LATEST TELEGRAMS.

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

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[PER PRESS AGENCV.]

P A R LIA M E N T A R Y. 0 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON. October 12. The House met at 7.30 to-night. Major Atkinson said he had not received any further communication from the Governor, therefore he still hold office.

Mr Larnach said ho was glad to say he had met with exemplary success in forming a new Ministry. He had submitted certain names to His Excellency, who had appointed noon to-morrow for swearing them in. He would ask the House to adjourn to Monday at 7.30. The House adjourned.

AUCKLAND. October 12. A fire occurred at midnight and destroyed a house at Parnell owned by Mr W. Gisborne, M.H.8., and occupied by Mr Wilson. The building was insured for £2OO in Loudon and 'Liverpool, and the furniture for £IOO in the South British. There being no water the fire burned itself out. The Supreme Court suspended 11. S. Myers’ certificate for two years. The Bank of New South Wales, representing one other creditor besides itself, was the only opposingcreditior, the others having agreed to a disihargc. Mr Moyle, late landlord of the Wharf Dining Booms, attempted suicide by hanging. His daughter, 12 years old, cut him down and ran for assistance. Ho was unconscious, but not seriously injured. Had been drinking. Mr Buckhmd reports Store cwos and lambs, Tts to 17s per couple; beef, 35s the IOOIbs : fat sheep slightly lower.

WELLINGTON.

October 12

It is stated on good authority that after various attempts by Mr Larnach to form a Ministry yesterday afternoon, it was fully carried, by 27 to 5, that Sir George Grey should be entrusted with the leadership ; and a further resolution was carried that Fir George should inform the Governor ho was prepared to form a Ministry, on condition that the Governor would grant <v dissolution if Sir George Grey could not command a majority in the House. Sir George will, accordingly, probably inform the House of the result this evening.

NORMANRY and the SAW MILLS. Tun late fine weather lias dried the roads, ami made travelling throughout the district easy. The Mountain Road, though rough in places, and dangerous as regards one or two culverts, is beginning to be used freely—consequently Norman by is getting more visitors than in the winter. People are passing through in both directions, and it must be owned that the township of Norm an by is voted a rising place—and land is rapidly increasing in value. It is calculated that there arc now close on ihK) people in and around Nonnanby, the majority of whom are working in various parts ot the hush. There is first-class accommodation in the shape of hotels, and the place is also well provided with stores. The coming summer will no doubt see a large influx o! visitors, and possibly some new settlers in the township and neighborhood.

The Fookes’ Special Settlement on the Mountain Toad (for which Ml* F. AleGuire is agent), will be the moans of attracting new comers, many of whom will possibly locale at Nonnanby, until the land is quite ready for settlement, and the hyo-roads arc opened up.

It was rumored awhile ago that a cabinet maker was intending to settle there. A good shoemaker is considered a necessity at the present time, and hopes arc entertained that one will soon locate himself there.

Amongst the local industries of considerable importance is what is known as Hobson's Ketemarae Saw Mills. The mill is situated in the bush, about half a mile from the main road, and may readily be found by turning the corner at Brett’s Hotel, and passing through a gate on the left hand. The proprietor (Mr James Robson) resides in a cottage just on the margin of the bush, close beside winch a dray track leads to the mill. The bush having boon thinned somewhat on the track, allows the sun, on fine days, to peep through the foliage, and makes biro short ride to the mill very pleasant. To a new chum, the scene is charming and romantic, and such a one would be apt to ruminate, and begin to contrast, in a dreamy sort of fashion, the home an I colonial appearance of the lorost, were it not that he was suddenly awakened by the whirr of machinery, and signs of human life and labour, by arriving at a small cleaving where the saw mill lias been erected.

The mill itself is a long broad shed, underneath which are two portable engines, saw benches, saws, and other appliances for transforming huge logs into sawn timber of all sizes. The mill appears to have been arranged witii the special view of saving labour, and making the work as easy as possible to the men employed. Men are constantly engaged in the bush felling trees, and hauling them, by means of bullocks, to the margin of a tramway. The tramway, the rails of which arc sawn timber, extends from tbo mill about one mile, and the logs, however large, being lifted on a truck on the tram, are taken to the mill by a single horse with ease. Arrived at the mill, the driver pulls up at the receiving bench, opposite the breaking down machinery, and by the skillnl use of crow-bars (which are ready to hand of all sizes), quickly transfers his load from the truck. When required, the log is crow-barred along the stage or beneh on which it has been placed to a carriage—consisting of strong frame-work—over the saw pit, and is broken down—that is, prepared for being operated upon by the circular saw.

