The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1877.

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

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1877.

The Patea portion of the English mail ' loulj arrive by coach from New Plymouth to-daj'. Nearly all the shops were closed in Carlyle, on Thursday (Queen’s Birthday), rad tradesmen took advantage of the olid ay to visit the country in various Erections.' Tambourini, the celebrated old racer, was shot on the 7th May. The Canterbury Times, after recounting the performances of the horse, says that Tambourini won thirty-three flat races, three hurdle racesi ran second twelve times, third five times’ an two dead heats, and was not placed nine times. At a proposed conference of bicyclists, proposed to be held in London in May, it was expected that over 800 mounted members would bo present. Brevet Major Charles Stapp, New Zeaand Militia, has bean gazetted as commander of the Militia and Volunteers in the Patea District. Nominations of Candidates for the Carlyle Town Board, will take place at the Court-honse, at noon, on Monday next, he 28th instant. The following are the ames of the retiring members :—F. ;’S. McCarthy, James Hirst, William Williams, and John Milroy.

The Harbour Board Seal hag been received. It is of simple design, neat, and appropriate, and is about the size of a penny piece. The words “ Patea Harbour Board ” are encircled by thick and thin lines. A ship forms the central figure. Mr G. F. Sherwood, Chairman of the Board, was the designer.

Report of the Patea Education Board, as lately presented by the Secretary (Mr W. Cowern), will be found on the fourth page in the present issue, and should be read by all who areintested in educational matters.

In addition to the duck ponds, of long standing, to be found opposite the premises from Mr Potto’s to the Meat Bazaar, the late wet weather has added to the number. The waddlers can now waddle across the road and dive about in fresh and equally deep water on the footpath from the Court-house to the boundary of the Immigration Barracks reserve. Ducks of tho feathery tribe may enjoy the sousing, but ducks of the human species do not like to find themselves flopping about on dark nights ancle deep in water, on what is supposed to be the main footpath in the rising township of Carlyle. It is not pleasant for the monkind, and it must bo extremely unpleasant for the ladies. Judging by the action taken by the Town Board, in regard to Meredithstreet, about which it has been resolved three or four times over, that the work shall be “ done at once,” it will take a twelve months or so before the duck ponds now complained of, could ho filled up, even if it were decided that the work should bo begun at once. The Town Board does not do things hurriedly. Messrs Greig and Co, hold sale to day at Hawera.

A telegram received from the Hon. M r Fox, says : “ Plans changed. Will reach Kakaramca on Tuesday, sth June, from Taranaki.” The time of holding- the proposed lecture will, therefore, be postponed until the date mentioned in telegram— Tuesday, the sth June. Mr W. Cowern will, to-day, sell stock-in-trade, furniture, &e., belonging to M r McMahon.

A correspondent from Wairoa, writes : —“ Some mischief-making body has lately taken to the mean device of writing anonymous letters, with a view to the injury of persons in Government employ, and to the annoyance and injury of respectable private persons, as to alleged doings at certain of the public-houses in our quiet little township. The mischiefmaker evidently lacks courage, or more probably lias been drawing on his imagination, and having no foundation in fact for his statements, dare not act in a straightforward and manly manner. Spies arc execrable.” Anonymous and illnatured writing is certainly not pleasant, but wo should fancy any government officer would treat such communications as an editor would—that is, put them with the waste paper, or behind the fire. The ketches Agnes, and Jane Elkin, have loaded up with potatoes, tallowi wool, and butter, and will, probably, sail direct for Wellington to-day. Telegram from our Hawera correspondent, yesterday, states : That a meeting of Hawera ratepayers was held in the Block-house, on Thursday evening, about a dozen present, when the question of adopting the Local Elections Act was considered. It was decided that steps should be taken for bringing the Act into force.

From the Chronicle \vc learn that a session of th® Presbytery of Wellington was held in St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Wanganui, on Monday, the 21st instant. There were present the Kev Messrs Doull (who presided, in the absence of the Moderator, the Rev J.Ogg, of Wellington), Paterson, Ross,Treadwell,& Elder Strachan, After the usual formal business had been disposed of, the Rev Mr Tread well reported that he and other members of a session appointed for that purpose, had duly visited Kakaramea, Manutahi, and Hawera, had organized congregations, dispensed ordinances, and taken such steps as they deemed desirable for promoting the wellbeing of the congregations. He had every reason to believe that, in the event of a happy settlement of the pastorate, there would soon be in the district a flourishing church. The report having been received and approved of, the thanks of the Presbytery were recorded to the Rev Mr Treadwell, as Moderator, and to the other members of the session.—The report made by the Rev Mr Ross as to Manawatu district was approved of.—Mr McGregor, a candidate for the ministry was examined, and satisfaction was expressed at progress made in various studies. -A. committee was appointed to draft curriculum of studies, &c., for students for the ministry : committee to report at next meeting of the Presbytery to be held in August next, in the Wairarapa.—A committee was appointed to confer with brother ministers with a view to systematising evangelestic work. —Sessional records and communal rolls of congregations are to be submitted for examination annually.— Notice of motion was given by the Rev Mr Doull, disapproving of- lotteries, art unions, and everything approaching to gambling in raising funds for church purposes.—The Presbytery then adjourned.