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Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 221, 23 May 1877, Page 2

Letter on “ Dog Tax ” next issue. Banks will be closed to-moirow (Queen’s Birthday). The Agnes is loading up with potatoes, tallow, &e., from Milroy’s wharf, and will leave first opportunity direct for Wellington. Defaulters are warned that proceedings will be taken for the recovery of Road Rates, after the Ist day of June next. The newly-arrived plumber and tinsmith (Mr A. R. Pye) has located in the premises formerly occupied by Mr Williams, opposite the County Council Buildings. The following is a copy of the verdict returned by the jury on the body of the Maori who was found dead at Kakaramea. “ That the deceased met his death on the 15th of May, by falling from his horse, when under the influence of strong drink, and died from suffocation and exposure to cold.” The following rider was also handed in to the coroner by tiio Foreman of the Jury, Mr Henry I. Davis—“That the authorities are greatly to blame for allowing drunken Maoris to ride furiously on the main roads, endangering the lives of both races.”

Ratepayers of the Patea Road Board East, attended at the Court-house, on Monday, to hold their General meeting, but not gaining easy admittance wandered down to the Town Hall, then back to the Court-house. Mr Gibson was voted to the chair, when, probably by way of showing all-round appreciation, all the members proposed were elected —nine, and the meeting dispersed. As the Ordinance provides that only seven members shall be elected, ratepayers who rolled up late, opened a discussion outside as to what had been done The result was that another meeting was held in the County Council Chambers, when another stage of the business was transacted. A few additions have been made to the catalogue of effects—stock-in-trade, furniture, &c.—belonging to Mr which will be offered for sale at Mr W. Cowern’s warehouse, on Saturday next Mr McMahon is leaving the district, and there will be no reserve on the goods offered.

Manutahi settlers interested in the formation of a debating class, meet on Friday. Sports will be held at Manutahi on Thursday (Queen’s Birthday) commencing at half-past 10 a.m. Messrs Greig and Co. will hold their regular fortnightly sale of stock and general merchandise at Hawera, on Saturday, the 26th instant. We have it on pretty good authority that Mr James Lett (who last week met with a serious accident through wandering cattle startling his horse and causing trap and contents to upset) intends commencing an action for damages either against the County Council or the owner of the cattle. Such action may help to abate the really dangerous nuisance of wandering cattle. The Wanganui Herald of the 18th> mentions two accidents which occurred within the boundaries of the Wanganui County and concludes by saying that the accidents “ again point to the necessity for .stringent measures being taken to prevent the dangers which arise from animals of all kinds straying on the road. “Punch” once suggested that a director should be seated on each buffer of a railway locomotive as security against accident. In this instance it almost appears as if prohibitory measures would not be taken until an inquest has been held on a County Councillor."

A witness, well known in New Plymouth, at the lI.M. Court, Carlyle, yesterday, being asked what he was, replied rather bumptuously, “I’m a man I” The R.M. was not disposed to argue the point, but desired to know what profession or occupation witness followed, in reply to which the man said he was a labourer, could cook, act as clerk, ditch and bank, wait on table, in fact he could do any mortal thing.

It will be remembered on the occasion of the Hon. Mr Fox’s visit to this district, the Aveather proved rough and he was unable to lecture, as promised, at Kakaramea. The lion, gentleman is hoav announced to lecture “ On his recent TraA r els in Europe and America,” in the Kakaramea Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, the 29th instant. Admission will be free, but a collection will be made at the close of the lecture in aid of the Town Hall Debt Fund.

