Untitled

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 171, 29 November 1876, Page 2

On Saturday last, a meeting of the teachers of this district, was held at the Kakaramea school. Mr Weiss was appointed Chairman. It was unanimously agreed that those present should form themselves into a society which should be denominated the “ Patea District Teachers’ Association.” After passing one or two resolutions, a vote of thanks was tendered to the Chairman, and the mooting then adjourned to Saturday, the 9th December at 2.30 p.m. Colonel Moulo, Chief-Commissioner of the Armed Constabulary Force, is expected daily on a visit of inspection to the district. The members of the A.C. in this part have been so gvcatly reduced of late that we should think bis duties will be of the lightest description. As will bo seen by a notification elsewhere, the banks of this township and Hawera, will bo closed to-morrow, in honor of St. Andrew’s natal day. We are requested to inform the Masons of the district that the meeting of the Patea Kihvinning Lodge will bo held tomorrow, St. Andrews’Day at 5 p.m , instead of 7.30 p.m., as announced in the circulars sent to members of the Lodge. The installation of officers for the ensuing year will take place on the occasion, and it is on this account that the usual hour has been changed. A special meeting of the Town Board was hold on Monday evening in order to bear objections to tire roll, as preparedThere were no objectors and the roll as compiled was confirmed. Proceedings wore of the dullest, kind and but for a threatened fracas between two members of the Board, which happily ended in a littlo strong language, proceedings would have been dull indeed. Wo remind our readers that the benefit in aid of Mr Francis and familjq will come off this evening in the Town Hall, when a really excellent programme will be gone through. The first part will consist of music and singing of a class not usually rendered at country amateur entertain* incuts, and will be alone worth the money, irrespective of the object in view. A novelty hi amateur exhibitions, the flying trapeze, will be shown, and to wind up alb a ball will conclude the night’s amusement, and will send those who attend it happy away. The committee deserve great credit for the manner in which they have discharged their duties, and for the very attractive entertainment they have devised. Irrespective of the benevolent purpose to which its proceeds are to be devoted, it would draw a large attendance at any time. As it is, it should, and we have every hope will, fill !bo hall to ovcrfioAing.

Our Wanganui contemporaries are sadly exercised on our account. The Herald charges us with “ prostitution of journalism,” because our Ilawera correspondent did not convert a charge of indecent assault into one of rape. This he could hardly do, even to oblige a contemporary. However, in another column, ho answers fjr himself. A nasty slur in another paragraph of the same issue is cast on the magistrates who heard the case—if we are rightly informed, not for the first time —but luckily the characters of the gentlemen occupying the Bench are too high for such dirty shafts to reach them. The Herald on Saturday discovered that he had made a blunder as to the nature of the offence, but tried to brave it out by alleging that our report was incorrect, though he fails to show in what particular. As to the Chronicle, we feel deeply grateful for the solicitude he shows in predicting the Mail’s early “doom.” In order to relieve his mind, wo may inform him that during the last few months wo have added largely to our list of subscribers, and, that our advertising columns have increased enormously, he can see for himself. Our commercial health may therefore be deemed good at present, notwithstanding his fears. Mr W. Cowcrn notifies that he will hold his usual fortnightly horse sale at Erskinc’s stables on Saturday next. Entries will be received up to the hour of sale. A committee meeting of the Patca District Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be hold on Saturday afternoon next, at 2 o’clock, at the office of the Secretary, Mr W. Dale.

Bishop Hadfiold, of Wellington, in whose diocese this part of the Colon}' is, is on a visit to the district. On Sunday last, he performed service and preached botii morning and evening in Carlyle, On both occasions the church was crowded, and the capacity of the recent enlargement tested to the utmost. He proceeded to Hawera yesterday, and will visit the surrounding district. He will return again via Carlylcj when a mooting of the parishioners will be held to meet him. The Patea West Road Board lost no time in setting to work, for almost directly on the poll being declared, the elected seven proceeded to business, and held a meeting, Mr Peacock was appointed temporary chairman. Mr Honeyfield moved, and Mr Gane seconded, “ That Mr E R, Morgan be elected chairman.” An amendment was moved by Mr Corrigan, and seconded by Mr E. P. Morgan, “ That Mr Peacock be appointed chairman.” The amendment was carried by three to two, the candidates not voting. Mr W. Dale was re-appointed secretary. It was proposed by Mr Corrigan, that the meetings of the Board should be held alternately at Manutahi and Carlyle, but an amendment that they should be held in Carlyle was carried. Tenders for a valuer to value the lands, in accordance .vith the Rating Act) within the jurisdiction of the Board, were ordered to bo called for. On the motion of Mr E. R. Morgan, seconded by Mr Hunter, quarter-acre sections in Kakaramea township were ordered to bo assessed at £5, and larger sections in proportion. The same was agreed to in reference to Woodville. It was resolved that four members should form a quorum, and that the chairman should only have a casting vote. The next meeting of the Board will be held on Monday. 11th December. A very serious accident, that may yet end fatally, has occurred to a man named Finch, a sawyer, in the employment of Messrs McLean and Pellatt. Finch, it would appear, went out shooting on Sunday last, and, "when lying down to rest) he allowed the muzzle of his gun to come into dangerous proximity to his head. By some unexplained means, the fern got entangled with either the hammer or the trigger, the gun exploded, and the full charge struck the lower jaw of the unfortunate man, carrying away a large portion of it, and laying open the whole front part of the throat. The hocmcrrhagc was, of course profuse, and it was feared that ho would sink before aid could be obtained, Dr Walker was sent for, and by bis efforts tbo flow of blood was arrested, in addition to which the sufferer was enabled to be safely removed to the Wanganui hospital. The same aucliority informs us that it is probable one-half of the lower jaw will have to be removed, should the wounded man recover at all.