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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 173, 6 December 1876, Page 2

The Education Board met on Monday last, when there were present—Messrs Middleman (Chairman), Mcllao, Dale, Coutts, and Milroy, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr Coutts, seconded by Mr Dale, it was resolved “ That the secretary be instructed to write to the Minister, informing him that the banker is desirous of knowing when overdraft will be reduced, and requesting to know when funds will be placed at the Board’s disposal.” A report from Mr Weiss, master of the Ecleraarae school, was read, in which he stated that he had been compelled to expel one of the scholars, On the motion of Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Coutts, the following resolution was carried —“ That the secretary write to Mr Weiss informing him that the Board approves of the action ho took in expelling the girl for disobedience, but the Board would be willing to allow her to return, on condition that an apology be made to the teacher, and that all books'and rules, as laid down by the Board be adhered to.” Three weeks holidays were granted at Christmas. A proposal by Mr Dale for the erection of a school-house at Whenuakura, was negatived, there being no funds available at present, but the matter was held in abeyance till the question of income had been settled by the Government.- The following accounts were passed for payment : —C. E. Gibson, £7 4s Cd . W. J. Furlong, 10s Cd, The Board then adjourned till Tuesday, 2nd January 1877, as the first Monday in the month fell on New Year's Day.

Two of the cases to be heard at the R.M., Court at Hawera on Saturday next, arc of a serious character, one man being'charged with shooting at another with intent to commit bodily harm, and another man being accused with stealing a horse and selling the same to a Maori, in compensation for the pigs stolen by the Germans at Waingongoro lately. Oar Hawera correspondent says that he has tasted some of the first lot of beer brewed by Mr Sccomb, of the Hawera Brewery, and he confidently asserts that he never tasted better beer. The proprietor of the brewery (Mr McCuskar) has already got more orders on his hands than he can at present attend to, which argues well for the prospects of his new enterprise. The malt and hops from which the beer is made are of the best description, and imported direct from Nelson.

The following arc the entries for the Auckland Steeplechase :—Med ora, Butcher Boy, Whitefoot, Tommy Dodd, Lottery, Shamrock. Perfume, McSheny, Dora, Gladstone, Isleman, Toby, Wrangler.

A Hospital meeting will be held, we believe, to-morrow evening, when arrangements will be made to open the Hospital by the New Year. We sincerely wish the committee every success in their charitable mission, and hope that they will accomplish then- good ends without difficulty.

Mr John Graham, is determined on not 1 caving any stone unturned to push business, as far as the Australasian stables are concerned. He has got together a first rate lot of saddle horses, and received yesterday a first-class double buggy, built by Mr Hamilton of Wanganui. The vehicle is about the best of its class ever seen' in Patea, and reflects great credit on its maker. At the same time the enterprise that has induced such a purchase for an np-country district is equally to be commended, and we wish Mr Graham all success with his late purchase.

We learn that Mr H. T. Pierce has started business in Hawera as a painter, plumber, &c., and be will, no doubt, supply a want iu that township. His advertisement appears in another column. The late complication between the Maoris and a party of Germans, which arose out of the pig-bunting expedition to the North of the Waingongora, has been amicably settled, the Maoris having handed over the horse and dray for some £l6, about the value of three times the number of the pigs stolen. We would specially direct the attention of our readers to the tea meeting to be held to-night at Hawera, for the benefit of the Wesleyan Church building fund. The object is a good one, the entertainment cannot be other than first-class, and surely a large number will congregate to aid so eood a cm iso.

The town authorities will be more richly endowed than was at first thought, as all the land in the township is to be handed over to them almost immediately. Unhappily, the township is not large enough as far as inhabitants go, to be made a borough, otherwise we might have a corporation to take charge of us. Carlyle may yet hope to grow to suitable, dimensions, when civic honors will be available amongst its residents. The Hawera people arc in advance of those of Carlyle as far as announcing their sports go. In another column will be found a goodly list of events to come off on New Year’s Hay, to which wo would draw the attention of our readers.

We beg to draw the attention of our readers, our agricultural ones particularly, to the sale announced by Mr W. Dale, of cattle to-morrow. Amongst them will be found first-class steers, well-bred bulls, and cattle of a very superior class. The sale will be held at Manutabi, and we direct attention to an advertisement elsewhere. The New Zealand Gazette of November 29th publishes Orders in Council fixing the boundaries of Counties and Hidings ; also, the number of Councillors for each Riding. The following affects the Taranaki District :—County, Hiding, No, of Councillors. Patea-Hawera, 3 Otoia, 3 ; Waverley, 3 ; Taranaki-Omata, 3 ; Moa, 3 ; and Waitara, 3. . Maories have among them some strange stories. One of these (says the News Letter') has just been revived in a rather curious manner, a large cel being the cause. Maoris say that in the Forty Mile Bush, not far from Tutaikara, there is a large Matcri tree and if anyone pulls or cuts a piece off it, a tremendous storm will immediately come on. All Maoris are therefore careful never to go near it, lest by some accident they should touch it and spoil their journey. Part of this tree is doing strange things in Hawke,s _ Bay, while another has taken up its abode in the Wairarapa Lake. Attempts have been made to get it ashore, but the log always resents the interference by giving a jerk and then disappearing under the water, often upsetting the canoe. A few days ago it was seen to have come ashore, for a fishing party which had caught a large eel (report says a conger eel, although the lake is fresh water) and could not get it out, tied the line to a tree intending to return. Next morning to their surprise the tree was floating far out in the Lake ; and they at once knew that they had interfered with the famous log of the lake. Wo give the recent part of the story just as related to us, and are unable to say whether the eel is still in tow of the log or not. Each man of the All-England Eleven is to receive £2OO, a first-class passage out and home, a share in two benefit matches, and - a twelfth part oi 25 per cent of the net profits arising from the speculation. They are expected to return to England about the middle of May next.

