The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 246, 18 August 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1877.

The meeting of ratepayers field in Carlyle on Wednesday evening last, was in no way successful. Considering the importance of the interests involved, the attendance was very small, and the result could scarcely be looked upon as an expression of opinion on the part of the ratepayers of the town, though, on the other hand, it was as much an expres sion of ratepayers’ opinion, or more so, than is frequently the case, on any public matter being referred to them. This question of Town Board Leases is an unfortunate one in many respects. Very great difficulty was experienced in

the first case, in getting the Government to endow the town to the extent asked by the present Chairman ot the Town Board. Eventually Government did agree to grant certain reserves, and, whilst unable then and there to hand over right and title in due form, gave the Board a conditional power to sell, and promised in the then coming session to get the Assembly to legislate generally in the matter ot reserves, and, incidentally, with the Carlyle reserves (torvn and other). The only condition imposed was that the leases should not be sold tor more than twenty-one years. As a stop to the legal acquisition of the reserves, certain deeds ol trust had to ire drawn up and forwarded to Government. Want of knowledge as to the technicalities of such deed of trust, led to its being rendered at first in an informal manner. Hence arose delays. The expected legislation by the General Assembly, did not take place, lienee another cause of delay. Government never showed the slightest intention of withdrawing from the promise made of legally handing over the reserves. Specific enquiries by Mr Sherwood resulted in the receipt of satisfactory replies. To an enquiry as to cemetery reserve, a reply was received from the Secretary of Crown Lands’ Office, dated 7th i!uuc, 187G, in which it was stated “ with reference to your letter ot the 2Gth ultimo, relative to the cemetery reserve, I am directed by the Hou. Major Atkinson to inform you, that he proposes during next session to introduce a Bill dealing generally with reserves,” &c. Similar, though fuller, replies were received in regard to enquiries as to Town Board reserves. There could then be no doubt in the minds of the members of the Board as to the genuineness of the Government promises, and intention to fulfil those promises. Hvon informality in the first deed of trust forwarded, in no way affected the title of the Board to the reserves, as is evidenced by the fact that such purchasers as took possession and used or built on the reserves, arc still in legal occupation. Once it was known that Government had agreed to hand over reserves to the town, ratepayers were anxious to sec them brought into the market. Because the Board desired to feel its way, and, as far as possible, avoid talcing any false step, ami therefore acted cautiously in dealing with the lands, there were not wanting persons in the community who wore ready to, and who did actually, accuse members of the Board or intending to work some ‘‘little swindle” tor personal gain. There is little doubt but what pressure was brought on the Board to hurry on the sale. At the lime the sale took place there was no reason to believe that any hitch would arise as to the issue of Crown Grants, or in any other way. Careful enquiry had been made, and there really seemed no legal or moral reason why the sale should not take place. The sooner the reserves were disposed of the sooner would the Board be in receipt of rents, and bo therefore in a bettor position to effect town improvements, without the necessity of too heavily taxing the general body of ratepayers. The Board must then have been equally anxious with ratepayers to forward the sale. Both had great expectations —the ratepayers generally of relief from taxation, the monied portion of securing valuable building and other sites the foundations of future fortunes, and the Board of increased means wherewith to improve and beautify the town. There was no lack of castle-hnildiug-in-thc-air just about that time. It seemed as if a brilliant future was opening out for the town and district. At the sale there was considerable excitement, and high prices were realized. Some of the bidders, on totting up their total purchases, calculated that they had slightly overreached themselves. That impression gained ground. The very steady, slow (if not backward) progress made by the township since that time, lias only confirmed the opinion first formed by some of the purchasers. The non-realization of the brilliant imaginings naturally led holders to seek means of relief. Circumstances favoured the search. The delay in the issue of Crown Grants appeared to offer solid ground to work on. Alleged informality in agreements made between vendor and purchasers as to legal stamp was another card in the hands of buyers. As good use could not be made of sections purchased the Board got badgered, and no doubt got frightened to act decisively, and hence, there has been little else than growling and contention up to the present about Town Board leases. Some of the purchasers have been considerably crippled through inability to turn their purchases to good account—partly through a feeling of insecurity in building until legal title had been obtained, and partly from inability to raise funds to build with for want of legal title —and therefore look upon the Board, in now endeavouring to hold them to their agreement (which by the way is not deemed to be worth a straw),* in the light of persecutors, and are prepared to resist any attempt to force payment of rent. Borne, of course, desire to be released from their leases simply because they overreached themselves in purchasing too largely, thereby injuring themselves and hindering other people from purchasing and profitably occupying sections, and so, indirectly, they have been the means of defrauding the Town Board of revenue. The general body of ratepayers have . reason to find fault both with the Board

