The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 300, 2 March 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays ) SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1878.

Mu W right, Foreman of Works to the Patea County Council, who started for jNew Plymouth on Thursday week, for the purpose of interviewing Mr C. W. Hiu-bthouse (Resident Engineer Taranaki Provincial District) relative to the .Mountain, .Road, returned to Carlve, on Wednesday last. We understand that .copies of sec-liona! surveys of the pro-

claimed lino of road, ■will be received from Taranaki by to-day’s coacb. Every assistance was given by Mr Hurstliousc to enable Mr Wright ito obtain such information as might be useful in the construction of the Mountain Road. Correspondence has been received from the General Government, covering claims for compensation, made for land through which the proposed deviation runs, and which deviation was gazetted in 187 G. Eight claims for compensation were then sent in. We understand that some of the claims will be again preferred, should it be decided to proceed with the formation of the road as gazetted. Though the road has been surveyed and gazetted for road and railway purposes, the land has not, we believe, been yet acquired by Government. So far as railway works are concerned, it is not likely, judging by present rate ot progress, that the gazetted line will be required for the next two or three years. All are not agreed that it is imperatively necessaiy the railway line and roadway should run together. There is much eagerness on the part ot the bulk of residents in Pa tea, that through communication should be opened by way of the Mountain Road with Taranaki, and that speedily. The question of route more immediately concerns residents at Normanby. It is urged by many, some amongst whom are competent judges, that a practicable road, the grade on any part of which shall not exceed 1 in 20, can be made on the now-nsed line of road. There is between five and six miles of standing bush on the gazetted line of road, which cannot by any possibility, be cleared during the present year. The other line of road has been cleared all the way. We do not think that compensation claims can be urged, in respect of the now used line of road. The small sum available, and to come, for expenditure on the Mountain Road, would, if laid out on the present line, enable the coach to be taken through from Hawera next summer. No amount of money would enable the deviation road to be made trafficable in that time. The road now in use measures half a mile less than the gazetted line. Taking the County as a whole, there is a strong bias towards the readiest route. For the gazetted line, accurate sectional surveys have been made. In respect of the now used line of road, a re-survoy would be necessary. Against cost of resnrvey, may he set compensation claims. The delay which would be caused by resurvey, would be slight as compared with the delay which would be necessitated by felling and clearing bush on the gazetted line. If what Mr Sheehan stated, proves correct, that the question of route can be settled by the County Council, that body will have a ticklish task to perform, and whichever way the question is decided, there will certainly be dissatisfaction. Letter from the Public Works Department, lately published, appeared to settle the question of route, and in fact does so far as suitable railway line is concerned. But in correspondence since received, it is stated that the land gazetted has not yet been acquired, and from the wording, the road question still appears to be an open one, “ The Public Works Act, 187G,” gives Government fall power to take land for railway purposes, and in urgent cases, on very short notice. Plans of land required, must be prepared, and placed somewhere convenient for inspection; owners and occupiers must be served with notices; time and place must be fixed, and person or Board appointed, for hearing objections, and with power to award compensation. If satisfied, after due consideration, that no private injury will be done for which due compensation is not provided by the Act, such person or body may order the land required to be taken. In case satisfactory terms cannot be arranged between owners and person or Board appointed to hear objections, then a Compensation Court may be constituted, the form of procedure of which is prescribed. The following (clause Gil details how award is to be estimated :

In determining the amount of compensation to be awarded, the Court filial! take into account severally the value of the land or interests in land, including riparian rights, taken, and the extent to which any adjacent lands in which the claimant has an interest are or are likely to be injuriously affected, either by severance or by the nature of the works in question, and shall also take into account , by way of deduction from the amount of compensation to be awarded, any increase in the value of such adjacent lands likely to be caused by the execution of such works But the Court may award one gioss sum as the compensation to be paid to the claimant on all accounts, or they may determine that no compensation is payable. Clause 187 of “ The Counties Act, 1876,” vests in the County Council the powers of the Public Works Act, in respect of land required for public works. In regard to the immediate prosecution, or delay in proceeding with that portion of the Mountain Road from Normanby to Te Roti, very much depends on Normanby settlers, through whose land proposed new line nms. If they are heavy on compensation, delays will certainly follow. Ample provision is made by the Public Works Act for the ready settlement of all reasonable claims. It will be just as well for those interested not to open out too wide, but rather to take into consideration the increased value which will be given to their land, and agree amongst themselves to some reasonable compromise. The bulk of Patea residents are more interested in speedy tbrovigh coinmmilcation than m the particular route. Very many are of opinion that it would be better for the

road and railway to be apart, instead of running side by side, and an effort will likely enough be made by those Norman by settlers who are interested in the old road, to get the gazetted line ignored for the present, and the money spent to enable the coach to run through to New Plymouth next summer. Those interested in the gazetted line will have to pull well together, and try to aid the County Council in acquiring the land, to prevent unnecessary delay. Should obstacles be thrown in the way, the Comity Council, if made arbiter, will doubtless try to avoid compensation claims, and decide for the safest, and quickest made line. The general public, who are only concerned in getting through cornmuni-

cation speedily, and in the least expensive manner, will back the Council up should it decide that way. The County Council meets on Tuesday, and the question must come on for discussion.

