IMPORTANT NEWS.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 273, 24 November 1877, Page 2

IMPORTANT NEWS.

Patea Marla or Bill Passed. The Chairman of the Harbor Board (G. F. Sherwood, Esq.) received the following telegram yesterday from Major Atkinson—- “ Government Buildings, Nov. 22. “ G. F. Sherwood. “ Delayed replying, expecting each day Bill would pass. It has finally passed today, unaltered. “H. A. Atkinson.” In moving the second reading of the Bill in the Upper House, Dr Pollen who, at the request of Major Atkinson, had taken charge of it, concluded his remarks by saying, “ After the large endowments proposed to be given in the Bill [Bluff Harbor] the principle of which the Council had jiiat affirmed bv allowing it to be read a second time, he was almost ashamed, on behalf of such an important district as Patea, to be obliged to ask for such a very small quantity of land as was contained in the schedule to this Bill—namely, not more than 200 or 300 acres.”

Telegrams of proceedings in the House yesterday mentioned that Mr Reid speaking to the Financial Statement strongly condemned the seizure of the Land Fund, and taunted Larnach for his squatting proclivities. Mr Stout replied at length to various Opposition speeches. Mr Montgomery desired to see Government Bills before fully making up his mind as to its policy. Thought the bold policy of present Government preferable to the petty pilfering policy of the late Government. Mr Ormond contended that uniform price of land was impossible, and said the so-called Provincial Liabilities and Supplementary Estimates found by present Government were only schedules prepared to be considered by late Ministry. He would oppose the four million loan as unnecessary. He charged Grey with being interested on account of the Brogden claims. Two hours were spent in wrangling, Ormond eventually taking back the words used. The committee of the whole then went into Supply.

A batch of war news by cable, of tbe 13tb instant, was received in New Zealand this week, from which it appears that the Russians are still gaining on the Turks. The heights of Plevna were reported to have been taken during a dense fog by the Russians under General Skobeloflr. The Russian General Gouka, with an army of 70,000 men, has determined to cross the Balkans and advance on Adrianople. It is reported that Kars is well provisioned, that the terms proposed for capitulation had been rejected, and that the Russians were continuing the bombardment. Muktar Pasha reported an attack by tbe Russians on Azazia on the 9th November, and their defeat with great loss to the Russians, who were pursued beyond Devitzoyan. Robert Lee, Esq., Inspector of Schools, paid his annual vioit to Patea this week. Examination of scholars at Carlyle School, took place on Tuesday and Wednesday last, with, we believe, gratifying results, both to the schoolmaster (Mr Dyer) and to the parents of the children, as well as the Inspector. Two of the boys (William Hirst and John Williams) passed Standard 11., at what is considered a very early age. One boy (Alfred Buscke) passed Standard IV. Mr Lee who examined three pupils— T. Hirst, W. Dasent, and Miss K. Williams —in Latin, French, algebra, and physical geography, in reporting thereon said “ they showed a very satisfactory knowledge of their special subjects, for the time under instruction. There will be a set of papers drawn up shortly for special examination for Honor Certificates in these subjects.” A full list of successful candidates will appear in next issue.

Mr Samuel Taplin has just received a large consignment of new season teas which he is offering wholesale and retail at remarkably low prices. In next issue will appear a useful essay on “ Local Government” which was read at one of the meetings of the Hawera Institute, by Thomas iliddlemas, Esq. The essay has been sent for publication at the special request of a number of friends. Mr William Williams, of Carlyle, is taking active steps to raise funds to give the school children a treat, by way of a change, after the late examination, and will be glad to accept of the cooperation of others. A telegram has been received by Mr J. Hirst stating that the s.s. Waitara, which left Patea on Tuesday morning, at nine o’clock, arrived safety at Waitara at 7 p.ra. the same evening, making the run of about 97 miles in ten hours. . On Wednesday afternoon Mr Christie, of Manutahi, was driving homewards from Carlyle and when just through the Sand Hills, the coach came up behind and startled the horse. The animal made a bolt and swerved to the side of the road upsetting the dray. Mr Christie was thrown out on the road, and came in for bruises. Shortly after as .Mr Doughty and his boy were riding along towards Carlyle at a good pace, the former managed to colide with a bullock, one of a mob which was being driven towards Kakaramea. Bullock, horse, and rider rolled over in a heap —fortunately without serious injury to either one or the other. The Rev Father Pertui’s Art Union will come off at Hawera on Tuesday evening next. Subscriptions to the Patea County Land Building and.lnvestment Society are payable to-day. The Rev J. Law, who went to Wanganui to attend ;the Wesleyan District, meeting will not return until next week. The Rev J, Hammond has kindly consented to conduct service in this district to-morrow, for Mr Law. ■ The Wellington Argus believes the Assembly will be prorogued on the 4th December.