and with the purely speculative buyers. In foregoing present hold the Board stands to loose over £GOO in rents due. In going to law there is no knowdng what the expense may bo. As the Chairman of the Town Board could not got the Board to sanction legal action being taken, and as ratepayers _as a body did not deem it worth w T hile to attend the meeting, and a majority—though a bare one—ot those who did attend siiowed themselves in favour ot releasing such buyers as desired from their agreements, wo are of opinion it would he butter to compromise the matter. Those desiring to be released cannot reasonably object to paying expenses incurred in the matter ol preparing Crown grunts, etc., whilst such as desire to bold on cannot of course object to carry out the conditions of agreement as far as is now possible. Errors (though not wilful) have been made on both 'sides, and it is better the matter should bo settled by mutual agreement or arbitration than further quarrelling should take place or law be resorted to. We may again refer to this matter.

Mr Thompson) the engineer to the Patea Harbour -Board, took Ids departure per coach for Wellington, on Tuesday week. The survey out at sea, on the bar, and in the river, has been completed in a most exhaustive manner, and we arc ciedibly informed that the report is likely to be highly satisfactory. It is likely that some modification of Air Carrnthers’ plan will be suggested, which will, probably, involve a greater outlay than was at first anticipated ) but it is expected that the funds of the Board will he suilicicnt to carry out the portion of the work recommended to be undertaken, the completion of winch would materially improve the navigation of the river. The whole scheme will, probably, involve a large expenditure, but the plan will be so made as to enable the Board to undertake portions from time to time, without having to incur the serious expense of a re-survey. The plan will be very comprehensive, and, when all its details are completed, it is confidently asserted that the river will bo a first-class one. Even Avith the completion of the first portion of the work, it is expected that vessels suitable for cattle trading, to Wellington and other ports, will be able to come in at neap tides. The report, plans, and specifications will be forwarded shortly from Wellington, after which wo hope the Boaui will be able to get to work. Meantime, we may say that no time has been lost in getting over the preliminaries.

The Sheep Bill now before the Assembly proposes that all sheep shall ho taxed at the rate of two pence per annum, such line to be called 1 The Sheep and Cattle Fund.’ Returns of number and description of sheep owned to be rendered Ist January each year. A Chief Registrar of Brands and district Registrars to be appointed. Registration fee to be os. Penalty lor defacing brands up to £IOO. All cuttle and sheep from six months old to be branded, under a penalty not exceeding £lO. Inspectors to have power to inspect at any time, cuter on lands, inspect dips and other apparatus. Stock owners liable to fine of £IOO for obstructing inspector. Every owner mustering cattle to give notice to Inspector. Three days notice also to bo given before mustering sheep for shearing, or for weaning or docking lambs. Notice of intention to remove cattle or sheep also to bo given to Inspector, and to adjoining stockowners. Employee liable to forfeit wages for concealing from employer knowledge of disease in cattle or sheep under his charge. Proof that sheep have been infected over thirty days to be deemed evidence that owner was aware of infection. Inspector may use Crown land or rent paddocks to quarantine sheep, establish public dips, or compel owners to provide dips. Inspector may line owner 5s a head lor each infected sheep or issue license giving owner time to cleanse sheep. Diseased sheep “nay be destroyed, seized, detained, or dipped, owner to pay costs. A yard for inspecting sheep to be on evciy run* Clean certificates to be produced before sheep allowed to be landed in any part of New Zealand.