A special telegram was received yesterday from New Plymouth correspondent as follows—“No official notice lias been given, but it is reported that the site of the Township of Stratford-on-Patea is to be burned on Monday next. This will stop traffic whilst the bush is burning.” Intending travellers by the Mountain Road will therefore take heed. Tenders for the supply of oats for the coaching service between New Plymouth and Wanganui are advertised for by Messrs Hall and Henry. Mr W. Dale will bold sale of furniture and merchandise at bis mart at two o’clock to-day. Captain Wray, Judge of the Assessment Court, held a sitting at Carlyle yesterday, to hear objections under the Rating Act against valuations for the Carlyle Town Board. Mr D, M. Harris, Secretary, attended on behalf of the Board.—William Dale objected to bis name not appearing on the roll instead of the Town Hall Company, for which he acted as Secretary. Objection allowed.—The name of Daniel Smith was taken off the roll and that of James Smith inserted for section 3 block 18. Patea East Road Board. The Secretary (Mr D. M. Harris) appeared on behalf of the Board. The name of Charles Symes was struck out and that of E. F. Symes inserted. —W. Gower was struck out and Samuel Gower inserted.—Owen McKiltrick’s holding' valued at Tl2O 10s was reduced to TIOO 10s.—Patrick Burke, no appearance; reduced by consent to £5. — A. 0. Fookes for transfer to present occupier; no appearance of cither party. Not allowed. An inquest was held at the Masonic Hotel, Carlyle, at three o’clock on Thursday last, before C. A. Wray, Esq., Coroner, and a special jury, on the body of an infant named George Daniel Bonrke, who had died that morning about nine o’clock . The inquest was held because Registrar refused to grant certificate for interment. The following jury was sworn—Messrs J. Gibson (foreman), D. O’Sullivan, J. Rhodes, T. North, W. Williams, jun., Alex. Wood, A. Haywood, J, Thomson, G. T. Potto, J. Whelan, W. Colson, and R Erskine. The jury having viewed the body, Dr Croft deposed to having held a post mortem examination, which showed that the infant had been properly nursed, but that it had suffered very much from a cutaneous disease, sufficient to cause the death of an infant four months old, which was the age of diseased. He was of opinion that the disease had been brought on from want of kuowlege on the part of the mother, and not from wilful neglect. He had seen the child about three weeks ago, and recommended nourishing food and frequent washing, Mrs Carey (muse) deposed to Dr Croft’s instructions having been followed, and that the infant seemed never to have rallied. In reply to a question from the jury, the nurse said that the mother was very kind and attentive—no one eould be more so. A verdict was returned that the infant had died from natural causes.

Tenders for painting bridges will bo received until 4 p.m., on Monday, at the County Council Chambers. The Assessment Court, for the hearing of objections under the Rating Act, will sit at Hawera on Monday. Inquiry under the Regulation of Local Elections Act, touching the election of Mr J. S. Greig, to the Patea Harbor Board, will be held at Hawera. on Monday.

The slowness with which Government land in these parts is being brought into tiie market is attributed to scarcity of surveyors. Only one surveyor is engaged on the Momahaki Block—ditto Whalcarnara. It is said that the survey of the Waimate Plains is being delayed simply for the want of surveyors, only one being at present available. With the completion of the two or three blocks now in hand, it is hoped an efficient staff will be made up for the Plains, and that the work will speedily progress. Government having given Major Brown full power to act, we believe that gentleman is anxious to make a start, and is only waiting until a few surveyors are available. At the Carlyle Court, yesterday, before C, A. Wray, Esq.. R.M., E. J. Baynton charged Roukura with maliciously injuring property. The case was dismissed. A further charge was made against Roukura of using profane, indecent, and abusive language. Fined ss. The Wellington Presbytery held its quarterly meeting at Bulls (Manawatu) on the 20th instant, when following members were present—Revs J. Duncan (Moderator), J. McKei, Win. Stewart, J. Ross, R. J. Allsworth, R. McGregor, and J. Doull, with Messrs Pi. McAlley, and J. H. Murray, elders. After various church matters had been arranged, a letter was read informing the Presbytery that the Evangelist (Dr Somerville) intended paying a visit to Wanganui early in March. The Rev Mr McKie was elected Moderator for the current year. The nest meeting is appointed to be held at Wanganui, on the third Wednesday in May. The s.s. Clyde arrived from Wanganui on Wednesday evening last, commenced discharging next morning, put out thirty tons cargo at Hirst’s wharf, steamed down to the Heads and put ashore 5,000 feet of timber for the Boiling Down Company, and was back at the wharf by ten o’clock. She loaded with wool and grass seed, and is expected at Pa tea again on Tuesday next.

