The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 299, 27 February 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1878.

Frok a circular which has been sent b 7 Government to the Chairmen of Licensing Courts in different parts of the Colony, it would appear that there is gome intention next session of grappling this vexed question. From a contemporary we learn that “ the Commissioners are notified that it is intended to reduce the size of their respective districts, and suggestions are asked as a guide in the respective localities to which the circulars are sent on the basis that the new districts must be 1 coterminous with some territorial division already in existence, such as Counties, Ridings, Highway Districts, Wards and Divisions of Highway Districts, Wards in Boroughs or School Districts, the smallest of such districts being in every case adopted,’ The circular adds— ‘ It will be necessary to nominate suitable persons as members of the Court to be constituted within each district.’ There is great need for alteration in the boundaries of districts, more especially in the case of Patea County, the area of which forms part of three licensing district. The inconvenience of one district overlapping another, as is at present the case, has proved troublesome, and great difficulty lias

been experienced by the Putea Councilin getting its due share of.'ihe license fees, through errors on the part of Re-, eeivers in paying over, in the one case to Wanganui, and in the other to Taranaki County. The circular issued by Government is somewhat contradictory or at any rate foggy, ior while it appears to leave any amount of latitude to those who will have the power of suggesting new boundaries, by mentioning territorial divisions already in existence with which any new district must be coterminous, it effectually closes the door to choice by stating that the smallest of such districts must be in every case adopted. School districts are the smallest territorial divisions within the County, and if licensing districts are to be limited to the school district boundaries, and eacli to be furnished with its Licensing Court—including chairman, members, and executive officers—the licensing bodies will total a large percentage of the population. Mr Middletnas, in Essay on “Local Government” published in these columns, referring to the continual cutting up of local governing bodies, said, “Already every second man you meet is a governing man.” As since the essay was written the Education Act has been brought into force, with its local school committees, thus adding to that portion of the Patca County within the Provincial District of Taranaki another fortytwo to the number of governing men, and with the prospective addition of six other sets of local governing men within the same limits, it will be seen that the estimated percentage to total population of governing men will have to be increased. The six school districts referred to are only a portion of the number in existence within the Patea County, as other school districts forming part of the Wellington Provincial District, but actually part of Patea County, have been called into existence, eacli of winch would necessarilly form a licensing district, and be fixed up with Licensing Courts, chairmen, members, executive officers, &c. The small licensing districts is what the hon Mr Fox has so strenuously contended for. [n debate on the Local Option Bill last session he attributed the failure of previous Licensing Acts to the fact that they left the power of defining districts to the Government, and that licensing districts had.been made too large. The following copy of memorandum written by Mr Fox, after the passing of “ The Licensing Act of 1873,” with the object ur cu~n.-nmeutto form small districts, explains that gentleman.-* . of Uio case so clearly that we reprint it:

“ Section 3.—Proclamation of Districts. —The section allows full latitude to the Government to define the districts at its pleasure. To give the Act a reasonable chance of efficiency, the districts should not be very large. They should include so much (and no more) as may be considered to be the support of any particular group of publichouses. For instance, in the Wairarapa there are four villages— Masterton, with three publichouses ; Carterton, with two ; Greytown, with three or four; and Featherston, with one. Boundary-lines should be so defined as in each case to include the population which may be supposed to get its liquors in each of these villages. If there be intervening houses they will bo included in the nearest group. It would be the same in Rangitikei : there are three villages, Bull’s, Marton, and Turakina, each possessing two or three publichouses. The Resident Magistrate of the district should be called on to define the boundaries, being guided by instructions to the adoption of the above principle. In municipalities the wards may be taken, or subdivided if thought desirable.” . The Hon gentleman, after reading the above extract, proceeded to say—“lf that had been given effect to by the Government of the day, I have no hesitation in saying that in very numerous districts so created of moderate dimensions, and only representing a particular group of houses or a particular class of interests, all the publichouses would have been swept away long before this.” Mr Fox, and a large following, are convinced that the obtaining of small districts will practically mean the closing of publichouses throughout the colony. The whole question of licensing was so fully discussed last session, that we have no doubt the Assembly will be prepared to act when it next meets. Under these circumstances, and from the fact that Government is already collecting information with a view to legislation, we consider that all in anyway interested in the licensing question as affecting Patea County, should consult together and take steps to bring their views promi ■ nently before Government. The circular issued by Government may be taken as a feeler, and if no strong objection is raised to the line indicated therein, there is little doubt but the principle of small districts will be adopted. While we are inclined to support any measure which will improve the character, or, to a moderate extent, lessen the number of publichouses, we do not believe in the wholesale closing of publichouses, and that too without consideration for those at present engaged in the business. So far as Patea County is concerned it is absolutely necessary that the boundaries should be re-defined so as to include the area of the County. The question of subdivisions or wards may be considered afterwards.

