HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 249, 29 August 1877, Page 2

HAWERA.

WESLEYAN ENTERTAINMENT. An entertainment was given in the Wesleyan Church, on Thursday evening last* for the purpose of raising funds to seat the church. Mr R. Wilson, of Ketemarao was chairman, and after a few well-chosen remarks on the comfort to be derived from seats, with backs to them, hoped the audience would have a pleasant evening. Tiie entertainment was a decided success—everything tending towards this happy end—favourable weather, a beautifully toned piano, an appreciative audience, and painstaking and talented performers) who had, evidently, spared no exertion in bringing their individual as well as collective talents to the highest stage of preparation. Never before has Hawera been treated with such full and harmonious choruses as those rendered by the choir. All the parts were well represented, but the rich alto is deserving of particular notice. The readings of the Rev. J, Law were given with great spirit, and at times with deep pathos, and were listened to with marked attention. The recitations (two) by an old favourite, were deservedly anchored—the gentleman, a host in himself at an entertainment, is always ready to help a good cause. The recitation given by a son of the Emerald isle, in characteristic native mirth provoking style, produced roars of laughter. A pianoforte piece, by’ a lady, was rendered in excellent stylo and time, and was highly appreciated by the audience. The colonist’s favourite song, “Rilgrim Fathers,” was given by a young lady from Taranaki, and though the audience, being a strange one, made somewhat of a strain on the nerves, the song was, undoubtedly, the gem of the evening. The song “ Lottie Lane,” by a gentleman with a fine tolling voice, was much applauded, whilst the chorus was appropriately taken up by the choir. The quartette “ Polar Star,” was, perhaps, the prettiest of the part pieces. The fair pianist must be complimented, as also the choir, for the excellency of the part singing.

The Rev. J. Law. in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, hoped such a pleasant evening’s entertainment was but the precursor of many more. Mr M. D. King proposed a vote of thanks to tire ladies and gentlemen, outside their own denomination, who had so heartily and so talentedly contributed to the success of the entertainment, and expressed the regret of the choir generally that, sickness had prevented one lady, who was so deservedly a favourite, from assisting cm that occasion. The choir also desired that their best thanks bo conveyed to Mr Isaac Bayly, for so kindly lending his piano. Mr James Hirst rose in the midst of the audience, and begged to tender the thanks of the assembly to the company generally for the very excellent programme they had placed befoie them. They had spent, he said, a most enjoyable es’ening. In conclusion, ou the call of the Rev. J. Law, the whole audience rose, and sang right loyally and lustily the National Anthem.

The takings amounted to £7, which, considering the low price of tickets, fully realised the expectation's of the committee.

TOWN HALL SHAREHOLDER’S MEETING. On Thursday evening a meeting of shareholders in the Hawera Town Hall Company, was held in Mr Inman’s Auction Room. Though, on account of the Wesleyan Concert, the attendance was small, about ninety shares were represented. G. V. Bate, Esq., Chairman, made a few introductory remarks, in which he said the affairs of the company were in a satisfactory condition, and progress was being made in the matter of erecting a hall. The report and balance-sheet were then read and adopted. In the report mention was made of the contract for building the Hall having been let to Messrs Strang and Searling, for £524 10s, the building to be completed by the 15th of December. On the recommendation of the directors it was decided to borrow about £3OO. Mr J. McMichael was elected a director, in the place of Mr Furlong, resigned. The directors expressed their indebtedness to the kindness of Mr J. Milroy, of Carlyle, for the furtherance of obtaining plans and specifications for the Hall. The balance-sheet, made up to the 23rd August, showed cash received, £237 7s fid ; spent, £33 11s lid ; leaving a balance of £203 15s 7d. The amount of calls still unpaid was £9O 15s. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, closed the proceedings.

BREACH OF LICENSING ORDINANCE. At the Court-house (Native office) Hawera, on Friday last, before Major Brown, J.P., and Captain Wilson, J.P., James Montgomery, who is at present in temporary charge of the Egmont Hotel, was summoned by Sergeant Cahill, for a breach of “The Sale of Liquor Ordinance, 1866,” by selling Tukokira (a native) two glasses of brandy on the 17th instant, without being licensed.

It,appeared that attention was called to the sale of liquor on the 16th instant, through a complaint made to the police by Montgomery, that the cook at the hotel (George Baker) was suffering with delirium tremens. The cook was given in charge, and on being brought before two Justices of the Peace, was Ordered to the County Hospital for treatment. Charles Wallace was sworn as Interpreter. Tukokira, being sworn, gave evidence as follows :—I am a native policeman ; was in Hawera on Friday, the 17th Aug.; saw the defendant at the Egmont Hotel. I asued for two glasses of brandy, for which I paid one shilling to the defendant. Kowaka, being sworn, stated that he was a native policeman, llemembered Friday, the 17th instant; was in Hawera ; went to the Egmont Hotel, kept by the defendant. Kokiri and myself had a glass of brandy each : which Kokiri ordered, and paid defendant for. Patrick B. Cahill, Sergeant A.C. Force, stationed at Hawera, deposed—That, on the 16th instant, 1 went to the house kept by defendant, and known as the Egmont Hotel, and asked to see his license. Did not produce it. Have warned defendant on previous occasions that, as the licensee had become a bankrupt, he should protect himself by obtaining authority to sell. Believe the bankruptcy took place on the 12th July. The house has been open without a license since that date. The Court ordered defendant to pay the penalty of £SO, or be imprisoned for three months. MEDICAL SOCIETY, A meeting of the directors of the Hawera Medical Society, was held on Saturday last, when the usual routine business was transacted, and sundry matters of interest to the society, discussed. ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY. On Saturday afternoon last, a number of gentlemen interested in tlie formation of an Acclimatization Society, was held in Mr Inman’s Auction Boom. Mr George McLean was elected Chairman, The meeting was unanimously of opinion, that steps should be at once taken to form a society as above, having for its object the introduction of useful animals, birds, and fishes. Mention was made of the wonderful facilities the rivers and streams in the district afforded for the introduction of various kinds of fish, and it was deemed advisable that advantage should be taken of the coming season for securing as many kinds as possible. It was resolved to communicate with Mr Livingstone, who was then in Wanganui. and ask him to get a few copies of the Wanganui Society Rules, and all information likely to be useful to the proposed society. Another meeting will shortly be held. On Saturday last, Hnwe.a looked lively. The County Council election had brought in a good number of ratepayers from the country districts. Some who came from long distances to vote found themselves unable to do so for the reason that their names were not on the rate roll. They were in every way qualified, except that they had not taken the trouble to ascertain in time that their names and qualifications were duly entered. It is to be hoped that the lesson will not be lost, and that, before another election comes off, care will be taken to register in proper form. The general feeling appeared to be, that, Mr Davidson would be returned. Warm partisans of Mr Hunter were, however, ready to back their man The declaration of the Poll by the Returning officer (Mr J. Black) showed—

James Davidson 94 Moore Hunter . 60 Informality in the filling in of one of the voting papers, resulted in the loss of a vote to one of the candidates, though it in no way affected the result. The total number of voters on the Rate Book for the Hawera Riding is 205, representing 304 votes.

There were a lot of natives in and about the township. A few of the number are inclined to hold out for bettor terms than Government (through Major Brown) is inclined to offer. Certain money has been offered, and in some cases, accepted. It is likely those who have been standing out, will soon see the uselessness of attempting to dictate terras under the circumstances, and will take such money as Major Brown is authorized to distribute. A meeting for the further discussion of Native affairs was to have been held yesterday.