Forsoveraivce lias been esempb’fled in tbe shape 6f'a%tter received from America by the late mail. •„ The letter was addressed to Auckland, the/ place where -the party, some fourteen years ago, resided. The postal officials wrote “'Try Wellington,” and it was accordingly sent there. From thence it was sent to Taranaki. The party having again moved the letter was forwarded by the authorities to I’aten, where it fell into the hands of the rightful owner. The Taranaki Herald says ; —We do not know who the correspondent at Hawera is who sends effusions to the Wanganui Herald , but there is a good deal of the “ Amminadab Sleek” about tbe following ; “The natives are busy bu}ing and selling grass seed, Report says that several buyers were engaged all last Sunday buying and weighing the seed. A sad example for the natives. What good can we expect from the efforts of missionaries with such examples set before them. Formerly the natives on this coast were very strict in their observance of the Sabbath; now, in company with some of; their professing Christian dealers, they thus openly break the Lord’s Fay. Owing to the unseemly haste on the part of the buyers the natives arc realising a handsome price for their produce ; for in the “ ways that are dark, and the tricks that are vain the heathen Maori is peculiar.” Chairmen of Highway Boards and the clerks of governing bodies generally are reminded of those clauses in the Registration of electors Act, 1875, by which it is their duty, on the 31st day of March, to compile an alphabetical list of all persons, being males of twenty-one years or upwards, who shall have been assessed to, and shall have made payment of, any rate struck by such governing body in respect of rateable properly. In the case o£ a Borough, the list so prepared must be signed by the Clerk and countersigned by the Mayor, or in the case of a Highway District by the Chairman, and be then forwarded to the Registration Officer for the electoral district within which the Municipality, Highway, or Road District, or other division of; the colony under the control of; such governing body shall be situated, on or before the 7th day of the month of April, The Registration Officer of every electoral district shall, on the receipt of such list, accept and deal with the same as claims to be inserted on the list of voters. If the clerk of any governing body shall wilfully or negligently fail to comply with the provisions of this Act, he shall he liable to a penalty not exceeding one hundred pounds. A very interesting report was presented by the Hon Secretary (11. M. Brewer, Esq.), at the annual meeting of the Wanganui Acclimatization Society, winch was held on Tuesday last. The balance sheet showed that <£3B9, 12s Id had been expended during the year, leaving an available balance of :£53 9s Bd. Eight fallow deer were procured, and turned out during the year ; in birds, there were a small number of minahs, chaffinches, and English blackbirds; attempt to procure hares had been unsuccessful. In the introduction of fish the Society had been very successful —SO dozen perch, from Ballarat, arrived in splendid order. On account of number of applications from residents at Wanganui, Waitotara, and Paten, a further supply had been sent for and were expected in May. Of 700 trout turned out some have, since been seen from four to five inches long. A further consignment of nva is expected. The first attempt to introduce Californian salmon from Mr Johnson’s Piscatorial Nursery, Canterbury, failed. A fortnight afterwards 2,500 were turned out in lots of 500 in the long gravelly reaches between Te Rimu and Kaurakhia, where it is believed they will thrive. This is looked upon as one of the most valuable results of the year’s labors. The increase of rabbits near Wanganui has been so great as for them to have become a nuisance. The committee recommended that the season for native game should commence Ist April, and for imported game Ist May, ending 31st July. The sum of £SO has been voted for expenditure in acclimatizing the English partridge. It was decided that the Rangers of the Society should be written to, asking them to use increased viligence in endeavoring to procure the names of people shooting out of season or without a license, and also that a sum of five pounds be paid to any constable stationed between the Rangitikci and Patca rivers who should, during the year lb7B, secure the conviction of any person so offending.

The Wellington Argus of the 26th instant says :—We regret to learn that the lion John Sheehan is seriously ill of low fever, and that in all probability he will not be able to leave his bed for some days. Consequently, his visit to Napier ami Auckland will have to be postponed.