The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 266, 31 October 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1877.

Our expectations of a successful meeting nt Normanby ,ou Saturday last re Small Farm Association, wove more than realised. Sneb thorough earnestness as was shown on every hand is deserving of success. It almost appears that there has been a general awakening in the county, on the settlement of land question, and a number of suggestions from various quarters as to how certain lands should be dealt with will shortly be made public, In addition to the land this side the Patca River, there is the Mokoia Block, and the still unsold sections of Government land .on the Otoia-Opaku Block (which up to the present have been withheld from sale) ns well as laud

iu the bands of the Patea Harbour Board, all which may soon be available for settlement if the agitation now commenced is vigorously kept up. The land to bo applied for by the Katemarae Small Farm : Association, wc hoar, has not yet been placed- under the control.of the Taranaki Waste Lands Board. -Wo trust that the Board will lose no time in applying to Government for power to deal with it, and by heartily aiding the promoters of the Small Farm Association in vheir endeavors to obtain suitable land for to dispel the popular impression that the Taranaki Laud Board is utterly indifferent to the interests of the Patea County. Such another opportunity of redeeming character will not be likely again to present itseif. We, therefore, trust that the Board will not stand too much on dig.dty and ret* tapefigm ? Init }jearfcilj r endeavour to satisfy the present craving for land on the part of working men and would bo bona fide settlers in this county. The letter sent by Captain Wray to the Taranaki Board as to Messrs Cano Brothers application, is worth reading, as that gentleman very clearly expresses himself in favor of the deferred payment system of disposing of ■waste lands, on terms fair to all parties. The committee of the Small Farm Association has set to work, and through the secretary and delegates, has already made inquiries as to the correct form of procedure. The application for land will have to bo made through the Taranaki Waste Lands Board, but Mr Williams will most likely have to go to Wellington, and we are given to understand that Captain Wray, who will probably be referred to, has expressed himself favourably disposed to the objects of the Association. Though prospects are promising, there will no doubt bo many difficulties to contend with, and those who have taken this matter in hand must lay themselves out for a lot of hard work before they can hope to pronounce the scheme safe.

It may be interesting to Presbyterians throughout Patea to know that Mr James Davidson, of Hawera, received a letter by the last British Mail from the Bov Alexander Martin, who, at the lime the letter was written (22nd August), was at Edinburgh. Mr Martin, addressing Mr Davidson as Chairman of the Committee of the Hawera Presbyterians of the Hawera District, slated that he wrote to say that after earnest thought and consultation with his medical advisor ho had come to the resolution of remaining in Scotland for some time —at any rate longer than woidd justifiy an}" people waiting for his services. It would be understood that, by tin’s time, as no telegram had been sent within a month of his arrival, which lie was to have despatched if he had made up in’s mind to return within a year, that it had been his intention to return. Mr Martin mentions that he was then discharging the duties of the minister who was convener of the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland, and that he was thus iu society where colonial wants were well-known and sympathised with. He says “ I find that many ways have been tried to get suitable young men for the colonies, but difficulties have been met on every hand. They arc sending out student Missionaries, butoneof these would not supply your need. I hope Mr Tony is still among you and meeting with success. Since I have come home I have had no opportunity of meeting my old college companions, and really I don’t know any one of the proper stamp whose mind has been inclining for colonial work.” Mr Martin,in concluding the letter, expressed the deep sympathy and affection lie still felt for bis friends at Hawera. A meeting of the Hawera Presbyterian Committee will probably behold shortly.

Mr J. Ballanco, member for Eangitikci, was found amongst the opponents of the Patea Harbor Bill, on being introduced by Major Atkinson, The professed friend of Patea—note his action !

Lastrneetingof the season of the Hawera Institute will be held this evening, when the subject of “ Local Government” will be considered. Wc are pleased to learn that the committee of the PatcaAgricultural and Pastoral Association meet on Saturday next, at three o’clock, at Carlyle. It is time some show of life was made. Very little seems to be known, so far as wo have been able to gather, as to how things aie likely to shape, though there has been no backwardness in the matter of enquiring. A question is asked by a correspondent as to butter, which it would be well for the committee to answer, and so help to avoid the uncertainty which prevailed on this point at the last show.

A meeting of the Patca Harbor Board was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday last at three o’clock in the afternoon. Present —Messrs G. F. Sherwood (in the chair), Captain Wray, J. Milroy, W. Wilson, and 11. Williamson —Proposed by Mr J. Milroy, seconded by Mr I!. Williamson, and carried, “ That an application be made to the General Governmet for the Ferry Reserve No. % on the Patca River, the Board agreeing to pay such.compensation as may be decided by arbitration.” — Proposed by Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried— ■“ That the offer of twopence pci yard for gravel from the County Council bo refused.—Accounts were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned. The special correspondent to_ the Taranaki Herald telegraphed on Friday night last —“ It is probable that the Legislative Council will go on with private Bills whilst the debate lasts ; if so, the New Plymouth Harbour Bill will pass without any difficulty.” If so, it may confidently be expected that the Patea Harbor Bill will also pass. The only fear is that the Council may determine to suspend business while the “ no-coufidenco” debate lasts. A meeting of the Patea District Land and Building Society will bo heldto-morrow evening at Carlyle, to consider the question of re-insurance. A list of defaulting ratepayers in the Patea West District has been made out, and will to-day be handed over to the Clerk of the R.M. Court for collection.