A return match—Hawera v. Carlyle—will be played on the ground of the latter, on Saturday next, the 2nd March. Wickets to be pitched at 9.30 a.in,, and play to commence sharp at 10 o’clock. The team selected to do battle for Carlyle is as follows—Messrs Jacomb (captain), Fraser, Fetch, Taplin, F. T. Horner, Baggett, Kitchen, Coutts, W. Dixon, D. Williams, and W Dascnt. Waiting men —Major Baddely, and C. Hargraves,

Three candidates have been nominated for the Patea Harbour Board for the Waverley Riding, as follows —G. S. Bridge, William Wilson, and W. A. G. Winchcomb. Petitions have been filed in the Resident | Magistrate’s Courts, Carlyle and Hawera, against the late elections to the Patea Harbour Board, of G. F. Sherwood and J. S. Greig, on the ground that the legal notice required had not been given in accordance with the Act under which the election took place. In addressing his constituents at New Plymouth, Major Atkinson said Lhe Government intended to disfranchise New Plymouth. They intended to abolish the Egmont district by throwing the Patea end of it into the Wanganui district, and he supposed this end into that of New .Plymouth. They would thus take away one member from Taranaki. The Gazette containing proclamation defining line of road from Hawera to the northern boundary of the Mangamawhete River (Mountain Road) is dated Gth April, 1876. A copy has been leceived by the County Council. Yesterday (Tuesday) a telegraph office was opened at Inglewood (Taranakiy. The s.s. Waitara, in attempting to leave the Patea River on Saturday last, was rather late on the tide, and got ashore. She got off again on Monday morning, without having sustained any injury, and re-entered the river. The Waitara takes a quantity of Patea made bricks, the first as yet exported, and will probably sail to-day for Waitara. The ketch Argus, which has just nn* loaded timber from Foxton, will shortly leave for Greymouth, with a quantity of bricks.

His Lordship the Bishop of Wellington arrived at Carlyle by coach, on Saturday last. He officiated at St. George’s Church on Sunday. We have been requested to state that the Bishop of the Diocese will be at Waverley on Friday next, and wili be glad to meet members of the church, at the Town Hall, at 3 p.rn. His Lordship proceeds to Hawera to-day (Wednesday). At a meeting of the Kakaramea School Committee, held on Wednesday, 20th instant, it was resolved, “ That this Committee vote for John Duthie, William Williams, William Hogg Watt, John Bryce, Henry Ireson Jones, Hon. William Fox, Rev John Ross, Henry Sanson, and John Taylor Dalrymple, as members of the Wanganui Education Board,” The Rangitikei Advocate says ;—Speculations as to how the late Mr Rhodes wil’ed his immense property are rife. It will be a great advantage to Bulls amiTurakina if it is cut up and sold or let. The extent is about forty-five thousand acres. The next sitting of the District Court, win ue iicid evt Carlyle, on the 6th March commencing at 11.30 a.m. Messrs Thompson and McGuire's cattle sale will be held at Hawera to-day. Tenders for additions to Old Ketemarao Hotel will be received until noon of Thursday. Mr W. Cowern will hold his usual monthly cattle sale at Hawera to-day. The Assessment Court, to consider objections to valuations of property of which notice has been given, will sit at Carlyle on Friday. Mr F. R. Jackson will hold cattle sale at Wanganui, to-morrow. The Rev Gervase D. Smith, late President of the Wesleyan Conference, lately arrived from Great Britain, on a flying visit to Australia and New Zealand. Dr Smith is regarded as one of the most eloquent platform speakers and preachers of the day. The Wellington Argus says :—The Hon Mr Sheehan, while on a visit to the Wairarapa recently, succeeded in settling the long-standing dispute in reference to the fishing rights of the natives in the Wairarapa Lake, and the drainage of the same lake.

