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Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 176, 16 December 1876, Page 2

As will be seen by advertisement, (lie time for receiving tenders for the erection of the Woodville hotel, is extended till Wednesday next, 20th December. The skating rink in aid of the hospital was given last evening, but owing to the inclemency of the weather was anything but a success. Mr Bennie kindly gave his services, and is entitled to the hearty thanks of the public here, as also Mr Wilson, who is an accomplished shaker, and aided in the entertainment. A number of ladies —considering the weather —were present on the stage, and altogether the fun was great, if the fund was not largely increased thereby. There were some cases in the Resident Magistrate’s Court here, yesterday, but they were all settled out of Court, without the intervention of the magistrate. A most able and instructive lecture was delivered on Thursday evening last, by the Rev A. Martin, Presbyterian minister, at the Town Hall, His subject was “ Temperance,’’ and the manner in which he handled it, not only showed that he had carefully studied this great and engrossing question, but that he advocated rational views in carrying it out. Instead of denouncing all wines, spirits, See., he showed that at times they might bo used with advantage, though at the same time he argued that alcohol was a pure poison,— one that when taken in excess produced insanity, disease, and death. His lecture was well supported by medical testimony that he quoted, and was both instructive and reasonable in the highest degree. A large number of persons attended and, had the weather been less threatening, the attendance would have been greatly increased. We hope that the reverend gentleman will either repeat, or continue his address of last Thursday, as such teachings cannot fail to be other than of public good. Mr North, as will be seen in an advertisement elsewhere, announces himself as ready to attend on any customers daily, who may wish to have their locks looked after. Such a convenience is greatly required, and the advortif er will, no doubt, under the altered conditions, receive a very large amount of extra support. Mr Martin McMahon, so long known in connection with the Constabulary, has started in business in, the old Pate a Mail office, as a grocer and general storekeeper. His announcement appears elsewhere. More than that he has taken to himself a better half, who proposes very shortly to open a new dressmaking and millinery business in Patea, and we wish both every success. We remind our Hawera readers that there will be a ratepayers’ meeting on Monday next to elect a member for the Town Board, in lieu of Mr Black, resigned.

Amongst the many doubts in connection with the forthcoming elections is one as to plurality of votes being permitted, on the part of Eoad Board ratepayers. Our own impression is that for the present election they are illegal, but some of the bucolics have resolved on insisting on their Road Board privileges, and it remains to be seen whether they are correct in doing so. In order to settle the question the local Returning Officers have telegraphed to Wellington for instructions, but, up to the time of going to press, we have not hoard of any reply. Wc would direct the attention of the public to Mr W. Cowcrn’s horse sale to-day, as also to his sale, of general groceries, which takes place, according to announcement in another column. Messrs Asliforth and Liffiton will hold another stock sale at Waitotara on Tuesday next. They have fairly established a business now, and their exertions have been of great benefit to the district generally. We have no doubt that the sale on Tuesday will be another link in their series of successes. In the meantime parties wishing to sell or purchase cannot do better than pay them a visit .

Mr Bryce, M.H.R. is now on a -visit to Patea, though to what fortunate circumstances we are indebted for the honor of his company , we arc not aware. He was, as will be seen elsewhere, enlightening the Waver Icy electors very recently anent the Counties Bill, Two more candidates for the County Council have come forward—Mr SamuelT'aplin, of this town, and Mr Wiliiamson, of Kakaramea. It is probable that for this riding the list will be swelled to seven or so, though that is a grcally reduced number to what was expected. In both the other ridings several names arc mentioned, and, taking it altogether, a pretty lively election may be looked for. Another watchmaker and jeweller lias settled down in our midst, and we hope that the trade of the district will pay both of the craft that have recently opened. Mr Currie, lately of Eangitikci, is about to start here, and his advertisement appears in another column.