The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 255, 19 September 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1877.

The Forest Tree Planting and Encouragement Bill has been withdrawn altogetherin the Upper House.

The Petition adopted by the PatcaCounty Council against the New Plymouth Harbour Bill, was presented to the Upper House on Friday, the 7th instant, by the Hon Colonel Whitmore. The Petition was read.

The month of the Hokitika River lias been closed for the past two months, and navigation completely stopped. It is reported that about fourteen vessels, laden with over 11,000 tons of Hour and general merchandise, are lying off the roadstead, waiting for an opportunity to get in. Messrs. Goldshorongh and Co., wool brokers, Melbourne, have arranged to hold an exhibition of merino wool in February next, and they invite competition from the wool-growers of Victoria, New South, Wales, Queensland, South Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, for the prizes, viz., four gold cups, which aic to be awarded to the respective exhibitions of the best bales (not skirted) wool in classes enumerated.

Mr F. R. Jackson will hold his usual sale at Waverlcy on Friday next. See advertised catalogue.

A dinner was given in Wellington on Monday, the 10th instant, by two Native Chiefs of Hawke’s Bay, in honor of the withdrawal of the Native Lands Bill from the Assembly, and the verdict given for plain lift’ in the Waha Maori libel case. About eighty gentlemen sat down, including leading men of the Opposition party in the Assembly. Mr Hcnare Tomoana considered there was hardly an atom of good in the whole Bill. Mr Henare Matua said, a now that the Native Land Bill knows its place no more, I say, let the commissioners bo annihilated. As the new Bill was swept away, let the European and native commissioners be done unto in like manner. This ends my word.” Mr Hoani Nahe, M.H.R., presided. Most of the speakers were native chiefs of note. On Wednesday night last the valuable entire ‘ Wonderful Lad,’ the property of Messrs Moline and Nicholson, Kakaramca, was found dead in the stable. The horse appeared all right on being fed about five o’clock in the evening. On the groom going his usual rounds before retiring for the night, he found the horse dead.

Out of about five hundred dog taxes which have been paid to the Patca Collector, the cash for very man}’ of which has been sent by post, with request for receipt to ho returned in same manner, only one single person —a Hawera man—has been scrupulously conscientious enough to enclose stamped directed envelope in which receipt might ho returned. Stationery and postage stamps had to be piovided by tbc county for all others whose money was sent by post.

A petition in favor of the amended Harbour Bill has just been sent from Now Plymouth to Wellington, for presentation to the Assembly, having about 1,000 signatures, representing nearly two-thirds of the land owned in the Taranaki County. The acreage owned, and the amount of rates for which each person is liable, was specified in the petition. Goldsborongh’s Melbourne Circular, of September 3rd, reports small sales in wool only 350 bales mixed descriptions, remains of last season, having changed hands. Demand good, and all lots of fair quality readily quitted at good prices. The London wool sales which commenced on 14th August, are considered satisfactory. About 300,000 halos wore admitted to the series, of which, up to 28th August, 70,000 bales had been disposed of at rates equal to the highest in last series. The report says, “ Doubtless the fact, now well known to the trade, that, instead of the usual increase, there will be a considerable falling off in the Australian wool crop this season, will not be without its influence on the market; and it is also to be noted that the growing demand for our fine wools for direct shipment to America will be further stimulated this year by the reduced production in the States, owing to the terrible effects of the drought in California, where it is calculated that from one-half to twothirds of the stock have perished from starvation.

The Manawatu Times referring to late signs of progress and prosperity at Sandon, says—lt has its post and telegraph office; its steam flour mill will ere long be an established fact; a branch line of railway.connecting it with the port of Foxton will soon bo in course of construction; and to crown all, and render more facile the working of these various industries, a branch of the Bank of Australasia has been opened in the township, A branch of the Bank of New Zealand is also about being opened. The first excursion train from New Plymouth to Inglewood was run on Monday, the 10th instant, when about three hundred persons visited the bush township. Yesterday, at Carlyle, the Licensing Bench sat at twelve o’clock. Present : C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., and Dr Croft, and H. F. Christie, Esqs., J.P.’s. Application for transfer of license for the Waverley Hotel, from W. C. Autridge to W. Lingavd, was granted. The coach was rather late in arriving at Carlyle from Hawera yesterday morning. The driver had a frisky horse to contend with at the start, and after some considerable delay was compelled to change the animal for one more tractable.

The Turanald Herald of Wednesday last, says—“ On Monday, the 10th instant, a native named Maun, from Kaupokonui, belonging to Tito Kovvam’s people, went into the Opunakc Hotel, and having been supplied with some rum, which the native spilt, wanted more without paying for it. This Mrs. Bartlett refused to give him, when the-Maori hit her and knocked her down, tearing a large quantity of hair from her head, and biting her finger, taking the nail completely off. Assistance coming, the man was given into custody, and put in the lock-up till he could bo sent to New Plymouth. Yesterday (Tuesday) he was haiul-cuft'cd, and, in charge of Constable Draper, was placed in the coach ; and as it was rumoured he would be rescued, two of the A.C. Force accompanied the coach on horseback. When the coach readied the Harriet Beach, about thirty natives met it, and, a few stopping the horses, the others assisted the prisoner to escape. Constable Draper held on to his man, hut was overpowered by the number, who pulled the prisoner from the coach, which was near]}' upset in the struggle. The natives took the rescued man into the bush, and as the coach did not proceed, one of the Muon’s returned and told Mr Henry, the driver, to “Go on,” and to 11 go on quick.” It would have been useless on the part of the Constabulary to have shown any greater resistance did, for they were outnumbered by the natives, and the loss of life might have resulted. The natives, however, are known, and on some future day when at Hawera or in town will be arrested and punished for this daring act in broad daylight.” The Wellington Argus says—The Education Bill is likely to pass the House of Representatives without much alteration except probably in one direction. The religious clauses will, we fully believe, he eliminated with general consent of the great majority of members.