A public meeting will be held at the Native Office, Hawera, this evening, to arrange about sports for New Year,

Tenders for the erection of wool shed for Mr Hawken, Kakaramea, will be received up to Tuesday nest, Messrs J, S, Greig and Co.’ hold general sale of merchandise, at Hawera to-day. Tenders for depositing gravel and for the construction of frame culvert will be received at the County Council Chambers until 4 p.m. on Tuesday next. A Dunedin made Reaping machine, was introduced To this district by Mr J. Hawken, of Kakaramea, during this week. The introduction of agricultural machinery for honafide use, as in this case, speaks well for the enterprise of the proprietor, as well as for the prospects of the district. C. Retmell, Esq., Auditor appointed by Government, visited Carlyle’onJWednesday last, for the purpose of auditing books and accounts of the Patea County Council. Mr Rennell left New Plymouth at noon oil Tuesday, took train to Inglewood, then horse-back to Hawera, where he arrived same evening. The coach brought him to Carlyle next morning. Sub-Inspectoi* F. C, Rowan, for a long time past stationed at the..White Cliffs, has resigned his commission in the A. C. Force. Mr Rowan as an officer in the Colonial Forces was favorably known on this coast during the late war. Members of the Patea District jockey Club meet at Carlyle, at 8 p.m. to-day to arrange programme for races to be held in February.

Wanganui people are determined to move ahead, and the prospect opening out in regard to improved river navigation is stimulating private enterprise immensely. Prospectus in another column, explains fully, the objects and intentions of a Steam Navigation Company now in course of formation. Facilities are intended to be afforded for developing still further the naturally good stock producing capabilities of this coast, by providing suitable steamers of good average speed to visit the smaller ports, and connect with steamers trading with Wellington, and ports in the South Island. Coal, the great desideratum in developing manufactures, will be brought from West Coast mines in exchange for stock and agricultural produce. Altogether prospects are bright, and an appeal is being made to capitalists in Patea County to aid in the work, and share expected benefits.

The Taranaki Herald , referring to Mr George W. Stockman, who was thrown from his horse near Waitotara, and then rode into Patea, suffering great pain, where Dr Warren set the injured limb, says The sufferer is now doing well, and desires to express his sincere thanks to the settlers of Patea for the kindness he experienced at their hands.

The most conspicuous object in approaching Waverley, from Patca is the Presbjderian Church, now in course of erection. The progress of the work has been rather slow, and it is feared it will not be completed by contract time, but a late examination under the guidance of the gentleman (Mr Aitchison, of Carlyle) who has been entrusted with the superintendence of the work, showed that it was being faithfully executed. The bad roads during winter delayed the getting up of material. The architect appears to have combined strength and beauty, as regards the interior of the budding. The lining, which is all tongued and grooved planed boarding, much of it beautifully figured, has been placed diagonally, and in sections. The roof inside is of oval form. When the whole comes to be varnished, it will have a most attractive appearance. The church itself will undoubtedly be the most substantial, handsome, commodious, and comfortable, as well as the most conspicuous in the district. The spire, not yet taken to its full height, has quite a skyraking appearance. Pastor and congregation cannot help but feel proud of their new church.

From the Wanganui Herald we learn that the Annual Financial District Meeting of the Wesleyan Church, Taranaki-Wan-ganui District, began its session in the school-room of Trinity Church at the begining of the week. The ministers and laymen of the various circuits were in attendance, and the meeting was opened with devotional exercises. It was reported that properties for church purposes had been acquired at Hawera, Kakaramea, Waverley, Aramoho, and Marton, the total value of which is £6lB. It was proposed to build a school-room at Normanby, and to sell the Parsonage at Carlyle, with a view a building on a more suitable site. The statistics from the various circuits showed 33 church es and other preaching places, 7 ministers, 25 lay-preachers, 19 class-leaders, 117 Sunday school teachers, 541 church members and communicants, 1,047 Sunday school scholars, and 3,170 attendants on public worship. After a lengthy review of these returns the meeting adjourned until 2 p.m. The.following Ministers were present at the Tuesday morning sitting:—Reverends Bavin (chairman), Stannard, Law, Isitt, Hammond and Lawry. The Rev J. 11. Simmonds was expected from Sandon in the afternoon.

Messrs Goldsborough report in their Circular of the 31st October —“ The opening sale of the season was held in our warehouses bn the 24th instant, and the attendance of foreign and colonial buyers was unusually numerous, English, Scotch, Continental, and American firms being well represented. The biddings opened with great spirit, and were well maintained throughthe sale, 2,404 bales being sold out of 2,589 catalogued. With the exception of one small clip of greasy, the lots were of an ordinary*to average description, and the prices realised wei'e fully equal to the average of last year, unwashed lots ranging from Sfdto.Ts and inferior to good average washed from Is 3d to Is 9Jd per lb. Subsequent sales have passed oif in a satisfactory manner, and about 5,500 bales have been sold in Melbourne to date.”

The Wellington Argus, in report of proceedings of the District Meeting of the Wesleyan Chinch, gives the following general returns of the district for the year —Churches, 15; other preaching places, 36; ministers and probationers, 7; Sabbath school teachers, 170 ; local preachers, 29 ; members, 377; on trial, 20; communicants, 80; Sabbath scholars, 1,408; attendants on public worship, 4,301K