At the B.M. Court, Carlyle, yesterday) the adjourned caseHCrskinc v F. McCarthy was brought on for hearing ; claim, £4 5s ; judgment for £3 10s and 9s costs. The Town Board v J. Ivess, claim for rates, was adjourned at request of defendant who expected to visit Patea in the course of a fortnight. Messrs Bills and Co., of Hawera, have just turned out a specimen iron hycicle machine, which all interested in local manufactures might inspect with feelings of satisfaction. For both design and workmanship the makers are deserving of every credit. The main wheel has a diameter of 3 feet 9 inches, the saddle being about 4 feet G inches high, and is calculated, in good hands, to travel at a high rate. At the next mooting of the County Council, one of the members intends to bring bn a motion to the effect that, during the ensuing year, no salary be attached to the office of Chairman.

ITis Jjordship Bishop Redwood, and party, arrived at Hawera on Saturday atternoon last —preparations having been made for their entertainment at the Bev Father Pcrtuis’ residence, near the church. Sunday, in spite of the boisterous weather, found the church well filled. A number of Carlyle residents were iu attendance at Hawera at the morning service. Mr Somerville, Hon. Secretary of the Wanganui Agricultural Show, telegraphed us yesterday to draw attention to alteration as per last night’s Wanganui papers —which will not arrive until to-day. Awkwa’d to oblige, not having paper. In last report of Court cases at Hawera tl ic n am e o £ Mr McGregor was inad v or ten tl y substituted for that of Mr J. Strachan Greig, who was charged with without a license. Mr McGregor has a wholesale license.

Paul, the well known chief of Orakci, Auckland, has been to Wellington Lately. His opinion of the House of Beprcscntatives, according to the Herald is that it is no bettor than a collection of dogs bow-wowing at each other in the streets. Mr W. Co worn will hold his usual monthly stock sale at Hawera at two o’clock today. Mr Samuel Tapi in, Secretary of the Patea Cricket Club, has written to the Secretary of the Tikorangi Team, arranging for a match to be played in this district on Friday the 16th of November.

On Friday evening last a conceit was gixen iu the Waveiloy Town Hall, under the direction of Mr Hwinbourno, in aid of the funds of the Cricket Club. The Hall was crowded to overflowing. Several musical gentleman wore in attendance from Carlyle. Taken all the concert may be voted a thorough success. Thanks to the amateurs who kindly took part, a considerable addition has been made to the club funds.

The Teams for the Married v. Single Cricket match will be chosen from the following names—Messrs Fraser, Taplin, W. Dixon, W. C'owern, Tennent, Daggett, Rhodes, Keys, F. G. Baddeicy, Dr Croft, Rev. Dasent, 11. Gnyatt, Jaeomb, F. Horner, E. Horner, Fetch, C. Dasent, B. Dasent, W. Dasent, Contis, Kitchen, D. Williams, T. Turner, C. Symes. Game will be made twelve each aide if people, will roll up in time. Those named will please accept the above as warning. The Wellington Argus, of 25th instant, stated that there was really nothing now to add regarding the political situation. The Government appeared A r cry confident of victory, and the Opposition were equally as positive that they would have at least a majority of live. It was rumoured in the lobbies, that should the present Opposition gain the day, Mr Rolleston will be offered a portfolio in the Ministry, and it is stated on very fair authority that neither the Hon Dr Pollen, Mr G. McLean, Mr Whitaker, nor Mr Ormond would again accept office. A telegram was received from Wellington about eight o’clock last night, stating that the division on the “No Confidence” motion would probably be taken during flic evening, and asking the telegraph operator to be in attendance at ibc office at eleven o’clock. Should the division list arrive anytime before six o’clock Wednesday morning it will be issued with the paper as an extra. The wire was reported as in bad working order between Wellington and Wanganui, and ordinary telegrams were delayed. A correspondent to the Wairoa Free P, •ess (Hawke’s Bay) has furnished an interesting description of Hot Springs, situated at Waipiro, Open Bay, on the East Coast, which arc only about two miles inland. The hot springs arc seven in number and extend over an area of a quarter of a mile, and have a high repute amongst the natives for their curative properties in cases of rheumatism and cutaneous affections. Negotiations arc now pending for the lease of the ground from the native owners with the object of erecting a bathing establishment on the spot, so that the day may be not far distant when Waipiro Bay will becomca small watering place—like Waivvcra vicar Auckland—particularly adapted for invalids of limited means who could not afford the expense of a journey and course of bathing in the Lake District.

The following telegram was received late last night, dated Wellington, 11 p.m. —“ Bowen, Tawlnti, and Gibbs have spoken on Opposition side ; and Taiaroa, Bryce, and Rees on Government side. .Latter still speaking. No probability of division to-night.”