“ That’s lasting looking wood, stranger, those piles and posts.” “ Bet your life on it, they’ll last your time out. There isn’t a house in the district but what’s set on that sort of piles, and the posts for stock yards and fencing for miles around have mostly come from the same place. Guess you must be a stranger to these parts. I thought everybody knew that the Patca Kiver was the only place where that quality of piles could be got. Why, Mr Guyatt has been lifting logs out of the river bed for the last five or six years. Should not wonder but he’s lifted between five hundred and a thousand. He’s regularly cleaned the river bed up as far as the bend, and made it fit for any sailing craft that enters here at present. Remuneration! Yes, just as much as he can hew out of each log lifted. Of course he’s done more to improve the river than anybody in the place—Harbor Board included. See how the volume of water must have been increased in the river, just through his exertions. 1 know it is common in civilised parts of the world to pay handsomely for the lifting of snags, but that’s never

thought of here. Although the working gear is expensive, and days and weeks are lost every year by heavy freshes, windy and wet weather, and breakages, still there are folks who begrudge the miserable living the men who work at the job get, and are ready to impose a tax. Aes, it s a curious thing, but the river bed is lined with logs—some of them forty and oven sixty feet long, for several miles np. Guyatt has got an. awful lot out; and if he’s allowed, will make a harbour before he’s done. If the work about to be done at the Heads turns out all right, deep water will bo wanted for vessels to anchor hi, and that is just what is being done by the log litters. They are clearing away the snags, and, in fact, making a harbour. If anybody deserves praise and pay, it’s them.” The b.s, Australia arrived in Auckland on Sunday last with the via San i’rancivco English mails. A meeting of the Trustees of the Carlyle Cricket ground (the hist since the concert in aid of the funds) was held on Tuesday evening last, when it was reported that |hc sum of £0 had been handed over to the Trustees, being the clear proceeds oi the late concert. The Trustees were unanimous in their expression of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the concert, and have publicly notified the same by advertisement. A few gentlemen in the Waitotara and Wavcrley districts, including Messrs Belcher, Huriu, Chadwick, and others, are intending to hold a meeting at VVaverley on tlio 2 till August, to arrange for lidding a race meeting on the Wairoa course. The 'Wanganui exhibition will be opened at three o’clock this aiteriioon by His Worship the .Mayor. At two o’clock to-day Air William Coweru will sell by auction at his Warehouse, the lease of 1.332 acres oi. laud. I’lie August number of the Wellington Chuvch CJhroiiu'lc opens with an article on the subject of the lute Couiereuoe of religious bodies in "Wellington respecting intemperence, and has an extensive review of a pamphlet on “The status of (he Church of England in New Zealand,’ t which should prove interesting as well to churchmen as others. The “ New Zealand Journal,” a quarterly record of information connected with agricultural, horticultural, and pastoral pursuits, is published at Christchurch, and is a journal wl ieh should he in the hands of all interested in the ahovemunod pursuits. No. 3 contains the concluding portion of an article on ‘ Scab in sheep, and its cure,’ and a large amount of information from all parts ol: the world, specially interesting and useful to a district, like Pa tea.

A Temperance conference convened by circular was held in Wanganui on Mmulay cvening last, about IUO persons being present from all parts of the surrounding districts. The Rev. J. Allsworth, was in attendance from Waverley. The I rst proposition urging the necessity of legislation to repress drunkenness, waj carried with hut one dissentient. The second proposition favouring the principle of local option— il or the principle according to which the ratepayers of any borough o l ' district shall have it in their power to say whether intoxicating drink shall be sold amongst them or not,” though opposed was ultimately carried. A petition embodying the sense of the mooting was to be forwarded to the lion W. I'ox for presentation to the Assembly. The Wanganui Chronicle of Monday last, says :—Mr .Smiley’s new landau, drawn by a pair of high-stepping greys, attracted some attention and much admiration yesterday. The conveyance in question is one of the handsomest vehicles Wangann; has seen, and runs very easily. Every fitting and appointment is of the best possible description. The carriage has just been imported by Mr Smiley as an addition to his already extensive stock of vehicles.

