WANGANUI.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 298, 23 February 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI.

(from our own correspondent.)

Some little excitement was caused this Miorning 1 hy th e publication in tiie Chrojiicle of a Waverley special telegram to the following effect—“ Seven native women yesterday stopped the survey ■ on the Momahaka Block.” Many an* inquiring has this litlle complication anything to do with the late visit of the Hon ttie Native Minister? We ■were led to believe here that all native trouble had ceased, and'that peace was to reign supreme. This does not augur favorably for the speedy settlement, of the Waimate Plains question. Of that tract of country, I hear, almost every day, tourist residents of remote portions of the colony, speak in terms of the highest praise. The garden of the North Island it is pronounced by one and all. I venture to say that if all native obstructions were removed, peaceful occupation and legal title guaranteed, the Waiinate Block, if offered for sale in any centre, would command a competition that no previous land sale has ever approached. There are people who have got Waimate on the brain all over New Zealand, who are only waiting the opportunity to invest. I saw a good many from the northern settlements spectators of our colonial aquatic struggle. In most respects it passed off successfully, but I fear our late visitors have not carried away with them any very exalted views of the hospitality of Wanganui rowing men. Had it been a rifle contest, I durst affirm this would not have had to have been recorded. Your Waverley people would have shamed any less enthusiastic and generous entertainers out of any apparent neglect of their duties as hosts towards their guests. Bye the bye, while I think of it, has that little unpleasantness that 1 was pained to hear lately existed between Wanganui and Waverley in the matter of tournament matters been healed. I was sorry to learn that correspondence had assumed such a bitter and personal phase,"as I was given to understand it afterwards did. These antagonisms are the more to be regretted when it is remembered how very pleasant and harmonious were the meetings of the troops and their representatives but a short time ago. At the contest at Araraoho when the rival troops met for what proved such an exciting contest, and when their demeanour was the theme of general admiration, I did not anticipate that within such a short space of time, any antagonistic feelings, beyond those of friendly rivalry and espirt de corps would have been engendered. I am told that we shall see no farther tournament. I can only say, I shall be extremely sorry if such is to be the case. Whose was the fault I am not going to argue, but that such splendid exhibition of rifle practice and horsemanship, should cease to be of periodical occurrence in the district, is a matter for general regret. Sergeant Major Bezar has been involving himself in certain troubles re landscnp, with the rifle corps up north. Several hot letters have appeared in the Wanganui papers, referring to the matter, and it is generally admitted that the official character rests under a stigma, which it would be well to have removed. He, on the other hand, affirms that he dii not exceed the limits, either o’f his official position or of a legitimate business transaction, for •which, too, his superior officer, holds him morally and officially guiltless.- Bezarnow talks of courting inquiry, and demanding the fullest investigation. If he_ has been aspersed groundlessly, he is entitled to the fullest' exculpation, because 'the charge;'if'true, is ene that to say the least-.

of it, may be termed rather discreditable. For the reptuation of all parties, I hope the matter will be cleared up satisfactorily. How do your Harbor Works progress ? Ours are in statu quo , and I do not expect to record progress of any special character for some time to come. ¥bur folk up north are going in for a big thing —I am inc’ined to think too big.y-But more power to them if they see a shadow of a prospect of practical consummation being attained. The port of Patea has a country round about •and at the back of if, second to none in New Zealand, and in the absence of any safe port from the-Waitara downwards, if the river can be.made available for vessels . of moderate tannage,. iT As easy to predict a grand future hi store for it. Only, let me give them a friendly bit of advice, first, to cut their coat according to their cloth, and secondly, not to count their chickens until they.are-hatched.. If to both ; these considerations have been attached due significance,. when the preliminary . matters were under deliberation, they can wade in confidently, and I sincerely trust, successfully. We are looking forward to a very pleasant couple of days, at your race meeting; and I hope to see many of your turfites at our gathering. Northern sports are proverbially attractive, on account of the liberal spirit invariably infused. Turakina .. is coming out this year, and is offering fair prize money, which southern horses will probably walk off with, to the great enjoyment of the local patrons of the turf. Mr Freeman R. Jackson’s sale of Messrs Mcßae and Nicholson’s stock, announced for the 9th March in Wanganui at the Hill-street sale yards is attracting c „.w siderable attention. It is expected that the horses will find purchasers in various parts of the colony, all having either special strains of blood or having been noted as turf performers in their day. The eclipse of the moon on Sunday evening is blamed for various other phenomena, among others for tainted fish, which were sold and partaken of to serious subsequent organic disarrangements. Certain rash vows which were pledged on that same evening are now sought to, be repudiated through tlie same agency. A. local M.D. ran foul of a lamp post during the darkness which ensued, the crimson V current staining his patriarchal beard. Do you want an M.D. up in Patea ? There isone we can spare. Perhaps change of climate might assist to put him straight again, though in this case it might be only* coelum non animus mutavit. The police try in vain to persuade the R.M. that he is an habitual violater of temperance nrinciples and now seem to have given up the attempt. I should like to know what the correct defination of this term is—if this warrior physician, who is highly endowed nevertheless, does not belong to that unfortunately far too, numerous class. Since the extension of the railway to Marton the passenger and goods traffic is increasing very rapidly. A few months more will see a further extension. I wonder when the iron hoise will connect Patea with Wanganui ? I don’t want to damp your courage, y«u know, but did it strike you that when that connection shall [ have been accomplished, the neccssit3' for ! harbour urorks at Patea will have materially diminished ? But then there is the prospect that our harbour works here will not have advanced as they ought to have done, in which case the Port of Patea will be the port of all the adjacent country. This is the future in the distance, however.

Holloway's Oinirnsntand Pills. —Diseases ami casualties incidental to youth may l>e safely treated by the use of these excellent medicaments according to the printed directions.folded round each pot and box. This Ointment is not alone applicable to external ailments; conjointly with'the Pills it exercises the most salutary influence in cheeking- inflammation in the interior of the body ; when rubbed upon the back and chest it gives most sensible relief in asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy, and threatning consumption. Holloway’s remedies arc especially serviceable in liver and stomach complaints. For the cure pf bad legs, all sorts of wounds, sorely and likewise scrofula and scorbutic affections, this Ointment produces a cooling and soothing feeling most acceptable to the sufferer. For remainder of news see fourth page.