The Now Zealand Mail of Saturday last (15th), says—News was received in town this morning that a fishing boat manned by a crew of Italians, belonging to this port, in crossing the Strait from Port Underwood capsized, and that live men were drowned.

The Grey llivcr Argus, referring to the very nnsatisfoctory manner in which Harbour improvements have been carried on by Government, says that Mr Martin Kennedy, one of the members of the district, having made a persona! statement to the Minister of Public Works, lias been the means of getting the District Engineer located at Greymonth so that he can personally superintend and push on the work with speed. An additional amount making an available sum for expenditure upon the Harbour Works of £25,000 for the current year is to he placed upon the Public Works Estimates, and instructions are to issue for the rapid prosecution of the works.

There was a full muster of Footballers at Carlyle on Saturday last, on the occasion of the match between the Wavcrley and Carlyle teams being played, as also a fair turn out of spectators. Mr D. Williamson was selected as Umpire for the Carlyle team, whilst Mr G. Bayl}’, of Mokoia, acted on behalf of the visiting team. Wavcrley won the toss, and started with the wind in their favour. The teams were very evenly matched, and a close and interesting game was the result. Both teams appeared to be in good form. On time being called the Carlyle team were declared victors. The scores were:—Carlyle, 1 goal, 1 try, and 2 force downs, total 9 points; Waverley, 1 gaol, and 3 force downs, total points. The utmost good feeling prevailed, and the game concluded with hearty cheering. Next Saturday the final match of the season will bo played between the Heavy and Light weights.

Mr William Dale, who was in Wellington at the latter end of last week, heard on pretty good authority, that the plans and specifications of the proposed Patea Hirer improvements -would be very shortly forwarded to the Harbor Board. There will be two plans and sets of specifications —one set showing work with concrete walls, and the other with rows *■- wooden piles the intervening spaces to be filled in with large loose stones. The following extract',from the report of Messrs Carruthers and Blackett on the ■Waitara Elver was read at a late public meeting held in New Plymouth : —“ It is one of the'numerous class of rivers having a shifting bar at its mouth composed of shingle and sand, the depth varying from 8 to 14 feet at high water, according to the tides and recurrence of freshets in the river. In order to improve the entrance it would be necessary to build the parallel guiding pier reaching from the shore almost out to the bar. This would Probably secure a depth of 12 feet at high water. But should it be required to increase the permanent depth beyond this, further protection would be necessay in the shape of a breakwater or mole on the western side, the cost of which would exceed that estimated for the harbor works at New Plymouth above described. Owing to the absence of any abundance of suitable material, the cost of the guiding pier would be very great ; but ns we have not sufficient information as to soundings and distance. &c., we cannot give an estimate."

At the last meeting or the Grey County Council the Road Overseer asked for a lise of salary on the ground of his present salary being nearly all absorbed in travelling expenses. Mr Noonan moved that it be at once raised to £SOO, but was ruled out of order. Mr Monkton, plioiographei - , will conclude his present visit to Carlyle on Monday next, and intends paying another visit in the autumn. The excitement in Wanganui on Saturday last, on the publication of the names of former Wanganui residents lost at sea by the wreck of the Avalanche, was intense. Business was' almost entirely suspended, shops were closed, and the neighbourhood of the newspaper offices was crowded with people. The tolling of the boll of Si. Paul’s Church told of the arrival of the sad news. Many Carlyle residents were personally acquainted with those who are now numbered with the dead, and sympathy is wide spread. Immediately on arrival of the telegram with list of names an extra of the Patea Mail was issued, and distributed about town. There was one error in the telegram sent here—the name of Mrs Watt was given instead of that of Miss Watt.

The attention of owners of entires is called to notice by the Secretary of the Agricultural “iul Pastoral Association. A special summoned meeting of; Court Patea, Ancient Order of Foresters, is called for Saturday evening next, at which all members arc earnestly requested to bo present.

Dr Lemon, Manager of Telegraphs, Wellington, notified last week that telegraphic communication withEnropo was interrupted between Rangoon and Penang As cable communication between Penang and Madras had also been interrupted, the only present means of communication with Europe was by wa}' of Siberia.

The following telegraphic notice was forwauled last night from Wellington by Dr Lemon. General Manager, Telegraph Department—Batavia Singapore cable interrupted. No direct telegraphic communication with Europe. Steamers leave Batavia for Singapore September 201 hj and October 4th, and arrive at Batavia from Singapore September 27th and October 13th. There arc also occasional steamers.

RE S I D;E N T MAGIST UAT E’S CO UUT—CARLYLE. (Before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M.) Tuesday, Sept. 18. DEBT, J. F. Schultz v W. Lethbridge; claim £6 18a, for board ami refreshments.— Defendant disputed the item refreshments. —Plaintiff stated that ho had supplied defendant and Ids friends with sundry drinks whilst he was a boarder at ids hotel. Defendant now disputed knowing that he (the plaintiff) could not reuovei by law for such refreshments. Ho was willing to accept the amount for hoard onh'. —The 11.M. remarked that Mr Schultz should enforce cash payments for relTcshmemciits, a hint which the plaiulitf said he should in future act upon.—Judgment was given for plaintiff fur .£2 13s, and costs 21s.