JOTTINGS FROM HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 222, 26 May 1877, Page 2

JOTTINGS FROM HAWERA.

You certainly appeared a little out of sorts at our rumoured and chronicled insurrectionary spirit, judging by your local of last Wednesday. Whilst admitting that some localities in the county do not support your advertising columns so well as they should do, I contend that Hawera pluck subscribes no mean joint to the “back-bone” of the Patea Mail. Taking the issue in which your severe castigation of the Hawerians appears—we will omit all notifications paid for by Government and public bodies, and only calculate those inserted by private enterprise —I find Hawera pays for 5j columns; Carlyle, 4| columns; whilst the other places, Waverlcy, Kakaramca, Manutahi, Normauby, and 000, of course occupy much less space. This proves how we appreciate and admire the tone and style of your organ. Although a little touch up now and again may do us good, don’t whip us too hard.

The Mul is growing more and more into favour, and is pronounced by one and all a good paper. In fact, some folk who would scarcely deign to look at it some time since, are now tempted to do so ow the cheap, and with encouragement, I have hopes they may pluck up courage, fork out the necessary threepence, and have a paper of their own. Whilst the Mail behaves itself, there cannot be an opening in Hawera for a newspaper for some time to come, and the man who undertakes such an enterprise is to be pitied. I think the Chronicle was joking, or fun at- you poking, when it inserted the rumour. Most of the settlers about here subscribe to either the Wanganui or Taranaki papers, us well as so liberally helping to support the county organ, so another paper could only pick up a starvation few crums.

To change the subject. It is said an aspirant to the local poet lauretship will favour the coming entertainment with the first original Hawera song. I have inspected the manuscript, and do not doubt its originality. It will remain for the audience to pronounce judgment on its merits.

Dr Colo, as medical adviser to the Hawera Society, seems to have no sinecure, judging from the number of serious and petty accidents, besides an unusual amount of sickness lately. His location in this district at such a juncture seems almost providential.

The worthy chairman of our Town Board (Mr J. Davidson) has set an example to similar officials, for all time, hy metalling and improving the road immediately in front of his store, at his own expense. The other members of the Board would do well to follow his example.

MENTOR

[Note. —Hawcra people may fairly say “More shame to the County Town!” and at the same time give themselves a pat on the back as being, good supporters of the “ local organ.” We incline to think “Mentor” has slightly misjudged our remarks. In subscribers and otherwise, Hawera stands well, in spite of the oldfashioned plan some people have of making known their wants, by written door-post notices, instead of by advertisement in the “ local organ.” Though Hawera lias a few good blowers, it is admitted on every hand that solid and rapid progress has been made. Buildings now erected and in course of erection—and embellishment (for the painter is patronised)—are a credit to the owners and to the township. There is GO in the place. Nevertheless, we are of opinion that it is too early to start a newspaper there, and that it would bo more to the interest of Hawera and to the whole county to strengthen the present than attempt to set up a weakly paper on its own account. —Ed. Mail.]