The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 262, 13 October 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1877.

The telegram which will bo found in another column, as to the position of affairs in Wellington, was published by ns as an extra yesterday morning-, and fully confirmed the opinion we had previously formed, that Mr. Larnach’s attempt to form a Ministry would be a total failure. Judging- by the telegram, Sir George Grey will scarcely be in any better position, when it is remembered that only twenty-seven votes were recorded in favor of his being placed in the position of leader. The condition S r George desires to attach to his consenting appears absurd, and is further evidence of the weakness and disorgani-

siition of those who arc not with Lie late Government—a Party they can scarcely if called. The Chronicles special correspondent in a communication on Thursday, stated that strong endeavour had hecn made to induce the. Sir W. Fitzherhert to resign the Speakership and lead the new Party as Premier, He, however, could not see it ; and fitter a four and twenty hours search of Parliamentary authorities, being unable to find any precedent for such a course, declined the proffered honor. The same authority says “ The old Ministry take their defeat pleasantly and with a good grace.” The obstructive tactics adopted all through the session by those opposed to Government, should not be forgotten. They were themselves unable to organize and form a workable Opposition, so have done all they could to hinder others from doing useful work. Scandal mongcring and quibbling appears to have been the height of their ambition, They have brought disgrace on themselves and on the Assembly, and in case of a dissolution, which wo by no means anticipate, we hope those who have proved so “ everlastingly loquacious” will be relegated to outside seats. The Ministry just defeated had good men within its ranks and in spite of objection to, and strong feeling entertained against Messrs Whitaker and Ormond, might have been safely entrusted to carry the affairs of the country on till Parliament again met. It will ho soon by last night’s proceedings in the House, that Mr Larnach has not given up the ghost, and yet hopes to be able to form a Ministry. Sir George Grey must have hecn set on one side.

A Return has been presented to both Houses of the Assembly of Land purchased and leased, or under negotiation in the North Island under “ The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870,” or Acts amending the same, showing area, and expenditure, and distinguishing such blocks as

have been declared Waste Lands of the Crown. The following is the return for the Provincial district of Taranaki—Kopua> 3,140 acres ; Waitara Taramouka, 12,469 acres ; Tc Moa, 32,830 acres ; Pukcmahoci 1,000 acres ; Onaero Urenui Taramouka, 35,300 acres ; lluapckapeka 400 acres ; Waipuku, 7,000 acres ; Waipuku-Patea, 20,700 acres : Manganni, 10,799 acres ; Tc Wera, 6,270 acres ; Huiroa, 24,300 acres i Otoia, 2,660 acres; Almroa-Manawawiri, 12,600 acres ; Mangaotuku, 61,200 acres ; Maugaehu, 560 acres ; Kaliaroa No. 1, 8,750 acres; Pukekino, 11,860 acres; Waitara, Urenui Hoad, 11 acres 2 roods 26 perches—all of which have been negotiated through Mr Civil Commissioner Parris. Okalmtiria, 14,592 acres, and Opaku 24,160 acres, were negotiated, and settled for last year by Major Brown. The total amounts to 290,601 acres 2 roods 26 porches, and the total purchase money or rent to ,£39,583185. Incidental payments amount to £2,925 13s 7d, in which amount is included £162 Is, for survey of Patna Elver, £lO9 9s Od, for survey of Waingongora Eiver, and £429 14s 10(1 for exploration of road to Waikato, making up the full total of £42,509 11s 7d, for 290,601 acres 2 roods 26 perches of land transferred from the Natives to the Crown.

