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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 175, 13 December 1876, Page 2

A correspondent’s letter that appeared in a recent issue, in reference to the Patea Harbor Board is Raced on a slight misapprehension, and is calculated in some measure to mislead. We thoroughly agree with our correspondent as to the improper way in which the Board has been made a nominated in stead of elective body, but there arc no taxes whatever to bo imposed on the country or town people-in conaeciioa with the Act. Whilst on this subject, would it not be a graceful act, on the part of the Town Board, to allow the ratepayers generally to elect the two members that the Board has the power of appointing. If the suggestion were carried out it would be a popular one with the ratepayers. Mr Brown, the well-known watchmaker and jeweller of Wanganui, has now fairly opened his new branch establishment in Carlyle, and is prepared to do business to any extent. that the public may favor him with. Ho has a large and varied stock, sells at moderate rates, and will no doubt be largely patronised by the Patea public. Wc would draw the attention of the public to the lecture on “ Temperance,” to bo given by the Bev. A. Martin, at the Town Hall, tomorrow (Thursday) evening. The ability of the lecturer is well-known, the subject is one in which es r ery one must be interested, and admission is free. Under all these favorable circumstances, wc should think that the Hall will be crowded.

Another of the “ old identities” has passed awav in Hawera. Mr Patrick Byrne, who formerly belonged to the Goth Eegiment, in which ho was a non-commissioned officer, breathed his last on Friday last, after a long and lingering illness. The deceased was well-known and respected in and around Wanganui, Patea, and Hawera, an I as a proof of that respect over fifty persona joined, in the funeral cortege on Sunday last. He fought well and bravely in the New Zealand war, and received, as he well deserved, a goodly portion of land for his services in this district. The funeral service was conducted in a most impressive manner by the Bov. Father Portals,-and deceased was interred in the plot of land which is reserved for a cemetery in the Hawera township. The Hawera Sports Committee have turned out an excellent programme, and have with equal judgment and good taste, planned their amusements for New Year’s Day. The Carlyle sports will come off on the 2Gth instant, so that no clashing will take place between the two places, and a large attendance may faixdy be expected at both. The list of sports is nearly identical at both places, and variety to suit the most exacting can be obtained at either. The committees of Hawera and Carlyle have displayed great spirit and sense in their action, and will certainly be rewarded by large attendances at both places. The regular monthly meeting of Court Patea, A.0.F., will bo held in the Town Hall this evening, at half-past seven o’clock. The Iqng-talked of skating rink, in aid of the funds of the projected Patea hospital, will positively be given on Friday evening next, in the Town Hall. Mr Bennie has. kindly promised to attend, and will bring with him both ladies and gentlemen who will illustrate the art. The warmest welcome that Patea can give should, and no doubt will, be accorded to our benevolent visitors, and it is probable that a very large number of spectators will welcome their coming, as all will thank them for their efforts in a cause of such great charily. j

A public meeting in aid of the Wesleyan Home Mission Fund, will be held this evening in the Wesleyan Church in this township. On this broad platform ministers'of various denominations will meet for one good end. The Revs. Gar'.ick, Hammond, and Law, of the Wesleyan Church, will deliver addresses, and we are glad (o say that the Rev. A. Marlin (Presbyterian) and others will put in an appearance.