The breaking down process consists in the outside or sappy portion of the log being severed from the good solid wood, and in the log being cut into workable sizes—B inches or so thick—ready to be handeled by the man in charge of the circular saw. The machinery being set in motion, the carriage on which the log has been placed and fixed firmly in position by wedges, moves

slowly along ami passes under a perpen-dicular-saw, winch is in rapid motion. The sides being trimmed, the slabs or rough wood is thrown on one side, and the rest is cut into convenient widths, and glided onto an inclined bench, about twelve feet broad, so as to be within reach of the men engaged at the circular saw. The pieces as wanted are again slided, one end on to the saw bench and the other on a kind of tressle which is mounted on wheels. The sawyer has a slate on which are marked quantities and various kinds of timber ordered. Each balk of timber, the nearest to hand, is first passed over the saw to ba trimmed, and is then cut up by gauge to the best advantage, into boards, scantlings, or both, according to the demand, as indicated by the order board or slate. What with the tressles on wheels, rollers ami levers of various sizes and shapes, it is astonishing how handily and with what case great heavy pieces of timber can be moved about.

All uneven or shaky pieces, whether hoards or scantling, are passed up to the engine driver, who chops them up to be binned as fuel. The rest is sorted ami stacked as it leaves the saw. About a dozen hands are engaged at the mill, and when the breaking down machinery and circular saw are both at work, which is generally the case, there is a terrible din.

The average turn out of timber per week is about fifteen thousand feet, but varies greatly according to the size in demand. Now that the roads are getting in good order, and building operations are tolerably brisk, the mill is kept in full swing; and as the district gets peopled, and trade steadies, it is not unlikely that the proprietor will extend operations, and introduce other plant, and add to the steam power, to enable him to turn out tongued and grooved boarding and doors and sashes.

There is an abundant;.; of timber in the bush to supply the mill for years —■ chiefly mali—a wood famed for its durability and hardness. Honeysuckle is also plentiful, and beautifully marked boards suitable for cabinet work, are frequently met with, and in case of demand, could be specially set aside for that kind of work.

The workmen, ’who have the appearance of being- a steady lot of uum, till reside near the mill, in cottages evidently of their own construction.

We have no doubt that during the coming- summer the demands on the local saw mill will be great. Every encouragement should he given to on teaprise such as has been shown by Mr Hobson, and some allowance should be made for the diffienkies and risk of starting. At first trade is fitful and it is not altogether safe to launch out into heavy expenditure. As t nulo steadies the wants of the district can bo properly ganged, and moans taken to satisfy all

requirements. We have no doubt Mr Hobson will be in no way backward in his endeavours to keep pace with the growing demands of the district. Hue-

cess in such enterprises mean success to the district generally.

SALE OF LIQUOIIS ORDINANCE. The following remarks arc taken from “ The New Zealand Justice of the Peace,” by Alexander James Johnston, Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, and will enable all interested to see the grounds on which the late order as to selling drink to natives was made: 1. It seems convenient to refer here to an Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council of the Colony, Session 8, No. 3 (a.d. 1847), intituled “An Ordinance to prohibit the sale, &c., of spirits, and to regulate the sale, etc., of other intoxicating liquors to persons of the Native Pace.”

2. By that Ordinance, it is made unlawful for anyone to sell, supply, or give any spirituous liquor, or any mixed liquor, part of which is spirituous, in any quantity, to any person of the Native Race.

3. And it is also made unlawful for any person to sell, supply, or give to any person of the Native Race any wine, or any fermented liquor, or mixed liquor, part whereof is fermented, in any quantity which shall produce intoxica tion. It would appear that the party who supplies the liquor must run the risk of intoxication being produced by any quantity, however small. 4. The penalty for the breach of either of these prohibitions, is a sum not exceeding £lO (besides any penalty incurred for selling without a license), to be recovered in a summary way.

5. But no penalty is recoverable in respect of supplying spirituous liquors, if it be satisfactorily proved that the liquor was administered medicinally.