The following Return presented to the Assembly this session shows the acreage of Native lands in the Provincial District of Taranaki, under negotiation by Major Brown (Civil Commissioner) up to the time the returns were made out (Ist Sept.).— Witinui, 5,000 acres ; Mangacre, 100,000 acres; Waingongoro to Patea, 00,000 acres ; Ngarauru, 40,000 acres. The total amount paid to Natives on account of the above land amounts to £5,317 15s 9d, of which £IOO has been paid on account of Taumatamahoc land, the area of which is not specified. People who wore disappointed by nonreceipt of English letters by Tuesday’s coach, were again doomed to disappointment yesterday. Monday will now be the probable day of arrival of the long expected Mail. The Chronicle, of yesterday (Friday) says “ The Wanganui portion of the English Mail is expected to arrive to-day. Had it been landed at New Plymouth we could have had it last Tuesday. Verily we are a long-suffering and forbearing community. And we don’t even grumble.” Now Wanganui is in a fair way of having its own Harbour wants supplied, it might eke out a word or two in favor of a Harbour at New Plymouth) and so help to secure to itself the further advantage which it covets —rapid communication with Auckland via New Plymouth. If the non-arrival of the mail via New Plymouth is a grievance to Wanganui, what must it bo for places further north, and more especially for New Plymouth, when mails, passengers, and cargo are all taken on, and may even pass and repass without the possibility of landing being safely effected, and all for the want the shelter which even a portion of proposed Harbour works would give. A telegram received on Thursday by Mr T. Haywood, of the Albion Hotel, Carlyle, fiom the agent, stated that Mr Roberts, the billiard player, bad missed the steamer at Auckland, by which ho should have taken passage to New Plymouth, and would in consequence be unable to pla}' in Carljle, as previously announced. The mishap will necessitate a postponement till further notice.

Tenders are called fur additions to the Empire Hotel, rlawera.

Mi- W. Dale will hold a large general sale at Carlyle, at 1 o’clock, Lo-daj'.

The Rev J. Lawry, who is reported as very popular in his own district, Martom will preach in various Wesleyan Churches in the district to-morrow.

Tlie hares,for theintended “ paper chase,” will leave Major Turner’s wool shed to-day at two o’clock—D. Williams and T. Turner acting as hares. All interested should roll up and see or take part in the sport.

It will be seen by advertisement in another column that an election of a member for the Carlyle Town Board, has been made necessary through Hie resignation of Mr James Rhodes.

The creditors of Mr Sam Dixon, late of the Wharneliif Hotel, meet at the Court House, Carlyle, at two o’clock, on Tuesday next.

Letter on “Carlyle Leases ” and “ Local Option ” held over for next issue.

Octavious Carrington, Esq., late Engineer in charge of roads on this coast, under the General Government, and under whom the gravelling contract from Hawcra to Nor-

marihy was let last year, has paid a visit of inspection, with a view of seeing to the completion of the work. Messrs Stevenson and Dingle, the contractors, made a good start before the wet weather set in, and that portion of the road completed, though not taken over by Government, -was, in spite of all warning, very freely used, during- the winter. The contractors have already begun to repair damages, and now that the Engineer has inspected the road, will lose no time in getting through with their contract. When the road is completed, it will he out of the General Govermnem’s hands, and unless the County Council oi some other body are prepared to take charge and keep it in repair, one of the most useful roads in ihc district will he allowed to go to min. Wo hope this matter will he looked after promptly.

The following has been communicated by a Hawera resident—“ The Ilawcra Wesleyan Sunday School now numbers forty-eight scholars, and is rapidly increasing. It is said the Preshy l criaus intend shortly to start a Sunday School in connection with their denomination. There is ample work for ail disposed to engage themselves in teaching the rising generation in this district. The new school will have the good wishes of all lovers of Sunday School teaching. A sum of money, subscribed for the Union Selioo', will no doubt bo divided between the schools after the new one is fairly organised. The Union School has been discontinued.”

Parties at Ilawcra, and also further afield, arc hoping and arc willing to aid in getting up a good entertainment on the occasion of the opening of the Ilawcra Town Hall. Among other suggestions, the following has been made —that the first portion of the evening should be occupied by a grand soiree and entertainment, and at its conclusion, say at ten o’clock, dancing should commence, when all inclined could take part. The proposal, it is believed, would suit all parties. It is also suggested that, in view of the approaching festive season, the various committees in the different townships should agree to arrange sports so as not to clash one with the other. For Carlyle to hold sports on Boxing Day, and Hawera as last year, will no doubt he most suitable for the County.