A meeting of Hawera ratepayers will be held on Thursday evening, in the Blockhouse, to decide whether or not the proA T isions of the Local Elections Act shall be brought into force. Mr A. Woods, lately arrived from New Plymouth, ia making arrangements to start a Singing Class early next month. All avlio desire to join should apply early. Mr W, Hamilton Inman, Secretary of the Race Committee, has fonvarded the following weights of the ILuvera Handicap —Opawa, 9st 121b ; Resolution, Bst; Mamarna, 7st 21bs; Queen of the Vale, 7st 21bs; Gazelle, 6st lOlbs; Tainouri, 6st 81bs; and Bully for You, Cst. A correspondent has kindly furnished the folloAving : The numerous friends, in this district, of the Rev Neil McCallum, Avill be interested to learn, that he has received an unanimous call, and been formally inducted into the charge of the Presbyterian Church of Gust, Canterbury, the induction services being conducted by the Rev J. Elmslie, of Christchurch, and several other ministers. In the evening about 300 friends assembled at a soiree* given by the ladies of the congregation, to Avclcome their ucav Pastor. After the good things proA’ldcd had been disposed of, some choice music, both vocal and instrumental, Avas introduced, and Avas followed by speeches from several ministers and friends, avlio all vied will) each other in expressing kindly feeling and giving welcome to Mr McCallum. Patea friends also heartily join in Avishing the reverend gentleman God speed in his neAV sphere of labour. The ss 1 Clyde ’ which arrived about one o’clock on Saturday afternoon last, from Wanganui, Avas discharged and re-loaded in about seven hours, during which time OA r er sixty tons of cargo Avas passed o\'cr Hirst’s wharf, to and from the vessel. The Wanganui Chronicle says, “We hear there is some talk of a paper being started at Hawera. If the Patea Mail is alive to its own interests it will extend and so strengthen its ramifications that such a project must mean certain failure. We trust the Mail has left no portion of its field of operations neglected." It is the usual thing in Ngav Zealand townships ■ —as soon as a feAV score people settle doAvn they must have a local newspaperThe Public house comes first, chapel, gaol, then a local nCAvspaper. Hawera is about having a gaol erected. Of course, it must next have its local neAvspaper, Any printer Avho by years of hard scraping has managed to accumulate a little ready cash, and is anxious to get rid of it, cannot do better than set up a newspaper at Hawera. He will bo Aveleomed by the few restless spirits avlio soon tire of what they have in the shape of surroundings and are ever seeking something ugav, If tall talk and lavish promises Avill prove sufficiently remunerative to a neAvspaper proprietor, he can he wdll served there. If he wants to make money—Avel), judging by our own. experience—lie won’t. Every .district likes to have its “ local organ,” It is rarely, hoAvever, that the people care properly to remunerate the organ grinder. An inspection of the list of our outstanding and long-over-due accounts would perhaps help to encourage the intending enterpriser.

Town and country footballers rolled up in force on Saturday last, and the match between the Patea and Hawcra Clubs commenced on the Carlyle ground punctually to time. Patea was fully represented. The Hawera Team played two men short. The strong wind blowing accoss the ground in no way favoured the players. Both teams played well throughout, each doing its level best to win. The Patea forwards distinguished themselves, and showed to advantage against the renowned Hawera forward players, though one of the latter was a perfect terror to players on the opposite side. There was pretty hot work at times, which made the game all the more interesting to the onlookers who had assembled. Hawera obtained 3i points and the Patea team 1£ points. The score was made up entirely of half points. A letter was read at the Taranaki Waste Lands Board, on the 14th instant, from Mr Alfred Wood, pilot, applying for land adjoining the pilot-station, along the beach to Whenuakura.—lt was decided to inform him that his application could not be considered—the land in question not being in the Taranaki Province. On Saturday last, Mr William Cpwern offered for sale by auction properties in Carlyle and at Normanby, belonging to G, F. Sherwood, Esq., when the following prices were realized : —Corner section No. 4, Carlyle, with business premises thereon, £240 ; section 5 at the back and adjoining No. 4, £6O. Two sections at Normanby, as one lot, fetched £4l ; two other sections at Normanby, sold, one at £5, and the other at £6.

PATEA EAST ROAD BOARD. The annual general meeting of the above Board was held on Monday last, when about fifteen ratepayers were present. The Rev A. Dasent was voted to the chair. Accounts were read and passed, subject to the approval of the auditors. The election of Commissioners for the ensuing year was then proceeded Avith, and the following were nominated : Can. Pro. See. Horner E. Symes W. Derrett Derrett Riddell W. Gower Nicholson Southby E. Honeyfield Coutts Derrett Walker A. Dasent Southby Coutts Gower Walker Shaw Southby E. Syrnos Nicholson C. Symes Nicholson Horner Riddell Gower Coutts A poll was taken, Avhich resulted as folloAvs:— Horner 46 Dasent ... ... ... 45 Symes ... ... ... 45 Riddell 43 GoAver ... ... ... 43 Southby 32 Nicholson ... 31 Derrett 29 Coutts ... ... ... 18 The first seven Avore therefore declared elected. Messrs Gibson and Honey field Avere elected auditors for the ensuing tAvelve months. This concluded the business, and the meeting dispersed.