MEETING- OF THE TOWN BOARD. This usual' monthly meeting of the Town Board took place on Monday evening last, when there were present, Messrs Sherwood (Chairman)," Hirst, Williams, Milroy, and Taplin. The minutes-, of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The correspondence was of an important nature. The chief business was to consider the Assessment Roll and to take stops for its publication, in accordance with the Ordinance. After some discussion Mr Milroy moved, and Mr Taplin seconded, the following resolution, which was earned “ That the Assessment Roll now before the Board be published in a condensed form in the Fatjsa Mail, and at the same time calling the attention of the ratepayers as to where the Assessment Roll can be seen.” THE ANNUAL RATE. The next matter was deciding on the Annual Rate, and, as might be supposed, this occasioned a little controversy. Eventually on the motion of Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Williams a rate, at the rate of sixpence in the pound, was struck, for the three months ending March next. It will be understood that from that date the Rating Act will come into operation, and hence the short period for the rate to have effect. AUTHORISED WORKS. There have been, as our readers are doubtlessly aware, several works already undertaken by the Board, some of which have been partially finished, and others that have not been completed. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Williams, “ That the rates collected up to the 31st March, be devoted to payments for works already authorised by the Boards.” Mr Milroy moved, and Mr Williams seconded, “ That the Board meet to hear objections to the assessment on Monday, the 18th December, at 7 p.iu.. Mr Williams seconded the resolution, which was carried. " This was all the business, and the Board then adjourned.

QUARTERLY LICENSING MEETING. Tuk quarterly licensing meeting was held yesterday, the Resident Magistrate, Dr. Croft, and G. W. Williams, Esq., J.P.’s, taking their seats. The first application was that of Thomas Lloyd, for the Empire Hotel—a new house —at Hawera. The police report was favorable, all the conditions of the Act had been complied with, and the applicant, after an admonition from the Bench, was granted a license, at the time of opening, The Chairman notified that this hotel must be kept in better order than hotels in Hawera had been kept of late. Mr W. Dale applied for a license for the Woodville Inn. This structure is not yet erected, but Mr Dale pledged himself to its completion, and the license was therefore granted. A general license was granted to James M'Grego'r for the Normanby hotel. The applicant admitted that the building was not complete, but would bo so by the end of the year, when the license would have effect. Mr Secomb, on behalf of Mr McCluskey, applied for a wholesale brewers’ license, which was granted at once. A wholesa’o license was also granted to Mr D, M. Hogg of Wairoa. The transfer from .Christopher and Edwards,’ to C. Edwards was effected without opposition. Another transfer from 1 Thomas Lloyd to Samuel Prosser, was also granted. Reports were read respecting the Egmont Hotel, in which it was stated that the house had been very badly conducted, that the domestic brawls have been frequent, and an annoyance to the neighbours, and that there was every reason for the license being cancelled. Mr Hutchison, of Wanganui, appeared for Mr Quinlivan, and asked what there was for him to answer. There had been no charge made, beyond that contained in the Inspector’s report, there had been no evidence in support of the statements made therein, there had been no neighbors to testify to them, and therefore he could not see how the Bench could refuse to continue the license. Ho proceeded to show that proper notice had not been given to Mr Quinlivan to enable him to refute the charges made. According to law he was entitled to ten days notice, but he had only had a brief telegraphic notice from the Clerk of the Court warning him to attend, as there were objections to the continuance of bis license.

After some consideration the Court, through the Chairman, agreed with Mr Hutchison, as to the unspecific nature of the charges made, and the absence of evidence to support what were made. They therefore allowed the license to run, and made no changes. Mr Brett applied for a license for the Ketemarae Hotel, which was granted without hesitation, the Chairman remarking that this house was one of the cleanest and best conducted in the district.

The Hawera Hotel was favorably reported on by Inspector Kenny, as also Mr Campbell’s Manutahi Hotel. The Australasian, in Carlyle, was also spoken well of, as well as the Albion Hotel in the same township ; the Masonic Hotel, ditto ; Mr Dixon’s Wharncliffe Hotel, Mr Prosser’s Whenuakura Hotel, The Waverley, The Wairoa, The Welcome Stranger, at Wairoa. An application made for a renewal or continuance of the license of the Old Ketemarae Hotel, vacant through the bankruptcy of Mr Scown, was not granted. Mr Hutchison appeared to oppose.