“ Agricola” writing in the Auckla id Weekly News on the relative merits o whether, previous to shearing, the sheep should be washed, or whether the wool should bo sold in the grease, quotes the following extract from a popular work on sheep to show not only the mode of washing, but also that warm water can be dispensed with : —“ Three days previous to being shorn, the sheep are driven to the wash, a stream dammed across ; the surplus water passing over the stream through spouts. Below the dam where the spouts are, is a large pool divided by planks, into two or three pens. At one side of the pool, one or more yards are erected on the bank, into which the sheep for the day’s washing are put. After having been soaked in the pool, and slipped along a wooden platform into the pens, several men being placed on the dividing spars, whose business it is to keep them in motion, and pass them below the spars from pen to pen, with a kind of wooden fork. They are then passed on to the washers at the spouts, below which they are held for a few minutes, and turned in every direction, that no part of the fleece may lose the benefit. This completes the operations, after which they come out, as they ought to do, with snow-white wool. Nine men are employed at this work, and between 400 and 500 is a good day’s work.”

The Wanganui Herald speaks most hopefully of the coming Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Show, which will take place on the 9th November next. We are scarcely in a position to speak of speak of prospects so far as the Putea show is concerned. We. hope however that settlers will bestir themselves, and come forward freely with exhibits. Hawera people complain that Waverley is too far away for them to attend in anything like comfort.

Mr James Hirst has been appointed agent for the New Zealand Insurance Co., and announces himself ready to do business in insurances. The Wanganui Chronicle says —Takorangi’s offence is to be investigated, by request, at Ins own kalnya. Takorangi will doubtless square matters to the entire satiation of all parties. But still the show of an official investigation will impress the turbulently disposed aboriginal with a proper regard for the majesty of the law.

At the South British Insurance Company’s half-yearly meeting, hold at Auckland on the Bth instant, the.report showed that fire and marine premiums amounted to £58,-441 ; interest, £1,389 ; transfer fee, £3B 10s ; increased value of investments, £1,680 ; balance from last half year, £10,962, total, £75,512. Fire and marine losses paid and outstanding, £36,653 ; re-insurance and other expenses, £19,563 ; balance of profit, £15,450. Heavy losses on the Ocean Mail and Queen Bee rendered this half-year less profitable than last, when a dividend of 15 per cent was paid. Ueiusnrance amounted to £B,OOO.

The following are the nominations for Wanganui Spring meeting : Hurdle, £SO : Stevens and Croshie’s Greyhound ; Campbell’s Bully for you ; Fleetwood’s Deborah ; Chadwick and Belcher’s May Moon ; C. Brewer’s Gazelle ; and Campion’s Te Wliotu Mamma. Wanganui Stakes, £lO0 —Johnston’s Blink Bonny ; Harrison’s Frowning Beauty ; Fraser’s Commission ; Handley’s Flora McDonald ; Laurie’s Katipo ; Scott’s Haphazard ; Wilson’s Iniquity ; Campbell’s Bully for you ; Musscn’s Patrick ; Howe’s Opawa and Sky Blue ; "Walker’s Chance ; Dmic’s Tuna ; Stent’s Confident an 1 Maid of the Mountain ; Chadwick and Belcher’s May Moon ; Campion’s To Whetu Mamma. Weights arc to be. declared on the 21th, and acceptances on the 31st, on which latter date the general entries will also close-

The 8-Uur<J<nj Aih-ertiscr, a journal established in Dunedin “ to foster a national spirit in Now Zealand, and encourage colonial literature,” appears to be carrying out its mission with success. Thu paper has just boon enlarged, and further improvements are promised. A new and appropriate feature for such a journal lias been introduced under the heading of “ New Zealand Public Opinion,” and comprises selections from articles in leading papers on important public questions. The very liberal advertising snppoit accorded to the paper, lias enabled the propdetors to carry out their programme, on oven a more extended scale than originally laid out.