HAWERA

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 296, 16 February 1878, Page 2

HAWERA

(from our own correspondent.) February 14. Tub Hon Mr Sheehan held a short meeting with the Maoris at the Native Office, on Tuesday afternoon. The Maoris were anxious to have some decision come to in regard to the land along the coast. Patoe spoke at some length. Pie said, if the land belonged to the Government, let them claim it, but if they considered it the property of the Maoris, let them say so, as they would then bo in a position to lease or sell it to the pakeha, so that both could derive benefit from it, whilst as it now stood, it was simply lying waste, and useless to either. The Hon Mr Sheehan ieplied that it was impossible for him to do anything at the present meeting, as his time was so short, and after a few remarks took his departure, leaving the natives to return to their homes as wise as they came.

A largely attended meeting was held at the Native Office, on Monday evening, by the members of the Hawera Cricket Club. The object of the meeting was to consider Die advisability of trying to getthe present lease of the five acres now held from the Town Board for cricket purposes cancelled, and taking up another lease of the same on a different footing. As the lease now stood, the Club bad only the right reserved of one pitch, and as they had already spent upwards of £4O in improving the ground, with the only result arrived at, being a heavy crop of the finest looking thistles to be seen in the district, it was considered advisable to form an Association for properly improving the ground, so that it might be made available for sports, cricket, or any other suitable amusements. It was eventually agreed, that an Association be formed, to be called the Hawera Athletic Association, with a capital of £2OO, in 200 shares of £1 each, and that

a deputation wait upon the members of Town Board at their nextmeeting, requesting them to cancel the present lease and to issue a fresh one, on a different basis, to the Association. Before the meeting concluded upwards of 60 shares had been taken up, and should they be successful in their negotiations with the Town Board, it will be a great benefit to the place, as by laying out a sum of £2OO, a splendid piece of ground for cricket or other recreation purposes can be formed —whilst as it now stands it is useless' for either; and although at the present time we boast of cricket club, we have not had the benefit of a single days’ practice the whole season, no ground being available for the purppse. Should, however, the Association be successfully formed, we may hope by ..next year to be able to describe a more satisfactory state of affairs. A heavy south-easter, with cold rains, has superseded the late fine weather which those who neglected to take advantage of in sampling the peaches, will now have little opportunity of doing.

MOUNTAIN ROAD DEVIATION. While Mr Sherwood was in Wellington lately, the chairman of a meeting hejd at Norman by telegraphed asking him to interview the Government as to Road' Deviation, and generally to urge Government to expend money voted for the Mountain Road. The following letter has reference to the matter; —

Public Works Office, Wellington, Feb. 5, 1878. Sir, —With reference to the letter addressed to you on the 21st December, I am now directed to inform you that the Hou the Minister for Public Works has this day wired the chairman of the County relative to the money to bo placed at its disposal for expenditure on the Mountain Road ; but with reference to that portion of your letter which relates to the deviation, I am to state there is no intention on the pan of the Government of abandoning the deviation therein alluded to. The deviation was made because the line as first laid out was impracticable or nearly so.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works. G. F. Sherwood, Esq., Carlyle, Patea.

TARANAKI RACE NOMINATIONS. The following are the nominations for the Taranaki Jockey Club Races ; Taranaki Jockey Club Handicap—Rowe’s Opawa, Chad wick and Belcher’s Folly, Stockman’s Otawa 5 years, Vavasour’s Gang Forward 4 years, George’s Resolution 5 years, Lyon’s Tamatea 4 years, Lyon’s Uira 5 years, Handley’s Flora McDonald 5 years, Handley’s Tamouri 4 years, Hayward’s Kakapo aged, Boucher’s Doncaster 4 years, Walter’s Kingfisher aged. Handicap Hurdleßace —Brew er’sGazelle aged, Paul’s Supplejack aged, Lyon’s Uira 5 ye?rs, Boucher’s Septimus aged. Autumn Handicap—Rowe’s Opawa aged, Rowe’s Sky Blue 3 years, Chadwick and Belcher’s Folly aged, Durie’s Tuna 3 years, Stockman’s Otawa 5 years, Vavavour’a Gang Forward 4 years, George’s Resolution 5 years, Baker’s Flora aged, Lyon’s Tamatea 4 years, Uira 5 years, Handley’s Flora McDonald o years, Handley’s Tamouri 4 years, _ Hayward’s Kakapo aged, Hayward’s Ouida 5 years, Boucher’s Doncaster 4 years, Walter’s Kingfisher aged.