The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 285, 9 January 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1878.

A si’ECi vl telegram from the AgentGeneral to the Government, dated London, 15 th December, contains the following : “ All the colonial stocks Lave risen ; New Zealand, especially, has never been as high as they now are. Consolidated fives, 107; other fives 105 J; four and ahalfs, 98|.— (Signed) Vogel.'’ Auckland papers are lavish in praise of Sir George Grey and his party, and attribute the present high standing of New Zealand in the Home money market, to the fact of Sir George Grey and his party being at the head of affairs. Considering the extravagant statements made by the Grey party, when in opposition as to the “ absolutely false statement of accounts,” which it was asserted Major Atkinson had rendered, and the persistency with which that party tried to damage the credit of the Colony—Mr Bees threatened to write to the London Times, to let England know the position of New Zealand, whose 'institutions, he asserted to bo “ broken, shattered, and beaten into fine dust, as it wore—with financial difficulties staring us in the face,” and insisted that “ the representatives of the people should try to find out some remedy by which the ruin that is now staring us in the face, may be avoided” —see Hansard. In the face of these facts, we can scarcely see how credit can justly be given, either to Sir George Grey or his party, for the present satisfactory position of New Zealand in the' Home money market. It is in our opinion, due to far other influences. The Grey party have hindered, rather than forwarded. After all which had been S lid, Mr Larnach (the Grey Government Treasurer) found he could not do other than compliment Major Atkinson on the accuracy of the Financial Statement, and of the Tables accompanying it, which, he acknowledged, afforded the clearest and fullest information. Sir Julius Yovel has had immense influence in bringing about the present favorable opinion in regard to the soundness of

New Zealand. The following extract from a letter, received by a gentleman in Carlyle, by the Inst mail, tends to prove the wide-spread influence which Sir Julius exerts. The writer says — “ New Zealand appears to be going ahead, and your Agent-Geneva! (Sir J, Vogel) is constantly before the public, in person or in print, so that what may be properly termed Honth Britain, is made the best, and the most of by him.” 'Hie writer goes on to say, and which still gives evidence of the influence Sir Julius exerts —“ Imperial Federation is a nice theme, and when the colonies push the Home Government for it, it will soon be done. Good, however, as that is, for my part, I should like to see an Anglo-Saxon Federation—that should take Brother Jonathan into the union ; and with the Yankees in the compact, not only the peace and security of England, her dependencies, and the United States would bo inviolable, hut they could demand such attention to national equity, that the . stsutest and most formidable Monarch would pay respect to its views.”

A special telegram was received by ns from New Plymouth, yesterday, as follows— u The meeting- re Harbour site, field on Monday, showed a large majority in favor of the Board, and of Carrntbers plans. A large deputation waited on the three members of the Assembly, about the Mountain Road. The members promised to use every endeavour to induce Government to spend the money. Cannot you urge Patea and Hawera to action ?” We trust settlors throughout the County will see the importance of making their opinions on this question known to the Government, through the members for the Taranaki Provincial District, or otherwise. A step in the right direction, Avas attempted to be taken by Mr Dale, at the last meeting of the County Council, when he proposed that the members should wait on Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, should they visit this district, and point out that, as considerable amounts of money had already been spent at the Taranaki end, that the largest proportion of the amount, voted, should bo spent on the Norm an by side of the Patea River. It is certainly not creditable to IlaAvora members that they should have been the means of upsetting- such a. proper course of action, by advocating delay. It really looks as if reprcsontatiA'os at this end, took more interest in getting the Mountain Road pushed on, than residents near, aviio Avould be more directly benefit ted. There is little doubt but that any action in the direction of forwarding the Mountain Road, Avould bo heartily supported at Patea, and instead of divisions being fostered, under the impression that the interests of Hawera and Carlyle are antagonistic, every opportunity should be taken for working together, and developing a county feeling, when local poAvers for administration, in many directions, could be agitated for, Avith more likelihood of being acceded to. It is not noAV too late for something- in the way of public meeting or petition, if only unanimity prevailed. So far as Patea is concerned, avg have every reason to believe that settlers would respond heartily to any form of action deemed best for the Comity as a whole.

At a meeting of the Taranaki Waste Lauds Board, held on the 31st December, plans of the Patea district were laid before the Board, and the Chairman was instructed to procure detail plans of the different Townships. We understand that a New Plymouth gentleman has lately offered to lease about 4000 acres land, at To Mann, in the Opunake Block, and to erect a flour-mill on the block. The rent offered is considered to be fair. The land was set aside by _ Government, as a reserve for a party of natives, some three years ago. Of twenty natives interested, only three arc said to be favorable to leasing the land. This may’be taken as one of the results of the late stoppage of the survey of the Plains. There is no bounds to the extravagant notions natives now have of the value of land thereabouts, all which they are hoping soon to become legally possessed of, and with the sanction of the present Government.