Mr Henry Bunny, M.H.R., Wairarapa, has received the' appointment of Commissioner of Railways in the North Island. The Auckland Star, after favourably referring to Mr Bunny, as Provincial Secretary of Wellington Province,concludes “ He is said to bo well acquainted with departmental routine, and is a stickler for prompt and careful work. Mr Bunny worked hard for the present Ministry during the last session. He was almost übiquitous ; and as a whip, rendered invaluable aid.”

The Chairman of the Vincent County Council (Mr Pyke) in giving his vote in favour of one guinea per day to defray travelling expenses of Councillors, said— He always thought when the subject was mooted that there was a lot of virtuous humbug talked—he thought all laborers were worthy of their hire, more especially those who contributed that valuable commodity, il brains.” . Notwithstanding the rain that fell last week, the Patea threshing machine, which left Messrs Morton and Lupton’s, Wairoa, on Monday evening, managed in three days to thrash over 30 acres of wheat for Mr Brewer ; and on Saturday afternoon, while endeavouring to finish a stack of oats, filled fifty-three sacks, and at the end of three hours and a-half filled 90 sacks of oats. The machine has one day more for Mr Brewer, then goes to Bradley, Bros, the last large crop in Wairoa, Before Dr Croft and H. F. Christie, Esq. J.P.’s, at the Carlyle Court, yesterday, Constable Hynes summoned James Southcombe for a breach of the Sale of Liquor Ordinance. Case dismissed —The same v. Heremia, for being drunk and illusing his wife. Bail forfeited, fees included. Court Patea, Ancient Order of Foresters meets this evening for the initiation of members.

The via San Francisco British mail closes at Carlyle to-day at 9.10 a.m, >f Agricola,” in the Auckland Herald of the 16th February, devotes two columns to the subject of scab in sheep, which he states to be analagous to the itch in man, and mange in horses. A meeting was lately held in Auckland for the purpose of forming a Law Society, About thirty-two legal liuiinarics were present. Mr Whitaker in the chair.

Sergeant Whelan started on Saturday last distributing Census Schedules._ One will require to be left at every residence throughout the district, and each must be Idled up with particulars for Sunday, March 3rd, the night on which the census will be taken throughout the colony. Considerable difficulty has been experieueed in getting Government to assent to the Taranaki Harbor Plans. Urgent telegrams had failed to elicit satisfactory replies. The day after last meeting of the Board the following telegram was received —“To T. Kelly, Esq., ?New Plymouth. Colonial Secretary desires me to reply to your telegram to Sir George Grey, of yesterday, that the delay in approving of Harbor plans arose from a remonstrance on the part of some, and the necessity to inquire into their statements. The Government has now been advised that no ground has been shown for delaying matters, and therefore the documents are now sent in for the Governor’s assent. G. S. Cooper ” New Plymouth Harbor obstructionists have fought hard, and have scrupled at nothing to stop progess of proposed works. They must now be getting towards the last kick.

From the Herald's report of meeting of the Taranaki Harbor Board, we learn that Mr Irvine, the , engineer engaged by the Board, had arrived, and had been put in charge of the works. —Mr Syme moved, “ That the sum of £IOO bo presented to Mr Kelly, their chairman, as an honorarium for bis services to the Board during the past twelve months ; and that a further provision be made that the chairman shall be paid from the Ist January last, at the rate of £2OO per annum.” In doing so he referred to the maimer in which Mr Kelly had exerted himself privately, and as a member of the Assembly in forwarding the interests of the Board. After some discussion, the proposition was divided, when Mr Stondish moved that the chairman be paid at the rate of £l5O per animm. There was no seconder. The original motion by Mr Syme was afterwards carried—s for and 3 against—the chairman (Mr Kelly) having retired during the discussion.

The Taranaki Herald says —At the Taranaki Land Board meetingheld on Monday, the 18th instant, the Chief Surveyor, in his report, stated that the following lands would be surveyed and offered for sale by the end of the momli :—Whakamara (Ilawera), about 3,000 acres; Urenui (Waitara), about 3,000 acres; Huiroa, about 2,000. He also stated that the survey of the town of Stratford iad not yet been commenced, owing to the weather being such as to prevent the burning of the fallen hush. —An application was received from Peter Campbell, Manutahi, to purchase a small piece of land adjoining his section (No. 350); a like application was made by U. Bayly, for section No. 359, Patea district. It was resolved that Captain Wray be requested to report upon the applications.