The Times of Saturday last publishes a letter received by W, W. Taylor, Esq., of Wellington, as to experiments made by tbe Messrs Walker, of Wolverhampton, England, with pig iron made at the Titanic company’s furnace, New Plymouth. The report is very satisfactory and concludes — “You will gather from the foregoing trials, most of them being the British Admiralty requirements for “ Best Best” bar iron ('whose tensile is 22 tons per square inch, whereas your iron stands 1 and 1 \ tons above this) ; that the iron is remarkably well adapted for the better classes of engineering and smith work.” The pigs of metal on being broken exhibited a good mottled fracture, and in the puddlingfurnace they worked remarkably well into wrought iron. A postscript to the letter states that “ The quality of bar [iron] made was equal to BBH bars, the present cost of which is £9 at the works. Australian news per 1 Easby 7 mentions that a satisfactory report has been received of the arrival at Shnngahi of the first shipments of Australian wool.—Arrangements have been made for the manufacture of cloth from a woollen and cotton mixture by the Chinese, with a view to opening up a new market for Australian wools.

On Wednesday last, a batch of correspondence which had passed between Government and the Sheep Inspectors, relative to the late outbreak of scab in the district, was handed over for puolication. We shall endeavour to commence the publication of the same in next issue, summarising the more unimportant telegrams.

A petition for presentation to the General Assembly, against the Local Option Bill, now lies at the Albion Hotel, Carlyle, for signature.

At Auckland, on Thursday, the football match Otago v Auckland was played and resulted in a d'aiw. There was hardly anything to choose between the teams, and the game was well played throughout-

The ‘ Manawatn ’ was expected at Wanganui from Wellington, yesterday, with the English mail. The Carlyle portion may bo expected to arrive by coach from New Plymouth this morning. An entertainment in connection with the Hawera Wesleyan Church, has been arranged to take place shortly, when an exceedingly attractive programme will be placed before the audience. In addition to (ho fair, vocalists who are such favorites with the Hawera public, some talented now arrivals have promised to assist. Mr Monkton, who advertised to operate in the photographic line in Carlyle after visiting Hawera, has had to debt}' his visit through pressure of business, but will be here by the end of the month. Considerable difficulty was experienced at the meeting of ratepayers held in Carlyle on Wednesday evening, in procuring' a chairman. Amongst other propositions it was suggested that the dummy boy, on which clothes arc exhibited on Mr Adams’ door-step, bo Jctehcd and placed in the chair. The Wanganui Jockey Club met on Saturday night last, when (lie annua! report ami balance-sheet was presented, which showed that very satisfactory pro gross had been made during the year. The debt balance of the Chib had been reduced during the year by nearly one-half, and now amounted to £387 143 7(1. fishook and his jockey were disqualified from the Wanganui course. Member’s subscriptions wore raised to three guineas. Autumn meeting to take place on 13th and 14th March. Spring meeting, Bth November. The amount given to old Provincial officers as compensation for loss of office through abolition amounts to £P2,719. The Treasury is closed against giving any further moneys.

The Wanganui Herald of 14th August, says ; —According to the wording of the Public Works Statement telegraphed to us, the Government did not contemplate going on witli the railwajq north of AN anganui, hut only to complete the line trom here vo Buxton. But in another portion of the Statement, in which the proposed expenditure on specially named railways was given, wc noticed that lor the I’atcaManawatu lino a sum of .-L141,1150 was wanted. This sum was certainly not required for the completion of the Southern portion, and we surmised that the telegrapic summary was incomplete. On receiving a full report wc at once find that a most important clause to us had been omitted, it runs thus:—“To the north of iVangauni the formation to Kai-lwi is finished, and it is proposed to complete that piece of line, and extend the works northwards.” Now, the proposed expenditure of ill4l,hod is understood, and we may look forward at an early date to the resumption of railway works on our northern boundary. The nows is important to Wanganui, and will be received with intense gratification.