A bit of smartness on the one hand, and equal or superior generalship ou tlie other, has recently been shown in the new County of Patca. As all know, who know the district at all, Wairoa, now Wavcrley, is one of the mo it flourishing districts in this part of the colony. It is surrounded by cultivation, its lands arc fruitfully occupied, and it is advancing in every respect, But the want of a bank was greatly felt, settlers and business men finding it somewhat hard to have to travel ten miles or more and back again, to transact any little matter that banks are open to. Who opened the negotiations wc do not know, but somebody did, and the result was that the Bank of Australasia, having hitherto no foothold in the Patea district, very wisely deemed Wairoa a fair opening for a start. A clerk was therefore on Monday last, despatched with orders to open at once, and armed with cash, &c., necessary for the operation. Unfortunately for the ambassador, or the bank he represented, he could not keep his tongue quiet on the journey, and stated to his fellow passengers what he was going to do, and how ho would astonish the local banks. As it happened, a young gentleman connected with the Bank of New Zealand in Carlyle, was an involuntary auditor, and on reaching this township at once communicated the information to his principal, Mr Christie, the indefatigable representative of that corporation. That gentleman immediately communicated with head-quarters, and the consequence was that yesterday the two banks opened simultaneous agencies, Mr Christie going down' himself to look after his charge. The unexpected advent of a brace of banks in one clay must have astonished our Wairoa friends, but the fact remains, and Wairoa has reason to rejoice thereat. A clearer case of check and counter-chock wc have rarely heard of, and it is probable that the old adage which tells us that a still tongue makes a wise head” may be realised by at least one person concerned in the banking fray.

The Carlyle Town Board held a special meeting on Monday last, for the purpose of receiving tenders from persons willing to value the town properties in accordance with the new Bating Act. Only one tender was sent in, jointly sighed by Mr William Cowern and Mr William Dale, the amount being £2O. After considerable discussion, in which the feeling of members was clearly as to the charge being too high, the further consideration of the tender was adjourned.

During the last fortnight, Mr Broadbont, from Wanganui, has Leon selling marvellous drapery bargains to the good people of Carlyle and its vicinity. He has now transferred himself and goods to Hawera, where he will hold a fourteen days sale, and will no doubt, at the cheap rates lie is selling, find ample custom, lie will commence his sale on Friday or Saturday next. The Christmas distribution of prizes at the Carlyle school will take place on Friday next the 15, th lust., when the prizes adjudged by Mr Lee will be given. In addition to these a subscription was lately got up in the town and several pounds got together. This has been invested in other books, and there will be what may almost be termed a private examination of the scholars on the same day, when these extra prizes will be given’away, Mr D. Coutts has been asked to distribute the Board’s prizes, ami will no doubt accede to the request. It is projxosed to ask other gentlemen to act as judges in the second examination. We need hardly say that the youngsters are jubilant on the occasion. It has been suggested, and with great propriety we think, that a little treat to the children might be extemporised, A few buns and a little lemonade would not cost much, but would be highly valued by the rising generation.

We would specially call the attention of farmers and breeders generally to the sale of first-class store cattle, to be offered to-day by Mr W. Cowern, at Ms Kakararnca Cattle sale. Amongst them arc a large number of cows, some of them very valuable. Altogether the stock to be offered is of a very superior description, and will no doubt realise very high prices.

A new drapery store has been opened at Hawera by Mr W. E. King and Son, of New Plymouth, There is no special draper’s shop there, and such a venture will no doubt bo a successful one. Further jiarticulars can be seen in advertisement in another column.

Mr S. Taplin, has been so encouraged by the success attending his late importations, that he has resolved on retiring from the retail trade, and will devote himself to wholesale business only in future. He announces as a preliminary, a clearing sale in which he will offer goods at less than wholesale pxlces for one month only, in order to clear off his present stock. An announcement to this effect appears in another column, and the genuineness of the selling off can be ascertained by a visit to Mr Taplin’s establishment. “ It is better to be born lucky than rich,” so'runs the old saw. We (Wakatip Mail) hear that Mrs Blackwood, a poor person, who has resided in this district for some time past, is thelueky owner of a hanclsoiiie little fortune left her by her husband, who died about a year ago' at the Cape Diamond fields. Inquiries have been made for Mr Blackwood nearly all over the world, till at last instructions were forwarxled to the police here. Deceased and his wife, who were oncediving at Invercargill have not met for ten years. Mr Finn, who is acting for Mrs Blackwood, skates that the amount demised is about £7,000.