The Patea Mail. PULISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 281, 22 December 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PULISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1877.

The signs of vitality as shown by notices of sports to bo held” in various townships within the County, (luring the festive season now near at hand, may be taken as undeniable evidence of progression. The present year has been one of steady, if not rapid, progress for the County as

a whole. In the erection of public buildings, Ilawera may be said to have bounded along; A large new Town Hall was opened this week. Considerable additions have boon made at Wavorley in the shape of buildings—the most noticeable of which is the handsome Presbyterian Church opened for divine worship on (Sunday last. Carlyle also has added to the number of its habitations. (Settlers both along the main line of road and further back, have erected commodious and substantial dwellings—all evidences of well doing. The increased area of land under crop this year, as against previous years, will tell greatly on the total of created wealth. The increase in sheep and cattle has been large, and the wool crop heavy. Many new labor-saving agricultural implements have been introduced. The Lite Agricultural Show spoke well for the quality of cattle, horses, and sheep owned within the County. Many now and wealthy settlers have purchased holdings or rented reserves from natives, and are now in possession. There has been a wonderful increase in the value of land. Population has been largely augmented. The pluck shown by the Patoa District Jockey Club, in giving substantial prizes, evidences intention to take a commanding position in racing matters. Now schools have boon erected—others are being enlarged. There is general hungering for laud, and hope runs high on every hand. The proposed river improvements at Patoa—the contract for first portion of which is expected to bo in band within the next two months —has put new life into the whole community. Government have promised fairly in regard to road and railway expenditure. Except for the late action of Government in temporarily stopping survey ot Wainuto Plains, and the stupid action of the Taranaki Waste Lauds Board, together with the apparent avcrscncss of the Grey Government to dispose of laud for new settlements, there would be nothing to growl about, and all could joyfully say—Good times are coming. Comparing the present with this time last year, there is much cause for thankfulness. We trust the Plums difficulty will bo overcome, that land will be set aside for settlement purposes, and that the coming year will see even more rapid progress than in the past. We wish our readers A Mriaiv Christmas Axr> a Happy New Year !

The Hon Native Minister (Mr Sheehan) is expected to visit this district in connection with the proposed survey of the Wairnato Plains about the sth January. Mr AY. Williams, who suggested giving prizes to the Carlyle school children when the late examination took place, has been out of the district for over a fortnight. Almost immediately on his return, he headed a subscription list with a liberal donation, and canvassed until nearly £l2 was obtained. Prizes were awarded yesterday. Messrs Mcßae & Nicholson are shaping for a splendid show of meat at Carlyle on Monday morning, two bullocks arc ready which will turn the scale each at l,000!bs, besides which there will be fat calf, sheep, pigs, lambs, sucking pigs, &c. A few Carlyle Sporting Notes by Bill Jones, disagreeing with the handicapping in some of the races, but otherwise making very useful remarks, is unavoidably pressed out. Rust is reported to be showing itself slightly in the wheat in some parts of the county. Patca Christmas Sports will be ludd on Boxing Day. Good programme. Plenty of sport. A number of the committee are intending to pay special attention to the little folks, so there will bo enjoyment for all. Mr D. M. Harris lion Secretary. Sports will be held at Normanby on Boxing Day, 2Gth instant. Sixteen events arc entered on the programme, with good money prizes. As there are manj r well known athletes in the neighbourhood it is expected the sports wilt bo first class. Air T. M. Ollivier, Hon Sccretay, AVaihi, will furnish all particulars to intending competitors. Normanby and Kakaramoa programmes will bo found on first page. Mr William Covvern will sell to-day booth, clocks, and jewellery. On Thursday next Mr AY. Cowern will hold his usual stock sale at Hawera. Nominations- for Patca races will bo received up to Friday evening next, the 28th instant. See advertised notice.

Mr D. M, Hogg, of Wave; Icy, is now affording a Christmas treat to all cash purchasers, 'by clearing off present stock at alarmingly low prices. W. C. Hursthousc, Esq., General Government Engineer, inspected the gravelling contract (now sometime completed) between Hawera and Norrnanby, on Tuesday last, and was expected to take the road over from the conlractors on Wednesday. Some shameful instances of determination to use the road, and cut up the edges by taking heavy loads along, while the road was still in the contractors hands, and therefore responsible for damages have been reported. Wo trust the County Council will have superintendence of next length to be done. It will be better for the general public who have to pay the piper, and more satisfactory to the contractors.

Wesleyan Sunday School treat will bo held on Boxing Day. Adults invited. Carlyle Banks will close next Monday to Wednesday, inclusive. Mr F. Elcbards, whose increase in lambs this season averaged about 140 per cent., will bo at his Paranui run during the next week, and advertises ewes and choice lambs for sale.

“ Nations’ New Zealand Almanack” is the title given to a most useful sheet almanack which has been issued in Wellington for sale at one penny. The sheet is neatly arranged, well printed, and contains a very largo amount of useful information of every-day requirement. Nations’ Sheet Almanack should sell well.

Tenders arc called for the erection of a Wesleyan School House at Nonnanby. The Secretary Haw era Sports notifies that the first prize mile race has been raised to £7.

The Wellington Argus explains that Sir G. Grey’s object in desiring the Governor to veto ibe Lands Hill was to thwart the Canterbury ninliolclers, who by the Act were allowed another term of occupancy of this largo estates at small rents.

The opening of a new Rcebabitc Hall, in Manners-street, Wellington, was celebrated on 13th instant, by a tea and public meeting. The first Kocbabitc Tent in Wellington was instituted 11 years ago, and great progress has since been made. The Marlborough Express of the 12tb instant contains a very strong leading article at the action of the Grey Government in stopping the survey of the Waimato Plains, and after enumerating several late acts of lawlessness by Maoris which have been allowed to go unpunished, says : —“ If the Maoris were inclined to defy the law before, their rebellions disposition will now know no bounds, the consequence being that apprehensions of further acts of lawlessness and anticipations of a general outbreak are sure to result. If this philo-Maori policy is to prevail, sad was the day for the Colony al large when native affairs were placed in the administration of those lately come to power. And is this only the thin end of the wedge ? Is the policy of repudiation to have a more general application still, and arc the murderers, rebels, and outlaws to bo rewarded for their misdeeds, and encouraged in further acts of aggression by the repeal of confiscation, and most apparent sympathy on the part of tho Government ?”