6. The Governor has power under the Ordinance to modify, alter, or suspend the provisions of the Ordinance, or substitute others for them.* * It seems very questionable whether it was not beyond the limits of the legislative authority of the Council to give the Governor the vague and undefined powers in this section of the Ordinance. —A oie hy Judge Johnston.

7. It was provided that the Ordinance should come into force in such districts and at such times as the Governor hy proclamation should appoint; and it was accordingly brought into operation, in the province of New Ulster on the Ist day of January, a.d. 1848; and in the province of New Munster on the Ist day of February of the same year.

New Ulster and New Munster are the names given to the North and South Islands.

8. Provisions are made in the Native Districts Regulation Act, 1858,” and in the “ Amendment Act, 1802,” for making tegulalions a fleeting such districts, respecting drunkenness, and the sale, removal, ami disposal of spirit nous and fermented liquors : Out, it is unnecessary to detail them in this place.

WAIROA HIGHWAY BOARD. A jikkti.vo of the above Board was held on Saturday, Dili instant. Present; Messrs Bridge (in the elidr), Lupton, Fleming, lon, and .McLean. Treasurer’s balance, £275 11s 9.1. Mr Kenab applied to have the embankment opposite Watkins’ rep lire 1 and foe permission to put a gate on the road— l Resolved, “That the road be repaired.” Permission was granted to Mr Keating f o erect a gate across the road past section 201), Okotukn. . Correspondence read. R. Maoalister, Provincial Auditor, returning balance-sheet ami vouchors certified.

Memorial from R. N. Hawes and others to sow the Ukotuku Road—Resolved, “ That the Wardens report thereon at next meeting.” Memorial from A. Aiken and others, requesting the Board to open the Okotukn Road, from the main road to Aiken's —Resolved, “That the Board does not se„ the necessity of opening the road mentioned, more particularly as the memorialists have now a road to Wavcrley and Wanganui.

Memorial from Horner ami others, requesting the Board to repair and metal the Oika R< a I —Resolved, “ That the Wardens inspect the road hy next meeting.” John Bradley requested the Board to refuse permission to Dr Curl to erect a gate on the road between sections 400 and 410 and section 142. Tenders Were received as follows for Okotuku Road—o. Robinson, 4113, accepted ; Dudley £IG, Jones £ls 12s Gd, Hughes £ls 10s, Bowie £lO 10s—declined. Resolved, “That the Collector sue for all rates unpaid after the 17th instant.” Resolved, “ That Messrs Fraser and Trogear be employed to find certain pegs on Dnrie’s Road, and to lay oh: certain deviations proposed on other roads. Accounts passed for pavilion'— Ross and Keenan £8 10s Gd, Keating £1 Bs. Resolved, “That tenders be invited by the nest meeting of the Board for gravelling Duric’s Road.”

R E SIDE N T MAGIST RAT E’S COURT—CARL RLE. (Before C. A. Wray, Esq.. 11.M.) TuKsDAY, OCTutiKI! 9.

James Hirst, Registrar of Births, summoned Join; Dickie for neglecting to register two male children. Fined 10s and costs Gs 0 I. TIIUaSDAV, OcrolJEll 11. Constable Burrows, Wavericy. summoned Robert Darling for m ilieiou-dy maiming ami wounding certain bullocks. Case adjourned until 13th October, bail being allowed, defendant in £lt.-0 and two sureties of £SO each. Fill DAY, OcToUKli 12. W. Ovcrend v \V. Butcher. Claim for debt, £l2 12s, Judgment for plaint;T for amount and costs £1 11s; £G to be paid in one month, balance within four mouths from date (12tb October.) J. King v Charles Southcombe. Claim for debt, £3 10s Gd. Summons not returned —enlarged for one week.

Constable Blu'd summoned D. O’Sullivan for a breach of the Cattle Impounding Ordinance, in allowing' a horse to wander at large within the 'township of Carlyle. Fined ‘2s Gd and Gs Gd costs—The same v lb Erskine, who was summoned for allowing - seven horses to wander at large. Fined 2s Gd per head and costs Gs Gd. — The same v J. Keys, who was summoned for allowing three horses to wander. Fined 2s Gd per head and Gs Gd costs.