School committees are appointed to hold first meetings in the various townships this evening at seven o’clock. We have to acknowledge receipt from the proprietor, of a copy of the Taranaki Almanack, the 10th year of publication. This almanack is so well known for its careful compilation, and variety and extent of every day useful information which it contains, as scarcely to require other notice, than that it is now in the hands of agents. Mr J. Whelan is agent for Carlyle. The Patea West Road Board made a long meet of it on Monday. After ordinary business bad been transacted, the valuation list was tackled, and they kept working away until one o’clock next morning. It was wondered what “ Pat Dowling" would have had to say on the subject, had he happened to pop his head through the window’ and seen them at work at that late hour.

We hear that a parly of the A. C. Force, consisting of a sergeant and nine men, have been sent from Opunake, as a working party, to repair parts of the main road between Kaupokonni and Oco.

It will be seen by advertisement in another column, that an attempt is about to be made, to form a Caledonian Society or Athletic Club for the County. The idea has found many warm supporters, and should mature easily. Hawera and Carlyle combined, and working in harmony with the smaller townships should be able to get up sports at stated times, which would attract not only the best men in the County, but also good men from Taranaki, on the one hand, and Wanganui on the other. We hope no local jealousies will mar united action in this matter,

Mr.W- Gowcrri will hold Ids usual monthly sale at Kakararnea, this day, at 2 o'clock.

At the R.M. Court, Carlyle, yo.dcrdaytho following persons were charged by the Sergeant of Police, Avith allowing horses to Avander : —Hebert Erskine, eight horses —fined 2s Gd each, and costs 6s 6d ; M. Carey, three horses—fined 2s Gd each, and costa Gs Gd ; John Ross, one horse —fined 2s Gd and costs Gs Gd ; and U. Burke, one horse —fined 2s Gd and costs. Several cases for arrears of: school foes, were adjourned, Until schoolmasters could bo in attendance after the holidays, the amounts, being, for the most part disputed. We have reccWccl from the agent, Mr W. Dale, a copy of; Willis’ Wanganui Almanack and Directory for 1878, Avhich contains close on 200 pages of closely printed, useful matter, in addition to Avhich there are nearly 100 pages of advertisement. The Patea Directory appears to be very complete. The Wellington Church Chronicle , for January’ reports the formation of a society under the title of the New Zealand Temperance Alliance, of which iho Bishop of Wellington has been elected President for the current year. The Rev Charles Clark, is taking so avc!l as a lecturer, in the Manawatu district, that his visit to Patea has had to be postponed. A trial was made with the newly imported Wood’s American Reaper and Binder, on a field of corn, at Mr Coutt’s Farm, yesterday. Though there Avere many stoppages, the machine gave evidence of good and satisfactory work, and as soon as its peculiarities are thoroughly mastered by those in charge, there is little doubt but the machine Avill prove of immense value, and be brought into general use. The wind, which Avas blowing nearly a gale, Avas against the trial. Meetings for the election of school committees have been held all over the district. The names of members elected Avill be found in advertising columns. At Kakaramoa much interest Avas taken, and the following resolution passed —Proposed by id. Williamson, seconded by J. D. Powdreall, “That this meetingrecords a vote of thanks to the Education Board in general (and Mr R. E. Mcßae in particular as representing this portion of the district) for the able manner in which it has at tended to the educational interest of the district, and regret exceedingly that the Government thought it expedient to alter the boundaries and thus merge with Wanganui and other counties.” Out in his Geography—A letter was received lately at a Post office, not 50 miles from Patea, addressed, “Mr So-and-so, hlanulahi, other sidu of Patea, Auckland ! I” Reports of Patea East ami Patea West Road Boards unavoidably held over till next issue. The a.s. Easby arrived in Wellington’ yesterday, from Sydney, bringing account of a frightful storm near Albmy, by which entire crops Avcrc destroyed. A very fair house greeted the Wavcrly Minstrels, on the occasion of their entertainment in the Carlyle Town Hall, last CA'cning. When the overture commenced, it seemed as if the affair would bo a failure, but shortly after the curtain was raised, the Hall became tolerably full. A song and chorus “ Love among the Roses,” Avas admirably rendered, as Avas also “ Oh, Boys carry me ’long.” In fact, the whole of the first pan. was the occasion of the most uproarious pleasure to the audience. The Avitticisms and local pleasantries of Bones and Banjo Avere highly appreciated and provoked repeated bursts of laughter, and their irrepressible hilarity, could be scarcely kept within bounds, by the grave, and decorous Massa Johnson.” The second part Avas equally good, but we Ikia-c not room in this issue, for a more detailed review. The residents of Carlyle arc indebted to their WaA-orly cousins for a veiy pleasant evening.