the shares. Judgment for the amount claimed, to be paid in a month, was given. This was all the business and the Court then adjourned. A letter has been received by the hon secretary of (he Hospital from Mr Bennie slating that he will send up skates next week, and that he will be ready to fulfil his promise of giving a skating entertainment, in aid of the Hospital, at any time the committee think fit, A reply has been formally received from the Government placing one of the Immigration cottages at the disposal of the Committee, and Mr Harris now holds the key. Under these circumstances would it not be better to hold a meeting earlier than previously arranged, say some time next week, in order that, if possible, the hospital may be fully opened on New Year’s Day ? A cricket match between Wanganui and Patca will lake place on Saturday next, the 25th hist., on the ground of the latter. It will bo the first match of the present season between these teams, and great interest will be attached, as hitherto honors have been pretty equally divided. The return match between the WailuHawera eleven, and eleven of the Patea club, will come off early in December, but we are not aware that flic exact data has been fixed.

At the last meeting of the Education Board, Mr Dale gave notice that at the nest meeting of the hoard* he would move “ That a school-house and cottage should be erected on the school reserve at Whenuakura, similar to the buildings erected at Manutahh” The residents on the Whenuakura Block deserve to have their wants attended to, because they can now muster between twenty and thirty children fit to attend school.

A ladies deputation committee went round yesterday to collect subscriptions towards a Christmas treat for juveniles, in connection with the Wesleyan Church' here. They were very fairly successful, and very unfairly importunate, getting, however, all they wanted, to the confusion of the sterner sex assailed. The Greymoiith Coal Company have struck a seam of mineral feet in thickness.

... The lightning- of Saturday morning last, was of an exceedingly dangerous character, and accidents through it have been reported in many papers. At Ketemarae a large tree, near the saw-mill, Was riven from bottom to top, but fortunately tbs damage did not extend further.

We have been favorad With the perusal of The Victorian Primitive Methodist,' from which ws take the following . “ Tea meeting- and presentation to the Rev. J. Long, of a very valuable silvered full tea and coffee service on his leaving the Beaufort Mission. -‘The tea meeting was to me (says the rev. gentleman') a deeply moving occasion of thankfulness to my covenant God, Who has so richly blessed nn in my thirty-two years of Colonial missionary Work. It deeply affected me in the meeting held after the lea to hear so many speak of the blessings they had received under my ministry. The young, the middle aged, and the man of grey hairs all spoke with tearful gladness of the blessings they had received through the word spoken by me. Bless God that my labors in His vineyard have not been altogether fruitless ; I have not lived iu vain.” Want of space compels us to curtail the full report of this interesting meeting arid parting by the pastor and his charge. . . .In the same number, iir the report of the Home Annual Missionary meetings, held at tire Metropolitan Tabernacle, May 16th, the Rev. G. W. McCrec, in the course of his remarks, said . —“ I have come here to say to you to-night that I believe the great mission of the Christian Church at this moment should be the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the length and breadth of England in the open air. Build chapels and churches if you like —and I believe you ought to build them —bat I believe the primary apostolic work of the Christian Church is to evangelise the outside masses of the English people.” The Rev. A. Martin, who will hold Presbyterian services to-morrow, at this township and at Hawera, arrived by coach yesterday. He seems to have won golden opinions elsewhere, for at a recent meeting at Wanganui the following farewell address was delivered as taken from the Wanganui Chronicle of yesterday : —Rev. and dear Sir—The temporary connection which lias subsisted betwixt youiself and this congregation during the past two months is now ended, a yet closer relationship having this day been established. In parting from you we desire very sincerely to acknowledge the Divine goodness wlii eli ft-uidoil 3’on hither to labour iu our midst with so much acceptance and success, and to express our high appreciation both of your character and ministerial work. We feel especial y thankful for your faithful exhibition of Christ's Gospel in simp icily, with fervency of spirit and earnestness . of speech ; for your tender sympathy with the alHicted, and your assiduous discharge Of all your sacred duties, Your labors hive done much to strengthen the faith, love, and zeal of the people of God, ami nor infrequently have deep impressions been made thereby upon others. It must ho gratifying to you to know that Volt have greatly endeared, yourself to us. and that we have the prospect of renewing Intercourse with }'ou from lime to time. We would very earnestly urge upon you to consider the needs of this young colony, and to devote all your energy, ability, and outspoken Christian zeal to the furtherance of Christ’s cause in this new land. Earnestly praying the Lord’s blessing to rest upon your past labours, and to guide you iu future work, that going forth in his might, as did the stripling David, you yet may he honored to slay many giant Goliaths of vice and sin, we are, &c. Here follow the signatures.” [The . Presbyterian congregation here will be very lucky if they can retain the services of such a minister.—Ed. P. M.~]